out with the old and in with the new (pc upgrade options)

[G3]

this is basically just me thinking out loud about the current state of affairs concerning my desire to upgrade again, and again, and again :doh:

 

after recently upgrading from an a64 s754 3400,

to an a64 x2 4800, i was i guess disappointed with the lack of major difference, especially in lockon.

 

as i had the 3400 oc @ 2.4ghz,

a single core of the x2 4800 runs @ 2.4ghz.

 

so i guess it makes some sense that not much if any benefit was seen, apart from the ability to direct other non game related stuff to the other core, and leave the game a core for itself.

 

i picked up a s939 motherboard and couldn't pass up the oportunity to max out my AGP parts with the biggest cpu i could find for that socket.

so thats how i came to get the x2 4800, but still have agp :)

 

so currently my pc is:

 

a64 x2 4800 @ 2.4ghz

a8v s939 dual channel

2gig corsair ddr1

bfg 6800ultra agp

 

and i was thinking of something like:

 

option a64 x2:

 

a64 x2 6000 @ 3ghz

asus m2n32sli socket am2

corsair performance 2/4gig

8800 gtx 768mb

 

option core 2 duo/quad:

 

duo 6600 / 6700 / 6800 / quad

asus p5n32 sli s775

and the rest the same

corsair performance 2/4gig

8800 gtx 768mb

 

thats the ideas i have floating around in my head at present, i have been totally ignoring the hardware since i upgraded last time and am only just getting back up to speed.

 

so we already have quad chips on the market, barcelona, penryn etc all just around the corner, whats a guy to do, wait a while longer, wait forever, jump in head first.

 

it is just so annoying that what you buy today is old news tomorrow.

at best i'm usually a year behind technology even when i do upgrade :)

as they say the best time to buy is 2moro, and the best time to sell it is yesterday :D

 

so stepping away from agp is a given, and the need to buy a few gig of ddr2 cannot be avoided.

its the and intel/amd choice i need to make, looking at current performance levels the a64 x2 6000 looks to be on par with the core 2 duo 6600, and price wise they are very similar.

 

i guess the intel option has some head room for cpu upgrade in the future, but as we all know, usually by the time you think about doing that, the socket has already changed twice :), although i do seem to have a knack for getting them just as the supply dries up, and before the prices skyrocket again after bottoming out before hand.

 

my personal feeling is that i will indeed be returning to the dark side for the next cpu upgrade, probably a c2d 6600 or at very best a c2d x6800.

 

i think atleast until the next generation comes out from amd, i will have to swallow my pride and return to intel, something unheard of around these parts since the days of the pIII. :)

loyalty and brand faith aside, when it all comes down to it, performance is what matters and only a fool would care to disagree, especially for our beloved game, that is somewhat demanding.

 

would like to hear your thoughts on the subject and any suggestions are welcome.:thumbup:

[Pilotasso]

Quad QX6800 is in very low avaiability right now, some 3000 chips have been distributed across the world with 2000 of them in the US only. I would go (and probably will soon too) for the QX6700 wich has an unlocked multiplier (only upwards) and you can easely set it to 6800 speeds without changing the stock cooler or voltages, not even FSB. Plus you save 300$.

[VMFA-Blaze]

I was partial to AMD for many years until intel Core 2 duo arrived on the scene..

 

I'm now flying a e6600, and I recommend it highly.. As far as Quad core well I'm thinking that this is not necessary for playing Lock On ....

 

And of course you've really got to get away from AGP and get PCI express..

 

~S~

 

Blaze

[G3]

pilotasso, sounds like a good way to go, i have to study up on my chipsets and see which ones support quad cores etc, i spent an hour or 3 last night getting up to speed as best i could :)

big dollars extra for the top end gear as you would expect:)

 

 

VMFA-Blaze, glad to hear you like it, and i guess you are right about lockon not using the other cores, 2 is enough for offloading the non-game tasks etc.

and pci-e i am looking forward to also, what videocard are you running?

 

i think my current agp6800ultra is a bottleneck for the th2go, single screen gaming runs sweet, but the huge res of the th2go means i have to loose image quality,

i look forward to seeing the increase in performance and quality from perhaps a 8800gtx.

 

thanks for the input guys, do go on :)

[Groove]

i would like to recommend you the following option:

 

Start with a e6600 core duo 2 cpu from intel. buy a Asus P5B board or a similar one with same Intel Chipset. This way you can upgrade on the Quod CPU if you really need to do this. Take 2 GB of RAM and regarding the videocard you should wait for ATI`s R600.

[3Sqn_Fudd]

All that text and you forgot to add the most important piece of the puzzle... When you're actually in the market to buy... Let us know and then we can help... several important changes are coming up... bearlake, barcelona, ddr3, HD 2xxx, intel price drops...

 

also... what are you carrying over over to the next build?

[Fjordmonkey]

I can recommend the Gigabyte GA-P965-DS3, which is capable of using both the Core2Duo's and the Quad Core-CPU's from Intel. Running one of these myself, with an E6300. So far it's been as solid as a mountain, and unless the prices has changed lately, it should be a little bit cheaper than the P5B (which is also a very very good board).

[Pilotasso]

pilotasso, sounds like a good way to go, i have to study up on my chipsets and see which ones support quad cores etc, i spent an hour or 3 last night getting up to speed as best i could :)

big dollars extra for the top end gear as you would expect:)

 

 

VMFA-Blaze, glad to hear you like it, and i guess you are right about lockon not using the other cores, 2 is enough for offloading the non-game tasks etc.

and pci-e i am looking forward to also, what videocard are you running?

 

i think my current agp6800ultra is a bottleneck for the th2go, single screen gaming runs sweet, but the huge res of the th2go means i have to loose image quality,

i look forward to seeing the increase in performance and quality from perhaps a 8800gtx.

 

thanks for the input guys, do go on :)

 

The best MOBO's chipsets are 680i (expensive ) and 650 (half the price) from NVIDIA. My current config reaches 2000 Euros...:eek: ouch but I gotta alot where I can cut and still get the Quad 6700 so no worries.

 

Unless you plan to do crossfire with R600 ATI cards these 2 chipsets are the only way to go IMHO. last time I checked both of the MOBO's I listed above support SLI for 8800's but Ill stick with just one of the 320MB version.

[Kuky]

I think best option would be to get Core2Duo and 2G of fast DDR2 so you can overclock the CPU nicely... this needs to be supported by a beefy PSU, good motherbard and nice cooling for that CPU. For video even top end current GPU will do quite well. Keep in mind LockOn is so CPU hungry and black shark will be even more guaranteed ;)

 

X6800 would do excellent but I think that CPU is very expensive... but its multiplier is not locked so you can get very nice o/c on it with good cooling, fast RAM, good quality montherboard and PSU.

 

But then again you can wait a tad longer and get newer hardware that should be out in few months longest.

[G3]

All that text and you forgot to add the most important piece of the puzzle... When you're actually in the market to buy... Let us know and then we can help... several important changes are coming up... bearlake, barcelona, ddr3, HD 2xxx, intel price drops...

 

also... what are you carrying over over to the next build?

 

3sqn-fudd,

carry over from the old system will be nothing,

i have an antec 1080amg case already.

dvdrw and thats about it i guess.

the old system will remain essentially intact and be inherited by my son.

 

as for when, soon, two weeks, in 2007 :) (think release dates j/k)

realistically i would say june/july which is really only a 1 & 1/2 months or so away.

 

pilotasso,

the 680i is the one i think i will look at getting unless things change dramatically between now and then.

i like asus boards, so i think thats the p5n32-e sli

http://www.asus.com/products.aspx?l1=3&l2=11&l3=397&l4=0&model=1459&modelmenu=2

yes that looks nice :) and it say quad core ready.

 

shadow, groove,

appreciate the input, you guys are running system roughly equal to the a64 x2 6000 setups, yet you can update the cpu to a quad core cpu later, good thinking.

 

kuky,

But then again you can wait a tad longer and get newer hardware that should be out in few months longest.

 

a man can get old waiting, but i have a little time to spare, i have more than once priced up everything just to see it come and go, then the next big thing hits and then it too is soon replaced by something new :)

 

i would predict a mid to high end core2duo cpu will be the choice.

with room to go quad in the future.

it will be 2 gig ddr2 possibly 4

 

i see some games are getting dualcore patches, would be great to have something like this for lomac, as i am sure a core just sitting around would be happy to help run lomac, just imagine how nice it would run then.

