Asus Ares II Winner Build

[Fotek]

I was the winner of the awesome card and no I did not sell it, instead I took the challenge to build a system around it since I was not prepared. Really need a new PSU, had to use molex converters for extra PCI-E socket and not quite enough juice I think. Also need a new monitor as using an old 18" HP VGA (don't laugh)

Have to say a BIG thank you again to Overclockers for the incredible card, won parts from other companies too over last few months so big thanks to them, not sure if I can mention names here.

So here are some images with my specs:

Full Specs:

AMD FX8320 Black Edition (@4.2GHz)
8GB G-Skill Ripjaws X 2133MHZ
Asus Sabertooth 990FX R2.0
Asus Ares II
Corsair H100i
Crucial M4 128GB SSD
Samsung Spinpoint 1TB
In-Win GreenMe 750W PSU
Fractal Design Define R4 - Arctic White
Gigabyte Aivia Krypton Mouse
CM Storm Quickfire TK Mechanical Keyboard
Logitech C920 HD Cam
Akai MPK Mini

 

[Fotek]

NEW PSU! NAO!

Nice rig.

Feel free to send me one!

 

[Fotek]

With your luck id try and win one

Nice rig tho and nice to see a prize actually being used and not cashed in

I am trying but not many powerful ones being given out, always below 750W

 

[Fotek]

Looks cool, I think you need to start buying lottery tickets and cash in on your crazy luck I don't think I've ever won a competition but I just tell my self all my luck is been stored up sum where for a trip to Vegas

I think I do to be honest, won a Kindle Fire HD few days ago and an xbox 360 lol

 

[Fotek]

Why would you guys sell it? I can max everything so far with no issues, don't even have to think about settings any more lol.

 

[Fotek]

Good man!

Nice build too

I think its bad form to sell something you win. You shouldnt be entering a competition if you dont want the prize.

Yeah that's always my saying when entering competitions, if I don't need it I won't enter unless I know a friend/family member who may need it.

I would swap the Ares II for a 7990 though just to remove the annoyance of the cooler and better support.

 

[Fotek]

! - I hate you - lol oj congrats on your epic win, nice build too btw - like the look of white cases too (NZXt Phantom myself), however some things I'd like to bring to the table - Benchmarks are a must and have you tried overclocking (if so benchs from thos also )

No not done any of that yet, need new PSU first, scared to death of frying this one with my current components!

 

[Fotek]

Fair enough, to be honest I'd do the exact same thing - after you get your psu sorted what sort of monitor (or with that gpu - multiple monitors) do you think you will go for to bring out the best of the card

Been eyeing up the huge 29" LG 29EA93 (21:9) for the price it seems decent, not really into the whole multi-monitor thing.

 

[Fotek]

How's that card performing?

It's amazing, every game I just put settings to max without worrying or thinking and it just works flawlessly. Have started overclocking my cpu and the card and it's even better whilst still being stable. Temps are great too!

Need to get a nice new monitor to make the most of it though, VGA does provide nice colours and tones but really doesn't do the card justice of course. Thinking maybe a higher refresh monitor to go with the high frame rate for super smoothness.

 

[Fotek]

Lovely rig. Is it just me or do your other parts seem slightly... errrr... underwhelming compared to the AREA??

Underwhelming? Because it's an AMD system!?

 

[Fotek]

Well, because it's not an extreme rig (Which you can't exactly get with AMD), but then again, you won this card, so it doesn't need to be.

Shame about the bottleneck, but it's a lovely system and a brilliant card, Steamroller will help stretch its legs, so it's like a double upgrade come 2014 (Assuming you upgrade)

I don't see how my system is not adequate for the card? Understandably it's not an over priced i7 but in my eyes and my use the FX8320 is the most powerful I have ever had the opportunity to use. I didn't get the FX8350 because it was around £50 more and only gives a higher base clock.

The Sabertooth was a stretch after Yodel lost my initial Gigabyte UD3 which glad they did as turns out that's not such a great board after all. Didn't get the updated Sabertooth with the PCI-E 3.0 because I read there have been a lot of problems with it and the R2.0 is actually a better board and no way was I buying a Crosshair V Formula at that price.

The only issues I see with my system is the PSU and monitor.

 

[Fotek]

Because a FX83 even at 4.2GHZ doesn't have the power to take that card to its limits.
But it's fairly irrelevant given your resolution, I mean the bottlenecking must be huge.

Even at 1080p you'll be able to bottleneck that card.

But I'm not trying to take anything away, I never said it's not adequate, but simply put, your GPU is getting bottlenecked by your CPU.
That's the only part I find a little under par for the rig, is the CPU, but it's not like there's another option for AMD, SR will rectify that somewhat (Maybe entirely? Who knows) So like I say, it'll be like a double upgrade.

See what you are saying yes, my resolution is 1366x768 but at least the card is not being pushed too hard hence giving me plenty of room for upgrade like you say.

I am keen to see the new batch of AMD chips when released.

 

[Fotek]

did you overclock the card yet? clock cpu bit higher to

Yes, got FX8320 @ 4.2GHz, temps around 40c on high demand.

Ares II, temps around 45-50c at load:

GPU: 1200MHz / 1100MHz
Memory: 1750MHz / 1650MHz

EDIT: CPU @ 4.5GHz now with same temps, been playing BF3 and Borderlands 2 maxed out for around 3 hours and no trouble!

 

[Fotek]

what fans have you got on your h100i mate?

Stock fans, they are pretty noisy, would like to change them for some silent at some point. Not much point having Define R4 with noise dampening to have the noisy radiator at top!

 

[Fotek]

On the H100i subject has anyone else had problems with getting threaded holes in radiator? The screws are fine but for some reason even though I put them in fairly loose and straight at least four won't tighten properly.

 

[Fotek]

I have one screwhole on my h100i that lost its threading stupidly easily and now the screw wont stay in, the fan is still held in fine and everything but I do feel it shouldn't have happened. I literally screwed it in and a few seconds later it popped out never to tighten again

as for all this bottlenecking business, if your games play smoothly at max settings who cares if the fps could be higher

Great to see a member winning the card and using it a lot of people would have just stuck it straight onto ebay!

Mine are threaded from the top holding the radiator to the case, it holds but would be good to sort out as I am sure they may come loose one day from vibration.

I agree with the bottlenecking stuff, not bothered about getting the ultimate speed out of everything as long as everything is smooth. If things start to struggle at least got the room to improve.

 

[Fotek]

I see in another thread you mention problems with the ARES?

Yes having all sorts of issues with it but it's not just me, seems to be every other Ares card out there.

 

[Fotek]

No offence but that card is a complete waste on that FX CPU...

For what reason, any actual information other than speculation?

 

[Fotek]

It's called common sense..... My 2600k can't push my 7950 crossfire to full rip on every game I own so this FX has no chance.

Not bothered about getting absolute all out of everything, get decent fps maxed out on all games anyway. Certainly not going to change mobo/cpu to Intel just for the card.

 

[Fotek]

Dude I applaud you.
Don't sell it. Keep it.
It is a piece of history right there.
And don't listen to the bottleneck stuff. You are a long way from having that cou as a bottle neck. It is not about what benchmarks tell you with a 3*1440p gaming test. It is about what you are using it for.

I do think you should do some cablesleeving and cablemanagement though

But go and buy that 21:9 screen and enjoy this build to the max.

Man your winning luck is silly. So much stuff in such a short time O.0

I have since changed case and H100i broke so more to add to the list, I wqn a lot over last Christmas and shortly after but now it seems dried up but all good

Once I find my ultimate case I will be sleeving and making everything more settled.