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Old 11th November 2008
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vermaden vermaden is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Broodjegehaktmetmayo View Post
CPU
I understand the preference for AMD that has been mentioned many times here. I appreciate that preference. On the other hand, I see AMD rates below Intel on many tests, both concerning speed but most certainly also, and I feel that is important, on power consumption. Every test seems to read to me 'hmm, it performs worse *and* it has much higher energy use'. So I am more or less tempted to stick with Intel.
Intel CPU are not bad, they are very good, tehy are just designed less "smart way" (for example native quad core in AMD vs just two dual cores put into one plate). AMD also have Integrated Memory Controller which Intel CPU lack, along with Nested Page Tables for virtualization, but you will not use them at FreeBSD.

About CPU, I had Q6600 (4 x 3.0GHz) and it idled for most of the time, I switched to used e6320 (2 x 1.86GHz) and I do not see the point to get more, vesides e6320 has only 12W idle power draw so when my box is idle it draws only 62W (checked with wattmeter) and I have only 70% efficent PSU (old Chieftec) so with more efficent PSU it will be even better, at full load it draws less then 90W so its real nice, it also has Intel Q35 chipset.

Q6600 and e6320 are "old" 65nm parts so newer 45nm CPUs like e8xxx and q9000 will draw even less power (with EIST of course --> Intel Speedstep enabled in BIOS + powerd).

If you need 4 cores power then go on buy and check, you can always sell it on ebay and get dual core later.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Broodjegehaktmetmayo View Post
The Q8200 is a little cheaper than the Q9400, but I've also noticed the Q8200 doesn't have 'Intel VT'. I have no clue is that is important to me: could anybody advise me please?
Q8200 has ripped of Intel VT-x extension (virtualization) while Q9xxx still have it.

You can check everything here:
http://processorfinder.intel.com/Default.aspx
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of...icroprocessors

Quote:
Originally Posted by Broodjegehaktmetmayo View Post
Moreover, Vermaden writes:
Quote:
Intel Qxxxx series quad core cannot be used in SMP setup, you will have to use a Xeon
Do I understand correctly that this means the quad cores are actually useless since it will operate as 1 core? If so, it wouldn't be very usefull to buy Intel quad core, no? I would need to buy Xeon then? But which one? There are about a zillion Xeons? And then I probably also need another mainboard?
SMP = Symmetric Multi Processing --> use multiple CPUs (not cores)

It means that you will not be able to connect two Q9300 for example on one mother board to have 8 cores (2 cpus), only xeon can do that.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Broodjegehaktmetmayo View Post
Video
Actually, I have no clue which one to take. I've taken good notice of the comments about the black window by mdh, but on the other hand, Nvidia has FBSD-drivers and ATI has not. So I'm tempted to stay with Nvidia, and I've selected three not all the expensive cards. After that, I am lost (): I have no clue how to pick one of the three. They are all GDDR3, but that's as far as my guesses go.
If you want to play games: nVidia 9600GSO / nVidia 8800GS (they are cheap and do the job)
If you do not play: get Intel integrated GMA


Quote:
Originally Posted by Broodjegehaktmetmayo View Post
PSU
Thanks for the advise on 80plus. I've selected the Corsair (I thought I've read it has good comments, and it isn't very expensive), and I've added the Seasonic based on the advises posted here. Again: and so, now I am stuck: which one to choose?
For that box, 400-500W would be good, with inegrated gfx even 350W will do, as for company, the most important thing is efficency, you have the tables and you can see which ones are good, the cheapest would propably be Antec GreenPower 380W (80plus also).

check this also:
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/...ndup,2062.html

Quote:
Originally Posted by Broodjegehaktmetmayo View Post
HDD
Actually the 750GB would be fine, but I've noticed the 1,5TB has a slightly lower price per GB. Whichever it will be, I would install two I think.
You need all that space? I would get 320GB / 400GB / 500GB Samsung Spinpoint F1 or Seagate 7200.11

If you have too much cash, then change quad core cash into SATA2 VelociRaptor 10.000RPM drive, you wil lgain more speed with that one intead of additional 2 cores.

You can also get SSD drive, but stay away from OCZ Core ones.

check tests here:
http://www.tomshardware.com/charts/3...hmarks,24.html

Quote:
Originally Posted by Broodjegehaktmetmayo View Post
I am still a little lost about the Q35 chipset Vermaden: I am not that technical so going through all the technical details isn't telling me too much. From what I've read the Q35 has integrated audio, and that's about it? (I'm probably writing something very stupid right now - forgive me in advance ). The Asus mainboards selected here have P45, is that bad?
Q35 has integrated Intel GMA 3100 + Intel VT-d (usless on FreeBSD) comparing to P35/P45.
Audio, Nic and other things on motherboard are mostly not from Intel, but Q35 motherboards often has Intel 10/100/1000 nic (which is good), P35/P45 mostly have Realtek 10/100/1000 which is less god but still works.
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