(Ir)Responsible?

[Geezer57]

Geezer, is there any downside to the Opteron? Sounds absolutely dreamy ...

There's a good discussion of this issue here: http://www.sharkyforums.com/showthread.php?t=281163

The only "downside" that I've seen is the size of the L1 cache (smaller), the 9x fixed multiplier, and the "stock" speed of the processor (1.8ghz). The benefits include lower price, lower base voltage, server grade hardware, better memory controller, etc., etc. It might be a good idea to invest part of the CPU savings into top-quality, higher speed RAM, as the lower fixed multiplier will have you running your memory at high speeds to get the best CPU frequencies.

[Phatose]

The opty does NOT have less L1 cache then the X2. It's just been badly worded in places. They opty is listed as 64kb data+64kb instruction, but that's per core: Grand total 256kb. The x2 has 128kb+128kb, but that's 128kb total (64k+64k, like the opty) on core one, pluse 128kb on core two.

Save the money on performance RAM, even if you get an Opty. Memory dividers really don't hurt opty/A64s, and the actual performance between high grade RAM and low grade RAM is very near nothing.

Since gaming is obviously a concern, you'd be better off tossing your cash at the video side of things. 7800s definitely aren't the way to go with the 7900 so near. Even then, there's good reasons to consider the X1900XT. I don't especially like Ati, but it's hard to deny that the 1900's are killer cards.

[Geezer57]

Geezer, is there any downside to the Opteron? Sounds absolutely dreamy ...

The opty does NOT have less L1 cache then the X2. It's just been badly worded in places. They opty is listed as 64kb data+64kb instruction, but that's per core: Grand total 256kb. The x2 has 128kb+128kb, but that's 128kb total (64k+64k, like the opty) on core one, pluse 128kb on core two.

Save the money on performance RAM, even if you get an Opty. Memory dividers really don't hurt opty/A64s, and the actual performance between high grade RAM and low grade RAM is very near nothing.

Since gaming is obviously a concern, you'd be better off tossing your cash at the video side of things. 7800s definitely aren't the way to go with the 7900 so near. Even then, there's good reasons to consider the X1900XT. I don't especially like Ati, but it's hard to deny that the 1900's are killer cards.

Lemur, what Phatose is saying only reinforces my wholehearted recommendation of the Opty chip over an x2. Looks to me like any negatives are extremely minor, with ready workarounds for most of them. I've got a new machine on my workbench with an Opty 165 in it - still has a little ways to go before it's finished, but I'm looking forward to it with glee!

I also second Phatose's recommendations on video cards - the money saved elsewhere is well spent on good graphics. The NVidia 7900's should be very close to the x1900 level. I have no real preference in one brand over the other, it just seems to depend on your use. If you're seriously considering dual-card right now, then NVidia's SLI is the more mature technology. But CrossFire is quickly catching up, although you have to use an ATI chipset mobo for it. In single-card installations, especially if you're going to devote some game-time to older games (like Medieval), the ATI drivers seem to break less often than NVidia's. There do seem to be workarounds that work for some folks (i.e., manually setting antialiasing to zero, etc.). But I'm sticking with ATI (in single card installations) for now.

I prefer to stay away from the "cutting edge" technology, as mostly a waste of money. You build a God-Box one month, the next month it's obsoleted by something new. But if you're an overclocker / tweaker, and pick your lower-level hardware carefully, you can have 90%+ of the God-Box performance for a lot less money. Which allows you to take the money saved, invest it, and have it available for future upgrades more often. I'd never consider (as some here have written) building a super machine and expecting it to last unchanged for 3-5 years. I'll build something lesser, but still potent, for a whole lot less and upgrade it approximately every six months or so.

Just my 2 cents worth.

[Uesugi Kenshin]

Lemur if this helps you feel any less guilty saving up for Maxwell's college tuition isn't really worth it from what I've heard. Colleges just give you less financial aid then and grab as much of your cash as possible. It sucks but that's the way it is.

I'd spend between $1500-$2500, anything less doesn't seem to be worth it to me, and anything more seems like a waste, but do whatever you want.

[Lemur]

For what it's worth, I'm 100% sold on going with an Opteron. The fact that I can slap one into a 939 pin mobo just rocks my world. I've also read Anandtech's reports on high-speed RAM, and I'm sold on the notion that RAM ist RAM ist RAM. Not gonna waste money on no fancy-boy RAM.

I'm keen on having somebody else do the actual build. I can do it myself, but I inevitably get something wrong, and the wiring always looks like a rat's afro by the time I'm done. And I can never get the front plate functions working correctly. I rationalize this away by saying things like, "Who really wants USB on the front of the PC? When am I ever going to care about the HD light?"

I've learned my limitations. I can build a machine fine, but it's gonna rattle and roll and need the occasional kick to get the fans turning. I'm going to pay the small premium having somebody else build it brings.

I could go with my first choice, I Buy Power, but they don't offer Opterons in their 939 builds. I found a place that will build you a gaming rig with an Opteron called Monarch Computers. Anybody know anything about them?

[Strike For The South]

3500 personaly I would fund a small civil war in Africa but a pc would be #2 good luck brotha

[Beirut]

3500 personaly I would fund a small civil war in Africa...

Why would you do that?

[Geezer57]

I found a place that will build you a gaming rig with an Opteron called Monarch Computers. Anybody know anything about them?

Their six-month rating (per ResellerRatings.com) is 8.34, while their lifetime rating is 9.12, which may indicate that service is slipping a little. Otherwise, they appear a fairly safe bet. See here: http://www.resellerratings.com/seller2079.html

Contrast with Newegg.com's ratings of 9.25/9.63, it's obvious Monarch could be better - but then again Newegg won't build your box for you...

Have you asked around at a local mom & pop computer store? Buy your parts at Newegg, then see how much a local would want to put together just a barebones for you out of them. You sound more than competent enough to mount drives, install software, video cards, RAM, etc. Which are all time-intensive activities a retail store has to charge for - so you should be able to save by doing those tasks yourself.

Or maybe you could ask for help from one of the more knowledgeable enthusiasts at a local LAN party? That way you'd probably save considerably more money, with volunteer help.