The TPU UK Clubhouse

[FreedomEclipse]

i was looking for MSI cards. but the only place that had stock was OCuK - and i was like 'fuck no'

I had the build planned for a while anyway, checked out novatech, scan, ebuyer and aria - none of them did any MSI 6970s. I think MSI are more popular with their 6950s and GTX560/570's anyway.

not many of their 6970s stocked in most places

 

[Deleted member 24505]

A guy in Xtreme forums opened a ticket with XFX and asked them what if the cooler gets packed with dust - they cant take the cooler off and clean it.

XFX's reply was to RMA the card to them (or the store if its still under shop warranty)

but you can already see how stupid the warranty is

This is pretty dumb, RMA the card because it needs cleaning.

 

[FreedomEclipse]

This is pretty dumb, RMA the card because it needs cleaning.

I couldnt believe it myself.

everyone knows that aftermarket cooling is better then stock coolers 90% of the time. the cards run cooler and quieter with new TIM put on it too.

In my case, i told XFX that the cards sound like a hoover and temps soar to 80-89'c when playing BC2. Id happily stick with the stock coolers, but i want to replace the TIM that they use and they just straight out said any modification or removing the cooler would void the warranty.

they were begging me to register my cards with them and i said no cuz im sending them back. lol i lost count of how many times they asked me to register them

 

[cheesy999]

This is pretty dumb, RMA the card because it needs cleaning.

can't you just use compressed air?

 

[FreedomEclipse]

can't you just use compressed air?

but what if (pretty big what if) the cooler was just packed solid with dust? Its easier to prevent build up then it is when it comes to cleaning it.

I think XFX have a 2 or 3 year warranty on their cards. some peoples rooms can get pretty dusty.

what if an average noob, bought a XFX 6950/70 and didnt bother cleaning the inside of his case while his PC was sitting on the carpet?

Some dust you cant clean - you gotta scrap it off with a knife!

 

[InnocentCriminal]

Compressed air can help with cleaning a card without having to remove any screws.

 

[Fourstaff]

Compressed air can help with cleaning a card without having to remove any screws.

Not all the time. If you have a smoker at home, its going to royally fuck the fan up to the point chisel is needed. And it doesn't need to be a smoker, if PC is close to kitchen the oil is going to fuck it up too, and so on.

 

[FreedomEclipse]

if PC is close to kitchen the oil is going to fuck it up too, and so on.

thats the asian in you speaking right there bro *highfive*

 

[Millennium]

Good news, looks like I will be getting a ~£600 windfall soon Then again I think I deserve it for finding a job in this bl**dy economy !

Anyway, thinking of trying out some BullDozer goodness depending on the reviews, or maybe invest in a new monitor and gpu if not. I have memory and graphics for a bulldozer rig already, not the best but they would do for some benchmarking... I actually don't have a spare PSU any more though :/

Freedom how is the new case working out that might be worth changing too (my case only has 90mm fans lol)

 

[FreedomEclipse]

Freedom how is the new case working out that might be worth changing too (my case only has 90mm fans lol)

Dont know yet. havent even got everything inside the case yet.

all ive done so far is replaced the fans, put the mobo in, take out the top HDD compartment and attach the HDD's to the caddies.

next to go in is the PSU and mounting the CPU cooler then a dry to see if it boots - fingers crossed that it boots first time and isnt earthed with the case.

that asside - BIG CASE IS BIG!!!! I havent had a case as big as this since 2003 or something

 

[Deleted member 24505]

Well i stopped smoking a couple of months ago, so i don't have to scrape of crappy smoke residue no more at least.

On my xfx 6850 i may be able to take off the plastic cover without removing the warranty sealed screws.

My old lian li Lian li PC-201B in my sig, was pretty big.

 

[MilkyWay]

Dont know yet. havent even got everything inside the case yet.

all ive done so far is replaced the fans, put the mobo in, take out the top HDD compartment and attach the HDD's to the caddies.

next to go in is the PSU and mounting the CPU cooler then a dry to see if it boots - fingers crossed that it boots first time and isnt earthed with the case.

that asside - BIG CASE IS BIG!!!! I havent had a case as big as this since 2003 or something

Glad you like it so far, i feel vindicated lol.
@Millennium - Im also considering going Bulldozer, depends really on performance but if its near a intel i5 2500k price and performance i might well do.

