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Any thoughts about this rig?

M

mamba88

Junior Member
I want to build a computer primarily for gaming, but I would also like to use it to download and watch TVshows and movies, and as a PVR, probably with MythTV. I am also a big multitasker on the internet--sometimes I have 30 or more tabs running in a couple of Firefox windows (this probably doesn?t matter on its own, but could have an impact when running MythTV, etc.)
I have no problem upgrading memory, video card, or sound card later when I can afford it.
I might overclock, especially if the performance gain is substantial and it isn?t too hard. I last tried overclocking a Duron 600 and it didn?t work--I couldn?t get it to unlock.


This is what I?m thinking:

Opteron 165 ($315)

Either 6800GS ($205)or 7800GT ($315)

Some nForce4 SLI motherboard ($150)
(except I found this deal, which includes a mobo and 7800gt for $379 total Corsair value select 2x512 ($75)

Corsair ValueSelect 2x512 MB RAM sticks ($75)

Two 250 or 300 GB hard drives; I think I can find those at a retail store for about $160 after rebate for an IDE 16mb buffer like this from CompUSA
(BTW, what?s the performance difference between IDE and SATA?)
If I go SATA, I?d probably go with the Seagate 7200.9 for the warranty and quiet operation

Case and power supply uncertain (probably $70)

Do I need an aftermarket HSF?

Dvd burner I can find (I?m deciding between light scribe or not--its about $80 vs. $40)

I already have a second dvd rom drive

So I?m looking at somewhere between $1050 to $1300, which is fine.

Questions:

How does this balance? I?m leaning towards the 6800GS because I?ll probably upgrade the video card in 1-2 years.

What about the overclocking potential of both the chip and video card?

Is the memory too cheap/can I overclock it, and would it be worth it?

Do the new catalyst 5.13 drivers change the video card equation at all?

What are the arguments in favor of an X2 instead of an Opteron?

Another thing I am interested in is getting some good free games with the video card, and that would probably tip the balance between manufacturers.


 
Im a intel guy, but I will say go with a eVGA7800GT free quake 4, you don't need a aftermarket HSF but it won't hurt anything. Go with a cooler master case, one that you like, they are all excellent pretty much (I like the cav 3) Allso consider a 450w psu (fortron reccomended)
 
tihese questions are asked a lot, but the performance difference between IDE and SATA is none. therotically, Ide maxes out at 133mbps, SATA is 150 and SATA 2.5 or whatever is 300, but hard drives(7200rpm,ncq enabled, 8-16mb chache) do 50-60 sustained mbps and 90-100 max burst.

you do not need a aftermarket hsf. a retail amd hsf will help you oc to 2.6ghz fine.

lightscribe is worthless. take this from a hp owner. get a NEC 3550a, cheap, good.

if you are upgrading in 1 year, get the 6800gs, if 2 get the 7800gt.

memory is fine,you can overclock by using a divider. amd64s have no problems with dividers.

as for harddrives, 7200.9 are loud when seeking. otherwise, pretty quiet.
 
I'm thinking about the lightscribe cause I want to copy my dvd's and give them to my friends for cheap (and useful) gifts--not quite as bad as selling them, but still illegal, I know.
 
i had teh same budget id say go with everything in my sig but instead of a Oteron 148 go with the 165.
 
opteron guy how much did you spend without the monitor/kb/mouse/speakers, in other words just the box?
 
Originally posted by: mwmorph

you do not need a aftermarket hsf. a retail amd hsf will help you oc to 2.6ghz fine.

lightscribe is worthless. take this from a hp owner. get a NEC 3550a, cheap, good.

memory is fine,you can overclock by using a divider. amd64s have no problems with dividers.
Click to expand...

<- agrees. look at my sig for the corsair values. you do not need aftermarket cooling if you're overclocking. i found this to be a myth unless you're the type to push 1.6 volts for that extra 150 mhz.
 
Originally posted by: mamba88
opteron guy how much did you spend without the monitor/kb/mouse/speakers, in other words just the box?
Click to expand...

I spent about 1k on it so if you go 7800GT and Opteron 165 you will be good.
 
i know the opterons oc better and are usually the higher quality chips in the same batch as x2--however they are more expensive
 
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