Topic: New Computer

[Dracho]

Well, I've finally gotten tired of Franken-PC.  This thing has more spare parts in it than a machine should be able to suvive with.  Every time I've upgraded my PC I've been limited by trying to use existing components, so finally I've decided to start over from scratch.  The only thing I'll reuse is my Coolermaster case and my 1000 watt power supply.  I decided to drop $500 at Newegg.com and bought the following:  (I'll upgrade the graphics card a little later, but for now will run two ATI HD2600XT's with 512 of DDR3 in Crossfire mode). 

I can't wait to get into this thing!



$134.99 Motherboard:  DFI LANPARTY DK 790FX-M2RS AM2+/AM2 AMD 790FX ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail   - This thing will hold 3 PCIe 2.0 graphics cards in Crossfire mode.  With ATI double-cards, that's 6 GPU's in Crossfire!!!

CPU Type: Phenom / Athlon 64 X2 / Athlon 64 FX / Athlon 64
Dual Channel Supported: Yes
FSB: 2600MHz Hyper Transport (5200 MT/s)
Maximum Memory Supported: 8GB
Memory Standard: DDR2 800 / DDR2  1066 with Phenom processor
Number of Memory Slots: 4×240pin
PATA: 1 x ATA100 2 Dev. Max
PCI Express 2.0 x16: 3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 slots - 2-way or 4-way CrossFire at x16/x16/NC bandwidth - 3-way CrossFire at x16/x16/x4 bandwidth - 2-way CrossFire + Physics at x16/x16 bandwidth
Model #: 790FX-M2RS


$235 Processor:  AMD Phenom 9850 BLACK EDITION 2.5GHz Socket AM2+ 125W Quad-Core Processor Model HD985ZXAGHBOX - Retail
Processor AMD Phenom™ X4 Quad-Core
Model 9850
OPN Tray HD985ZXAJ4BGH
OPN PIB HD985ZXGHBOX
Operating Mode 32 Bit Yes
Operating Mode 64 Bit Yes
Revision B3
Core Speed (MHz) 2500
Voltages 1.20/1.25/1.30V
Max Temps (C) 61'C
Wattage 125 W
L1 Cache Size (KB) 128
L1 Cache Count 4
L2 Cache Size (KB) 512
L2 Cache Count 4
L3 Cache Size (KB) 2048
CMOS 65nm
Socket AM2+
Business Class No

 

$64.99 RAM:  Kingston HyperX 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model KHX8500D2K2/2GR - Retail  (1066 RAM?!?!)  Holy Cow!
Kingston HyperX 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model KHX8500D2K2/2G - Retail
Cas Latency: 5
Heat Spreader: Yes
Recommend Use: High Performance or Gaming Memory
Timing: 5-5-5-15
Voltage: 2.2V
Model #: KHX8500D2K2/2G
Item #: N82E16820134218

$84  A New HDD:  Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD5000AAKS 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
Model
Brand Western Digital 
Series Caviar SE16 
Model WD5000AAKS 
Performance
Interface SATA 3.0Gb/s 
Capacity 500GB 
RPM 7200 RPM 
Cache 16MB 
Average Seek Time 8.9ms 
Average Write Time 10.9ms 
Average Latency 4.2ms 
Physical Spec
Form Factor 3.5" 


The whole thing with shipping was $520.   I shouldn't need to upgrade again for a long, long time.

[Rod ONeal]

Nice setup. Good to see you paid a bit more for the 790 chipset. I've read some reviews that the lower boards are so current/voltage limited (not a fault of the chipsets, per se, but in a cost savings SNAFU the board manufacturers are corner cutting too much.) that they can't properly handle the phenoms. Especially if you decide to OC it (with the unlocked "black edition" you might want to see what you can push it to. ).

I'd go for 4gigs of RAM though. It's cheap and helps keep your system future proof. Sometimes I run pretty large files in photoshop and have a 3D program or 2 open for instant modeling updates, the internet going, etc... etc...

[Dracho]

I figure I'll pick up 2 more gig when I get a video card (or 2).  I'm kicking around the idea of an ATI 3870X2.. but another $400 is a couple of paydays and some attic insulation away.

