New system research

[Tx]

I've been talking about it for a while and now I'm finally going for the new hardware for the desktop (old hardware becomes beastie). I've settled on most stuff but there's still some things I've got to decide on and I'm hoping someone (BahbGTR!!!) had some advice.

So, tech porn (NSFW for non IT workers) time...

mobo: ASUS P6T Deluxe V2 (settled on this over a few others, but open to being corrupted into defecting from asus)
cpu: Intel Core i7 920 (next steps up are ridiculously priced, plus need an upgrade path for the future. not sure about cooler for it... stock okay?)
memory: help! (got a few ideas but can't settle on any particular one)
gpu: not sure if to stick with the 7800gtx or go for something new (no ati.... gtx 285? 295? or....)

The rest isn't worth mentioning, but I'm still not sure how to work out what psu wattage I'd need (with room for future upgrades) and I need to find a sane case that isn't overly jazzy.

[BahbGTR]

Mobo: Asus is solid. Stick with them. If this has an Intel NIC, you will need to run kernel version 2.6.29 or higher. Not doing so might damage the NIC in the worst case scenario, or it just won't work. This all because of the e1000 driver in use before that version.

Cpu: I have the same CPU, and it's plenty fast. If you feel so inclined, even on an air cooler you can hit 3.5 GHz+ no problem

Memory: Corsair or OCZ. I've used these two brands exclusively and have had 0 problems with them. Just make sure you get enough DIMMs to fill all six slots, or else tri-channel won't work.

GPU: I have a 4870x2 and I LOVE it for gaming. However, you know as well as anyone that ATi is a crap shoot in linux, but the x2 works fine for me in Ubuntu. However with Gentoo you're likely to run into problems with either the x2 or the nvidia cards since they are such new devices. You'll have to use the bleeding edge graphics drivers for any to work, and even then you might still have problems. Of course, you know, Windows 7 is actually pretty nice.

If you use Gentoo setting MAKEOPTS="-j9" is such a great feeling

[Tx]

Mobo: Asus is solid. Stick with them. If this has an Intel NIC, you will need to run kernel version 2.6.29 or higher. Not doing so might damage the NIC in the worst case scenario, or it just won't work. This all because of the e1000 driver in use before that version.

And I'm guessing the latest install cd uses and old kernel/driver, just to make life fun... right?

Cpu: I have the same CPU, and it's plenty fast. If you feel so inclined, even on an air cooler you can hit 3.5 GHz+ no problem

Not with a stock cooler tho I'm guessing. Hopefully stock is fine for a non overclocked setup.

Memory: Corsair or OCZ. I've used these two brands exclusively and have had 0 problems with them. Just make sure you get enough DIMMs to fill all six slots, or else tri-channel won't work.

What I was more confused about was what mhz and cas to be aiming then I thought I settled on what to go with (Corsair XMS3 6GB (3x2GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C7) till you said that.... you sure tri-channel doesn't work with just 3 dimms? Gonna check that in the mobo manual now but that doesn't seem right.

GPU: I have a 4870x2 and I LOVE it for gaming. However, you know as well as anyone that ATi is a crap shoot in linux, but the x2 works fine for me in Ubuntu. However with Gentoo you're likely to run into problems with either the x2 or the nvidia cards since they are such new devices. You'll have to use the bleeding edge graphics drivers for any to work, and even then you might still have problems. Of course, you know, Windows 7 is actually pretty nice.

I'm not planning on doing too much gaming, which is why I might not upgrade, especially now you mention drivers could be an issue. I'll have to look into that

If you use Gentoo setting MAKEOPTS="-j9" is such a great feeling

I bet... and it's gentoo all the way, no chance of anything else.

BTW, would you say the velociraptor hdd's would be worth getting to run the OS off of in a raid 1 (or 1+0 if I get the 300's)?

[BahbGTR]

And I'm guessing the latest install cd uses and old kernel/driver, just to make life fun... right?

Actually no. Gentoo releases autobuilds now every now and then (maybe daily?). It's kind of nice. Or if you want, pop in an Ubuntu live CD and install using that.

