New Computer, recent AMD Convert.

[Pako]

Updated List of Actual Build
Well, I finally did it! I ordered a NON-Intel Mobo and processor. I finally couldn't ignore the benchmarks any longer. I would love to hear your opinions of the route I took: Here's the shopping list of what's headed my way:

System Case: Antec P180 no PS

Motherboard: Asus A8R32-MVP Deluxe dual Channel Crossfire 3200 (Chipset RD580)
CPU: AMD 4800+ X2 (Dual Core)
Memory: TWINX2048-3500LLPRO, XMS3500, 2048MB, 2-3-2-6, 2x184 DIMM, Black XMS ProSeries
Hard Drive Array: WD Raptor 10,000 RPM 74gx2 Raid0
Hard Drive Storage: WD 400gb 16m (will be getting a second one for redundant data storage)
Optical Drive: Liteon SOWH1693s 16x DVD-RW
Graphics Card Master: ATI X1900XT 512MB Crossfire Edition
Graphics Card Slave: ATI X1900XTX 512MB
Monitor: Viewsonic VP2030b, 20.1 TFT LCD, 8ms response time, 1000:1 contrast, 1600x1200@60hz
Power Supply: Antec NEO 550w
Sound Card: SB Audigy 4
Speakers: Klisch Ultra Pro Media 5.1

 

[Omnis]

Sweet. Did you consider the FX-60, though? Too expensive?

Looks like you went pretty all-out here. Me likey. Good luck with the PC, dude.

 

[livemusic]

It seems pretty good, congrats!

 

[Danoff]

Looks pretty amazing. One almost wonders why you didn't go with a RAM drive for your windows installation - seeing as how you've got speed all over that baby.

What kind of display are you going to have on that?

 

[Pako]

I did look at the FX-60, but with it's recent debut, the 4800+ dropped almost $300. I can use that savings for another Hard Drive.

 

[Pako]

Looks pretty amazing. One almost wonders why you didn't go with a RAM drive for your windows installation - seeing as how you've got speed all over that baby.

What kind of display are you going to have on that?

Ram drives look amazing but you still have a bottle neck at the interface port. Until they make a PCI-e card controller specifically for Ram Drives, it seems to be a waste of money when the Raptor drives will perform input/output instructions almost as fast.

Still using my Sony 60" HDTV LCD. Currently running at resolutions of 1776x1000 to reduce overscan issues I have.

 

[Danoff]

It's hard to find any room for improvement with that rig. It'll serve you well I'm sure. 👍

 

[donbenni]

You just had to go and get the better motherboard, soundcard and graphics card than me didn't you

j/k It's a great rig Pako, and i hope you're enjoying that setup as much as i am. I've got an identical PC just with the Deluxe model mobo, X-Fi Xtreme soundcard and the 256 Mb version of your graphics card. Great system 👍

 

[Pako]

You just had to go and get the better motherboard, soundcard and graphics card than me didn't you

j/k It's a great rig Pako, and i hope you're enjoying that setup as much as i am. I've got an identical PC just with the Deluxe model mobo, X-Fi Xtreme soundcard and the 256 Mb version of your graphics card. Great system 👍

LOL, well I almost went with a FX-57 card but changed at the last minute and went with the dual core which I think is a wise choice. I saw your specs just yesterday and had to laugh to myself as they are almost identical. Don't worry though, I probably won't go with the SB X-Fi card, as I need the optical inputs in the back as this rig will be sitting in my entertainment center. I would hate to have that wire coming out of the front output, exposed where it could get knocked off as the digital output will be a fixed install. I hope this rig works out for me as it seems to have worked out for you. Did you just go with stock cooling for the Processor?

 

[amp88]

Very impressive system and a great looking case. Think I shall be stealing that for my next rig. :jealous:

 

[donbenni]

Did you just go with stock cooling for the Processor?

Yes indeed i have. My PC is a big, metal beast and due to it's metal construction stays very cool inside. The case is always cold to touch and the components never ever get hot Might consider going for a new cooler if i really get the overclocking horn, but until then, it's all good.

 

[Evolution.]

You sonofa....wow.

That's an insanely nice rig. Do I smell 4GB of RAM in your future? Why yes, yes I do . That machine is just wow. Mind giving me your address? And what room your computer resides in?

 

[Flerbizky]

Do I smell 4GB of RAM in your future? Why yes, yes I do

I think not - IF Pako wanted to upgrade to 4 gigs, in the near future, I'm fairly sure he'd gone for 2 x 1Gb and not 4 x 512Mb... The MoBo only has four slots..

 

[Evolution.]

