Configuring a new gaming machine. Help needed.

[hippy2981]

i'm configuring a new AMD gaming machine. please help me regarding the configuration and compatibilty issues. following is the rig so far. i'd edit it as i finalize more and more parts. any kinda help is really appreciated.

continued on:
http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview.aspx?catid=27&threadid=1736215

 

[ribbon13]

Get Opteron 165. Get a 1GB OCZ EB DDR500 stick

 

[hippy2981]

Opteron 165??!! why would i get a server side processor when all i'm interested in is gaming, little multi-tasking and no audio/video encoding.
i just found the below review between the intel and the AMD server and desktop processors. i did NOT find any reviews between the opterons and x2 itself.

http://www.anandtech.com/cpuchipsets/showdoc.aspx?i=2397

as of now, i'm still inclined on the X2 series. 4400+ performance is making me inclined towards it but it depends on my final budget too.

 

[Markbnj]

I think people are saying Opterons because you get the dual cores, you get the larger cache, and you get pretty good overclocking capability for less money than an X2. I've heard some people go as far as saying that the d/c Opterons make the X2 line obsolete.

 

[Soccerman06]

Actually, if you want larger cache in an Opterons, you have to pay more than what its worth. Going with the X2 is perfectly fine for you. Opterons are probably going to be more fun if you OC, but otherwise they are more server side. Opterons are basically reworked A64 processors, and the DC Opterons are basically X2s. If you really want an DC Opteron, you would want to go with the 275 ($700) because it is Manchester core (90nm vs 130nm). Because its a Manchester core, it has 512k cache though, but it will let you OC better than a 1mb cache version.

Opterons will perform roughly the same, if not better than a X2. An if you want to spend the money on the parts, you can get a mobo that fits 2 cpus and have a 4 CPU(2x275). Even though you will have to get registered memory to fit it, it will work just the same, you can even get them in PCI-E for the X1800XT.

 

[hippy2981]

Originally posted by: ribbon13
Get Opteron 165. Get a 1GB OCZ EB DDR500 stick

regarding the RAM,
Crucial Ballistix 1GB 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 500 (PC 4000) Unbuffered System Memory
desc: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820146549
Timing 3-4-4-8, voltage 2.8V

OCZ 1GBPlatinum Series with Enhanced Bandwidth technology (EB) 1GB 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 500 (PC 4000) Unbuffered System Memory Model OCZ5001024EBPE - Retail
desc: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820227224
Timing 3-3-2-8

the links describe the products on the newegg. as far the price goes, there's little difference with the crucial a bit costlier. the difference is the timing. any other differences?? how does it matter??

 

[hippy2981]

Originally posted by: Soccerman06
Actually, if you want larger cache in an Opterons, you have to pay more than what its worth. Going with the X2 is perfectly fine for you. Opterons are probably going to be more fun if you OC, but otherwise they are more server side. Opterons are basically reworked A64 processors, and the DC Opterons are basically X2s. If you really want an DC Opteron, you would want to go with the 275 ($700) because it is Manchester core (90nm vs 130nm). Because its a Manchester core, it has 512k cache though, but it will let you OC better than a 1mb cache version.

Opterons will perform roughly the same, if not better than a X2. An if you want to spend the money on the parts, you can get a mobo that fits 2 cpus and have a 4 CPU(2x275). Even though you will have to get registered memory to fit it, it will work just the same, you can even get them in PCI-E for the X1800XT.

thanks. actually i have no experience with o/c so i think, i wont be o/cing till i'm really comfortable. i might after some reading but i would rather wait. so i think X2 is my choice.

 

[hippy2981]

btw, i'm dicey about the X2 3800+/4400+. (i wont go for the 4200+ since the only difference is the core frequeny of 2GHz and 2.2GHz)

is 150/- difference worth for the 4400+ with L2 Cache: 2 x 1MB and Operating Frequency: 2.2GHz
over the 3800+ with L2 Cache: 2 x 512KB, Operating Frequency: 2.0GHz

thanks for the help.

