Hello All.
I am looking to build a computer that will be able to handle a specific set of needs. If you want to see what I think will be required, I have a hypothesized hardware requirements section at the end.
Purpose:
I am a Poker Player. This computer is being built to handle many simultaneous poker applications.
Here is what will be going on. The CPU% numbers indicate how much of my current CPU these processes represent on my current system as reported by windows task manager. My current system is an AMD 2400+ (Thoroughbred I think) with 1.5GB of 400 DDR RAM. All CPU numbers are given at about 6 to 8 windows, as I currently do not have the CPU overhead to do more:
1. 8 to 10 poker tables spread amongst three 1600 X 1200 LCD monitors. 54% CPU (at 6 ? 8 windws).
2. A program which reads a database of my hand histories given to me from the poker room and displays them as statistics on top of each of my 8 to 10 poker windows 40 - 46% CPU (at 6 ? 8 windws).
3. A database program that compiles my poker room hand histories into an Access database and with a GUI that displays certain information pulled from that database. This program will be checking my hard drive for new hand histories every minute or several minutes. When hand histories are found (new ones should be generated at a rate of about 6 per minute) the program imports them into my hand history database. Currently, this application is at the lowest priority and there is not enough processing power to keep up with the rate hand histories are generated. 6% ? 28% CPU (at 6 ? 8 windows).
---------------------------------------------
Requirements Conclusion
I always thought poker would not be demanding on my computer, but I was wrong. With all these applications running, my computer CPU utilization is at 100% whenever I have 6 or more poker windows open. After this point, my database program is no longer able to keep up with the importation of new hands. I think the CPU speed is the bottleneck here as when I close my program that displays stats on top of the poker window, thus freeing up 40% of my CPU, the importation rate of the database program runs at about 13 hands per minute. When the computer is clogged up at 100%, the program only imports 3 to 4 per minute.
--------------------------------------------------
Questions about what elements would be most helpful in building a new system
1. Since there are three CPU intensive applications running, would a dual processor system help out, even if the individual applications are not enhanced for multithreading?
i.e. with Windows XP pro, will it divide the load between my two processors to create a noticeable improvement?
Below is included what I think this system will require. Any input on what you think is necessary would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
--------------------------------------------
Hypothesized Requirements:
1. Dual Processor
2. Motherboard with dual PCI Express slots capable of running two video cards independently in non SLI mode so that I can accommodate 4 Monitors with two dual monitor video cards.
-----------------------------------
Nice to have
1. SATA
2. Built in Gigabit LAN
3. Firewire
-----------------------------------
Afterthoughts
1. Computer Gaming ? I am not building this as a gaming system. That being said, it should be a pretty boss setup, so maybe I will end up playing some games on it. In this vein, I will definitely consider those things that will increase it?s gaming prowess, but will probably be unwilling to spend an unreasonable amount extra for them unless I need them anyway for my other purposes.
-----------------------------------
Things I don?t particularly care about (this is not to say I dislike these things, just that I won?t be paying extra for them):
1. RAID
2. SCSI
3. Server oriented stuff
--------------------------------------
What do you think?
Maybe the Tyan AMD-8000? Series chipset + NVIDIA nForce Professional board with a couple of Opterons?
http://www.tyan.com/products/html/thunderk8we.html
Oh yeah, value is very important. I?m usually a Fry?s MOBO + Processor combo guy, but I don?t think that will satisfy for this. I am willing to spend what it takes, but I prefer to spend less.
Any ideas on which Opteron to get?
http://www.amd.com/us-en/Processors/Pro...nformation/0,,30_118_8796_9240,00.html
It seemed like the sweet spot for value lies somewhere between the 244 (1.8GHz - $229) and the 246 (2 GHz $310)
Is there a new chip coming out soon?
Any new technology on the horizon that will be better suited for this?
I was looking at the reviews on Newegg and noticed that these chips were out before June of last year. Is the 2 GHz chip going to be any faster than my Athlon 2400+ (which also runs at 2 GHz)?
Would a top of the line single processor system work for me at all? The processor would have to be about twice as fast as my Athlon 2400+ Thoroughbred. Is a dual processor system the best thing for me?
Should I be considering Xenon? I guess I just assumed the AMD would be a better value.
I wouldn?t mind getting a good Dell Deal, but I?m not sure that they have the Dual PCI Express slots I want. However, if the deal is good enough, I could always buy a specialized Quad video card instead.
Anything else I should be considering?
Thanks in advance for all of your input.
