Help deciding on New Computer

[IvanM23]

Hey Folks,
I know this is always being asked...but since it's somewhat of a moving target...I'll ask it again.

I am a software developer and I'm looking for a new machine. Most of my colleagues don't know squat about hardware and the reality is, I'm looking for a system that can handle massive multi-tasking for when I'm working, but more importantly, I'm looking to get the most out of FS9.

Main problem....do I go Dell or build my own???

Dell seems to have good systems out there....I see the Pentium D with dual core...does this help me at all with FS9? Or would you go with a regular Pentium 4 with 3.6Mhz and HT.

even better, Do I go with the build my own route. First of all, I've NEVER built my own machine. I'm a little intimidated with that prospect. But I'm seeming some real good comments about AMD and using a Asus A8N32-SLI Deluxe mobo. Maybe this route is better.

I haven't bought a machine in about 3 years, so I think it's time to treat myself. Somewhere around 3k is the budget. (Don't need a monitor and peripherals)

What are your thoughts?

Any help is very much appreciated!!!

Best regards,
Ivan

PS. Happy Thanksgiving!!!

[noell]

Quick comment and I'm sure others will follow:

If you are into "massive multi-tasking" as you say you are, the best system for that would be an Intel P4, dual core, hyperthreading etc.

But then you say, "more importantly" you want to get the most out of FS9 (Love your priorities. Much like mine!). If that's the case, get an Athlon processor (at least a 4000+), put it on that Asus A8N32-SLI Deluxe, add a nice video card like a 7800GT or GTX and you will have one dynamite rig for FS9. You will still be able to do your "massive multi-tasking" but not quite as efficiently perhaps as with the P4 system. Small price to pay for great FS9 performance. Right?

As for building it yourself, its really not that difficult and there are lots of good guides both in print and on the web. This forum is also a great resource if you want to DIY. By DIYing, you will have a system that you are familiar with that contains all the things you know you want and not what someone else thinks you want.


...Noell

CPU: AMD Athlon 4000+ (San Diego)
Mobo: MSI K8N Neo2 Platinum
RAM: 1 GB OCZ DDR400
Gfx: BFG 6800Ultra OC (Driver: XG81.95v2)
HDDs: 2 X WD Caviar SATA 120GB (RAID 0)
1 X Seagate 80GB SATA
Audio: SB Audigy Gamer
PS: OCZ 520 Watt

[navav2004]

I Vote ...BUILD YOUR OWN!!!

There is nothing like knowing your new rig inside and out...I think everyone is intimidated in the beginning...However there is allot of knowledge and satisfaction gained from building...It's not that difficult...The ASUS MB Manuel is a great...Like noell said there are plenty of other good guides...And of course a bunch of good guys here too!!

Go for it...With your choice of MB and your budget you should be able to come up with a Really Nice System!!

Good Luck,

[IvanM23]

Thanks so much for your advice!

I'm sold on going to DIY route. Now it seems that I have a lot of homework to do as far as what I get.

Would you get a AMD Athlon64 X2 4800+ dual core or the Athlon 64 FX57. The FX seems to be faster but should I just take advantage of the dual core immediately.

Or should I just save the money and buy a 4000+ (or a 4200 dual core).

I am so confused as it comes to clock speed....it just seems counterintuative to go slower than what I have now (P4 3.06Mhz). I konw that there's a lot of other factors involved. But I shouldn't even go there. I know AMD is better for games

Even the memory decision is tough...should I wait for DDR2?

Maybe I should just pay someone here to make all these tough decisions. :)

Best regards,
Ivan

[djt]

IvanM23,

“I am so confused as it comes to clock speed....it just seems counterintuative to go slower than what I have now (P4 3.06Mhz).”

It’s got little to do with clock speed. The architecture of the AMD Athlon64 chip is different from the Pentium 4’s. Among other advantages, what it lacks in clock speed it makes up for with processing more instructions per clock cycle. I have a 3.4GHz P4 in one of my machines and an AMD FX-55 in another. The FX-55 is only running at 2.6GHz but runs circles around my P4.

“Would you get a AMD Athlon64 X2 4800+ dual core or the Athlon 64 FX57.”

If running games takes priority over other tasks, I would just get the Athlon64 4000+. I just built a new machine for a friend last week with this chip and it almost keeps up with my $800.00 FX-55 at less than half the price. For $360.00 the 4000+ is the best CPU going.

[djt]

I stand corrected, the price has dropped-

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103529


Asus A8N32 Deluxe/BIOS 703
Athlon64 FX-55/San Diego
Corsair TwinX2048Mb-3200C2
2x e-GeForce 7800 GTX KO ACS3 Edition (SLI)
Sound Blaster X-Fi Fatal1ty FPS
2x WD 74Gb Raptor (RAID 0)
Plextor Premium
Plextor PX-716A
PC Power and Cooling 510/SLI
Silver Stone TJ03
Windows XP Pro/SP2

[FTD1949]

Check these links out if your in the market for a new machine.

This link will show you tests on AMD vs. Intel with FS9 as one

of the tests.

http://www.extremetech.com/article2/...1876715,00.asp

If you really want to spend that money you can get a killer

machine but it's not really necessary to get FS9 to perform

with everything maxed.

http://www.cyberpowersystem.com/Default.asp

Im running with everything maxed at 1600 x 1200 and consistently

get whatever I set the target framerate at.


AMD64 3500 Newcastle core
1024 MB (512MBx2) PC3200 400MHz Dual Channel DDR MEMORY
ASUS A8N SLI Deluxe nForce4 SLI Chipset SATA RAID Dual PCIE MB w/Gb- LAN,USB2.0,IEEE-1394,&7.1Audio()
NVIDIA Geforce 6600 GT 128MB 16X PCI EXPRESS
Super Alien 500 Watt See Through Power Supply w/ Fan Speed Control
SoundBlaster Audigy2
Maxtor 200G HD
Maxtor 80G HD

Hope the info helps