 

[hippy2981]

Originally posted by: hippy2981

Originally posted by: ribbon13
Get Opteron 165. Get a 1GB OCZ EB DDR500 stick

regarding the RAM,
Crucial Ballistix 1GB 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 500 (PC 4000) Unbuffered System Memory
desc: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820146549
Timing 3-4-4-8, voltage 2.8V

OCZ 1GBPlatinum Series with Enhanced Bandwidth technology (EB) 1GB 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 500 (PC 4000) Unbuffered System Memory Model OCZ5001024EBPE - Retail
desc: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820227224
Timing 3-3-2-8

the links describe the products on the newegg. as far the price goes, there's little difference with the crucial a bit costlier. the difference is the timing. any other differences?? how does it matter??

regarding the RAM, there are no comparison reviews yet for the ballistix and OCZ - 1GB, PC4000.

memory timings are in the format: CAS/tRCD/tRPD/tRAS
tRCD doesnt matter so much. but, tRPD matters.
so, i guess OCZ has an edge.

REF: http://www.cooltechzone.com/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=377&Itemid=0

 

[CalamitySymphony]

Just get the cheapest, or the best.

No idea what your trying to do... Ram doesn't matter at all, and your not overclocking, and your disregarding the cheaper & better Opteron 165?

Plus, your getting an 1800XT? The 7800GTX 512 MB will absolutely KILL it in a week.

Well your money, not mine :/

 

[Phluxed]

The only thing that really seperates Opteron from the X2 is the stability and quality. Opteron's are designed to be amazing processors. THats why they overclock so well. It's liike buying the X2 for 1/2 as much and putting in 10 minutes of extra work to overclock.

 

[CalamitySymphony]

Btw, maybe you are uninformed:

Opteron 165 is a Dual Core <b>1MB Cache</b> Socket 939 chip running at 1.8 ghz. It is almost guaranteed to overclock to 2.6ghz. It goes for $299. None but the highest X2s have a chance of matching this, they run for $500+

DFI board is fine, but I would get the new Asus board, even if you don't run SLI.

RAM timings and speed don't mean squat on a Athlon chip. Unless your competing with other ppl on the popular games Sisoft Sandra and 3Dmark05.

And again.. the 7800GTX 512 is coming out in a week or so. Might want to wait and see just how much it beats the crap out of the 1800XT.

 

[hippy2981]

Originally posted by: CalamitySymphony
Just get the cheapest, or the best.

No idea what your trying to do... Ram doesn't matter at all, and your not overclocking, and your disregarding the cheaper & better Opteron 165?

Plus, your getting an 1800XT? The 7800GTX 512 MB will absolutely KILL it in a week.

Well your money, not mine :/

about
RAM: okay i'd just get the OCZ 1GB PC4000.
X1800XT 512MB: i'm getting a discount from ATI due to which the GFX would be cheaper than the 7800GTX.
Opteron 165 over X2: i have zero experience over overclocking. if i had any then i would have certainly went for Opteron. i'll look into it by reading articles.

 

[hippy2981]

i picked this one:
AMD Opteron 165 Denmark 1GHz FSB Socket 939 Dual Core Processor Model OSA165CDBOX - Retail
1.8GHz, L2 2MB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103588

here are my questions.
initially for some time, i wont o/c. but later on say 6 months or so i would. so, what kind of cooling would i need to purchase?

 

[Spike]

Originally posted by: hippy2981
i picked this one:
AMD Opteron 165 Denmark 1GHz FSB Socket 939 Dual Core Processor Model OSA165CDBOX - Retail
1.8GHz, L2 2MB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103588

here are my questions.
initially for some time, i wont o/c. but later on say 6 months or so i would. so, what kind of cooling would i need to purchase?

Don't get it from newegg, mwave.com has the EXACT SAME cpu for $305. As for cooling, people are getting 2.4-2.8 overclocks with the stock (included) cooler. Personally I would reccomend something in the line of the Thermalright SI-120, Zalman 9XXX? (don't remember the #), the Thermalright XP90, etc...

DO NOT GET THE 165 FROM NEWEGG.

-spike

 

[theMan]

definately wait for the 7800gtx 512mb. it will kill the x1800xt for sure.

 

[Spike]

Originally posted by: Soccerman06
Actually, if you want larger cache in an Opterons, you have to pay more than what its worth. Going with the X2 is perfectly fine for you. Opterons are probably going to be more fun if you OC, but otherwise they are more server side. Opterons are basically reworked A64 processors, and the DC Opterons are basically X2s.

Opterons will perform roughly the same, if not better than a X2. An if you want to spend the money on the parts, you can get a mobo that fits 2 cpus and have a 4 CPU(2x275). Even though you will have to get registered memory to fit it, it will work just the same, you can even get them in PCI-E for the X1800XT.

