Check out my i7 920/X25-M build - Comments?

TidalWaveOne

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Apr 22, 2009
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What do you think? I'm happy. :)
http://www.htmlvalidator.com/CSEForum/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=753

200912opencase.jpg
 
Solution
Sleeve those wires ! :)

http://www.frozencpu.com/products/3726/slv-25/Ultra_Blue_UV_Reactive_14_Nylon_Cable_Sleeve.html?tl=g35c177s363
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/1845/ele-196/14_Blue_UV_Reactive_Heatshrink.html?tl=g35c181s374
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/3812/tiw-29/35_Blue_UV_Reactive_Tie_Wraps_10_Pack.html?tl=g35c34s264
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/8041/tiw-106/ModSmart_Wire_Saddle_-_38_Clip_Style_-_UV_Blue.html?tl=g35c34s806

Next time thru.....

consider the ez to install Megahalems and saved yaself some install headaches.....tonite I hit 4.4 Ghz on the OC'd 920 and running 24/7 @ 3.7 and voltage at 1.125 with core temps in mid 50's(C) on the Mega

Those 320 GB per platter Blacks are a bit outdated ...the newer...

TidalWaveOne

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Apr 22, 2009
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Thanks. It's a lot neater than my last machine. I really like the room in the full tower case. I will try to arrange the cables better when I upgrade to some beefier video cards next year, probably a couple of 5770's.

Any recommendations for "cable management" and using zip-ties and velcro? I'd be interested in learning some "cable management" techniques and seeing some photos.
 
Sleeve those wires ! :)

http://www.frozencpu.com/products/3726/slv-25/Ultra_Blue_UV_Reactive_14_Nylon_Cable_Sleeve.html?tl=g35c177s363
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/1845/ele-196/14_Blue_UV_Reactive_Heatshrink.html?tl=g35c181s374
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/3812/tiw-29/35_Blue_UV_Reactive_Tie_Wraps_10_Pack.html?tl=g35c34s264
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/8041/tiw-106/ModSmart_Wire_Saddle_-_38_Clip_Style_-_UV_Blue.html?tl=g35c34s806

Next time thru.....

consider the ez to install Megahalems and saved yaself some install headaches.....tonite I hit 4.4 Ghz on the OC'd 920 and running 24/7 @ 3.7 and voltage at 1.125 with core temps in mid 50's(C) on the Mega

Those 320 GB per platter Blacks are a bit outdated ...the newer HD's w/ 500 GB platters like the WD Black 2TB model or the Spinpoint F3 / Seagate 7200.12's

Ya won't see the real value of this system until ya update the GFX cards tho.

I'd be interested in seeing what performance difference if any that ya see with 12 GB vs 6.

Consider mem multiplier of 10 at 166 BCLK for 1660 RAM speed.
Consider dropping CPU and DRAM voltages
 
Solution

TidalWaveOne

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Apr 22, 2009
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Thanks... that's pretty neat. Sounds like a good idea... didn't think of sleeving the cables. I'd do it for neatness rather than glow though. I wish I had more time to "play" but this is a work system, not for play.



Never heard of that while I was doing my research.



I didn't really need that kind of speed for my mechanical storage. I would rather save the money. I did invest "big bucks" in a 160GB X25-M... and that makes a lot more difference!

But when prices come down and I need the space I may upgrade to a 2TB black.



Yep, I want to upgrade them but I don't do much 3D stuff. Where I see the biggest difference from my last system is in snappiness (GREAT system response) and compiling and linking code (at least I expect this when I get around to it next week).



My previous system had 8GB and that was pretty good for my needs. With 12GB, I feel the system will stay fast with all the stuff I run on my 4 monitors - browsers with many tabs, Outlook, my development environment, imaging programs, and a virtual machine here and there. I'm pretty sure 6GB wouldn't have "cut it" but 12GB should be more than enough for me.



If I did that then I would probably have to increase the timings form 7-7-7-20... I think I may have even tried that but it didn't work well.



I have my MB set to AUTO voltage for the CPU and 1.65V for the RAM because that's what the RAM says. Using AUTO seems to drop the CPU voltage down to below 1V when the multiplier is dropped to x12... if I set the voltage to something other than AUTO then would it stay at that voltage?

I'm not out to tweak every last bit of performance out of this thing... my main concern is stability and I also want to keep the power and heat generation low.
 

TidalWaveOne

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Apr 22, 2009
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Not bad. I see you have a nice Corsair power supply and a 5850. Looks like you also have the same model of Panasonic phone that I have and the same laser mouse! :)