first build, please advise

[yoopereh]

I'm jumping in to my first build. I intend to use the rig primarily for imaging. Any suggestions, dumb choices...

AMD Opteron Model 146, 1MB L2 Cache 64-bit Processor - Retail
ASUS nForce3 Pro150 Chipset Motherboard for AMD Socket 940 CPU, Model "SK8N" -RETAIL
SAPPHIRE ATI RADEON 9800PRO Video Card, 256MB DDRII, 256-bit, DVI/TV-Out, 8X AGP -OEM
Corsair XMS Extreme Memory Speed Series, Low Latency (Twin Pack) 184 Pin 1GB(512MBx2) DDR PC-2700 with Platinum Silver Heat Spreader - Retail
Western Digital 160GB 7200RPM SATA Hard Drive, Model WD1600JD, OEM Drive Only
Allied TRUE 450W Power Supply AL-B450EATX w/ Two Fans ***AMD APPROVED good to 2200+ *** UL, CSA, FCC
Approved

Thanks, eh!

 

[Markfw]

That motherboard requires registered memory, and your post doesn;t confirm that is what you got. Other than that, looks good. And $290 for that CPU is almost the same as the 3400, but dual channel memory, and upgradeable !

 

[yoopereh]

yeah, but isn't the 3400 socket 754?

 

[Regs]

Originally posted by: yoopereh
yeah, but isn't the 3400 socket 754?

The opteron isnt socket 754.... The A64 3400 is.

 

[mikecel79]

If you want an AMD solution I would go with an A64 3400+ instead of the Opteron. The A64 at that speed is as fast or faster in almost everything.

Also for a video card you really don't need to spend all that money for Radeon 9800. If your only doing image editing then just about any card will do. If your only doing 2D image editing (Photoshop, etc) then you want something that does very crisp clear images like one of the latest Matrox cards. Take the extra money and put some more memory in it.

 

[yoopereh]

don't socket 754 mobos limit you RAM potential to 2-3 gigs?

 

[Gagabiji]

How much money do you HAVE?! lol that must take some cash...

 

[mikecel79]

Originally posted by: yoopereh
don't socket 754 mobos limit you RAM potential to 2-3 gigs?

Most boards are limited to 3GB but that should be enough to have open 100's of high-res photos open at once!

 

[Briguyatx]

I would think the opteron would be faster for imaging, with the dual channel ram support (much more bandwith) the a64 3400+ setup would probably be much cheaper though.

 

[Markfw]

Originally posted by: mikecel79
If you want an AMD solution I would go with an A64 3400+ instead of the Opteron. The A64 at that speed is as fast or faster in almost everything.

Also for a video card you really don't need to spend all that money for Radeon 9800. If your only doing image editing then just about any card will do. If your only doing 2D image editing (Photoshop, etc) then you want something that does very crisp clear images like one of the latest Matrox cards. Take the extra money and put some more memory in it.

I would guess that even though the 146 runs at 2.0 ghz and the 3400 runs at 2.2 ghz, with the dual channel memory controller on some programs, its probably the same speed (just a guess), but more importantly, with that mobo, he could put in an FX-53, a 248, a 250 (when they come out with it), or faster ! But right now with a 146, he doesn't have to go broke.

 

[nitromullet]

Originally posted by: Markfw900

I would guess that even though the 146 runs at 2.0 ghz and the 3400 runs at 2.2 ghz, with the dual channel memory controller on some programs, its probably the same speed (just a guess), but more importantly, with that mobo, he could put in an FX-53, a 248, a 250 (when they come out with it), or faster ! But right now with a 146, he doesn't have to go broke.

I see the point that you are making and I agree. Going with an Opteron does ensure your upgradablilty a bit, since it isn't wise for a cpu manufacturer to put business customers in a dead end situation right after they just bought your most expensive stuff. However, putting an Opteron 2xx an a single cpu mobo is a waste of money, since the first digit in the Opteron naming scheme denotes the number of cpu's supported. To translate the single cpu Opterons to the FX line...

FX-51 = 148
FX-53 = 150 (??)

The FX's are unlocked though, not sure about the Opterons.

 

[Markfw]

However, putting an Opteron 2xx an a single cpu mobo is a waste of money,

nitromullet, he is getting a 146, so I don't understand your point????

 

[yoopereh]

Originally posted by: Briguyatx
I would think the opteron would be faster for imaging, with the dual channel ram support (much more bandwith) the a64 3400+ setup would probably be much cheaper though.

the opteron setup is cheaper, with the chip @ +\- $270 at newegg, while the a64 3400+ @ +\- $400.

 

[Regs]

The A64 3400 should be much faster than opteron except for a few important workstation tasks. For a desktop however, the 3400 would be a lot faster than a 1.8 Ghz opteron. Even a 3200 A64 should out perform a 1.8 Opteron for the same price (when you add in the ECC ram and mobo for the Opteron).