Pilotasso finally geting a new rig- but hold on a moment-Monster air cooling inside!

[Pilotasso]

Hey guys. My application to my companies permanent boards was successful (no more 12 month contracts) so, I have confidence to spend a small part of the money I have been saving the past 4 and a half years. Also Im selling my current rig to a friend which will cut back on the spending spree below :D

 

My PC spot is in the atic of a house so, the air is warmer, in August may come to 40ºC :eek:.

 

So I wanted to design this thing to be tough but without going overboard with price, and that ruled out sophisticated water cooling Im afraid.

 

The compromise is the following:

 

CPU: CORE i5 2500K 3.30GHZ 6MB CACHE 1155 --- Born to be overclocked!

Cooler: CORSAIR HYDRO SERIES H60

CASE: COOLERMASTER HAF-X (KKN1) --- Butt ugly but there is no real alternative here

RAM: 8GB GSKILL RIPJAW X DDR3 1600MHZ (7-8-7-24) (2x4GB)

MOTHERBOARD: MSI P67A - GD65 (B3) SOCKET 1155 REV 3

GFX: GIGABYTE GTX570 1280MB GDDR5 PCIe - GV-N570OC-13I --- Note the giant cooler!

primary drive: INTEL SSD 510 SERIES 250GB SATA 3 or OCZ Vertex 3 240GB I left the shop to get the later if possible

data drive: WESTERN DIGITAL GREEN 3TB SATA II (WD30EZRSDTL)

PSU: CORSAIR TX-750W V2 SINGLE RAIL

 

Grand total 1870€

 

 

what you guys think?? :D

Edited June 24, 2011 by Pilotasso
typo

[EtherealN]

Looks good. I'm not totally familiar with some of those vendors, but the base components look like a good healthy build. Regarding the case I use the older HAF 932 (modified to replace the door 24cm fan with four Zalman 12cm fans) and like it a lot. They may be ugly, but only in the "brutal ugly" type of way we recognize from things like the A-10. :D

[Pilotasso]

THX! :)

 

I considered the 932 too but has no dust filters.

Other cases I viewed were silverstones, but they are damn expensive. Corsairs OBSIDIAN series OK but less air cooling than what I was aiming at.

Edited June 17, 2011 by Pilotasso

[HiJack]

Very very good Pilotasso. That rig will definitely host a large number of great flights :cheer3nc: I have the “Antec Nine Hundred II” casing and use passive cooling for silence and I’m surprised how well it works :shocking:

 

Casing: ASUS M4A89TD PRO, Antec Nine Hundred Two, Passive cooling on board and CPU

Processor: AMD Phenom II X6 1090T Processor, 3200 Mhz, 6 Core(s), 6 Logical Processor(s)

Memory: 8GB RAM, 4 x OCZ DDR3 2 GB Value Memory Gold i5, 1600MHz. (8-8-8-24)

Display adapter: ATI Radeon HD 5870, 1GB RAM, Catalyst 10.9 Graphics Software

System disk: OCZ 120 GB SSD 2,5" S-ATA II TRIM/GC, Vertex 2, Max Read/Write 285/275MB/sec

Storage disk: WD 2TB Black 3,5", SATA64MB Cache, Dual Processor, 7200RPM

Operating System: Windows 7 64-bit English, Trend Micro Internet Security antivirus

Monitor: Samsung 27" LCD Syncmaster P2770H, 1920x1080, DVI, 70000:1, 2ms

Flight gear: Saitek X52Pro, TrackIR 5, VAC, TS3, Fraps

 

Happy flying :D

(HJ)

[Kuky]

Large size fans in the side panel is good thing, especially if there is a filter and better then more smaller size fans as it's got more air flow and much lower noise level (I have Antec P190 case and large fan on the side is just great)

 

Pilotaso, so you still going with water cooling... instead of H60 have you considered thicker radiator like Corsair H70 that also has 2 fans instead of 1, that one should have bit better cooling capacity... I know it costs more but you don't buy these things every day, since it should be mounted on pretty much any board with different sockets you could use it in next rig as well.

 

Anyway, good build overall :)

[104th_Cobra]

I'm more an Asus fan for the components, but your choices look good.

I have one Centurion 5 II case as a server and a CM 690 II as desktop, they are great cases, silent and with good airflow. Invest in dust filters because your case will be a houver.

I also have Corsairs HX620.

Trying not to being eager, but why don't you think on spending more 200-300€ and buying a Core i7 (more bandwith but I'm not sure about the overclocking capabilities) and a 1000w Corsair PSU?

[EtherealN]

instead of H60 have you considered thicker radiator like Corsair H70 that also has 2 fans instead of 1, that one should have bit better cooling capacity...

 

Note: the standard fans on the H70 are LOUD.

[Kuky]

Note: the standard fans on the H70 are LOUD.

 

Get quieter fans?

[celticcoho]

THX! :)

 

I considered the 932 too but has no dust filters.

