How Much is Too Much?

[casualbuilder]

I am currently in the process of purchasing a new pc, upgrading to a

AMD Phenom II X2 555 Black Edition Callisto 3.2GHz Socket AM3 80W Dual-Core Desktop Processor - C3 Revision HDZ555WFGMBOX

with a ZALMAN CNPS9900ALED 120mm 2 Ball CPU cooler.

The mobo has copper heatsink as well. Any users with experience with this combo be albe to tell me a stable OC rate?

The case is an AZZA Slolano 1000 for added info.

 

[saint19]

Hi.

What exactly mobo do you want buy?

 

[casualbuilder]

ASUS M4N98TD EVO AM3 NVIDIA nForce 980a SLI ATX AMD Motherboard

Im an ASUS junkie!

 

[saint19]

Don't buy that.

For a little more your can get this mobo: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131736 that comes with better chipset, support SLI and Crossfire and the upcoming Bulldozers CPUs

 

[casualbuilder]

Would you upgrade the Heatsink for the North & South Bridge?

 

[casualbuilder]

Also, will this support my Corsair Vengence (2x4) 1600 RAM if i OC? What are the Bulldozers CPUs? Lastly, will a AM3 Processor fit in the AM3+ Socket?

 

[casualbuilder]

Do not like the reviews on that board. even 4 star reviews have similar cons to the 1 and 2 star reviews. I think ill wait for a 2nd gen Sabertooth to come out. Thank you though.

 

[saint19]

Another options is MSI or Gigabyte, the MSI 990FXA-GD65 is very solid for low price. The heatsink for NB and SB works as they should work, if you want upgrade that go with water.

Your Vengeance can works without problems there. The Bulldozer CPUs are the upcoming CPU from AMD, the replacement of the current AM3 line including your X2 555. The AM3 CPU fit without problems in the AM3+ socket, I tested that few months ago with the mobo that I say few line above.

 

[casualbuilder]

Gigabyte one looks great! Many more positive reviews, outside of the complaint about the NB Heatsink (not a problem). Will this board have any issues unlocking the other 1 or 2 cores? Im also not seeing any OC capability outside of RAM specs. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[saint19]

Well, the unlock cores are 50% / 50%, can works or can't. 90% of the mobos comes with core unlocker, so, you have the chance to test if you can unlock the cores or not.

What model are you seeing?

 

[casualbuilder]

GIGABYTE GA-990FXA-UD5 AM3+ AMD 990FX SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard

 

[saint19]

That's a very good mobo, overclock very well and have very good features for overclock.

 

[casualbuilder]

With that mobo, Phenom II 555,

AZZA Solano 1000 Black/Black Japanese SECC Steel/Metal mesh in front ATX Full Tower Computer Case

a ZALMAN CNPS9900ALED 120mm 2 Ball Low-noise Blue LED CPU Cooler,

what would you say is my max processor speed? I am also running a

PNY VCGGTX560XPB GeForce GTX 560 (Fermi) 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card

Its powered by a

ABS Majesty series MJ1100-M Continuous 1100W@50°C ATX12V/EPS12V 80 PLUS GOLD Certified, Single 12V Rail, Modular Flat Cable

 

[saint19]

That's 3.2GHz CPU, so, maybe you can hit the 4GHz o a little more stable.

 

[casualbuilder]

4.0GHz would be my low goal, with anything after that adding to my excitement. I will be using Arctic Silver Thermal Grease as well. Besides what i have, is there anything else i can do outside of spending 2x's the money on a better process to guarantee 4.0GHz plus?

 

[saint19]

Nothing, in the CPU world is just luck and not money.

 

[casualbuilder]

-AZZA Hurrican 2000 CSAZ-2000 Black SECC Japanese Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case

-GIGABYTE GA-990FXA-UD5 AM3+ AMD 990FX SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard

-AMD Phenom II X2 555 Black Edition Callisto 3.2GHz Socket AM3 80W Dual-Core Desktop Processor - C3 Revision HDZ555WFGMBOX

-ZALMAN CNPS9900ALED 120mm 2 Ball Low-noise Blue LED CPU Cooler
Item #: N82E16835118046

-PNY VCGGTX560XPB GeForce GTX 560 (Fermi) 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card

-Kingston HyperX 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model KHX1600C9D3X1K2/8GX

-HITACHI Deskstar 7K3000 HDS723015BLA642 (0F12114) 1.5TB 7200 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

-CORSAIR Professional Series HX650 (CMPSU-650HX) 650W ATX12V v2.2 / EPS12V 2.91 SLI Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Modular

 

[casualbuilder]

-upgraded to the AX750 80 Plus Gold Certified.

 

[saint19]

Very solid components and the PSU support a GTX 560 Ti SLI.

 

[casualbuilder]

So i could run 2 of my cards on that PSU?

 

[saint19]

Yeah, without problems.

 

[casualbuilder]

So I can run SLI on 2 cards, as well as OC my system as far as it can handle (RAM, MOBO, Vid Card, CPU)? That is impressive. Would you consider the CORSAIR Professional Series HX850 at the same price? Its Siver instead of Gold, but i dont see a big enough difference in that.

 

[casualbuilder]

also, heard some pretty bad reviews on the Air Flow on the AzzA Hurrican 2000. What do you think of the IN WIN Dragon Rider Black? Fan capacity is amazing! Same price.

 

[casualbuilder]

Better yet, how about the IN WIN Maelstrom Black SECC(0.8~1.0mm) ATX Full Tower Computer Case, it has many expansion slots for the 120mm fans, up to 9 i believe, and i was planning on removing the crappy 230mm side fan anyways. I have Scythe 120mm fans picked out as i received a bulk order discount for 110cfm fans. 6 could fit on side panel, 2 on top, and a rear (maybe front as well totalling 10) could be installed for massive air flow.

 

[saint19]

For less price you can get the same case that I have.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119225&nm_mc=OTC-Froogle&cm_mmc=OTC-Froogle-_-Cases+(Computer+Cases+-+ATX+Form)-_-Cooler+Master-_-11119225

Or for $20 more than the IN Win, you can get this:

http://www.directron.com/cc800dw.html?gsear=1

Regarding the PSU, the AX is one of the best Corsai¡r's series, so, I'd keep that one.