Building my New PC, Options...

BarracudaUAK · 11-29-17, 03:27 AM

Well, since my last post here, several things have changed...

So my new PC will most likely be just a new video card.

With the recent price drops (down well below launch prices!), and the DC (formerly DAL) code getting mainlined in Linux 4.15, I'm thinking Vega 64 will be the card.

But now it comes down to 2 (or 3?) options.

1: Get the card now and use RC kernels (i.e. testing/alpha) until the kernel is "released" mid-January.

2: Wait a few months for the cards to drop down a bit more, and the code to be refined a bit further.

Or

3: Wait until the replacement for the Vega launches, and get the Vega 64 dirt cheap.

Decisions, decisions...

But, I'm leaning toward "1". But the lack of cards in stock at most places means it will probably be either "2" or "3"...

ohh well.......

Barracuda

Rockin Robbins · 11-29-17, 08:21 PM

Yeah, here's the deal on DDR4 PC3200 RAM. 16 GB over $200 right now. I just scored some for $157 and it was a great deal because the day after it was over $220. Yuk!

I considered going 8-core FX, but went Ryzen 3 because the single core speed was so much higher. And I went with the MSI B350 Gaming Pro for its Linux compatibility. That gives me a huge upgrade path in processors for the future, and a big choice on video cards.

But, like you, when I started this road I was looking FX 8-core because I built one for my son and it absolutely rocked. Since you already have the 8-core, the best bang for your buck is video card. Your 8-core is still rockin!

BarracudaUAK · 11-29-17, 10:34 PM

At first I wasn't really considering a RX 480X/580X/Vega for this 8-core, mainly due to the differences in age/architecture.

But after thinking about it over the course of several weeks (never more than 30 seconds at a time), I finally decided "why not".

(Had to dig all this up on wikipedia.org, and seems to be a pattern!)
My dual-core, and the X1000 were both 90nm (although my 2 X1650 pro were apparently 80nm).

I upgraded my video cards 3 times to a HD2600XT, a HD4850, and finally to dual HD6750.

Which were 65nm, 55nm, and 40nm. (hmm, it seems the 6750 was a slightly tweaked version the 5750...

)

So I jumped 4 major architectures with the dual core (even tried to get the R7 370X and R9 380s to work on it).
Now I'm sitting on a 32nm CPU, so why not jump from 28nm (R7/R9) up to 14nm?
That's only 3 jumps if we count the 40nm HD7000 series as being the same "generation" as the CPU, vs 4 on the dual core...

Should note, I have a HD2400 AGP (65nm) for my old Athlon 2500xp, which was a 130nm CPU, with 9000 series running 110/130/150nm. Dropping it to a 65nm, jumping 3 series of cards...

So apparently, I like to build a PC every 3-4 years, and jump 3-5 series for video cards, while reducing the GPU architecture to less than half of the CPU size...

I think a Vega in this FX will fit right in with this!

Barracuda

CTU_Clay · 03-22-18, 05:27 PM

I just got around to re-visiting this older thread looking for ideas with replacing my system. But.....all I have to say of this is, "WOW!"

Sure sounds like big money for playing submarine and other simulation games.

But I guess we all have our vices. I am just glad my fishing habit is not as costly as golfing. My wife would chub me to the sea crabs if I paid that much for a computer.

.

BarracudaUAK · 03-24-18, 04:25 AM

Sad part is the Digital Currency Mining has the AMD RX 580 running about $500, and the Vega is $800+, some places list it for $1100.

The RX 580 was ~$240-$280 when launched and the Vega was $500-$600 at launch.

The Nvidia cards are $$$ as well, since the AMD cards prices went up (and are usually out of stock).

So I'm still running my R9 380......

