More cheap than genius (but it does the trick) the rig cost me 12 bucks for a used cooler. For about 100 I could have rigged up copper tubing a small car heater core, a small water pump, a fan, the existing heat sink and some brass bushings as dielectric insulators between the copper tubing and aluminum on the cpu's sink and done liquid cooling (the Idea here is moving the heat away as quickly as possible of course it's probably not as efficient as a block but I'd bet it would be efficient enough) using some of my handyman skills, but I'm happy with the results I've gotten going this route.
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
The Macross - Super Dimensional Fortress Computer 1, SDFC-1 **UPGRADED**
- Thread starter jav6454
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
More cheap than genius (but it does the trick) the rig cost me 12 bucks for a used cooler. For about 100 I could have rigged up copper tubing a small car heater core, a small water pump, a fan, the existing heat sink and some brass bushings as dielectric insulators between the copper tubing and aluminum on the cpu's sink and done liquid cooling (the Idea here is moving the heat away as quickly as possible of course it's probably not as efficient as a block but I'd bet it would be efficient enough) using some of my handyman skills, but I'm happy with the results I've gotten going this route.
Yes, I am no longer buying the 3 graphics, I went down to 2. Also, I have dealt with tech ever since I was 8 years old and have noticed a very common and straight forward trend. If you are cheap with technology, it will very soon come back and bite you (where ever, but I like to say in the a$s). So, I am going with the hefty price tag to get a decent rig, that is very upgradeable (1136 socket is very new and Intel has vowed to use it in future Core i9 and Core i7 CPUs) and respectable and won't cost me later.
As for the SSD v RAID. I like stability and reliability. In terms of reliability the SSD is far more reliable than any HDD RAID 0 set up. Why? Simply because of the mechanical fault. A drive in RAID 0 fails, the whole thing is lost. And SSD works faster and far more reliable. Also, it's a boot-up drive. If I need greater speed, get an extra SSD and put that in RAID 0 [still more reliable than HDD RAID 0].
I've thought of 5870, but, it's relatively new and I want to see how well in performs thus far (more reviews). I have been an nVidia buyer and user for all my life and thus far have not been disappointed by the GeForce brand. So, I am eyeing that 5870, but I want to see how well it stacks. (I already saw benchmarks and it is just a notch/tad under the GeForce 295 GTX)
Thanks for the naming compliment.
Obviously
. I bet few people can say, I got refrigerated air flow BTW, it would have been interesting to see the results of that copper tubbing and brushing work.I can wish can I?
Maybe some day when I install new guts (it won't be a G4 at that point though)Obviously
I don't know yet if I should. But I am also planning to put in OS X (hacked obviously) in there. Imagine all those cores from the GTX's crunching under the power of Grand Central. I feel Windows will be to idiotic since it has poor management in everything. Of course I'd use Boot Camp to play the games I originally intend.
I don't like the boxxy state of the KB7. But I have been looking at the 5850's, I am still wow'd at the 1400 cores
.
I little laughable information. nVidia's SLI site says that a good source (2-way SLI with GTX 275's) is a Corsair 1000W PSU that costs $200.
Ironically, if I go to Corsair's site and do the "Choose the right PSU" and out in my specifications, I get the exact same 1000W PSU.
The irony is I know a 850W PSU will do more than fine and is more than enough.
Ironically, if I go to Corsair's site and do the "Choose the right PSU" and out in my specifications, I get the exact same 1000W PSU.
The irony is I know a 850W PSU will do more than fine and is more than enough.
Custom is the only way to go, no prebuilt will ever match what you can put together yourself. But really, some air cooling is getting VERY close to water now, so my #1 recommendation is to just pick up one of those 3 aircoolers I suggested earlier(they get rave reviews).
As for the nVidia vs ATI, the 5800 line is kind of blowing the 275's out of the water atm:
World at War, Winner ATI
Juarez, Winner ATI
Crysis Warhead, Winner ATI
Hawx, Winner ATI
Considering that in most instances the price difference is ~$90 I would wholeheartedly recommend the 5870. Take a look at the stats for that review I just linked, they show the average AND minimum frame data, which is a lot more telling than merely an average(without a SD it's kind of useless).
