starkers starkers

A New Year of Upgrading Begins

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A New Year of Upgrading Begins

with some peripheral goodies

from WinCustomize Forums

As the title suggests, I have begun upgrading again.  However, being that the guts of my rig perform more than satisfactorily and it's fast as well as reliable, I'm upgrading some addons to extend its use and/or make it more enjoyable.

First on the list is this.... a LG E2742V-BN 27" LED monitor.

I decided to replace the 32" TV I'm using as a monitor with this because i/we could use an extra TV upstairs and I don't want to sacrifice in screen size too much... and to get a 30" plus monitor is still up in the $1500 bracket and upwards.  This 27" beauty, regular RRP $445 AUD, cost me just $245 AUD on special.  Okay, so it's not top of the range, but with my old eyes [even with specs] I ain't gonna notice that.

The other thing I ordered is a  Vantec NexStar HX4R HDD Enclosure  a 4 bay SATA HHD Caddy so I can do away with a swag of external drives and all the cable clutter they come with...

This unit has all 10 Raid functions, plus JBOD and single HDD functions, as well as being hot-swappable so there is no need to reboot or use the Remove Hardware Safely function in Windows.  In replacing up to 10 external drives at a time with this, not only do I cut down on cable clutter, I save on electricity and time taken to copy or move files.  Before I could only copy or move to one external drive at a time, but with this I can copy to all four at once, thus saving hours on end, and when I'm done with the 1st four [sometimes multiple copies of home movies are required for extended family members], I can pop in another 4 and copy to them... it beats the hell out of having to copy up to 10 singularly. 

Again, I sniffed me out a bargain.  This unit is costing me $127 AUD on special... RRP $179 AUD.  I have seen it selling for up to $219 in places so I think I did alright, and it's a nice looking unit as well

It's all paid for and hopefully this all arrives on Friday morning.

 

 

 

93,863 views 39 replies
Reply #26 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting starkers, reply 25
Ah, so you have one of those AMD 3 core jobs? I always thought that an odd number, but I know a few people who had/have them and say they run really well. You'd need a mobo with an AM3+ socket to run the latest 8 core offerings from AMD, and I'm guessing you'd have an AM2 socket board. Unfortunately, it wouldn't just be getting a new mobo, though. You'd also need to get DDR3 RAM as DDR2 wouldn't be compatible, and that would boost the price of such an upgrade. The thing is, the AMD Phenom x6 1100T is a very good processor that would suit your AM2 socket board, and it is quite zippy as well. I have one in my rig upstairs and it is on a par speed/performance-wise with my 1st 8 core... a FX3170. I now have a FX8350 and it kicks butt.
End of starkers's quote

 

No, I have an AM3 mobo, sata3, with DDR3 ram. 16 GB of it. Two gfx cards, dual GTX 650s.

 

The triple core can be unlocked to be a quad, but the temps are high and 4th core is unstable.

Reply #27 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting RedneckDude, reply 26
No, I have an AM3 mobo, sata3, with DDR3 ram. 16 GB of it. Two gfx cards, dual GTX 650s.
End of RedneckDude's quote

Hmm, I didn't know the triple cores went beyond AM2 socket boards.  Oh well, you learn something every day.

Anyway, you're right, the FX 8 core series is AM3+ compatible only.  I tried mine on a AM3 socket board before getting the AM3+ and it wouldn't post... hence a new mobo was in order. 

Thing is, you have DDR3 RAM so it wouldn't be as big an upgrade... and the FX8350 is quite reasonably priced these days.  I saw them advertised for $195 AUD just recently, and a Gigabyte GA-990-FXAD3 AM3+ mobo for $133. In fact, the older AMD Phenom x6 1100T was $216, nearly 30 bucks more.  I don't know about US pricing but I reckon you'd be looking at under 400 bucks for the FX8350 and matching mobo... the Gigabyte GA-970a-D3 is advertised at $98, so if US prices were similar you'd be looking at $300ish for the pair.  At the end of the day, though, you'd be happy with the 1100T 6 core if finances dictate you go that way.

