The Official Budget-Conscious Dream Machine!

I've got a new build coming up next week.

4GB of DDR2
Q6600(I WILL OC it)
9800GTX
Xigmatek HD1283(I think that's the name. Anyway I will give you DEFINITIVE results on this damn heatsink and tell you how it compares to the freezer 7 pro, which costs the same BTW)
Raidmax Smilodon(yes I liked it enough to do ANOTHER build in it)


All powered by Corsair 550VX.

 

I wouldn't expect any issues.

 

Yeah I didn't think so. I think this will be the most powerful computer I will ever have had.

 

The StealthXstream is also the only OCZ I recommend. Too many problems with most of their stuff, but the StealthXstream 600W seems to be a diamond in the rough And I'll just take your word for it on FSP PSUs. I really haven't used them at all.

Both statements are very true. It's possible to do with a 380W and anything over 650W seems to be serious overkill for most setups. Anyone planning a mid-high end dual card solution would be advised to get a quality 500-600W PSU with at least dual 12v rails.

I don't expect any issues either. It should be a quality build, though I don't think you'll get much of a speed bump in most stuff going from the E6750 to the Q6600.

I also like the choice of PSU. I have one as well and it's an excellent unit. Very quiet and cool.

Okay, some questions on the case. I was planning to use it for a friend's build but I'm not sure about it. I want to find out what I can about it before deciding to spend someone else's money.

First off, is this the one you are getting or have?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811156063

Next, if that is the one, how is that "crossbar" looking fan mount? Is it intake or exhaust? I'm assuming exhaust. What does it cool?(suspecting video card) And is it functional?

There is also another side fan on the back(un-windowed side) of the case. Is it an exhaust or intake fan? Where is the fan port inside the case? Is it behind the drive bays? Does it pull a decent amount of air and do you think it's really needed?

And how is the front door? Is it cheap and flimsy or is it of solid construction? Is it magnetic or does it have mechanical latches? How's the airflow through it when closed?

Is the LED fan in the window of decent quality? Has the LED died on you? Does it pull enough air? Is it bright or dim?

Can you remove the bottom drive cage? Can you have a hard drive in the middle drive cage?

Finally, is the case loud or is it bearable? Silence is not a priority, but I don't want to relive my days with the dustbuster fan on my X850XT. It sounded like a small jet engine when revved up.

 

I already had a Q6600. I gave up my E6750 a long time ago. This build is for a customer.

About the case, I have the same case in green. It's called the Extreme version but all I can see is that one is black and green(looks REAL nice BTW) and one is blue and silver.

The crossbar thing has a fan that can do both exhaust and intake. Just flip it around. The people at Raidmax were kind dumb and they made the fan over the CPU(which should blow cool air TOWARDS the CPU) exhaust, and the crossbar fan intake(even though the fan is right over the part of the video card where hot air comes out). So I switched both their directions.

I have only had the case for a couple of days. The LED fan pushed a LOT of air. Much more than the same size fan on the crossbar. The LEDs are bright, but not too much. The lights in this case are nice and don't get in your face(unlike the Armor). The motherboard tray is a really nice feature. The fan on the unwindowed side is just a slot. You don't really need to put anything there. They have a lot for a fan because you can put a HDD there if you want and there is no front fan blowing air over it like it normally would if the HDD was on the bottom rack, so that's why they have an option for a fan there.

Talking about the front door, it's high quality plastic. It's attached with magnets. The door kinda blocks are flow because the opening on the front door is smaller than the fan, but I don't expect it to be a problem. The entire case yells quality construction, you wont be disappointed. It's not LOUD, really, but not silent either. I run all the fans on 100% and it's quieter than the CM 690, but that just might be because of the different kind of fans. It's overall not bad on the ears and if you're a normal person(read: not Sam! lol) you should be fine.

