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I don't know for sure... but if I was him, I would ask for receipts. And I am a little too honest for this one... unfortunately. But you are probably right in that he won't know the difference between a good system and a great system.
 
CPU:
2 x FX55

HDs:
2 x 74G Raptors (RAID0) and 2 x 200G (whatever brand) (RAID1)
OR
3 x 74G Seagate Cheatah and 2 x 200G (whatever) (RAID50) + Adaptec SCSI RAID 2230SLP
I realize this second option is way more expensive (and would you guys suggest the Cheatah over SCSI?)

Mobo:
TYAN Thunder K8SE (if I can find it, if not, then DFI LANPARTY nF4 SLI-DR)

Video:
2 x BFG Tech BFGR68512UOCX 6800Ultra 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI-Express x16

RAM:
OCZ 2GB (2 x 1GB) DDR2 667

PSU:
OCZ PowerStream 600W (This is one I'm not sure on, maybe one of you has a better suggestion on this)

Case:
Don't know yet, but Crashman, I don't know if the passive will be good enough cooling? I was gonna custom my own liquid rig with the help of Mozz... using some of the goodies from <A HREF="http://www.koolance.com/shop/product_info.php?cPath=29_46&products_id=175" target="_new"> Koolance </A>

Sound:
Audigy 2 ZS
 
I found you the WE version...

<A HREF="http://ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=14793&vpn=S2895UA2NRF&manufacture=TYAN" target="_new">http://ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=14793&vpn=S2895UA2NRF&manufacture=TYAN</A>

<A HREF="http://nfiniti.blogspot.com" target="_new">nfiniti plus one - my blog</A>
 
Oh nope, not gonna work. If you're getting a dually, you'll need Opteron 2xx. The FX procs can't run dually.

<A HREF="http://nfiniti.blogspot.com" target="_new">nfiniti plus one - my blog</A>
 
Starfishy,

Remember ... and maybe this isn't the case for you but it would be for me -- that if <b>you build it, you will support it</b>.

I'd think in those terms as well as you put this goody list together -- you get him every extra feature etc... then you'll be troubleshooting this thing too. Guess it depends on how "technical" this friend is... sounds like he's not -- just wealthy! So, doing WATER etc... for some peeps might be just fine .. but if probs occur, he will be p1ssed.

I'd probably try to find a MOBO w/SCSI (like those Tyans) or to go to a simpler mobo like you had in the first place (some 939-based or Intel) and get a nice SCSI card.

Also, set it up in some sort of RAID config that can help benefit with any type of crashing (ie, maybe Raid0 on the 2 drives for system) and then maybe a RAID1 or RAID5 config with 2(or 3 for raid5) drives as nice storage/backup.

Then go with some really nice 15K SCSI drives. Try to find some nice cases that are QUIET and COOL well...

Here you go ... <A HREF="http://www.quietpcusa.com/acb/showdetl.cfm?&DID=8&Product_ID=192&CATID=9" target="_new">Zalman No Noise Case</A> OR try one of the other QuietPc Cases out.

I guess I'd prefer really cool performance rather than look. It sits under my desk so I don't care... If it does look cool, bonus for me.

Also, you might consider buying some backup parts with his extra cash - like a couple of extra drives sitting around in case of emergency etc.

what a fun build for you though!
 
I realize the goal is to waste as much money as possible here, but what is the point of getting a noiseless case and then filling it with several 10k-15k rpm HDDs? Aren't they incredible noisy? Not to mention the fact that they will be using far more power than a fanless 400 W PSU can output.
 
I wouldn't buy it - only idea(s)... even if I had that budget, I wouldn't buy that one. I hadn't seen that case before and just found it searching for acoustic linings and thought it was kind of cool - but too pricey imo.

But, I'd want to find acoustic lining etc... and couple it with a case that helps noise reduction b/c of the fans/psu/hdds in this bad boy to try and minimize the noise it might generate.

also, even if i had this budget, i'd like to be able to give the guy a nice system and say it only took $5K ... or whatever and not blow the whole $8-10K unless you really come up with something just great.
 
I agree that he doesn't need to spend the $8-$10K to build a "killer" system.
Is this guy a rapper because if that's the case he'll want a platinum case and the case fans with spinners, so that when he turns off the rig they'll keep turning.
 
I am starting to think that you are right. This is just too trial and error for me. I don't want to get some of these parts going and then figure out that I have to go over to his house once a week because he doesn't know why his liquid cooling isn't working. He doesn't know crap about hardware. 90% of it is overkill anyway. If I build it like this it is going to be this rather loud, very expensive system that has a lot of glitches and a lot of troubleshooting which I won't be there to do for him. He will probably be pretty happy if I came in a few thousand under budget. I will just make sure that it looks really cool, has a kick ass speaker system, and nice big dual displays. Those are about the only things he will know or care about.
 
