Take out the old! Bring in the new!

[hazeman]

Firstly, introductions are in order. This is quite possibly my third user ID for this forum. Life gets hectic and if I don't stick with things, I tend to let it slip. I'm a high-tech guru of sorts that had to leave to industry for my country. I was active Army for the past 4 years and became civilian again this past March. Before I left, I was really into this community and keeping up on all the latest and greatest. However, I've never indulged myself in the latest and greatest. There was one thing I learned several years ago, was that if you hold off for two years, you can save yourself boat loads of cash. I also tend to stick with that to this day.

This post is not a history lesson of myself, rather it is going to be for my own good in getting a quick "catchup" on whats good nowadays. And, shortly I would like to start doing some guides again. To move on with it--I've been reading up a bit on dual core tech and quad core. At this point, there is no need for such nonsense as the quad core wont be utilized for quite a while. Taking a look back at how long it has taken for OS and application utilizations for 64-bit processing--that alone has been YEARS in the making.

So, I'm planning to build a gaming rig, that will double as a power plant for photo restoration and DVD creation. 3 key factors here.
1) Games such as; Rappelz, HL2, FarCry, F.E.A.R., Halo 3 (possibly), etc... Graphic intensive. I'd essentially like to barely EXCEED the recommended system requirements for HL2 and Rappelz, which are fairly similar.

2) Photoshop primarily is a memory intensive program, especially when working with scans 800-2000MB in size.

3) Nero Vision, I'm not looking for alternatives. I've used it, fairly proficient at it, and has plenty of features--for now. Loves to utilize 95% CPU even at "Normal" operation setting.


Ok, some depth. I'm currently looking for 2.4-2.8GHz of clock speed, non O/C. Secondly, RAM is still pricey, so I'd like to stay close to 1 GB of DDR. And Hard drives, I'd like to dabbled with some RAID, should I?

The actual questions I'd like answered... I'm not looking for personal opinions, rather conclusions from my fellow techies about what would work best for ME. Also, I am 100% AMD. So, don't suggest Intel to me. Between nVidia and ATI, I'm unsure, but I atm, I favor nVidia.


Questions are:
1) AMD X2? or an alternative core?
2a) MOBO to stick it on. I have a few in mind...
2b) Is RAID worth considering?
2c) 1 stick or 2? DDR-xxx? Registered?
3) I love Maxtor, but with the new drives being influenced by Seagate, what might be the better choice? Also factor in 1 drive for no RAID or 2 drives... I'm looking for a minimum of 250GB for inside the the box. External backup options are favored.
4) Video Card. I've done TONS of reading, but it seems to be boiling down to "what's your flavor?" Also, I definitely want to go with PCI-express. The juiciness of no more AGP bottlenecking makes me happy in pants.


Thank you all for reading and to those considering a response.
Lee

 

[benzylic]

1. If you're going AMD, they're cheap enough right now to get the HIGH end models. You can get the 5600+, or the 6000+. It all depends on how much you want to spend. Take a look at this page for all the AMD dual cores.

2. not sure.

2b. I wouldn't mess with, others will probably give reasons to back me up.

2c. 2 sticks DDR2, that way you will get dual channel. You can get 2gb for about $100 right now, just depends on how much you want to spend.

3. Maxtor, Seagate, Western Digital, Samsung, pick one, they are all about the same.

4. For right now I would stick with nVidia for the current generation get something like EVGA 8800GTS 320MB, or if you wont want to spend that much aATI X1950XT will run those games just fine, I think

 

[betasub]

AGP bottlenecking? What's that?

 

[Rockhound1]

Here is my 2 cents:

1. Get the most expensive you can afford (X2 6000+, X2 5600+, X2 5400+, etc.)

2a. Biostar TForce 550 (less expensive), Asus M2N-E (more expensive)

2b. Skip the RAID

2c. 2 sticks of DDR2 800 (nothing special since you will not be overclocking - value memory)

3. Brand doesn't really matter at this point unless you want to go with a Raptor (10.000 RPM). I would go with a minimum of 320 GB - these can be had for less than $100.

4. Video card in order of choice/price - 8800GTS 320MB ($270 - $300+), 7950GT ($150 - $200), 7900GS ($100 - $130)

You haven't mentioned the case and PSU you plan to purchase. Just make sure you have a decent PSU that can power the system with clean, stable juice. The X2 6000+ uses more power (125 W) than the other processors (90 W) mentioned here (and so does the 8800GTS). Also be sure you get a quality case with good air flow and plenty of options for fan placement.

Good Luck!! :beer:

 

[bob4432]

being that ps is a smp/smt aware program a quad would work good for you especially w/ files that large, but unfortunately since you are only amd you will be stuck w/ a dc for a bit. also note that for us desktop users quad core setups are much more beneficial than 64bit if we have the correct software due to driver issues w/ 64bit versions of the different flavors or windows, either xp or vista, the driver support just isn't nearly as widepsread. you say you are only amd and that is cool, but just to let you know they are being destroyed atm by intel (and i have a x2 4200 machine, a x2 3800 machine and an old xp2000 machine all sitting under my desk, so i am not pro intel or amd, just pro performance and price for me)

as of right now the war has left us the victors in the cpu dept and you would be best to get the highest end amd x2 cpu you can get. the prices are just so low. you may want to stay w/ the brisbane family as some of the higher end amds use a ton of power

2GB of ddr2-800 can be had for ~$100, so prices are extremely low

drives - basically pick the one w/ the best warranty as they are all pretty close anymore

ati was bought by amd but they are not producing cards at the current level of nvidia, and this is bad for us consumers, so basically if you are going less than 1680x1050 or 1600x1200 got the 8800gts 320, if 1680x1050 or 1600x1200 or higher then go the 640MB version or the gtx, that will keep you good for some time. but if you don't want to drop the $400+ on the gpu, that x1950xt that mxrider pointed out is sure a bargain i have been looking at them for quite some time to replace my x1800xt but i got a 360 instead

psu wise i would say a good quality (seasonic, corsair, fsp, enermax, silverstone) 500W unit should be more than enough power for some time, even a quad machine, no need for a 750W unit, just a waste for some time

 

[bob4432]

Originally posted by: betasub
AGP bottlenecking? What's that?

is this a serious question or a joke?

