Simviation Forums

Athlon 64 x2 Dual Core 3800+
2 GB DDR Memory
WD Raptor 80GB SATA 10,000RPM
WD Raptor 80GB SATA 10,000RPM
WD 250GB SATA 7200RPM
ASUS Motherboard With SLI
CDRW/DVD Combo Drive
NVIDIA Gforce 7800GT 256MB DDR 3 PCI Express SLi
NVIDIA Gforce 7800GT 256MB DDR 3 PCI Express SLi
Windows XP Pro.


I get to pick it up in 2 weeks. Ill have to sell my current one after I get it to transfer over all my FS files.

Ian, your gonna be sorely disappointed

Interesting the comments on Ian's dual core rig.

Are you getting this new mobo IAN ?
"..... A8N 32-SLI Deluxe :-This NEW motherboard supports AMD 939-pin Athlon

Thanks Congo Ill take note of that.

[quote]Interesting the comments on Ian's dual core rig.

Are you getting this new mobo IAN ?
"..... A8N 32-SLI Deluxe :-This NEW motherboard supports AMD 939-pin Athlon

The 4400+ and 4800+ are the only two X2 cpu's that have the 2mb of L2 cache. The 4400+ is somewhat affordable. The Opteron alternative requires the use of a socket 940 server board and those boards may require more expensive ECC ram modules., so any savings on a dated Opteron might be offset by the extra expense of a compatible mainboard and ram for it.

The 4400+ is my current upgrade path to a dual core system should I wish to go that route, at least until something better comes along.

As far as overclocking the 4400+ in comparison to a 3700+ or 4000+, (those 2 single cored cpu's also have 1mb of L2 cache on each core, as does the 4400+), the single cored cpu's overclock well with no extra cooling required, whereas I've heard that the X2's require some cooling solutions. This is not surprising considering that there are two cores to cool and the surface area of the X2's HS contact is not proportionately doubled in comparison to the single cored cpu's.

Saying that, a look at a stock AMD supplied fan/heatsink assembly for a 4400+ will amaze you, they are awesome with an advanced, heatpiped design.






Now compare that with the Thermalright XP-120 as below.

[img]http://www.simviation.com/yabbuploads/4400hsf2.jpg
[/img]

Yes the AMD heatsinks have alawaies been nice little things right out of the box. Much better than intel (cough).

But if your going to get serious about overclocking hows about the Zalman CNPS-9500 Currently the coolest HSF on the market? Yes its $60, but would you rather cook your cpu?

Cheers
Cameron

As inexpensive (considering how powerful they've become) as CPUs are nowadays.. I've wondered if overclocking is worth the time and risk. I mean..

Well one thing for certain, the more powerful the CPU driving that 7800 SLI setup, the better the results the cards will give.


Nice looking rig mate!  

Personally I'd want watercooling for the processors on a rig of those proportions.

Watercooling has its ups and downs.

Ups:
Cooler Core temps
Faster overclocks
Looks Cool

Downs:
Cost ($200 or more for a good setup)
Leaks (its gaurenteed that you will get a leak the first time you build a watercooled system. And when it leaks your case floods, last time I checked mobos dont like water)
Size. (Watercooling will take up all your case space, so unless youve got a full ATX your going to be rathar cramped.

So yes watercooling has its ups, but I havent messed with it yet, as I dont feel like turning Sheila into a Aquarium

Cheers
Cameron

Now See ?

Can you overclock $350 CPU to be as fast as a $550 CPU(and be as stable  and last as long)? Is it worth the work, maintanence, risk and $$ for water-cooling ?

Well you can, and it will be as stable (as long as you provide the correct voltage. The other thing you have to think about is that water is for extreem overclockers, like me, who want the absolute most out of our systems. For instance my processer. Yes I could have gottern a 580 prescott, however I saved about $100 by not, and I have a faster clock speed. Its the same with my friend. He could have gotten a faster processer, but he did a slower one, and watercooling with the money he saved. Now he has an even faster system then I do. Its all about pushing our systems to the max, and wether it be Vapechill, Water, Liquit N2O, silver or copper we shell it out.

When I finally do go water I plan to take my Athalon 4000+ to somewhere abouts 3.8~4.2Ghz useing Danger Den blocks, and distilled water.

Cheers
Cameron

Watercooling has its ups and downs.

Ups:
Cooler Core temps
Faster overclocks
Looks Cool

Downs:
Cost ($200 or more for a good setup)
Leaks (its gaurenteed that you will get a leak the first time you build a watercooled system. And when it leaks your case floods, last time I checked mobos dont like water)
Size. (Watercooling will take up all your case space, so unless youve got a full ATX your going to be rathar cramped.

So yes watercooling has its ups, but I havent messed with it yet, as I dont feel like turning Sheila into a Aquarium

Cheers
Cameron

well then if you think about it, put all tubes, machines, and plates on the devices, measure everything out so it fits nicely, then take it all out and run the machine, check for leaks and whatnot, then when all done ,give it the go ahead in the real test.

but i don't have water cooling, and thats far out on my list of things to get. im just glad i have all the fans to keep it cool now. can't even hear them when my turboprops are flying!

ramos

I guess.. if it's a matter of getting the most out of a given system (and not the most performance for the dollar).. you can do the liquid nitrogen thing too and clock the heck out of a CPU..

I looked into overclocking and water cooling a year or so ago and couldn't make the numbers work in favor of it. It surely isn't cost effective and even if it's about extending the life of a CPU.. there really isn't a point to that either. The next generation that renders even o-clocked CPUs passe' will always be out and affordable before your current CPU dies (unless you o-lclock it to death (then that $200 is surely best put toward the new CPU)).. When was the last time you upgraded because a CPU wore out ? For me.. it's always been because it was too slow. At any given time in that cycle of upgrading..  I think the money  is best set aside for a new CPU/M-board. At any stage of it.. you can either have a bunch of plumbing in there.. or.. a $200 faster CPU.. And.. no matter how careful you are.. o-clocking.. you're gonna fry one.. sooner or later.