Need some more advice

[NicksFXHouse]

In the case of the motherboard, I would purchase the SLI model http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6813131568 that allows a minimum of 4 gigs of memory, onboard 7.1 surround sound RAID options and onboard network card. SLI, simply because you can run a single video card now and if desired can add the second video card later. In the case of the memory, I would purchase at least 2 gigs of ultra-high quality, low timing product. (2.0 -2-2-5 rated @ 1TCMD) and has a proven record of being able to hit 250-300FSB or higher.

The power supply is a key element for stability and future upgrades. I would purchase a power supply that is not only SLI certified but will deliver enough current to drive the motherboard, 2 high current video adapters, 2 CD drives and 4 hard drives along with 4 250-500ma 12vdc fans. I would also plan that power supply purchase for the dual processor even if you do not get one at this time. That is a heck of a PSU

[ctjoyce]

Well with watever processer you get you will enjoy it. And now I can personally tell you the 3700+ is one hell of a cool little overclocker. I just finished putting a system together for a friend (30 min ago, just installing firefox on it as we speak) and since he is a speed deamon I pushed it to where I though it would go (2.7Ghz) under a Zalman CNPS-7000Led, but no we have it to 3.0Ghz running 32C idle, and 49C load (his room is 22C according to the thermomiter on the wall). This supprised the heck out of me, a 800Mhz increase would be running my pressy at about 42C under the same cooler.

Also as for the 7900 series, I can say that they are absolutely friggen amazing. 9425 3DMark05 6932 3DMark06, and I was wrong about the cooling. We have a 15% core overclock running absolutely cool and stable.

Cheers
Cameron

[NicksFXHouse]

The San Diego 3700+ and 4000+ will both provide a 20-25% stable overclock if the PSU and other components are of good quality.... and I agree it is the best budget choice. If money is an issue, put it into the video card purchase and grab a 1MB L2 cache 3700+ or 4000+ for now.


PS: What ever processor you purchase, the larger L2 cache will always provide better performance.

[Jimbo]

(Reply to Nick)

Right, Let me reply....

Ive considered all your aspects, and hear go's.

To start the Topic off, i have a maximum budget of

[NicksFXHouse]

[quote](Reply to Nick)

Right, Let me reply....

Ive considered all your aspects, and hear go's.

To start the Topic off, i have a maximum budget of

[Jimbo]

Hi,

Regarding the Graphics card.

Well the 7900GTX in my price range seems quite expensive. I thought the : (XFX GeForce 7900 GT Extreme Edition) was good?


Did you mention the 7900GTX because of the 512 Memory?

Cheers mate.

James

[NicksFXHouse]

Hi,

Regarding the Graphics card.

Well the 7900GTX in my price range seems quite expensive. I thought the : (XFX GeForce 7900 GT Extreme Edition)

Did you mention the 7900GTX because of the 512 Memory?

Cheers mate.

James

Absolutely... even without DX10, you can believe 512mb will be needed for FSX

Also the stock 650+ core and 1600+ memory clock the GTX provides.

You cannot beat reserve video memory and raw horsepower by overclocking

It does however come down to your budget.

Consider this.... The GTX cost today will provide superior single card performance and next year that 7900 GTX will probably be 1/2 or less the price so adding a second one (for SLI) upgrades your system close to FSX standards without spending 1200+ (USD) on the video system alone.

[Jimbo]

Absolutely... even without DX10, you can believe 512mb will be needed for FSX

Also the stock 690 core and 1750 memory clock the GTX provides.

You cannot beat reserve video memory and raw horsepower by overclocking

It does however come down to your budget.

Consider this.... The GTX cost today will provide superior single card performance and next year that 7900 GTX will probably be 1/2 or less the price so adding a second one (for SLI) upgrades your system close to FSX standards without spending 1200+ (USD) on the video system alone.

Aaah thanks for that.

:)

Ive been looking at the dual core processors, and the maximum price i can for is the AMD 64 X2 4400+.

Still deciding whether this would be adequate enough for FSX.. or am i better off buying the Single Core 3700+ or 4000+ now, and then upgrade in around a year?

>:( ! - Slap me!

James

[NicksFXHouse]

Aaah thanks for that.

:)

Ive been looking at the dual core processors, and the maximum price i can for is the AMD 64 X2 4400+.

Still deciding whether this would be adequate enough for FSX.. or am i better off buying the Single Core 3700+ or 4000+ now, and then upgrade in around a year?

>:( ! - Slap me!