I think not - IF Pako wanted to upgrade to 4 gigs, in the near future, I'm fairly sure he'd gone for 2 x 1Gb and not 4 x 512Mb... The MoBo only has four slots..

I know it has four slots, hence my saying of Do I smell 4GB in your future. Possibly even 8 .

It was a joke, really. Maybe you just didn't find any funny in it

 

[Flerbizky]

I know it has four slots, hence my saying of Do I smell 4GB in your future. Possibly even 8 .

It was a joke, really. Maybe you just didn't find any funny in it

ooops... I feel a little sheep'ish now.. Sorry...

 

[Pebb]

If you had waited another 5-7 months you could of saved up for the AMD M2 motherboard. Which will use the next breed of AMD 64 and FX CPU's while supporting DDR2, but anyway about the system.

Good specs, also you will enjoying jumping to the AMD Ship, ever since i moved from Intel to AMD last year. I have never looked back, but don't worry about a sound card at the moment. Most built in soundcards on motherboards are much more better now, since they can offer 5.1 built in mate.

 

[Shannon]

Didn't you just build a high end gaming rig not long back!

 

[F1GTR]

Well, how much was it?

 

[emad]

I hope this rig works out for me as it seems to have worked out for you. Did you just go with stock cooling for the Processor?

my bro's graphic machine is similarly specced. The stock cooler is a massive beast compared to the one on the single core model. It's more than sufficient for keeping the cpu around 35 degrees on idle 👍

 

[Pako]

Didn't you just build a high end gaming rig not long back!

I did , but I sold that to my nephew so it was time to upgrade.

 

[VIPFREAK]

You suck...

Congrats

 

[Pebb]

Pako I take it you made a profit, when you sold you old rig lol.

 

[OmicroN]

How much total did the rig cost you, I just built myself a computer, lots lower specs, but it only ran me roughly $700, with the exception of the monitor. I was thinking of selling that and building myself a dual cpu computer with a PCI-E gpu instead of agp like I currently have.

VERY nice computer btw.

 

[VIPFREAK]

How much total did the rig cost you, I just built myself a computer, lots lower specs, but it only ran me roughly $700, with the exception of the monitor. I was thinking of selling that and building myself a dual cpu computer with a PCI-E gpu instead of agp like I currently have.

VERY nice computer btw.

What's your specs? I just built my own around $750.

 

[Pako]

Pako I take it you made a profit, when you sold you old rig lol.

Well.....

Let's just say he paid full retail since he's been living with me rent free. Let's just say I figured in a little back rent.

 

[Vasco]

Hey Pako, awesome computer!
I just want to ask how the P180 case is...How many fans does it have, and is it keeping the computer cool? One thing I've been struggling to choose for my next computer is a case as I really am not in the know. I was thinking Thermaltake, but this case looks so sleek and sexy!

 

[OmicroN]

What's your specs? I just built my own around $750.

AMD XP 2800+
1.5gb 400mhz pc3200
Radeon x700 256mb AGP
ANTEC SLK3700BQE SOLUTION SERIES 3700 SUPER QUIET BLACK CASE WITH 350 W ATX12V POWER SUPPLY
Abit KD7 MB
100gb Maxtor 7200rpm SATA
21" Trinitron Monitor
Plextor CD/RW 52x32x52x

 

[Pebb]

AMD XP 2800+
1.5gb 400mhz pc3200
Radeon x700 256mb AGP
ANTEC SLK3700BQE SOLUTION SERIES 3700 SUPER QUIET BLACK CASE WITH 350 W ATX12V POWER SUPPLY
Abit KD7 MB
100gb Maxtor 7200rpm SATA
21" Trinitron Monitor
Plextor CD/RW 52x32x52x

I think you have just been ripped off.

 

[Shannon]

I did , but I sold that to my nephew so it was time to upgrade.

Ahh. I was going to say, give me some of that money you seem to have so much of.

Get the X-Fi Xtreme Music — I'm looking at getting it myself. It's the entry level card in the X-Fi range. The only real bonus you get out of the more expensive models is the external... uh, thingy. Well, the FATAL1TY model has 32mb of V-RAM onboard, but still not worth the money. Why the hell would you include V-RAM on a bloody soundcard?

Also, getting a soundcard means you have a dedicated component for processing the sounds in a game, instead of the onboard chip doing it. This'll free up a few extra frames when gaming. 👍

 

[Famine]

I think you have just been ripped off.

I built myself something very similar to that for £350.

2 years ago.


Incidentally, to buy all of the parts Pako used would cost me £1,858.18, or about US$3,200.