Member Avatar for EXP

AMD Athlon64 FX-55
Sapphires Radeon X850XT Platinum
2x1024MB Corsair TwinX DDR550 CL2.0
2x74GB Western Digital Raptor @ RAID 0
2x400GB Seagate Barracuda 7200.8 @ RAID 0
BenQ DW1625 LightScribe
Antec True550W ATX
ViewSonic VP171 17" LCD


What do you think of it? :lol:

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  • 1 Week Discussion Span
  • Latest Post Latest Post by Catweazle

Dani AI

Generated

Nice rig — here's a short, practical add-on that fills a few gaps in the replies and keeps the build useful long-term. This expands on points raised by (compatibility) and (backups), and offers an alternative take on ’s backup suggestion.

Double-check platform compatibility before you bolt it together. Confirm the board’s CPU support list and any BIOS versions required for newer processors. Verify memory is installed in the correct paired slots for dual‑channel operation and that timings/voltages match the DIMMs’ specs (set them explicitly in BIOS if needed). Pay attention to VRM cooling and the CPU cooler mounting — high-end CPUs need solid contact and good airflow.

Power, cooling and storage: make sure the PSU has comfortable headroom for peak loads and the right connectors for all drives and add‑in cards. RAID‑0 gives a big speed win but raises failure risk — the probability of array failure rises with each drive added. Have an automated backup plan: periodic full disk images plus daily incremental backups stored off the array (external USB/NAS or removable media). Use S.M.A.R.T. monitoring and keep a UPS to protect arrays and avoid mid‑write corruption.

Quick checklist to follow before first boot:

  • Verify motherboard CPU support list and apply any required BIOS update.
  • Populate RAM in correct paired slots and set correct timings/voltage.
  • Confirm PSU wattage/connectors and improve case airflow around drives.
  • Choose hardware RAID or proper drivers; test OS install with RAID drivers available.
  • Implement automated image+file backups off the RAID and run a restore test.
  • Enable S.M.A.R.T./temperature monitoring and use a UPS for the system.

These steps address the common pitfalls raised in the thread and will keep the system stable and recoverable.

Recommended Answers

All 9 Replies

Member Avatar for Coconut Monkey

I think you missed something..... ;)

Member Avatar for Catweazle

A few things actually. I reckon it's not gonna be very useful ;)

Member Avatar for EXP

What did I miss? :-/

Member Avatar for Catweazle

What you gonna plug that Athlon FX into?

Member Avatar for EXP

Hmm, alright. The motherboard of course. Asus A8V-Deluxe. Why asked for that?

Member Avatar for kc0arf

Hi,

Motherboards tie everything all together. If you want performance, your motherboard design determines the clock refresh rate, the memory update rate, front and backside caching, and a bunch of other things.

I notice that you are missing some sort of backup device for your striped hard drives. I would hate to see you post in our Windows forum that you are missing files, and need help recovering them.

I'd love to run Linux on this one, actually.

Christian

Member Avatar for EXP

Backup device as in?

Member Avatar for LoafOfBread34

A tape drive.

Member Avatar for Catweazle

Hmm, alright. The motherboard of course. Asus A8V-Deluxe. Why asked for that?

It might surprise you to see just how many people ask for advice about their proposed system, and it turns out that they've chosen a motherboard and processor which are actually incompatible. :D

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