[Cherve]

Hey everybody,
So im feeling like upgrading my computer

Current Specs:
Case: Antec 300
CPU: Intel Core i7 920 2.66Ghz
MoBo: Asus P6T Deluxe
RAM: Corsair Vengeance 3x2GB Supertalents 3x2GB (12GB)
GPU: 2 Radeon HD 6950 Crossfired
PSU: antec 850w
Sound card: Creative Fata1ity Soundblaster X-Fi

The case is very cramped because of the crossfire and has poor cable management.
This made me decide on getting a new case. Im keeping the crossfire the sound card,
and the power supply unless i need a bigger one i dont believe i will.

So the new specs I liked for the upgrade are
New Specs:
Case: Thermaltake Chaser MK 1
CPU: Intel Core i7 3770k or Intel Core i7 2700k
MoBo: Asus Sabertooth Z77
RAM: Corsair Vengeance 4x4GB (16GB)

The CPU im not to sure because the 3770k is new so they are way expensive and not to much
improvement in performance from what ive read. So I was looking at the 2700k and the 2600k
to see how much performance i can get with a good deal. Also im going with blue and black for
a color scheme. One question I have for the future i want to get watercooling later but im not to
sure on what I should get for the most cooling in the new case I picked i would like some advice on that.

[LiveBrianD]

What are the specs of the corsair ram? Generally speaking, you do not need more than 8GB RAM (for basic machines 4GB is plenty). I can only use up 8GB on my desktop if I run several VMs.

Also, the new Ivy Bridge CPUs (like the 3770K) run rather hot compared to the Sandy Bridge ones when overclocked, so I question if they're worth it. (they used thermal compound instead of solder to attach the heat spreader to the CPU)

[Cherve]

I know you dont need more then 8 i dont even know why the components support 32GB of ram thats insane. Do you mean the new corsairs they are 1600Mhz 9-9-9-24

[waldojim]

First, look for faster ram, with tighter timings, and get it in a 2x8G kit. Filling all the ram slots may be functional, but is harder on the memory controller.

Apart from that, is there a reason you want to water cool? Also, are you going to run a true water cooled setup, or a sealed loop kit?

[Cherve]

waldojim, on 17 May 2012 - 01:49 PM, said:

First, look for faster ram, with tighter timings, and get it in a 2x8G kit. Filling all the ram slots may be functional, but is harder on the memory controller.

Apart from that, is there a reason you want to water cool? Also, are you going to run a true water cooled setup, or a sealed loop kit?

I just want to keep my computer really cool. Im not gonna overclock right away so i dont need a water cooling setup right now. im not sure what you mean by a true water cooled setup and a sealed loop kit I dont have a good knowledge of water cooling thats why i never did it.

[coastie65]

Cherve, on 17 May 2012 - 11:40 AM, said:

I know you dont need more then 8 i dont even know why the components support 32GB of ram thats insane. Do you mean the new corsairs they are 1600Mhz 9-9-9-24

Hi, You will do well with this: http://www.newegg.co...N82E16820231445 The latency and timings are a bit better. As for processor, if your budget can handle it, go with the 3770k, but if you wnat to save some then by all means go with the 2600k ( I am running that in here on an ASUS P8Z68-VPro MOBO. There is also a Z77 version of that MOBO ). I have mine in a Cooler Master 912 HAF box and it was really nice to work inside of that thing and has good air flow ( I do have a bunch of extra case fans installed as well ). Wire management was a breeze as well. The enclosure on the bottom between the PSU and Hdds contains a 256 Gb SSD now.

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This post has been edited by coastie65: 17 May 2012 - 02:51 PM

[coastie65]

waldojim, on 17 May 2012 - 01:49 PM, said:

Filling all the ram slots may be functional, but is harder on the memory controller.

Hmmm, I was unaware of that.

[LiveBrianD]

coastie65, on 17 May 2012 - 02:50 PM, said:

Cherve, on 17 May 2012 - 11:40 AM, said:

I know you dont need more then 8 i dont even know why the components support 32GB of ram thats insane. Do you mean the new corsairs they are 1600Mhz 9-9-9-24

Hi, You will do well with this: http://www.newegg.co...N82E16820231445 The latency and timings are a bit better. As for processor, if your budget can handle it, go with the 3770k, but if you wnat to save some then by all means go with the 2600k ( I am running that in here on an ASUS P8Z68-VPro MOBO. There is also a Z77 version of that MOBO ). I have mine in a Cooler Master 912 HAF box and it was really nice to work inside of that thing and has good air flow ( I do have a bunch of extra case fans installed as well ). Wire management was a breeze as well. The enclosure on the bottom between the PSU and Hdds contains a 256 Gb SSD now.

The HAF 912 looks like a good case, but I'm not convinced that it's much of an upgrade from the Antec 300 (which I have). (both cases have the same price tag, for instance) The wire management and size seem pretty similar.

[coastie65]

LiveBrianD, on 17 May 2012 - 03:24 PM, said:

coastie65, on 17 May 2012 - 02:50 PM, said:

Cherve, on 17 May 2012 - 11:40 AM, said:

I know you dont need more then 8 i dont even know why the components support 32GB of ram thats insane. Do you mean the new corsairs they are 1600Mhz 9-9-9-24

Hi, You will do well with this: http://www.newegg.co...N82E16820231445 The latency and timings are a bit better. As for processor, if your budget can handle it, go with the 3770k, but if you wnat to save some then by all means go with the 2600k ( I am running that in here on an ASUS P8Z68-VPro MOBO. There is also a Z77 version of that MOBO ). I have mine in a Cooler Master 912 HAF box and it was really nice to work inside of that thing and has good air flow ( I do have a bunch of extra case fans installed as well ). Wire management was a breeze as well. The enclosure on the bottom between the PSU and Hdds contains a 256 Gb SSD now.