Other cases I viewed were silverstones, but they are damn expensive. Corsairs OBSIDIAN series OK but less air cooling than what I was aiming at.

hello Pilotasso, I have the Silverstone cases, RV-01 and RV-02, both cool very well , I have Asetek closed loop cooling on CPU, Since MOBO is turned 90 degrees, GPUS Cool just fine on their own, Just for your INFO..Cheers, Jim:thumbup:

[Depth]

Note: the standard fans on the H70 are LOUD.

I have the H70 and it barely makes any sound at all. There are speed regulators in the package.

[RSharpe]

Most of those pre-built water cooling units are LOUD. I'd get something like the Noctua NH-D14, which is just as cool, and a hell of a lot quieter at load. I have the same case as you, and it's massive enough to accommodate the cooler.

 

I have the smaller Noctua NH-U12P, and I run my i7 920 at 4.0ghz 24/7.

[Rhinox]

RAM: 8GB GSKILL RIPJAW X DDR3 1600MHZ (7-8-7-24) (2x4GB)

Congratulation to your new rig, seems to be real monster. But I'd be carefull with memory-modules: i5/i7 2x specification sets maximum to 1.5V, and you should take it seriously as memory controller is in cpu. Yet the module you selected needs 1.6V. It could maybe run with 1.5V using less agressive timing, but then the question is, why should you pay extra money for features you can not use? Looking in price-tags, GSkill Ripjaw X 1600 7-8-7-24 1.6V costs ~50% more than GSkill Ripjaw X 1600 8-8-8-24 1.5V (at least here).

 

IMHO it is money wasted. i5/i7 is unsensitive not only to timings, but to frequencies too. Even 1333/1600/1866 does not make any big difference, only in some particular synthetic benchmarks.

[awdrgyjo]

As you may know I have been doing a bit of research myself, if you did change your mind using liquid cooling you may be interested in this: TITAN FENRIR EVO EXTREME HEATPIPE CPU COOLER, just a thought.

[Pilotasso]

Congratulation to your new rig, seems to be real monster. But I'd be carefull with memory-modules: i5/i7 2x specification sets maximum to 1.5V, and you should take it seriously as memory controller is in cpu. Yet the module you selected needs 1.6V. It could maybe run with 1.5V using less agressive timing, but then the question is, why should you pay extra money for features you can not use? Looking in price-tags, GSkill Ripjaw X 1600 7-8-7-24 1.6V costs ~50% more than GSkill Ripjaw X 1600 8-8-8-24 1.5V (at least here).

 

IMHO it is money wasted. i5/i7 is unsensitive not only to timings, but to frequencies too. Even 1333/1600/1866 does not make any big difference, only in some particular synthetic benchmarks.

 

The MOBO should supply the correct voltage automatically, not the CPU, but Ill ask in the store when to pick up the stuff.

[Pilotasso]

I'm more an Asus fan for the components, but your choices look good.

I have one Centurion 5 II case as a server and a CM 690 II as desktop, they are great cases, silent and with good airflow. Invest in dust filters because your case will be a houver.

I also have Corsairs HX620.

Trying not to being eager, but why don't you think on spending more 200-300€ and buying a Core i7 (more bandwith but I'm not sure about the overclocking capabilities) and a 1000w Corsair PSU?

 

 

The budget I allocated for the rig was to be under 2000€. Its a rule I set myself to control my economies efficiently.

 

For Lockon and DCS there should be no problems with bandwidth. By the time your out of bandwidth in this platform the games will be 1 FPS then. ;)

 

Ill build another for DCS F-16, if needed. ;)

Edited June 18, 2011 by Pilotasso

[EtherealN]

The MOBO should supply the correct voltage automatically, not the CPU, but Ill ask in the store when to pick up the stuff.

 

Actually, no, the memory controller resides inside the CPU and Intel recommends a maximum .5v difference between vtt and vDIMM due to this. Their official verdict about 1.65v modules is that it is "probably fine" or something like that, but 1.5v DIMMs are recommended. However, depending on how you end up configuring your rig, 1.65 might still end up within that .5v-delta recommendation. The important thing isn't the voltages themselves, but the delta between them.

[EtherealN]

Trying not to being eager, but why don't you think on spending more 200-300€ and buying a Core i7 (more bandwith but I'm not sure about the overclocking capabilities) and a 1000w Corsair PSU?

 

If by "bandwidth" you mean memory bandwidth/triple channel stuff: don't bother. It'll make no difference. Also note that the triple-channel 1366-socket i7's are substantially weaker per core compared to the 2500K for this application (~10-20% delta per-clock, AND the 2500K overclocks relatively reliably to 4.8 or even 5GHz, which those gen1 i7's can't do).

 

Also, a 1000w PSU is pretty pointless. At a modest overclock (~4.4GHz) that machine will drink ~350watt, and it might go as high as 400watt if the CPU OC's to 5GHz. A 1kilowatt PSU is not necessary - 750 to 850 is the good balance.

[Pilotasso]

Actually, no, the memory controller resides inside the CPU and Intel recommends a maximum .5v difference between vtt and vDIMM due to this. Their official verdict about 1.65v modules is that it is "probably fine" or something like that, but 1.5v DIMMs are recommended. However, depending on how you end up configuring your rig, 1.65 might still end up within that .5v-delta recommendation. The important thing isn't the voltages themselves, but the delta between them.

 

the mems are 1.6V :)

 

http://www.gskill.com/products.php?index=357

[EtherealN]

Then you should indeed be good. :)

 

Sorry, GSKILL is one of those vendors I'm unfamiliar with.

[celticcoho]

If by "bandwidth" you mean memory bandwidth/triple channel stuff: don't bother. It'll make no difference. Also note that the triple-channel 1366-socket i7's are substantially weaker per core compared to the 2500K for this application (~10-20% delta per-clock, AND the 2500K overclocks relatively reliably to 4.8 or even 5GHz, which those gen1 i7's can't do).

 

Also, a 1000w PSU is pretty pointless. At a modest overclock (~4.4GHz) that machine will drink ~350watt, and it might go as high as 400watt if the CPU OC's to 5GHz. A 1kilowatt PSU is not necessary - 750 to 850 is the good balance.

Any PSU is more efficient at 50%. so I think 1000w is fine, with room to grow as well!!! my two cents???:book:

[EtherealN]

Any PSU is more efficient at 50%. so I think 1000w is fine, with room to grow as well!!! my two cents???:book:

 

1000/2=500

750/2=375

 

Since expected load is in line with the 750Watt unit's optimal load level, we can proceed and purchase an 80+Gold certified unit at the same price as a 1000Watt 80+ unit, ensuring 92% power efficiency instead of a regular 80+rated 950/1000Watt unit which would be at 80% power efficiency. The purchase price would be the same, but actual power use would be noticeably higher with the 1000Watt unit, and we would have an added heat generation of 70W instead of 28W. Note how the 1000Watt unit wastes almost as much energy under a 350 watt load as the i7 2600K has for TDP (95W).

 

There's a lot more to power supplies than wattage.

It should also be noted that the 80+ Gold standard means that you only lose about 4% efficiency when going low or high, meaning that the 80+ Gold unit is still saving you money at 100% load compared to the 1000W 80+ unit at it's optimal 50%.

Edited June 18, 2011 by EtherealN

[celticcoho]

1000/2=500

750/2=375

 

Since expected load is in line with the 750Watt unit's optimal load level, we can proceed and purchase an 80+Gold certified unit at the same price as a 1000Watt 80+ unit, ensuring 92% power efficiency instead of a regular 80+rated 950/1000Watt unit which would be at 80% power efficiency. The purchase price would be the same, but actual power use would be noticeably higher with the 1000Watt unit, and we would have an added heat generation of 70W instead of 28W. Note how the 1000Watt unit wastes almost as much energy under a 350 watt load as the i7 2600K has for TDP (95W).

 

There's a lot more to power supplies than wattage.

It should also be noted that the 80+ Gold standard means that you only lose about 4% efficiency when going low or high, meaning that the 80+ Gold unit is still saving you money at 100% load compared to the 1000W 80+ unit at it's optimal 50%.

 

Well Said!!!! my 2 GPU's will eat a 750w to max, That was my point...Good to hear all sides...Respect, Jim:thumbup:

100% load on anything is meant to be a short life!!! If you exceed it, you Crash!!!

Edited June 19, 2011 by celticcoho

[EtherealN]

Actually, two 5870's would be 376 watts, but add the i7 onto that and you end up somewhere around 500-550 (possibly 600 with the OC). You'd still be better off as far as power efficiency goes if using a 750W 80+Gold unit than a 1000Watt 80+ unit though. ;)

 

Obviously, the BEST in that case would be a 1000W+ unit that is rated 80+Gold, but that hikes the price up on the unit a lot. It's all a balance between spending.

[celticcoho]

Actually, two 5870's would be 376 watts, but add the i7 onto that and you end up somewhere around 500-550 (possibly 600 with the OC). You'd still be better off as far as power efficiency goes if using a 750W 80+Gold unit than a 1000Watt 80+ unit though. ;)

 

Obviously, the BEST in that case would be a 1000W+ unit that is rated 80+Gold, but that hikes the price up on the unit a lot. It's all a balance between spending.

 

I have 1000w Corsair PSU's in both my Sim Rig and office desktop!! Personal preference for me. my 5870 eyefinity 6 cards pull more juice, newer GPU's even pull more.

Good discussion, I agree to a point! It's what you want in your rig. Heat has never been a problem in my rigs because of the PSU. Cheers, Jim:thumbup:

[Pilotasso]

I changed the order of the PSU to CORSAIR AX-750W in place of the TX version. Need a fully modular design. I just assembled another PC with a non modular unit for a friend, and I dont want the mess I saw. :D