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Final touches/Check before purchase

Forum Homebuilt Systems : New System Build - Final touches/Check before purchase

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I've posted a similar thread a while back but I wanna be sure before I start buying my parts. I'm completly new to watercooling and this is my first actual computer build. I want something I can game with at high fps, for various games. I want to overclock and eventually SLI it.

System usage: Gaming, Movies, web surfing, Photoshop

Case: COOLER MASTER HAF 932

EVGA E760 CLASSIFIED "Overclocker's Pick" 3-Way SLI + PhysX 1366 Intel X58 EATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813188048

CPU: Intel Core i7 920 Nehalem 2.66GHz

Power Supply: CORSAIR CMPSU-850HX 850W ATX12V 2.3 / EPS12V 2.91 80 PLUS SILVER Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] &Tpk=850hx

GPU: XFX GX295NHWFF GeForce GTX 295 1792MB 896 (448 x 2)-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817139007[/url]

HDD's: Possibly a Caviar black 1 tb, and Raid 0 SSD's, - Need opinions!

RAM: OCZ Platinum 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Low Voltage Desktop Memory Model
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820227381

Watercooling: For right now, I'd like to just watercool the Cpu, and the gpu. I'd like to know if there any any obvious upgrades or parts that can be replaced with better ones. I plan on using tygon tubing btw, and are 2 radiators necessary? I seem to see most builds having two.




http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/heatkiller1366.html Cpu WB


http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/hegpgt1.html

Swiftech MCP655-B 12v DC Pump w/Tach Sensor
http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/swmc12vdcpuw.html

http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/dubayreforla.html - Res

http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/fex360mmxtpe.html
-Rad

I appreciate the help!


Message edited by ty14 on 08-22-2009 at 06:36:41 PM
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- 0 +

I'm not a big fan of water cooling since it's expensive and higher maintenance, but with high quality stuff you do get amazing results. As for using two radiators, it probably isn't necessary, but you might get better cooling capacity if your system is generating enough heat that one radiator can't cool your fluid down completely.

As for the GPU + waterblock, why not go with a pre-built Gfx card that has both? EVGA has a GTX 295 HydroCopper that is good to go with water cooling right out of the box. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814130505 think Tom's ran some bench marks on the water cooled ones and they did well.

Reply to wathman
- 0 +

I completly forgot about that, even though I read the article for it >_>, I'll definatly consider it since it seems cheaper than buying the 295 and the WB seperate.

Reply to ty14

you wont need a 1000 watt psu with that build

GTX 295 will run on a quality 650 watt psu , but 850 watts is about right

Reply to Outlander_04

Dont get the classified board, it doesnt give you many extra features for the significantly higher cost. You can save $50 by dropping down to the 850HX
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] &Tpk=850hx

And you will get better performance and lower cost out of 2 GTX275's in SLI but for most people a single one is plenty. Saves you 30 and will provide better performance, and its actually in stock.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814150364

Reply to hunter315
- 0 +

you could wait for the i5's to come out and save, but its up to you.
your build looks good but whats your budget

Reply to nun

the i7 is still going to be better than the i5s so its not really worth waiting, especially if you have a microcenter near you and can pick up the 920 for $200

Reply to hunter315
- 0 +

hunter315 wrote :

Dont get the classified board, it doesnt give you many extra features for the significantly higher cost. You can save $50 by dropping down to the 850HX
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] &Tpk=850hx

And you will get better performance and lower cost out of 2 GTX275's in SLI but for most people a single one is plenty. Saves you 30 and will provide better performance, and its actually in stock.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814150364


What board do you suggest? Bloodrage or Rampage II Extreme?

Thanks about the cpu, I'll switch that up.

@ hunter: Yeah I 'll do, I'll pick that up - Thanks =D.

Now about the WC stuff, any tips anyone?

Is the memory I have listed enough?

