New Build, comments please!

[imported_Enoch]

Ok, so I'm building a new gaming machine. (NOTE: When I say 'gaming', I mean it is for gaming ONLY. I have 5 computers and now that I finally have the space to set up my network, I'm building a new one completely dedicated to gaming to increase specific task performance. Not even AIM will be installed on this machine.) Here are the specs I've come up with, feel free to comment on areas of improvement, etc.

AMD Athlon 64 FX55
ASUS A8N32-SLi Deluxe Mobo
Twin Corsair 3500LL Dual Channel 2G
OCZ Powerstream 600W PSU
2 x 34G Raptor HD (RAID0)
2 x eVGA GeForce 7800GT
CDRW/DVDRW dual layer combo leftover from a previous build

Now, there are two components which I have not yet decided on: case and HSF. And while I would like to go liquid cooling, I'm going to wait on that one for a bit after I build it. Since I'm not going the water cooling route, I'm thinking of a nice mid-tower, maybe the Lexa. As for HS/F, I'm not quite sure what fits and what won't fit on that new Asus board. Any suggestions on those two?

And any comments in general about the setup? Thanks!

 

[eXx08]

I would go with a Opteron 175 and get 1 Raptor for OS and a 400GB HDD for storage.

 

[Ricemarine]

Case: Antec P180, Coolermaster Centurion 530, or the new CM stacker .
HS/F: Zalman CNPS9500, or a thermalright XP-90C with a fan of your choice (I like silent, so nexus 92mm.)

For your rig... looks like you're overclocking...
-Get this G.Skill DDR500 ram
-Also get 1 74 GB raptor instead of 2 36 GB, anandtech proved the 74 GB was better in most cases.
-Don't like dual cores? oh well, still nice. You can get an opteron 170 or 165 and overclock them to 2.6 GHz.
-Get a DFI SLI-DR or expert.
-Make sure that powerstream can fit, since apparently they are shaped differently than regular psus.

 

[imported_Enoch]

I am really interested in dual cores, but I figure if I'm going to build this for gaming, I could get an FX55 to excel in games for now and when games take more advantage of dual core capabilities, I can change over to an x2. The one raptor is perhaps a better choice; sorry Opteron Guy, I don't need 400GB of storage. I have nothing to store but games.

I was considering the DFI at one point too, but for me it's still a tough decision to pass up on that Asus board.
Why the G.Skill? Its timing is worse than the Corsair I listed, and I'm sure the Corsair is plenty overclockable.

And one more thing: The PSU is a major factor in my case choosing, which is why I asked for suggestions. Does anyone know of a particular case this fits really well in? I know the stacker because it has a huge psu area.

 

[CraigSlice]

Originally posted by: Opteron Guy
I would go with a Opteron 175 and get 1 Raptor for OS and a 400GB HDD for storage.

Dont get opteron UNLESS you plan to Overclock,
if your not going to, stay away from opterons.

 

[alimoalem]

nice system. sorry for not having any suggestions but it looks like a very good gaming rig...i guess 74gb would be better though

 

[Compuzen]

I have that mobo and love it. I also have the Zalman 9500 on my cpu. It keeps it under 55 deg. celsius at full load at 2.9Ghz. Its really easy to over clock this board if your interested. I don't think you'll be disappointed.

 

[GamerExpress]

Originally posted by: CraigSlice

Originally posted by: Opteron Guy
I would go with a Opteron 175 and get 1 Raptor for OS and a 400GB HDD for storage.

Dont get opteron UNLESS you plan to Overclock,
if your not going to, stay away from opterons.

Interesting point of view, what is the reason behind this statement????

 

[kyleb]

RAID 0's effect on games is extremely slim to none. Get a 74GB raptor + 400 GB storage drive or get a SCSI interface card and pick up a 15k drive.

 

[Ricemarine]

Originally posted by: Enoch
I am really interested in dual cores, but I figure if I'm going to build this for gaming, I could get an FX55 to excel in games for now and when games take more advantage of dual core capabilities, I can change over to an x2. The one raptor is perhaps a better choice; sorry Opteron Guy, I don't need 400GB of storage. I have nothing to store but games.

I was considering the DFI at one point too, but for me it's still a tough decision to pass up on that Asus board.
Why the G.Skill? Its timing is worse than the Corsair I listed, and I'm sure the Corsair is plenty overclockable.

And one more thing: The PSU is a major factor in my case choosing, which is why I asked for suggestions. Does anyone know of a particular case this fits really well in? I know the stacker because it has a huge psu area.

Answer about G.Skill
Your ram that you posted is pc3500, the ram I posted is pc4000, so if you're overclocking, the G.Skill would overclock higher, since its rated at 250 mhz.

About DFI
DFI's mobos are #1 in tweaking so far, being able to tweak anything you desire, and it helps with overclocking... So if you're not, don't get it then cause you won't need it. Same goes with the g.skill ram.

