Building my first ever High Spec machine

noel25belfast · 24 Dec 2008 at 20:30

Good Lord! Hello OCUK, its been maybe.... 6 years!

Anyways

I have decided to build my first high-spec computer (I normally make do with low/medium spec)

However... knowing how to build a computer, and knowing how to build a stable high-spec machine is likely to be a different story. I am a bit overwhelmed by watercooling so im going to stick to air cooling, which brings me to my question.

Does the Coolermaster ATCS 840 provide the type of standard cooling necessary to enjoy overclocking & high end gaming? or can the cooling be significantly improved? If so, whats the suggestion? Im not rich, nor am I buying all the components at once, so im going to start with the case, then take it from there. I like the ATCS 840 because of its classic looks, but its an expensive bit of kit, so I want to know if its worth the cash. I might sell my second bike, an Aprillia RS125 for a CPU / Mobo / Memory & PSU.

In the mean time, my objective is to buy the case, then spend the cash customising it. I'll probably want to buy the case from OCUK at some point over the next week.

CliffyBiro · 24 Dec 2008 at 20:31

Claimed

Case is fine but maybe look at the Antec 300 though or a Lian Li?

noel25belfast · 24 Dec 2008 at 20:40

Well.. actually.. the Lian Li TYR PC-X500 looks very good as well, but what case is going to be better suited for those really large cooling solutions like the Asus Triton 81. Ive always been faithfull to AMD and that was the kit I had in mind for a Phenom setup. I also intend to have a powerfull video card, those cards are getting bigger nowadays and im concerned about buying something that isnt going to fit my case.

CliffyBiro · 24 Dec 2008 at 20:45

The Antec 1200 should be big enough for most components you throw at it.

mp260767 · 24 Dec 2008 at 20:49

the antec 300 is a pretty decent case, might be worth having a look in the case forum, fairly certain it can hold most of the big coolers without any problem.

Luxor · 24 Dec 2008 at 20:52

mp260767 said:
the antec 300 is a pretty decent case, might be worth having a look in the case forum, fairly certain it can hold most of the big coolers without any problem.

+1

No problems with a AC64 CPU Cooler in my case. I imagine you wouldn't have any problem with any of the other ones either. There is plenty of room to accommodate components in the 300.

noel25belfast · 24 Dec 2008 at 20:52

Antec 1000

Yeah, but its got lights all over it and it reminds me of something you might see in a 17 year olds Vaxhaul Corsa. Im not 17 no more. I have aquired taste lol! hehe

CliffyBiro · 24 Dec 2008 at 20:54

Then your best bet is the 300

Or switch the fans on the 1200.

noel25belfast · 24 Dec 2008 at 21:07

If I decided to buy the Antec 300. This would leave me with a lot of spare cash, this I must admit. How does the Antec handle noise production as compared to more expensive models like the ATCS 840 and Lian Li X500? Would a HD 4870 fit into the Antec 300? Im taking my gaming seriously since Operation Flashpoint 2 is out next year! Woot!