Building an AMD 4800+ overclocked game/crunching machine

[Steve Lux]

Background: I want a second crunching machine, my son wants a super game machine. We think both of us can have it "our" way, but neither of us can justify the entire expense. The computer, when finished, will be for my son, but when he's not using it it will be Boinc crunching for me.

We intend to buy and assemble components and software for the purpose of overclocking this unit to reach near maximum capacity. I have been messing with computers since 1972 when I first got to play with a TTY terminal in the Franklin High School library that was linked to a bank in Portland, Oregon (USA). I'm not exactly unfamiliar with computers, but I have never done a total build, nor have I ever overclocked a system. My son has been messing with computers since he was an infant, sitting on my lap as I worked or played computer games. He has no experience building systems or overclocking either. We thought this would be a good project for the two of us to do together.

I have decided on the processor and ram, the remainder of the following hardware and software is still up for debate:

Processor: AMD 64 X2 4800+ dual core. Its native speed is 2.4 Ghz but I think it could be overclocked to 2.9Ghz and possibly 3.0Ghz with the right ram, cooling capacity and voltage control. Price from NewEgg is $630.00.

Motherboard: ASUS A8N-SLi Premium. It's an ATX form board that seems to be popular for AMD 64 X2 overclocking. One of my concerns here is the overclocking effects on the motherboard components. I don't know if there is a motherboard functional speed limit. I may have to look at higher speed 939 pin systems to see what is available. This board is available from NewEgg for $169.00.

Ram: Corsair 2GB (2ea 1GB sticks) PC4000 DDR DIMM memory kit. Again from NewEgg for $193.00.

OS: Microsoft Windows XP Professional Edition. I don't want to build a system and try to figure out a new OS (Linux or Xandros) at the same time, so I need to stick with MS products and limit my headaches. But, I need to know if the extra $225 or so for the X64 version is worth the money compared to the standard XP pro version. My gut tells me that for my purposes it's not worth the extra expense, but I'll wait on some more expert information before the buy.

Power Supply: Ultra / X-Finity / 600-Watt / ATX / Dual 80mm Fan / SATA-Ready / SLI Ready / Black / Power Supply. I'm thinking we'll need a large amount of juice to drive the video and OCing, so I'm looking at this system. http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...1&Sku=ULT31848 TigerDirect for $90.00.

Case: My son has chosen the following: Thermaltake Silver Armor Aluminum Full-Tower ATX Case with 11 External Drive Bays, Clear Side, Front USB, Firewire and Audio Ports http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...389580&CatId=0 TigerDirect price is $180.00. If I can't cool some chips and boards in that aluminum moster it can't be done. I can see Alcoa's stock prices climbing now. Jeesh what a desk hog. Perhaps we should also order a dolly to move it with.

Video: Initially my son was looking at the NVIDEA XFX GeForce 6800 GS/256MB DDR3/PCI Express/SLI/DVI/VGA/TV-Out/Video card, but he may step up a bit since his old man is helping with the bill.

I'm still reviewing HHDs and CD/DVD drive/burners. Trying to find a "quiet" 10k rpm HDD. Also, I need reccomendations on a very good AMD 4800+ chip cooler.

After we get this puppy together and rated we will discuss overclocking in that topic.

[Empty_5oul]

it seems you want to really push the processor!
At those sorts of speeds i am sure you would need water cooling, or you will hit the maximum speeds from the teameratures you reach rather than the components themselves. Personally I have no experience with water cooling.
- The case has a few liquid cooling features so possibly you had thought of that already.

Trying to find a "quiet" 10k rpm HDD

If you go with that thermaltake case and use all the standard case fans and count the fan on the graphics card you will be looking at about 100dBA already. I wouldnt worry about the HD noise it will sort of be drowned out!
But i would recommend definatley going SATA, the speed increase still amazes me when copying larger files between my 2 Sata drives and 1 IDE drive.

For the benefits of XP64 i dont think that amout extra is worth it. Its personal choice but as its not main-stream yet (and doesnt have too many purpose built 64 bit products) I dont think it would be worth the money.

