Upgrades To A64 X2 Machine: Comments/Suggestions (Update)

[hella-d]

Im Planning About $1000.00 Worth Of Upgrades To The System In My Sig:

CPU: Opteron 170 (Im Hoping For A OC Of At-Least 2.8GHz Mabye 3GHz+ If Possible)
RAM: 2.5GB Of The Fastest DDR1 I Can Find That Will Fit My Budget (Hopefully Some PC4800)
Video Card: Nvidia Geforce 7950GX2
PSU: Not Sure Yet Reccomend Me Something Thats At-Least 650Watts The Will Fit My Budget
A Modded 22" Or 23" Apple Cinema Display (Apple Logos Removed And Re-Cased To Match My New Case (Below)
Case: You'll See (If Ya Want Details Just Ask)

Later: Possibly A Next-Gen Burner (When Released)

Note: I Mostly Game With My System, But Its Relly An All-Purpose "PSC" (Personal Super Computer)

 

[pengwin]

Mushkin 650w. OCZ Gamer 700w.

 

[Gary_Busey]

Is it really worth upgrading a 7800gt? Seems like a waste of money to me.

 

[Wgfalcon]

i'd hold on to the 7800 gt until the dx10 cards come out if you gotta go sli now get another 7800 the 7950 quad sli isn't supported yet(end of summer maybe)

ps- Thermaltake toughpower W0105RU ATX12V/ EPS12V 700W $165.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817153035

ram- CORSAIR 2GB (2 x 1GB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM Unbuffered DDR 550 (PC 4400) fastest 1 gig chips from the egg $286.00
($251.00 after $35.00 Mail-In Rebate)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820145028

 

[pengwin]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817341002


better than the thermaltake,

 

[hella-d]

Nah, I Already Own A 7800GT

 

[hella-d]

Well, My Motherboard Is A Single-Slot PCI-E Board, Thats Why I Chose The 7950GX2, Because Its The Only Way To Get SLI

 

[Gary_Busey]

Nah, I Already Own A 7800GT

That's what I'm saying. You already own a 7800GT, why upgrade? The 7950GX2 won't be that big of a performance increase, at least not big enough to justify the cost.

 

[MCMONOPOLY]

Just a quick comment; you're planning on goin to 2.8ghz with your opty right, but the thing is, is that if you intend on having 2GB+ in your system the only way to acheive this is by going @ 10x Multiplier (stock on 170 Opterons) which in turn would need to have a 280 FSB to be kept @ 1:1 ram divider, thus the need to have at least DDR600 memory sticks since the resulting speed would be DDR580 or really good DDR550 chips at looser timmings (which in turn would bring down your performance), also DDR600 memory chips hardly come in 2x1GB configurations, and even if you should find some would cost you the better part of your budget (unless you plan on going with 4x512, but then you would loose the option to run @ 1T command rate). If you can live with a Ram divider (ie 166 Ram speed instead of 200) it would bring the resulting speed @ 233 FSB or DDR466..which gives you far more broader choice in memory selection. IMO you should at least stick to DDR500 to give you some headroom if you ever decide to go event further in your OC. And as far as adding a divider to the RAM, some ppl say its not as good as going 1:1, but i've built a couple of rigs similar to the one you want to upgrade to, and honestly even with extensive testing i was not able to get much difference in scores of varying benchmarks. Also keep in mind that a really solid mobo will be needed to achieve your goal.

 

[busygamer01]

PSU: Enermax Noisetaker 2 (600W)- $168 (excellent psu over 80% efficiency, dual 12V rails, and sli certified) (trust me you don't need a 700W psu)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817194005
or
Thermaltake Toughpower(750W)- $189 (up to 85% efficiency, sli certified)

GC: eVGA Geforce 7950GX2- $589.99 (the one you want I think it's a waste of money because you can get an X1900XTX for $490 and be happy)
or
Leadtek WinFast 7950GX2- $559.99

Forget about the opteron, what do you need it for anyways? I doubt your using this pc as a server. So just get an X2 3800+ processor or better.

As for the RAM, stick with Corsair, and mushkin they're better than OCZ, Kingston, and Crucial.
Corair- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820145015
mushkin- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820145015

Basically all this without the cpu will cost you close or even $1000.

