New Sprocket

[clocker]

*sigh....yes, again*
Time to feed her absurdly frequent upgrade fetish yet again.
Unlike previous times, the case (Silverstone TJ-06) and PSU (Antec NeoPower 480) will remain the same.
The only internal holdover will be the Seagate SATA storage drive.
The OS will be XP 64Beta (I've been running it for a while now) and I'm not sure what cooling I'll be using- probably start with my Zalman 7700cu while waiting to see what the Asetec Vapochill unit looks like.

...GIGABYTE "GA-K8N Ultra-9" NVIDIA nForce4 Ultra Chipset Motherboard For AMD Socket 939 CPU -RETAIL
Specifications:
Supported CPU: Socket 939 AMD Athlon 64FX/64 processor
Chipset: NVIDIA nForce4 Ultra
RAM: 4x DIMM Dual Channel DDR 266/333/400 Max 4GB
Slots: 1x PCI-Express X16, 2x PCI-Express X1, 3x PCI
Ports: 2x PS/2, 1x COM, 1x LPT, 10x USB2.0(Rear 4), 2x RJ45, 2x SPDIF In/Out, Audio Ports
IDE: 2x ATA 133 up to 4 Devices with NV Raid 0/1/0+1
SATA: 4x SATA2 3.0Gb/s with NV Raid 0/1/0+1, 4x SATA by sil 3114
Onboard Audio: RealTek ALC850 8-ch
Onboard LAN: Marvell 8053 GigabitLAN, CICADA8201 Gigabit LAN
Onboard 1394: 2x 1394b connectors
Form Factor: ATX more info-> N82E16813128283 $142.00 $142.00


... XFX nVIDIA GeForce 6800 GT Video Card, 256MB GDDR3, 256-Bit, Dual DVI/TV-Out, PCI-E, Model "PVT45GUD" -RETAIL
Specifications:
Chipset/Core Speed: nVIDIA GeForce 6800 GT/350MHz
Memory/Effective Speed: 256MB GDDR3/1000MHz
BUS: PCI-Express x16
Ports: TV-Out(S-Video/Composite) + 2x DVI
Support 3D API: DirectX 9.0c(Shader Model 3.0), OpenGL 1.5
Max Resolution@32bit Color: 2048X1536@85Hz
Cable/Accessories: S-Video/Composite Cable, Power Cable, 2x DVI to VGA Adapter, Manual, Driver CD, Games
Retail Box (See pics for details) more info-> N82E16814150081 $374.00 $374.00


...AMD Socket 939 Athlon 64 3500+, 90nm, 2.2 GHz, 512KB L2 Cache 64-bit Processor - OEM
Specifications:
Model: AMD Athlon 64
Core: Winchester
Operating Frequency: 2.2GHz
FSB: Integrated into Chip
Cache: L1/64K+64K; L2/ 512KB
Voltage: 1.4V
Process: 90 nm
Socket: Socket 939
Multimedia Instruction: MMX, SSE, SSE2, 3DNOW!, 3DNOW!+
Packaging: OEM(Processor Only) more info-> N82E16819103494 $319.00 $319.00


...(qty=2) PATRIOT Dual Channel Kit 184-Pin 1GB (512MBx2) DDR PC-4000, Model PDC1G4000ELK - Retail
Specifications:
Manufacturer: PDP Systems
Speed: DDR500(PC4000)
Type: 184-Pin DDR SDRAM
Error Checking: Non-ECC
Registered/Unbuffered: Unbuffered
Cas Latency: 3-4-4-8 T1
Support Voltage: 2.8V
Bandwidth: 4.0GB/s
Organization: two 64M x 64 -Bit
Warranty: Lifetime more info-> N82E16820220009 $159.21 $318.42


...Western Digital Raptor 74GB 10,000RPM SATA Hard Drive, Model WD740GD, OEM Drive Only
Specifications:
Capacity: 74GB
Average Seek Time: 4.5 ms
Buffer: 8MB
Rotational Speed: 10000 RPM
Interface: Serial ATA
Features: High Performance SATA Interface
Packaging: OEM Drive Only
more info-> N82E16822144160 $177.00 $177.00


...Plextor 16X Dual Layer DVD+/-RW SATA Drive, Model PX-716SA/SW, Retail
Specifications:
Write Speed: 16X DVD+R, 8X DVD+RW, 16X DVD-R, 4X DVD-RW, 4X DVD+R DL, 48X CD-R, 24X CD-RW
Read Speed: 48X CD-ROM, 16X DVD-ROM
Interface: SATA
Buffer: 8 MB
OS Support: 98 SE, Windows Me, Windows 2000, Windows XP
Features: Buffer Underrun Proof Technology
Packaging: Retail Pack (see pictures for details) more info-> N82E16827131351 $127.99 $127.99


I guess it's a sign of the times that the video card costs more than the CPU :unsure: .

I've read that support for socket 754 will end this spring, so I'm bailing out while I can.
With luck the 939 platform will last for a while, allowing me to upgrade only the CPU should I desire.

All this just to hang out in these silly forums.....

[Virtualbody1234]

Get the stock cooler with the retail package. You will be amazed how cool the Winchester runs.

[clocker]

Actually VB, I'm amazed at how cool the Clawhammer has been running.
I'd get the retail package just to get the extra warrantee, but Newegg doesn't even list the 90nm version in the retail box.

