The Power PC Thread [f*ck off consoles]

[Addicted]

GPU temps drop dramatically with watercooling, so depends if you want a cool/quiet/overclockable setup - watercooling allows all depending on how you do it.

I'd recommend the following:

D5 pump - best around.
I'd skip the drive bay resevoir's if I'm honest - best bet would be a Pump-top that has a resevoir as well (there's an EK140).
Tubing + Fittings are personal preference - I have 10/13 fittings+tubing, so it's the smallest, but looks fine - I'm receiving pretty much all new stuff today so I'll have some pics up by the end of the day. Compression fittings imo are a must, saves any leakage.
Radiator - depends on case for size - in terms of make, this always seems to be a personal preference, some ARE better than others, but usually the good ones have a huge premium for not much gain.

I'd recommend a fan controller if you don't have one, so you can set the speed of the fans for quietness/performance depending what you're doing, you generally don't need fast spinning fans for radiator cooling, they go by CFM air pushed. (Gentle Typhoon or Corsair's new fans are both highly recommended).

In terms of what radiator you'd need:

CPU Only - you could run off a 120mm rad, but its a bit pointless, so I'd say 240 because you can.
GPU+CPU - you can run a 360 rad, but I'd recommend going larger if you want better temps.


Not sure what else to put - it won't be cheap to get into it, but it is a nice thing to have


edit: Just seen the kit above, looks like a good start imo! If you get the gpu block too, you will need fittings for the gpu (2), perhaps some angled ones depending on which way you want to run it, and potentially more tubing. The nice thing with a kit like that is, you can run it however you want!

 

[Amberlamps]

If you really wanna go for it, i would suggest the Corsair Carbide 540 case. Looks better then the Elysium, can hold enough radiators for watercooling and has plenty of space for a tidy build. Not to mention a fair bit cheaper also.

 

[Addicted]

If you really wanna go for it, i would suggest the Corsair Carbide 540 case. Looks better then the Elysium, can hold enough radiators for watercooling and has plenty of space for a tidy build. Not to mention a fair bit cheaper also.

+1, it's the case im moving my stuff into today, just waiting for it to be delivered!!

 

[richy22]

GPU temps drop dramatically with watercooling, so depends if you want a cool/quiet/overclockable setup - watercooling allows all depending on how you do it.

I'd recommend the following:

D5 pump - best around.
I'd skip the drive bay resevoir's if I'm honest - best bet would be a Pump-top that has a resevoir as well (there's an EK140).
Tubing + Fittings are personal preference - I have 10/13 fittings+tubing, so it's the smallest, but looks fine - I'm receiving pretty much all new stuff today so I'll have some pics up by the end of the day. Compression fittings imo are a must, saves any leakage.
Radiator - depends on case for size - in terms of make, this always seems to be a personal preference, some ARE better than others, but usually the good ones have a huge premium for not much gain.

I'd recommend a fan controller if you don't have one, so you can set the speed of the fans for quietness/performance depending what you're doing, you generally don't need fast spinning fans for radiator cooling, they go by CFM air pushed. (Gentle Typhoon or Corsair's new fans are both highly recommended).

In terms of what radiator you'd need:

CPU Only - you could run off a 120mm rad, but its a bit pointless, so I'd say 240 because you can.
GPU+CPU - you can run a 360 rad, but I'd recommend going larger if you want better temps.


Not sure what else to put - it won't be cheap to get into it, but it is a nice thing to have


edit: Just seen the kit above, looks like a good start imo! If you get the gpu block too, you will need fittings for the gpu (2), perhaps some angled ones depending on which way you want to run it, and potentially more tubing. The nice thing with a kit like that is, you can run it however you want!

With you on the fittings for the GPU.


I have an NZXT Sentry (desktop touch panel) fan controller and also a Zalman multi fan controller spare from a work project that will be coming home with me.

My future thinkings are going with the kit I linked, then if need be adding another 120mm or 240mm radiator later on.

As said I cant help but think "is it really worth cooling the GPU"...but If im gonna add watercooling I want to do it all (apart from the motherboard/ram of course).

I just want a watercooled PC

Edit...that carbide case looks tiny :S ...

 

[Addicted]

It's tiny, but it fits everything, so depends on looks more than anything.

It fits a 360+240 rad, enough for pretty much most things (mine is going to be cpu/gpu+mobo).

Depends how big of a case you want imo, I'm downsizing from an 800D!

 

[richy22]

Bigger is better no?

 

[Darren S]

Bigger is better no?

Always - lol!

D.

 

[richy22]

Dammit forgot about the PSU.

620W currently (Antec high current gamer). Done some calculations and "should" be okay (over 120W to spare) but that may well need updating sooner rather then later.

