Hi guys, completely new to bit-tech. I've been reading around the net for the last 2 weeks or so and I decided that this was THE premier site for help. So let me start off by saying that I am also new to building a computer from the ground up. I have replaced parts before in 2 of my older PCs. Budget: Around $2000-$2500, the lower the better I say but I can do up to $2500 if necessary. Main uses of intended build:Gaming, Video Editing, and some occasional ACAD/Inventor Renderings. Parts required: Case: I have no idea whatsoever. I want liquid cooling so whatever works for that.* Processor: Intel® Core™ i7 930 Processor (4x 2.80GHz/8MB L3 Cache) Processor Cooling: Liquid Cooling. I will need major help in this area.* Video Card: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 480 - 1.5GB - EVGA Superclocked - Single Card Motherboard: ASUS P6X58D-E Power Supply: 850 Watt -- XFX Black Edition Power Supply - I got this as a recommendation from several sites for use with the listed CPU/GPU combo. Primary Hard Drive: Looking for a good SSD at least 100GB or more.* Data Hard Drive: At least 1TB or more @ 7200rpm.* Optical Drive: It honestly doesn't matter.* Sound Card: Onboard I would assume unless a dedicated one would be better.* Network Card: Onboard LAN Network *Could use advice on. Previous build information (list details of parts): I don't know anything specific about it other than I replaced the graphics card with a HD 5750. Monitor resolution: No current monitor Storage requirements: Around 100g SSD for my OS and a game or 2. Then 1TB of regular storage for everything else. will you be overclocking: yes/no (delete as required) I am very interested in learning more about it. I will take any advice on how to do it or if I should do it. Any motherboard requirements (no. of USB, Xfire/SLI, fan headers): I would like the Mobo to be SLI as I am sure I will be grabbing another GTX 480 within a few months. Extra information about desired system: Lighting/fancy case isn't important to me as I don't care about the looks of the system as much as I care about what is inside the case.
Can I ask why you want to water cool it when you're not even sure it will be overclocked? There are lots of excellent air cooling options that are quiet, and will easily cool a stock i7, and some that will cool a i7 up to 4GHz, and to be honest, still pretty quiet. Building a custom water loop is the best option, but because there are so many variables in terms of types of water block, pumps, radiators, reservoirs etc, it can be daunting if you've never done it before. There are off the shelf water cooling products like the Corsair H50, but it's questionable whether they are actually any better than a decent air cooler. If it was quietness you were after, then you're going to have to water cool that GPU as well, because no matter how quiet your CPU cooling is, when that leaf blower kicks in while gaming, it will certainly not be quiet. So... be prepared to void the warranty on your £400 GPU... unless you buy this but that price is just crazy.
I would like to overclock the processor within reason and as for cooling options, I've had air cooling on all of my systems for the last 5 years or so and the noise is a real headache so I'm 100% sure I want to water cool. Like I said I'll do what's necessary to get it going. As far as cooling the GPU, I want to SLI it within the next few months, how hard would it be to cool both GPU units?(water) If you strongly suggest that I just go the route of air cooling I'll take your advice and go for it, otherwise I would like to learn how to do water cooling. Obviously I won't go in blind, I'll do my research, but I would like to get a final parts list before I go out and purchase everything to make sure I get everything I will need. P.S.- I work from 9am to 9pm EST. I'll respond from work if I get a chance if not I won't be able to answer anymore questions or hear advice until then. Thanks.
Hello, I would say air cool the cpu because if your planning SLI then this will make your loop hot. A good choice on water cooling the GPU but can i ask why nvidia? they're not as keenly priced as the ati ones for example the HD5870 performs almost the same as the GTX480 but for less money which brings me onto my final thought, water cooling is not cheap to start with(i am in the process of doing this now) so if you can save money putting it towards a better cooling loop would be better.
If you fancy a bit of water cooling there's always something like the H50 , ready made and ready to go.
@Publ!c Enemy, my experience with Ati has been nothing short of terrible. 2 cards completely died on me within a 8 month period and not to mention I have friends with equivalent Nvidia cards and games seem to run more smoothly on them. It's true Ati runs cooler and a little less noisy but I prefer Nvidia. As for water cooling the GPU I decided today that it was unwise to attempt it on my first real build and with such an expensive card. Water cooling the CPU isn't as big a deal because the guides are numerous and detailed at that. Not to mention the community here. @bulldogjeff, thanks for the suggestion. I'm looking into it as I type this. I read on another forum that some people use noise suppressing foam inside their case to reduce noise levels and I was curious if anyone here had done such a thing. Also still looking for recommendations on current parts and/or parts I have no clue about.
From my experience not only does it dampen the noise(a little) but it also has a habit of insulating the PC and creates heat spots in the case.
As others have already mentioned don't bother water cooling your pc unless you really want to overclock it (A i7 930 should do 4ghz on air pretty easily anyway). A Corsair H50 is a nice stepping stone to water cooling (it technically is water cooling) but be aware it is no where near as good as a proper decent dedicated CPU loop. I would also advise against water cooling if this is your first proper build. Whlst it offers significant improvements to air cooling it probably won't offer enough of a benefit to justify its cost at the moment. As for the parts, perhaps change the EVGA GTX480 for a cheaper model (I am going on UK prices here) or change it entirely for the HD5870. The latter card will offer the same perceptible gaming experience without the significant power draw.
if your noise is a concern for the love of god dont buy a 480 they are incrediably loud very hot and way overpriced. Nvidia cards DO NOT run smoother than ATI cards at equivalents this is just rubbish. The best card out really is the 5870 as its much better priced than the 480 which is only slightly faster. SLI or Xfire is a waste unless your into multiple monitor setups with crazy resolutions you will see no benefit to a 2nd card if you are 1920x1080 or below. if you choose not to go SLI or Xfire then a 650W PSU is all you will need to power that rig even when overclocked. check out the bit-tech round up of SSD that they have recently done. As for storage if its just for storage look at the samsung eco drives as they use less power, run cooler and are quiet because they are 5400rpm. if your gunna use the drive for more than just storage grab a samsung 1TB F3 as it one of the best HDD around.
I agree with adam_bagpuss on SLI it's not worth it. If you would like the challenge of water cooling and you are decided on the graphics card then i suggest water cooling the GPU. the GTX480 is hot and noisy so this would solve 2 problems. There is a good thread that i read when i first started going into the world that is water cooling called "so you want to watercool" or something like that. And if the you would like the CPU water cooled as well for the first time i would say only try and do 1 loop, the GPU, and the corsair H50 if you wanted it to be all water cooled. oh and the last thing buy a stock GTX480 rather than super clocked because you'll void the warranty as soon as you take the original cooler off or overclock it