Quoting RedneckDude, reply 26
The triple core can be unlocked to be a quad, but the temps are high and 4th core is unstable.
End of RedneckDude's quote

I've heard that, but being that the triple core is essentially a quad with one core disabled, you'd think it could be activated without too great a risk.

CursorFX - Customize your Windows cursor
Reply #28 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting starkers, reply 27
I've heard that, but being that the triple core is essentially a quad with one core disabled, you'd think it could be activated without too great a risk.
End of starkers's quote
They are often quad cores with a core that failed some phase of  testing. Rather than being outright rejected, they are locked down, renamed and sold at a lower price point. Sometimes you can get away with unlocking it and never know the difference, sometimes you can't.

Reply #29 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Just for the hell of it.....been working on the "batcave".

 

Reply #30 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting Wizard1956, reply 28


Quoting starkers, reply 27I've heard that, but being that the triple core is essentially a quad with one core disabled, you'd think it could be activated without too great a risk. They are often quad cores with a core that failed some phase of  testing. Rather than being outright rejected, they are locked down, renamed and sold at a lower price point. Sometimes you can get away with unlocking it and never know the difference, sometimes you can't.
End of Wizard1956's quote

Yeah, I guess there would be problems if the 4th core failed testing somewhere along the line.  Still, I suppose one could always try unlocking it to see how it performs, and just lock it again if it becomes unstable.

Quoting RedneckDude, reply 29
Just for the hell of it.....been working on the "batcave".
End of RedneckDude's quote

Like whoa, that's a whole swag of monitors you have there.  Dunno I could cope with so many and not go cross-eyed o_O

And think abut the power bill... glad it's yours and not mine. :w00t:

Couldn't put my tower up high like that, either... bastard's too heavy. :-"

Mind you, you do have a nice setup.  Will post pics of mine when I'm done getting set up. I'm just waiting on a couple of things to arrive before it's complete.

Reply #31 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Well, the darn TV is problematic.

Every time I switch the input to cable, to watch TV, then back to monitor, I have to reboot to get my system to see the TV again.

 

Screw that. I'll just run the 5 monitors.

Reply #32 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting starkers, reply 30
Yeah, I guess there would be problems if the 4th core failed testing somewhere along the line. Still, I suppose one could always try unlocking it to see how it performs, and just lock it again if it becomes unstable.
End of starkers's quote

I did that very thang...lol.

Reply #33 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting RedneckDude, reply 31
Well, the darn TV is problematic.

Every time I switch the input to cable, to watch TV, then back to monitor, I have to reboot to get my system to see the TV again.
End of RedneckDude's quote

I've never had that problem on my setup, but then I've only been running the TV, no other monitors.  It may have something to do with multiple monitors/connections, perhaps?  You know, confusing the hell out of your PC, sort of thing. ;)

Quoting RedneckDude, reply 32
I did that very thang...lol.
End of RedneckDude's quote

Oh well, a quad core is off the table, then.  As for an upgrade, various reviews suggest the AMD Phenom II x6 1100T is as fast and performs equally as well as the AMD x8 FX8150, so if that's what you eventually settle on you won't lose anything much performance-wise.  However, the AMD x8 FX8350 is a few steps up and it would be worth waiting a bit longer to afford a compatible mobo to go with it.

 

Reply #34 from WinCustomize Forums Top

For further information, the Athlon II x3 of Jim's, when unlocked, reported itself to be a Phenom II, a 955 to be exact. It did work as a quad, but it was unstable and ran hot. I suspect it was a 4-core fail, simply locked and rebranded by AMD.

I think RnD is shooting for one core for each monitor. ;)

Reply #35 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting starkers, reply 33
Oh well, a quad core is off the table, then. As for an upgrade, various reviews suggest the AMD Phenom II x6 1100T is as fast and performs equally as well as the AMD x8 FX8150, so if that's what you eventually settle on you won't lose anything much performance-wise. However, the AMD x8 FX8350 is a few steps up and it would be worth waiting a bit longer to afford a compatible mobo to go with it.
End of starkers's quote

 

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1724262&CatId=4432

 

That.