 

@abuzar1

Thanks for taking the time to answer my questions! That case seems perfect for the build I'm about to do. My friend will love it

I think I can handle turning around a few fans

Also, does the fan port behind the drive cages require a slim profile fan? Thanks again.

@sammorris,

What is your opinion on drive cooling? Does the average 7200 rpm SATA drive require direct airflow for safe operation? Mine have a 120mm fan blowing on them so I wouldn't know what temps would be like.

Also, since this case is going to get some adjustment... more intake flow or more exhaust flow? I'd assume more exhaust, but I could be wrong.

 

I don't honestly know. I don't think so. I will check and let you know.

BTW, I forgot to answer this one question, Yes the bottom bay is removable. In fact it is much easier than in other cases.

 

That is good news! Thank you again for the help. It sounds almost too good to be true!

 

They do. Hard disks require very little airflow to stay cool - a 700rpm 120mm fan will suffice for four drives, but if given no airflow at all they will run very hot (in the fifties celcius)

 

I just pulled an 80mm Yate Loon out of a dead 300W PSU and put a fan header on it. Would this suffice for a single drive in the middle drive cage of the Smilodon? I'm sure it would be fine, but I'm just checking.

Also, since I haven't tried it out yet, are Yate Loon fans known for being quiet? I don't currently use any. I'm using 120mm Thermaltake Thunderblades.

Sorry if this all seems a bit off topic, but this does have to do with a budget dream machine. Talking <$800 for just the box. Using pretty much the same parts I outlined earlier with an 8800GT instead.

Speaking of which, before I decide to order it, how well does it fit larger cards? Fairly well with the bottom drive cage removed, I assume. Most mid-tower cases seem to be capable of anything as big as an 8800GT. But just checking to be safe.

-------------------------------------------------
Now to my own semi budget conscious machine

Alas, this Smilodon has won my heart with its extensive features Who knew Raidmax could produce quality parts? lol. I think I'll order my friend the green one and get the blue one for myself

When I upgrade in the near future, I think the Thermaltake Armor is going on eBay. It's really awesome but also really huge and unneeded as I plan to stay single card and air cooling on the CPU(it's a bit empty inside). The Tuniq Tower 120 might also go in favor of my reliable old AC 7 Pro I still don't know why I felt the need to upgrade my cooling. The Arctic Freezer is honestly enough for OCing most CPUs, even for quads. It'll especially be fine whenever I upgrade to a cooler running 45nm

I'm also waiting to see if AMD/ATi pulls an ace out of their sleeve with the 4870. If it's as good as previews indicate, I want one. If not, I might grab a 9800GTX. They are very attractively priced for the performance

 

Considering they're only 10% faster than the 8800GT though, surely the 8800GT is even better value for money?

 

That's why I plan to change out the PSU, case, cooling, etc before I decide on a video card. I want to see what is released and how prices drop before I make my move.

I'm hopefully aiming higher than an 8800GT, and the 8800GTS G92 is dropping in price rapidly. It'll put me back at the same level as my old 8800GTX, so I'll see what happens when I get my other stuff. It's just nice to finally have the money to upgrade again. The 320MB GTS is killing me on this large monitor

 

I can imagine - 320MB is not a lot of video memory for that res.

 

the 4850s are about 10% fast, w.o being OCed, and it been said that they OC like mad.

they can hit about 900/2000 (not icluded shader OCs)

they will pull away. and 10% more than the GT puts it in 9800GTX/8800GTS teritory

 

I was actually referring to the 9800GTX not the 4850! haha

 

ahh though u were replying to the 4870

my bad hehe

 

I'm not completely sure which card is right for me. But I did check prices on the G92 8800GTS. $209 for the MSI card. Wow, I'm almost tempted to get it.

Here is the one for anyone interested:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127325

You guys think I should get it while it's still available?

 

Sounds like a good deal.

 

wait for the 4870/4850

 

Holy CRAP, buy it.

How much faster is a 9800GTX compared to a 8800GTS 512?