New AM2 build. The real question.

[The BlackSaint]

So despite the lack of knowledge, or reviews about the MSI K9N Platinum Socket AM2 NVIDIA nForce 570 MCP ATX AMD Motherboard, I decide to go with it. It's a step above the Neo, the real worry now is that I hope to God it works.

I put this to you. I gotta have a AM2 socket processor. Luckily they make the Athlon 64 and 64 X2, giving a little bit of option to this. With my board in particular I'm curious about whether I should shell out the extra hundred or so dollars for the X2 or go with the single core Athlon series. It's cheaper but I'm not quite fully understanding the benefits of X2 vs. Single core.

If most programs and games don't support mutliple threads, what is the real advantage. Is it like 64 bit windows, all talk but not application.

I'm basically creating this system for the run-of-the-mill use, but with one thing in Mind. Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion. I wanna run that sucka at a pretty high settings so, will me buy X2 vs. single core make any difference if any, do you think a patch may be released that will make use of the mutithreading and also will window Vista make use of this feature.

I've found, little if hardly any truly helpful information on this new socket. I understand that it's all in the name of DDR2 but is there anything to it?

Thanks in advance.

[blue60007]

The future will be dual cores and multi-cores, so I would recommend in buying a dual core. I checked Newegg but they have no AM2 X2's listed. Keep in mind the video card - it'll determine your gaming performance more than the CPU.

I think DDR2 support is the main thing added. I'm not sure if there was anything else.

[The BlackSaint]

Thanks for the advice. I shall probably go with the X2, dual core, may cost a little more but if the market is going to multi-threading I'd rather be ahead of the game when it comes than be behind it.

Yeah, I figured I might want to invest in a card so I'm going with a Nvidia (just personal preference) 7900GT from Newegg. I think one of the cards listed is around 260-300.

Final question. I heard a lot about the DDR2 memory and how it is actually slower than the DDR 400. Can you explain how that is. I thought the point of DDR2 was that it doubled the rate the memory could be accessed. Can you help me understand this. RAM still eludes me to this day and I couldn't find a good site with an explanation.

Thanks again for the advice.

[blue60007]

DDR2, I believe, transfers twice as much per clock cycle as DDR, effectively doubling speed. However, latencies are usually twice as high, so they end up balancing each other out. Or at least, that's my take. I think DDR2-400 with twice the latencies as DDR-400 performs roughly the same. The big slow down with DDR2 (and DDR3 for that matter) are latencies are higher so it counterbalances the higher speeds.

[The BlackSaint]

Alright, so if the latency is so high then there's not a whole lot of differnce.... but I guess the market in general is hoping with time .... those latencies will go down?

About DDR3... I didn't even know about it. Is it another hype like the BTX form factor or is it an actual memory that is expected to hit the market and make an impact. If the former is the case then why did DDR2 memory even start becoming standard... shouldn't the companies just hold off until DDR3?

Thanks again for the advice... still confused but getting there.

[blue60007]

DDR3 is used on higher end video cards. It'll probably be a while before it replaces DDR2 as the main RAM.

[The BlackSaint]

Alright, so Im' guessing that I'm still good with going with the AM2 socket, and the DDR2.

When the new PCI-e 2 and when DDR3 hit the market are they going to coincide with the new K8L architecture on the AMD processor or are they going to be available with a whole new line or existing line of sockets. Will I need to upgrade anytime soon if I stick with these things is my basic question.

Right now I think I'm going to buy a

AMD Athlon 64 X2 3800+ Socket AM2

Some sort of DDR2 800 memory about 1 gig of Dual Channel(2x 512mb)

Nvidia 7900Gt

And MSI K9N Platinum Socket AM2 NVIDIA nForce 570

How's that sounding, future proof or "I'm screwed" proof.

Thanks again for the advice, it's great when someone can give some else advice that doesn't involve searching endlessly for hours of calling a 1-800 #.

[blue60007]

I haven't even heard of PCI-E 2 nor do I think DDR3 will be coming soon (to system RAM). I haven't heard any dates on the K8L either. Either way, I think the AM2 socket and DDR2 will be around for a number of years yet (especially considering it's only a couple days old ).

[flawedreality5]

Actually, I read an article saying that DDR3 might be adaptable to the AM2 technology in the future. I can't remember where it was though, but I'm sure it's a little while off.

[The BlackSaint]

Thanks again for the info.

Ok. So now that I've decided to go with the AM2 socket route and the motherboard is on it's way.... I gotta get the rest of the pieces.

I'm more than likely going to hold off on the processor for about a month to see if the prices drop any and for any more reviews on them. Stilll undecided with what to go with, although since this is a gaming machine I may have to shell out some more money.

Budget= whatever I need but trying to maintain a reasonable one .

So I went to work today on the case. I cut out a hole about the size of a cd case and affixed plexiglass to it, with some car trim. Not too shabby looking if I do say so myself. Next I'm planning on doing the side panel and adding a fan to it.

So in light of that, I need a good power supply. How is a Antec TRUEPOWERII TPII-550 ATX12V 550W Power Supply sounding or maybe the Antec SmartPower 2.0 SP-500 500W Power Supply. I like the Smartpower because it's modular but do you guys know anything about either one.?
I'll probably be running SLI in the future with at least 1 Gig if not 2 of ram. Right now I have about 2 case fans. What do I need to improve. Any suggestions, comments, recommendations would be greatly appreciated. thanks.

[Kareeser]

Typically, modular power supples tend to deliver less power than their non-modular counterparts. However that's debateable, and I haven't used a modular power supply, so I can't really say.

They both sound good

[Alaron]

The SmartPower 500w is not SLI-Certified. If you plan to buy a second 7900GT in the future, you need to buy the TruePower 550w. It is SLI certified.

[The BlackSaint]

Thank you both for the advice. Considering that, I want to shell out the extra few bucks and go all the way to a 600 watt.

I heard Pcmech and alot of other companies highly recommend the X-Finity™ 600 Watt PSU. I do believe they aren't modular but they cables are sheathed and it's gotten steady reviews. Do I have the greenlight on this one. My thinking behind this is.... I want to get a system that is going to last. The best of the best. If I put in mediocre amount I will get that in return so I'm going all the way.

I think 600watt's should cover it... the rails look pretty stable too so if you have any thoughts on this before I buy, let me know. Thanks alot.

Once again thanks, this forum is a blessing for figuring out my next build. It would definitely suck to blow a couple thousand on parts that don't even work togethor or are dude's.

[MakeYourslf2012]

Ultra has kind of damaged thier reputation with thier X-Connect line, but they seemed to have redeemed themselves with the X-Finity. I say go ahead, alot of members around here say its a pretty stable unit.

In reguards to your previous posts, that rig looks pretty upgradable and "future-proof". Everything is top-of-the-line and really powerful - you'll be happy with it.