The HAF 912 looks like a good case, but I'm not convinced that it's much of an upgrade from the Antec 300 (which I have). (both cases have the same price tag, for instance) The wire management and size seem pretty similar.

Did you not see this? "The case is very cramped because of the crossfire and has poor cable management". I first looked an Antec 300 ( it was on my original list ) and went to what I have. The Antec was lacking in too many areas from what I saw and I didn't particularly like some aspects of it, but that is me. I also like the way the Hdds are configured in here, rather than the same as the optical drives. The Antec is also smaller than the 912 HAF.

This post has been edited by coastie65: 17 May 2012 - 04:21 PM

[LiveBrianD]

Aside from the fact that your case is an inch wider than mine, it's nearly identical in size. I seriously doubt there's enough difference for the OP to justify upgrading to it.

[coastie65]

LiveBrianD, on 17 May 2012 - 03:46 PM, said:

Aside from the fact that your case is an inch wider than mine, it's nearly identical in size. I seriously doubt there's enough difference for the OP to justify upgrading to it.

It's also deeper and thus can handle a long card. Anyway, did you not read the quote from his post that I put in there or did you just ignore it? He has one and he gave the reasons why he is looking for another case. The one he has picked out is a perfectly good case in itself. The 300 is okay, but there are much better options to be had.

[LiveBrianD]

The 300 can handle long cards too, if you don't mind giving up a few drive bays. After all, the OP does have a pair of 6950s in there. With yours, it looks like you need to remove some drive bays (you can't do that with the 300) to fit in long cards anyway. It looks like the MK-1 is quite a bit bigger than the 912 or the 300 though, and should be good. Yes, I read the OP's post, and I'm simply responding to your comments.

This post has been edited by LiveBrianD: 17 May 2012 - 05:01 PM

[Evildave]

You could build your own case.

Just get some spacers & straps, and a piece of plywood, and maybe some 'gorilla glue', maybe some cheap metal drive cages and screw it all to the wall. Lots of space for expansion. Good air circulation, too! Easy to dust. Even easier if the case has some sort of 'tray' for the motherboard that slids out.


http://www.messersmi...ess/2009/09/22/


http://www.willchild...m/computers.asp


http://www.tomsguide...,news-8890.html

[compnovo]

Cherve, on 17 May 2012 - 02:18 PM, said:

im not sure what you mean by a true water cooled setup and a sealed loop kit I dont have a good knowledge of water cooling thats why i never did it.

It doesn't look like anybody responded to this question so I'll jump in. I have what waldojim is referring to as a "sealed loop kit" (see attached image). You buy them as a kit, and they do a great job of keeping a stock system cool and quiet, or an overclocked system cool (but noisier - my setup has a three-speed fan that I keep on the lowest setting because I run stock).

A "true water cooled system" is more of a do-it-yourself affair because it's assembled from parts like the radiator, cooling pump, hoses and clamps, etc.

A good CPU cooling fan is all a stock setup really needs, I just wanted to see how the water cooler kit would work in my box, and my allowance allowed for it.

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[Evildave]

But it would still look cooler as functional art, on the wall.

[waldojim]

Cherve, on 17 May 2012 - 02:18 PM, said:

I just want to keep my computer really cool. Im not gonna overclock right away so i dont need a water cooling setup right now. im not sure what you mean by a true water cooled setup and a sealed loop kit I dont have a good knowledge of water cooling thats why i never did it.

If you aren't overclocking, then don't focus too much on the temps. With a decent case, and good airflow, you have nothing to worry about.

The difference between them is in complexity and effectiveness. The BEST closed loop systems, such as the Corsair H100 only cool as well as comparable air-cooling options. A true water cooling kit is much more involved, but if done correctly can yield results far beyond what air cooling can do. The more elaborate kits also get quite expensive.

[Evildave]

But gods help you, if it leaks.

[waldojim]

Evildave, on 17 May 2012 - 06:35 PM, said:

But gods help you, if it leaks.

That is why you test it first, without live equipment.

[Evildave]

Doesn't mean it will never leak. Considering you have to mechanically move it, route tubes, connect power... all things that can disrupt seals, to INSTALL it.

The first test that means anything is when it's already IN to the computer, and 'too late'.

Maybe use 'Everclear 190' for that first test. At least it's highly distilled, and you'll have something to console you if it does wreck something.

[Cherve]

waldojim, on 17 May 2012 - 06:19 PM, said:

Cherve, on 17 May 2012 - 02:18 PM, said:

I just want to keep my computer really cool. Im not gonna overclock right away so i dont need a water cooling setup right now. im not sure what you mean by a true water cooled setup and a sealed loop kit I dont have a good knowledge of water cooling thats why i never did it.

If you aren't overclocking, then don't focus too much on the temps. With a decent case, and good airflow, you have nothing to worry about.

The difference between them is in complexity and effectiveness. The BEST closed loop systems, such as the Corsair H100 only cool as well as comparable air-cooling options. A true water cooling kit is much more involved, but if done correctly can yield results far beyond what air cooling can do. The more elaborate kits also get quite expensive.

Do u know where i could get some more info on a water cooling system? also some good prices and good true setups and sealed loop kits.