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High-end Mid-range Build Support

J

jakereef

Junior Member
Goal: Highend Midrange system with suficient gaming and multitasking capability with OC capabilities in mind. I do a lot of CAD, Animation, and photo rendering as well. (Catia, Inventor, 3ds, PhotoShop) SLI not needed. I also need enough power to support 3 or 4 more hdds.

Components in hand:

Case: Lian-Li VS1200 ($150 shipped from monarchcomputers.com)
Storage: 2 x Maxtor 200gb 7200 ata/133
DVD R/RW: NEC 3550A
Speakers: Logitech 5.1 x-530
(monitor, keyboard, mouse, all cables)


Components needed, shooting for under $1000:
(any comments/suggested changes to the following is appriciated)

CPU: Opteron 148 Venus (OC in mind)__$220
MB: DFI LANPARTY UT nF4 Ultra-D_____$130
PSU: OCZ45012U 450W______________$90
RAM: CORSAIR XMS 1GB (2 x 512MB)__$100
GPU: Saphire x800 GTO2 (OC in mind)__$220
Cooler: zalman?, thermaltake/right?____$50?
Boot HDD: wd raptor 74gb____________$156
______________________________Total: $966


UPDATE:
Changes with suggestions.

CPU: Opteron 165 (OC in mind)_______$335
MB: DFI LANPARTY UT nF4 Ultra-D_____$130
PSU: OCZ ModStream 520W or FSP 500W or Antec TP-II 550W __$80-100
RAM: CORSAIR XMS 2GB (2 x 1024MB) or Geil Value 2GB (2x 1024mb)__$175-210
GPU: x7800GT______________________$310
Cooler: xp-90 ______________________$28-45 on SVC.com
Boot HDD: wd raptor 74gb____________$156
_________________________________Total: $1209 - 1286

I have ended up blowing my initial $1000 budget, oh well. I need help with the PSU and RAM more than anything.

If suggesting changes, please give brief reasoning.

Thanks-

 
Originally posted by: jakereef
Components needed, shooting for under $1000:
(any comments/suggested changes to the following is appriciated)

CPU: Opteron 148 Venus (OC in mind)__$220
MB: DFI LANPARTY UT nF4 Ultra-D_____$130
PSU: OCZ45012U 450W______________$90
RAM: CORSAIR XMS 1GB (2 x 512MB)__$100
GPU: Saphire x800 GTO2 (OC in mind)__$220
Cooler: zalman?, thermaltake/right?____$50?
Boot HDD: wd raptor 74gb____________$156
Total: $966
Click to expand...

That only adds up to $810.
Nevermind, guess I'm going blind, didn't see the Raptor...

How's this:

Opty 146 - $225ish (Opty prices have jumped alot)
Lanparty Ultra - $125ish
Seasonic S12 500W - $104 AR
XMS 1GB (512x2) - $100 (Low end XMS)
Any 7800GT - $300

Total - $854
Plenty room left for a good CPU cooler, and maybe RAM upgrades.

 
ub3rnewb: forgot to add the Raptor +156 comes to $966.

Prices have jumped on the 148, $235 is more reasonable.

xp-90 is on the list.

keep 'em comin'
 
Your CAD/animation/rendering stuff will likely benefit from having more than 1 GB of RAM. If you can afford to, make the jump to 2x1 GB. The rendering stuff may also benefit from having a dual-core setup, and if you do any multitasking of those apps, that would definitely benefit. You can jump to an opteron 165 for only about $100 more, unless the prices of those have spiked too.
 
I think the MB, root Hdd (possibly 2x 36gb raptors in Raid 0), xp-90 cooler, and PSU are set.

I'll have to find some Opty 165 benchmarks to help justify the extra $100 over the 148, any OC potential? Same goes for the 7800GT vs. the x800 GTO2. I do agree that the 2gb would be benificial to the graphics rendering I'll be throwing at it.
 
I'll have to find some Opty 165 benchmarks to help justify the extra $100 over the 148, any OC potential?
Click to expand...

