Author: Matt Thomas
Date: 01:14:15 12/28/03
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On December 28, 2003 at 01:41:26, Jasmine Baer wrote: >I decided to nut up and purchase the hardware components to build a new PC. >This is my first time building one from the ground up, so I'm really excited. >It was nerve-wracking to choose the components - there are so many choices for >hardware that I found myself trying to get the most perfect part that fit my >criteria for "bang-for-the-buck." > >Anyway, this computer isn't only for chess - I actually have to do work on it, >but it will be frequenting www.playchess.com on a regular basis. I just wanted >to let everyone know that work (lots of Excel stuff and PowerPoint, with some >photo work thrown in for good measure) and games will be done on this PC. I do >have to admit that I hope that my chess engines can fare a lot better with it on >playchess.com than they currently do. ;-) > >I ended up purchasing the following: > >CPU = P4 2.8Ghz, 800Mhz FSB, 512K Cache w/Hyper-Threading >MoBo = Gigabyte GA-81K1100, Intel 875P, Socket 478 >RAM = Corsair XMS Series DDR-PC3200 (2x256MB = 512MB total) >HD = Seagate 120 GB EIDE Interface 7200RPM w/8MB buffer >CDRW/DVD Combo = Sony CRX300A >Video Card = MSI GeForce FX5600XT-VTDR 128 MB >Floppy = TEAC (EXTREMELY IMPORTANT - hehe!) >Case = Antec P160 Aluminum >PSU = Antec True 430 > >I will be running Windows XP - Home version. > I built something very similiar not too long ago and it actually works! :) I opted for a gargantuous Chieftec server sized case and filled it with all sorts of things. If you haven't built one before just keep in mind static discharge. Don't wear any sweaters or such. I never used a static clip, but did very-frequently ground myself by grabbing an unsharp bare metal portion of the case frame while building. Did you get a CPU cooler or do you have the standard cooler that you get with some non-oem chips? I used an aftermarket mod to gain some coolness. Don't forget the Arctic silver thermal paste - and if you use it, be very careful about the amount used so that you don't overdo it. Use too much and it will spill over the top of the CPU onto the metal contacts below(not a good thing). You should make sure you have a nice quiet/clear environment to work in with no distractions and it will take a little patience, especially the CPU. After that the rest is fairly easy. I spent the most time on the wiring layout because I didn't want to comprimise airflow for my 7 case fans. If this thing had wings it would probably take off... > >A few questions relative to Chess: >1. Will hyperthreading be helpful when: >(a) playing online against other cpu's - will the computer perform better >against others using HT, or without HT? I am assuming it will do better than my >current PC. >(b) analyzing my own disasters (uh... games) - will I get deeper analysis faster >than with what I currently run? > >I understand Hyperthreading to be really helpful when you are doing several >things, like archiving (zipping) a large file, working on a presentation, >listenting to music all at the same time, etc. However, I don't quite know if >it will be something that will be helpful if I am running Junior 8 on >playchess.com against some other computer. What does having a virtual dual >processor do to chess engine performance? > Hyperthreading, from what I understand gives you almost the abilities of a dual-CPU PC. This mostly affects programs that are able to use multi-processors/hyper-threading. If you have a Deep version of a chessprogram then I believe that you should see speed gains, which would allow greater search depth, analysis, etc. I can't say I know if there is a benefit for non-Deep chess programs unless you are multi-tasking with some other CPU intensive programs. XP is purported to work with HT and you can check this after you have everything running by looking at your hardware configuration in Device Manager. You should see a virtual CPU in addition to the actual CPU. The one thing I am not sure of is how much you will see in gains for programs that can use it but there must be a bit of a boost. >I'm sure there are those out there that will critique the actual components, but >we could argue all day long on AMD vs. Intel, ATI vs nVidia, Corsair vs. >Kingston, Seagate vs. Western Digital, TEAC vs. Samsung (snicker!), etc. I'm >just curious to find out how getting a more muscular machine will affect my >online chess engine matches and my own analysis of games at home. > >Thanks for putting up with a non-technical person again! You should have enough muscle with that setup! Saw the mobo and it looks like it should be solid. A review mentioned you may be able to have 14 drives using the onboard equipment - nice. Corsair is reputed to be good stuff. I think the deciding factor on harddrives would be the warranty. Most major brands are of decent quality - I prefer Westerns myself. Intels have the most compatibility with most of my software and there my choice is. I have the 512mb of memory but am feeling the need to add another 512mb of Ultra Extreme O'clockable when I have the funds. Windows is such a memory hog even with no other programs running - the little oinker. Let us know when you have that bad boy up and running... -matt
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