New Gaming Build

[ALMOSTunseen]

Hi, guys, i'm on the final stretch of research for my new build this year. I've decided to sell my old system, and then use the money from that, plus a little more, to build a new system. I've decided to post this on TPU, as I am looking for some Expert advice, and some Expert criticism. I say this because no matter what is said, it always helps in the long run. I will also post a build log with pictures, cause I know how much TPU loves them.
So, if you have any recommendations, alterations, or requests, let this thread be your means of doing so. I also post to check if I have missed anything, its a real bummer when you ship in your parts, and find out you've forgotten the RAM.
And last but not Least, the build.
CPU: Intel Core i7-3770K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor
CPU Cooler: Corsair Hydro Series H100 CPU Cooler with Push/Pull
Motherboard: MSI Z77 MPOWER Motherboard
Memory: Corsair Dominator GT 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory
Storage: Corsair Force Series GT 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk
Storage: Western Digital WD Black 1TB WD1002FAEX
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 680 2GB Video Card
Case: NZXT Switch 810 Case White
Optical Drive: LG GH24NS90 DVD/CD Writer
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Professional SP1 (64-bit)
PSU: Seasonic XP-860 Platinum 860W Power Supply
Other: Bitspower Dual 30cm Cold Cathode Kit Blue

[brandonwh64]

Honestly I would go with a all in one liquid cooler. The D14 is HUGE!

Change the PSU to a SeaSonic Platinum Platinum-860 860W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS PLATINUM Certified Full Modular Active PFC Power Supply

[ALMOSTunseen]

Yeah, i was going to go a closed loop, like a Kühler, or the Thermaltake performer. But I was ohhing and ahhing about it. That PSU may be a little over my budget, and I do prefer the LED's on the Corsair one, but will I notice a difference with the Seasonic one?

[brandonwh64]

Originally Posted by ALMOSTunseen

Yeah, i was going to go a closed loop, like a Kühler, or the Thermaltake performer. But I was ohhing and ahhing about it. That PSU may be a little over my budget, and I do prefer the LED's on the Corsair one, but will I notice a difference with the Seasonic one?

The GS is not a performer style PSU. Try a TX model if you are still wanting Corsair but want some more reliability.

*Edit*

BTW I did a full review of the thermaltake WATER2.0 performer and its nice!

http://www.techpowerup.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=166616

[ALMOSTunseen]

ohhlaala, I like reviews, this may turn the tables. I will look into my budget more with that SeaSonic. Maybe I'll just jam some Cold Cathodes into it
edit: Is the Thermaltake better then the Noctua? I've heard allot the most of the higher end air coolers, Noctua etc, Can actually beat most of the Low end CC water coolers.

[brandonwh64]

Originally Posted by ALMOSTunseen

ohhlaala, I like reviews, this may turn the tables. I will look into my budget more with that SeaSonic. Maybe I'll just jam some Cold Cathodes into it
edit: Is the Thermaltake better then the Noctua? I've heard allot the most of the higher end air coolers, Noctua etc, Can actually beat most of the Low end CC water coolers.

I would say it performs better and is smaller and quieter. The main turn off to me about the D14 is the size.

[ALMOSTunseen]

Originally Posted by brandonwh64

I would say it performs better and is smaller and quieter. The main turn off to me about the D14 is the size.

Yeah, but from the words of many "BIGGER IS BETTER". Yeah, i'll prolly go for the Thermaltake.

[PopcornMachine]

Looks good to me. Only thing I can say is that you might want to consider a good GTX 670 instead as it might be plenty good enough and save you some money.

[MxPhenom 216]

I would get a Samsung 830 128GB drive or one of the new Corsair Neutron 120GB SSDs.

Like brandon said go with an all in one liquid cooler like the H80

And get the Seasonic platinum PSU!

[ALMOSTunseen]

So, for the CPU cooler, Antec Kuhler H2O 620/920, Corsair H60/80, or Thermaltake Water Performer/Pro?
Yeah, I'll probably be getting the SeaSonic. I need to try and raise my budget a bit . Don't wana turn another one of posts into a FS post .

[brandonwh64]

Originally Posted by ALMOSTunseen

So, for the CPU cooler, Antec Kuhler H2O 620/920, Corsair H60/80, or Thermaltake Water Performer/Pro?
Yeah, I'll probably be getting the SeaSonic. I need to try and raise my budget a bit . Don't wana turn another one of posts into a FS post .

Performer should be fine but the pro has been tested to surpass the H100

To tell you how good this cooler is, I have a SB 2600K @ 4.5Ghz 1.33V and has been crunching 24/7 for weeks now and highest temp was 57 deg, its currently at 54 deg FULL LOAD 24/7

[cadaveca]

Antec 920, Corsair H100, Thermaltake Water 2.0 Extreme.

[ALMOSTunseen]

Originally Posted by cadaveca

Antec 920, Corsair H100, Thermaltake Water 2.0 Extreme.

