Is this the right place to ask for advice on a new system?

[DataShade]

I'm pretty tech-savvy, but I'm also very lazy. As such, while I've kept abreast of changes since the last time I built a new bleeding-edge system, I haven't gone into a lot of detail. (For the record, that was Spring 2000.) So I'm now sitting on a pile of cash, about $3000, and I'm not really sure what to buy.

I have done a bit of research and assembled a list of components (wish-listed for convenience's sake at NewEgg, here), but I'm a little iffy on a few things. I've been unable to get a decent estimate on what kind of power draw this is going to cause, first off. Second is heat - I haven't been able to find much in the way of CPU fan reviews for the Athlon FX-51s, and I have no idea if memory heat-spreaders are necessary.


I welcome any kind of criticism, but try to give me better options (ie, "Hey, this is totally the wrong forum, moron, try <blah blah link here>"). =)

 

[KBTibbs]

Looking at your wish list, I see three drives you want to power. I think 300 watts and up (I'de hit 350 just to be sure, but then again, thats a lot of cables crowding your system if they aren't in use) should be plenty for you (make sure you get one that is certified towork with your processor) note the case on the list doesn't come with one.

memory heat spreaders...don't. I'm not sure you really need them unless you are overclocking your memory..even then (and this is just opinion... I haven't seen any numbers one way or another) I think memory spreaders don't do a whole lot to disipate heat...

As for CPU fans... I am afraid I cannot help you there....perhaps someone else here can. Enjoy you new PC

 

[ViRGE]

KBTibbs has answered most of it, but as for fans for the AthlonFX, since it's a retail box, it already comes with a HSF that will be more than adiquate for your needs, so it's not worth worrying about(unless I'm missing something here). As for power supplies, to my knowledge, a 350, like what KBTibbs mentioned, should also be adiquate.

 

[airfoil]

Have you considered getting one of the newer Athlon 64's instead?

I'll wager that you will after you go to this link.

 

[Markfw]

Power: Just to be safe (and have quality) I would go with An Antec True power 380 or 430. The memory you spec'es is substandard IMO. Haveing read many posts on the Athlon64/FX51's and owning one, I recommend GOOD quality PC3500 CAS2 or better. You won't regret you choice. The Athlon64/FX have an integreated memory controller, and they are FAST, but you need to feed the beast. Tight timings are also very good, as they don't OC that much (7-10%). Other than that all I can tell you (since I don't have an FX-51) is that from what I know and have read here, the Athlon64 and probablt the FX's too, run MUCH cooler than P4's or Athlon XP's. Mine is OC'ed 10% and with just a decent HSF, runs 42c under 100% load sustained (15-30 minutes and on).

 

[mechBgon]

You may already have picked this up from the review linked by airfoil, but realize that by getting a "standard" Athlon 64, you also avoid the need for Registered memory modules and can choose a less-expensive motherboard too. Personally, at this time I'd lean towards an ATI Radeon 9800XT too.

Just to be fair, remember that there are still areas where the Pentium4 family hold the high ground, such as video encoding. What WindowsXP 64-Bit Edition may do to shake that up is still uncertain... I did see a review where encoding speeds picked up about 30% under 64-bit Linux versus 32-bit Linux, but that's not a guarantee that Win64 will do the same. At any rate, read that review and see whether you're on the right track for your purposes.

Also... ever considered some 15000rpm Ultra320 SCSI drives? You did say "bleeding-edge"... :evil: Fujitsu MAS-series, dude. And one more thing to consider: APC SmartUPS Pro 620 uninterruptible power supply! Don't want your new box o' fun getting nuked by the utility company.

 

[KillaKilla]

This is totally the wrong forum, moron... well, that's what I'd be saying if it was.

Anyway, I'd get a A64 3000+, it gives essentially the same performance. Also, with the money you save there, get an ATI/Saphire tech. Radeon 9800XT. Good choice with the Asus board. I've heard good things about Lite-On CD drives, too.

BTW do A64's support DC-DDR anyway.

 

[DataShade]

Originally posted by: Markfw900
Power: Just to be safe (and have quality) I would go with An Antec True power 380 or 430. The memory you spec'es is substandard IMO. Haveing read many posts on the Athlon64/FX51's and owning one, I recommend GOOD quality PC3500 CAS2 or better. You won't regret you choice. The Athlon64/FX have an integreated memory controller, and they are FAST, but you need to feed the beast. Tight timings are also very good, as they don't OC that much (7-10%). Other than that all I can tell you (since I don't have an FX-51) is that from what I know and have read here, the Athlon64 and probablt the FX's too, run MUCH cooler than P4's or Athlon XP's. Mine is OC'ed 10% and with just a decent HSF, runs 42c under 100% load sustained (15-30 minutes and on).

Mushkin seems to win out on all the Anandtech benchmarks, and I hadn't seen anything that explicitly stated a "stock" FX-51 would handle higher memory speeds like PC3500. How do I know what the most it'll handle is?