About Opterons
Opterons have better quality than the x2s, with having more cache... So if you go dual core, you can probably reach 2.6 GHz with an opteron 170 or 175. They are also known for overclocking HIGHER... So, you can probably (high chance), grab an opteron 144 or 146, and overclock it somewhere to like 2.8 GHz, higher than an fx-55.

 

[raildogg]

Definately get an X2 4800. This is the future and you will not regret it. Sacrificing a few frames for a more future proof product is well worth it. Plus, the newer games will benefit from dual core processors. I wish I had gotten a dual core processor.

You could get a Western Digital 400GB, which has shown to be very fast. Also, two 36GBs are not very appealing.

Also, if I had that much cash, I would skip the expensive SLI motherboard and the second GPU and instead get great speakers and a Dell 2005fpw widescreen or even a 2405fpw.

 

[imported_Enoch]

Skip the SLi motherboard? No thanks, man. And if you're suggesting that getting an x2 will be future proof, maybe you didn't read what I wrote - when the future of gaming arrives, I'll switch. However, I am considering getting an Opteron.

 

[Lasthitlarry]

Can I have some of your money since you're just throwin it away?

What I mean is, you are buying an $811 processor that gets 1 MB Cache and 2.6GHz. You could probably OC that to 2.8, maybe as high as 3.4.

Or you could get an Opteron 165 for $290, with 2MB Cache and OC that thing to 2.6, easily.

Hell you could go with a 3700+ and OC if you love single core, or even a 3800+ X2.

If you are a gamer, you will know that dual core will eventually be utilized by game developers, probably shorter than a year, and you will have a $300 processor that cost you $811.

Also, SLI is a waste of money, especially if you are going to go with a friggin ridiculously expensive mobo that's not even worth it.

Everyone knows that 74GB Raptors are faster than 34GB.

Everyone else had good ideas.

 

[imported_Enoch]

Alright, I'm convinced the FX55 is a waste of money compared to just OCing an Opteron 165/170. So, which Opteron would be better? Obviously if I'm going to be OCing this opty, I'm going to opt for the DFI mobo... so 9x or 10x multiplier?

 

[RussianSensation]

You'll be better off with A64 3500+ and investing the rest into 2x7800GTX cards if you considered FX55.

Right now, I'd only go dual core (so X2 4400/4800+ or Opteron 170/175/180) and I would probably hold off 3 weeks until R580 for the videocards. I realize you got $ to spare, but when you are dropping $600 on a videocard, 3 weeks isn't a long time to wait. I'd never get FX55, unless you are a hardcore overclocker.

 

[imported_Enoch]

Well, I'm buying this rig in small chunks, and the processor and video card will be last on the list, due to the fact that they change so quickly. Question still remains about the Opterons though...

 

[Ricemarine]

Originally posted by: Enoch
Alright, I'm convinced the FX55 is a waste of money compared to just OCing an Opteron 165/170. So, which Opteron would be better? Obviously if I'm going to be OCing this opty, I'm going to opt for the DFI mobo... so 9x or 10x multiplier?

Opteron 165 = 9X multiplier
Opteron 170 = 10X multiplier.

Best to get 10 IMO.

 

[Azndude2190]

Originally posted by: Enoch
Ok, so I'm building a new gaming machine. (NOTE: When I say 'gaming', I mean it is for gaming ONLY. I have 5 computers and now that I finally have the space to set up my network, I'm building a new one completely dedicated to gaming to increase specific task performance. Not even AIM will be installed on this machine.) Here are the specs I've come up with, feel free to comment on areas of improvement, etc.

AMD Athlon 64 FX55
ASUS A8N32-SLi Deluxe Mobo
Twin Corsair 3500LL Dual Channel 2G
OCZ Powerstream 600W PSU
2 x 34G Raptor HD (RAID0)
2 x eVGA GeForce 7800GT
CDRW/DVDRW dual layer combo leftover from a previous build

Now, there are two components which I have not yet decided on: case and HSF. And while I would like to go liquid cooling, I'm going to wait on that one for a bit after I build it. Since I'm not going the water cooling route, I'm thinking of a nice mid-tower, maybe the Lexa. As for HS/F, I'm not quite sure what fits and what won't fit on that new Asus board. Any suggestions on those two?

And any comments in general about the setup? Thanks!

Switch that FX to a Opteron...buy a aftermarket heatsink(zalman) and oc it like crazy.
You know even if your using it strictly for gaming it wouldnt hurt to add...o say...a 400GB HD.
You should buy another 2GB make it 4GB(suggest you cut out the two Raptors)

 

[imported_Enoch]

Ok, my new setup is looking more and more like this:

AMD Opteron 165
DFI NF4SLI-DR Expert
2 x 1G g.Skill PC4000 DDR500
eVGA 7800GT (I might still do 2 for SLI, but for now I'm going to do 1 and save the money to invest in watercooling)
74G Raptor HDD
etc etc

Really interested in watercooling now. Might head over to the cooling forums, see if I can get some pointers... never tried it before.

Thanks all!