I've also been looking at sleeving (already done some of that in current set-up but not "full PSU sleeving" just the bits on show)

http://en.mdpc-x.com/mdpc-sleeve/sleeve.htm

 

[Gareth]

I've stopped counting how much I've spent on Watercooling alone, but I'd feel pretty confident in saying its more than £1000, I don't regret any of it though, its something any serious PC builder should do at some point.

MPDC sleeve is also another money-pit of mine.

On the plus side I don't smoke and hardly ever drink.

 

[richy22]

I've stopped counting how much I've spent on Watercooling alone, but I'd feel pretty confident in saying its more than £1000, I don't regret any of it though, its something any serious PC builder should do at some point.

MPDC sleeve is also another money-pit of mine.

On the plus side I don't smoke and hardly ever drink.

That's how I'm looking at it. Always wanted to build my own pc and did that last year and thought about watercooling it at the time. A year on and I'm thinking apd it just get it done.

Much like buying a car you "want" but don't need (that's how I'm justifying it to myself anyway!)

Had a query over the backplate of the gpu on overclockers and they confirmed it will fit but put off pressing the order button for another day...I could get a cambelt change on the Subaru for the basket costs!

 

[Addicted]

Just installed my test loop for now, waiting on other cables and stuff so gonna give it a proper go on the weekend, I'll get a photo up now

Worst photo ever:

Waiting on more bitfenix cables, led lighting, need 1 more fan to replace the crap stock fan (the ones on radiators are all Gentle Typhoons).

Just need to overclock it now, without overclock the CPU is sat @ 25c, my ambient temp!

 

[JaredHasNoBrain]

So much tubes and water :|
why not do your RAM whilst you're at it haha

where's your PSU...

 

[Addicted]

So much tubes and water :|
why not do your RAM whilst you're at it haha

where's your PSU...

Meh, watercooling ram is literally 0 gain - Only cooled the mobo as it could be done (well I bought the mobo just to do it lol).

PSU, bay drives (with Aquacomputer Aquaero 5 XT), cables, pump + res on the otherside! It's a carbide 540

Can't wait to tidy it up and get it all sorted, didnt even bother putting my water temp sensors in and stuff!

 

[JaredHasNoBrain]

Meh, watercooling ram is literally 0 gain - Only cooled the mobo as it could be done (well I bought the mobo just to do it lol).

PSU, bay drives (with Aquacomputer Aquaero 5 XT), cables, pump + res on the otherside! It's a carbide 540

Can't wait to tidy it up and get it all sorted, didnt even bother putting my water temp sensors in and stuff!

haha thats the spirit of PC owners right there!
Ah right, thats nice.

Should look awesome-er once you tidied it up a bit

 

[Addicted]

haha thats the spirit of PC owners right there!
Ah right, thats nice.

Should look awesome-er once you tidied it up a bit

haha yeah, didn't even really need an upgrade, but fancied one

hopefully I've got a good 4770k chip, they seem to vary a lot!

 

[richy22]

Anyone want a graphics card

http://uk.msi.com/product/vga/R7850-Twin-Frozr-2GD5-OC.html

May sell mine and upgrade to a slightly better one to add a W/C block....More I think about it the more I think its silly to watercool that...I swear I only paid £150 for the card and the block is £100

 

[Silent_Scone]

900D

That's the one. Couldn't be arsed to google .


It's hard to get the most out of your GPUs on air, but I never keep mine long enough to bother with watercooling.

With the latest Gk110 parts from Nvidia they scale well when under water. Trying to cool 3 of them on air with a little extra voltage and clocks is really difficult.

 

[richy22]

Il be keeping this long enough to cool I think, just seems a waste to cool a £149.99 card with £100 worth of block.

Currently have a £500 basket (bulk of that being new case and Watercooling setup) at OC sitting there waiting for me to press "order" and thats without a "new" GPU and block and PSU.

God dammit just hit BUY!

 

[Addicted]

Is it not worth spending like £20 more and getting a 7950? It'll last a lot longer than the 7850!

 

[richy22]

I looked at that actually, but also the 7970 (the one you have?)

My basket is now just shy of 4 figures!

 

[Addicted]

Haha, what's in it?

I'm intrigued!

 

[richy22]

Pretty much this lot

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-010-XG

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-181-MS&groupid=701&catid=56&subcat=938

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=WC-042-OE&groupid=962&catid=1532

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=WC-237-EK&groupid=962&catid=1520

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=KB-140-MS&groupid=702&catid=2705


As well as extra fittings (90 degree, 45 degree unsure what I would need so got a couple just incase). Some more Compression fittings, extra water "just incase". Some tubing, a cheap LCD temperature monitor me bob to read water temperature (again dont really "need" but meh)

Unsure if I REALLY need the Graphics card...I could almost get 2 7950's and crossfire those (but then would have 2 lots of blocks so added cost). Whats up with the 7970 not having an HDMI output :S

 

[richy22]

I HATE looking at "new" PC bits...always chopping and changing ideas! Keep changing mind on GPUs (skipping between 1 7970 and 2 7950's in crossfire)

Im now starting to wonder if the Elysium case is going to be TOO big for the gigabyte board. As far as I know the ELysium is designed for a larger mobo but can accommodate smaller ones..BUT the cable management holes may be too far away from things and make it look nasty.

Also here in this vid (skip to around 17 mins and then 18:36 he zooms out to show what im on about)

[youtube]ICPvEjUDgz0[/youtube]

Grrrrrr

 

[Munson]

Bit disappointed recently.

I'm STILL rolling i7 2600K with measly SLI GTX580 graphics, and yet every single game runs to my satisfaction. I have to make some mild compromises with AA in games like Metro or Crysis 3, but generally even these games run at around 40-50 fps maxed out.

Definitely don't think I'll need to rebuild any time in the next twelve months. Currently just looking for excuses to buy a couple of Titans

 

[Addicted]

Pretty much this lot

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-010-XG

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-181-MS&groupid=701&catid=56&subcat=938

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=WC-042-OE&groupid=962&catid=1532

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=WC-237-EK&groupid=962&catid=1520

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=KB-140-MS&groupid=702&catid=2705


As well as extra fittings (90 degree, 45 degree unsure what I would need so got a couple just incase). Some more Compression fittings, extra water "just incase". Some tubing, a cheap LCD temperature monitor me bob to read water temperature (again dont really "need" but meh)

Unsure if I REALLY need the Graphics card...I could almost get 2 7950's and crossfire those (but then would have 2 lots of blocks so added cost). Whats up with the 7970 not having an HDMI output :S

I think you need the specific Lightning block if you watercool it, i'd check EK's cooling configurator.

http://www.ekwb.com/shop/ek-fc7970-lightning-acetal-nickel.html

http://www.coolingconfigurator.com/

HDMI on GPU's is becoming a thing of the past, it's generally all DisplayPort now. To Run 3 monitors I have 2x DVI and an Active DisplayPort, it's a pain, but works

Bit disappointed recently.

I'm STILL rolling i7 2600K with measly SLI GTX580 graphics, and yet every single game runs to my satisfaction. I have to make some mild compromises with AA in games like Metro or Crysis 3, but generally even these games run at around 40-50 fps maxed out.

Definitely don't think I'll need to rebuild any time in the next twelve months. Currently just looking for excuses to buy a couple of Titans

I agree, hardware has slowed down alot (in terms of R&D it seems), only reason I upgraded was because I had some money spare, not because anything was slowing down!




Bah, my specialtech order didn't ship yesterday, so it's not until tomorrow I'll be fully complete on my build.

I was lazy when I did my loop, and didn't install my temp sensor or even a drain port (that was stupid) - built it up ready, so just need to add it in - excuse the crappy T-join, it's going at the back of the case so will not be seen anyway, the paint originally flaked off (it was black), so just decided to remove all the paint!

 

[l33th3tr33]

Bit disappointed recently.

I'm STILL rolling i7 2600K with measly SLI GTX580 graphics, and yet every single game runs to my satisfaction. I have to make some mild compromises with AA in games like Metro or Crysis 3, but generally even these games run at around 40-50 fps maxed out.

Definitely don't think I'll need to rebuild any time in the next twelve months. Currently just looking for excuses to buy a couple of Titans

I assume you're running 3 screens having SLI?

 

[Munson]

No.

 

[Amberlamps]

Bah, my specialtech order didn't ship yesterday, so it's not until tomorrow I'll be fully complete on my build.

I saw your post about it on the specialtech forums Used to be a regular there, now just a lurker. Did you raise a ticket with them? Best way of contacting them really.

 

[Addicted]

I saw your post about it on the specialtech forums Used to be a regular there, now just a lurker. Did you raise a ticket with them? Best way of contacting them really.

Yeah will be shipped out today, sadly.

Ahh well, I will add in the drain today most likely, and then sort the cables out + photos tomorrow!

 

[Wilkeh]

Bit disappointed recently.

I'm STILL rolling i7 2600K with measly SLI GTX580 graphics, and yet every single game runs to my satisfaction. I have to make some mild compromises with AA in games like Metro or Crysis 3, but generally even these games run at around 40-50 fps maxed out.

Definitely don't think I'll need to rebuild any time in the next twelve months. Currently just looking for excuses to buy a couple of Titans

In the same boat mate. My PC is a couple of years old but still runs everything I throw at it. Will upgrade in 12 months as well I reckon.

 

[l33th3tr33]

No.

Get another two screens and crysis on ultra will cripple most cards! My 7970 was at 6fps at 5760x1080, so that should give you a reason to get a couple titans!

Unless you're not keen on triple screen, in which my point is, well, pointless.

