Gaming rig w/water-cooling [Budget $1,750]

[noobz1lla]

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: Whenever is better. Today,tomorrow, Friday.

BUDGET RANGE: ($1,750) Before / After Rebates

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Gaming, gaming, maybe some gaming, then after that some gaming, and if I have time before bed gaming.

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers, case (HAF 932), OS Win 7 64, HD 2 x 1 TB WD black, 1 500G WD black.

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: Newegg, Amazon (no sales tax)

PARTS PREFERENCES: Intel, Nvidia, Asus, Gigabyte, Mushkin, Corsair.

OVERCLOCKING: Yes
SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Maybe

MONITOR RESOLUTION: I'm currently in the market for a new HDTV. So 1920x1080. My current 5 year old Panny plasma is 720p

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: The HAF 932 is a great case and inspired me to go water-cooling. Please do not suggest socket 1156 and a core I5 750. It's only around an extra $100 for x58.


Parts list.

CPU:
Intel I7 930 $290

Mobo: This was a tough one. I wanted to go with one of those new Asus with Sata III/USB 3.0 but I've got no complaints with my current gigabyte p35-DS3L.

So is the UD5 that much better than the UD3? If not I'll go with
Gigabyte Ud3 $210

Ram.
6GB Corsair XMS3 $200

PSU- That 750w Corsair that everyone has. $110

GFX card
Evga GTX 470 $500



Total cost $1,450

and I'll allocate around $200-300 for my water-cooling setup. Do you guys know what company makes quality water-cooling equipment? I heard good stuff about Swiftech until reading reviews on newegg.

Should i plan on having a second loop for my GFX card?

Thanks.

 

[builderbobftw]

If you realy want to pay 650$ for a GTX 480, inteadof a 5970, I have nothing to say to you.

 

[noobz1lla]

Then why are you here? To rag on me for my decision? Thank you. I'm ok on the 5970. Part of the reason I'm putting this together is because I think water-cooling will fix what ails the 470.

 

[builderbobftw]

If you relay think that, Than I or any other person on the thread can't help you.

Only a trained professional can do that.

Why pay 1000$ for a GTX 480 instaeed of 750$ for a 5970?

 

[noobz1lla]

You're not understanding the point. If you buy just a GTX 480 it is $500 OKAY? still listening a GPU block is $100. Still with me? you are paying Evga a $50 premium to install the waterblock for you and give you a warranty on the whole deal. Does that make sense to you?

Now you obviously don't have anything constructive to say. So can you stop commenting on this thread.

 

[builderbobftw]

You do have a loop and a radieter?

A liquid kit is 200-300$+

So a GTX 480 on Liquid is more than a 5970.

 

[noobz1lla]

You do have a loop and a radieter?

A liquid kit is 200-300$+

So a GTX 480 on Liquid is more than a 5970.

I don't know what a radieter is? Do you mean a radiator?
Slow down. stop mashing those keys together in a frenzy. No I don't already have a loop. I came here for advice on parts for one. The error in your logic is that you are considering the loop into the cost of the GTX 480. I will also use it to cool my CPU. Man these Fermi cards bring out the worst in people

 

[builderbobftw]

Whatever, buy it, you deserve it and it deserves you.

 

[noobz1lla]

Whatever, buy it, you deserve it and it deserves you.

Thank you for your approval. Let's agree to disagree.

 

[Shadow703793]

Wow.... massive waste in the GPU department.

Anyways,

You will need:
MCP655 + Microres
Swiftech MCR320
For cooling just the GPU.

If you want to add the CPU, you'll need to do a separate loop:
MCP 655
MCR 320
Swiftech XT, HK 3.0 or EK Supreme HF.


At the end of the day, it's you're money, do as you wish.

One more thing: WCing can only help you so much, I doubt that it will give you more than a 20% OC/performance gain total.

edit:

Also, drop the UD3R and get a P6T SE. I'v had a UD3R and switched it to a P6T Deluxe v2 due to vdroop issues,etc.

