In need of opinion about a new comp setup

[Skittles]

I have been saving money while on deployment and I'm rewarding myself with a new rig... I've been waiting for over four years.

I've been out of the tech loop and need advice. I basically started with Top-of-the-Line

I'm looking for your opinions about the hardware configuration only... What's not enough or (if it's possible) too much.

*** Please let me be clear about this... I do not wish for this to become a "buying vs building" argument, I've been building my rigs for years and it's time for a break, nor do I care to be lectured on how much this is going to cost, or how much I could save if I built it myself. It's time to pay the little guys. One last request, no opinions about Alienware vs CyberPower PC, I'm still reading up. ***

Whew!  Well, if your still with me... Please, take a look below... I'm not up to snuff on AMD's & Intel's battles.  I've been using ATI and would like to use my 3D glasses again (which are only supported by Nvidia)
I didn't have a choice of motherboards or power supplies.


Processor
     AMD Athlon

[Fozzer]

Hi Skit...!

The only thing you left out was the price of your new Cray computer.... ...!

I think that will shock us all... ...!

LOL... ...!

Paul....Sinclair 48k Spectrum.... ...!

[ctjoyce]

I shouldn't be replaying to this, due to the fact that your even concidering buying an alienware, but I'll add my two cents anyway.

First off the processer is way too expensive. If you want that preformance you should be buying a Conroe E6700.

Secondly the RAM. You wouln't be able to use half of it in XP due to limitations.

Thirdly, Quad SLi is a waste. Those 7950s will do less than two 7900GXTs in SLi.

I could go on, or I could show you what I'm building


Conroe E6700
ASUS nForce 5 SLi (when it comes out)
OCZ DDR2-800 2GB
2x eVGA 7900GT
2x 400GB Western Digital Caviar
2x 150GB Western Digital Raptor X
Samgsung 18x DVD+/-RW DL LightScribe
Hiper Type R 580W PSU
Zalman CNPS-9500LED Cu
2x Zalman VF-900Cu
Silverstone Temjen TJ-07
Scepter 20" LCD

That setup will run you just over $2200 and will out preform the setup your planing to buy from alienware,

Cheers
Cameron

[cheesegrater]

I agree.

I wouldn't touch the FX series with a 10 foot pole. A Conroe half the price beats it and overclocks better. Buy Conroe!

Two 7950's is too much. I would go with one 7950 or two 7900GTs.

DX10 is just around the corner so you might want to upgrade in a year. I don't think it is worth spending $1000 on graphic cards at this time. Two 7900GTXs might be the fastest thing you can get but will run close to $1000.

4 gigs RAM is too much. Go for 2.

[Skittles]

If you want that preformance you should be buying a Conroe E6700.

OK, I'll startlooking deeper into that. I thought the Conroe was a Laptop CPU?

Secondly the RAM. You wouln't be able to use half of it in XP due to limitations.

Glad you told me, I'm not at all familiar with XP.

Thirdly, Quad SLi is a waste. Those 7950s will do less than two 7900GXTs in SLi.

Thanks again, This is the valuable knowledge I'm lacking... but working on.

... will out preform the setup your planing to buy from alienware,

I'll take your word for it.

Thank you so much for replying,

Joe

[NicksFXHouse]

If you looking to buy a new system take this into consideration...


Right now the hardware being offered by all companies will be outdated and some of it will be obsolete by the time DX10 arrives and is in place next year between March and May. DX10 is a platform you will want.

Buying a Conroe or an AMD system right now should be done with the thought that you will want to expand into DX10. That being said both platforms in todays motherboards are lacking however if you do wish to buy now, make sure the motherboard is the latest technology. IE NF5, AM2, etc,..

For AMD, your better off with a x2 5000+ because it will overclock quite easily past FX62 performance for 1/2 the price.

As for Conroe, although it has potential for being a stronger platform, the reviews are mixed on if the real world performance of the processor or if it fully matches the hyped up pre-release reviews. Even if the real world performance of Conroe may not be what was hyped, it still represents newer technology than AMD currently offers.

