New system build...poke holes in it!

[Svartmetall]

In the process of assembling a new machine, see if you can find any fault with this build before I fork out the final readies for it (already have case, HDDs + PSU):

Athlon 64 4000
4GB of Corsair RAM
ASUS A8N32-Sli Deluxe mobo
Leadtek 512MB GeForce 7900 GTX
2x 250GB Western Digital 16MB cache SATA HDDs
Thermaltake Shark case (black)
Enermax NoiseTaker 600W PSU
Soundblaster Audigy 4 7.1 EAX soundcard

...er...fans and stuff...


I'm hoping for an awesome gaming beast

 

[Lamp]

I would change sound card to Creative Labs X-FI Elite Pro Sound Card
but thats just me. Sound's important

 

[Chronictank]

buy 1 Raptor if you want performance hdd's (i.e want to record fraps while playing) as they are twice as fast as the drives you have listed.
Also answers your question in the other post why i went with that one
Also if you are buying a new case i strongly suggest you get a Antec P180

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/acatalog/Antec_Cases.html

 

[scorge]

In the process of assembling a new machine, see if you can find any fault with this build before I fork out the final readies for it (already have case, HDDs + PSU):

Athlon 64 4000
4GB of Corsair RAM
ASUS A8N32-Sli Deluxe mobo
Leadtek 512MB GeForce 7900 GTX
2x 250GB Western Digital 16MB cache SATA HDDs
Thermaltake Shark case (black)
Enermax NoiseTaker 600W PSU
Soundblaster Audigy 4 7.1 EAX soundcard

...er...fans and stuff...


I'm hoping for an awesome gaming beast

would reccomend 2 x Leadtek 512MB GeForce 7900 GTX for sli

 

[confused]

I'd recommend saving the cash on the 4gb ram unless you're using x64 windows, and even then 2gb is perfectly ample for any game. I's also suggest going the ati route, a x1900xtx generally whupps the pants off the 7900gtx and is alot cheaper + asus crossfire mobo, also a 3800 x2 might be a good idea if you're going for that spec, equally a dual core opteron might also be good same sort of price to the 4000+ with potentially longer life viability. Also might want to concider going for then enermax liberty modular psu's same sort of volume, but with removeable wires cable control - alot easier. Case is good, even though it's not my style, and if you put the HD's in raid 0 It would be daaaaaaaaaaaaamn good

 

[Naffets]

I'd save money and go for a 3700 rather than a 4000. 200mhz difference which you can oc anyway.

But thats me.

 

[confused]

I'd save money and go for a 3700 rather than a 4000. 200mhz difference which you can oc anyway.

But thats me.

/agree, but if you feel like spending that little extra go for the 3800 2x, or if you feel like spending even more the 2x 4400+ is even better

 

[Twist]

I'd recommend saving the cash on the 4gb ram unless you're using x64 windows, and even then 2gb is perfectly ample for any game. I's also suggest going the ati route, a x1900xtx generally whupps the pants off the 7900gtx and is alot cheaper + asus crossfire mobo, also a 3800 x2 might be a good idea if you're going for that spec, equally a dual core opteron might also be good same sort of price to the 4000+ with potentially longer life viability. Also might want to concider going for then enermax liberty modular psu's same sort of volume, but with removeable wires cable control - alot easier. Case is good, even though it's not my style, and if you put the HD's in raid 0 It would be daaaaaaaaaaaaamn good

What he said - some good points in there

 

[Svartmetall]

a x1900xtx generally whupps the pants off the 7900gtx

No, it doesn't. See the tomshardware test I linked to in Chronic's thread for more details.

a 3800 x2 might be a good idea if you're going for that spec, equally a dual core opteron might also be good

Most apps you will be running don't make use of dual processors, and more than a few actively don't work with them (DR client caused big issues with dual-core AMDs when it first came out) - so you end up having to run one of the cores off, effectively having a slower single core with half the L2 cache than if you'd gone for a faster single-core.

 

[Svartmetall]

would reccomend 2 x Leadtek 512MB GeForce 7900 GTX for sli

WTB winning lottery ticket

 

[confused]

No, it doesn't. See the tomshardware test I linked to in Chronic's thread for more details.

Most apps you will be running don't make use of dual processors, and more than a few actively don't work with them (DR client caused big issues with dual-core AMDs when it first came out) - so you end up having to run one of the cores off, effectively having a slower single core with half the L2 cache than if you'd gone for a faster single-core.

A dual core processor might not work completely effectively now, but it has added futureproofing, as games will soon be using both cores to their full advantage.
Using a single gpu a x1900xt-x is much better for value for money.

 

[Chronictank]

as confused says, why bother building a new system at all if your not gona tailor it for the newer games?

