need help with dual processor pc set up

[bjams87]

I think i posted this in the wrong section to begin with earlier. I have a HP Compaq xw8400 Motherboard Dual Processor CPU 442028-001 it has 2 Intel Xeon L5420 2.5GHz/12M/1333 Quad-Core LGA771 SLBBR CPU's with Micron/HP 16GB (8x 2GB) ECC Fully Buffered DDR2 PC-5300 Memory - 398707-051 would i be able to put that back in a tower and with a better GPU and put windows 7 on it for gaming and music....lighing took the pc i usualy use and i have the dual processor board and parts just in a box on the shelf

any advice for Graphics card and then hard drive set up would real welcome

 

[micropage7]

you gonna use the pc for gaming or just all around like browsing, office or something that light weight?

 

[bjams87]

well iam use it for gaming movie watching and net surfing all at the same time i multi task alot lol

 

[xxriznoxx]

That pc would be good, but it wouldnt be as up to date as most pc's nowadays. You wana get at least socket 1156 or 1155, its a little more pricy but it will last you longer than that rig you have.

I used to cherish old parts too, till i realize not everyone wants to use them like i do anymore. Better parts are out and cheap too.

 

[bjams87]

i figured if i could put a realy good graphics on it soo i can get my WOW addiction fix and possibly over clock the processors a little it would be close to what my old pc my last pc was.. my last pc was running on parts that where 8 years old soo it was sad when lighing stuck and took it

 

[xxriznoxx]

If you can get your hands a on a cheap 9800gt, you're good to go(guessing you're not looking into xtreme gaming). Or if it can handle higher end gpus. Considering how old the parts are, your psu is probably 450-550 watt, so you could probably get a gtx 460 700mb or the gtx 550. I dont know too much about AMD cards so i cant really suggest any for you.

 

[johnspack]

With both cpus, you're at close to 2600k levels in most areas. Of course your ram is much slower than modern systems, so that'll be a bit of a bottleneck. Comparative cpu performance here: http://www.cpubenchmark.net/cpu.php?cpu=[Dual+CPU]+Intel+Xeon+L5420+@+2.50GHz

 

[bjams87]

i actualy have a 880watt psu for it soo power not the problem and i do have enough water cooling parts from a pc store going out of buisness acution to water cool both processors for over clocking would need to find out if the the water pump in the box of parts still works first

got lucky there 3 of the same cpu water blocks in there got a big box of gumbled parts with it serveral years ago for 20 bucks...pays to go to a few acutions here and there i guess

iam just trying to use this this dual processor motherbaord soo i dont have to doump a couple hundred in to a new mb and cpu for now

also was wondering would i get better proformance on it to put linux os on it

 

[Completely Bonkers]

Answering the questions in your Original Post:

• You need to check the dimensions of your "workstation" mainboard. It might be EATX size that would require a compatible "server" sized case not just a regular tower case. Some tower cases are good, others not. So check carefully.
  
• Yes, the 2x L5420's would make a great games machine when paired with a suitable GPU. Shame you don't have E5420's because these can be "BSEL" modded to get to 3.0GHz. The L5420 can't run at those speeds without bluescreens. Check ebay once in a while for E5440 or E5450 going cheap. Would make a quick upgrade and you could trade them for the server-preferred (cooler) L5420's
  
• Any GPU would be fine... just make sure you have the necessary free cables from your current PSU. The about-to-be-launched 660Ti would be a very nice match for your machine... and would last a CPU upgrade in a year or two time.
  
• Your mainboard will be RAID compatible... but TBH I would not spend time trying to set a RAID up, since you are relatively "new" to building systems. I would recommend a SSD for your OS and pagefile, and any modern HDD for data.
  
• With the amount of memory you have, you might want to try a RAMDISK. See http://www.techpowerup.com/forums/showthread.php?t=107670

 

[bjams87]

i got dual water cooling setups for it and got the processors switched to what Completely Bonkers suggested just needs a new powers supply and some hdd and then i can start to post pics as i put it together

 

[INSTG8R]

I would question that being it was a Compaq "pre-built" The BIOS isn't gonna allow alot of options as far as Overclocking goes. You could try SetFSB that is usually the "work around for OEM Motherboards/BIOS's.
It's good you got yourself the better CPU's tho.
Good luck with your build and look forward to the pictures.

 

[Kreij]

Build yourself an awesome new rig for gaming and use the Dual Xeon setup for a awesome game server.
Twice the awesomeness !!

 

[bjams87]

is there anyway i can run this setup without a SSd drive

 

[INSTG8R]

is there anyway i can run this setup without a SSd drive

Not sure what you mean? I mean a regular HDD would work just the "same" just the speed difference between the 2 obviously.

Edit:Having a dig for the Specs on the Board it has SATA II ports and SAS ports. So you have "options"

The SPECS pdf I dug up.

 

[Nordic]

is there anyway i can run this setup without a SSd drive

The ssd is optional. You can just install everything onto a regular hdd and not use an ssd. Trust us though, you will not regret an ssd. An ssd is my next upgrade.

 

[bjams87]

iam just trying to get it up and runing now soo i have a pc to us in stead of my freinds laptop cuss itll be a month before i can afford a decent ssd

 

[Completely Bonkers]

Good luck!

What CPUs are you running now? Are you running the BSEL mod? What are you going to do with the old L5420's? (I'm interested )