Verifying something on new system

[ms85corvette]

I am going to join the group this next week and put together my first duallie system. Opinions on the specs below would be appreciated.

I was just wanting to make sure I understand the required memory for the MPX boards. You CAN run non-ecc, non-reg. memory in the boards right, just as long as you are ok only using two ram chips. You can just expect a little more stability if you go ahead and get the registered memory.

Here's what I plan on building

7DPXDW-P
2x 2400+MP
1gig 2700ddr (2x512)
2x 80gb hd in mirrored raid
1x 80gb hd
dvd-rom
cd-rw
Matrox G450
Windows XP

[aftermath]

yep just use slots one and 2

[DrSpanky]

would it be better getting 2x 2400+ XP's and modding them to MP's

i checked a uk site and it would cost 50.81 for and xp
and 89.58!!! for an MP thats for only 1 cpu

[Stedeman]

DrSpanky is right on with the XP to MP mod. It's real easy to do and can be removed if needed not to mention I have never heard of a person who could not do it or hurt a chip in the process. Also instead of the Matrox G450 you may wish to look at the ATI 9200SE 128MB DDR for about $50 it has 2 heads 1 DVI and one Analog and the one from powercolor one also has TV out.

[ms85corvette]

I know about the XP->MP mod, but this is going in where I work and the boss would rather pay more for actual MPs than having me mod these. I don't know, I'll have to think about it.

The reason I am going to use the G450 is that I haven't had a single problem with one yet, got three multi-display systems running using them and they work great. The machine won't see any game time, so 3D perrformance isn't an issue.

[ms85corvette]

Supposing that I do go the XP->MP route. Newegg has got Thorton and T-bred cores, which would be easier to convert? Didn't know if one or the other wouldn't have the extra coating that AMD is putting on their chips now.
Thanks.

[cmcquistion]

I think T-breds and Thorntons will be about the same, as far as modding goes. They will both probably have the thick coating and you'll have to do the L5 mod by lightly scraping the pit, then filling the pit with defogger paint, or other conductive paint/ink of some kind.

If this is for work (server?), you may want to consider just getting Registered ECC memory and run ECC. If it is a workstation, you may not care, of course.

I understand what you mean about the G450. I have one of those. It has great picture quality and has just kept on running, for years, with no problems. It is pretty limited, for some things, though (like high refresh rates on dual monitors.) If I were to buy a video card, today, I wouldn't buy a G450. They are just overpriced and underpowered. For non-3d apps, a cheap ATI card would do well.

[diehrd]

I am on a rampage with the onboard raid for the mpx chipsets.If ya want raid be sure to get a card that is 64/66 compatable because you may find out the 32/33 bus on the MPX has serious limitations with write speeds.

[ms85corvette]

Thanks for the heads up with the onboard raid. I'll probably go ahead and try it first, then get a card if I run into to much of a problem.

Actually I was looking at the G550, not the 450, but after looking at newegg, I think that I'll try the cheap dual head ATI that they have first.

The computer is going to be my primary workstation, decided to go ahead with the reg. memory but will probably turn of ECC.

Thanks again.