Need advice on system upgrade

[GLeeM]

Every time I start searching on what to get, I get overwhelmed with what is out there and feel I don't know enough to make a good decision. Things have changed so much since I last built.

I want to build for F@H points.

I will need:

quad CPU and cooler (I don't need top overclock, do I?)
motherboard
ram
GPU (times 2? or 3!!!)
maybe power supply (old system has Antec Basiq Power 500 model BP500U) what kind of power connectors do you need for current GPUs?

Did I forget anything?

I think I can use my old case, DVD burner, hard drive and XP Pro (or do I want Vista?)

I have $750 but could go higher for good system.

Thanks

 

[PCTC2]

Wow, I remember these "what hardware should I get" threads in the CPUs and Overclocking Forum, and the "what cooler would be best for..." in the Cases and Cooling Forum....

But we're in DC so...

CPU: Q6600: $180
Motherboard: Asus P5N-T Deluxe 780i $205
RAM: 2x2 GB DDR2 of your choice. $50+
GPU: 3x 9600GSO $80 * 3 = 240
PSU: Corsair 750TX $105
Total: $800

I doubt you need to use Vista, however, you will probably want a 64 bit OS.

EDIT: Or you could wait a few months to see the new budget socket below 1366, see the prices on 1366 drop, or you can also go with AMD Phenom too.

 

[biodoc]

In light of the new WUs that FAH is releasing now ( thread ), does it make sense to buy 3 lower end cards or buy a single higher end card? I worry about my 8800GT becoming obsolete soon and the low ppd with these more intensive WUs.

The 260's are getting cheaper ($210 on up) and a 9800GTX+ with rebates ($150+).

I have another question: There are cheaper MBs with 2 PCIe slots (one x16 and one x8; for SLI?). Can you use a MB like this for 2 cards or do you really need to get the higher end MBs that have 2 x16 slots?

Have you guys checked out the tesla personal supercomputers yet? Here's a link

I agree GLeeM; it's hard to decide on a new build these days!

:beer:

 

[Insidious]

HiYa GLeeM

If it were me, I would go for a single higher end card (add another later to help the stretch the budget) if F@H is a major consideration. The new protiens really need a lot of shaders. I'm not a fan of the 2in1 cards, but I'd look hard for an NVidia card that has 256 shaders or better (maye the 260 if they don't cost too much). My best cards are 9800GTX+ with 128 shaders and even they are taking a beating in PPD with the new Work units. (but I really do like the card!)

I'd also go with the good ol' Q6600. They can overclock nicely with no change in heat sink or voltage and are CHEAP!

My vote on a motherboard is one that has two 16X slots to keep the budget real, I wouldn't count on much future proof if you try to run these monster video cards on less than a 16X slot.

I use a 600W PSU for my main PCs which are running Q6600 (overclocked) and two video cards each (overclocked). My overclocks are not terribly aggressive and I notice my PSU putting out A LOT of heat. I would hesitate to go any smaller than 600W for two video cards.

hope this helps some

-Sid

 

[petrusbroder]

Thanks for the advice ... I am considering upgrades too ... Father Christmas is probably coming with a nice bonus ... I hope

 

[Markfw]

I would go for max video card slots. The max PPD (for min power $$) comes from 2 or more cards per computer. The rig that PCTC2 suggested sounds pretty good. I was able to fine a quad pcie board for $172, I will have to see if I can find it again, but I recommend 8800 GT or better for each slot.

 

[theAnimal]

The MSI K9A2 Platinum has 4 PCI-Ex16 slots for $130 AR
Phenom 9650 $155 (upgrade to Phenom II)
2x2GB DDR2 800 $40
2 x GTX260 216 ~$210 (add more later)
Corsair TX750 $70AR (may need to upgrade for more GPUs)

 

[VirtualLarry]

Originally posted by: theAnimal
The MSI K9A2 Platinum has 4 PCI-Ex16 slots for $130 AR
Phenom 9650 $155 (upgrade to Phenom II)
2x2GB DDR2 800 $40
2 x GTX260 216 ~$210 (add more later)
Corsair TX750 $70AR (may need to upgrade for more GPUs)

That's similar to my rig, except I'm using 4x 9600GSO (the older model with more shaders, don't buy any of the new 9600GSOs, they're crippled in the shader dept.), and I'm going to attempt to squeak by using my Antec EarthWatts 650W, and two PCI-E 6-pin splitters, to power all four graphics cards. Also, I only have 2x1GB of DDR2, because that's what I had available.

I'm actually a little disappointed in the PPD I'm getting from the 9600GSOs, so it may well be worth it, if you're making the investment in the rest of the machine, to purchase some more powerful graphics cards to go with it.

With two cards installed currently, I'm getting just over 7000 PPD. Surely a more powerful single card, when overclocked, could get similar PPD.

Edit: With different WUs, I'm getting a total estimated PPD of almost 9000. So it depends on the WU. Still, Markfw900 is doing more than I am. I'm not running the SMP client on the CPU yet on this box, how much more PPD can I get? (It's a dual-core, 2.3Ghz AMD)

 

[Markfw]

with 2 8800 GT's and one SMP, I am getting 12,000 ppd