new build, hardware experts rejoice :)

[Bovidae]

I am concerned with the use of 2 video cards that have 1gb memory each, and the implications on running a 32bit application. In a nutshell, you will only have 2gb of ram for your OS and 5xWoW, if you dedicate 2gb to video cards. This will be your bottleneck for multiboxing WoW.

[razorbax]

I am concerned with the use of 2 video cards that have 1gb memory each, and the implications on running a 32bit application. In a nutshell, you will only have 2gb of ram for your OS and 5xWoW, if you dedicate 2gb to video cards. This will be your bottleneck for multiboxing WoW.

Just don't use XP 32 bit and it will be fine. Vista and XP64 can handle more RAM.

[spannah]

I am concerned with the use of 2 video cards that have 1gb memory each, and the implications on running a 32bit application. In a nutshell, you will only have 2gb of ram for your OS and 5xWoW, if you dedicate 2gb to video cards. This will be your bottleneck for multiboxing WoW.

Just don't use XP 32 bit and it will be fine. Vista and XP64 can handle more RAM.

Since Knytestorme does mention 8 GB of ram on his listing I sure hope he will be using a 64-bit OS

[Bovidae]

Yes, that would be great, for a 64bit application, but WoW runs in a 32bit environment withing Vist64, which still can only utilize 4gb total.

To test this at home (you Vista64, 8gb ram users) go disable your pagefile.sys, open your hardware monitor, then try to multibox. As things start to load, your total ram usage will increase, then bluescreen due to lack of memory, long long before 8gb are ever used.

WoW will be a problem, graphic design with newer software will be great.

[Knytestorme]

Hmm, that's an interesting point.

I think though that the WoW (Windows on Windows) layer in Vista64 should handle the address space issues, but I would certainly be interested in hearing from someone that can try your suggestion.

[Bovidae]

<====Has personal experience with this issue.

I cried myself to sleep that night. jk, but not really. I was sorely disappointed.

[Bollwerk]

Yes, that would be great, for a 64bit application, but WoW runs in a 32bit environment withing Vist64, which still can only utilize 4gb total.

To test this at home (you Vista64, 8gb ram users) go disable your pagefile.sys, open your hardware monitor, then try to multibox. As things start to load, your total ram usage will increase, then bluescreen due to lack of memory, long long before 8gb are ever used.

I wonder if you could have Vista use a USB flash drive for the pagefile.sys

[Noxxy]

G'day Kny,

Having a quick sticky beak at your specs - you have a great OC'r there but one thing I notice which you don't have and it basically set off a few alarms.

Your paying a huge wad of cash...yet I don't see any cpu cooler (PS - you may have mentioned it in the following posts - did 'speed' read them but nothing stood out)

Respectfully, I would be looking at something like a Thermaltake Bigtyp 120 http://www.thermaltake.com/product/C...l-p0114-01.asp - this beasty only costs $69AUD [ http://www.staticice.com.au/cgi-bin/...Ty%20state:vic ] - think of it as really cheap insurance - yep, I suppose it doesn't get too hot in Camberra [except at election time] but still...your beasty will be pumping out alot of heat and that's just from your HDs... BUT...there's always a BUT...first check how much available clearance / space your have - be really annoying to buy the cooler and have it not fit given the size of your VCards and all the HDs plus extra cabling you'll have in there...good chance it will be tight - all the more reason to get some serious air flow happening

On your other point - re the PSU - I ALWAYS go to this site when I am creating a new overclockers or even just bargain basement stuff - http://extreme.outervision.com/psucalculatorlite.jsp - Just whack in your bits and see whether your PSU of choice can handle it - even if the calculator doesn't have the space to hold all your parts, it should give you a general idea of how many watts your puppy will be using (hmmm...5 HDs + 2 GCards...did the lights just dim?)

Hope you can use some of the linkies

PS: I found something similar on my homepage site - http://www.overclockers.com.au/wiki/Dream_Machine - you should be able to access the wiki without having to be a member. Your box is very similar to the $2500AUD mock-up shown - throw in an exta GC @ $706AUD, 3 extra ram @ $537AUD, less $99AUD for the HD then add in 5 x WD HDD @ $245AUD = $1225AUD comes to about $4869AUD...ahhh, haha can see what you based it on already The extra $69AUD being the cooler

Gratz!

EDIT: sp and another thought - be a shame to have the system fry, so an emergency UPS mightn't go astray either - say $100AUD?

[Knytestorme]

heheehe thanks for the advice, but nope didn't base it off anything but my 2 current boxes...a Q6600 with 4Gb running @ 3.2Ghz on stock cooler and an AMD x2 running SLI 7800GTX. Decided next build will be a combination to maximize multiboxing and working experience

You're right that I didn't add a cooler there (then again, didn't list any extra case fans, etc either ), since my current 6600 is stable on stock cooling at a decent OC and that was more an experiment I never switched back than anything else...don't really see the need to OC much any more with the power things are pushing out now. Having thought about it more though, and looking over pccasegear.com.au I figure I may as well add a Thermaltake 120 Ultra to it and go from there. Canberra does hit decent temps in summer though, so it is something I need to watch out for and as you say, $70 added now vs $350 added later for new cpu makes a lot of sense.

[EDIT]

You're edit makes more sense than you realize....My folks were visiting last weekend so I took the time to move my home office around..powered everything down, moved, powered up, SLI pc CPU = fried

[Noxxy]

Hey Kny,

Had a quick look at pcgear's spiel for the Thermalright Ultra 120 Extreme (diff to Thermaltake) - and in the fine print - Recommended Fan: 120mm - http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?...f75bbdc74ed79a

So I think what you'll be looking for is the $89AUD one which comes with the 120mm scythe (but have to check which scythe you are getting as there are 3 on the site)

Also did a quick google for reviews - looks a pretty honky unit, getting a lot of praise - definately 'Thunderbirds are go' - only had the two cons:
1)
We already mentioned this one - 'Coolers such as the ThermalRight Ultra 120 and Ultra 120 eXtreme don't come with a pre-packaged fan.'
http://www.overclockercafe.com/Revie...treme/pg3.html

The fan the reviewers used was also Scythe - Scythe S-Flex 33.5 CFM 120mm Quiet Fan - which is about $25AUD on your pccase site - http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?...f75bbdc74ed79a

Does make your cpu cooler a bit pricey at $89 assuming you get the scythe you want - but - cheap insurance ('bout 2% of the price!)

2)
'Motherboard removal necessary for installation' - good to remember if your putting it together yourself - save a bit of cursing

Besides the additional cost of the fan and making sure you put all the bits on before Mobo install - it certainly does look like a 'Mother of all Coolers' type of thingy

Has a listing of compatible mobos too - http://www.thermalright.com/new_a_pa...ra-120-mcl.htm

Stacks of great reviews - I WANT ONE TOO! ;p

Re the fried bits - /ouch - has happened to all of us - UPS4DAWINZA!