Not with a stock cooler tho I'm guessing. Hopefully stock is fine for a non overclocked setup.

The stock cooler is very nice. I've never taken a temp reading but I can barely hear it when doing something CPU intensive. But I wouldn't OC too much using it. I think 3.0 GHz is fine though.

What I was more confused about was what mhz and cas to be aiming then I thought I settled on what to go with (Corsair XMS3 6GB (3x2GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C7) till you said that.... you sure tri-channel doesn't work with just 3 dimms? Gonna check that in the mobo manual now but that doesn't seem right.

CAS is reasonably close on all of them, and since you aren't overclocking it's not super important. I have 1066 MHz, which is the same speed as their memory controller (Quickpath), I believe. Much faster wont see a ton of improvement if I'm right about that. And yes, you can use tri-channel with 3 DIMMS, slipped my mind.

I'm not planning on doing too much gaming, which is why I might not upgrade, especially now you mention drivers could be an issue. I'll have to look into that

Then maybe get a slightly "older" new card if you decide to get a new one. No point in going top of the line if you barely game. This also solves driver issues.

I bet... and it's gentoo all the way, no chance of anything else.

Have fun with the circular dependencies when you install. Watch out for Avahi and MDNSresponder.

BTW, would you say the velociraptor hdd's would be worth getting to run the OS off of in a raid 1 (or 1+0 if I get the 300's)?

I'd say since you don't game there may not be as much of a noticeable difference. Compiling might be a little faster, but not a huge difference. Boot times are definitely reduced though. If you want something a tad slower than the Velociraptor, but with more space, look into 1 TB+ sized drives. Because they are so dense, the read/write head can do more with each pass.

[Tx]

Good to know about the autobuilds, never seen those before (tho I did see you mention them a while back). Good news on the stock cooler as well, thanks.

CAS is reasonably close on all of them, and since you aren't overclocking it's not super important. I have 1066 MHz, which is the same speed as their memory controller (Quickpath), I believe. Much faster wont see a ton of improvement if I'm right about that. And yes, you can use tri-channel with 3 DIMMs, slipped my mind.

Yeah, I just looked at the manual and that was confirmed but I did spot one interesting thing. Apparently you can only run 3 dimms at 1600mhz according to intel's spec so if I do go for the 3 1600mhz DIMMs if I ever wanted to go to 12gb that would mean buying 6 1333mhz (or lower) DIMMs

I'd say since you don't game there may not be as much of a noticeable difference. Compiling might be a little faster, but not a huge difference. Boot times are definitely reduced though. If you want something a tad slower than the Velociraptor, but with more space, look into 1 TB+ sized drives. Because they are so dense, the read/write head can do more with each pass.

Hmm, maybe that explains why the 1.5tb drives only (as far as I've seen) come in 5600rpm flavours. I thought that was just cause they were eco versions (why are there so many of those now :/). Think I will go for the raptors though, was originally planning on going with SAS but now I dropped that idea they're the best option

edit: actually the memory thing is for DDR3-16000 (2000mhz). so 6 DIMMs at 1600mhz would be fine

[BahbGTR]

Yeah, I just looked at the manual and that was confirmed but I did spot one interesting thing. Apparently you can only run 3 dimms at 1600mhz according to intel's spec so if I do go for the 3 1600mhz DIMMs if I ever wanted to go to 12gb that would mean buying 6 1333mhz (or lower) DIMMs

I've got 9 GB (3 x 2 GB and 3 x 1 GB) 1066 DIMMS and I run tri-channel just fine.

Hmm, maybe that explains why the 1.5tb drives only (as far as I've seen) come in 5600rpm flavours. I thought that was just cause they were eco versions (why are there so many of those now :/). Think I will go for the raptors though, was originally planning on going with SAS but now I dropped that idea they're the best option

There are plenty of drives over 1 TB at 7200 RPM. Segate makes one. The WD 1 TB Green series drives usually run at 7200 RPM, but scale back to 5400 RPM when not in use. I think most Eco/Green drives do this.

[Tx]

I didn't notice in your system specs you were up to 9gb now... why the extra 3gb? think I remember you getting 6gb initially and saying it's probably overkill