Tentative Build Specs - Critque - Page 2

MarkD · #11 08-31-2005, 11:06 AM

[ QUOTE ]
What else are you going to do with this computer that requires this much power?

[/ QUOTE ]

Not a lot I suppose, but I figure that if I am going to build a new system than I might as well go dual core. Everything I do is multi-tasking and although none of it is that intensive (usually - sometimes it is) I think it makes sense to go dual core at this point.

MarkD · #12 08-31-2005, 11:25 AM

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Running multiple physical processors requires special software to take advantage of the 2 processors.

Dual core technology is basically the same as hyper threading. However in hyper threading the cache is shared. Hyper threading can execute 2 threads at a time however sharing a cache causes collisions which cause the cores to wait on eachother.

With dual core, each core has it own cache. The dual-cores run threaded applications faster than single-core or HT microprocessors.

[/ QUOTE ]

Not quite right, on a dual core system you can run two single threaded aplications independat of each other at the same time. And what you call special software is just realy threaded software (and especially those with several "active" threads).

A person getting dual cores for doing some webbrowsing and stuff wont notice much, but if you run quad tables of poker and got poker tracker and several GT+ (or similar) there should be great difference.

[/ QUOTE ]

Exactly. Add in a very large pokerstove simulation (defending the small blind against a 40% stealer with 76s by calling instead of 3-betting, for example) and I think dual core will be a good investment for me.

MyMindIsGoing - does it make sense to have two hard drives? One for my OS and applications and another for my data? I see people on here recommend the raptor for O/S and applications as an example.

MrMoo · #13 08-31-2005, 11:29 AM

Well, it's up to you. You know your situation better than I do. But in my opinion, your spending a lot of money on horsepower you don't need. If you're just going to be playing poker and playing on the internet, you could spend about half what your planning on and still have a comparably fast system.

IHateKeithSmart · #14 08-31-2005, 11:34 AM

RE: the hard drives, are you wanting performance enhancement or reliability? (or both)

I don't have a sata box yet, but I have mirrored all my desktop hard drives for the last 5 years. Yes it is at least twice as expensive, but I have lost enough hard drives to make it worth it in piece of mind.

MyMindIsGoing · #15 08-31-2005, 12:06 PM

[ QUOTE ]
MyMindIsGoing - does it make sense to have two hard drives? One for my OS and applications and another for my data? I see people on here recommend the raptor for O/S and applications as an example.

[/ QUOTE ]

Yes it does, espessialy (yes my spelling sux) if you stripe them. I would not buy the raptor, I do not trust the quality and it makes to much noise for me.

MarkD · #16 08-31-2005, 12:52 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Well, it's up to you. You know your situation better than I do. But in my opinion, your spending a lot of money on horsepower you don't need. If you're just going to be playing poker and playing on the internet, you could spend about half what your planning on and still have a comparably fast system.

[/ QUOTE ]

Where exactly am I wasting the money in your opinion? What components?

MarkD · #17 08-31-2005, 12:54 PM

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
MyMindIsGoing - does it make sense to have two hard drives? One for my OS and applications and another for my data? I see people on here recommend the raptor for O/S and applications as an example.

[/ QUOTE ]

Yes it does, espessialy (yes my spelling sux) if you stripe them. I would not buy the raptor, I do not trust the quality and it makes to much noise for me.

[/ QUOTE ]

I've considered going raid - but more so in a mirrored sense for reliability of data rather than performance. Does Raid 0 add a large amount of performance?

Edit: I've wondered about those aspects of the raptor - and it seems too expensive to me.

MrMoo · #18 08-31-2005, 04:59 PM

Mobo and CPU. You could save quite a bit of money and get a nearly comparable system by buying some used hardware off ebay. Again it's up to you. You know your finances, I don't. It just kills me to see people on here by the latest and greatest hardware for playing poker.

Neuge · #19 08-31-2005, 05:14 PM

[ QUOTE ]
I currently have a ATI PCI video card with one DVI output and one VGA. I have a 2001FP. I think that I am looking for another 2001FP and a dual DVI video card but I can't find a dual DVI video card at this site (or in canada in my limited research). I don't really care about playing games but at the same time I don't know if I want to limit myself. What are the current recommended dual dvi video cards?

[/ QUOTE ]If you want a great video card, I'd suggest this deal since you're buying a new mobo anyway.

http://www.evga.com/articles/public.asp?AID=258

The manufacturer is currently out of stock, but click the off-site retailers at the bottom of the page still have them in.

MarkD · #20 08-31-2005, 05:19 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Mobo and CPU. You could save quite a bit of money and get a nearly comparable system by buying some used hardware off ebay. Again it's up to you. You know your finances, I don't. It just kills me to see people on here by the latest and greatest hardware for playing poker.

[/ QUOTE ]

Oh, well, I've never bought off of Ebay before and I wouldn't want to buy used computer parts.

I am open to suggestions for changes for new purchases but I will be buying new purchases. If you have other recommendations for CPU's and mobo's I am ready to listen (especially with regards to mobo's).

For reference, my current computer is an Athalon 800. I've owned it for at least 6 years. It pretty much does what I want it to, but I am ready for an upgrade. My next computer will probably be around 6 years from now and that's why I am looking at dual core. Although it might be that popular today it certainly will be the most popular solution in 6 months or a year and software will be written to take advantage of this. Also, as has been mentioned in this thread, current application can already be improved by dual core.

Right now I put up with doing things really slow because I'm used to it and I don't want to buy the latest and greatest and best of everything but I feel like this machine may be a good compromise for me.

I'm totally willing to listen to suggestions for any components.

I'm also still looking for suggestions for dual dvi video cards. Performance is not critical here - price is important. My current video card is PCI with a DVI and a PCI (it's an ATI card about a year old).