Computer Help Needed

[cornercamping]

They (computer store) recommended this motherboard:

http://www.tyan.com/products/html/thunderk8qs.html

[cornercamping]

I have a PII 450 with 32MB of RAM and a 1GB harddrive for a lot cheaper  ;D

I could use it to play my favorite game:

http://www.leisuresuitlarry.com/age_gate.jsp?url=http%3A//www.leisuresuitlarry.com/main.html

[Daggerdave]

I am currently running an AMD 64 3000 on an MSI Neo FSR.  Only 1 gig of RAM, matched Corsair pair and the machine is a complete ROCKET and has been very very stable.  I leave it to auto overclock as needed. Video card is a Radeon 9800 Pro. Power is just a 450watt and only thing I have done was install an additional case fan on the upper side of the box blowing out.  OS is XP Pro sp2.  Temp averages 48 Celcius even after hours straight playing.

For 3D gaming it can't be beat.  Framerates are incredible.  In the new Everquest 2 Beta I can even turn on the graphics to the level where grass parts as you walk thru it without any loss in framerate.

I have never run any of the stuff you are going to run though.

[Woofentino Pugrossi]

First thing forget using fans for cooling it. Liquid cool it. Make a couple chilling towers, put them behind the desk and temps should drop like a rock.

Hell my XP2000+ (1.677Mhz stock) I OC'ed to 1.8 and have had it to 2 (started to become unstable) and it rarely gets CPU temps over 35C. Then again I have 9 fans in my case. 1 80mm on the cpu, one blowing more air to it, 6 as intake/exhaust, 1 video card 80mm fan. Not including the chipset fan or the ps fans. Sounds like a freaking jet. Next rig will be liquid cooled since I'm gonna build a FX-55 or FX57 (depending on which is available next summer) and overclock it into the 3Ghz range. Should be my last standard computer I build for myself until the next generation of computer systems show up in mid to late 08.

[Zac]

Does XP handle memory better than Win2000?  I've had some problems with memory with BIG cad models (ie- 10,000 part Pro/E models), and from what I understood Win2000 couldn't utilize more than 2 Gig of RAM.  In those instances I just used my old clunker HP Unix workstation (that had 5 gig of ram).  And I've never used Mentor on a PC, only Unix.

-z.

[hisideterry]

Does all that stuff come attached to a mouse ?

[cornercamping]

First thing forget using fans for cooling it. Liquid cool it. Make a couple chilling towers, put them behind the desk and temps should drop like a rock.

Hell my XP2000+ (1.677Mhz stock) I OC'ed to 1.8 and have had it to 2 (started to become unstable) and it rarely gets CPU temps over 35C. Then again I have 9 fans in my case. 1 80mm on the cpu, one blowing more air to it, 6 as intake/exhaust, 1 video card 80mm fan. Not including the chipset fan or the ps fans. Sounds like a freaking jet. Next rig will be liquid cooled since I'm gonna build a FX-55 or FX57 (depending on which is available next summer) and overclock it into the 3Ghz range. Should be my last standard computer I build for myself until the next generation of computer systems show up in mid to late 08.

That's what the guy said at the computer store.  Liquid cooling.  I thought he was B.S.'n me so I blew it off at first.   :-/  Then he showed me the $600 liquid cooling systems they had. I was like  :o

[cornercamping]

Does XP handle memory better than Win2000?  I've had some problems with memory with BIG cad models (ie- 10,000 part Pro/E models), and from what I understood Win2000 couldn't utilize more than 2 Gig of RAM.  In those instances I just used my old clunker HP Unix workstation (that had 5 gig of ram).  And I've never used Mentor on a PC, only Unix.

-z.

I couldn't tell you.  I'm an Apple guy and the ONLY reason I even go near a Microcrap product is because they don't offer the software I need for Apple.  >:(

[cornercamping]

Does all that stuff come attached to a mouse ?

Nah, usually after you spend $7K to build the system, you have to save up to buy a mouse  :P ;D

[cornercamping]

First thing forget using fans for cooling it. Liquid cool it. Make a couple chilling towers, put them behind the desk and temps should drop like a rock.

Hell my XP2000+ (1.677Mhz stock) I OC'ed to 1.8 and have had it to 2 (started to become unstable) and it rarely gets CPU temps over 35C. Then again I have 9 fans in my case. 1 80mm on the cpu, one blowing more air to it, 6 as intake/exhaust, 1 video card 80mm fan. Not including the chipset fan or the ps fans. Sounds like a freaking jet. Next rig will be liquid cooled since I'm gonna build a FX-55 or FX57 (depending on which is available next summer) and overclock it into the 3Ghz range. Should be my last standard computer I build for myself until the next generation of computer systems show up in mid to late 08.

I bought everything last night, and ordered a case and a 800 watt powersupply.  I haven't touched the cooling issue, and now I have to find another graphics card because the X800 Platinum card I wanted isn't available anymore I guess.  Any recommendations on a good 256 graphics card for 3D and real time rendering with single or preferrably dual DVI.

 ???

This is what I have now:

Tyan Thunder K8SR
(2) AMD Opteron 64 250
 8 x 1 GB DDR400 RAM
(2) Seagate 36 GB 10k RPM Hard Drives
Case and 800 watt power supply

All I need now is the video card, and to cover the cooling issues.  The processors came with a heatsink and a fan in each box.  What else do I have to do?

[Protein Filled]

Who told you that the ATI X800XT PE is not available? Not everyone carries them, but they are available if you look.

A lot of the cooling issues depend on the type of case you bought and the number of fans it has. One thing you could do is build it as is and install monitoring software. If the processor temp stays above 60 degrees, add cooling fans (or a liquid cooling system if you really need it...you shouldn't if you are not overclocking it). Also, for the processors, make sure you use paste when mounting the fans. I am not sure what yours came with, but those stupid little pads are not as good when it comes to heat transfer.

Make sure you update the BIOS on the motherboard.

[spyderchick]

The advantages to liquid cooling are many, but one to really think about are the noise issues of running a ton of fans. If cost is not a real huge issue, I'd check into liquid cooling just for the noise factor alone.

You are building a monster system, how about doing a multi screen display?
Then you would be the envy of the gaming community. (that means you should mod the case as well, try granny apple green pearl base with a house of kolor lime candy) ;)