Any thoughts about my new "performance rig"?

amonster

Member
Aug 6, 2003
53
0
0
With some help from a few others I have narrowed my choices for my new "performance rig" down to the following; I was hoping to hear some of you experts chime in their thoughts and opinions. I have built maybe 6 machines in the past, but I would appreciate any input or important pitfalls I may be overlooking.

This machine will be used for Photoshop, as well as gaming, although I would say its about 65% Photoshop, and 35% gaming, if that helps. Thanks very much for any advice :)

Option A:

ASUS A8N32-SLI Deluxe Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce4 SLI X16 ATX
AMD Athlon 64 FX60 Toledo 1GHz FSB Socket 939 Dual Core Processor
2 x Raptor 150GB
1 x HITACHI Deskstar 7K500 HDS725050KLA360 (0A31619) 500GB 7200 RPM SATA
SAMSUNG 244t-Black 24" 6ms (G to G) LCD Monitor

2 GB of the fastest RAM I can buy (although ASUS says I GOTTA have Corsair XMS-3500LL PRO
OR
4 GB of the same RAM, but running at a lower 2T speed

SAPPHIRE 100150 Radeon X1900XTX 512MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16

Option B:

Tyan server MB (which I don't know yet)
AMD Dual-Core Opteron 280 Italy 1GHz FSB Socket 940 Processor
2 x Raptor 150GB
1 x HITACHI Deskstar 7K500 HDS725050KLA360 (0A31619) 500GB 7200 RPM SATA
SAMSUNG 244t-Black 24" 6ms (G to G) LCD Monitor
4 GB of the fastest ECC RAM that I can fit into the board running at 1T speed

(and I assume I can't use the same graphics card?.. I was told that some server boards don't offer the samne options for gaming video cards..)
 

n7

Elite Member
Jan 4, 2004
21,281
4
81
Wow, nice specs you have in mind :Q

Seeing as you're going all out, you might as well go for the 4 GB of RAM, though Windows won't be able to properly adress all 4 GB.
Photoshop will eat it up :p

You gotta go SLI/Crossfire if you're spending all that money too!

I don't like either option frankly, but SLI seems to be implemented a bit better, so maybe dual 7800GTX cards are in order (256 MB or 512 MB version).
 

amonster

Member
Aug 6, 2003
53
0
0
Im just looking to make sure I haven't missed anything TOO major in the build.. I know if I go with option B Im looking at a different case.. and graphics I guess..psu, stuff like that... Of course I know either option will make me happy.

You guess so huh? :)
 

bob4432

Lifer
Sep 6, 2003
11,726
45
91
save some $$$$$$!!!!!

do a x2 3800 or opty 165 and o/c it to a conservative 2.5GHz
2GB of ram unless you definately need more, but windows will only see ~3.25GB
whatever m/b you want
500W good quality psu
7800gt or 7800gtx

imo, unless you are getting paid and can write off the rig, you are kind of wasting your $$ on your suggestions, but that is up to you.
 

amonster

Member
Aug 6, 2003
53
0
0
Thanks bob, in fact I do NOT have to worry about the money for this rig, so I realize paying a premium generally carries the additional price of being overcharged for "top of the line" hardware.

I would LIKE to get 4 GB of RAM for Photoshop, I was told that Win XP pro would really only address 2 GB though (which should of course be enough for it, unless your right about the ~3.25, which will be even better).

I don't really have any interest in OCing at this point, and no experience with it. I might decide to try the very easiest form(s) of it after I have a machine up and stable.

Thanks again for the tips :)
 

VERTIGGO

Senior member
Apr 29, 2005
826
0
76
just ordered the Samsung myself today. If the X1900XT cranks enough juice for you, perfect. I like ATI's performance and IQ. (And they're gaining in the FEAR sector)
 

amonster

Member
Aug 6, 2003
53
0
0
Where did you find your EAX1900XT 512MB Vertiggo?? Any thoughts about which option I should go with? I have to say I am leaning towards Option A but with 4GB RAM in it...
 

bob4432

Lifer
Sep 6, 2003
11,726
45
91
Originally posted by: amonster
Thanks bob, in fact I do NOT have to worry about the money for this rig, so I realize paying a premium generally carries the additional price of being overcharged for "top of the line" hardware.

I would LIKE to get 4 GB of RAM for Photoshop, I was told that Win XP pro would really only address 2 GB though (which should of course be enough for it, unless your right about the ~3.25, which will be even better).

I don't really have any interest in OCing at this point, and no experience with it. I might decide to try the very easiest form(s) of it after I have a machine up and stable.

Thanks again for the tips :)

although i am not 100% sure, 32 bit windows can only allocate 2GB per program or something like this. i could be totally wrong, but i know there is something dealing wth 2GB of addressable ram for a program.
 

Ike0069

Diamond Member
Apr 28, 2003
4,276
2
76
Originally posted by: bob4432
Originally posted by: amonster
Thanks bob, in fact I do NOT have to worry about the money for this rig, so I realize paying a premium generally carries the additional price of being overcharged for "top of the line" hardware.

