This last week had me working at my friend's new PC shop, building his tech bench and front sales counter (that accommodates 2 PCs, KVMed to a single monitor and two cash drawers....yes, I'll post some pics) and accumulating a good amount of credit. Couple that with the fact that he has offered me his cost on any hardware to show how much he appreciated my help....I'm looking at making a serious hardware leap.

My present system, the "Seamonster" consists of:
Barton 2500+, unlocked but running stock
Globalwin copper H/S with a TT Smartfan2
Asus A7N8X-DX Rev1
2X256MB Corsair XMS 3500
Sapphire 9800 pro (recently swapped out my FX5600)
160GB WD SE 7200RPM/8MB
200GB WD SE 7200RPM/8MB
Optorite 8X DVD-RW
Lite-On 16X DVD-ROM
Skyhawk Galaxy aluminum case, modded with extra fans
350W Enermax PSU

As it is, it's a good running and reliable setup, but at times, I max it out running many many apps at once. It runs cool and 24/7, and I use it for LANs too, playing nearly all the games we play with aplomb. It's a smallish enclosure, and took a bit of modding to get it to run right...ruining it for resale, so I'm not looking at a new case. I do have some sentimental attachment to it, as it's the first rig I built all by myself, although I have changed the hardware a lot since the initial build.

What I am considering is this:

AMD socket 939 A64 3500+ (Maybe the 3800+ if it comes down in price by the time I commit)
Asus A8V Deluxe Wi-Fi mobo
1-2GB PC3200 RAM (Brand and specs unknown ATM)
2XWD Raptor 10K drives, 74MB in RAID-0 config
Enermax Noisetaker 600W PSU
ATI X800 (Pro is out, though I may wait for the Platinum)

Usually I build budget systems (and in actuality, this one is too considering that I could buy even higher-end gear...if my financial situation allowed it) but I could certainly enjoy the power and speed of a new rig. One intended use for this new incarnation would be as a dedicated server at our LANs for games that have huge requirements.

I am basing these specs on what few reviews I've read, but any info or other ideas I sure would appreciate. I already have the credit built up (about $1000US, with more projects to come) and already have a system that works, so I can wait a while if necessary. The only thing I see waiting for is for PCI-E to become available. Socket 939 did just become available, so I'm sure there will be a lot more mobo options available soon. What chipsets should I look at? Any other configs or suggestions/warnings?

(The pics are old and do not necessarily reflect the present config)

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Here's the sales counter I built:


It has room for 2 PCs, and 2 cash drawers, one for each partner. It is galleyed for all the network, KVM and power wires, although not all the holes are drilled yet. It will get a stain and clear finish, and glass in the front display section. It's not built with the most expensive materials, but it fits the flow of the store layout better than a pre-manufactured piece would, and at less cost.

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Nice work Word, if I ever move to Colorado maybe you can help with my (as of yet) ambitious desk/living space mod.

Looks good. What kind of stain are you going to use?

Of course I'd help....I'm a carpentry pimp for hire.

The other trim in the shop is a honey gold color, so that's what will be used. A lacquer finish by my brother will complete it.

Any thoughts about the hardware I'm considering?

In the event that you want to sell any of that hardware....let me know.

Everything on your list looks fine, just don't overspend. People won't envy you for your top-of-the-line computer system, they'll envy you for your ability to spend your money wisely.

The sales desk that you built looks great!

I can't really comment on the system specs, not being an AMD guy (may change this summer though).... but DAMN that's a nice desk!!! When you getting yer tail up here to Denver and building mine?

Specs look great as far as im concerned but remember to come here first if your lookin to sell some of your old componenets.

LMAO!

I post about some hardcore hardware, and you guys are going off about a simple sales counter. OK, I think I get it, and my priorities may have shifted to something more practical as well.

Some of you may have seen a thread about some wood cases I would like to build. Well, this credit with my buddy would allow me to gather some of the more crucial components to build an actual prototype (motherboard tray, HDD rack, etc). When I was talking to him earlier about his business, it made me think about what I would like to do with my own business. So maybe I'll back off on the major upgrade, and do a partial upgrade, along with some materials to get something that has the potential to give me some income off the ground.

Thanks for the compliments on my work. That wasn't my intention with this thread, but I'm glad for the reality check. By the way, that is NOT an example of my best work. I built that in just a couple days, and it took longer than I'd expected due to midstream changes in design and materials.

Personally I like your proposed hardware config but the one thing I don't like about that mobo is the location of the ATX and IDE headers. My Shuttle is layed out similar and I can only fit an optical drive in the top slot in my current case.

Quote: Originally Posted by godfoot Personally I like your proposed hardware config but the one thing I don't like about that mobo is the location of the ATX and IDE headers. My Shuttle is layed out similar and I can only fit an optical drive in the top slot in my current case.

Good point Godfoot. I hadn't noticed that odd ATX placement. Not too many choices for socket 939 though. That's the only board at NewEgg...

Slightly better layout but would require a socket 940 CPU

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...131-481&depa=0

I would get your other hardware first and maybe wait on a few more boards to make it to market with better layouts.

Quote: Originally Posted by godfoot Slightly better layout but would require a socket 940 CPU http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...131-481&depa=0 I would get your other hardware first and maybe wait on a few more boards to make it to market with better layouts.

No deal there. I've been waiting for socket 939 rather than invest in an already announced terminal platform. I like my present Asus board, but I'm no fanboy of brands. I'll go with what suits my needs and budget.

My friend is an Abit distributer, and I know they have one soon to be released, the AV8 with a much better layout.
http://www.abit-usa.com/products/mb/...es=1&model=175

I like that Abit board but I wish more mobo companies would forego using 5 PCI slots in favor of 4 with the additional room for larger vid cards and GPU blocks. Most people don't use that many PCI slots anymore anyways with all the USB, firewire, SATA, and SCSI options available.