Help needed to finalise my new build.

Activ8

Activ8

Activ8

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14 Jun 2011
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68
Hello people,

I'm in the middle of sorting out the components for my new build, this is what I have so far:

1. Processor (CPU): Intel Core i7 2600K (LGA 1155)
2. Motherboard: ASUS P8P67 PRO (Socket 1155)
3. Memory (RAM): G.SKILL RipJawsX 8Gb (2x4GB) DDR3-1600 F3-12800CL8D-8GBXM
4. Hard drive (Boot): OCZ Vertex3 240GB SATA-III (6Gbps)
5. Graphics card: Nvidia Asus ENGTX590 or Gigabyte Geforce GTX 590
6. Power supply (PSU): Corsair Professional Series Gold AX1200

7. CPU/GPU cooling: Liquid Cooling comprised of:
a. CPU: EK-Supreme HF Full Copper Universal CPU Block
b. GPU: EK GTX 590 Full Cover Waterblock
c. Radiator: XSPC RX360 Triple Radiator
d. Fans: 3 X 120mm Akasa Apache Black Ultra Silent Fan
e. Reservoir: XSPC DDCRES 200ml Laing DDC Top Reservoir
f. Pump: Laing DDC-pump 12V DDC-1Plus 18w
g. Tubing: 3.3m (10ft) Masterkleer, 1/2" ID - 3/4" OD Hose, Black
h. Accessories: Ermmm connectors to join the loop together but dunno what to go for.

8. Case fans: 2 x 120mm Akasa Apache Black Ultra Silent Fan
9. Case: UNSURE
10. CD/DVDRW drive: UNSURE
11. Sound card: Probably just onboard as I'm not an audiophile

I would love any advice given on the choice of graphics card, the selection of case (I was thinking the Antec P183 **I do not like the fancy gaming cases, I like subtle understated cases**) and any thoughts on the cooling system.

Am I on target with what I have at the moment?

Many thanks
 
I know diddly squat about water cooling so you'll have to wait for someone else to come along if you want comments on that :D lol

Main use of PC? Gaming?

If so, just go for an i5-2500k and put the money elsewhere.

The i7 comes into it's own when your doing video/audio/image editing and using programs that will make use of it's hyperthreading.

You can see from these benchmarks that for a gaming build it's not worth the extra:

Gaming Benchmarks - i5 vs i7

Also what res you gaming at?
 
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I will be using the PC for gaming as well as image editing... My current systems is starting to struggle with 23meg RAW images being manipulated in Photoshop. I may be doing a little video editing in the future too.

I see from that link that there aint much difference in the CPU's. On a plus note, I only paid about £20 more for the i7 2600k

One thing to note is that I already have the CPU, Mobo, Memory, SSD and PSU

Thanks
 
It seems fine to me, although I'm no water cooling expert so wait for someone else to weigh in an on that one. In terms of gfx card, I'm not convinced about the 590, there's been lots of reports that they have a tendency to brick themselves, even at stock. How about going SLi? Two 570s would be cheaper than a 590, you might even be able to stretch to dual 580s.

In terms of the case, Fractal design stuff is lovely, although not sure how well they accommodate WC setups, the Corsair Obsidian 800D will have plenty of space and looks pretty classy, IMO:

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-020-CS&groupid=701&catid=7&subcat=1489

Cases are so subjective though, just buy a big enough case that you think looks good.
 
I've just been looking at the Corsair Obsidian 800D on the Corsair website and it looks fantastic. One thing though... Would I need the upgrade kits form OCUK for the 6gbps sata III hot swappable drive bays and the USB 3 upgrade kit for the front panel?

I'll take a look at the Fractal design stuff and the SLI options you mentioned.

Thanks
 
@R088ieS86

There seems to be a bit of a theme going on here... It looks like I'll have to read more about the GTX 590, 580sli and 570sli options. Now there's a spanner in the works too... The ATi 6990

I did look at this card tbf and the only downside was the noise, this would not matter if I'm going to watercool it.

Thanks for coming up with the case suggestions. I really like the look of the Silverstone Fortress FT02B-W and it's slightly cheaper than the Obsidian 800D

Regarding the Silverstone Fortress FT02B-W... Can you see any issues regarding the placement of a 360mm radiator in the bottom of the case? Would you push air into the case through the radiator + 3xfans or exhaust it out the bottom?

TIA
 
Activ8 said:
@R088ieS86

There seems to be a bit of a theme going on here... It looks like I'll have to read more about the GTX 590, 580sli and 570sli options. Now there's a spanner in the works too... The ATi 6990

I did look at this card tbf and the only downside was the noise, this would not matter if I'm going to watercool it.

Thanks for coming up with the case suggestions. I really like the look of the Silverstone Fortress FT02B-W and it's slightly cheaper than the Obsidian 800D

Regarding the Silverstone Fortress FT02B-W... Can you see any issues regarding the placement of a 360mm radiator in the bottom of the case? Would you push air into the case through the radiator + 3xfans or exhaust it out the bottom?

TIA
Click to expand...

I can't answer your questions about the Silverstone, but I can say the 6990 is a great card if you're watercooling. As you said, if you're running on air I'd avoid it, they're super loud.
 
The FT02 is a little crampt for space when it comes to sticking large rads in it. Due to its unquie design. (length over height)
Thats where the 800D has a major advantage over it.
If your going for a rad that size then i'd stick with the 800D. You'll find it a lot easier to work with!
I'd always have cool air being drawn into the case through the rad.
 
Worth mentioning the 700D, no side window panel or hot swap drives, but a good £65 cheaper than the 800D.
 
I do like the Obsidian Series® 800D. Nice and roomy, room enough for a large reservoir too. On the down side... they're HUGE as are most full tower cases... I've currently got an Antec P120 case which just fits in my unit. There's no way one of these cases would fit.

What do you guys think of this card in place of the GTX 590:

SAPPHIRE TECHNOLOGY Radeon HD 6990 - 4 GB GDDR5 - PCI-Express 2.1 (21193-00-40G)... Plus it's about £100 cheaper!
 
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I'm now stuck between the VTX3D 4GB Radeon HD 6990 and the SAPPHIRE TECHNOLOGY Radeon HD 6990

Price wise they are about the same. I just need a waterblock to suit.
 
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