Please review these hypothetical systems

[Bill Clo]

Hello. I'm pricing out a couple possible system configurations for FAH boxes, and wanted to see if anyone can help me save money on it. I'm taking my laptop out of service, and wanted to replace it with a dedicated box.

Option 1)
A64 3400 (2.4ghz)
CPU 2.4ghz, OEM, $194 (PcMicrostore)
Mobo: Chaintech k8t800 $50 (Newegg)
RAM: 512MB Corsair Value, $44 (Chiefvalue)
PSU: Antec Sl300S $45.48 (Mwave)
total: $333.48

Option 2)
A64 X2 4200 (2 cores x 2.2ghz, plan to OC to 2.4ghz)
CPU: X2 4200, retail, $473 (Monarch Computers)
Mobo: Abit KN8 $88.50, (Newegg)
RAM: 2x 512MB Corsair Value $88 (ChiefValue)
PSU: Antec Tp-2 430w $80 (Newegg)
Total: $729.50

The tricky part comes in thusly: I figure I'll save $87.60 approx in lower electric bills over an estimated 2 year useage of these systems (approx 50 watts). This lowers the cost of the X2 config to $641.90. I have a spare HD to use on the system, but need an el-cheapo vid card ($5 ?). Total cost would be about $646.90 for 4.8ghz of folding power (I plan a mild OC from 2.2ghz to 2.4ghz). If I went the 2 x 3400-based systems, I need another hard drive and video card.

So I can get one X2 system now for a lifetime cost of $646.90, or 1 3400 based system now and another later on, for a cost of $721.96...same ghz of folding power.

Naturally, I'm a cheap bastard who could use some help in reducing the cost of either system. Anyone find a better deal on parts?

 

[OSUguy98]

Does this or this help at all? I haven't updated the page for awhile.... I need to upload the latest figures.... But it gives you an idea, and maybe some other hardware that'll work...


Keep on Folding!! For the [H]orde!!

 

[Mohonri]

Often, these MBs have integrated video you can use instead of having to get a separate video card. Will these be folding only, or will they also be in daily use for internet/games/email/whatever?

If it's just dedicated folding, you could put one of the 3500's on anti-fold with a junker HD. Or you could put F@H on a USB flash drive.

 

[Bill Clo]

Does this or this help at all? I haven't updated the page for awhile.... I need to upload the latest figures.... But it gives you an idea, and maybe some other hardware that'll work...

For the Socket 754 system, while your mobo listed does have integrated video, it would cost $20.50 more. I have no experience with the Fortron PSUs, and prefer to stick with Antecs, which I know to be reliable. Duh, totally forgot about the heatsink for the Socket 754 system.

As for Socket 939, want a board that will OC. That doesn't look like it will. It'd be a good choice for an X2 system that wasn't to be OC'd though. I don't know if a 300-watt PSU will be enough for an X2 system because of the extra strain on the 12v line (?) I'd get at least a 400w to be safe.

Both hypothetical systems are dedicated folders, no other useage. I don't want to fool with Linux, and I never did get my systems working right with getting the FAH work units off a central hard drive and shutting down the hard drive on the subsidiary boxes (mapped network drive method)...

 

[BillR]

A 3800 X-2 will do 2.5 gig with almost no effort at all so you can save some money there.

The DFI or MSI KN8 Neo 2 or Neo 2 Plat will handle the over clocking pretty well and if you go with the straight KN8 Neo 2 those are well under $90 these days.

A gig of Corsair Value RAM will set you back less then $100 and still let you hit 2.5 with pretty decent timings.

That makes for a pretty good overall machine and a great cost effective to run machine as well.

Luck

 

[Bill Clo]

A 3800 X-2 will do 2.5 gig with almost no effort at all so you can save some money there.

The DFI or MSI KN8 Neo 2 or Neo 2 Plat will handle the over clocking pretty well and if you go with the straight KN8 Neo 2 those are well under $90 these days.

A gig of Corsair Value RAM will set you back less then $100 and still let you hit 2.5 with pretty decent timings.

That makes for a pretty good overall machine and a great cost effective to run machine as well.