I'm sitting on three (!!??) nice HSFs right now, the XP-90, the Hyper48 and the Zalman 7700cu (installed ), and I may as well use one of them.
I have stock AMD units out the ying-yang, so I could install if necessary, but being the hardware junkie that I am, probably never will.

BTW, how goes your 64bit XP?
It's my only OS ATM (just plain gave up on Linux...too lazy I guess).

[Virtualbody1234]

... but Newegg doesn't even list the 90nm version in the retail box...
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=19-103-501&depa=1
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=19-103-502&depa=1


... I have stock AMD units out the ying-yang...
The stock socket 939 cooler isn't the same as the Athlon XP ones.

This ying-yang? http://filesharingtalk.com/sigs/yy.gif :lol:

I'm still running 32bit for my daily use and XP64 on a test drive. Still waiting for the final before it becomes my main setup. I still use Linux quite a bit (getting used to it now).

[kazaa2002]

clocker, if you would be so kind...
a few questions on the build

what triggers the new project?, otherwise you would be upgrading,
improving your present system everyday.
is it gaming or do you launch satellites or do cadd projects.?

from your past builds, which kept me daily lurking at your posts
you do like looks as well as performance.

your current planning for this new unit has $1450 list as of now...
do you set asside a sum or do you just wing it?

at what point does "New Sprocket" join her family (or older systems recycled
to your bone yard) ...I noticed a gigabit lan connection on mB.

If you do not wish to discuss this, I will understand,tell "New Sprocket" that I did not want to embarass her or her siblings but no one in the past builds asked the questions...we all just sat back viewed the pictures and enjoyed the show....I am heading for the kitchen...I will be back with my popcorn, I will wait for the start of the show...it is always entertaining! thanks clocker and say hello to the sprocket family

[clocker]

VB...
I want a faster clock speed than either of those.
Don't ask why cause I have no good reason.
I know the HS is different than the socketA version, I have several of the K7/K8 sinks laying around also.

Kazaa2002...
Most of Sprocket's past upgrades have been purely cosmetic* or driven by cooling changes.
The truly major changes have been triggered by happenstance and/or good fortune.
In this case, my brother wants a new PC for his boys and his budget doesn't really cover the jump to a 64bit system. Unless of course he has an in to the industry...i.e.,me.
He ends up with a very nice almost new system and I have (most of) the cash to go big-time.

Altogether, I'll end up spending about $500 out of pocket for the upgrade.
I shudder to think of the money I spend on computers, but I'm single, older and have few expenses so why not? Sure as hell don't plan on leaving anything behind when I go and I can justify the costs by claiming that it's all just research for my job.
That's my story and I'm sticking to it :P .

*My ideas about a good looking system have changed to the point where I hardly recognize previous Sprockets anymore.
I'm much more into stripped down ("old school", if you will) PCs these days.

No lights, fewer geegaws, NO cable sheathing...I just can't be bothered anymore. I do pay attention to wire management (which is why I love modular PSUs) and like efficient cooling ( hence the HSF fetish and the pile-literally-of H2O gear laying around), but pure eye candy has lost it's appeal.
I no longer overclock anything, although I do benchmark a lot just to see what the machine is capable of.

Experimenting with/tweaking software is my current hobby and I have a long way to go in that area.

[lynx]

A64 3500+, 90mm (http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=19-103-494&depa=1)
$54 more though. :(

[Virtualbody1234]

VB...
I want a faster clock speed than either of those.
Don't ask why cause I have no good reason.
If there is no reason then why not get the bit slower one, keep the cash difference and get an FX later on when the prices drop? That's what I intend to do.

[bigdawgfoxx]

Sounds really awesome

[clocker]

If there is no reason then why not get the bit slower one, keep the cash difference and get an FX later on when the prices drop? That's what I intend to do.
That sounds like the most logical and frugal path to take.

So I'm not going to.

A.) Next upgrade will probably be a Venice core or (somewhat later) a dual core, not a tarted-up Opteron.

B.) I'm fortunate in that my job makes it relatively simple to "recycle" my parts. There is always a buyer slightly further down the food chain who wants what I don't.

You only live once and I'm a wild and crazy guy, so I'm goin for it....

BTW....
RAM spec changed to this. (http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=20-220-018&depa=1)
Order placed.

[Snee]

Not that I want to criticize you in any way, clocker, but is XFX the best choice for a graphics card.

I've heard bad things about their support, and a couple of their cards. :unsure:


(But I've never owned one myself, so I'm not in any way speaking from experience here, mind.)

[clocker]

(But I've never owned one myself, so I'm not in any way speaking from experience here, mind.)
Nor have I, so it's a gamble.
I had read a couple of favorable reviews and tend to take grumbles from the Internet with a grain of salt anyway.

I'll let you know how it goes...

[peat moss]

Its one of those things , you try to search out your purchase and try to be informed . I like the purchaser posts better anyway. Not that there a great guide either. :lookaroun

[Snee]

Thanks.

Do keep us posted.

[lynx]

I've had an XFX card for some time now. Admittedly an FX5200, but I haven't had a moment's trouble with it, and it is heavily OCed.

Often wondered if I should get some active cooling for it. :unsure:

[clocker]

Often wondered if I should get some active cooling for it. :unsure:
Don't do anything rash.