Post by Boaster on Dec 26, 2011 17:38:17 GMT -6
Friends, Fans, Members, Guests and prospect opponents,
I've recently put together a new computer based upon my needs for audio editing, gaming and general needs.
I put together a computer with Windows XP 64-bit, and here are some of the components I can list (from memory):
1. ASRock Fatal1ty 990FX.
2. AMD x8 core 3.1 gHz.
3. Corsair A70 heat sink (cpu cooler).
4. 16 GB Corsair 1600 memory.
5. 4x 500 GB Momentus XT hybrid HDDs, in RAID0.
6. 2x Gigabyte HD4550 Radeon video card (passive cooling). They actually have 1024 MB RAM each, instead of the advertised 512 MB RAM.
7. Coolermaster Stormtrooper Case.
8. M-Audio Delta 1010 LT sound card (PRO grade Sound).
9. Corsair AX 850 watt Power Supply.
The reason I chose the motherboard are the following reasons:
1. AMD AM3+ socket.
2. Two PS/2 ports (don't want to use USB mouse or keyboard).
3. One PCIe X1 slot to the Left of the first PCIe X16 slot. I later found out, however, that the first PCIe X1 slot has to be a short card, due to a heatsink on the board. I'd have to damage/modify that particular headsink with a dremel tool to by sawing into it to actuall use that slot for longer cards.
4. Had at least two PCIe X16 (@16) slots, for the dual video card setup.
5. Two rear USB 3.0 slots, 2 internal USB 3.0 sockets (which supports up to 2 per socket).
I have run into a few problems. First was getting all of the wires routed inside and cables connected, etc. The second was getting the four HDDs to work together in a RAID 0 config.
With the RAID0 setup, I had to first learn how to set the UIFE bios properly. Then I had to re-learn how to slipstream drivers onto the Windows XP install discs, because the motherboard does not have a floppy disk controller.
After slipstreaming raid drivers and drivers for my components onto a CD, I decided to later take it a step further by putting that and more onto a DVD and installing Windows from a DVD disc instead. I also figured installing from a DVD would be faster, but I don't necessarily think it helped much.
For my HDDs in the RAID-0 configuration, I established four partitions to handle my purposes in a unique fashion. The partitions were assigned as follows:
1. (C) Operating System; 64.00 GBs.
2. OS Backup Partition*; 64.00 GBs.
3. (D) Games, Tools, Applications and general work environment; all remaining unused space (over 1.5 TB).
4. (V) Virtual Drive**; 128.00 GBs.
* I was planning to use a boot up program called "Clonezilla" to back up my OS to the second partition, but Clonezilla does not recognize drives in a software/firmware RAID configuration.
** Virtual drive is for all file caching and for the OS pagefile. Internet explorer, Firefox, Thunderbird, and Microsoft Office cache folders. 128 GB should be more than enough, but my pagefile for Windows is set to 16 GB, since I have 16 GB of installed memory.
Every component I have installed actually has drivers for Windows XP 64-bit. However, those items which did not have drivers specifically for that OS, I found clever work-arounds. I went to each vendor website (printer and TV input Card) and looked for Windows 7 drivers. I downloaded the Win7 64-bit drivers, and checked to see if XP64 would accept them. Results were all successful and not a single conflict within Windows.
All a very intersting and learning experience.
Other things I learned were: removing a Seagate GoFlex external 2TB HDD from its casing and installing it internally as a Storage drive to hold and store important documents, images, pictures, music/audio, videos/movies and more.
This computer will, without a doubt, last me a good long while, provided I have no mechanical failures!
Any questions or comments, post them. Visitors and guests can reply and make threads here.
I've recently put together a new computer based upon my needs for audio editing, gaming and general needs.
I put together a computer with Windows XP 64-bit, and here are some of the components I can list (from memory):
1. ASRock Fatal1ty 990FX.
2. AMD x8 core 3.1 gHz.
3. Corsair A70 heat sink (cpu cooler).
4. 16 GB Corsair 1600 memory.
5. 4x 500 GB Momentus XT hybrid HDDs, in RAID0.
6. 2x Gigabyte HD4550 Radeon video card (passive cooling). They actually have 1024 MB RAM each, instead of the advertised 512 MB RAM.
7. Coolermaster Stormtrooper Case.
8. M-Audio Delta 1010 LT sound card (PRO grade Sound).
9. Corsair AX 850 watt Power Supply.
The reason I chose the motherboard are the following reasons:
1. AMD AM3+ socket.
2. Two PS/2 ports (don't want to use USB mouse or keyboard).
3. One PCIe X1 slot to the Left of the first PCIe X16 slot. I later found out, however, that the first PCIe X1 slot has to be a short card, due to a heatsink on the board. I'd have to damage/modify that particular headsink with a dremel tool to by sawing into it to actuall use that slot for longer cards.
4. Had at least two PCIe X16 (@16) slots, for the dual video card setup.
5. Two rear USB 3.0 slots, 2 internal USB 3.0 sockets (which supports up to 2 per socket).
I have run into a few problems. First was getting all of the wires routed inside and cables connected, etc. The second was getting the four HDDs to work together in a RAID 0 config.
With the RAID0 setup, I had to first learn how to set the UIFE bios properly. Then I had to re-learn how to slipstream drivers onto the Windows XP install discs, because the motherboard does not have a floppy disk controller.
After slipstreaming raid drivers and drivers for my components onto a CD, I decided to later take it a step further by putting that and more onto a DVD and installing Windows from a DVD disc instead. I also figured installing from a DVD would be faster, but I don't necessarily think it helped much.
For my HDDs in the RAID-0 configuration, I established four partitions to handle my purposes in a unique fashion. The partitions were assigned as follows:
1. (C) Operating System; 64.00 GBs.
2. OS Backup Partition*; 64.00 GBs.
3. (D) Games, Tools, Applications and general work environment; all remaining unused space (over 1.5 TB).
4. (V) Virtual Drive**; 128.00 GBs.
* I was planning to use a boot up program called "Clonezilla" to back up my OS to the second partition, but Clonezilla does not recognize drives in a software/firmware RAID configuration.
** Virtual drive is for all file caching and for the OS pagefile. Internet explorer, Firefox, Thunderbird, and Microsoft Office cache folders. 128 GB should be more than enough, but my pagefile for Windows is set to 16 GB, since I have 16 GB of installed memory.
Every component I have installed actually has drivers for Windows XP 64-bit. However, those items which did not have drivers specifically for that OS, I found clever work-arounds. I went to each vendor website (printer and TV input Card) and looked for Windows 7 drivers. I downloaded the Win7 64-bit drivers, and checked to see if XP64 would accept them. Results were all successful and not a single conflict within Windows.
All a very intersting and learning experience.
Other things I learned were: removing a Seagate GoFlex external 2TB HDD from its casing and installing it internally as a Storage drive to hold and store important documents, images, pictures, music/audio, videos/movies and more.
This computer will, without a doubt, last me a good long while, provided I have no mechanical failures!
Any questions or comments, post them. Visitors and guests can reply and make threads here.
