Everyone's probably sick of this now, but another sandy build

R.C.Anderson

R.C.Anderson

R.C.Anderson

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I'm wanting to upgrade to sandybridge (along with a whole new tower, minus a couple of things), I'm made a build of what I'm thinking at the moment, but would like some comments.

My current basket:
basketb.png


That's practically my budget, although could possibly add a little more if there's something better.

I'll probably be adding a SSD later (probably after Intel release their G3s)

I'll be using my current HDDs for OS, and storage until then, and I'll be using my current DVD drive.

So, opinions, how rubbish is it? :p;)
 
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Looks great.

The only thing I would suggest changing is the RAM to this and CPU cooler to this and this fan. Also, you may want to consider running your CPU passively with a Thermalright HR-02.

Oh, you may want to cover up your home postcode - there are some wierd ppl on here :)
 
A TX 750W would easily power that with power to spare for a second gcard if you fancy saving £45.

Top end air coolers can provide better cooling at less noise than the H70 at marginally lower cost. They put more weight on the motherboard though.
 
@cmndr_andi:
Never noticed it says the postcode, well, that's changed :)

As for the RAM and cooler, any specific reasons why?
I know the RAM is cheaper, but the same spec, but I'm quite keen on the corsair stuff :rolleyes: and I don't like stuff that says "value" on it :D :p
And the Cooler, do you have any reviews for it to show how it performs compared to the H70? One of the main reasons I went for the H70 over air, is that I think the decent air coolers have dot rather heavy, and I would rather not have something really heavy handing of the mobo (especially as I transport it to and from UNI at the beginning and end of every term...


@kagg8:
mainly because it's not a huge amount of price difference (in comparison to the rest of the build), and I would be able to get better performance from a card that was originally a 6970, than one that was a 6950 made into a 6970, when I get round to overclocking it.

@jak731:
I considered the TX750, however I want a modular PSU, and the AX series are fully modular, which is very attractive to me, however I might have a look at the corsair website, and see if I would use all the non-modular cables on the HX series, as if I would, I might go with one of those to save some cash.
 
I've got a Noctua CPU cooler, which itself is pretty huge and heavy, and transport my PC to Uni and back to my uncle's house by car. Just make sure you wrap the case with some bubbles and it's gonna be ok.

As for the 6950, get that one. I'm not sure but it seems that 6950 and 6970 are both the same cards, probably better yields on the 6970, but anyway it is not worth the premium.
 
R.C.Anderson said:
As for the RAM and cooler, any specific reasons why?

I know the RAM is cheaper, but the same spec, but I'm quite keen on the corsair stuff :rolleyes: and I don't like stuff that says "value" on it :D :p
Click to expand...

Well tbh you are paying £30 more for CL8 (vs CL9), fancy (and unnecessary) heatsinks and the name/branding.

The GeIL sticks are solid and are backed up by a lifetime warranty.


R.C.Anderson said:
And the Cooler, do you have any reviews for it to show how it performs compared to the H70? One of the main reasons I went for the H70 over air, is that I think the decent air coolers have dot rather heavy, and I would rather not have something really heavy handing of the mobo (especially as I transport it to and from UNI at the beginning and end of every term...
Click to expand...

Certainly, if you look here the Megahalems actually beats the H70 in the load tests, and is quieter at the same time.

This was the reason for my recommendation - a large, heavy heatsink with widely spaced fins is a good cooling solution and helps keep things quiet, while the H70 is a thick single radiator with two high-speed fans and pump.

As for the thermalright HR-02 - this page is it running passively on an overclocked i7 980X. On a much cooler 95W Sandy Bridge I would expect great things and no noise.

As for the weight - modern boards are made to take it. I have been running my systems with 800g+ coolers for almost four years now - bringing them back home between uni terms and I have never has any issues.
 
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Thermalright HR-02 ? :confused: why bother when the Thermalright Archon or silver arrow are better and SA comes with the 2x 140mm fans and Archon with 1x140mm ? and the Thermalright HR-02 doesn't come with any fans ? and they are roughly the same price.

You can flash a 6950 to 6970.

I would get a less expensive power supply but one with 7 year warranty like the Corsair HX 650 or HX 750 and A Thermalright Archon or silver arrow or Noctua D14 and with the money saved get a i7 2600k instead.

The Thermalright Archon/silver arrow is the best cooler going and is around £50-£55 with noctua coming a close second.

If you do decide on the silver arrow or d14 make sure you get low profile ram that fits, otherwise just get the Thermalright Archon no ram clearance issues.

This is what I would get but I woukd get a Thermalright Archon £50 ish - postage and - the 20% offer on the MSI board pretty close to yours.
Case is personal taste of course.
This would be a beast with the i7 2600k likely comfortable at 5ghz under the Thermalright Archon / Noctua D14 cooler.