Luck

I'm wondering how I'd get Value Ram to OC to even 2.4ghz. A 3800 X2 is a 10x200 multiplier, so even 2.4ghz would require 10x240. The highest stable OC I''ve heard about is 220 FSB with Corsair ValueRam. I'd think one would need some higher quality RAM to get up to 240-250FSB.

I have one of the Neo2 boards, and yes, it does OC well. Unfortunately, the X2 processors don't work on NForce3 Chipsets (yet); only NF4 chipsets...

 

[Imitation]

I'm wondering how I'd get Value Ram to OC to even 2.4ghz. A 3800 X2 is a 10x200 multiplier, so even 2.4ghz would require 10x240. The highest stable OC I''ve heard about is 220 FSB with Corsair ValueRam. I'd think one would need some higher quality RAM to get up to 240-250FSB.

I have one of the Neo2 boards, and yes, it does OC well. Unfortunately, the X2 processors don't work on NForce3 Chipsets (yet); only NF4 chipsets...

Aren't there memory dividers to let you keep the memory at a lower speed and up the cpu clock in the bios? Also it shouldn't matter what chipset you have for the X2's I don't think, if its socket 939 the mobo maker should supply you with a bios that supports the X2 along with the new venice and san deigo revisions. Pretty sure that was the main perks about the X2, almost painless plug and play.

Also I'd go with the X2 system because it would draw less overall system power and therefore be lighter on the electric bill.

 

[Bill Clo]

Aren't there memory dividers to let you keep the memory at a lower speed and up the cpu clock in the bios? Also it shouldn't matter what chipset you have for the X2's I don't think, if its socket 939 the mobo maker should supply you with a bios that supports the X2 along with the new venice and san deigo revisions. Pretty sure that was the main perks about the X2, almost painless plug and play.

Also I'd go with the X2 system because it would draw less overall system power and therefore be lighter on the electric bill.

According to AMD, for X2 processors only 2 non-Nforce4 boards are supported, Asus A8V, and A8V-E SE (well, 2 ATI based chipsets, but I don't count those since they're too new for me to trust them). These are Via K8T800/890 based chipsets. According to rumor, eventually Nforce 3 MAY have X2 support, but who really knows? See here: http://www2.amd.com/us-en/recmobo/ResultsHandler/1,,30_182_869_9460^9461~73649,00.html

Man, I've never even used memory dividers, so I have zero idea as to how they work...hmm.

I did figure an estimated energy savings into the final cost for the X2 system.

 

[BillR]

According to AMD, for X2 processors only 2 non-Nforce4 boards are supported, Asus A8V, and A8V-E SE (well, 2 ATI based chipsets, but I don't count those since they're too new for me to trust them). These are Via K8T800/890 based chipsets. According to rumor, eventually Nforce 3 MAY have X2 support, but who really knows? See here: http://www2.amd.com/us-en/recmobo/ResultsHandler/1,,30_182_869_9460^9461~73649,00.html

Man, I've never even used memory dividers, so I have zero idea as to how they work...hmm.

I did figure an estimated energy savings into the final cost for the X2 system.

As far as overclocking value ram:

http://www.hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=888001

Read, learn, be amazed

I have a 3800 Venice at 2820 on value ram.....prime stable and all

 

[rogue_jedi]

i have a stick of ocz pc3200 that'll do 250 and a stick of geil pc3200 i haven't pushed yet. currently running ~170 (2-2-2-5 or so) in dual channel on my nf2. the only advantage to premium ram is you know it'll run at least as fast as they say it will, and it starts faster.
you should be fine with memory dividers.

i'm gonna go ahead and recommend a fortron PSU (just make sure you get one of the newer ones that are designed for 12V heavy systems; older ones are for 5V systems a la everything before the P4 connector) anything atx2 and >350W will do just fine, and run you <$50. you also won't get experience with something if you don't try it the actual "max" draw on my 350W (max draw = load all lines to max, then keep loading one line til the PSU shuts down) would end up having it rated 700W+ by most manufacturers... glee. also solved my clicking problems with my HD and allowed me to run a 9700 (400W powmax wouldn't)

anyways. i would recommend the x2 system, with the 3800 x2. then OC that biatch and you're golden. cooling - hmm. i don't have much experience with 939 cooling (read: none) so you're on your own. good luck tho, and let us know how it goes.