Question for you computer guys.

LightningGSX · 06-22-2005

I'm building a new system, which is basically just a super fast "bare bones" type system.I just can't seem to figure out which mobo I need/want.
Components are:
AMD 4000+ San Diego SOCKET 939
2GB Ram
Seagate 36G 15K RPM SCSI HD
I need the comp for the sole purpose of running certain processor intensive test equipement/simulation programs, so I don't give a shit about video or audio.Hoping I can find a mobo with both onboard.Any body have any recommendations? Also any one have a recommendation on a SCSI controller? Whats the fastest ram out?

Matt D. · 06-22-2005

PC4600 DDR RAM is the fastest out there right now, but you'll probably find more PC4400 (550mhz) options. The MSI K7 Master-S is the newest AMD motherboard out that has onboard SCSI.

Anduinlight · 06-22-2005

well I have a few choices as far as my recommendations would go

(btw not advertising for any sites but here are some web adresses to the mother boards)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813127150
if you want integrated video
and:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813127167
if you want more fancy connectors (optical PDIF connectors)
and if you don't want any of that
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813127166
as far as the scsi controller I will have to look a bit more

and i think the fastest memory (as far as speed goes) is DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) but for 1GB of that ram its like $230 some per stick

and it needs a compatible mother board to work (which is also expensive)

Anduinlight · 06-22-2005

how much did you want to spend on the SCSI controller? no limits? that might change the recomendation

LightningGSX · 06-22-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt D.

The MSI K7 Master-S is the newest AMD motherboard out that has onboard SCSI.

It doesn't appear to support socket 939 processors though, only old school AMDs

LightningGSX · 06-22-2005

What about the difference in mobo chipsets? nVidia or VIA?

Anduinlight · 06-22-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by LightningGSX

What about the difference in mobo chipsets? nVidia or VIA?

alot of it has to do with personal preference and compatability I have an Nvidia mother board I can say that it is not the most... adaptable thing, but I like it but I'm not really well versed in others :/

**scheides** · 06-22-2005

Are the proggies you are going to be running smp compatible? You may want to look at a dual-proc solution. Something like that would have on-board scsi as well. Will this run windows or linux?

Enes · 06-22-2005

honestly i would just get couple new sATA drives if you want speed and raid them...

it will be cheaper than going with scsi solution...
unless you already have all the drives for your scsi setup?

-E

**scheides** · 06-22-2005

I'll second the sata idea. Western Digital Raptor drives are 10k rpm and have a 5 year warranty. Throw in a 3ware raid card and you'll have a smokin setup.

Onefast99gsx · 06-22-2005

If you're building something like a file server with mirrored, Raid 3 or 5 protection, i'd go with SCSI but Enes is right, otherwise ATA, IDE drives. They are super cheap. I believe most of them nowdays are 7,200rpms. SCSI is expensive but if you have the hardware, then i guess run them. At a workstation level, SCSI just isn't common. For the cost of what you'd have into a 36G SCSI option, you could have 80+ GB in the other option. I just bought 2 Maxtor 80GB drives for work here from CDW for $70.00 each.

**scheides** · 06-22-2005

cost aside, the 10k rpm sata drives are as fast or faster than several 10k rpm u320 drives on the market. Now, Eric said he's looking at 15k drives. I've implemented both 10k and 15k drives in various servers at work, and the performance margin is hardly noticable.

For the money, I'd go with 10k sata drives, especially since this is for a workstation-type box. 15k drives tend to be a little on the loud side.

Now, as for mobo's, I still think a dual-proc athlon 64 setup would be a great way to go. In fact, the database back end to our mail system at work is just that, a dual athlon 64 machine with 3Gb of ram , and 4x 15k u320 drives. Of course, that machine cost roughly $6k, but if you want processing power, you're set. The motherboard in that machine is a supermicro, which you may want to check out, Lightning.

Enes · 06-22-2005

cha ching a ling a ding a bong

Matt D. · 06-22-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by scheides

15k drives tend to be a little on the loud side.

Yeah, but hearing a jet fighter take off when you turn the computer on is pretty sweet.

StealthGST · 06-22-2005

I'll go along with that.

SCSI isn't all that it's cracked up to be anymore as far as speed. It's great for other things (hot swap, large disk arrays, 15 devices per channel, etc.

The 74GB WD Raptor (10k SATA) is simply killer (in price and performance) I have the 36GB model and it's insanely fast. Plus the 15k drive will sound like a dentist drill and not yield any extra performance for your desired goal.

Ram speed won't matter nearly as much if you're not overclocking. Make sure that the motherboard / CPU setup can even take advantage of the extra speedy / extra pricey ram. Just don't go too generic with ram. the cheaper the ram you get the slower the CAS speed (cas2, cas2.5 etc)will be, and performance will sufffer a little.

Lastly, don't buy an Nforce or ATI multimedia chipset board with everything built on. I'd go with something VIA based with built in sound and 1000mb lan and SATA Raid, get a decent pci-e or agp8x video card, and whatever else you want in there and some good ram.

www.newegg.com is a great place for parts

Anduinlight · 06-22-2005

I wish i knew more about dual processors

**scheides** · 06-22-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anduinlight

I wish i knew more about dual processors

Think about it like one of those dual 1.8t-powered vw scirocco's or that dual-motor'd tiburon you've seen videos of. A dual proc system is usually good *roughly* for a single proc rated at 180% of the speed of one of the dual proc's.

15k rpm drives are not *that* loud, fyi, but noticable for a workstation-type machine. All mine are locked in a room w/ dual dedicated A/C systems and 40 other machines...ya don't notice them as much in there...

LightningGSX · 06-22-2005

Thanks for the replies, surfing around the last couple hours I've come to the same conclusion you guys have posted.So I've been looking into the Athlon x2's, didin't realise how little the difference in price compared to the regular Athlon 64s was.And yeah, paying $439 for the 73G 15K SCSI vs $160 for the 76G 10K Raptor is kind of pointless as I look at the minimal difference in performance specs.Mike has me brainwashed into SCSI though.

Still can't come to a conclusion on a motherboard though, I've read too many good reviews on too many different motherboards.Makes the decision kind of tough.Any brand recommendations?

Enes · 06-22-2005

key is, if you are doing this for a server.. aka web server go with skuzy ;p but if its going to be a home number crunching machine then go with sATA

LightningGSX · 06-22-2005

Yep, for home use.Mostly for PC based electronics test equipment, PCB design/auto routing, and circuit/firmware simulation.