Capture-7.jpg
 
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Personally I would also go with a large air cooler, it's useful lifetime is always going to be longer than a system like the H70. If the pump fails you can't replace it, if it has moisture seepage over a few years it can't be topped up. It does have a 2 year warranty so you're covered for that long, although if it does fail you'll have to post it to the netherlands for rma with corsair. If a fan on a heatsink fails it is easily replaced.
 
Ok, after a little thought, I've changed a few things:
basket2.png


GPU: Looked as some more reviews, and it seems it only looses out by a couple of fps from the 6970 at 1920x1200 (the res I'll be playing)

RAM: Didn't change, I understand what everyone's saying, but I can get the same stuff from a competitor for about £105, so I'm willing to spend the little extra to get the corsair stuff.

PSU: Changed it to the HX series as I still get modular, however it's cheaper, and the HAF X has a cover for the end of the cables anyway, I think I would use all the non-modular cables, but even if I didn't, they would be hidden anyway.

Cooler & fan: From reviews seems like the best performing, whilst being quite cheap. One question on it though, does it come with fan mounts, or do I need to buy these separately?

Now I have to decide which TIM to get... Any recommendations, or links to some good comparisons of them all?
 
R.C.Anderson said:
Ok, after a little thought, I've changed a few things:
basket2.png


GPU: Looked as some more reviews, and it seems it only looses out by a couple of fps from the 6970 at 1920x1200 (the res I'll be playing)

RAM: Didn't change, I understand what everyone's saying, but I can get the same stuff from a competitor for about £105, so I'm willing to spend the little extra to get the corsair stuff.

PSU: Changed it to the HX series as I still get modular, however it's cheaper, and the HAF X has a cover for the end of the cables anyway, I think I would use all the non-modular cables, but even if I didn't, they would be hidden anyway.

Cooler & fan: From reviews seems like the best performing, whilst being quite cheap. One question on it though, does it come with fan mounts, or do I need to buy these separately?

Now I have to decide which TIM to get... Any recommendations, or links to some good comparisons of them all?
Click to expand...

Everything looks good, but the case is pretty expensive and the power supply, why don't you go for the NZXT phantom: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-023-NX

and for PSU: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-011-CS

Also do you need 8gb ram? 4gb would be just fine.

I am just trying to cut you budget down, so that you have money to spend elsewhere, for example the upgrades above save about 50 pounds (about 70 pounds including RAM), which could be used in other parts of the build, i.e getting a gtx 570 (still have money left over to save up for another 570)

but if you want you can keep the 6950, but I heard that AMD are putting new 6950's on the market by the end of January, that cannot be unlocked as the extra cores are lasercut!
 
taz838 said:
Everything looks good, but the case is pretty expensive and the power supply, why don't you go for the NZXT phantom: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-023-NX

and for PSU: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-011-CS

Also do you need 8gb ram? 4gb would be just fine.

I am just trying to cut you budget down, so that you have money to spend elsewhere, for example the upgrades above save about 50 pounds (about 70 pounds including RAM), which could be used in other parts of the build, i.e getting a gtx 570 (still have money left over to save up for another 570)

but if you want you can keep the 6950, but I heard that AMD are putting new 6950's on the market by the end of January, that cannot be unlocked as the extra cores are lasercut!
Click to expand...

Case: Don't like the looks of the NZXT, and the HAF X isn't much more expensive.

PSU: I want modular.

RAM: PC will be lasting me for quite a long time, and having 2 sticks of RAM rather than 4 makes a difference to the OC that can be achieved (or atleast it has done with all previous sockets, so I'm assuming the same with Sandybridge). Also, the RAM on my current PC is quite often over 80% and I have 4GB now.

GFX card: want ATI so I can go eyefinity later if I decide to buy some new monitors. I'll be getting by the end of Jan most likely anyway, so the laser cutting won't effect me, do you have a source stating this?
 
WingZero30 said:
Stick to HAF X. It is an awesome gaming case and would compliment the badass attitude of i5 2500k and 6950:). I envy you :p
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That's assuming it actually goes ahead this time...

I was planning on building a ~£2k watercooled i7 rig in about September/October time, and it never happened, just decided I wanted the cash elsewhere. Hopefully I'll actually be able to make myself buy this one, as my current PC is ****ing me off how bad it is as some things lol
 
Orcvader said:
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HS-002-PL&groupid=701&catid=57&subcat=1395

Fan mounts for the CPU cooler.

If you don't plan to crossfire, how about this PSU? Not heard of them but apparantly they're made from the same manufactors that does Corsair's HX range.
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-000-AD&groupid=701&catid=123&subcat=
Click to expand...

Not heard of the PSU manufacturer either, and it breaks my rule of thumb (which is mainly for PSUs, but some other stuff too), which is, if it has LEDs, steer well clear...

For the price difference though I don't think it's worth risking it being a bad PSU.
 
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