AMD FX 1

Well, I decided it was time to retire Lie-chan from the "wor-khorse" computer spot and "build" a new computer (Lie-chan's Phantasy Star Online 2 benchmark score was below 2000).

So I decided on building my scaled-down bulldozer (AMD FX) build from my Newegg list.... Unfortunately, when I got around to buying it, I had to make a couple revisions before I could buy it. The revision to the DVD burners is not worth mentioning, and so I'll be focusing on the GPU.

I wanted the Sapphire Radeon HD 6770 I had bought for Mei-chan, but Newegg discontinued that one, so I picked out another Sapphire 6770.... When I was going to buy it, Newegg also discontinued that as well, and so out of desperation, I just went with a HIS Radeon HD 6770.

Not to much longer after that, I found that the Sapphire Radeon HD 7750s would have also worked (though I would be concerned about only having one DVI out instead of the two I need... Seeing that neither of my monitors have HDMI or DP in), for a bit less power... After looking at some of the shroud designs, I didn't really like any of them... So I looked at the Sapphire Radeon HD 7770s and the only real problem is that the driver is too new.

So I am deciding on staying with the 6770 for now since it's working decently for me. I get a score within the 3000 range for full-graphic settings in PSO2 benchmark (with Firefox open on the other screen and MediaMonkey playing music in the background), and within the 7000 range for mid-graphics settings (Firefox and MediaMonkey also apply here as well). Can't complain with those scores.

Anyway, with the FX chip (or it's codename "Bulldozer"), it's the 8120 chip... I really don't think I need to go into detail about the CPU itself... It does load up faster than the Athlon 64 x2 (obviously), though Windows still provides an ample amount of unknown slowdown. In Linux Mint 11 (I think it's 11), it only uses 4 cores. I read that most programs in Linux (though I wouldn't also doubt the kernel as well) isn't written to use more than 4 cores. BUT LM11 does use the slightly older 2.x kernel and not the new 3.x kernel, so maybe that has been already addressed. I can pop in any 12.x openSUSE disk I have and see.

16GB of ram.... Which I highly doubt I'll even be using more than 20% of as a rough estimate

All in the slightly crappy "budget" full-tower case that Lie-chan was in (Lie-chan got moved to Mei-chan's old Raidmax case after swapping her CPU cooler from the ASUS Triton to the Zalman CNPS9700 btw)... which was a pretty cramped fit due to the 6770 card. Luckily, I did make it fit (mainly had to move one of the hard drives down) and cable managed decently. Also what was lucky (maybe not really "lucky") was that the Zalman CNPS9900 Max also fit just fine in the case, even with the fan that I mounted on the side panel (though I took it off to reduce airflow interference) which was surprising.

Sadly, the 9900 Max seemed easier to install than the 9700 (I did the 9900 Max first), especially since I installed the 9900 Max outside of the case (before I secured the motherboard to the case).

I had to take the motherboard out 3 times, which was quite annoying.

I haven't done the Windows score thingy yet and I really should. I know I'm going to get dinged on HD, but doesn't everyone? (Well, except those that can afford multiple large SSDs)

I'm planning on getting a Cooler Master HAF X pretty soon to give this build more room and cooling.... Though I'm partially concerned, since on the PSU calculator site I use, at full system load, it will use almost exactly 550 watts if I turn off the LED for the front fan, which is crazy (my PSU is 550w and I really don't want to bump it up any).

I have yet to name this build, and haven't looked at any possibilities either... I really should start doing that.