 

[hazeman]

Thanks for the responses guys. I'm thoroughly thrilled that a few of you picked up on my AGP statement. Very crafty. When I stated the minimums, I was simply setting a sense of value. I also mentioned that I didn't want top of the line. I am semi-aware of the Dual core prices. They are dirt cheap even on a very low budget.

However, it appears I glanced over the power requirements of the new cores. It was almost a little too obvious. I have the case and to power the rig I went with a Thermaltake 440W. Got a great deal on it and it came with round cables. ) I already have my DVD burner too, it's a Pioneer 16X dual, I'm thinking of upgrading that and turning it into the secondary (slave). I'm not going to be doing any on-the-fly stuff, so I won't have to worry about mass power consumption on that end.

So, with the suggestions you all have provided, the X2 5600 with 2GB DDR2-800. I'm torn between ASUS and MSI for the mobo. I've used and trusted MSI for several years and built just as many machines with ASUS boards as well. Never had a problem. I've research several on Newegg and read through some guides on here but it seems to boil mostly down to personal flavor.

Any other thoughts or concerns? Primarily is 440W going to be enough?

 

[betasub]

Originally posted by: bob4432

Originally posted by: betasub
AGP bottlenecking? What's that?

is this a serious question or a joke?

I'm seriously asking in what way is the AGP a bottleneck if the graphic interface is only required "to barely EXCEED the recommended system requirements for HL2 and Rappelz".

 

[hazeman]

Originally posted by: betasub

Originally posted by: bob4432

Originally posted by: betasub
AGP bottlenecking? What's that?

is this a serious question or a joke?

I'm seriously asking in what way is the AGP a bottleneck if the graphic interface is only required "to barely EXCEED the recommended system requirements for HL2 and Rappelz".

Are you honestly reading into the statement? The AGP design is flawed. End of discussion.

 

[tcsenter]

There was no AGP bottleneck four years ago (AGP 8x). There is barely one today relative to equivalent PCI Express GPUs except at the high-end of the performance spectrum.

Some games encountered a GPU bottleneck, but not because of the interface. Some games continue to encounter GPU bottleneck with the highest-end GPUs today on PCI Express (again...nothing to do with the interface).

 

[hazeman]

Originally posted by: hazeman
Thanks for the responses guys. I'm thoroughly thrilled that a few of you picked up on my AGP statement. Very crafty. When I stated the minimums, I was simply setting a sense of value. I also mentioned that I didn't want top of the line. I am semi-aware of the Dual core prices. They are dirt cheap even on a very low budget.

However, it appears I glanced over the power requirements of the new cores. It was almost a little too obvious. I have the case and to power the rig I went with a Thermaltake 440W. Got a great deal on it and it came with round cables. ) I already have my DVD burner too, it's a Pioneer 16X dual, I'm thinking of upgrading that and turning it into the secondary (slave). I'm not going to be doing any on-the-fly stuff, so I won't have to worry about mass power consumption on that end.

So, with the suggestions you all have provided, the X2 5600 with 2GB DDR2-800. I'm torn between ASUS and MSI for the mobo. I've used and trusted MSI for several years and built just as many machines with ASUS boards as well. Never had a problem. I've research several on Newegg and read through some guides on here but it seems to boil mostly down to personal flavor.

Any other thoughts or concerns? Primarily is 440W going to be enough?

If there's any interest still left with this topic, can someone let me know how my PSU is going to pan out. Thanks.

 

[lxskllr]

A quality 440w will be enough. I'm not sure if Thermaltake qualifies as a "quality" unit. I'm not saying it isn't, I'm just not very familiar with their psus. Maybe someone else could add to that.

 

[bob4432]

although i haven't used one, A LOT of people like the corsiar 520HX, supposedly a rebadged seasonic. more than enough power.

hopefully anandtech will do a review on psus that 98% of the users here need, not the 700W+ units they have been so far.

 

[JEDIYoda]

Originally posted by: lxskllr
A quality 440w will be enough. I'm not sure if Thermaltake qualifies as a "quality" unit. I'm not saying it isn't, I'm just not very familiar with their psus. Maybe someone else could add to that.

The problem is that word quality....
The older thermaltake PSu`s that were 300, 400 watts were NOT quality units!!
What`s important is not the wattage but the amps that are being pulled on the 12v rail!!]

Peace!!

 

[hazeman]

I've read numerous reviews on the TT PSUs. The 440 I bought from Newegg.com was one of the highest rated. 440w should be enough, rather the TT I have chosen is basically sh*t, from what two of you are saying. Where did Corsair and Seasonic come from? I'm asking about what I bought, not something else. "What`s important is not the wattage but the amps that are being pulled on the 12v rail!!" How is that important?