Reply to ty14

For gaming you wont get a benefit above 6GB, no need to spend money on more. You just want tri-sli at 16/16/8 right?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813188046
That saves you $115 after the classified's $30 MIR


Message edited by hunter315 on 08-21-2009 at 12:37:54 AM
Reply to hunter315
- 0 +

How is that compared to bloodrage? They are the same price, and I see the bloodrage used in a lot of builds, which is why I keep bringing it up.

I do like the TR-3 though.

Reply to ty14

You have the wrong link for your graphics card.

Reply to ragsters
- 0 +

See one item you missed for your Water (Liquid) cool system and that is the Clamps. I would suggest the Metal type Clamps.
Go to site below, they have at least 14 different Metal Clamps
http://www.performance-pcs.com/cat [...] 30e3b00776

Since you are going to be ater Cooling, why not carry it over to your Graphic Card, here are two you should look at.
EVGA 017-P3-1297-AR CO-OP Hydro Copper GeForce GTX 295 1792MB 896 (448 x 2)-bit $699.99
(comes with nozzles)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814130505

BFG Tech BFGEGTX2951792H2OCWBE GeForce GTX 295 H2OC 1792MB 896 (448 x 2)-bit $769.99
(single card slot and comes with the nozzles)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814143200

If you are set on staying with the Evga Classified mobo, I would suggest you get the Northbridge/Southbridge Water Block.
Bitspower BP-WBEIX58NSC-BK BLACK FREEZER for EVGA®'s Classified Motherboards $179.95
http://www.performance-pcs.com/cat [...] s_id=25641

EK-FB KIT EVGA X58 CLASSIFIED Full Board North/Southbridge Water Block - Act+Nik $144.95
http://www.performance-pcs.com/cat [...] s_id=25769

Koolance MB-EVX58CF (EVGA X58 Classified) [no nozzles] $79.99
http://www.performance-pcs.com/cat [...] s_id=25594

Sidewinders also has two Northbridge/Southbridge chipset water block coolers' for the Classified.
EK-FB EVGA X58 Classified - Acetal Nickel $139.95
http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/ekevx58clacn.html

Bitspower Black Freezer EIX58NSC for EVGA X58 Classified $169.95
http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/biblfreifore.html

The reason I suggest one of these Northbridge/Southbridge chipset water block is that is where EVGA is having high temps problems on there X58 boards and since you are planning on Water Cooling it would make sense to do these also. Would suggest a Dual Loop system.

Would also suggest you go with one of these Pumps.
Swiftech MCP655 12v DC Pump - with Speed Controller $77.95
http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/swmc12vdcpu.html

Swiftech MCP655-B 12v DC Pump w/Tach Sensor $65.95
http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/swmc12vdcpuw.html

Aquastream XT USB 12v DC Pump - Ultra Version $149.95
http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/aqxtusb12vdc.html
http://www.performance-pcs.com/cat [...] s_id=22883

Since I notice that Sidewinders is out of stock on your Reservoir, I fould it here for $5.00 more.
XSPC Dual Bay Reservoir $54.95
http://www.performance-pcs.com/cat [...] s_id=25767

Quote :

HDD's: Possibly a Caviar black 1 tb, and Raid 0 SSD's, - Need opinions!

Imho I would go with the WD 1tb Black HDD for now and wait until late 4th qtr or early 1st qtr to go SSD. By then prices on most SSD's will be lower.

Also do not forget to check out the Combo Deals that NewEgg has on the items you are choosing, its a good way to save some more money on them.

Hope this has been some help. Good Luck on your upcoming Build and please keep us inform on its progress. :hello:

Message quoted 1 times
Message edited by Yoosty on 08-21-2009 at 07:08:15 PM
Reply to Yoosty
- 0 +

Also, SSDs aren't quite where I'd want them in terms of performance I'm willing to pay for. The high end Intel SLC SSDs are great, but still about $500 for a tiny drive. The Intel MLCs do great for read performance, but their Write speeds aren't any better than mechanical drives that are 1/4 the cost. By early next year, performance per dollar should be much better for SSDs in general.

