Building a new Athlon 64 Rig, need some insight.

[Aiune]

Okay, after doing some preliminary research, I think I have a good grasp on what I want to get out of this. However, there are a few things I need some input on from you guys, especially the clockers. (This will be quite the clock job) Okay, here goes.

What Mobo should I go with if planning on clocking a 3200+ Venice (2.0GHz) to at least a FX-55 (2.6GHz)?

I keep hearing MSI Neo4-Plat? Anyone agree on this as the most solid board for working with PCIe and Dual Channel coupled with clocking? I heard the DFI Ultra-D is a good back up, which one would you recommend?

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What RAM should I go with? I keep hearing how great OCZ's are in the clocking aspect, but I'd like to know what's the best choice for RAM in respect to this processor and motherboard. (Assume i'm getting a top of the line PSU, because i am, check below) Should i go for the PC4000 VX Gold with it's crazy voltage or is it too risky?

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What type of SATA HDD do you recommend as a good gaming/windows drive, not a media drive? I was thinking around a 120-160gig, if you have some good suggestions on that, I could really use it.

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What is the best PSU out right now for clocking the said above? I really want to make sure i'm secure in the voltage and power aspect of this comp, and I won't mind spending a bit more to make sure i'm secure. I keep hearing great things about Antec's PSU's lately and I was hoping you guys could help me out on getting a good one to fit this clocking build.

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Cooling. Okay, i'd like to do this standard air cooling, and im okay with moderate noise coming out my computer. If you guys have any good suggestions to keep my comp 50C and lower with certain fans and etc, i'd be really appreciative. Remember, build it around the above clock/processor/mobo/ram, etc.

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And finally, what do you think of me putting in an X800 XL in my PCIe? I get some great deals off of ATI because of my work, and i can get it at 40% off, or around $170. I think it'll be good for now, eh?

Overall i'd like to make this a pretty powerful machine for under 1k. I think it's reasonable, and i'd like to hear your guys input. Greatly appreciate it. THANKS!

 

[Waylay00]

1. DFI is the best OC'er. but can be a pain to get running for some.

2. If you get DFI, grab the VX PC4000

3. Seagate Barracuda SATA w/ NCQ

4. OCZ Powerstream 520w is great.

5. X800XL is a great card.

 

[microAmp]

Take a look at this thread about memory timings vs. memory bandwidth.
http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview...atid=28&threadid=1475190&enterthread=y
Could save you some money or put towards somethings else.

 

[rise]

Originally posted by: Waylay00
1. DFI is the best OC'er. but can be a pain to get running for some.

2. If you get DFI, grab the VX PC4000

3. Seagate Barracuda SATA w/ NCQ

4. OCZ Powerstream 520w is great.

5. X800XL is a great card.

i likes except the vx. i'd go with some nice tccd or the ocz rev2 el plat

 

[OzzieGT]

Visit that link that was posted before you spend any money on memory. You should easily be able to get by with value RAM and save $100 bucks or more.

 

[knothead34]

he plans on over clocking. value ram isent gonna cut it on that dfi board if thats what he chooses. that board is picky about ram ive seen guys try value ram with that board and it wont cut it. go to dfi-street.com see what others are using ocz plat rev2 is a good choice. should be able to squeeze in some good ram with a thousand dollar budget.

 

[rise]

that article zebo wrote is great but people forget it was 6 months ago and ram prices have changed a little to be kind. that rev2 can be had for ~ $175 and will run 310mhz and up.

anyway, like knothead said, best bet always when getting the ram is to check first with the mobo manufacturers and their users to see what works best.

 

[bob4432]

Originally posted by: knothead34
he plans on over clocking. value ram isent gonna cut it on that dfi board if thats what he chooses. that board is picky about ram ive seen guys try value ram with that board and it wont cut it. go to dfi-street.com see what others are using ocz plat rev2 is a good choice. should be able to squeeze in some good ram with a thousand dollar budget.

personally i would go with a different mobo, sure the dfi boards can do 4.0V but i have heard so many issues i would stay clear and go msi, abit, asus or something that is not as finicky.

 

[rise]

Originally posted by: bob4432

Originally posted by: knothead34
he plans on over clocking. value ram isent gonna cut it on that dfi board if thats what he chooses. that board is picky about ram ive seen guys try value ram with that board and it wont cut it. go to dfi-street.com see what others are using ocz plat rev2 is a good choice. should be able to squeeze in some good ram with a thousand dollar budget.

personally i would go with a different mobo, sure the dfi boards can do 4.0V but i have heard so many issues i would stay clear and go msi, abit, asus or something that is not as finicky.

people hear all these issues with dfi but they seem to skip over things like this ongoing issue that now is getting some more ink--

Update: After this Guide was initially written, it came to light that the MSI boards are having problems with 90nm parts. The MSI Neo4 SLI was our original high-end pick, but we changed that out after the new information. Sorry for the confusion!

or the asus bios issues. or the the chipset fan issues. my point is they all have issues.

the 4v issue with dfi seems more of a ram problem as in people think they can feed 3.5v through it 24/7 and expect it to last. its not a closed case, but its also not as widespread as people make it and initial testing isn't showing it to be a mobo issue.

anyway, whatever ram you get, do your homework. find what people are having good results with and get that. i had some ocz 3500 ram and it clocked terribly. for less than what i paid for that i got the ocz el plat rev2 running 2.5/3/3/7 275mhz @ 2.8v.

 

[bob4432]

maybe i should rephrase and say " i have seen issues " from people. it seems like when dfi put out the nf2 lanparty boards they were excellent and the reviews/feelings i had from many friends that had them were they were excellent boards. many of those friends upgraded to a64 and did buy the dfi nf4 lanparty boards and i would say 75% returned them because of numerous probelms.

it just seems like a lot from the same manf, maybe it was a fluke, but imo, and that is all it is, they seemed more problematic. maybe dfi took on more marketshare so there are more boards out there, don't know. and the 4.0V ram was not an issue, i was just stating that it is either the only or one of a very few that can do that much voltage to the ram. the peeps that i know were not even pushing their boards but having problems at stock speeds. i am not saying that my friends are experts, but they are pretty familiar and have built many machines and are not newbs. again, could have been a fluke, don't know

 

[rise]

sorry if it came across as directed at you, its more of a general trend i guess that has worn on me.

you're right that as this is a enthusiast forum for the most part, the dfi board gets alot of play here. considering they ship ~20,000 of these a month the number of problems doesn't seem too bad to me. especially when you also take into account the people trying to run a venice on a bios made in january or those who don't equip the board properly or rtfm...

it no doubt can be a tough board but i think a lot of people create their own problems.

and again, sorry if that came out as an attack on you, that wasn't my intent.

 

[bob4432]

Originally posted by: rise4310
sorry if it came across as directed at you, its more of a general trend i guess that has worn on me.

you're right that as this is a enthusiast forum for the most part, the dfi board gets alot of play here. considering they ship ~20,000 of these a month the number of problems doesn't seem too bad to me. especially when you also take into account the people trying to run a venice on a bios made in january or those who don't equip the board properly or rtfm...

it no doubt can be a tough board but i think a lot of people create their own problems.

and again, sorry if that came out as an attack on you, that wasn't my intent.

no probs, just explaining my point and i should have stated i had seen problems instead of hearing about them :thumbsup: