My Super Machine. Few Questions.

JooJar · 5 May 2011 at 18:24

Hi guys,

I need some advice. I am building a super machine this week with all parts from OcUK. I need some advice on cooling. I don't plan to overclock, but the computer may be on for days and need a way for the temps to remain low. I'd also like the option to overclock at a later date.

What I've got at the moment is this:

- Coolermaster HAF 932
- i7 980x
- Radeon HD 6990
- Rampage III Extreme
- Crucial RealSSD M4 128GB
- Corsair Vengeance 16GB (4x4GB)
- Acer GD245HQ 23.6" 120Hz 3D Widescreen LCD Monitor
- Acer GD245HQ 23.6" 120Hz 3D Widescreen LCD Monitor
- Acer GD245HQ 23.6" 120Hz 3D Widescreen LCD Monitor (3 of them)
- OCZ StealthXStream 2 700W Power Supply

I am heading down to OcUK some time this week, or early next week to collect the stuff but wanted some advice on cooling.

What would you go for?

JooJar · 5 May 2011 at 19:12

Is the 2600k as fast as the 980x though?

Btw, the machine I am using will serve a few purposes. I am a gamer, but I also work in graphic design (2d and 3d) and as an Internet Marketer from home (hence how I can afford the big budget). But, I do use CPU intestive software for various automated tasts in the Internet Marketing field.

I have about £5000 I'm willing to spend.

JooJar · 5 May 2011 at 19:16

cmndr_andi said:
Hi there,

May I ask what you will be using the PC for mainly?

I ask because the 980X is a very expensive CPU but is based on the older "Nahalem"/"Westmere" architecture, while newer "Sandy Bridge" architecture has come out since - some of which are as fast or faster than the 980X even though they only have four cores. Have a look at this comparison.

Also, with such a high power machine I wouldn't suggest using the vengeance RAM with the massive heatsinks unless you plan to liquid cool as they get in the way of the larger CPU coolers. This is the CPU cooler I would use, so long as you use low-profile RAM.

Also, if you want 120Hz monitors - I wouldn't suggest going for those Acers as there have been quite a few issues with an annoying buzzing noise coming from them. Instead I would suggest going for this LG 120Hz monitor or this Dell U2311H IPS monitor (only 60Hz, but the image quality is great due to the high quality panel).

That benchmark is interesting. I'm going to look into that 2600k. I've seen a few others mention the same thing on other forums too.

JooJar · 5 May 2011 at 19:29

Reaper 392 said:
*edit*
oh, i see the budget is £5000, not £3000. many more things can be had, so i will get cracking with a new spec

Many thanks Reaper

JooJar · 5 May 2011 at 19:38

Reaper 392 said:
with £5000 to spend, you could get a completely silent but rediculously powerful water cooled computer.... its just a shame OcUK dont sell much in the way of watercooling.

i would also get someone else to recommend watercooling stuff to you, because i know next to nothing about it

A bit of noise is ok to be honest. Most of the time I wear headphones. I have Sennheiser HD 25 MK2's.

As long as the tempreatures can be sustained at a decent temprature, and the computer can be left on overnight at times without problems then I'm ok.

JooJar · 5 May 2011 at 19:54

Predicament said:
You better post up some pictures son

I will. I might go down tomorrow and collect the bits. I live down the road from OcUK.

JooJar · 5 May 2011 at 19:56

cmndr_andi said:
With a £5000 budget this might be up your street:

Unfortunately that workstation bundle only comes with the standard Asus P8P67 board - so I would ask them if they could use the Asus P8P67 PRO board instead for better SLI performance due to the x8/x8 PCI-E lanes on the PRO.

That looks nice. Is the GTX 580 better than the HD6990? Those monitors allow 3D?

JooJar · 5 May 2011 at 20:05

cmndr_andi said:
For such a high resolution they would be a better choice and GTX 580 SLI is a fair bit faster than a HD 6990.

The monitors aren't 3D, but they are 27in 2560x1440 resolution H-IPS monitors - so they will look amazing in games and the huge resolution (just over 11 million pixels in total) will be really useful in general use and work compared to a set of three 23.6in monitors (6.2 million pixels total).

I see. Makes perfect sense. Would it be useful to get 3 of those cards, 1 for each monitor?

JooJar · 5 May 2011 at 20:38

Based on those 2 very helpful builds above, I am going to refactor my budget, possibly look into water cooling, and get back with the product list and get some comments. Really looking forward to putting this together.