Critique my 1.5k Spec Please

MFrost · 24 Aug 2010 at 20:59

Hi all,

edit - I only really want 1 CPU cooler - not 2

Please, if you have a spare couple of minutes - check over this before i whack the buy button!

I'm hoping for a ~ 4.0 - 4.2ghz overclock with very stable temps.

Some facts and uncertainties.

Intel X25-V SSD for Windows 7 pro
OCZ Vertex for the speedy games and apps
I have a Samsung F3 1TB from my previous rig that i'm going to put in it for random data.
I'm not greatly clued up on the Graphics card brands, is Gainward a good one? or should i change this for something different.
The RAM, seems pretty cheap for 2000mhz ram, any reason this is cheaper than some of the 1600mhz stuff?
Will my ram really run at 2000Mhz with the kit i've got.
The motherboard is one of the cheapest in its range, is this a safe/quality board?

I'm open to all criticism and advice - as i'm sure there will be considering i've not bought a computer for nearly 5 years, the majority of my research has been done on 2 days

.

Thanks a lot for any help.

Matt

Laser man · 24 Aug 2010 at 21:02

I would get this http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HS-011-NC over the H50 as it gives better temps

RJC · 24 Aug 2010 at 21:03

I would change the ram to Patriot Viper, a little more but worth it on my opinion, I had 2 lots of failures with the OCZ Gold.

I am currently using the Gainward in my system along with the OCZ SSD and got no complaints

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-008-PA&groupid=701&catid=8&subcat=1389

1600MHZ Ram will be adequate, I use this with my i7 920 @ 4ghz.

Nemesis379 · 24 Aug 2010 at 21:05

I am getting a similar setup to you, im considering getting rid of the 950, because some people have been saying it OCs bad.

Phage · 24 Aug 2010 at 21:05

Two SSDs is a waste of money. Buy one Vertex and a Samsung F3 for storage.
NV 480 ? Why ? the ATI range is much cooler and cheaper. Slightly slower but you won't notice the difference in any current games.

Laser man · 24 Aug 2010 at 21:10

the 480 gives much better minimum fps than the 5870 and so makes games much smoother, he might not notice it yet but when tessellation gets a bit more extreme in games it will make a massive difference

stulid · 24 Aug 2010 at 21:11

get a larger wattage psu for GTX480 sli in the future, closer to 900w

stulid · 24 Aug 2010 at 21:12

Laser man said:
the 480 gives much better minimum fps than the 5870 and so makes games much smoother, he might not notice it yet but when tessellation gets a bit more extreme in games it will make a massive difference

this.

infernox · 24 Aug 2010 at 21:13

the failure rates of the ocz's are so low ... people moan all the time about them..
it was ONE batch that cocked up..

they are perfectly fine now .

i have them in my rig .. wonderful to work with

MFrost · 24 Aug 2010 at 21:13

Phage said:
Two SSDs is a waste of money. Buy one Vertex and a Samsung F3 for storage.
NV 480 ? Why ? the ATI range is much cooler and cheaper. Slightly slower but you won't notice the difference in any current games.

The 2x SSD is a good point. I'm currently considering getting 1 larger Vertex, as i already have a F3 for storage.

I chose the 480 graphics card because of the extra video ram.

I currently use a 1gb GTX280 and its choppy in certain things, probably to do with me running 2x 24" monitors at 1920x1200.

Troezar · 24 Aug 2010 at 21:19

Surprised no-one has suggested an i7 930 instead and isn't the 2000MHz memory overkill?

How about the Crucial C300 SSD instead?

stulid · 24 Aug 2010 at 21:22

Troezar said:
Surprised no-one has suggested an i7 930 instead

because it's slower?

MFrost · 24 Aug 2010 at 21:23

Laser man said:
I would get this http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HS-011-NC over the H50 as it gives better temps

WOW! That looks ghastly

, but if you think it will improve temps ill change it and add it to the new spec.

Watch this space.

clv101 · 24 Aug 2010 at 21:27

Are you set on the H50 for the CPU? Seems a top end air cooler is as effective, without the complication of running water long term.

MFrost · 24 Aug 2010 at 21:30

clv101 said:
Are you set on the H50 for the CPU? Seems a top end air cooler is as effective, without the complication of running water long term.

I'm not really dead set on anything really

. That's why i'm asking for criticism and advice. I've already ammended my basket, swapping the H50 for a huge slab of metal with some fans strapped on.

Am i going to need to buy some thermal paste with this setup? If so, any reccomendations?

MFrost · 24 Aug 2010 at 21:40

Right then, i've made a few changed according to some reccomendations.

Swapped the 2x SSD for 1x Bigger SSD.
Swapped the 2x H50 Coolers for a Noctua monster cooler.
Swapped the OCZ Ram for Patriot Viper. (see below for question regarding this)

There one thing i'm really still not sure on though, as there are some confliction opinions.

Changing: OCZ Gold Low Voltage 6GB (3x2GB) DDR3 PC3-16000C10 2000MHz Triple Channel (OCZ3G2000LV6GK)
For: Patriot Viper 6GB (3x2GB) DDR3 12800C8 1600MHz Low Latency Triple Channel (PVT36G1600LLK)

Good idea / Bad idea? Anyone else have an opinion on this?

Gary* · 24 Aug 2010 at 21:51

More fans sir, more fans! Comments suggest that the 700D is a tad poor for air cooling with its inferior fans ... Sharkoon's do the trick nicely.

stulid · 24 Aug 2010 at 21:58

changing the ram is good, the ocz gold sucks.

franco_22 · 24 Aug 2010 at 22:12

Only thing I'd do is change the ram.

MFrost · 24 Aug 2010 at 22:21

Thanks very much for the assistance and reassurance everyone. Much appreciated!!

With regard to the "more fans" comment, the case will already have 5 with the 3 that come standard with the case plus the 2 in the basket. I'll see how it goes with 5, if i find it getting too warm, ill fill the other 2 fan slots.

I'll be hitting the buy button at 10:30pm, so if you have anything to tell me before I buy, please do it before then else I might make an irreversible mistake

.

Matt