[Pestalence_XC]

For the memory, I would have went with the 4 GB dual channel (4 x 1024 Mb) Partiot Extreme gaming memory with low latency of 4-4-4-12 at 800 Mhz FSB at 1.8v with lifetime warranty.. Tiger Direct $96.98

a whole lot cheaper that what you bought and it has built in heat syncs .. You could have also gotten the same thing at 1066 Mhz for $115.00

only $40 more than what you paid for double the memory and a whole lot better latency for gaming, plus it can overclock up to 1400 Mhz at 2.1V and will still be covered under warranty (2.2V is max warranty voltage).

Plus it is made in the USA, not China or Japan or Taiwan.

[Elvis]

Cool remember if your not running a 64 bit OS you won't be able to take advantage of the extra memory. Just go Nvidia for the graphics card and be done with it,

[Pestalence_XC]

If you are using XP 32 bit.. the system will use 4 GB.. 1 GB will be dedicated to system resources and will not be reported to the user.. however you will have 3 GB that can be utilized for programs.

In Vista 32 bit, there is a reporting error in the Task Manager that has a registry edit that can fix it to report full amount of memory.

XP 64 Bit has a max of 8 GB memory

Vista 64 bit Home Basic has a max of 8 GB

Vista 64 bit Home Premium, Enterprise, and Business will recognize 16 GB system Ram

Vista Ultimate 64 bit will recognize and utilize over 128 GB system Ram.

[Rod ONeal]

As far as the vid cards go, I bought a crossfire capable board as well. I'm currently running a single 3870 (not the X2) I'm running a 22" Sony CRT (better for CG work than an LCD) at 1280x1024 @85hz refresh rate. The single 3870 easily handles anything that I've throwm at it. My plan is to probably add a 2nd one in the not too distant future. If you get an X2 I can't see you needing a 2nd one unless you're going to be running a real big monitor at real hi resolution. 

[Dracho]

Yeah, I had a long debate on whether to go ATI 3870 or Nvidia 9800 GTX.  It did not help that you can buy an Intel processor that drives a Crossfire board and an AMD that drives SLI.  Eventually, it was price that was the deciding factor.  I can run within 1-2 framerates of Nvidia and Intel, for about 1/2 the price.

I also like that Crossfire functions independent of the application.

I am looking real hard at this OC version of a 3870X2

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3770901&CatId=3669

[Dracho]

Well, I just couldn't stand it.. I went ahead and ordered the VisionTek 3870 X2 (and 2 more gig of RAM), mostly because it has been redesigned to be much shorter, and has 2 cooling fans..

Now, to pay for this I am going to have to part out my 3rd PC and sell it on eBay...along with anything not nailed down around the place...  IIRC it has an AMD Athlon 2.0 GHZ chip with 2 GB of PC3200  RAM and an older Nvidia AGP card.. maybe a GeForce 4 MX....though it does have DVI out.. so I am not positive of the model.. with 256 on it.  I'll probably sell the whole thing as a barebones with no case.  I'll also sell one of my 2 HD2600 XT 512 PCIe cards.. probably the VisionTek and keep the Sapphire. 

I'll rip the guts out of my current PC, put it into the case for the old one in the corner, and let my wife use it for editing photographs and get her the heck off of my gaming rig.  She'll have an AMD 2.2 dual core with 2 GB of DDR400, an HD2600XT (Crossfire comes with management overhead we just won't subject her to.. in fact I'll kill the catalyst control center and run her drivers only) a  SATA 160 GB system drive and 3 320GB SATA drives in RAID 5 to store her photos.

She's moving up to a Canon 5D so I expect she'll be saturating my drive anyway if I don't get her on to her own "server",

[Dracho]

Everything came in and I have the system up and running.   I picked up a Piano-style mid-tower case at BestBuy for $60 and I do have  a couple of observations:

The ATI X2 graphics card truly is 2 3870 cards physically attache.  The catalyst drivers automatically engage crossfire to make them work.  It's not a hardware-level bonus, so I'm not sure buying 2 3870's (due to the much smaller footprint) wouldn't be just as effective.