Yeah, I've bought Dells for friends/relatives and I still have to support those dang systems! Little lone building a super-duper custom sys, would kill me! And, you'll get blamed any way you do it ... (ie, building or recommending to buy Dell, Alien, Voodoo etc...)

So, again - I'd sit back, relax - and go with stuff you know. You're right though - a Dual-LCD Display would be killer ... get nice ones and maybe a mounting system to sit them both on so they go together easily.
(my games never played right though on my dual-monitor - only displayed on my one LCD ... so just be cautious of that but I didn't care either so didn't try to figure it out or if I'd even want/like it to go to two displays) -- however, work apps etc.. I love my dual setup.

hth.
 
If you're getting the Tyan Thunder, you have to get Opteron 200-series CPUs (the 252 runs at 2.6ghz like the FX55 and is about the same $), and you can't use DDR2, you have to use DDR, and in this case it has to be Registered RAM.

Mike.
 
Software and, Odds and Ends
-Windows XP 32-bit
-Office 03
-antivirus: Managed McAfee, setup and run by mcafee
-internet connection? firewall? router?
-one cat 6 ethernet cable;
-Games-Everything you can get your hands on
-cd/dvd bag
-monitor temp lcd
-mp3 player...ipod and accessories...just make sure to add the site and create an account for him so he doesn't have to; get an extension cord for the usb slot if there isn't one on the front of the case; (might consider getting a mac flat panel to go with the ipod...i have no idea how good they are for gaming)
-camera: Nikon Coolpix 8700 Black 8.0MP Digital Camera 8X Optical Zoom
-printer: laser HP LaserJet 3700(Q1321A) 16 ppm 600 x 600 dpi Color; don't forget to buy a couple extra toner cartridges;
-head phones with microphone
-or surround sound headphones with attachable microphone (yes i have one...drool all of you!)
-joysticks: if he's in to flight sim's or racing games...he'll need a stick or a wheel or both;

Hardware
-Motherboard: dfi nf4 sli - it has raid 5 built in
-Hard Drives: 4 74gb raptors in raid 5
--because it's faster then raid 1 or alone, but it also provides protection if you lose 1 or 2 drives which raid 0 doesn't
-Optical Drives: 2 dvd burners (no use having 1 cdburner/player and one dvd burner if you can have two)
-GPU: 2 6800 ultras in sli
--btw you CAN NOT have two monitors hooked up while in SLI
-RAM: 1gb of ram capable of 2 2 2 5 (tccd or bh5);
--if you get 2gb you'll get knocked down to 2T timings...i think even if you get two 1gb sticks (correct me if i'm wrong here)
-processor: ...hmm i would get one of the 4800s as soon as it's out....otherwise hit up the fx line
-sound card: aud 2zs or call them and see if you can get something new...for a price;
-speakers: 7.1 Creative Gigaworks 700watts =D
-Case: Lian Li V2100b or any lian li case...

bleh gotta run...but theres a start

edit: OK back at work now...It's Friday...
-monitors: 19in 12ms or better(since the 20-24 range aren't very good for gaming yet; if you're wanting two monitors go with the latest ati card instead of sli, then you can upgrade later with an add-on 'master' card for dual ati cards, if the rumors are true; however the rumors also say you may have to have an ati based mobo too...)
--side-note: the 4800 won't be as good as the best fx for gaming, however in raid 5 there will be some (possibly alot) of overhead cpu usage which would be taken care of if you were using a dual setup (which is where the 4800 would take care of that problem);
-mouse: Get both the mx1000 (wireless) and the mx518 (wired); (some people haven't liked the mx1000 for gaming because it's too heavy, too big, or both; i personally love it, the battery has been great the first 6 months (and still going) and it never skips like the old wireless mice used to)
-keyboard: Logitech diNovo Cordless Desktop (toss out the mouse...)

edit 2: more additions...
-psu- ENERMAX EG565AX-VEFMA2.0-SLI ATX12V 535W Power Supply - Retail
-battery backup- APC Smart-UPS SUA1000 1000VA 670W UPS - Retail



F@H:
AMD: [64 3000+][2500+][2000+ down][1.3x2][366]
Intel: [X 3.0x3][P4 3.0x2][P4 2.4x5 down][P4 1.4]

"...and i'm not gay" RX8 -Greatest Quote of ALL Time<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1><EM>Edited by apesoccer on 05/24/05 03:01 PM.</EM></FONT></P>
 
Yep... even though this is well below the budget, I think this is very close to the system I will actually go with. I have never built using a server board, and although I'm sure it is almost the same (probably identical) I don't want to have to bother with too many unforseen problems.
 