 

[mechBgon]

Mushkin seems to win out on all the Anandtech benchmarks, and I hadn't seen anything that explicitly stated a "stock" FX-51 would handle higher memory speeds like PC3500. How do I know what the most it'll handle is?

I think that's a moot point if you're buying an FX51, because they only take Registered modules and so far there are none that are rated higher than PC3200. Someone correct me if I'm being a stupid-head here.

 

[Markfw]

Originally posted by: DataShade

Originally posted by: Markfw900
Power: Just to be safe (and have quality) I would go with An Antec True power 380 or 430. The memory you spec'es is substandard IMO. Haveing read many posts on the Athlon64/FX51's and owning one, I recommend GOOD quality PC3500 CAS2 or better. You won't regret you choice. The Athlon64/FX have an integreated memory controller, and they are FAST, but you need to feed the beast. Tight timings are also very good, as they don't OC that much (7-10%). Other than that all I can tell you (since I don't have an FX-51) is that from what I know and have read here, the Athlon64 and probablt the FX's too, run MUCH cooler than P4's or Athlon XP's. Mine is OC'ed 10% and with just a decent HSF, runs 42c under 100% load sustained (15-30 minutes and on).

Mushkin seems to win out on all the Anandtech benchmarks, and I hadn't seen anything that explicitly stated a "stock" FX-51 would handle higher memory speeds like PC3500. How do I know what the most it'll handle is?

OK, I was actually assuming you were talking about an Athlon64 3000+ or maybe even a 3400+. You could put PC4200 CAS2 memory on it, and it wouldn't care, so long as IT WAS FAST ENOUGH. So leaving the FX51 out of the discussion, memory faster than PC3500 CAS2 would probably be a waste, as I doubt you could OC to much migher levels (maybe 233, so PC3700 wouldn't be a total waste), but less than that has quite often resulted in problems.

Now before anyone shoots me for mentioning this, I am NOT happy about the reviews at Tomshardware lately, BUT, several members here have had problems with stock or generic PC3200 or even name brand PC3200 CAS2.5, and there is an article on tomshardware that demonstates this point exactly. My motherboard passed, but 7 out of 10 failed in one or more kinds of name brand memory in their tests. Whats funny about this, is that an earlier article on tomshardware specifically stated that the on-board memory controller of the Athlon64 (or FX) loved fast tight timed memory (I could be wrong about it being toms, but I read it somewhere)

Anyway, I stand by my recommendation of PC3500 CAS2 for any of the Athlon64 family except the FX-51. If thats where you are headed, thats a whole other story, let us know, and I will re-read the reviews I have seen and come back with a different recomendation.

 

[mechBgon]

Yeah, from reading Anand's review, it looks to me like it takes a pretty specific set of reasons to pick the FX51 over the 3400+, given the price difference. The big one I can think of is that the FX51 can handle four memory modules at PC3200 speeds, where the A64 will kick down to PC1600 speeds (reportedly) if equipped with more than two memory modules. Markfw900, does that sound correct?

Also, when I look at the price of the FX51, I have to say

~ Hmmm, for $750 I could also get a PAIR of Opterons... :Q

and when you look at the areas where the FX51 does pull away from the 3400+, some of them might be better served by a pair of Opterons than by a single FX51. Just a thought. Yeah, a pair of Opterons may mean an EPS power supply and some other little hoops to jump through.

 

[Markfw]

Originally posted by: mechBgon
Yeah, from reading Anand's review, it looks to me like it takes a pretty specific set of reasons to pick the FX51 over the 3400+, given the price difference. The big one I can think of is that the FX51 can handle four memory modules at PC3200 speeds, where the A64 will kick down to PC1600 speeds (reportedly) if equipped with more than two memory modules. Markfw900, does that sound correct?

Also, when I look at the price of the FX51, I have to say

~ Hmmm, for $750 I could also get a PAIR of Opterons... :Q

and when you look at the areas where the FX51 does pull away from the 3400+, some of them might be better served by a pair of Opterons than by a single FX51. Just a thought. Yeah, a pair of Opterons may mean an EPS power supply and some other little hoops to jump through.

I must have missed the part of the kicking down to 1600 speeds with more than 2 modules. If I ever get three, I will have to test that.

Anyway, IMO, YES getting an FX-51 does NOT make a lot of sense. If I wanted that much power, two opteron 244's would smash it.(maybe even 242's).
With all that money, what are you running, and what expectations to you have ? If you simply want the best gaming box, FX-51, you want the best encoding, dual opterons, you want something else, then ???? With that kind of money, I can't find a reason to even get a P4. (please Intel fans, set me straight at a $3000 budget, opteron kill Xenons, and FX-51 kills P4EE at games, so ????????)

Budget $3000 if I had it ? (mixed usage) Probably 3400+ Radeon 9800 pro, 2-3 gig PC3700 C2, and spend the rest of the money where you really notice it, Fast SCSI 320 raid 5 !!!