Barracuda

11-29-17, 08:21 PM	#2
Rockin Robbins Navy Seal Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: DeLand, FL Posts: 8,900 Downloads: 135 Uploads: 52	Yeah, here's the deal on DDR4 PC3200 RAM. 16 GB over $200 right now. I just scored some for $157 and it was a great deal because the day after it was over $220. Yuk! I considered going 8-core FX, but went Ryzen 3 because the single core speed was so much higher. And I went with the MSI B350 Gaming Pro for its Linux compatibility. That gives me a huge upgrade path in processors for the future, and a big choice on video cards. But, like you, when I started this road I was looking FX 8-core because I built one for my son and it absolutely rocked. Since you already have the 8-core, the best bang for your buck is video card. Your 8-core is still rockin! __________________ Sub Skipper's Bag of Tricks, Slightly Subnuclear Mk 14 & Cutie, Slightly Subnuclear Deck Gun, EZPlot 2.0, TMOPlot, TMOKeys, SH4CMS

11-29-17, 10:34 PM	#3
BarracudaUAK Captain Join Date: Apr 2016 Posts: 520 Downloads: 33 Uploads: 0	At first I wasn't really considering a RX 480X/580X/Vega for this 8-core, mainly due to the differences in age/architecture. But after thinking about it over the course of several weeks (never more than 30 seconds at a time), I finally decided "why not". (Had to dig all this up on wikipedia.org, and seems to be a pattern!) My dual-core, and the X1000 were both 90nm (although my 2 X1650 pro were apparently 80nm). I upgraded my video cards 3 times to a HD2600XT, a HD4850, and finally to dual HD6750. Which were 65nm, 55nm, and 40nm. (hmm, it seems the 6750 was a slightly tweaked version the 5750...) So I jumped 4 major architectures with the dual core (even tried to get the R7 370X and R9 380s to work on it). Now I'm sitting on a 32nm CPU, so why not jump from 28nm (R7/R9) up to 14nm? That's only 3 jumps if we count the 40nm HD7000 series as being the same "generation" as the CPU, vs 4 on the dual core... Should note, I have a HD2400 AGP (65nm) for my old Athlon 2500xp, which was a 130nm CPU, with 9000 series running 110/130/150nm. Dropping it to a 65nm, jumping 3 series of cards... So apparently, I like to build a PC every 3-4 years, and jump 3-5 series for video cards, while reducing the GPU architecture to less than half of the CPU size... I think a Vega in this FX will fit right in with this! Barracuda

03-22-18, 05:27 PM	#4
CTU_Clay The Lone Wolf Join Date: May 2006 Location: Bellville, TX 77418 Posts: 711 Downloads: 315 Uploads: 0	I just got around to re-visiting this older thread looking for ideas with replacing my system. But.....all I have to say of this is, "WOW!" Sure sounds like big money for playing submarine and other simulation games. But I guess we all have our vices. I am just glad my fishing habit is not as costly as golfing. My wife would chub me to the sea crabs if I paid that much for a computer. . __________________ "The Lone Wolf"] https://steelsharksforum.proboards.com/ *“Keep your eyes on the stars, and your feet on the ground.” .*

11-29-17, 03:27 AM	#1
BarracudaUAK Captain Join Date: Apr 2016 Posts: 520 Downloads: 33 Uploads: 0	Well, since my last post here, several things have changed... So my new PC will most likely be just a new video card. With the recent price drops (down well below launch prices!), and the DC (formerly DAL) code getting mainlined in Linux 4.15, I'm thinking Vega 64 will be the card. But now it comes down to 2 (or 3?) options. 1: Get the card now and use RC kernels (i.e. testing/alpha) until the kernel is "released" mid-January. 2: Wait a few months for the cards to drop down a bit more, and the code to be refined a bit further. Or 3: Wait until the replacement for the Vega launches, and get the Vega 64 dirt cheap. Decisions, decisions... But, I'm leaning toward "1". But the lack of cards in stock at most places means it will probably be either "2" or "3"... ohh well....... Barracuda

03-24-18, 04:25 AM	#5
BarracudaUAK Captain Join Date: Apr 2016 Posts: 520 Downloads: 33 Uploads: 0	Sad part is the Digital Currency Mining has the AMD RX 580 running about $500, and the Vega is $800+, some places list it for $1100. The RX 580 was ~$240-$280 when launched and the Vega was $500-$600 at launch. The Nvidia cards are $$$ as well, since the AMD cards prices went up (and are usually out of stock). So I'm still running my R9 380...... Barracuda