I am looking to build a computer that will be able to handle a specific set of needs. If you want to see what I think will be required, I have a hypothesized hardware requirements section at the end.
Purpose:
I am a Poker Player. This computer is being built to handle many simultaneous poker applications.
Here is what will be going on. The CPU% numbers indicate how much of my current CPU these processes represent on my current system as reported by windows task manager. My current system is an AMD 2400+ (Thoroughbred I think) with 1.5GB of 400 DDR RAM. All CPU numbers are given at about 6 to 8 windows, as I currently do not have the CPU overhead to do more:
1. 8 to 10 poker tables spread amongst three 1600 X 1200 LCD monitors. 54% CPU (at 6 ? 8 windws).
2. A program which reads a database of my hand histories given to me from the poker room and displays them as statistics on top of each of my 8 to 10 poker windows 40 - 46% CPU (at 6 ? 8 windws).
3. A database program that compiles my poker room hand histories into an Access database and with a GUI that displays certain information pulled from that database. This program will be checking my hard drive for new hand histories every minute or several minutes. When hand histories are found (new ones should be generated at a rate of about 6 per minute) the program imports them into my hand history database. Currently, this application is at the lowest priority and there is not enough processing power to keep up with the rate hand histories are generated. 6% ? 28% CPU (at 6 ? 8 windows).
---------------------------------------------
Requirements Conclusion
I always thought poker would not be demanding on my computer, but I was wrong. With all these applications running, my computer CPU utilization is at 100% whenever I have 6 or more poker windows open. After this point, my database program is no longer able to keep up with the importation of new hands. I think the CPU speed is the bottleneck here as when I close my program that displays stats on top of the poker window, thus freeing up 40% of my CPU, the importation rate of the database program runs at about 13 hands per minute. When the computer is clogged up at 100%, the program only imports 3 to 4 per minute.
--------------------------------------------------
Questions about what elements would be most helpful in building a new system
1. Since there are three CPU intensive applications running, would a dual processor system help out, even if the individual applications are not enhanced for multithreading?
i.e. with Windows XP pro, will it divide the load between my two processors to create a noticeable improvement?
Below is included what I think this system will require. Any input on what you think is necessary would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
--------------------------------------------
Hypothesized Requirements:
1. Dual Processor
2. Motherboard with dual PCI Express slots capable of running two video cards independently in non SLI mode so that I can accommodate 4 Monitors with two dual monitor video cards.
-----------------------------------
Nice to have
1. SATA
2. Built in Gigabit LAN
3. Firewire
-----------------------------------
Afterthoughts
1. Computer Gaming ? I am not building this as a gaming system. That being said, it should be a pretty boss setup, so maybe I will end up playing some games on it. In this vein, I will definitely consider those things that will increase it?s gaming prowess, but will probably be unwilling to spend an unreasonable amount extra for them unless I need them anyway for my other purposes.
-----------------------------------
Things I don?t particularly care about (this is not to say I dislike these things, just that I won?t be paying extra for them):
1. RAID
2. SCSI
3. Server oriented stuff
--------------------------------------
What do you think?
Maybe the Tyan AMD-8000? Series chipset + NVIDIA nForce Professional board with a couple of Opterons?
http://www.tyan.com/products/html/thunderk8we.html
Oh yeah, value is very important. I?m usually a Fry?s MOBO + Processor combo guy, but I don?t think that will satisfy for this. I am willing to spend what it takes, but I prefer to spend less.
Any ideas on which Opteron to get?
http://www.amd.com/us-en/Processors/Pro...nformation/0,,30_118_8796_9240,00.html
It seemed like the sweet spot for value lies somewhere between the 244 (1.8GHz - $229) and the 246 (2 GHz $310)
Is there a new chip coming out soon?
Any new technology on the horizon that will be better suited for this?
I was looking at the reviews on Newegg and noticed that these chips were out before June of last year. Is the 2 GHz chip going to be any faster than my Athlon 2400+ (which also runs at 2 GHz)?
Would a top of the line single processor system work for me at all? The processor would have to be about twice as fast as my Athlon 2400+ Thoroughbred. Is a dual processor system the best thing for me?
Should I be considering Xenon? I guess I just assumed the AMD would be a better value.
I wouldn?t mind getting a good Dell Deal, but I?m not sure that they have the Dual PCI Express slots I want. However, if the deal is good enough, I could always buy a specialized Quad video card instead.
Anything else I should be considering?
Thanks in advance for all of your input.
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