[Steve Lux]

Did the buy tonight from NewEgg:

Qty. Product Description Unit Price Total Price

1 CASE TT| VA8000SWA SIL RT - Retail Item #: N82E16811133155 $179.00 $179.00
1 MB ASUS A8N32-SLI Deluxe NF4SLI 939 - Retail Item #: N82E16813131568 $204.99 $204.99
1 @PSU COOLMAX|CW-650T 650W RT - Retail Item #: N82E16817159056 $139.99 $139.99
1 CPU AMD|ATHLON 64 X2 4800+ 939P R - Retail Item #: N82E16819103544 $630.00 $630.00
2 MEM 1Gx2|CORSAIR TWINX2048-4000PT R - Retail Item #: N82E16820145596 $193.00 $386.00
1 HD 320G|WD 7K 16M SATA2 WD3200KS % - OEM Item #: N82E16822136003 $130.00 $130.00
1 DVD BURN SAMSUNG|SH-S162L/BEBN BK % - OEM Item #: N82E16827151118 $49.99 $49.99
1 CPU LCOO|BIGWATER SE CL-W0005-01 RT - Retail Item #: N82E16835106063 $124.99 $124.99
1 MS WIN XP PRO X64 SINGLE PACK % - OEM Item #: N82E16837102065 $139.95 $139.95
1 Discount FOR 19-103-544&35-106-063 Item #: COM Â* $-10.00
Â* Subtotal: $1,974.91
Â* Tax: $0.00
Â* Shipping: $50.29
Â* Grand Total: $2,025.20

I forgot to talk to my son about the video card so had to do a second order:

1 VGA XFX 7900GTX 512MB PV-T71F-YDE9 - Retail Item #: N82E16814150136 $549.00 $549.00
Subtotal: $549.00
Tax: $0.00
Shipping: $5.09
Grand Total: $554.09

Two of the Corsair 1G ram sticks are for upgrading my AMD 3800+

One note of caution I have read about the water-based processor coolers; if the processors aren't kept working the coolers can cause condensation and eventual corrosion. For crunching this won't be an issue, but if a system is left idle it can be a concern.

Hey, with this (my 50th) post I have graduated to "Junior Member". Perhaps some day if I qualify to be a whore will you pay me to post?

[NVM]

jebus... :shock:

[Keith75]

Sorry to chime in after you ordered but I would highly recommend the Opteron 170 since it is cheaper, has 1MB L2 cache per core and easily overclocks to 2.8GHz on air.

Keith

[spikey_richie]

I have the same water cooling kit as you've ordered. It's very good, but the only thing I will say is that the flow rate is very low @ 90 litres per hour. They've just released a new system that runs at 400 litres per hour!

[mitro]

One note of caution I have read about the water-based processor coolers; if the processors aren't kept working the coolers can cause condensation and eventual corrosion. For crunching this won't be an issue, but if a system is left idle it can be a concern.

Thats not true in the case of plain watercooling. In order for condensation to form, the water would have to be considerably colder than the ambient temperature. Only running a water chiller will make that happen.

[Steve Lux]

I know there are several variables when it comes to condensation including the internal case temperature and dewpoint. Here in the south eastern USA the humidity tends to get fairly high, which means a higher dew point. This is why I didn't go for a more powerful water-based processor cooler. Admittedly the cooler capacity was a semi-informed guess on my part. The room the computer will be in is air conditioned of course, but the humidity removal of a room AC unit is limited.

Perhaps a different chip on another build? I'm not stuck to the 4800+, but it sure seems a good chip for what we are doing.

I'm expecting everything in by the weekend for a build with my oldest son. I haven't decided if I'll set him up with his own Boinc account or put the second system on mine.

[Keith75]

I am sure you will be happy with the 4800 Steve. The Opterons are just a really good bargain in that they have so much overclocking headroom and only run about $400 for the 170.

Keith

[Steve Lux]

I suppose I have to wonder why Mitro's 175 doesn't seem to crunch out the numbers that his 3800+'s do. I don't expect a 170 to perform as well or better than a 175. Shouldn't I expect that a 4800+ could perform as well or better than a 3800+?

Oh I know Mitro has maximized the capacity of his systems, but from what I see if properly set up a 4800+ should be capable of far more than a 170. I see his 3800+ systems leaving his 175 in the dust. Logic impells me to conclude that a 4800+ should be capable of far more than a 170.

Take a look at his systems:

http://www.boincsynergy.com/stats/bo...35&project=eah (edit: When Mitro moves resources out of Einstein@Home this link may no longer be useful to illustrate my point)

I just look at the numbers and draw conclusions from what I see. I have no illusions that I can get a 4800+ to do what his 3800+'s are doing, not without learning a good bit more than I presently know, but I should be able to do pretty well.