Experts please chime in... need help making final choices.

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amonster

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Aug 6, 2003
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Hi all. I have spent a decent amount of time reading here. I realize that MANY answers are already here in the forum archinves, but I wanted to ask a couple here and hope for some enlightened answers from you experts out there.

First of all, I am an amateur builder, about 8-10 machines to my credit thus far.

I am about to build myself a high-end machine for home use. Uses in order of importance:

1) Photoshop manipulations (files ranging from very small to around 50MB files)
2) Gaming
3) Multi-tasking (I tend to work on everything at once, even games at same time)
4) Watching DVD movies (full screen)
5) Internet browsing (cable modem), downloading.

Basically I just want a machine that does everything very fast... of course!

The MOST important thing for me is stability, followed RIGHT behind with blazing speed. I am fortunate enough to have a large sum of money to use for this project ($3,000 - $5,000).

So far here is what I have, its still flexible though.

Intel Pentium 4 3.2GHz
ATI RADEON 9800 PRO 256 MB
Antec True 480 480W power supply
2X WD-Raptor WD740GD Drives in a RAID-0 Config.
1X Samsung 160gb SATA Drive (storage)
2 Gig of RAM (2 sticks) Either OCZ, Kingston Hyper-X, or Corsair XMS.
Cambridge Soundworks Megaworks THX 6.1
Audigy 2 Platinum EX (external box)
Sony DRU510A multiformat OR Pioneer DVR-A06 Drive (DVD)
Lite-on 52X CD
Windows XP Professional
Case - want to be able to easily keep it very cool!

The big question for me is MOTHERBOARD (suggestions MORE than welcome on a Case also) I am considering: Abit IC7-MAX3 (or IC7-G), ASUS P4C800-E Deluxe, maybe Intel. I have to try to consider the speed and stability of the board, chipset, the RAM capabilities, etc. Stability key, speed a close second. A couple other questionsI have:

1) How to set up my OS, Pagefile, Apps, etc to take total advantage of my set up?
(like which things work best on their own drive, their own partition, etc)

2) I am well aware of the arguments for and against RAID-0 use... Since I am going to use it though, can anyone recommend the best controller to get the most performance? Should it be on-board (ICH5R)? Adaptec? Promise? I dont want a RAID setup if I cant maximize its speed, and this seems like an important piece of that equation.

Well, thanks again to anyone and everyone that can share expert advice on this setup, and more specifically the 2 questions concering motherboard choices and hard drive setup.

Monster
 
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Alptraum

Golden Member
Sep 18, 2002
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I have an ASUS P4C800-E Deluxe and would get another in a second. Its great. I don't run RAID on it but if you want to it has two controllers, both the Intel and a Promise, so you could play around with both easily. For memory I went with Corsair XMS PC3200 Platinum. Its great as well.

For the video do you mean the XT or just the normal 9800Pro with 256? You might as well get the XT. I got a 9800Pro AIW and if I would have waited just abit (the XT wasn't out yet) I would have gotten the XT.

Best of luck on getting answers to your RAID questions. I have never bothered with IDE RAID myself but have used SCSI RAID extensively for years.
 
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thraxes

Golden Member
Nov 4, 2000
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My votes are for:

MB: Asus P4C800-E Dlx
RAM: I will vote Kingston HyperX as I have used them many times and never had one go bad.
DVD-Burner: I vote for Pioneer, another piece of equiptment that I have used, sold and had no problems with.
2nd CD drive: I would rather add a second standard CD Burner than a normal CD-ROM drive. For the simple reason: You will still be burning mostly regular CDs and the DVD burners are limited to 16x CD-R. A cheap Lite-On CD-R/RW burner will do that at 48x. It is a very noticeable speed difference! Especially if you have to burn a whole series of CDs.
 
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Camofrog

Member
Dec 2, 2003
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I would reccomend the ASUS P4C800 Deluxe I would have gotten it but im happy with my P4P800 its is just as fast since the only difference is the 865PE chipset to the 875P, they both enable a performance memory application in BIOS. I dont know but i think Abit as figured this out with the intel chipsets also.

I agree with ^^^ i would also get a ATI 9800XT Pro

AS far as the hard drives i WD has come out with a 80gb 10000rpm SATA rather then the 40gb, you might look around for the best deal on those. Raid 0 worked perfect on my cousins comp and he had the P4C800 Deluxe, with a couple of WD 200gb SATA 8mb cach 7200rpm drives.

I would deffintely get at least a 2x512mb dual channel ddr-ram setup with at least PC3200 or higher ram. and you would probably want the higher performance CAS low latency.

What kind of Monitor are you going to use ?
 
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amonster

Member
Aug 6, 2003
53
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Thanks to everyone for such quick responses!

I will definately consider the ATI XT Pro for my graphics.

I want to get 2 sticks of RAM, so as not to fill the available slots of the board. 1 GB each of the fastest I can support.

Motherboards... I dont know yet, lots of votes for the ASUS, also considering the Intel D875PBZ, and the Abit IC7-MAX3.

I am getting the 74 GB Raptors yes. Not sure about RAID-0 with the (ICH5) controller, or should I get a seperate controller (PCI). Any differences I wonder? (i know we are splitting hairs... but still).

I am going to get a CD-R like you suggested THRAXES... thanks for the tip. I think Lite on has a nice player/burner.

Thanks again everyone! I really appreciate the feedback!

 
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amonster

Member
Aug 6, 2003
53
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Could anyone please recommend some really nice 21" CRT Monitors? (not ready to get LCD just yet)

Thanks!
 
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amonster

Member
Aug 6, 2003
53
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Also, with my budget, some folks are recommending that I look into an Opteron... I will read about them and see if its an option I should be considering, but do any of you with experience think this is a good idea? I don't know anything about them, what motherboard I would need, does it change my drive or RAM requirements, etc.

Anyone with experience, I would appreciate your opinion.

Thanks!
 
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amonster

Member
Aug 6, 2003
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Sorry for all of the questions... but I am also hearing that perhaps I should opt for a 3Ware Escalade controller, for my RAID-0 array. Because it will lighten any load that may be placed on the CPU from the southbridge (ICH5). Does anyone with experience care to share their opinions about this?

Thanks again!
 
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Camofrog

Member
Dec 2, 2003
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Yes deffinitely would use CRT monitors for what you plan on doing.
i've read in places that these are the best 21" crt.

Mitsubishi Diamond Pro 2060u
or the
ViewSonic p225f

I would use any one with the DiamondTron tubes

this is the Diamond Pro 2060u -
Tube size 22 inches
Actual size 20 inches
Technology DiamondTron NF
Bandwidth 360 MHz
Min/Max horizontal rate 30 - 121 KHz
Min/Max vertical rate 50 - 160 Hz
Recommended max. resolution 1920x 1440 at 80 Hz
Dimensions (cm) 49.5 x 49.3 x 47.3
Weight 29.7 kg
Est Retail Price $950

this is the ViewSonic p225f -
Tube size 22 inches
Actual size 20 inches
Technology PerfectFlat / DiamondTron NF
Bandwidth 335 MHz
Min/Max horizontal rate 30 - 127 KHz
Min/Max vertical rate 50 - 180 Hz
Recommended max. resolution 2048 x 1536 at 79 Hz
Dimensions (cm) 49.5 x 49.3 x 47.3
Weight 30.5 kg
Est Retail Price $850

 
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amonster

Member
Aug 6, 2003
53
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Thanks Camofrog, I appreciate all the info. I have been very happy with Viewsonics in the past, so I am thinking I may go with that one! I think it would be REALLY nice!

Thanks!

Monster
 
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mrgoblin

Golden Member
Jul 28, 2003
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Wtf? 5 gs? and your buying intel??? Go buy a dual opteron system now before i slap you!
 
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Sideswipe001

Golden Member
May 23, 2003
1,116
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Photoshop...multiple programs at once...

D U A L P R O C E S S O R

Either look into dual Opterons or Dual Xeons. Every time you alt tab between a game and Photoshop, or some other program, you'll look at your computer and smile as it doesn't slow down.

I have dual Xeons, and all I can say is that I would hate to go back.

 
Markfw

Markfw

Moderator Emeritus, Elite Member
May 16, 2002
27,344
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Originally posted by: mrgoblin
Wtf? 5 gs? and your buying intel??? Go buy a dual opteron system now before i slap you!
Click to expand...

Ditto. Dual Opterons, the fastest you can find. You will never go back to singles.
 
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amonster

Member
Aug 6, 2003
53
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Everyone here has been very helpful, and after careful consideration (and some reading) I have decided that the dual Opteron is the best solution for the power and speed I am after! Now I still have to make some decisions that I dont understand as well...

Like can anyone recommend their best pick for a dual Opteron board? I like the Tyan "Thunder K8S Pro" Motherboard , but I have little experience, can someone recommend a better one?

And Im still a bit hazy on the RAM issue... I understand that I need to get Registered ECC DDR 400 memory, but now with all the DIMM slots on that board above... can I have 4 sticks? (this would slow a standard single CPU board). Can someone help me clarify the Optimum way to stock 2 Gigs of RAM into this board? To get the best performance I mean of course. 2 Sticks? 4 Sticks? Im not sure how limited I will be with RAM choices for this setup, I have never done a dual CPU before, so any help would be appreciated.

My new considerations then...

2 Opteron 248 chips
Tyan Thunder K8S Pro Mobo
2 74 GB Raptors in RAID-0 ... with only 2 drives in the RAID...would i want the 3WARE Escalade 8006-2 Serial ATA RAID Controller?... or the 3WARE Escalade 7506-4LP ATA 133 RAID Low Profile Controller?
1 150-200 GB SATA drive for storage and backup (recommendations for the fastest big disk?)
RADEON 9800XT 256 Video (Brand recommendations? or are they all the same really?)
2 Gigs of RAM (see above questions)

Also, It's been recommended to simply disable the pagefile altoghter... would that still apply to the above setup?

and please tell me how to optimize the software setup too, if someone can. I guess I would not need to partition anything? I would put my OS and Applications on the raptors? and everything else on the BIG drive? A little clarification should help me to optimize the software setup to go with the great hardware.

Thanks again to everyone who had responed! Much appreciated!
 
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amonster

Member
Aug 6, 2003
53
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Hello all, I just wanted to also mention that I am REALLY trying to find a source for high-quality, Registered DDR400 memory to go with my dual Opteron setup. The problem is that I am trying to find 1 GB sticks of it. At the very least I would want 512KB sticks. I have had very little luck so far with either.

I also am still trying to decide what case to get to fit the 12x13" Tyan Thunder K8S Pro Motherboard.

Any help or recommendations for the RAM or the Case (needs to be kept COOL!) would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!
 
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