Building new gaming computer: Watercooling advice

Discussion in 'Building a new PC' started by Veyloris, Aug 26, 2009.

  1. Veyloris

    Veyloris Member

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    These are the specs for the gaming computer, let me know if you have any suggestions about it, but mainly I am wondering about the water cooling. Is the one I picked for the processor good, and should I bother with 2 more heat sinks for my Quad Sli?

    Case: http://www.buy.com/prod/antec-skeleton-atx-tower-computer-case/q/loc/101/209301494.html ($155)
    Mobo: http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicat...CODE=GOOGLEBASE&cm_mmc_o=VRqCjC7BBTkwCjCECjCE (112$)
    Processor: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...ogle-_-Processors+-+Desktops-_-AMD-_-19103692 (245$)
    RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231166 (x2) (120$) (60 Each)
    Powersupply: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006 (120$)
    Cooling: http://www.xoxide.com/coolit-pure-cpucooler.html (80$)
    Graphics: http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=evga+295+&oe=utf-8&cid=10448587985002278702&sa=title#p (x2) (1000$) (500$ each)
    Mouse: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000WU35JQ...e=asn&creative=380341&creativeASIN=B000WU35JQ (60$)
    Keyboard: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage...&ref=06&loc=01&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=9306896 (77$)

    Total: 1929$

    I have about 150$ more to spend, so I would like to keep this in the budget, but if it goes over, I can always buy them at a later point.

    So far I have looked at this for the graphics cards, and I would buy one now, one later.
    http://www.koolance.com/water-cooling/product_info.php?product_id=778

    Thank you for reading! Any and all advice welcomed!
     
  2. sammorris

    sammorris Senior member

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    You're trying to watercool an Antec Skeleton? I wouldn't know where to begin. You do realise they're completely exposed cases and have very little room to work?
    A better motherboard for AMD would be a MA790GP-UD4H but for an enthusiast watercooling system, why buy such a poor CPU? The 965BE CPUs can hardly be overclocked at all, are overpriced for their mediocre performance and are generally a waste.
    A far better approach for a top-end watercooling system would be either:
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115130
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813138118
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145247

    Or
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115202
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813138135
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145224

    The GPU is horrifically expensive for what it is, you would be much better off grabbing the last stocks of the HD4870X2 before they disappear
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150349

    This also seems to be a better water cooling kit:
    http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=25881

    bear in mind that waterblock isn't compatible with the new GTX295, it is designed for the old versions (non-single PCB).
    There are several 4870X2 waterblocks around, but remember watercooling kits will not cool the graphics card on their own - if you want to cool the GPus as well you need to not buy a CPU cooling kit, and buy a full watercooling system.
     
  3. Veyloris

    Veyloris Member

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    Alright! Thank you for the quick response! So, would you recommend one or two of the Radeons? Also, on that quad you posted, the Quad Q9650, would you recommend just jumping to DDR3? The i7s out perform that for a bit cheaper, and so I figure just pay a bit more for RAM and save money on the processor.

    Right now, I think I am going to get these things you recommended:
    The liquid cooler: http://www.performance-pcs.com/cata...e=product_info&cPath=59_202&products_id=25881
    DDR3 RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145224
    The i7: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115202
    Graphics (2 of them): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...ogle-_-Video+Cards-_-Sapphire+Tech-_-14102768
    Mobo: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813138135

    Any more suggestions? That is perfectly in the budget, and actually decreased the price by 18$ :p

    Thank you!
     
  4. sammorris

    sammorris Senior member

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    There is no advantage to DDR3 with the Core 2 Quads, and it requires a different motherboard to fit it anyway. With a Core 2, stick with DDR2.
    If you want to go with the i7, which is the newer and slightly more powerful technology (but not necessarily off the bat, the real advantages show up when you overclock them)
    I use two 4870X2s myself, but they are no longer available in the UK, so if you want them, get them now.
    HOWEVER,
    in only a few weeks' time a new graphics generation will appear, you would be wise to wait and see what's on the horizon, if you can. If not, two 4870X2s make an admirable system.
     
  5. Veyloris

    Veyloris Member

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    Well, I am looking to keep this under 2000$ and wouldn't the next gen send it over?
     
  6. Veyloris

    Veyloris Member

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    And I am also looking to get this computer before the release of Aion, and that is September 22nd. So if the new generation wouldn't cost too much more, and it will be coming out soon, that would be great, if it doesn't fit those prerequisites, then I see no point in waiting.
     
  7. KillerBug

    KillerBug Active member

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    5870 Release Info:
    Pre-Launch: September 10
    Official Launch: September 22
    Retail Shipments Start: October
     
  8. sammorris

    sammorris Senior member

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    Good to see ATI back to their old paper-launching ways. Still, I suppose now they're no longer playing catch up with nvidia, they can. Still nothing from them about next gen, but I reckon it's a pretty safe bet, that the same week the ATI cards appear for sale, nvidia ones will appear out of nowhere. There won't be many to buy due to the rush, but then there will probably be an extreme shortage of ATIs as well due to the 40nm yield problems. This is one graphics generation I may very well pre-order.
     
  9. Veyloris

    Veyloris Member

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    Oh, and should I worry about the PSU? It seems like a good one, but 2 graphics cards and an i7 would put a strain on almost anything.
     
  10. sammorris

    sammorris Senior member

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  11. Veyloris

    Veyloris Member

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  12. sammorris

    sammorris Senior member

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    Why are you getting everything from different places? The shipping on that is going to be fantastically expensive - what you save from buying elsewhere you will lose on shipping.
    Also, you would get better support buying from NCIXUS themselves rather than their ebay store. Also, in quite a hot case like the Skeleton with no surrounding airflow you would be wise to get the Dominator version of the RAM so it does not overheat:
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145253
    I believe this will fit the RAM:
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835181008
     
  13. Veyloris

    Veyloris Member

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    That price actually includes the shipping.
     
  14. sammorris

    sammorris Senior member

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    Yes, but why spend money you don't have to? Buy all that lot from fewer stores, even if it's still 2 or 3 and you will almost certainly save money.
     

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