My understanding was that the Opteron 165 overclocks very well, just like the single-core Operon 146/148 chips do. In terms of benchmarks, it will do about the same as a comparably clocked single-core chip for single-threaded things, and immensely better for multi-threaded things (aren't at least some of those image editing apps like photoshop multi-threaded?) and for multitasking between single-threaded apps.

Same goes for the 7800GT vs. the x800 GTO2.
Click to expand...

Not sure about overclocking headroom, but the 7800GT is a very capable card if you can afford it and like to game at high quality settings and/or resolutions.
 
(aren't at least some of those image editing apps like Photoshop multi-threaded?)
Click to expand...

I know Photoshop, features in Catia and 3ds max are. However, Inventor and Solidworks, as well as several other CAD programs and most games, are still single threaded.

My only concern would be that the additional cost of of the 165 with its lower clock speed would not benefit the singlethreaded apps, ie. games. From what I have gathered, the 165 Denmark core is a workstation core and very capable of OC as Some1ne is saying. So if I can count on OCing the 165 to upwards 2.5GHz this may be a good option.

Otherwise, I am thinking the extra $100 may be better spent on the GPU. Any thoughts?

As far as graphics goes, the 7800gt does have a higher core (445MHz) and memory (1070MHz) clock as well as 8 more PPL out of the box than the x800GTO2 at (400MHz) and (980MHz) respectively.

Money is not really a big deal for me. The fact that I have an obsession with getting the biggest bang for my buck is the problem. Yes, I am a tightwad.

Money is not really a big deal for me. The fact that I have and obsession with getting the biggest bang for my buck is the problem. Yes, I am a tightwad.

I'll review the changes that I may make and post a new list with prices.
 
Please don't get 2 36GB Raptors for RAID 0. AnandTech had an article showing that the performance increase with RAID 0 is almost nothing. Plus, you can get a much larger drive that will perform almost as well for about the same $.
 
ub3rnewb, thanks for the tip. Article read.

Bottom line: RAID-0 arrays will win you just about any benchmark, but they'll deliver virtually nothing more than that for real world desktop performance. That's just the cold hard truth.
Click to expand...
 
UPDATE:
Changes with suggestions.

CPU: Opteron 165 (OC in mind)_______$335
MB: DFI LANPARTY UT nF4 Ultra-D_____$130
PSU: OCZ ModStream 520W or FSP 500W or Antec TP-II 550W __$80-100
RAM: CORSAIR XMS 2GB (2 x 1024MB) or Geil Value 2GB (2x 1024mb)__$175-210
GPU: x7800GT______________________$310
Cooler: xp-90 ______________________$28-45 on SVC.com
Boot HDD: wd raptor 74gb____________$156
_________________________________Total: $1209 - 1286

I need help with the PSU and RAM more than anything.

Does anyone know of a site that gives a bundle discount for one big purchase? Otherwise, I will be spending days looking for the best deals using the RTPE and Froogle.
 
Either of those PSU's should be fine, although I think most people would recommend the OCZ over the Antec. I've used the Antec TruePower 380W in multiple builds in the past however, and I've never had a problem with it, so really either one should work.

As far as the RAM goes, I've used both Corsair XMS and Geil (though not the value, I used the CL2 "golden dragon" modules). My preference is for the Geil, because it overclocked better than my Corsair and seemed to perform slightly better at similar clockspeed in benchmarks, although really either should be fine. Both the Corsair and the Geil RAM I've used worked perfectly fine at its rated settings, and also had no problem taking extra voltage (I ran both at the max my board allows, 2.85V), so again either should be fine, really.
 
Check out the Antec Neo HE series of PSU's. You only connect the power cables you need. Thus, better air flow in the case.

Look at Zalman CNPS7700-Alcu for CPU cooling. Link to web site -- http://www.zalman.co.kr/. Following is quote from Features.

'The large 120mm fan provides air flow over a large area, cooling not only the CPU, but the VGA card, Northbridge, FET, and RAM.'

