Kind of a nice problem :p:

[shinymod]

ok, i have a dilemna... i'm building a new rig, and money is pretty much no object. i want a beast. now the problem is what to go for in terms of a CPU/mobo package... i have 4 options:

1. dual 3ghz xeons
2. dual mobile bartons (at as fast as i can get them to go ;))
3. dual opterons (246-250 sort of range)
4. a single FX-53

now which do you lot think would give the best balance of gaming performance, overclockability, bragging rights (:p: ), and of course general crunching (media encoding or whatever)

at the moment i'm leaning towards the FX-53... the xeons look good, but lack 64 bit and the single process power off the FX, the opterons would seem like a good idea... if they didnt tend to benchmark low against the xeons (in the tests i have seen, please correct me if i'm wrong), and the mobiles would also give lots of raw power, good overclocking.... but no 64 bit.

anyway... give me your opinions

[faruquehabib]

i'd go for the dual opteron 250's, bro. they are basically fx-53 chips. i love my dual 244's...tough to beat man :D

[Shade00]

No question... go for the 250s. They're FX-53s in Opteron clothing. You could probably clock them a bit, too. I could only imagine how fast a dual 250 system would be... :slobber:

[shinymod]

yeah :) you reckon it'd be worth saving cash and buying say 246s and then overclocking them? or are they a different core? i guess i'd run out of FSB sooner on 246s though... unless they are multi unlocked like the fx-53? what FSB you reckon i'd be able to hit on the right board? is the MSI K8T FAR a good board? and if i water cooled them on that how well would they clock?
i'm a little concerned also by the need for registered RAM, and the fact that the fx-53 has unlocked multi.. i mean it'd be more conducive to overclocking surely?

[shinymod]

ok i've just had a look and the K8T 2 FAR looks a good solid board, that's on the shopping list, but the question remains, what's the overclockability like?

[shinymod]

man this is going to be so expensive.. for the amount of performance gain it's bordering on not worth it...

[faruquehabib]

i like my master 2 FAR. it isnt a GOD at overclocking...got mine to 220fsb. minimal voltage adjustments in bios. also, you do need ecc/reg ram. i recommend corsair twinx like i have. and yes, it is very pricey. but dual 250's is just....damn! awesome!