Last minute advice on AMD SLI system needed

R

RazorOye

Limp Gawd
Joined
Jan 15, 2005
Messages
150
I know that this place gets bombarded with requests about comments before buys - that said, I'm going to add to that list.

Below are the last components I need for the system. I decided that I cannot wait until M2 comes out so it's socket 939 for me, that way in another couple of years I can at least move up to the X2.

Here are the items I am planning on:

Motherboard:
DFI LanParty UT SLI-DR

Processor:
AMD64 3700+ San Diego

Hard Drive:
74 GB 10000 RPM WD Raptor (OS; apps)
2 X 160 GB Seagate Barracudas (in RAID 1 - I know it's simply redundant but for grad school research, I need to make sure my information is safe - will also be backed up off site)

RAM:
OCZ VX 1GB (2 x 512MB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 400 (PC 3200)

Sound Card:
Creative SoundBlaster Audigy2 ZS - OEM

Speakers:
don't really need 5.1 channels - 2.1 is enough, so I am looking at the Creative I-Trigue L3500 (48 watts)

Thanks in advance for any help -
 
power supply I already have - PCP&C 510 SLI Deluxe

I also have the video card:
BFG GeForce 6800 GT OC

as well as all the other components

I'm most concerned with the RAM - I just want to make sure that the RAM will be compatible (which I've read it will be) and that it will give me a little bit of stable OC capabilities - nothing too outrageous.
 
read the reviews on newegg.com i know there was one dfi board that had trouble with ocz..
 
I have to say that I would not use the DFI for a system used in research. While they are the fastest thing going, they are flaky at times. For speed, OC'ing and gaming I would go DFI, but stability would seem to be the key here. Raid is nice, but a blue screen while hammering out a thesis just makes life too difficult. ;) JMHO, but I would pick one of the more stable boards in this situation. If I had to name one it would be the A8N.
 
For stability route, I was looking at the MSI SLI board - but it has no PCIe x1 slot

And I can't order the ASUS - wrote to them a long time ago swearing I would never buy another product because of a crap board I got and poor customer service thereafter. It's a matter of principal now - and I just installed an MSI board in my sister's build and it worked very well.

MSI, then?

DFI or MSI is cool with me - and you're right, stability is VERY important - can't lose that research. And I am no seasoned OC'er either.
 
Change your RAM to the cheaper TwinMOS SP/400. It is most compatible with the DFI series.

-J.
 
I have not heard many complaints about DFI's reliability. However, my last 3 main rig mobos have been MSI's, and while not uber overclockers, they have very reliable and stable.
 
The MSI SLI board is a great board. Especially if you are not overclocking. Also if you are not overclocking just get the cheapest RAM you can find from a good company. There will be no real world performance gain from more expensive RAM.
 
KoolDrew said:
The MSI SLI board is a great board. Especially if you are not overclocking. Also if you are not overclocking just get the cheapest RAM you can find from a good company. There will be no real world performance gain from more expensive RAM.
Click to expand...

recommedations? This is the one that bothers me most - I want dependable RAM and I don't mind spending on it - I would like to be able to OC a little bit. I'd also like to go with PC4000 or PC4400 but the timings on many of those modules is not as tight as the PC3200 offerings. And I've searched "RAM" on the MSI SLI sticky - but nothing that is reassuring.
 
I'd say go MSI...as for the RAM, I don't see why your original choice wouldn't work. Maybe find some TCCD?
 
The TwinMOS is UTT which would require higher voltages to get good results. Not everyone is comfortable with this.
 
I don't think you have to actually boost the voltages. At stock, it's fine itself. Either way, if you want to overclock it, it's nearly safe to boost it up a bit if need be.

-J.
 
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