With regards to ram go to Crucial.com and use their configurator to see what ram they recommend.
 
2GB RAM advice is right! That is Minimum.
Switch to Dual core is good for you too.
You'll be able to do multi tasking much better.
As for applications with single thread. Check with each applications.

If you do Animation 3D and 3D renderings, I'm pretty sure most of applications should support dual core processors, because it's all you'll be using. But, do check.
Even if they don't, they should in the future. 2nd core gives you space to run other programs in the background, if you're about multi-tasking, I know I am.
Have photoshop open to do textures, internet explorer, and a 3d program all at the same.


About video card, you're probably better to go with a gaming video card, since you do gaming. I'm trying to get a 3d entry or mid-range video card for myself. Haven't decided yet. Something such as nvidia quadro FX line. Sucks for gaming though.

I'm currently building a workstation for myself as well with opteron 170 and 2GB ram.

As for antec PSU, it's what I've received in the mail just yesterday. BUt, then I've heard a lot of "not so good things" about it. Unfortunately only after I've ordered it.
Some say accusations are false, same say it's true.
I haven't decided what to do with mine yet, keep it and try it or return it.
Check this L=thread]http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview.aspx?catid=29&threadid=1760678[/L]
Up to you to decide.

Good luck
 
Check out the Antec Neo HE series of PSU's. You only connect the power cables you need. Thus, better air flow in the case.
Click to expand...

The lian-li case has a separate psu section. The added cable wouldn't restrict airflow as much since they can be tucked away in the PSU cell. However, I do like the idea. I was reading that DFI's minimum PSU requirements are 480W with a true 24pin connector. I've also read that it's suggested to have the 12V@28+A if planning to OC. Correct me if I'm wrong.

I would rather stick to a complete Cu CPU cooler if possible. The all Cu xp-90 with a fan strapped to the top should be sufficient enough to OC the 165 ....shouldn't it? (This is a shot in the dark, but I am figuring the heat transfer properties of Cu with the incorporated heat pipes will prove to be a better cooler. Though we may only be talking a few degrees between the Al XP-90 and the Cu XP-90.)

Great idea on the RAM. I'll check that guide out.
 
2GB RAM advice is right! That is Minimum.
Click to expand...

I don't know, 1 GB still works as a good minimum configuration I think. There was a recent article on tomshardware that benchmarked different RAM configurations, and there was rarely any substantial increase gained going from 1 GB to 2 GB of RAM, although there was almost always a large performance increase when going from 512 MB to 1 GB or more of RAM. 2 GB will benefit workstation apps and/or heavy multitasking though.

I've also read that it's suggested to have the 12V@28+A if planning to OC.
Click to expand...

That's a bit of an overstatement. I've overclocked single core Athlon64 systems just fine on an Antec TruePower 380 PSU, and it only has 18A at +12V. Essentially, any quality PSU from a major brand should be fine, whatever the ratings are, although if you want a more accurate guideline, look for something with 22-24A (or more) @ +12V for overclocking a dual-core chip. You could probably even do it on 20A, but if you're buying a new PSU, you might as well get one that will last for awhile.

Corsair Vaule Ram @ $170

OR

OCZ Platinum @ $205

OR

Corsair XMS @ $206

OR

Geil Value @ $175
Click to expand...

I'd give the OCZ a try, because I haven't used their RAM before, and because 1 GB modules rated for CL2 are still fairly rare/costly, and also because you're getting the DFI mainboard and not long ago everyone would say "OCZ + DFI = win".
 
Thanks Some1ne, your last post was really helpful.

I ordered the CPU, GPU, and MB tonight from ZipZoomFly (FYI: ended up being about $30 cheaper than Newegg) Total shipped = $749.99

I'm set on the xp-90C for the CPU cooler then most likley OCZ for the ram (I'll find that article on the 1gb vs. 2gb RAM on TomsHardware). I'll need to do some more research on the PSU tomorrow.
 
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