What's Better

stormbreaker · 2 Aug 2009 at 20:31

Here's what I am looking at

Titan Sabre - however without the preinstalled CPU and CPU cooler as I have an AMD Phenom II 940 Black Edition which I would like to use. Also I can upgrade to an AM3 CPU when necessary with the choice to upgrade to crossfire 4890. (One 4890 is already installed)

Titan Crossfire - however without the preinstalled CPU as I have an AMD Phenom II 940 Black Edition which I would like to use. Also I can upgrade to an AM3 CPU when necessary. Are 2 crossfired 4850s better than one 4890.

Titan Fusion - however without the preinstalled CPU as I have an AMD Phenom II 940 Black Edition which I would like to use. The downside to this though is that I cannot upgrade to crossfire. It has a 4870 graphics card.

I had thought about the Titan Sabre, but wouldn't it be cheaper to ask to have one 4890 in the Titan Crossfire. What exactly is the difference between the Titan Sabre and Titan Fusion? Also can someone else please double check that the AMD Phenom II 940 Black Edition can be installed to all of the motherboards.

What's the best choice?

stormbreaker · 2 Aug 2009 at 21:36

Any thoughts?

cmndr_andi · 2 Aug 2009 at 21:39

If you already have a CPU, then you will have to take the mobo out of the case and install it + the cooler. In my eyes, that's the big bit of a self-build, may as well go the whole hog and build the thing yourself. Should save you a couple of quid and you get exactly what you want.

stormbreaker · 2 Aug 2009 at 21:48

Why would I have to take the motherboard out?

Kennysevenfold · 2 Aug 2009 at 21:53

stormbreaker said:
Why would I have to take the motherboard out?

What cpu cooler will you be using.?

stormbreaker · 2 Aug 2009 at 21:54

The one that comes with the CPU?

cmndr_andi · 2 Aug 2009 at 21:57

Why would I have to take the motherboard out?

I suppose you don't really. Personally, I like to so I have a lot of space to properly insert the CPU and apply the TIM, so I always take it out of the case. Your choice I guess.

Fortunately the Titan Fenrir and AMD stock cooler (the ones used in those builds) do not require mobo removal to re-attach.

stormbreaker · 2 Aug 2009 at 21:59

Whats TIM?

Kennysevenfold · 2 Aug 2009 at 22:00

stormbreaker said:
Whats TIM?

This

cmndr_andi · 2 Aug 2009 at 22:00

stormbreaker said:
Whats TIM?

Sorry, Thermal Interface Material, like this stuff. You will need to apply some to the CPU heatspreader after you insert you X4 940.

stormbreaker · 2 Aug 2009 at 22:01

I thought the CPU cooler already had thermal paste on, hence the plastic cover on the underside of it.

cmndr_andi · 2 Aug 2009 at 22:07

Depends on the cooler. If its the AMD stock cooler, I believe TIM is pre-applied. Even so, I think removing it and using some AS5 (the stuff Kenny linked to) will give you better cooling performance.

As for the Titan cooler, the plastic cover just keeps the base clean. The pack comes with a syringe of TIM, but I'm not sure how good it is. Best bet is to get some AS5 or MX-2.

PermaBanned · 2 Aug 2009 at 22:07

No... that's the copper base.

stormbreaker · 2 Aug 2009 at 22:11

Sorry, I was talking about the 940 cooler which I already have. There is silver/grey square on the base.

PermaBanned · 2 Aug 2009 at 22:18

Stock TIM is never any good, just get some of this and some of this and reapply it on the CPU die, it's like £10 for a several degree temperature drop, and you can reuse both of them on other builds in the future.

cmndr_andi · 2 Aug 2009 at 22:20

Aye, that's the TIM on the AMD stock cooler, but as was said before you would be better removing it and using some AS5 or MX-2. Also, if you get the Titan Sabre system - you must use the Fenrir cooler that comes with it, not the AMD stock one you already own. The Fenrir is much better.

stormbreaker · 2 Aug 2009 at 22:21

OK. Which system would you advise going for and which graphics card?

cmndr_andi · 2 Aug 2009 at 22:25

Go for the Sabre if you are not prepared to self-build. The 4890 is a very quick card and the 1GB of memory heavily beats the CF 4850s 512MBx2. Also, the CPU cooler is better with the sabre.

Titan Fusion uses a cheaper 770 motherboard.

stormbreaker · 2 Aug 2009 at 22:31

I thought using a different cooler on my 940 would void the 3 year warranty that AMD supply with it.

cmndr_andi · 2 Aug 2009 at 22:34

That is likely true.

However, there is no way that they can tell a different cooler has been used (as long as you don't explicitly state it), so no worries. Anyway, the Titan cooler is superior to the AMD stock cooler in almost every way, so I'm sure AMD won't mind that you are actually taking care of your chip by using a better cooler.