Need some advice please...

[dIggO]

Hi there y'all,

I don't know if this is the right way to ask this(starting a new thread instead of subscribing to similar thread(s)), but correct me if I'm wrong and I will do so...
It has being a while since my last visit here, due to work and private circumstances, but finally I found some time to assamble me a new rig...
I need some advice though. If n00b-value is getting to high, please forgive me.., I'm not an OC-expert...
My new rig will (partially) consist of the following:
- X2 4400 or Opty 170/175
- NF4 board
- XFX 7800 GTX 512 (when the moneytree flourishes again, a 2nd will be added)
- 2x 512 Mushkin LII(BH5) (maybe needs an upgrade?)
- 2x IBM 120 GB SATA RAID0, 1x Maxtor 250 GB SATA 16MB NCQ
- New PSU, Tagan TG580-U15 580W *EasyCon Serie* (http://www.tagan.de/pages/products/easyconS/TG-580-U15_Tagan_UK_mini.pdf)

The system will be WC'd and I will OC it within absolute stable bounderies.
It will not be used for benching but the main purpose is webdevelopement, Photoshop and gaming( I know, still a kid :p: ).

Questions:

Which NF4 board suites me best? DFI Lanparty NF4 SLI-DR, DFI Lanparty UT NF4 SLI-DR Expert, Asus A8N32-SLI Deluxe or maybe an Asus A8N-SLI Premium. The Asus A8N32-SLI Deluxe is very hard to get at the moment here in the Netherlands, otherwise I think that would be my choice, but please correct me if I'm wrong!! I'm also reading some issues with the DFI boards here that scare me, but if they can be dissolved it'll be ok.

Opterons are the second problem over here(very hard to get), but the X2 4400 is available. I know the Opterons are better OC'ers, but will it be a very big difference on an WC-rig? Is it worth waiting for an Opty(the A8N32 will be available too by then...)? Could be a few weeks...:(
Which stepping should I look for? For the Opty and the 4400?

Do I need to replace my BH5-modules for some 2x 1GB modules(if so which are best for tight timings?)? I hope not, these BH5's run great! Or can I add 2 others and won't lose any speed(timings? 1T vs 2T?) Do they need to be same? Or can I take an other brand?

And for the last question, the PSU. Is this Tagan a good choice? Please follow the link (http://www.tagan.de/pages/products/easyconS/TG-580-U15_Tagan_UK_mini.pdf) for the specs.

I hope someone can answer some of these questions for me. It will be highly appreciated! :bows:

Thanks in advance!!!

[dIggO]

Nobody?...:(

[saaya]

hmmmm unless you really wanna do it now, id recommend you to wait for 1-2 months, for several reasons:
christmas = 10% added to all prices
dfi nf4 expert = best board afaik but it seems to need a few bios updates to mature
memory = newest games need 1gb at least, 2gb is def better, but you could start with 1gb and upgrade if you feel it gets necessary, ocz or mushkin utt memory both seems to be very good.
7800gtx 512mb is very expensive and barely available, new cards will be out in very few weeks afaik, so you can get that or get the current one cheaper.

if you really want something to play with right now i would say get a cheap system to toss around, the asus crossfire board seems to be nice and its very cheap, the asrock sata2 also seems to be very nice and even cheaper.
micron 5bg or whatever its called is cheap and ocs to ddr500 with 2.5-3-3 afaik, and last but not least, 1800xl cards oc almost the same as 1800xt cards, identical cards, just lower clocks compared to xt.
or get a x800gto to stay cheap :D
and for a cpu, get a single core opteron if you can catch one, a 144 maybe :D
cheap and some oc to 3ghz on air! :D

this system would cost you around 500€ and would still be a load of fun :D

[biohead]

wait atleast a few months till prizes drop again

then, uhm
opteron 170
2x1gb g.skill hz (pc4000 3-4-4-8 UCCC) but keep the BH5.. I mean.. BH5 owns!
on a dfi mobo with ati's RD580 (I guess we'll hear from it soon).. or a sapphire pure innovation with that chipset, they look sexy and have all the tweaks u'll ever need.. but I DONT KNOW if this RD580 will be socket M2 or just 939, so... :rolleyes:
it's crossfire, so.. two x1800xl's would be costeffective, maybe start with one, or just grab one x1800xt (or an R580 if it's out then... x1900 ??) and wait till the moneytree has grown again :)
magic pc or just forgot... power! well, i'm totally in love with the enermax liberty 620w.. the OCZ powerstream 600
is the best but very expensive. I'm not saying tagan is a bad choise, not at all, I see lot's of peeps here having tagan psu's, can't go wrong eitherway :)

anywayyyys... hope these specs of my future rig will help, lol ;)

vrolijke kerst :woot:

[dIggO]

Wel, first of all: thanks for your response, I appreciate it!

The XFX is already mine, so waiting for another 2 or 3 months is a waste of money...I guess...
Opterons are a no go atm...over here :( But I need a new CPU to go with that XFX and a mobo.
I wonder what the A8R-MVP will do in combo with that XFX. SLI is a nono then... I guess.
Should I go for an Expert the 4400( or a non-dual option? If so which one?), and stick with the BH5 for the moment? How 'bout combining with other RAM(4x 512)?

Thanks in advance again!

[CrashOv3r1De]

Go with an eXpert or an Asus A8N32-SLI Deluxe. Good luck getting the A8N32 I am making a bunch of money selling those on ebay at largely inflated prices :D It wasnt mine but I saw one sell for $550 yesterday. I sold mine for $510 :/

eXpert would be a good choice regardless of all the hysteria we have been seeing.