Just a few questions.

the_darjeeling · 22 Dec 2011 at 22:29

Hi there, so a couple of months ago i posted on here about a spec check on a gaming/office PC and got some really useful advice, unfortunately i ended up not buying it for a variety of reasons :mad:

anyway I've decided to treat myself for Christmas

and I've gone ahead and bought:

so I'm planning on building on boxing day and I've got a couple of questions

1. I've got an anti static mat and wristband, is it worth doing an external build of the Mobo, RAM, CPU and GPU to get it to post?

2. Should i set the Mobo to ACHI? since i don't have a SSD is there any advantage to it?

3. Whats the best way to apply thermal paste? since there seems to be various schools of thought on this one. ( im sort of edging towards spreading the paste before attaching the heatsink since i figure that this should ensure an even spread)

thanks for your reply's.

Voicon · 22 Dec 2011 at 22:48

1. I have never built it outside the case and luckily enough have never had a problem I couldn't reaslve easily, just take your time and make sure it is right.

2. Yes set it to ACHI (Whoops read it as you have SSD sorry)

3. I agree with spreading the paste before hand, the last few coolers I bought had the paste pre-applied so it was just a case of fit it not sure whether this does?

shadow_boxer · 22 Dec 2011 at 22:48

1. With new kit I always build it outside of the case with just bare essentials. It'll save you a massive headache if you built it all and it didn't post!

2. Dont think AHCI makes any difference with mechanical HDD's?

3. I just use a small pea sized blob in the middle and let the cooler's weight spread it. I've used both methods in the past but never noticed any significant difference between the two, so do the easier one nowadays.

Also I would have gone with a slightly more powerful PSU, 650W will be cutting it a bit close just in case you add another 6950, overclock or add a few other HDD's/SSD's etc.

the_darjeeling · 23 Dec 2011 at 10:16

Thanks for your reply's people.
I'll probably build outside the case just to be safe, i don't expect ACHI to have an effect on mechanical HDD's i just figure it make it leas complex if i ever get a ssd (actually i might go and ask about this in the storage drive section),the blob method does seem to be the most commonly recommended and it seems to be easier.

In regards to the PSU i don't plan on using crossfire since dual card setups seem to have all sorts of issues with micro stuttering. i do plan on OC'ing the processor to 4.0Ghz would this have a massive impact on power draw? i might be tempted to get an SSD some time next year since the prices seem to be edging towards a £1 per GB, again would an SSD draw that much power?

Again thanks for your reply's

p5- · 23 Dec 2011 at 14:36

the_darjeeling said:
3. Whats the best way to apply thermal paste? since there seems to be various schools of thought on this one. ( im sort of edging towards spreading the paste before attaching the heatsink since i figure that this should ensure an even spread)

thanks for your reply's.

A long time ago I used to do the "blob in the middle and let it spread". However after removing a few heatsinks/cpus I realised that it didn't always spread evenly and there were sometimes gaps, especially when cpus moved back to having heat spreaders.

Nowadays I spread the paste evenly on both surfaces and apply the same logic that any excess will be squeezed out.

olivier renault · 23 Dec 2011 at 17:24

the_darjeeling said:
1. I've got an anti static mat and wristband, is it worth doing an external build of the Mobo, RAM, CPU and GPU to get it to post?

2. Should i set the Mobo to ACHI? since i don't have a SSD is there any advantage to it?

3. Whats the best way to apply thermal paste? since there seems to be various schools of thought on this one. ( im sort of edging towards spreading the paste before attaching the heatsink since i figure that this should ensure an even spread)

thanks for your reply's.

Good components.

1. I usually put the ram, CPU and cooler on the mobo, then the mobo in the case, then the PSU in the case, the front panel connectors, and do a quick boot test. I don't bother with external build. Maybe if I ever get a problem some day.

2. Leave it alone, I suppose. Although no harm swapping to AHCI afaik.

3. I use blob. It works fine afaik. It's actually more of a fat line in the middle, given how the 2500K CPU is setup.

First thing to do though, is make sure you have no bent motherboard CPU socket pins.

olivier renault · 23 Dec 2011 at 17:29

shadow_boxer said:
Also I would have gone with a slightly more powerful PSU, 650W will be cutting it a bit close just in case you add another 6950, overclock or add a few other HDD's/SSD's etc.

Not sure about that. I've done a test with my 6950's in Unigine, and don't get over 450W power usage, at the plug.

EDIT : I've run another test to confirm. 100% gpu usage on both cards, averaging 380W, peaking 430-440W.

Tazzfalcon · 23 Dec 2011 at 21:07

olivier renault said:
Not sure about that. I've done a test with my 6950's in Unigine, and don't get over 450W power usage, at the plug.

EDIT : I've run another test to confirm. 100% gpu usage on both cards, averaging 380W, peaking 430-440W.

Just so im reading this right, your saying 650w psu (avec moi's) is good for crossfire 6950? Just for future reference?!

Tazzfalcon · 24 Dec 2011 at 12:52

Surveyor · 24 Dec 2011 at 13:02

Tazzfalcon said:
Just so im reading this right, your saying 650w psu (avec moi's) is good for crossfire 6950? Just for future reference?!

That would depend on which particular 650W PSU.

Make and model?

FYI your motherboard isn't the best for CrossFire.

The PCI-E slots operate in x16/4 mode in CrossFire which isn't the best setup as the second card can be bottlenecked.

Tested using Intel but the same principal applies:

Does CrossFire Work At x16/x4?

Tazzfalcon · 26 Dec 2011 at 22:26

Its an Antec Truepower 650w. I need to add that to the sig. Yeah thats annoying about the motherboard... I'll probably upgrade that and the cpu in 12months or so and then crossfire poss. Cant see any games on the horizon that will seriously stretch my current set up. Hopefully! (just ordered a lovely new 24" Ilyama from ocuk on the xmas 5% today as well!)

It was just more for future planning. Id rather not have to shell out on a new psu as well. Was hoping I could keep that one for a while!