 

[Wilkeh]

Look at this for a bargain! http://www.scan.co.uk/products/6gb-...-cores-dual-link-dvi-i-mdp-pl?ProductId=74763

7990 + XFX PSU + 3 games...

 

[Addicted]

Looks nice.

So I got my cables through today, ordered 2 8-pin PCI-E braided cables + 1 EPS 12v braided cable, got sent 3 EPS 12v braided cables.

Sigh.

 

[richy22]

Fcuk sakes I have gone all Forrest Gump now.

"Ive come this far so I figured il just keep going"

So I had the case, cooling bits, GPU and new psu added in a basket and figured why dont I just do another full build. Que adding a CPU, mobo, some SSD's, Hard-drive (1tb for any "old games" or data/PCB CAD design work).

So ive gone from adding a W/C kit into a basket to a full blown build. I wont mention the price but its over double from my previous basket and I still have RAM and other consumables to add in.

Grrrrr. If i DO go down another full build route I cant decide whether ot not to go with an i7 or keep with an i5 (3570K).

 

[kaz19880]

after fitting my 7950 turns out my psu cant handle it even tho its 750w think it might just be cause its of the £17 varity of ebay


amd fx8350
4x4gb 2133ram sticks
his hd7950
2x hdd
1x dvdrw
quiet a few usb gizmos attached

what are peoples suggestions then
ideally id like to future proof it for another 7950 and some an ssd
some prices and sizes would be nice

 

[Addicted]

PSU is about the only thing you really cannot skimp on, get a decent one before you kill something!

Added the lighting and a smarter looking rear fan:

Still ruined by the stupid PCI-E cables, so until the company ACTUALLY send the right ones, I'll just make do with this quick photo.#

Fcuk sakes I have gone all Forrest Gump now.

"Ive come this far so I figured il just keep going"

So I had the case, cooling bits, GPU and new psu added in a basket and figured why dont I just do another full build. Que adding a CPU, mobo, some SSD's, Hard-drive (1tb for any "old games" or data/PCB CAD design work).

So ive gone from adding a W/C kit into a basket to a full blown build. I wont mention the price but its over double from my previous basket and I still have RAM and other consumables to add in.

Grrrrr. If i DO go down another full build route I cant decide whether ot not to go with an i7 or keep with an i5 (3570K).

That's the joys of PC building, buying stuff for the sake of it

Don't forget my comment above, when you posted your basket before you had the wrong waterblock in Lightnings required a specific Lightning block!

 

[richy22]

I believe I ditched that (temporarily until I change mind again!) and put 2 7950's in the basket.

BUT...the 7950's seem to be REALLY hard to find waterblocks in stock. EK only have a couple, Aquacomputer do a block too I think.

Plus 1 on the PSU front. Think I have a Antec 620W Gamer PSU in my current rig and felt that wasn't enough for a new build with double GPU's so added a 1000W one into basket "just incase" :0

Edit... Oh might have already been asked but are you just using colored tubing on your build? Or clear with coloured water? Also WTH is the PSU in that piccy???

Anyone able to offer a view as to whether or not to go i7 over i5?

 

[Amberlamps]

Amazes me when people assemble a build worth ££££££££££'s and skimp on a power supply. Probably the most vital part of a build! Buy a cheap one and it blows, theres a high possibility it could take everything else in the pc with it!

 

[Addicted]

I believe I ditched that (temporarily until I change mind again!) and put 2 7950's in the basket.

BUT...the 7950's seem to be REALLY hard to find waterblocks in stock. EK only have a couple, Aquacomputer do a block too I think.

Plus 1 on the PSU front. Think I have a Antec 620W Gamer PSU in my current rig and felt that wasn't enough for a new build with double GPU's so added a 1000W one into basket "just incase" :0

Edit... Oh might have already been asked but are you just using colored tubing on your build? Or clear with coloured water? Also WTH is the PSU in that piccy???

Anyone able to offer a view as to whether or not to go i7 over i5?

You can save some money by getting a decent 750W/850W psu over a 1000W - it'll handle 2 GPUs fine, and save you some dollar.

Yep coloured tubing, I used to run coloured liquid, but I found it tended to seperate eventually and just clog stuff up, easier to just buy new tubing than having to clean the blocks etc each time (I was using solid white tubing before).

It's a Corsair Carbide 540 case, and so its about 1.5x wider than a normal case, behind the mobo is the PSU/resevoir/ drive bays and cables

Amazes me when people assemble a build worth ££££££££££'s and skimp on a power supply. Probably the most vital part of a build! Buy a cheap one and it blows, theres a high possibility it could take everything else in the pc with it!

Couldn't agree more!

 

[kaz19880]

I don't intend on skimping this time but would a 70/80quid budget suffice or do I need to spend more than this ? Also what suggestions do you guys have ?