I bought a computer in August of 2024. More specifically, I bought components from NewEgg Business and assembled a computer in a mid tower case. I’ll use my new PC as a workbench for hobby programming projects, including chess, for many years.
Name
Prior to building this PC, I had built a few computers from components, always naming them HomePC
. While building my prior chess PC, my wife, understanding every computer is assigned a name so it’s addressable on a local network, asked me, “What are you going to name it?” I replied and she expressed her disappointment, “That’s so boring.”
R2-D2
I learned my lesson: a fun name is required. I put on the original Star Wars film from 1977 for background entertainment while I assembled the PC. My wife’s favorite character from Star Wars is R2-D2, because he’s sassy and also because his scream is funny. So I named my new PC R2-D2
.
Hardware
- AMD Ryzen Threadripper 7980X CPU with 64 Cores (128 Logical Processors) @ 3.20 GHz
- Noctua NH-D9 TR5-SP6 CPU Heatsink + Fan
- CORSAIR RDIMM 128GB (4 x 32GB) DDR5 RAM @ 5600 MHz
- SAMSUNG 2TB M.2 Solid State Drive @ 5 GB/s
- ASRock Radeon RX 6600 8GB PCI Express 4.0 Video Card
- ASRock TRX50 TR5 EATX Motherboard, Not Overclocked
- CPU speed is not important to me.
- CPU cores and low temperature is important to me.
- See Impact of CPB / PBO on Thermals
- EVGA SuperNOVA G7 1000W Power Supply with Exhaust Fan
- Antec P20CE Mid-Tower E-ATX Case with 3 Intake + 4 Exhaust Fans
- CORSAIR XENEON 32″ 3840 x 2160 (4K) Monitor @ 144 Hz, Connected via DisplayPort to Video Card
- Logitech G815 LightSync RGB Mechanical Tactile Gaming Keyboard
- Logitech G403 Hero Gaming Mouse
- Microsoft Windows 11 Pro x64 Operating System
Software
- Hiarcs Chess Explorer Pro
- Play versus engines.
- Analyze games.
- Read through annotated PGN games downloaded from the Internet.
- Analyze positions.
- Organize databases of games.
- Cute Chess
- Run engine matches and tournaments.
- Play chess variants against engines. I haven’t yet, but Cute Chess supports many.
- Ordo
- Estimate engine ratings.
- Calculate likelihood of superiority.
- Chess.com Website
- Play online against engines and humans.
- Solve tactics puzzles.
- Take lessons from virtual coach.
- Watch instructional videos.
- Study openings and endgames.
- Read chess news.