 

[noobz1lla]

Best answer selected by Noobz1lla.

 

[builderbobftw]

He he, I like how Shadow came in a day later, and repeated what I said, and he got the best awnser from the noob.

 

[feriluce]

The 480 is the same price as the 5970, and all benchmarks I've seen has been the 5970 quite a bit above the 480 performance wise.

Personally I think the Fermi cards are a huge waste of money, but hey.

 

[noobz1lla]

Also, drop the UD3R and get a P6T SE. I'v had a UD3R and switched it to a P6T Deluxe v2 due to vdroop issues,etc.

At this point in the game I don't want to get a mobo that doesn't come with SATA 3, USB 3.0

So how about this mother board?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131614&Tpk=Asus%20P6X58D




Will those parts you suggested be enough to cool my I7,480 on a single loop with a 4 X 120mm radiator? Or will I need two separate loops? In that case should i go with two smaller radiators?

Thanks.

 

[builderbobftw]

2 loops.

Go for the HAF-922.

 

[noobz1lla]

2 loops.

Go for the HAF-922.

One step ahead. I've got a 932

Greatest case I've ever had!

 

[builderbobftw]

Yep.

Like a more expensive version of the 922.

And are you sure you want to buck up for the WC setup?

Are you sure you want a GTX 480 WC instead of a normal 5970 or even a 5970 WC?

 

[noobz1lla]

Yep.

Like a more expensive version of the 922.

And are you sure you want to buck up for the WC setup?

Are you sure you want a GTX 480 WC instead of a normal 5970 or even a 5970 WC?

You have a valid point with the 5970 argument. I think I will probably hold off on the GTX 480 for now, not hard as they aren't even available yet.

For the moment think I will just stick with my 8800 GS that I've had for all these years. To tell you the truth most games I play at the resolutions I play (720p ) don't justify a 300+ GFX card. I'm going to focus on a new monitor before I buy a new GFX card. Any suggestions on monitors? Plasma or LCD for PC gaming? I'm currently playing on a 50in Panny Plasma that's like 4-5 years old with 60hz refresh rate. Burn-in is a non issue. What technology process motion better?

You guys think 240hz is that much better than 120hz? or does Plasma have them all beat with 600(marketing-gimmick)hz?

 

[feriluce]

Whats the point of a huge refreshrate on a monitor? You cant see the difference when you go above 60-80 fps anyway.

I believe you need at least 120hz if you plan on doing the 3d thing though.

 

[Shadow703793]

So how about this mother board?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] s%20P6X58D

Sure, if you got the budget.

Will those parts you suggested be enough to cool my I7,480 on a single loop with a 4 X 120mm radiator? Or will I need two separate loops? In that case should i go with two smaller radiators?

2 loops. esp, given the 400W+ of heat for both the CPU and GPU once OCed.

 

[Shadow703793]

Whats the point of a huge refreshrate on a monitor? You cant see the difference when you go above 60-80 fps anyway.

I believe you need at least 120hz if you plan on doing the 3d thing though.

There are things you can do in some games that can't be done at say 60-80fps and requite 120fps. These aren't exactly "mods/hacks,etc" but rather has to do with the game engine itself. For example, in some games having a 120 fps increases your chances of a "hit" in a MP game. On a pro server/games, this matters.

 

[feriluce]

There are things you can do in some games that can't be done at say 60-80fps and requite 120fps. These aren't exactly "mods/hacks,etc" but rather has to do with the game engine itself. For example, in some games having a 120 fps increases your chances of a "hit" in a MP game. On a pro server/games, this matters.

Why exactly would you increase your chance to hit by playing at 120 fps over 60 fps?

 

[builderbobftw]

When you Pro Mod matches, It's a huge help.

 

[Shadow703793]

^ Exactly. I find it funny that most people don't know these little tricks....

@feriluce: If you're talking about HOW/WHY this happens: this is due to a bug/implementation of the game engine.

 

[builderbobftw]

Yep, Everyone in Pro Mod takes it realy serious.

I think 99% of people are playing at 120 frames there.