 

[MCMONOPOLY]

If i'm not mistaken doesn't the X2 3800+ only have 1024KB of cache compared to 2048KB for the opty? Also, why go recommend a chip thats only a tad cheaper to buy, but isn't half as robust as a server chip, and if you talk about OC'ing capabilities, An opty with a decent Rev will own the 3800+ anyday power comsumption wise and heat wise, but at the same time it's your choice, and depending on where you buy your stuff you can save money going either way. Also if you take into consideration the fact that surely many ppl using optys who will want the fastest thing out there will be switching to conroe pretty soon, you have a chance of finding really nice deals on them on eBay and stuff. Anyways hope this helps you choose.

 

[busygamer01]

Okay listen up monopoly. Reread the forum and don't reply to my posts because you write such cr*p. It says his budget is $1000 so how can he/she afford an opteron on that budget with all those components. Plus I wrote "or better than the X2 3800+", I wasn't directly referring to the X2 3800+. Do some research then post.

 

[MCMONOPOLY]

Hey first of all don't be so harsh about this "crap" that i post, because as you said so yourself, there is no way that he can upgrade all that stuff for under or close to 1000$, but if you read the thread yourself, there nothing in there that specifies what he wants to upgrade the most if the budget is fixed @ 1000$ and can't go over it at all, then it's just a matter of what does use his comp for, i agree with you that if he has to go for either one of the solutions then choices are to be made, but as some other ppl posted on this thread, it's also a dumb idea go and upgrade from a 7800gt to a 7950GX2 given that to do that, he WILL have to buy a new PSU together with the GFX card which in turn would bring the total cost to 757$ or 778$(depending on the PSU he chooses) according to the prices you posted, compared to 757$ 778$(again depending on the PSU he chooses) to replace the RAM, CPU and PSU. So to me this looks like a choice based on preference don't you think?

Opteron: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103586
RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820145596

Oh and BTW if you read the first post correctly, you would've seen that he already owns a X2 3800+ as it is shown in his sig, so i was very aware that you weren't talking about exactly a X2 3800+, so this is why i said "for just a tad more"
I assumed the first CPU up the line which is a X2 4200+ @ 357$ (about 40$ difference)
4200+ : http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103547

But even then it would be a bad idea to go waste money when he could just up the FSB on is 3800+ and get the same perf. as @ 4200+ without spending a dime...
But since he seems to like the idea of having an opteron, i suggested what i tought was a good upgrade path since he doesn't seem to want to switch to another platform soon and that opterons are pretty good performers giving the cost. Also as i said earlier it all boils down to what he mainly uses is comp for.

 

[pengwin]

im gonan go with monopoly on this one.

the opteron does have a larger chache. But in a a few weeks the 3800+ X2 is gonna be a $139 dollars. Which is no match for the mighty opteron. I would sacrafice that extra L2 cache to save 200 bucks. But the opty WILL overclock and prerform better than an Athlon or X2, always. Opterons are server grade which make them better, and also their prices more expensive.

 

[MCMONOPOLY]

Also:

CPU chart comparison 3dmark 05 CPU bench
http://www23.tomshardware.com/cpu.html?modelx=33&model1=237&chart=61&model2=328

comparison 3dmark 05 gfx bench (used the FX-60 benches so even then they're lower than what you'd get from @ 2.8GHz opteron and also since the FX and Optys are basically the same..)
http://www23.tomshardware.com/cpu.html?modelx=33&model1=237&chart=60&model2=328
(Even if marginaly so the FX-60 does help a bit in Gfx performance )
Which shows a more or less 25% gain from just switching CPUs, but mind that 25% on everything you do as far as encoding/ripping/zipping and about everything else on the comp.
Again using only a 2.6ghz FX-60..

GFX card Comparison:

7800GT @ BW2 1600x1200 4xAA 8xAF:
http://www23.tomshardware.com/graphics.html?modelx=33&model1=282&model2=282&chart=87

7950GX2 @ BW2 1600x1200 Full AA:
http://www.tomshardware.com/2006/06/05/geforce_7950_gx2/page9.html

Sure the 7950GX2 gives you double FPS at same resolution (giving that he even plays his games at that resolution) but that performance gain is limited only to games, but if he does 3d/Cad work then it extends to that too..