In video adapters, I dont trust any of the reviews... I would ask those who own the hardware and have used it what they think. Many tried the 7950 cards on motherboards that did not fully support it and had bad things to say, others cant say enough good things... so I would check into that with real owners and not a forum opinions from those who never owned the product.

I tend to support the 7950 is overkill for the price/cost performance ratio and quad sli is still in its infancy so driver support is not there yet.

One of the advantages to buying a pre constructed unit is support however keep in mind the price is inflated way past what it would cost you to buy and build.


The starting point should be based on what it is you wish to accomplish. In example you already stated you want full 3D glasses suppot so a Nvidia platform will be needed.. Next, ask what other support you wish to have such as multi-monitor (if so, how many), video editing, gaming, etc... Once you have the answers to those questions then look into supporting hardware which will give you the best of what you seek before deciding on a platform or other components.

AMD next offereings may require another motherboard upgrade. Intel's current offerings may be squashed by AMD next year and at the same time an Intel upgrade may require another motherboard purchase.

The point is, right now is not a good time to buy because all the hardware manufactures are pushing to get rid of old technology and that wont stop until Q1 of next year.

[Skittles]

Thanks Nick,

Plenty to consider. I'm going to have to figure out what DX10 is. I was thinking DirectX10, but when you said "platform" I reconsidered.

I think your advice about waiting is sound. I hear about the battles of companies... I'll wait until the smoke clears.

Thanks again

[cheesegrater]

Thanks Nick,

Plenty to consider. I'm going to have to figure out what DX10 is. I was thinking DirectX10, but when you said "platform" I reconsidered.

I think your advice about waiting is sound. I hear about the battles of companies... I'll wait until the smoke clears.

Thanks again

DX10 is DirectX10. When he said platform he is referring to DirectX10 compatible hardware.

[PisTon]

Get an Intel system:
Maybe a Intel E6700, way faster than the fx62, and AFAIK, cheaper.
Get 2gb of RAM, I doubt 4gb is really needed.

And don't get twin 7950GX2. Try single or double Radeon X1950XTXs, why? Cheaper, and slightly slower, but hey, you get HDR + AA, and lightning fast shader performance. Plus you get bragging rights on the only video card with 2ghz GDDR4 memory

[cheesegrater]

Something to consider, X1950XTX has better image quality. With DX10 around the corner I would go for a single card setup.

[NicksFXHouse]

he said he want 3D glasses support... ATI falls short on that with older cards however I am not sure about the newer ones.

If ATI does not support what he wants, Nvidia is the platform he will need to buy.


I will most likely be going DX10 crossfire with full PhysX support built into the ATI R600 cores.

[Skittles]

Thanks for all the input.

It was stated WinXP does not support more than 2GB memory. I also plan on doing some video editing and would like 4GB, I've looked around at some reviews of Win Vista but didn't find anything stating it will or will not support 4GB.
So either I pray Vista will support 4GB and go with that or I stay with Win2k and possibly sacrafice FS X.

Anyone know?

[PisTon]

I think 64bit Vista supports nearly unlimited RAM Not sure about 32 bit  :P

[richardd43]

If you are going with quad SLI get the Dell 30 inch monitor. The Dell and Apple 30 inchers are the only ones that can take full advantage of the high resolutions that the quad setup is capable of (2560 X 1600).

[NicksFXHouse]

Thanks for all the input.

It was stated WinXP does not support more than 2GB memory. I also plan on doing some video editing and would like 4GB, I've looked around at some reviews of Win Vista but didn't find anything stating it will or will not support 4GB.
So either I pray Vista will support 4GB and go with that or I stay with Win2k and possibly sacrafice FS X.

Anyone know?

Like WindowsXP x64, Windows VISTA will suppot up to 16TB (not GB) of memory. 4 gigs is baby poop for VISTA so you have no problem there.


A word of caution though... if you intemd to install 4 gigs make sure the sticks are rated to work together AND with the motherboard or you may loose valuable performance. Consult the memory manufacture. OCZ is the boys I would trust to give me the right information in thier support forums.

If you want a rig that will be suited for video editing, then an Intel based system would serve you better (NOTE: That is based on todays hardware)