 

[cheesy999]

Good news, looks like I will be getting a ~£600 windfall soon Then again I think I deserve it for finding a job in this bl**dy economy !

Anyway, thinking of trying out some BullDozer goodness depending on the reviews, or maybe invest in a new monitor and gpu if not. I have memory and graphics for a bulldozer rig already, not the best but they would do for some benchmarking... I actually don't have a spare PSU any more though :/

Freedom how is the new case working out that might be worth changing too (my case only has 90mm fans lol)

or, a laptop capable of runnning BC2 on high

http://www.saveonlaptops.co.uk/Acer_Aspire_5560G_1091471.html

since it's going to be console ports for the near future

 

[FreedomEclipse]

almost done. everythings in and all i have to do is tidy up some cabling around the back. put the panels in and away we go

 

[cheesy999]

almost done. everythings in and all i have to do is tidy up some cabling around the back. put the panels in and away we go

Pics!!!

EDIT:Talking about pics paint.net doesn't seem to be very efficient, it's using a lot of CPU just to let me edit an image i scanned into the computer

 

[Deleted member 24505]

Just made a new thread for the case i will be getting next.

http://www.techpowerup.com/forums/showthread.php?p=2407307#post2407307

 

[MilkyWay]

Just made a new thread for the case i will be getting next.

http://www.techpowerup.com/forums/showthread.php?p=2407307#post2407307

Nice looking case, expensive but then again with cases the more you spend the higher the quality of product.

 

[FreedomEclipse]

builds complete!!!! going for a shower then i will upload pics

 

[Bo$$]

where MAh pics?!

 

[FreedomEclipse]

where MAh pics?!

they are coming, I didnt even bother to shower and just spent time taking pictures - buffing the case to a nice shine with car wax and editing pictures.

give me 5mins

 

[FreedomEclipse]

Well I took a lot of pics and not all of them were worth uploading, as for step by step pictures, i was too lazy but i got some decent ones.


Dirty old Antec 902:

Antec sidepanel ghetto airflow mod with a dust filter bought from ebay and black micro mesh - a.k.a Mosquito netting

Define XL

vacant spot for stuff, Possibly a PC -

just managed to squeeze in -

the empty shell -

Replacing shitty white fans -

120mm Aksa Apache up top -

All aboard the Define XL Xpress -

Pancakes -- I mean hard drives!!! NEEDZ MOAR SYRUP!!

Messy cables -

Almost there -

Case after a little elbow grease -

So far the case seems pretty good. Already my idle temps have dropped significantly, especially my top 6970, It used to idle around 50-60'c+ but now its around 40-50'c.

I cant hear my 6970s ramp up when it comes to running 3D11 Xtreme bench. I cant even hear it when it runs vantage and before it was LOUD.

at the moment, Ive got the Silverstone fan running at its lowest speed. the case isnt 100% silent, and to be honest, i was expecting it to be almost whisper quiet.

Swtiching the 180mm Silvertone to the fastest speed makes the case quite a little louder.

at the moment, its as quiet as my old Ante 902, if it stays this quiet during my gaming session, then i will be a very happy bunny.

my 2 6970s are borderline unbearable when it comes to gaming but i cant do a fucking thing about it because it voids my warranty to put a waterblock or aftermarket cooler on it! (3 cheers for XFX - hip hip hofuckingray)

Ive got a fan controller installed to control the speed of the 140mm on the side panel. theres nothing wrong with the fan itself but when attached to the side panel and running at full whack the fan starts to let of this high pitched whine which im guessing is what happends when a fan resonates with a case.

 

[Fourstaff]

Looks quite good Freedom! I approve of your wallpaper too, cant wait for episode 4!

 

[FreedomEclipse]

its not my wallpaper - its my log on screen

 

[MilkyWay]

I really like that case, its spurring me on to get a better case.

 

[FreedomEclipse]

I really like that case, its spurring me on to get a better case.

your K-62 is still a good case.

IMO I would have stuck with my Antec 902 if the side panel fan was still attachable. but the case was just too small and cramped with everything inside and it was really effecting airflow.

After more then an hour of BC2 last night. the fan rarely ramped up at all. I quit in the middle of an heated game and it seems temps only ever went as high as 60-70'c which is just amazing seeing as temps used to hit more then 80'c in the 902.

If you really need to get a case though, id try hang on until christmas time and see if there are any good deals to be had.

imo, you dont really need a new case as you dont run uber hot components