My Chess PC

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 “HomePC” and she expressed her disappointment, “That’s so boring.”

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 and 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 or individual positions.
  • Read through annotated PGN games downloaded from the Internet.
  • Enter positions and moves as I read through a chess book.
  • Organize databases of games.
• Myracle to run engine tournaments.
• Ordo to estimate engine ratings.
• Chess.com Website
  • Play online against humans and engines (chess.com calls engine “bots”).
  • Solve tactics puzzles.
  • Read chess news.
  • Take lessons and watch instructional videos.
  • Study openings and endgames.