So I get this message...

[Gravite2090]

"Hey man, I got some good news that my grandparents are going to buy me a better computer. So instead of buying the usual Dell bull****, I was wondering if you were down to build me a computer. I'm not talking a nice computer, I want an UBER computer.

I am going to drop by Matt's and pick up my old computer parts. I think I already have keyboard, floppy, cdrom, sound blaster audigy 2

This is what I had in mind, lemme know what you think, whats feasible etc.
Dual processors, overclocked.
Best video card possible, overclocked.
21 monitor
Fastest read/write 80gb hard drive.
Fastest/best memory, 2 gb
Whatever cooling is necessary no 20 fans, I want some really quiet efficient cooling.

Basically I want a computer I wont have to deal/upgrade with for awhile. I have no problem waiting for more powerful hardware to come out, 64 bit processors, 64 bit windows, better video cards etc.

Leave me your email address too, thanks bud."


So Im like, damn Im all for it! Im not going to have a problem with this at all, I cant wait to do it. Ive finally been given the opportunity to build something where Im not limited by budget. OCing dual processors is silly, but the rest of it sounds good to me. Anyways, aint that a hoot?! :)

[MediaMan]

You are right...dual processors is silly except in rendering situations for graphic and multimedia apps.

Guess you are looking at an FX53 with Nvidia's 6800 or the 9800XT.

Why not get a highpoint or promise RAID controller and stripe 4 drives RAID 0 for speed? If watercooling is not in the budget...get a case that you can put 120mm fans with a rheobus in place. BIG airflow but without the big noise.

Lian Li case for sure.

Sounds like you'll have fun with this system. :)

[primesuspect]

nothing like building a sweet machine on someone else's coin....


well, except for being able to KEEP said machine after you build it.....:(

[edcentric]

How about RAID with 10k rpm SATA drives.
FX53 single CPU, 2GB ram

The real question is timing, since that will effect the mobo selection.
After all PCI-X is almost upon us, along with DDR2
Of course that means an ATI X800pro PCI-X video card

See, this gets hard. Even if it is someone elses money.
If you want to look at some other stuff what about droping the SB audio and looking at real sound cards from Terratec.

[csimon]

I would start by looking into one of these TNN (totally no noise) 500A's (http://www.zalmanusa.com/) ...I think they run about $1200 if I'm not mistaken.

[Straight_Man]

You are right...dual processors is silly except in rendering situations for graphic and multimedia apps.

Guess you are looking at an FX53 with Nvidia's 6800 or the 9800XT.

Why not get a highpoint or promise RAID controller and stripe 4 drives RAID 0 for speed? If watercooling is not in the budget...get a case that you can put 120mm fans with a rheobus in place. BIG airflow but without the big noise.

Lian Li case for sure.

Sounds like you'll have fun with this system. :)

The only way it makes sense is in this wise:

Let one pipe run the O\S, let the other render free of incumbrances from O\S needs. Actually, at that point, you can run a slower CPU than you would need for a single-pipe machine. Trick is to get a motherboard and storage tech as far into bleeding edge as you can, the CPU you need now, and then upgrade withotu buying new motherboard. What used to be a two Xeon job is now a dual pipe Opteron or HT-aware Prescott or Northwood job.

3D Graphics inherently presuppose a lot of data volume in flows through box. If each CPU pipe of a dual piped CPU takes each single one of those two major functions unto itself, this is another way to make a dual-piped CPU SHINE for graphics dev. TV broadcast graphics does this less-so, it is the result of layering and the effects of that on an honest 2D basis. HDTV Broadcast will need mroe hyped storage, though, much more hyped, as each frame has to be calced bigger in pixels. Something to think about for future, also....

John D.

[csimon]

what is the primary function of this system?
Or ...what all does he plan on doing with it?
What about the video end ...will it be gaming or pro graphics or gaming and pro graphics ...or only gaming or no gaming?
Video editing?
I mean if he wants raw "uber" computer you can always go with cray XD1 (www.cray.com) 12k (yes 12000) opertons.

[Gravite2090]

ok well lets keep the budget in the 3-4g area. =], its mainly a gamer. ill pick up a case with 2x 120mm. I will wait for pci express. i will most likely be going with a nvidia 6800, but well jsut have to wait and see..

there is no rush here. its mainly a gaming with rig, with some 3d dev. but not to much.

[RWB]

ugh, what I wouldn't give for that much money for JUSt the PC ;)

[csimon]

ugh, what I wouldn't give for that much money for JUSt the PC ;)
It would be nice wouldn't it? I mean I wouldn't give a testicle or anything ...well maybe one or two but ya gotta draw the line somewhere!!! :eek2:

[Leonardo]

ok well lets keep the budget in the 3-4g area

I have a completely different take on this: Build two computers. One for extreme gaming/graphics/video editing (which will also work very well for office needs and general purpose uses). The second computer should serve as a multi-OS, experimental machine - one you can do whatever you want, no matter how risky - that you can wipe the hard drive with the drop of a hat and a laugh and start all over. With two systems, you can have a lot of fun, and have a serious learning platform.

Also, you should still have enough money to buy some key quality components that you can use for years, regardless of new technology updates. Specifically, get cases and power supplies that are top notch, but not necessarily extravagent. CPUs, RAM, and video cards come and go like dirty laundry; cases and PSUs are critical, long-term parts.

[csimon]

you may also want to consider these graphics http://www.3dlabs.com/product/technology/wildrealtech.htm

For example, at the time of this writing, the highest reported performance score for the industry-standard ViewPerf UGS benchmark is 45 frames-per-second (FPS). By comparison, Wildcat Realizm technology will more than double this performance and set a new industry standard.

It remains to be seen what/if it can do with gaming ...just a word of caution thru experience. :wink: