New Alienware computer system.

[Acanthus]

Originally posted by: Soccerman06
go to anandtech and look at the memory section, decide which one you want, and then look for it on the internet. Money seems to be on no concern for you, you could get the best performing memory and save money at 2x1gig. You cant really go wrong with LL memory since they all perform basically the same at stock speeds (give or take a couple frames).

Keepitred, dont bet on ATI on having a superior card just yet, they may or may not have the better card, but you wont know that until August/September. And yes it will cost $550+ depending on which brand. The proc you picked is fast yes, but OCing the 4400 X2 can go all the way to 2800mhz on stock air for $600 less. That gives you a FX57x2. DFI is a better board all around than MSI (if your worrying about onboard sound, they both have it) and has the performance to show for $30 less if your not going the SLI way.

DFIs onboard sound also has less CPU overhead, it looks like he has steered away from overclocking so i didnt contest the FX-57, it appears he has a lot of $$ to spend on his pc.

 

[KeepItRed]

What's an AMD processor RIGHT under the FX-57?

 

[Acanthus]

The FX55 and 4000+ are pretty much equal, with the 4000+ being cheaper, and the FX-55 having unlocked multipliers for easy overclocking.

 

[KeepItRed]

Your talking software overclocking?

 

[Soccerman06]

Well if he wants to spend $600 on something less futureproof, go for it. But I would use that extra $600 and get an SLI setup or xfire if its all that great since they give atleast 50% better fps.

What's an AMD processor RIGHT under the FX-57?

FX55 of course then comes the FX53/A64 4000+ (they are basically the same cpu). They 4000+ is pritty much the best price/performance for single proc on the high end (4000+ to FX57)

 

[Acanthus]

Originally posted by: KeepItRed
Your talking software overclocking?

No, hardware.

Athlon 64s clockspeed is derived from a multiplier, which multiplies the HTT speed to get a final actual clockspeed.

Athlon 64s do not have unlocked multipliers that are HIGHER than their default clockspeed, this means if you want your CPU to go faster than the speed it is clocked at the fab, you have to increase the HTT. The downsides to this are it also increases the memory and other speeds as well, which can cause instability without a lot of tweaking or using specialized hardware for overclocking.

The Athlon FX series however is for enthusiasts, it is unlocked both ways. Which means overclocking an FX-55/57 is as simple as changning the multiplier (and possibly voltage)in the bios.

Another thing to note is the FX57 is AMDs absolute high end CPU, it wont overclock far beyond its default clockspeed without watercooling, or supercooling.

 

[Soccerman06]

The FX55 and 4000+ are pretty much equal, with the 4000+ being cheaper, and the FX-55 having unlocked multipliers for easy overclocking.

the FX55 is 2.6ghz, the FX53 is 2.4ghz. The 4000+ is 2.4ghz. all have 1m of cache

 

[VIAN]

You can only overclock the graphics card using software. CPU and memory is hardware. Both are just as dangerous, although software might be a bit less dangerous.

Future proof is a funny term, because nothing is future proof. It's like dying, it's inevitable. Some might argue that SLI won't be future "resistant" because, not only don't we know what the future lies ahead, but featurewise. The next gen could have amazing new features.

In my opinion, SLI is for those with deep pockets. It doesn't represent resistance to low future game performance, but it is a limitation of features. SLI is just like the FX, costly and ultimately not worth it unless you have deep pockets and require the highest in "CURRENT" gen performance.

 

[Acanthus]

Originally posted by: VIAN
You can only overclock the graphics card using software. CPU and memory is hardware. Both are just as dangerous, although software might be a bit less dangerous.

None of them are really dangerous if you know what youre doing.

 

[Acanthus]

Originally posted by: Soccerman06

The FX55 and 4000+ are pretty much equal, with the 4000+ being cheaper, and the FX-55 having unlocked multipliers for easy overclocking.

the FX55 is 2.6ghz, the FX53 is 2.4ghz. The 4000+ is 2.4ghz. all have 1m of cache

Yeah i stand corrected, i was thinking of the 4200+

 

[VIAN]

You can only overclock the graphics card using software. CPU and memory is hardware. Both are just as dangerous, although software might be a bit less dangerous.
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None of them are really dangerous if you know what youre doing.

Of course, just like I thought building a computer was like building legos, overclocking isn't really dangerous if you know what you are doing.

But to the noob. It is highly dangerous.

 

[Soccerman06]

Yes, if you could find a reliable software to OC, get it, but make sure its very reliable. You dont want it to screw your whole system over. Go to http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview...atid=28&threadid=1497607&enterthread=y its basically a quick and easy way to OC anything A64/FX

 

[casper114]

I have found the only thing with alienware that jacks the price so high is how the machine physically looks.