You could also consider the ASUS K8N-DL. It's a nice (cheaper) board built on the nForce chipset. There's some overclocking potential there. :wink:

<A HREF="http://nfiniti.blogspot.com" target="_new">nfiniti plus one - my blog</A>
 
I wouldn't have a hard time spending that money, but of course I'm not a gamer.

MB + RAM + CPU should set you back over 1.000 if you choose it right.

Since you will probably go with SLI, 2 videocards easily another 1.000

2 TFT monitors at 23 inches a piece for the DVI's and a Nice bright Beamer for the S-video out will set you back around 2500 to 3000.

If you shop around for the latest of the latest keyboards, mice and other input devices you can easily total up another 500.

6 HD's at 300 Gigs a piece will add another 1000 minimum.

That's could total up to 6500 just for that, that's without an additional soundcard, case or PSU.

Now me, I'm no gamer and I'm not into the SLI thing, but I could easily find room for an E-MU1820, TV/FM-tuner, Webcam, HD plasma TV, fingerprint reader, printer and scanner or a multi-functional (a laser would do nice with money to burn), various types of fan or lighting controllers etc.

If you go with Watercooling, you won't even get there with 10.000. Just some ideas.
 
How about now bob? Accessorize...and i've barely begun to get specific.

I'd like to address the water cooling as well...we're talking about someone who wants his computer to look good...and not have to mess with it...i'm sure most of you know the type. Water cooling usually (as i understand it) requires some maintainance... So getting an xp90c might be a better way to go, if not just going with the std headsink...with the xp90c and that memory you could OC 15% and not have to worry about it overheating in an unknown environment...I personally wouldn't oc at all on a person's computer that i'm spending alot of cash on...unless he specifically went out of his way to tell me to oc it.

F@H:
AMD: [64 3000+][2500+][2000+ down][1.3x2][366]
Intel: [X 3.0x3][P4 3.0x2][P4 2.4x5 down][P4 1.4]

"...and i'm not gay" RX8 -Greatest Quote of ALL Time
 
Yeah yeah, but if he's not gonna use too many PCI slots, that's a pretty decent board.

<A HREF="http://nfiniti.blogspot.com" target="_new">nfiniti plus one - my blog</A>
 
My numero uno concern would be that it was upgradeable to any of the new technology that will be available to the platform that you choose.

Intel P4 550(3.4)@<font color=green>5Ghz</font color=green>
Asus P5AD2-E-Premium
Crucial Ballistix DDR2 667@<font color=red>DDR2 800<font color=red> Owned!
TT 680W PSU
 
Strictly a gamer with a load of cash, eh?

I'm assuming he wants a quiet case...so no Prometeia or Vapochill for him.

CPU: FX-55

Mobo: DFI NF4 SLI-DR

RAM: Crucial Ballistix PC4000 1GB sticks (two of them--very fast and very good OCers)

GPU: (Insert brand here) 6800U (two of them for SLI)

Case: go to <A HREF="http://www.voyeurmods.com" target="_new">http://www.voyeurmods.com</A> or some other place that makes custom Lian-Li watercooled cases and get him a nice $1000 case...PM me if you need help properly configuring it for the FX-55 and SLI

Monitor: Dell 2405fpw (24" LCD that is very good for gaming, contrary to what others say) (or two of these if he's into dual monitors like I am--not that he can't game on two at once though and SLI has problems with dual monitors [and widescreen] currently)

Boot Drive: a RAID 0 array of 2 74GB Raptors

Storage/backup drive: a RAID5 array of 4 Seagate 400GB NCQ drives

DVD burner of course

Audigy 2 ZS (X-Fi won't be out for at least another 2 months or so, IIRC)

MX1000 Logitech mouse

PCP&P 510W SLI PSU (no need for hte 700+W, not that they'll even fit very well)

Spend the remaining money (2500-4500 [depending on which marker you're aiming for in his budget--8k or 10k] or so) on games, software, and other peripherals.

I know I'm forgetting something, but can't quite remember what.

Maxtor disgraces the six letters that make Matrox.
 
Not really...that's pretty much my dream gaming system right now, too bad SLI doesn't play well with the monitor (or two of them, as I would get). My dream system? Just sub out the FX and drop in an X2.

Maxtor disgraces the six letters that make Matrox.
 
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