Any thoughts about my new "performance rig"?

[amonster]

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]

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

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).

 

[drum]

i guess that qualifies as a "performance rig"

 

[amonster]

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]

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]

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

 

[atybimf]

Option A

 

[VERTIGGO]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

waste of money imo. buying all the top end parts cost over double but not double the performace.

 

[LtPage1]

Go with the FX60 rig. If you can afford it, do it, and ignore the peanut gallery.

 

[imported_redlotus]

Maybe a stupid question here, but why the SLI mobo with an ATI Vid Card?

 

[Bobthelost]

Irrelevant crap removed

 

[HO]

recent discussion

Start reading from this post: 02/08/2006 05:18 AM

 

[GOREGRINDER]

if your getting an nvidia card get an SLI board if your getting a Radeon get a cossfire board imo

 

[amonster]

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