New Rig Introduction

[Rowdysattva]

I am just introducing the hardware i am ordering to upgrade to 5 boxing. My current comp is an imac and can only handle 3 boxing and not stellar performance. It is about 2 years old so i am surprised it can do even this much. I am really looking forward to using Keyclone instead of clonekeys. Clonekeys seems to have only minimum barebones functionality. I plan to order in the morning so if you see anything you feel is a huge mistake please let me know. I realize this is not the most sexy set-up around. I tried to keep it to a minimum while still being able to do the job well. I can add more memory if i need to later. I will be using Vista Home Premium 64 OS. The Mother Board has its own video card as well but i am not sure if i should just switch it off or try to use both together.



Case:APEVIA X-QBOII X-QBOII-NW-BK/500 Black SECC Steel MicroATX Mini Tower Computer Case 500W Power Supply


Motherboard: ECS A780VM-M2 AM2+/AM2 AMD 780V Micro ATX AMD Motherboard


Processor: 95509850
AMD Phenom 9550 Agena 2.2GHz 4 x 512KB

OR

AMD Phenom 9850 BLACK EDITION 2.5GHz 4 x 512KB



Videocard: SAPPHIRE 100236L Radeon HD 3650 512MB


Memory: pqi TURBO 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800


Hard drive: Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD5000AAKS 500GB 7200 RPM


Case & Power Supply: APEVIA X-QBOII X-QBOII-NW-BK/500 Black SECC Steel MicroATX Mini Tower Computer Case 500W Power Supply


22" Screen: Hanns·G Hi-221DPB Black 22" 5ms Widescreen LCD Monitor 300 cd/m2 1000:1


19" Screen: Hanns·G HW-191DPB Black 19" 5ms Widescreen LCD Monitor 300 cd/m2 700:1

[zanthor]

Why not the 9950 ? $179 and it's the fastest AMD chip on the market right now...

Definitely disable the onboard video, go with the extra kick in the CPU, it's $40 for a lot better of a chip.

[Steph]

A mainboard with integrated graphics is not what you want to buy. Integrated graphics are fine for anything but gaming, hence the board may not be intended and designed to be the heart of a game rig.

You chose a graphics card that is old. There are 4850 and 4870 out, and even 4870x2. Usually that means you get more hardware for the same money and the old cards are marked down in price.

I'd go with 8GB memory. Make sure you don't get fancy modules with cooling stuff that avoids that you can plug them next to each other. 4x2GB does the trick and keeps you using dual channel while using modules that are mass market priced.

Make sure that when you buy all that stuff, you do not forget an adequate processor cooler. You need a serious heatsink and fan or equivalent cooling output.

I don't know how much juice the AMD needs, but you need to look carefully at the graphics card(s). Depending on your choices, 500W may not be enough.