Furthermore, the 7950GX2 will become less of a good deal (performance wise) compared to the cards expressly made for DX10 in the long run as soon as they start coming out, as opposed to the opteron which won't be obsolete for as long as he can "endure" a blazing fast 2.8GHZ dual core CPU

BTW this's not for trying to best you at coming up with the "right" solution (cause there ain't one) or that i'm frustrated by your reply, but just because you don't need to give me that "you should do some research and read before you post" crap every times i'll come up with a different ->suggestion<- than yours..
'Cause bro if i need to research stuff i can don't worry 'bout me..But the fact is that i didn't think i had to be soooo precise in my statements and commentaries as to backup/link a web page for everything i write down in a post about a dude who speculatively wants to upgrade an already good comp with some stuff that won't give him as much back performancewise as the amount of money he'll be putting in that system, because mind that
for 1000$ you can go a long way building a brand new comp from the ground up....

Anyhow hope there's enough in there to satisfy your thirst for researched information busygamer01...

And as for What Pengwin suggested it's true..but mind that the poster already has a X2 3800+,as I mentionned before. Unless it's not true and then all this posting was for nothing..

Peace out.

 

[pengwin]

he could grab a 4600 for a cheaper price


4600+ X2 $301 - higher clock speed. : my opinion

 

[MCMONOPOLY]

Hm...is that price current or is it the one they plan to drop them to after the conroe launch?! Just to know...Because if i'm not mistaken, the only approximated prices given for the CPUs after the price cut are for batches of 1000 CPUs, right? Also how much of a mark up do you think there will be on those? 'Cause that's a sweet deal...

BTW Pengwin, i really like your animated sig dude..

 

[pengwin]

Hm...is that price current or is it the one they plan to drop them to after the conroe launch?! Just to know...Because if i'm not mistaken, the only approximated prices given for the CPUs after the price cut are for batches of 1000 CPUs, right? Also how much of a mark up do you think there will be on those? 'Cause that's a sweet deal...

BTW Pengwin, i really like your animated sig dude..

i think those will be retail. retailers dont mark up the price too much. maybe 20 or 30 bucks. oh those prices are reduced ones.

ty, i like my sig too

 

[angry_ducky]

Don't bother upgrading your system; wait for Conroe and DX10 videocards. Plus, you've overclocked your CPU to 2.6GHz; why buy a new one just to try to get another 200MHz? The only worthwhile upgrade for you would be a DX10 card when they come out.

 

[MCMONOPOLY]

Don't bother upgrading your system; wait for Conroe and DX10 videocards. Plus, you've overclocked your CPU to 2.6GHz; why buy a new one just to try to get another 200MHz? The only worthwhile upgrade for you would be a DX10 card when they come out.

Agreed.

 

[hella-d]

1. I Can Live With A RAM Divider That Isnt 1:1
2. My Motherboard Will Run Stable With A 300MHz HTT So 280 Shouldnt Be A Problem
3. I Can Live Without a 1T Command Rate
4. 4x 512MB Is Fine With Me If I Must
5. As I Said Earlier The 7950GX2 Is The Only Way I Can Get SLI

LOL, Thanx, And Keep With The Suggestions/Comments, You Are Helping Me

 

[hella-d]

I Could Go Over It A Bit If I Must, But Id Prefer Not

 

[hella-d]

I Agree With The Dx10 But If Its Not A Must Then Ill Wait (But Your Suggestion Is Noted) And Fuck Conroe, And Im Improving, Its Not A New Build. Why Should I My System Is Barely 6 Months Old

 

[hella-d]

Yeah Those Otys Are A Dream For Me

 

[hella-d]

Im Only Upgrading To Step-Up To A SLI Config, And That 7800GT Woulnt Be Worth Of The Completed Rig, +That 7950GX2 Will Look Sweet Through My Custom-Built-From-The-Ground-Up Case Through My Side-Inflow 720mm Fan/Case Window Combo