 

[KeepItRed]

Well I might go with the FX 55, but since I have $3,000 to spend I might also go with the FX 57. Problem is. I want a simple processor that runs fast like the FX 57 and has software OC such as AI NOS. Unlike the FX 55 where you have to get all technical.

 

[nitromullet]

If I'm not mistaken AI NOS is on the motherboard (ASUS most likely), not the CPU. The FX-55 and FX-57 are both unlocked, so they are about as easy to overclock as it gets. That is actually the difference between the FX series and the standard Athlon64... The FX is unlocked, which is why it is so expensive. The rationale is that before when all cpu's were unlocked, some non-reputable vendors would sell cheap overclocked processors as higher speed models. So, AMD and Intel locked them, meaning you can only overclock by increasing the FSB. Now, they make the FX and Extreme Editions unlocked, supposedly for overclockers, and charge an outrageous price for them.

That being said, if you are afraid to "get all technical" and stuff, I would strongly discourage you from overclocking. I am not the first person to tell you this, why do you persist? I'm going to spell this out for you as clearly as I can. IF YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU ARE DOING, YOU CAN SERIOUSLY FRY YOUR EQUIPMENT BY OVERCLOCKING IT. YOUR WARRANTEE WILL BE NULL AND VOID, AND YOU WILL BE THE PROUD OWNER OF AN EXPENSIVE PILE OF JUNK. I am seriously not trying to pick on you or belittle you in any way, just trying to keep you from toasting your $3,000 gaming rig. I'm not telling you to not to overclock ever, just to make sure that you understand what you are doing.

 

[KeepItRed]

Is there a locked version of the FX-57? (like same speed and everything else except locked?)

 

[Gamingphreek]

No there isn't.

Also i would highly advise getting a dual core chip.

Furthermore, i would advise against software OCing. OCing through the BIOS is BY FAR the best way to do it.

-Kevin

 

[fstime]

Overclock through the BIOS every time.

 

[Intelia]

I am not going to give you advice on a cpu . If your waiting on the X900Xt I would wait till the second revision. Never buy the first generation of this product. As there will be an updated product by Jan. of 2006 this is good advice. Also it just so happens that both AMD and intel will be releasing new CPU'S around this time. So wait until the 1st quarter of 2006 if your going to spend the kind of money your talking about .

This way you can get the reviews on the updated sockets for AMD and see what Intel has to offer. This is by far the best advice I have seen given here on this thread.

Here's what your looking at right now.

1) FX 57= $1000
2) X900 XT= $700 ?
3)500watt P/S= $125 I recommend AC POWER & COOLING $225
4) 1g of memory = $225 + or - depeding on what you get.
5) optical drives CD DVD R+-W = $150
6)Floppy drive = $20
7) Dual Raptor hard drives 74 GB raid 0 =$372 Raid 0 = 148 GB
8) Lian Li PC V-1200B case = $199 You can buy any case but this is a nice case and if you want a window its available and the video card is seen with cooler up.
http://www.xpcgear.com/lianpcv1200.html
9) Wire management $20
10) 19" gamer LCD =$450
11) Decent key board = $80
12) Razor Diamondback mouse= $56
13) M/B = $150 to $220
Total= $3547 thats with everthing listed with the cheaper P/S You can get some better components or cheaper your the one buying.

You can also buy Pre built Gamers that come with O/C already done that have three year warranties . send me private message for more details on those makers.

 

[VIAN]

I really wouldn't get the FX. I would get a dual core over an FX and use the rest of the money saved for other stuff such as Raptors (10,000 RPM Drives). The money is better wasted here, not the processor with just a bit of extra performance.

 

[Gamingphreek]

My advice is to follow what everyone said in the thread (myself included) and ignore everything Intelia just said.

-Kevin

 

[Acanthus]

Originally posted by: Gamingphreek
My advice is to follow what everyone said in the thread (myself included) and ignore everything Intelia just said.

-Kevin

seconded.

 

[KeepItRed]

Well I hear AMD and Intel are coming out with new chips in '06...might be too expensive though. I don't want to wait until '06 cause I need a rig now! Currently I have 3 options:

1) AMD Athlon 64 FX-57 (Single Core)
2) AMD Athlon 64 FX-55 (Single Core)
3) AMD Athlon 4600+ (Dual Core)

 

[Gamingphreek]

Go DUal Core. Get the cheapest Dual Core and OC it.

-Kevin

 

[VIAN]

Like I said the 4600 is better than any FX.