If your set on water cooling then by all means, but as someone who's done this before, let me warn you, there is a learning curve. An expensive one at that, mistakes (leaks) aren't cheap in this business. I would consider looking at a Behemoth of an air cooler, Thermalright makes some interesting stuff, I'll post back with a little more research.
Water is fun, expensive and sometimes a little complicated. Air is simple, cheap and imo, 70% of the effectiveness of water.
Thanks for that. Those results have made me jump to considering the HD 5870s.
I was reading your input, but if you feel you need more time, be my guest. I know the tiniest mistake in a liquid cooling system spells disaster for the parts.
I know. I have been up to this point Air Cooler, but I feel the current set-up will be a bit beyond air and liquid should be considered.
Np
. And keep in mind these drivers are not particularly mature so it can be fairly well assumed that performance will only get better. If you choose to stick with nVidia you might want to wait and see what they bring to the table, the new gen of hardware should be dropping soon which will a) give you more options, b) devalue current hardware.
Np
I was surprised at how a single HD 5870 stacked up against 2x4870s and a dual GPU GTX 295. However, I know Nvidia is supposed to come out with their Fermi architecture which supposedly a single GPU of that destroys anything made of ATI and even 2-way SLI GTX 295s.
Alright then, the parts list has been upgrade to show the ATI Radeon HD 5850 GPU. I plan to buy 2 of those bad boys to put in CrossFireX. Cost is the same as the GTX 275s, but the Radeons are newer, have more cores (1400 vs 240) and are DirectX 11 compatible.
Well, if your set on going water cooling, I'd suggest looking at Swiftech (http://www.swiftnets.com/)
Also, these are INVALUBLE!
http://img.directindustry.com/images_di/photo-g/full-band-hose-clamp-309796.jpg
Also, these are INVALUBLE!
http://img.directindustry.com/images_di/photo-g/full-band-hose-clamp-309796.jpg
Thanks, I've been lurking that site for a while now.
Lol, that's my hopes.
The Swifttech H20-220 is still being considered. I saw it in the link Tower-Union gave me. Thus far, it looks like a solid buy (according to NewEgg's rating system). However, I look over in NewEgg Comments and lots and lots of people are having leaks and bad experiences; however, they find it that quick fixes work and end up giving it 4 or 5 stars.
I honestly, think I should rather just buy each thing separately.
I honestly, think I should rather just buy each thing separately.
Buying separately will cost more but it will be better performance.
I'd go with a Swifech 355(or 655) pump, Swiftech Apogee GTZ waterblock, almost any reservoir will do(Performance-pcs has a great selection), a pump top(so you can use any barbs on the pump) and a dual or triple rad.
Figure out how you want to set it up first and then you can decide WHAT to buy. But if you don't need it, air is easier and almost as good for performance.
I'll go water if I end up choosing the Cool Master case. If I choose the Antec, I'll leave it at Air cooling. Although, honestly, the Cool Master looks awesome inside (well defined bays and divisions) while the Antec looks, well, a disaster zone (everything is hidden behind a cover).
Just ditched the nVidia GTXs.... reason is, the current supplies of nVidia 200 GTX card series are going to be in supply constraint and the fact that AnandTech did the following testing: Click Me.
That testing concludes that the ATI Radeon HD 5850 is as strong or in many cases much stronger than the nVidia GTX 285... and the ATI card becomes strong enough to rival or surpass the 2-way SLI GTX 285. That being said, I find no reason to buy a card that is less powerful and less capable than a newer generation ATI. Also, bear in mind new ATIs support DirectX 11, so I'd be getting a bit more performance.
That testing concludes that the ATI Radeon HD 5850 is as strong or in many cases much stronger than the nVidia GTX 285... and the ATI card becomes strong enough to rival or surpass the 2-way SLI GTX 285. That being said, I find no reason to buy a card that is less powerful and less capable than a newer generation ATI. Also, bear in mind new ATIs support DirectX 11, so I'd be getting a bit more performance.