James

I already explained that if you cannot afford the X2 4800+ now and the PSU to run it, and you do not need dual processor power... it would not pay you to buy a dual processor right now because FS9 will not recognize the second core.

FSX will.

You will also have a better idea of hardware upgrades by the time FSX comes around and the dual core processors will have come down in price.

Remember though, if the PSU you buy now cannot run a dual processor you will be paying for another PSU in the future to upgrade, which means what you save on the reduced dual core CPU price will be eaten up by a new PSU. Same goes for adding another video card for SLI.

[Jimbo]

I already explained that if you cannot afford the X2 4800+ now and the PSU to run it, and you do not need dual processor power... it would not pay you to buy a dual processor right now because FS9 will not recognize the second core.

FSX will.

You will also have a better idea of hardware upgrades by the time FSX comes around and the dual core processors will have come down in price.

Remember though, if the PSU you buy now cannot run a dual processor you will be paying for another PSU in the future to upgrade, which means what you save on the reduced dual core CPU price will be eaten up by a new PSU. Same goes for adding another video card for SLI.

 already explained that if you cannot afford the X2 4800+ now and the PSU to run it

Sorry i should have taken a much closer look.

So my Plan at the moment:

Buy the AMD 64 4000+, the graphics card etc..

Then once FSX has been released, have a look at the AMD 64 X2 Dual core CPU prices.

FINALLY i have decided on what im going to do.

THANKS!

James

[NicksFXHouse]

Sorry i should have taken a much closer look.

So my Plan at the moment:

Buy the AMD 64 4000+, the graphics card etc..

Then once FSX has been released, have a look at the AMD 64 X2 Dual core CPU prices.

FINALLY i have decided on what im going to do.

THANKS!

James

Dont be sorry... That information probably got lost in my long winded post somewhere  ;D


I would say the combination of the 4000+ and the 7900 GTX will make you very happy and well worth the investment.

[Jimbo]

So..

Is this thread a "case closed"?

[NicksFXHouse]

So..

Is this thread a "case closed"?

A case??

AHhhhhhhhhhhhh.... the tower case, now that is another subject all together..

This will be a bit long winded but..........

[Jimbo]

A case??

AHhhhhhhhhhhhh.... the tower case, now that is another subject all together..

This will be a bit long winded but..........

Heee hee!

LOL

[congo]

A>

In the case of the motherboard, I would purchase the SLI model http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6813131568


B>
The power supply is a key element for stability and future upgrades.


C>
If you are going to do nothing but gaming and you have the money, purchase the FX-57 processor. You can overclock the San Diego 3700+ and the 4000+ to FX-57 speed and above in MHz but you CANNOT and never will achieve the same performance the core architecture the FX-57 provides. At the same time if you overclock the FX-57 you will hit points the 3700 and 4000 cannot even touch.


D>
If you are going to use your system for more than gaming in processor intense applications and you have the money, purchase the X2 4800+ processor. It will provide you with both the ability to overclock with the same results as the 3700 and 4000+ in video games and cannot be touched in performance for other applications. If you select the X2 4800+ keep this in mind, you MUST make sure the BIOS of the motherboard is updated for the X2 4800+ before installing it and you MUST clean install Windows with the dual processor installed in the system. There is also a patch available at Microsoft which in some cases needs to be applied in order for the dual core to be properly recognized AND properly implemented by the OS. You will not see a reduction in video game performance with the X2-4800+ however if you try to go lower (X2-4400+), you will.



E>
The 7900 Nvidia series is out however it is too soon to tell if that card is going to have problems so I would shy away from it for a few months.

A> That mainboard is based on a flawed chipset.

B> While I agree the PSU is important, I use a $40 PSU and it is well built, has intelligent fan system and provides correct power spec. It attractive and has a bunch of fully customisable outlets with all the cables you could imagine included in the box. I run up to 4 hard disks, a dvdrom, floppy, overclocked 3700+, nv6600GT , 1gb PC4000 and a couple case fans, not a bit of instability or any sign of a problem, it runs cool and the fan only kicks into high speed on really hot days. It's 420watts.
I wouldn't consider over 600watts for SLI and dual core on top of my spec, that's all most people are using tops. The only real difference over my rig is the second video card.


C> Well that's very interesting considering that the 3700+, 4000+, FX55 and FX57 all use the same San Diego Rev. E4 core!
The cpu multiplier on each core is top locked at 11, 12, 13 & 14 respectively, that is the only Horsepower difference and we all know how to fix that!