Want to build a new system

[Buzzdog]

Been out of the game for a while. I am starting to get ansy again to build a new system. For a core I can either use my prometia, or have considered building a h2o system. The prometia is awsome for cooling, but it is not real practical to run 24/7. It makes a huge difference on the electrical bill.


But this is what I am wanting to know since I have been out of the loop for a while. I realize the precotts are notorious for running hot, but this can be overcome with the prometia I am assuming. I have had great luck with the northwoods in the past. I would like to hit high 3's if I use the prometia.


If I were to go AMD, do you get the full benefit of dual channel DDR now? or do you end up with a bottle neck? Also, how hard is it to unlock the current AMD chips? I guess the big issue to whether or not I go AMD vs Intel would be are there any current AMD mother boards that have PCI/AGP locks that are NOT via chipset? I had more then my share of headaches with via, and swore I would never have a motherboard with their chipsets again.


Thanks in advance, no real time line on when I would build this. Just trying to get back in the loop as to what is a good way to go.


Also on the extreme, how are the FX vs EE doing on the over clocking scene?

[Gautam]

It's a tough call (as always) between AMD and Intel.

The new nForce3 250 boards have just debuted, and the older Shuttle AN50r and Gigabyte GA-K8N Pro have PCI/AGP locks. The current incarnation, however, lacks dual-channel support. If your needs are media encoding or math-intensive applications, you'd be hurt by this; otherwise, you most likely won't notice a difference. They should be out within the next two months, however. A64's are top-locked. You cannot go above the stock multiplier, however you can easily overclock well through the HTT(analogous to the FSB).

You should be able to expect above 2.6GHz out of an A64, and above 3.8 with either a good Northwood or Prescott, from what I've seen.

You're sure to be pleased no matter what route you decide to take.

[I.M.O.G.]

If your overclocking with AMD, on a budget you are going to want to get a mobile 2500 - no unlocking, just open multi goodness with low vcore thats easier on cooling.

VIA still doesn't have a PCI locked chipset... unless hte k8t800 pro will be, but that remains to be seen - current indications say it is.

Nforce2 chipset is what you want, on a DFI mobo is the best choice now.

If you are considering going A64, then you should take a search around the forums and see what Maxvla and Gautum have done with their setups - there are some Nforce3 150 socket 754 mobos with locks I think, and the Nforce3 250GB will have locks with Socket 939 coming right around the corner. Popular opinion says wait for socket 939 to come, and many people are waiting for 90nm 939 processors.

Thats a crash course atleast, though not very detailed, it should give you an idea of where to focus your interest. Good luck with IntHELL. ;)

EDIT: Speak of the devil ^^^