 

[Carnalito]

I would recomend a Dual Core CPU. Kicks arse

 

[Anny]

if you want to have a machine that will run 2 accounts while frapsing, playing music, downloading stuff, and generally everything else you could think of, and still have resources to throw in your face with a smile, then something like

http://sysbuild.corsairmemory.com/report.aspx?id=2

would be a good base, ofc upgrade the Gfx cards and CPU to the just released versions and double the memory (just because you can) and you should be sorted

givf payday

 

[Roteca]

realy must say that nor on DR, Cata, or TOA client ive had any problems running dualcore cpu, althou when playing games like Painkiller and other singel player games ive had some troubles, but its just to start the game using 1 core only...

and duallog on a dualcore cpu (amd x2 4400+) works so nicely for me atleast =P

 

[confused]

Though if you feel like single core go for an opteron, the highly overclockable nature of them makes them worth their weight in gold, though a dual core is significantly better in the long run

 

[Coolan]

Svart if you do go for a dual core i can personally recommend not going with the 3800, its crap imo first gen amd dual core i made the mistake of going with it and regreting every moment, currently saving for a fx57 now. The problems that the 3800 had have been fixed with the 4200 x2 and above btw.

 

[crispy]

Go for a dual core cpu. Even if they are lower rated, as long as its dual core...

 

[Konah]

enermax are overrated (and overpriced) imo. second i bought lasted a couple weeks before blowing up. first one i bought is still going strong tho so... never again will i buy thier products.

 

[confused]

For pure reliability go for a fsp sparkle, only problem is that they're not modular PSU's but overclockers uses one to power their x1900 crossfire rig

 

[crispy]

Oh, and i would also recommend a DFI board for the superb support you can get

 

[Lamp]

A word on overclocking

Think ppl who KNOW what they're talking about have a responsibility to let people who DONT KNOW that overclocking without full system/hardware knowledge capabilities / consequences / registry spill-overs and PSU implications are going to end up in a world of pain.
Seek ADVICE BEFORE you overclock. At least check out a web page / forum or two !

Just a thought.

 

[confused]

A word on overclocking

Think ppl who KNOW what they're talking about have a responsibility to let people who DONT KNOW that overclocking without full system/hardware knowledge capabilities / consequences / registry spill-overs and PSU implications are going to end up in a world of pain.
Seek ADVICE BEFORE you overclock. At least check out a web page / forum or two !

Just a thought.

naw, watching as your £2k windowed rig slowly fills up with white smoke is a liberating experience... when it goes wrong


p.s. yes looking at webbies about how to do it is advised, unless you get off on the possibility of needing a fire extinguisher next to your desk
edit: make sure its a carbon dioxide one, as computers don't seem to like water/foam ones, and sand gets absolutely everywhere

 

[Svartmetall]

Meep. A lot of dual-core evangelism here; been doing some checking on how they perform, and for single-application work there's not much in it but obviously they will do better when doing multiple things at once...like dual-logging DAOC while using Ventrilo...

Hmmz. Athlon X2 4400 is the lowest Athlon one that has the 1MB cache on it, but is almost £100 more than I'd budgeted for the CPU (hadn't wanted to go above £250 for CPU if possible).

 

[tris-]

probably dont need a PSU with such high power output. search google for PSU watt calculator or something. you can work it out there. my system is pretty much the same using a 450W psu and theres no issues at all.

 

[Svartmetall]

probably dont need a PSU with such high power output. search google for PSU watt calculator or something. you can work it out there. my system is pretty much the same using a 450W psu and theres no issues at all.

I chose a ~600W PSU for reasons of headroom; you generally never want to have anything running constantly at or even near its maximum performance level, it greatly reduces the component's lifespan.

 

[Cemeterygates]

hmmm....as your posting on the daoc section....your main game is daoc yes??
does daoc even use that amount of ram dual logged? i guess theres the future side of it bu tisnt 2gb more than enough? not a dig or anything as im 99.9% sure you know far me than me with comps but just seems a bit overkill....or am i wrong?

 

[Darzil]

probably dont need a PSU with such high power output. search google for PSU watt calculator or something. you can work it out there. my system is pretty much the same using a 450W psu and theres no issues at all.

This was the best one I could find, most haven't got the latest graphics cards as options.

http://extreme.outervision.com/index.jsp

Darzil

 

[crispy]

that calculator is a bunch of bullcrap You'll end up damaging your components if you follow it.. At least i would:

says my system needs a 216w rated psu when i got 2 ddr modules, winchester 3000+, 1 sata, 3 fans and a nvidia 6600gt...

Wouldnt even date to boot my system with a psu like that >_<

 

[tris-]

if it wasnt enough power it wouldnt even turn on.

i run a 7800GT PCI-E, athlon 3800, 1GB DDR in dual channel, 2 HDDs, DVD RW, NIC. 4 high performance chieftec case fans (one 120mm, the rest 90mm)

the psu is 480W.
you dont always need the highest wattage. you need a high quality PSU. not a 600 whatever wattage psu that costs £10-£30.
if my PSU wasnt upto it, it would of died a long time ago or never even turned on.

to get back on track, the moral is you dont need the highest wattage, you need the highest quality you can afford.

here is the psu - http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/ProductInfo.asp?WebProductID=156689 . i would recommend it