 

i wonder if its even possible for some software to convince the game that all the cores are just one big cpu?

[skinners]

E6600 is easily bumped up to 3+ghz so that should suffice well into future.

I say get a Nvidia chipset, good RAM, 2 WD Raptors and a Gfx that fits your needs.

 

my 2 cents

[VMFA-Blaze]

 

VMFA-Blaze, glad to hear you like it, and i guess you are right about lockon not using the other cores, 2 is enough for offloading the non-game tasks etc.

and pci-e i am looking forward to also, what videocard are you running?

 

i think my current agp6800ultra is a bottleneck for the th2go, single screen gaming runs sweet, but the huge res of the th2go means i have to loose image quality,

i look forward to seeing the increase in performance and quality from perhaps a 8800gtx.

 

thanks for the input guys, do go on :)

 

 

I'm running a Intel compatible MB (Asus Commando) It has an intell chip set so its rock solid.. I had tried a Asus 680i mb with my present CPU but had a lot of issues... I'm actually running a BFG Geforce 8800 GTS its the high end with 640MB ...

 

But I'm going to go with the new ATI in crossfire when its released.. I like this GPU but there are some issues that are adherent to it that need to be addressed...

 

 

I have the 6800 ultra on my older system and I think it was a great card in its time by the way....

 

 

~S~

 

Blaze

[Pilotasso]

X6800 would do excellent but I think that CPU is very expensive... but its multiplier is not locked so you can get very nice o/c on it with good cooling, fast RAM, good quality montherboard and PSU.

 

But then again you can wait a tad longer and get newer hardware that should be out in few months longest.

 

The X6800 is even more expensive than the quad, and I can do the same as a X6800 can but with double the cores. Wayting is a bit of that same old song "you end up wayting forever for a better hardware" besides it will be faster than dual core penryn because it may yeld 20% more than C2D per core (there are official benchies) but with 4 cores VS 2 in the C2D you get 80% boost with software written for it. there is none? there is, a few, besides untill quad realy becomes popular I wont need anything faster than this for single threaded apps anyway. ;)

[3Sqn_Fudd]

ok then... 1 month to 2 months... and I assume you're not overclocking, but I think that you should. It's not the 90's anymore when volt modding and jumper alterations were obligatory... ask Blaze, he was a first time overclocker and was nervous about it but he pulled it off!

 

Motherboard - 965 or 975 ... their bioses/revisions are well developed and you wont be going SLI right? The only reason i ever see going for 680i/lt is STILL SLI... If bearlake is out, consider it.

 

Processor - Intel E6420 if you are overclocking, The best Intel Quad Core if you're not...

 

RAM - Depends on what OS you get. It a hunch because I don't have vista yet but, I consider XP= 2x1gig and Vista = 2x2gb (great memory sets are starting to appear for 2x2gb, Mushkin one for example).... 2x1 gig of DDR2 micron D9's from a company that has great service, what that is in Oz im not sure... as far as sets, bookmark and reference this when the time comes.

 

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=124283

 

GPU - All up to you, but consider most what resolution you play at... ATI seems to have had a driver advantage up until two days ago. It really depends on when ATI decides to release the R600's.

 

Power Supply - I would go with an Corsair HX 620... short of that being available read this thread.

 

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=108088

 

Hard Drive - Yes Raptors for the win, but something sata and 16mb is the base. Best reference >>> http://www.storagereview.com/

 

Optical Drive - Something sata

 

Case - Personal choice... just make sure its breezy

 

Mouse/Keyboard - Choice again

 

Operating System - Choice again

 

Arctic Silver 5 - 6$

 

CPU Heatsink and Fan - Thermalright Ultima-90, read a review done by yours truly... http://www.ocforums.com/showthread.php?t=505058

 

Monitor - SIPS if you can...

 

Sound Card - Dont have onboard sound if you can get away with it

 

Speakers/Headphones - Choice again

 

Shipping Costs - xx$ ... try to shop in one place and at one time, the gains for saving on shipping are usually good...

