What do you guys think about this computer?

[kickerf1]

CPU: Opteron 165@1.8 (Will be overclocking this)
MOBO: Asus A8N-SLI Premium
GPU: XFX 6800 XT 256MB DDR3 PCI-E
HD: Seagate 7200.9 300 GB
PS: Antec TII 550 Watts

What do you guys think?

This system is well under $1000 and that's how I wanna keep it because I still wanna keep some of my computer old parts which aren't even a year old such as my Lite-On DVD-ROM and DVD-RW, my 2 Seagate ATA HD's, etc etc.

ps. For now I will only run a single GPU but then later on down the road when I feel the need for more video performance I will SLI.

 

[bamacre]

Is gaming the main focus of this PC?

 

[kickerf1]

oh sorry I missed that one. My main focus of this computer will be "everyday use" specially ripping movies and music and burning them respectively in dvds and cds. Also, I will be doing a little bit of gaming every now and then such BF2, Nba Live 06, Empire Earth and such say twice or 3 times a week coz I don't have too much time to play games that's why I decided to go for a 6800 and save some money. I love reliability and that's why I chose an Opteron processor and since I do many many things at the same times hence the dual-core selection and since I have DSL connection I will be going to the internet a lot.

Any recommendations or suggetions?

 

[InlineFour]

sli is pretty stupid if you don't buy both cards now, because there will be faster single cards in the future.

7600gt is the lowest i'd go for any type of gaming.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814130283

 

[LOUISSSSS]

the 6800 series is considered an old card that was released about a year ago. i'd go for soemthing along the lines of x1600 or x1800. and overclocking it for everyday use will only shorten your cpu's lifespan and cause mroe heat in your system. with minimal actual performance increase. sli is a waste of money imo but if u have cash then do w/e you want, might as well go with the x1800 that would beat out 2 x 6800xt's

 

[kickerf1]

The reason why I'm getting an 6800 XT is because was the top of the line before the 7000 series came out and like I said the main purpose of build isn't for gaming only but for everyday use type of thing specially encoding and ripping movies and music. Another reason is the 6800 XT is below $100 after rebate in Newegg and well the card has 256 MB DDR3 running in 256 bit PCI-E 16X yadda yadda yadda.

To all the Opteron 165's owners, how are your gaming experience with this so called server processor?

 

[betasub]

Originally posted by: kickerf1
The reason why I'm getting an 6800 XT is because was the top of the line before the 7000 series came out

Uh, isn't the 6800xt a stripped down version of the 6800GT? In other words, not exactly top of the line even when the 6800GT & 6800Ultra were current generation (let alone now NVidia has released and refreshed the 7x00 cards).

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

Originally posted by: kickerf1
The reason why I'm getting an 6800 XT is because was the top of the line before the 7000 series came out and like I said the main purpose of build isn't for gaming only but for everyday use type of thing specially encoding and ripping movies and music. Another reason is the 6800 XT is below $100 after rebate in Newegg and well the card has 256 MB DDR3 running in 256 bit PCI-E 16X yadda yadda yadda.

To all the Opteron 165's owners, how are your gaming experience with this so called server processor?

I'm an Opteron 170 owner. I went from a 3700+ to Opteron 170.

What did I sacrifice? 200 MHz stock speeds. I also think my Opty sucks for steppings.

My 3700+ performs 2.66 GHz flawlessly, but my Opty requires major volts to hit 2.66, thus creating excess heat, and so I have to run at 2.5 instead.

Honestly, its the same in gaming. Loading times are faster, Windows is generally faster.

I can guarnatee you I can feel the Dual Core speeds, but in terms of gaming, you're not gaining anything.

But forget it. Is your life just about gaming? Dual Core is definitely worth it. You want the boosted smoothness in daily operations. If you get a good Opty 165, you can easily raise speeds to 2.6, 2.7 without even touching voltage =)

 

[Ika]

Recently Opty 165s have been coming with amazing stepping (i believe someone hit 2.7 with a 1.3v voltage setting). They also come with 1mb cache for better performance. 165s perform essentially the same as their X2 brethren.

 

[akugami]

I still think you would be better off with a X1800XT 512MB or a 7900GT...not top of the line but one step down and should last you much longer than the 6800. In newer games, even at more pedestrian settings the 6800 series is already showing it's age. The 7900GT should easily last you the next couple of years, especially if you go the route of getting a better HSF and overvolting then overclocking it at a later date. The 6800 would be showing it's age by the end of this year on the other hand.

 

[LOUISSSSS]

he said he doesn't game so the 6800 would be fine? as long as you dont play any games that was released in 06. the 6800 series was a rpetty powerful card of its time, too bad not many good games were released then, but doesn't have sm3.0 for newer games. under 100 isn't bad.. i paid $150 for my 6800NU in july of 05.

 

[jtgameover]

if you're gonna overclock, you gotta go with a DFI motherboard.

 

[Primitivus]

If you're a casual gamer and mostly encode/rip movies buy an ATI card with AVIVO, such as X1600XT or X1800GTO.

 

[dguy6789]

How much memory is going to be in your machine? If you are upgrading from the machine in your signature, it suggests 1GB. I highly recommend having at least 1GB of memory. Your video card choice is quite good for someone who plays games just a few times a week. You will grow to really favor your dual core. I know I have. Multitasking and general usage is going to be so awesome.

 

[Bobthelost]

I woudn't bother with SLI, it's only a good idea if you're buying two cards now or in the very near future. As such it just makes you spend $30 or so on a useless "feature" for your motherboard

Yeah, it's a good build, i'd go for a different PSU, antec are ok but fortron, seasonic, enermax etc are better. To save a few $ there is a 450W fortron for $50 on newegg. You're not building a supercomputer here, don't fool yourself into thinking you need a 550W PSU.

 

[kickerf1]

I just got my XFX 6800 XT which is clocked at 350MHz core clock and 1000 Memory Clock with 8 Pixel Pipelines. It has two DVIso I guess I have to use the little DVI to VGA adapter until I choose a new monitor, more than likely a NEC 1970 GX black frame, I love those NEC monitors because of the clarity and high contrast ratio and 8ms response time

Alot of people keep saying the 6800 XT is not good enough but I will be overclocking this little puppy anyways so it can keep up with my future overclocked cpu more than likely the opteron 165. I don't like ATI graphics card never was a fan of them so I guess ATI is out of the picture.

Oh and the system requirements on my 6800Xt says 450 watts power supply at least... so I guess the 550 W power Im choosing is good enough coz I'm looking into the future too not just now.

And yes I will be keeping my Corsair XMS 1 GB DDR memory (512x2) until I feel like getting more memory. As of right now I don't see the need going from 1 to 2 GB of system memory to be honest with you.

 

[kickerf1]

And now just ordered from zipzoomfly the following:

-Zalman CNPS9500 LED CPU Cooler $54.99
- Antec TruePower 2.0 TP-II 550W Power Supply $84.99

Free shipping on both items

 

[kickerf1]

Last night I ordered from zipzoomfly.com the following:

Opteron 165 for $327.50 and Asus A8N-SLI Premium for $159.99 and a 250GB WD SATA HD. I used to buy all my electronic equipment in newegg but as of late I don't know I was comparing their pricing, shipping and taxes combined and the total in newegg was coming out $10-20 more than zipzoomfly.

By the way zipzoomfly offers free ground shipping in all their products. Way to go buddy.