I'm not sure where you get your info but from all the sites and users I have heard from the opteron 165 is basically a Toledo core X2 running at 1.8ghz. It supposedly has better silicon and it's higher overclocks are attributed to the supposed higher standards the opterons are held to. With a simple overclock on stock cooling you are higher in speed than the 4400+ X2 for way less money.

Registered memory only applies to non skt 939 opterons, these 100 series (single core and dual core) use all the same mobos and ram as the A64 single and dual core skt 939 setups. As for running two at a time I don't believe you can do that as I have not seen a readily available dual 939 board.

Originally posted by: Soccerman06
If you really want an DC Opteron, you would want to go with the 275 ($700) because it is Manchester core (90nm vs 130nm). Because its a Manchester core, it has 512k cache though, but it will let you OC better than a 1mb cache version.

Where the heck do you get your info? The opteron 275 is a skt 940, has 2mb l2 cache, and the core is italy (closer to the toledo than the manchester). And the 165 is also a 90mm part, but for $300.

Please don't come in spreading false info to people looking for build advice.

 

[ribbon13]

I summed this up in another thread.

Originally posted by: ribbon13
Opterons are the cores that past the most stringent of testing, because they are meant for servers/workstations and 24/7/365 use without failing. The ones that fail, but still past stringent testing become the X2 4800s and FXs. The rest become regulars A64s/X2s.

The only reason the Opteron 165 is cheaper is because it's only clocked at 1.8Ghz while the X2 3800+ is clocked at 2.0Ghz. The Opteron 170 which is clocked at 2.0GHz costs $80 more than the X2 3800+. And the Opteron 165 will reach 2.0GHz without even breaking a sweat. The X2 4400+ is the cheapest X2 with 1MB L2 cache per core, clocked at 2.2GHz and costs $200 more than the Opteron 165. A 400Mhz stable overclock should easily be obtainable on most if not all Opteron 165s. So there you go. $500 CPUs performance for $300

Dual-core Opteron 165 ($299)
1.8GHz / 1MB L2 per core

Dual-core Opteron 170 ($399)
2.0GHz / 1MB L2 per core

Althon 64 X2 3800+ ($322)
2.0GHz / 512k L2 per core

Athlon 64 X2 4400+ ($499)
2.2GHz / 1MB L2 per core

 

[hippy2981]

Originally posted by: ribbon13
I summed this up in another thread.

Originally posted by: ribbon13
Opterons are the cores that past the most stringent of testing, because they are meant for servers/workstations and 24/7/365 use without failing. The ones that fail, but still past stringent testing become the X2 4800s and FXs. The rest become regulars A64s/X2s.

The only reason the Opteron 165 is cheaper is because it's only clocked at 1.8Ghz while the X2 3800+ is clocked at 2.0Ghz. The Opteron 170 which is clocked at 2.0GHz costs $80 more than the X2 3800+. And the Opteron 165 will reach 2.0GHz without even breaking a sweat. The X2 4400+ is the cheapest X2 with 1MB L2 cache per core, clocked at 2.2GHz and costs $200 more than the Opteron 165. A 400Mhz stable overclock should easily be obtainable on most if not all Opteron 165s. So there you go. $500 CPUs performance for $300

Dual-core Opteron 165 ($299)
1.8GHz / 1MB L2 per core

Dual-core Opteron 170 ($399)
2.0GHz / 1MB L2 per core

Althon 64 X2 3800+ ($322)
2.0GHz / 512k L2 per core

Athlon 64 X2 4400+ ($499)
2.2GHz / 1MB L2 per core

that's a great piece of information. i really appreciate the help.

 

[hippy2981]

regarding HDD, could anyone explain the benefits of SATA150 with NCQ for me?? ex: Seagate Barracuda 7200.7rpm, 160GB, cache 8MB with NCQ. read articles which say that NCQ doesn't benefit much as of now.

 

[hippy2981]

i finalized these two:

Western Digital 36.7 WD360GDRTL Raptor 8MB Buffer 10000RPM Serial ATA - Retail Hard Drive Kit
Seagate 160GB Serial ATA/150 8MB Buffer ST3160827AS-RK NCQ - Retail Hard Drive Kit

 

[hippy2981]

any suggestions on which case to get??!! the rig is mentioned in the first post if you wanna look at it for compatibility.

for the opteron 165, i know that if it's o/ced 400MHz more, it's still cool for the stock cooling. but i might go for the thermalright XP-120 later.
btw, after the case is decided, also shed some light on the psu and how many fans (with mm) would be recommended.

thanks!!!!!!!

 

[hippy2981]

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