After much looking about for my new Haswell build, I came to a conclusion, to get the best performance I need either a naked chip (risky, no warranty!!) or a binned chip which ultimately led me to this:
OcUK Extreme Intel Core i7 4770K @ 4.6GHz+ Extreme Overclocked Bundle
With the release of 8 Packs ultra high end systems came many questions about the chance to lay your hands on the best binned chips available, if you were one of these people then read on
The bundle & ordering
I opted for the bundle to come with the fantastic Gigabyte Z87X-OC motherboard with my choice of cooler being the EK Supremacy waterblock, total cost (including a TWO deal) came to something like £705.
No option to change the memory? I phoned CS about this to see if I could change out to some 2600mhz stuff, the only memory they will allow you to change to is another 1866 or lower kit - the overclock cannot be guaranteed otherwise. I suppose this is a smart move, as if they start throwing high perf kits at these bundle, they may find one with a weaker then usual IMC that can't cope! I will address the memory situation later next week (if prices haven't gone through the roof).
Option I would like to see - more say in the waterblock you want, I don't mean other brands by that, but it would have been nice to be given a choice between Acetal or Plexi tops! Or indeed nickel or copper surface.
Arrival & Installation
My order only took 4 working days to process and get out of the door, ordered Sunday morning and was dispatched the following Thursday, in my hand Friday! So quicker then the estimated 7 day build time, obviously this will change during busier periods.
Everything arrived well packed, as usual
Invoice, this should ease the minds of some who were after binned chips!!!
All the goodies readily installed from the shop, all you have to do is fit the cooler of your choice. Excuse photo quality, restricted to a phone that loves to flash (if you hadn't noticed!) for just now.
Side note - EK really need to step up a little, the threads on the backplate were all kinds of messed up, fortunately I had an M4 tap to sort it out, others may find the posts will strip if they're forced!!
Testing
CPU is being cooled by an SR-1 360 with 3 Akasa Vipers, driven by a D5 pump W/ EK-XRes. A very much thrown together loop mostly from parts of my last build, delayed Enthoo has seen me keep the shed in place just now.
CPUZ with the OcUK profile loaded!!
These were the temps from around 15mins of AIDA64 stress testing:
Final Thoughts!
If you want the very best Haswell chip without playing 'the lottery' this is just the ticket, superb bundle. I had a CS thread open throughout the process and was updated almost daily by Evoaddict on what was happening and when it was likely to ship.
Happy to take requests on any other testing, I will be going for a higher OC either tomorrow or when my PSC kit arrives on Tuesday and will update as such then
OcUK Extreme Intel Core i7 4770K @ 4.6GHz+ Extreme Overclocked Bundle
With the release of 8 Packs ultra high end systems came many questions about the chance to lay your hands on the best binned chips available, if you were one of these people then read on
The bundle & ordering
I opted for the bundle to come with the fantastic Gigabyte Z87X-OC motherboard with my choice of cooler being the EK Supremacy waterblock, total cost (including a TWO deal) came to something like £705.
No option to change the memory? I phoned CS about this to see if I could change out to some 2600mhz stuff, the only memory they will allow you to change to is another 1866 or lower kit - the overclock cannot be guaranteed otherwise. I suppose this is a smart move, as if they start throwing high perf kits at these bundle, they may find one with a weaker then usual IMC that can't cope! I will address the memory situation later next week (if prices haven't gone through the roof).
Option I would like to see - more say in the waterblock you want, I don't mean other brands by that, but it would have been nice to be given a choice between Acetal or Plexi tops! Or indeed nickel or copper surface.
Arrival & Installation
My order only took 4 working days to process and get out of the door, ordered Sunday morning and was dispatched the following Thursday, in my hand Friday! So quicker then the estimated 7 day build time, obviously this will change during busier periods.
Everything arrived well packed, as usual
Invoice, this should ease the minds of some who were after binned chips!!!
All the goodies readily installed from the shop, all you have to do is fit the cooler of your choice. Excuse photo quality, restricted to a phone that loves to flash (if you hadn't noticed!) for just now.
Side note - EK really need to step up a little, the threads on the backplate were all kinds of messed up, fortunately I had an M4 tap to sort it out, others may find the posts will strip if they're forced!!
Testing
CPU is being cooled by an SR-1 360 with 3 Akasa Vipers, driven by a D5 pump W/ EK-XRes. A very much thrown together loop mostly from parts of my last build, delayed Enthoo has seen me keep the shed in place just now.
CPUZ with the OcUK profile loaded!!
These were the temps from around 15mins of AIDA64 stress testing:
Final Thoughts!
If you want the very best Haswell chip without playing 'the lottery' this is just the ticket, superb bundle. I had a CS thread open throughout the process and was updated almost daily by Evoaddict on what was happening and when it was likely to ship.
Happy to take requests on any other testing, I will be going for a higher OC either tomorrow or when my PSC kit arrives on Tuesday and will update as such then
