The Asus Maximus Formula (sounds like a late night infomercial product) you selected is an outstanding board, assuming you don't need more than two PCIe x16 slots. For the extra 150 bucks you bought technology that will take you a little farther into the future. A trader who wants to run, say, six monitors on three 2-port PCIe x16 video cards, would select the Asus P5E3 instead of the Maximus. The P5E3 has three PCIe x16 slots. As a general side comment about video, I think it's better not to mix PCIe video with PCI video -- having all PCIe x16 cards is better. If you're buying from scratch, or just want to ensure reliable operation, use all the same video cards, preferably based on nVidia chipsets.
The massive copper heat sink made me drool. I lost all my self control and surrendered my credit card. The Northbridge and Southbridge must be made out of toaster elements.
I've had NVS 285x16 + 285x1 to run 4 monitors.. Also had 285x16 + 280 PCI to run 4 monitors... Tried both combinations in the same machine. There was no difference in video quality nor performance. Settled on 285x16 + 280 PCI to satisfy my TV tuner.
I've had NVS 285x16 + 285x1 to run 4 monitors.. Also had 285x16 + 280 PCI to run 4 monitors... Tried both combinations in the same machine. There was no difference in video quality nor performance. Settled on 285x16 + 280 PCI to satisfy my TV tuner. ALL mobos should have 3 or 4 x16 slots and 3 or 4 PCI slots.... screwing around with x1, x4, x8 has all been really lame so far.
The kids who've grown up with desktop pc's already common place perhaps don't realise what an amazing piece of technology they have access to.Very interesting thread.
My first trading rig was an XT class machine with 2 floppies (no hard drive), and a 14" CRT... including satellite receiver for $9,000 total cost. Now you can get 10,000x the computing power and use the broker's data/charting and be out only about $500.
Played around this weekend with the E8400 intel 45nm chip with overclocking. Hit 4.2 ghz with only 1 click up in the voltage............it dropped after the first boot. A second click up with voltage was solid. I dropped down to 3.8g and stayed with STOCK voltage etc. runs sweet low temps also. never a crash, this chip overclocks really good. Yes i am watercooled in this box but that was more to get the box as silent as possible and even my picky bro in law said "man it is QUIET" when under stress .. Paid $245 for that chip and it will get all the work down for 2 years until i do a 32 nm box. When i connect this up as the ORDER ENTRY box AFTER VISTA service pack 1 comes out real soon i will be finished. Forget cheap so called silent fans..........for quiet you need to spend a few dollars. http://www.jab-tech.com/Noctua-120mm-Fan-NF-S12-1200-pr-3629.html Those fans were recommended to me from Willie "Long Dong" from hong kong in the chat, they are well worth the money. I cheap fan will not get the job done. later , time to make some bacon.
I'd rather purchase the Corsair VX-450W with a single +12v rail at 33A for $80.00 at NewEgg. Although it is interesting to note that both the +3.3v rail and +5v rails are rated at 20A while the "Silencer-470" by PC Power & Cooling are rated at 28A and 32A respectively. ( +12V rail at 26A ).