I would LIKE to get 4 GB of RAM for Photoshop, I was told that Win XP pro would really only address 2 GB though (which should of course be enough for it, unless your right about the ~3.25, which will be even better).

I don't really have any interest in OCing at this point, and no experience with it. I might decide to try the very easiest form(s) of it after I have a machine up and stable.

Thanks again for the tips :)
This is true normally, but there is a fix that allows Windows to use 3+ GB's.
although i am not 100% sure, 32 bit windows can only allocate 2GB per program or something like this. i could be totally wrong, but i know there is something dealing wth 2GB of addressable ram for a program.

 

bob4432

Lifer
Sep 6, 2003
11,726
45
91
Originally posted by: Ike0069
Originally posted by: bob4432
Originally posted by: amonster
Thanks bob, in fact I do NOT have to worry about the money for this rig, so I realize paying a premium generally carries the additional price of being overcharged for "top of the line" hardware.

I would LIKE to get 4 GB of RAM for Photoshop, I was told that Win XP pro would really only address 2 GB though (which should of course be enough for it, unless your right about the ~3.25, which will be even better).

I don't really have any interest in OCing at this point, and no experience with it. I might decide to try the very easiest form(s) of it after I have a machine up and stable.

Thanks again for the tips :)
This is true normally, but there is a fix that allows Windows to use 3+ GB's.
although i am not 100% sure, 32 bit windows can only allocate 2GB per program or something like this. i could be totally wrong, but i know there is something dealing wth 2GB of addressable ram for a program.

i understand that windows could use more than 3GB, but could 1 program like photoshop address more than 2GB?
 

VERTIGGO

Senior member
Apr 29, 2005
826
0
76
My card is coming from Zipzoomfly for $550. It's a little overpriced, but ASUS is always a little more. I like their quality, but you can find a built by ATi for less than $500.

Option A looks awesome, but if you're spending that much, why not wait for 2 G71s in SLI? Just considering you want absolute horsepower. The 1900 is plenty though, if you're more into photoshop, and the same goes for memory, though I prefer twin gigs at top speed.
 

amonster

Member
Aug 6, 2003
53
0
0
Well here is where I stand about now... any further advice to share? :)

Antec Performance I P180 Silver Steel ATX Mid Tower Case

AMD Athlon 64 FX60 Toledo 1GHz FSB Socket 939 Dual Core Processor

ASUS A8N32-SLI Deluxe Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce4 SLI X16 ATX

2 x CORSAIR XMS 2GB (2 x 1GB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 400 (PC 3200) ECC Registered Dual Channel (4 GB total)

1 x HITACHI Deskstar 7K500 HDS725050KLA360 (0A31619) 500GB 7200 RPM SATA

2 x Western Digital Raptor WD1500ADFD 150GB 10,000 RPM Serial ATA150

Antec TruePower 2.0 TRUECONTROL II-550 ATX12V 550W Power Supply
(just didn't wanna sleeve the Seasonic myself)

SAMSUNG 244t-Black 24" 6ms (G to G) LCD Monitor

Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi XtremeMusic 7.1 Channels PCI Interface Sound Card

SAPPHIRE 100150 Radeon X1900XTX 512MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card

Microsoft Windows XP Professional with SP2

Hows that look? I'm pretty excited :)
 

amonster

Member
Aug 6, 2003
53
0
0
Oops... forgot I haven't decided on a DVD burner yet... I have been reading over at CDLabs, I haven't been able to pick a sure winner from there just yet, any input would be appreciated. I like plextor, but seems their latest drive is hit/miss...Thanks
 

LOUISSSSS

Diamond Member
Dec 5, 2005
8,771
58
91
waste of money imo. buying all the top end parts cost over double but not double the performace.
 

LtPage1

Diamond Member
Jan 15, 2004
6,311
2
0
Go with the FX60 rig. If you can afford it, do it, and ignore the peanut gallery.
 

amonster

Member
Aug 6, 2003
53
0
0
Thanks everyone for the input, and thanks HO, for having me read the other thread. It seems pretty clear to me that my system as I stated it above will be sufficient for me simply because as I read about PRO PS users, I realized I am strictly amateur as it related to file sizes, layers, etc. For what I do with Photoshop, I feel certain that my system will be just what I need at least for another year or year and a half. I will be using Win XP Pro 32 and of course I hope to succesfully implement the 3GB switch.

I suppose just to be on the safe side, I should use a SLI card instead of the ATI card I listed. I have never gone with anything but ATI, but since I may wish in the future to use 2 cards, and since I am not willing to change MOBOs, I will need to change my graphics card choice. I will only need one card for the initial purchase.

Being that I have never used anything but ATI, any good recommendations for the fastest SLI card available? Cost really isn't an option for a gaming card for me, so what it the fastest SLI card going? :)

If anyone can recommend DVD burners, that would help also.

Thanks everyone :)