Reply to wathman
- 0 +

Yoosty wrote :

See one item you missed for your Water (Liquid) cool system and that is the Clamps. I would suggest the Metal type Clamps.
Go to site below, they have at least 14 different Metal Clamps
http://www.performance-pcs.com/cat [...] 30e3b00776

Since you are going to be ater Cooling, why not carry it over to your Graphic Card, here are two you should look at.
EVGA 017-P3-1297-AR CO-OP Hydro Copper GeForce GTX 295 1792MB 896 (448 x 2)-bit $699.99
(comes with nozzles)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814130505

BFG Tech BFGEGTX2951792H2OCWBE GeForce GTX 295 H2OC 1792MB 896 (448 x 2)-bit $769.99
(single card slot and comes with the nozzles)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814143200

If you are set on staying with the Evga Classified mobo, I would suggest you get the Northbridge/Southbridge Water Block.
Bitspower BP-WBEIX58NSC-BK BLACK FREEZER for EVGA®'s Classified Motherboards $179.95
http://www.performance-pcs.com/cat [...] s_id=25641

EK-FB KIT EVGA X58 CLASSIFIED Full Board North/Southbridge Water Block - Act+Nik $144.95
http://www.performance-pcs.com/cat [...] s_id=25769

Koolance MB-EVX58CF (EVGA X58 Classified) [no nozzles] $79.99
http://www.performance-pcs.com/cat [...] s_id=25594

Sidewinders also has two Northbridge/Southbridge chipset water block coolers' for the Classified.
EK-FB EVGA X58 Classified - Acetal Nickel $139.95
http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/ekevx58clacn.html

Bitspower Black Freezer EIX58NSC for EVGA X58 Classified $169.95
http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/biblfreifore.html

The reason I suggest one of these Northbridge/Southbridge chipset water block is that is where EVGA is having high temps problems on there X58 boards and since you are planning on Water Cooling it would make sense to do these also. Would suggest a Dual Loop system.

Would also suggest you go with one of these Pumps.
Swiftech MCP655 12v DC Pump - with Speed Controller $77.95
http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/swmc12vdcpu.html

Swiftech MCP655-B 12v DC Pump w/Tach Sensor $65.95
http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/swmc12vdcpuw.html

Aquastream XT USB 12v DC Pump - Ultra Version $149.95
http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/aqxtusb12vdc.html
http://www.performance-pcs.com/cat [...] s_id=22883

Since I notice that Sidewinders is out of stock on your Reservoir, I fould it here for $5.00 more.
XSPC Dual Bay Reservoir $54.95
http://www.performance-pcs.com/cat [...] s_id=25767

Quote :

HDD's: Possibly a Caviar black 1 tb, and Raid 0 SSD's, - Need opinions!

Imho I would go with the WD 1tb Black HDD for now and wait until late 4th qtr or early 1st qtr to go SSD. By then prices on most SSD's will be lower.

Also do not forget to check out the Combo Deals that NewEgg has on the items you are choosing, its a good way to save some more money on them.

Hope this has been some help. Good Luck on your upcoming Build and please keep us inform on its progress. :hello:

Wow this has hellped me a ton, I'll switch my current pump to the middle one you suggested, and if I do go with the classified, I'll definatly get the NB/SB waterblock.

Yesterday I picked up the i7 920 at microcenter for 199 like you guys suggested. So far I only have the Case/Cpu, this friday I'll pick more parts, probably most of the water cooling.

Reply to ty14
- 0 +

I would have gone for the GTX275 instead, cheaper and still really good

Reply to tju2an

I actually would recommend buying a regular air cooled GTX 295. You can get some of them for $470 right now, then buy a water block of your choice for around $130-190. With those you'll still be saving money and you'll have a choice of water block. Your looking at around $600-650 for a water cooled GTX 295 instead of $700-780.

I also just noticed you had a link to a dual PCB GTX 295 water block, yet all new GTX 295s are single PCB. Make sure you get the correct water block!!

Reply to volks1470
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