Howdy! I am also looking at setting up a 4x4 system, but am a little concerned at what I am going to be getting myself into.
At present, I have the following: Power supply: 1000W (certified for quad-SLI) CPU: AMD Athlon FX-55 MB: Asus A8N32-SLI Deluxe System Memory: 1GB Corsair XMS (x4 for 4GB total) Graphics: BFG GeForce 7950 GX2 (x2 in SLI for quad-SLI and 2GB onboard vid memory) HD: Western Digital Caviar 160GB (x2 in RAID-0 config)
I have random other stuff - flash readers, back-up harddrives, Sound Blaster Audigy 2 Platinum Pro soundcard, etc, but I don't think those really play as big a part on gaming performance. If you need that info for a better decision, lemme know.
I'm looking at updating my CPU/mobo combo to the following: CPU: AMD Athlon 64 FX-74 Windsor 3.0GHz (dual core) MB: ASUS L1N64-SLI WS Dual Socket L
I'd also be getting a new case, since my mid-tower really won't hold up to the space issue and massive heat I'm assuming the rig will produce. I'm currently thinking about this one: COOLER MASTER Stacker 830 RC-830-SSN2-GP Silver Aluminum ATX Full Tower Computer Case.
Anyway, I'm wondering if I'll have space issues there, and also if I should expect to have to upgrade anything else other than the case, MB and CPU at present. I'll probably wait a bit on the 2nd CPU just to help absorb the shock my wallet will incur. :)
I'm very interested in any foresight or comments you have for me, since you're already doing what I hope to accomplish.
So you are going to need a new motherboard, cpu AND new ram.
I think the FX-55 uses DDR ram. The new AM2, Socket F and FX/AM2 chips are all DDR2. Which is unfortuate as you've invested quite a bit in that 4GB.
That said you can probably get a decent price for your motherboard, ram and CPU on ebay.
Your drives should work out well.
I think there might be an issue with SLI + and your dual GPU cards. I will verify this, but I don't think you can do SLI with the dual GPU cards on this motherboard. Also, I do know that when you have a dual GPU card that the first GPU will be connected to the system at x16 and the second will be connected at x8, which is less than ideal. Just get 2 8800's instead :) The 8800 is pretty amazing.
The FX-70 seems to overclock to FX-74 speeds but I have not had a stable boot beyond 2.98 Ghz. The FX-74 might have a better shot at going to 3.3 or higher.
I think your case choice will work out nicely, might be a little noisy :) You souldn't have any issues as far as space goes. You might want to mount your HD's in the top bays though, if you ever upgrade to the 8800's you won't be able to fit more than one drive in the lower rack.
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The Flight Simulator pics look awesome~! More photos please!
Howdy!
I am also looking at setting up a 4x4 system, but am a little concerned at what I am going to be getting myself into.
At present, I have the following:
Power supply: 1000W (certified for quad-SLI)
CPU: AMD Athlon FX-55
MB: Asus A8N32-SLI Deluxe
System Memory: 1GB Corsair XMS (x4 for 4GB total)
Graphics: BFG GeForce 7950 GX2 (x2 in SLI for quad-SLI and 2GB onboard vid memory)
HD: Western Digital Caviar 160GB (x2 in RAID-0 config)
I have random other stuff - flash readers, back-up harddrives, Sound Blaster Audigy 2 Platinum Pro soundcard, etc, but I don't think those really play as big a part on gaming performance. If you need that info for a better decision, lemme know.
I'm looking at updating my CPU/mobo combo to the following:
CPU: AMD Athlon 64 FX-74 Windsor 3.0GHz (dual core)
MB: ASUS L1N64-SLI WS Dual Socket L
I'd also be getting a new case, since my mid-tower really won't hold up to the space issue and massive heat I'm assuming the rig will produce. I'm currently thinking about this one: COOLER MASTER Stacker 830 RC-830-SSN2-GP Silver Aluminum ATX Full Tower Computer Case.
Anyway, I'm wondering if I'll have space issues there, and also if I should expect to have to upgrade anything else other than the case, MB and CPU at present. I'll probably wait a bit on the 2nd CPU just to help absorb the shock my wallet will incur. :)
I'm very interested in any foresight or comments you have for me, since you're already doing what I hope to accomplish.
Thanks!
hi hawke,
So you are going to need a new motherboard, cpu AND new ram.
I think the FX-55 uses DDR ram. The new AM2, Socket F and FX/AM2 chips are all DDR2. Which is unfortuate as you've invested quite a bit in that 4GB.
That said you can probably get a decent price for your motherboard, ram and CPU on ebay.
Your drives should work out well.
I think there might be an issue with SLI + and your dual GPU cards. I will verify this, but I don't think you can do SLI with the dual GPU cards on this motherboard. Also, I do know that when you have a dual GPU card that the first GPU will be connected to the system at x16 and the second will be connected at x8, which is less than ideal. Just get 2 8800's instead :) The 8800 is pretty amazing.
The FX-70 seems to overclock to FX-74 speeds but I have not had a stable boot beyond 2.98 Ghz. The FX-74 might have a better shot at going to 3.3 or higher.
I think your case choice will work out nicely, might be a little noisy :) You souldn't have any issues as far as space goes. You might want to mount your HD's in the top bays though, if you ever upgrade to the 8800's you won't be able to fit more than one drive in the lower rack.
Is it possible for you to review your system with Windows Vista? I heard it should be better utilizing 4 cores.
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