[3Sqn_Fudd]

The X6800 is even more expensive than the quad, and I can do the same as a X6800 can but with double the cores. Wayting is a bit of that same old song "you end up wayting forever for a better hardware" besides it will be faster than dual core penryn because it may yeld 20% more than C2D per core (there are official benchies) but with 4 cores VS 2 in the C2D you get 80% boost with software written for it. there is none? there is, a few, besides untill quad realy becomes popular I wont need anything faster than this for single threaded apps anyway. ;)

 

I dont know Pilotasso... Penryn is set to be a "game changer"... remember, software devs read too... If they think they can get away with A) crappier code and B) non multi threaded apps because of penryn... then they likely will for another software release.

[Pilotasso]

Im going to OC that XQ6700 to 3 GHz...having said that its not set on stone that I will get it. I may get buyers remorse and revert to a cheaper alternative, I month from now Ill know. :)

[rattler]

8800gtx has some small issues had it from the start. Would suggest you look at ATI gpu's. to fit your needs they seem to be solid and the drivers seem to work very good. My .02cents.

[G3]

3sqn_fudd:

just so happens the hx620 was the one i was just checking out, looks good.

no i do not intend to go sli, possibly in the future but i doubt it.

 

thanks again for all the input, exciting stuff.

[G3]

skinners :

E6600 is easily bumped up to 3+ghz so that should suffice well into future.

I say get a Nvidia chipset, good RAM, 2 WD Raptors and a Gfx that fits your needs.

 

my 2 cents

i like your way of thinking, the 680i chipset, 6600 and oc it, 2gig ddr2 and room for 2gig more later, a high-end vid, and a quad core when required, something like that. depends on the chip scene at the time.

 

Pilotasso:

Im going to OC that XQ6700

hehe, good stuff, i like your attitude.

one of the fastest horses on the track and you still want to whip it:)

 

VMFA-Blaze:

I have the 6800 ultra on my older system and I think it was a great card in its time by the way....

agreed, good card but has seen its day.

 

had some time to kill so i looked at the links, thanks 3sqn_fudd, and checked out some sli sights, man was i out of touch, less now but :)

 

psu 850-1000w units to run the sli setups, dam thats getting power hungry.

checkout this 1KW-SR unit from pcp&c, it looks powerful :)

 

with 4x plugs for videocards etc, all fed from a common rail,

which is apparently the way to go, the hype seems to make sense.

http://www.pcpower.com/products/viewproduct.php?show=T1KWSR

• 1KW Continuous (1.1KW peak) @ 50°C
  
• Fits Std. ATX Cases (20" min. depth)
  
• +12VDC @ 72A/80A pk (Huge Single Rail)
  
• High Efficiency (83%); .98 Active PFC
  
• Rock-Solid, Super-Clean DC Output
  
• Amazingly Quiet Cooling System
  
• 24-pin, Dual 8-pin, 4-pin M/B Connectors
  
• Quad PCI-E and 15 Drive Connectors
  
• NVIDIA SLI Certified (Dual 8800 GTX)
  
• ATI CrossFire Certified (Highest Level)
  
• Individual 14-point Certified Test Report
  
• 5-Year Warranty; Unbeatable Support

building a current sli rig for me is shear fantasy, but its nice to imagine.

in its day i enjoyed my original voodoo2 2x12MB SLI setup, it let me run in 1024x768, up from 800x600 for the single card:megalol:

a vast improvement from the original 4meg voodoo1,

it ran 640x480, and you could overclock it like 3Mhz up to like 57 :)

 

so anyway i liked sli, even when it meant something else.

maybe one day i might be lucky again and get a cheaper second card.

even then the next gen single card is usually just as good or better.

 

enough ancient history,

its good to be understanding current trends a little more, as that was the original point of the thread i guess.

 

cheers, and a good day to all:thumbup:

[VMFA-Blaze]

My thoughts on the Nvidia versus ATI is that AMD is actually losing the cpu race as it now stands, just as I'm betting that ATI will again regain its throne in the GPU race.. It was brought to my attention that AMD will be making the chip for the new DX10 cards for ATI and that Nvidia will not be able to compete as AMD is vastly larger then Nvidia..

 

And this is ironic as I had been speaking with the AMD rep in the Compusa store that I'm managing.. This was back when AMD was on top ... He actually stated that intel will eventually pull ahead as they are significantly larger.. And this has actually come to pass within the last year...

 

Now lf Nvidia teamed up with intel it most likely would cause AMD to be in second place for many years to come....

 

These are some very interesting times in the field of electronics.. And this field seems to again be fueling the World Economy...

 

~S~

 

Blaze