Upgrade Advice

[Eyghon]

Hi,

Upgrading my current rig, X2 5600+ running on a Crosshair with 8800GTS-512, 2GB OCZ RAM in Antec 900 with Hiper 750W PSU.

I've always used AMD since the K5 but I think it's time for a change

So I'm looking at:
i7-860 or 870
Gigabyte GA-P55A-UD6 or Asus equivalent (Preferred), must have USB3.0 & SATA6.0 Support.
2 x 4GB OCZ Reaper HPC Edition 1600MHz DDR3 Dual Channel Kits (8GB Total)
CoolerMaster HAF 932
1000W CoolerMaster M1000 Real Power
I'm really undecided on the GPU, buy 1 or maybe 2 5870's or wait for 5890 or my preferred option would be to wait and see what DX11 kit nVidia have to offer.

I'm also debating about water cooling so would welcome any suggestions on this as it will be my first foray into WC.

I could probably run to £1800 but would prefer £1100-£1400

Regards

 

[Hesky82]

Its worth noting a decent wc setup would set you back a lot more than you think. its not all that hard to spend over £300 on a single loop which utilises quality components to cool both the GPU and CPU.

But its would still be possible to do it under your budget of £1400 if you stick to a single GFX card and the best value I7 processors. Seriously though no game is going to bother an overclocked 5870!

 

[Eyghon]

I was thinking of starting small with the WC and going for something like the Corsair H-50 or Coolit Systems Domino.

Regards

 

[Hesky82]

In all honesty those all-in-one solutions perform no better than a decent heatpipe cooler like the Noctua U12P for example. It is worth noting rad/fan positioning is also critical, locate the rad incorrectly and the performance of the cooler is reduced. You also find these cooling systems only really works well with the rad fan cranked to max as the design of the rad cores tend to be inefficient and create quite high static air pressure. there simply to compromised.

They may be relativity cheap considering what you get, but the performance isn't anything to shout about when you are spending 10-25quid more than a very good air cooler.

A another disadvantage of these all in one solutions is you cant upgrade or replace and improve a certain comp, say the water block as they tend to use odd size pipe work or there sealed completely.

How about starting with a DIY single cpu loop utilising cheaper yet good quality components?
something like this....

Swiftech MCP355 Pump £45.99
EK Supreme LT Acetal CPU Water Block £29.99
XSPC RS240 120mm Radiator £24.99
Swiftech MCRES-Micro res £19.99

With all the fittings and pipe work your looking at no more than £150 for a decent yet totally upgradable setup!
You could add a second block to cool the GPU no probs and say later replace the rad for a higher quality one.
either way that sort of setup would blow away an all-in-one solution any day!!

 

[Eyghon]

OK cheers Hesky