Reply #36 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Only I'm 50 bux short of having the dough.  X|

Reply #37 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Yeah, the AMD Phenom II x6 1045T is a good CPU, but if it were me I'd wait to have enough for the AMD x8 FX8350 and the Gigabyte mobo for 78 bucks... comes in under 300 and would be a significant upgrade as opposed to something with just a little more kick.

I know how it feels, wanting to up the ante and not having quite enough, just itching to get stuck into it.  When I was looking to upgrade from my AMD Phenom II x4 920, there were a number of affordable 4 core offerings available, and at the time I could have snatched an AMD Phenom II x4 955 for $107, but it wasn't enough of a jump so I waited to get the AMD Phenom II x6 1100T, which was the flagship of the range and considerably faster than the 920.  It cost me $210, but IMO the performance increase justified the additional $103.

It was the same when I was looking to upgrade on that again, I could have settled for the AMD x8 FX8150 @ 3.6ghz, but given the reviews said that it was not a lot quicker than the 1100T, I wasn't too sure about going that way.  However, I was offered an AMD x8 FX8170 @ 4.0ghz for 40 bucks more and I took it.  It meant having to wait an extra couple of weeks but it was worth it.  Now AMD never officially released the FX8170, but my supplier snaffled 2 and offered me one for being a loyal and long term customer... he kept the other for himself, as you would with something so rare.

I now have an AMD x8 FX8350 in my main rig and it is by far quicker than any other AMD CPU I've tried, and quicker than some Intel i5's and i7's according to benchmarks, so it would be worth waiting for IMHO.  I know you're anxious to upgrade, and 50 bucks seems like a lot to be short of $99, not to mention $300, but I don't know that the jump to a 1045T would be that noticeable.... at the least I'd go for the 1100T, given how well it fared in benchmarks against the newer FX8150 and even some Intel offerings.

Food for thought, me old mate, food for thought. |-)

Reply #38 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting starkers, reply 37
AMD Phenom II x6 1100T
End of starkers's quote

 

Can't seem to find that one.  >_>

 

I have a mobo less than a year old, I can't afford to spend 300 bux when what I have is pretty new. Most of what you see above, came to me used. All but 2 monitors. Even the TV was used. I have to get deals when I can....lol.

 

The wife is the sole breadwinner, I haven't worked in 8 years, no disability check either. She'd have my nuts in a jar if I spent 300.00 on something I didn't need.

Been turned down for the disability twice, got a hearing in a few days. Cross yer fangers fer me.

 

I have been making a few bucks here and there via skinning that will buy me the 1045 6 core. A really good friend shot me a loan for the other 50 bux last night, so I ordered it. I'll have it in a week or less.

 

Thanks, good friend. You know who you are!  :thumbsup:

Reply #39 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting RedneckDude, reply 38
AMD Phenom II x6 1100T



Can't seem to find that one.
End of RedneckDude's quote

That's a shame because it is a very good CPU and would have given you decent boost in performance.  The 1045T is a couple of models down, but it'll still be faster than your triple core, nevertheless.

Quoting RedneckDude, reply 38
I have a mobo less than a year old, I can't afford to spend 300 bux when what I have is pretty new. Most of what you see above, came to me used. All but 2 monitors. Even the TV was used. I have to get deals when I can....lol.
End of RedneckDude's quote

I worked out one combination [based on prices at TigerDirect] that would have been $224 for the FX8350 and a MSI board, and another with a Gigabyte board for $234, but neither are in reach if you simply don't have the finances.  As for great deals, that's how I get the stuff I want.  I search out bargains and grab those which suit my wants/needs... plus being a total tight arse and keeping the cost of living down to an absolute minimum to save a few bucks here and there.

Quoting RedneckDude, reply 38
Been turned down for the disability twice, got a hearing in a few days. Cross yer fangers fer me.
End of RedneckDude's quote

And my toes!  Good luck and I hope it goes well for you. |-)