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Graphics: MSI R4890-T2D1G OC (CrossFireX)
The biggest question in CrossFireX graphics is whether to use four graphics processors or three. While AMD's Radeon HD 4870 X2 offers two graphics processors on a single double-slot card, the Radeon HD 4870 graphics processor is not AMD's fastest part. For that, we look to the Radeon HD 4890, which takes us back to the question of whether to use four cards or three, since our motherboard does support four.
Yet, so many readers have requested that our highest-priced system have SSD drives that we spent the money required for a fourth Radeon HD 4890 on storage instead. That single budgetary restriction allowed us to put aside any questions about three- to four-GPU CrossFire scaling.
Read Customer Reviews of MSI's R4890-T2D1G OC
A great number of Radeon HD 4890 solutions were available, but MSI’s overclocked R4890-T2D1G OC was the best-value part with which to use AMD’s standard cooling solution. We insisted on the standard cooler because it vents heated air out the rear panel, rather than into the case where it would affect CPU cooling.
Power: Corsair CMPSU-1000HX (1,000W Modular)
Nobody likes cable clutter and Corsair has delivered the two best modular units this lab has ever seen: the CMPSU-1000HX (1,000 W) and CMPSU-850HX (850 W). Both feature an 80 PLUS efficiency rating and provide the six PCIe power connections our triple-4890 graphics cards require. The 850W model has the advantage of even better efficiency, while the 1,000W part has more capacity and the question of which we should choose lingered for days. Eventually the “safe option” to go big prevailed.
Read Customer Reviews of Corsair's CMPSU-1000HX
The $40 price difference between the 1,000W and 850W versions carried little weight, but our later testing proved that the 850W unit would have been more than adequate, since the AMD processor we overclocked consumes far less power than the overclocked Core i7s to which we’d become accustomed. There’s even enough power left in the 1000HX to expand to four graphics cards, but such configurations would require two four-pin to PCIe adapters to be spread across two cards so that all four cards got at least one native PCIe cable.
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Just thinking about winning this system in the giveaway gets me excited.
Me too this is an awesome build.
... do the video compression using ATi Streem...
The Quality of video on ATI streem is shit on sticks and doesn't even support high profile.
The last build was a bit too odd for me but this one seems like a very nice chose of parts and on a larger screen set up makes a lot of sense the loss of i7 for AMD only build was a bit sad but the addition of those great SSD kind of makes up for me along with the nice chose of case and cooling. That case looks like it is very nice to work on.
The Corsair CMPSU-850HX is rated Silver, not Gold. Nice build, good results, great work.
@Dirtman
http://www.80plus.org/manu/psu/psu [...] =25&type=2
Check your sources because you have it wrong
CMPSU-850HX ATX12V 850 90.38% Gold
Please don't call RAID 1 a backup solution.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817139011
Newegg says differently. I did check sources.
So does Jonnyguru
http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.p [...] 2&reid=153
I guess you just can't believe everything you find on a brands site.
now that is one slick gaming machine! could'nt imagine them frames rates on a big monitor. love the insides water cooling 3 radeon 4890's with room for a 4th. great pictures by the way lots of eye candy. you can tell alot of work went into tis kmonster. great article.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817139011Newegg says differently. I did check sources.
You going to believe newegg a site that is known to make mistakes in labeling products over the actual official site of the group that freaking does the testing and certification
http://www.80plus.org/manu/psu/psu [...] =25&type=2
http://www.80plus.org/manu/psu/psu [...] Report.pdf
It's gold...
The overclock was disappointing, but it seems to be one capable system!
Anyone who wins this has an awesome rig on their hands!
I'm sure anyone that wins any of the rigs will be quite happy and hopefully happy enough to post pictures and other things on the forums.
Your PSU calculations do not include transient loads, which happen too quickly to measure on a Kill-a-watt. 1000HX was the better choice.
Either water cool the GPUs or use a case with better air flow. Perhaps 90C is within spec (although I'm not aware of any published official max temps for 4890s)but it doesn't seem like a good idea to me.
What's with the limited choice for a case anyway? You seem to want to experiment? CM Storm Scout has handles, or Lian Li Lancool has great air cooling and radiator hose grommets.
I did like the inclusion of the Swiftech kit.
Corsair says it's Silver
http://www.corsair.com/products/hx850/default.aspx
So...I guess it's really Gold?
(sarcasm)
I only fear what a QuadFire 5870 would bring if a tri 4890s does this much damage. Thanks for doing AMD it may not be the best CPU but its always nice to see a change.
So does Jonnyguruhttp://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.p [...] 2&reid=153I guess you just can't believe everything you find on a brands site.
80 plus is an independant rating site, the 850HX was upgraded to Gold status so unless you're using an old unit you should be fine.
What's with the limited choice for a case anyway? You seem to want to experiment? CM Storm Scout has handles, or Lian Li Lancool has great air cooling and radiator hose grommets.I did like the inclusion of the Swiftech kit.
This editor never uses external radiators because they're too easily damaged, ugly, and make transportation difficult. The only choice not mentioned was the HAF932: There's one in the lab, it's enormous and cheaply built.
Also, there's absolutely nothing wrong with the ventilation of the case used. It's remarkable. It's darned near perfect. The GPU's run hot for two reasons: HD 4890's are horribly inefficient and there's not much space between them.
The other option would have been to face the PSU fan towards the cards so it could draw warm air away from them.
this thing is truely alswome anyway you slice it. eye candy galore, and im sure anyone who won this thing would be more then happy. and what makes this beast realy shine is how much performance it gets not only in gaming but alswome productivity/ap[plication scores as well. all the way around it is alswome. also very interesting to see AMD parts stacking up like this in a high end gaming. very interesting.
"Happy birthday", "Happy Halloween", "Merry Christmas", and "Happy New Year" to the lucky one who would get his hands on this one.
Wow...
I would take this over your last $2,500 Intel system no doubt!
This thing is a work of art.
Excellent work.
Wait wait wait... why would I want a phenom when i have a i7? I don't know, but this system is that cool.
I love the case used on it too. Tri-4890, 2x80GB SSD etc. even on a 2.5k budget is admirable.
Making me wonder were all the money on my build went...
Also nice to see a cheap motherboard being promoted. I paid over $300 for my mobo, and I regret it (good overclocking mobo... crappy overclocker cpu). >_<
Keep up the good work.