If you do plan to go X2 cards, especially 2 X2 cards in Crossfire mode, stay away from this DFI motherboard.  The Front audio panel and the CD-sound jack are placed so that an X2 card won't fit in slot 1 because of the CD-in, and you can't plug in the front audio under PCIe slot 2.  PCIe slot 3 is too clase to the end of the case in a mid-tower so you couldn't put a second card there.

I also wish it had a firewire connection, but I can drop in a card with no problem. 

The board itself, however, configured easily and everything worked fine, except that I had to use one of my HD2600 cards to configure the bios and get windows installed, then the system detected the 3870x2.

[Rod ONeal]

Grab yourself some real hires models for SFC, crank up the AA, etc.. to full and play SFC. My single 3870 runs locked at my screen refresh (85fps) set like that. Your X2, of course will have no issues with anything you throw it's way.!

[Dracho]

Well, I have everything up and running and put Vista Ultimate 64 Bit on it.  Once you shut off all of the annoying warnings in Vista, it is not the horrible pig I expected it to be.  The only app that's given me any trouble is my ATI Overclock utility.  I actually like the desktop quite a bit more.  It's easier on my eyes.

[Pestalence_XC]

Cool..

90% of older software will work on the system.. Games and VB 6 programs that have problems.. VB 6 can be fixed by adding DX7vb.dll and DX8vb.dll into the system32 and sysWOW folder in the windows directory and then registering them using Regserv32.exe using administrator priv.

Games written in DX 8 or older may have problems, especially if the company did not use coding standards. Most games have work arounds.. I am still trying to find the workarounds for D2 in the SFC II titles, however SFC 3 works just fine Single player and D3 (make sure Vista SP 1 is installed) and so does SFC 1.

Also for the UAC.. Do not turn it off as people suggest, get the utility called TWEAKUAC it is a simple exe file that gives you 3 options.. UAC Normal, UAC Quiet or Silent mode, or UAC off..

Set UAC to Quiet mode.. system responds like it is off, however it is still tied into Windows Defender and notifies you of programs trying to gain system permissions for startup or browser control (or kernel control).

[Dracho]

Nice!

Any tips on getting IE to stop with the annoying "Your pc is under protected let me fix it" messages?

[Pestalence_XC]

Yes, quit changing the security settings.. If you let it run in protected mode, the only things you get at the top of the browser is notificatio of file downloads or pop-ups or phishing messages..

I would change Cookies to First Party Accept, Third Party Block and Always Allow Session Cookies checked.

You can also adjust your settings in the Advanced area, but in the security tab, it is best to run it in default mode, or you can manually edit them after you set to protect mode and let it auto configure the default level..

As you adjust settings, you will see non secure items turn pink.. go with default settings.

I am in process of writing up Optimum IE settings for protection, however I also have the AVG 8 on here with the link scanner.. It does slow IE down some, however it isn't really that much to notice.. maybe 1 second to 2.. that is about it.. Now if you are posing a message, at times it may take a moment to get the message up since it will first scan the message and then attachments if any as well as the page you are posting to.. Great security.

AVG can also scan and block incoming Tracking Cookies.

Anyhow.. I will look into getting a guide up soon..

My main question is this.. Are you running IE 7 or IE 8 Beta? I'm using the Beta myself, so if some security items come up in my guide that IE 7 does not have, just skip them.

I should have the guide up in about a week or so as time permits.. I intend to be specific.

Hope that this helps.

[Pestalence_XC]

For older games, I recommend looking at my Dual Boot guide stickied at the top of the forum.. currently, until I can get a work around for Vista on SFC II titles or some older games like Dominion Wars or Hidden Evil etc..., you will need XP.

[Dracho]

I'm running 7 I guess, whatever comes with Vista as stock.

Personally, I prefer 6.

[Pestalence_XC]

IE 7 is much better, and it is Vista Stock.. IE 6 has way too many security vulnerabilities and memory leaks.. Once you get use to IE 7 layout, tabbed browsing, and so forth, you will wonder why Microsoft didn't make it years ago..