I'm trying not to kill my budget . I'm probably going to get a TT Pro now .

[cadaveca]

The main reason i recommend AIO watercoolers liek the H100 is the ease of install, adn the complete removal of issues with clearance with ram, or VRM coolers.


The D14 is a killer cooler, for sure, but it's so big, that mayn ram kits simply do not work with it. It can also block the top PCIe slot on some boards.


So why not jsut get a cooler that has NONE of those issues?


The H100 is the best I've used, and I've used them all but the Thermaltake ones. I'd like to give them a try, but I really jsut do nto have the time. The only reason I ahve time to post, like now, is that I am currently running a benchmark for a future review, and have to wait for it to finish.

[ALMOSTunseen]

Originally Posted by cadaveca

The main reason i recommend AIO watercoolers liek the H100 is the ease of install, adn the complete removal of issues with clearance with ram, or VRM coolers.


The D14 is a killer cooler, for sure, but it's so big, that mayn ram kits simply do not work with it. It can also block the top PCIe slot on some boards.


So why not jsut get a cooler that has NONE of those issues?


The H100 is the best I've used, and I've used them all but the Thermaltake ones. I'd like to give them a try, but I really jsut do nto have the time. The only reason I ahve time to post, like now, is that I am currently running a benchmark for a future review, and have to wait for it to finish.

Well, hope the review goes well . Yeah, I was looking on the Noctua website, and they said that the Corsair Dominator ram, would not fit in the closer slots, which is exactly the ram I am planning to get.... Yeah, The H100 is just a bit OTT, as I'm not going to overclocking to the level that I would need a twin radiator. Maybe in future, for another build........
Thanks anyways.

[ALMOSTunseen]

Well, this is the build now. Thanks to the modifications, and an extra $200, it should be running at a level of perfection! And MxPhenom 216, the speeds of the cards you recommended are quite uneven, is that because they have such high IOPS?
CPU: Intel Core i7-3770K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor
CPU Cooler: Thermaltake Water 2.0 Pro 81.3 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard
Memory: Corsair Dominator GT 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory
Storage: Corsair Force Series GT 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 680 2GB Video Card
Case: Thermaltake Armor Revo Snow Edition (White) ATX Full Tower Case
Optical Drive: LG GH24NS90 DVD/CD Writer
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Professional SP1 (64-bit)
Other: Bitspower Dual 30cm Cold Cathode Kit UV
PSU: Seasonic XP-860 Platinum 860W Power Supply

[ALMOSTunseen]

I have decided, that if I have the money, I will get a MSI Z77 MPOWER Motherboard, for the extra, and easier Overclocking Abilities.

[OneMoar]

i7 is overkill for 90% of titles and yea the Noctua whilst nice is fking massive I would step down to the 3750k and get a full water loop for both the cpu/gpu and then clock the shite out of it :P not that you will ever use that
infact at stock speeds with that single 680 you can max pretty much anything you want out...

[ALMOSTunseen]

Originally Posted by OneMoar

i7 is overkill for 90% of titles and yea the Noctua whilst nice is fking massive I would step down to the 3750k and get a full water loop for both the cpu/gpu and then clock the shite out of it :P not that you will ever use that
infact at stock speeds with that single 680 you can max pretty much anything you want out...

It just happens to be that I sometimes play some of those titles(skyrim with as many shader, injector, and texture mods as possible, metro 2033, crysis, BF3). I was considering a full loop, but its just another thing I have to pay for.. What I was think of doing, was just getting great parts now, then when they're a bit slow, I'll prolly jam a new SSD in, hopefully they may get to OEM hdd price, $80 for 1tb. And then I will get a full loop, and try and fry it as high as possible.

[ALMOSTunseen]

Now that everything is set, I have one final problem. I would like a Push/Pull config for my H100, but I cannot decide on fans for the Pull, as I will just be using the Stock fans for push. The fans must be PWM so they can connect. I don't really know much about the CFM and Pressure.
I am choosing between these three fans.
GELID Wing 12 120mm PWM Blue LED Fan
Cougar CF-V12HP Vortex PWM Hydro-Dynamic-Bearing 120mm Orange
BitFenix Spectre Pro Black 120mm PWM Fan

What would be the best choice of these?
Here is the 120mm fan section of the place where I buy parts if none of these are acceptable.
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?...ex&cPath=9_510

[drdeathx]

Originally Posted by ALMOSTunseen

I have decided, that if I have the money, I will get a MSI Z77 MPOWER Motherboard, for the extra, and easier Overclocking Abilities.

The MSI Z77-GD65 and 55 are great overclockers too if ya wanna save a few $. Your not going to max overclock the 3770K due to they run very warm....

[ALMOSTunseen]

Originally Posted by drdeathx

The MSI Z77-GD65 and 55 are great overclockers too if ya wanna save a few $. Your not going to max overclock the 3770K due to they run very warm....

Ok, any reccomendations on the fans for the H100 for the Push/Pull?