Advise for building up Quad core system

Q

Quad Dreamer

n00b
Joined
May 23, 2007
Messages
8
Hi Everyone,

I am looking to build up a wc quad core system based around a Asus striker extreme and a qx6800

What i need help with is choosing a suitable case and wc parts for a quality wc setup
Qx6800

I have bought the mobo already but nothing else, because I have never built a wc setup before, if you folks could give your thoughts on what I would need to cool this type of system and recommend a suitable case to build it in.

As far as cost is concerned I don't mind spending for quality items but not for bling, my taste is street sleeper not bling bling with no go if you get what i mean.

Also if you can recommend psu, memory, drives etc it would all be greatly recieved.

Many thanks in advance
:cool:
 
popular cases are the big silverstone TJ's and the Lian Li ones.... ( the TJ 09 is nice ) i think that motherboard is seriously over priced for what it is, the EVGA 680i is almost the same and alot cheaper.

if you're gonna be cooling a cpu like that then you're gonna have to use a decent rad like a thermochill PA 120.3 if you want any chance of adding something else to the loop.

cpu block probably either a swiftech apogee gtx or d-tek fuzion id say, theyre the most common ones i see people with on here for quads.

pump would most likely be the MCP 655 / D5... same thing. with 1/2 inch tygon / masterkleer tubing. i use a Eheim Station II as its powerful and has a reservoir around it.
if you're using just a pump then buy a reservoir or use a t-line to be able to fill / bleed the system, you're better off getting a res because its easier for the bubbles to get out.

power supply depends how much stuff you're gonna power but i like the enermax libertys and the corsairs. both good.

best SATA drives out are the WD Raptors.. theyre pricey but they deliver the speed.

ram wise good luck... that mobo is so picky its unbelieveable ... read up on some of the threads in the mobo section you might find some compatibility answers in there.
 
Quad Dreamer said:
Hi Everyone,

I am looking to build up a wc quad core system based around a Asus striker extreme and a qx6800

What i need help with is choosing a suitable case and wc parts for a quality wc setup
Qx6800

I have bought the mobo already but nothing else, because I have never built a wc setup before, if you folks could give your thoughts on what I would need to cool this type of system and recommend a suitable case to build it in.

As far as cost is concerned I don't mind spending for quality items but not for bling, my taste is street sleeper not bling bling with no go if you get what i mean.

Also if you can recommend psu, memory, drives etc it would all be greatly recieved.

Many thanks in advance
:cool:
Click to expand...

PSU: PCP&C 750W Silencer SLI (best bang for your buck and from the most reputable company in the business) = $200

Memory: Corsair Dominators, rated speed based on your budget (again, most reputable company in the business and have been the performance leader for years) = $150-400

Drives: HDD wise, if money is no concern, two raptors mixed in with 1 or 2 WD 1 Terabyte drives. However, it's getting harder and harder to justify raptors these days when 1 terabyte drives in SLI give almost comparable performance if not better in certain situations.

For your WC'ing loop:

CPU: Nothing beats the GTX right now for the quadcore. Apogee GTX = $75.

Pump: DDC-2 w/ modded top (either alphacool or my personal preference, Petra's) = $100 altogether

GPU: Swiftech MCW60 w/ G80 adapter plate + 8800 ram sinks = $85 or EK 8800 full cover block = $120 If you're going to overclock your quad, then I'd suggest the MCW60. If not, make life simpler for yourself and get the EK full cover block.

Reservoir: Swiftech mcres-micro = $20 Makes bleeding easier. The EK reservoir is an option if you like their look.

Radiator: Thermochill PA120.3 = $120 You'll need a thermochill for sure if you're going to throw a toaster like the a quadcore CPU and a GPU together in the same loop.

Chipset: Either MCW30's ($30 a piece) or EK ($40 a piece) if you'd like to go entirely passive on your system.
 
Ranker said:
1 terabyte drives in SLI
Click to expand...

I think you mean RAID 0

Anyway I agree with pretty much everything Ranker says (as he knows alot) if you are planing to go SLI with your video cards I would put them both on a PA120.3 and get a second PA120.2 for the CPU with an extra DDC-2 Mod pump for the second loop.

7/16" Masterkleer tubing and a T-line for both loops and life will be good.

As for cases its hard to beat a big Lian-Li, but you will have to look around the forum and read reviews to get one that meets your needs.

For Drives I run dual raptors in RAID 0 and a set of Segate 320GB drives in RAID 5. For a CD-ROM I like the samsung DVD+-R/RW with lightscribe either in SATA or IDE.
 
Well all the parts people above me told you i am agree with them they are the best, and so are the prices.


But you should tell us what is your price range?
 
Thanks folks I will spend today looking at your recommendations and come back with my thoughts and more questions probably.

Cheers :)
 
Ok peeps,

Been sniffing around da net, here's what my choices are from whats been said

2x Raptor 150 gb's for op system

1x Caviar se16 500gb for storage

Silverstone TJ 07 purely becasue it looks easy for placement of rads with all them grills on it

Powersupply, not to sure about the PCP&C 750W Silencer SLI, the fan is quite loud @ 41dba, and would also like modular cables so i can easily cut and shut them for tidyness, any recomendations on a modular psu.

What kind off wattage would i need to run this lot with the pumps, sli 8800's etc.

I have read a few reviews about the striker and it does seem to be a fussy mobo in regards to ram as mentioned by nightwalker,......so i thought about the OCZ DDR2 PC2-9600 FlexXLC Edition, it had a good review with the striker, what do think, any horror storys? or is it just ott with the wc heatsink?

I was also interested in seeing northbridge wc blocks, are they any good or should i just stick with the standard asus heatsink?

Thanks
 
Quad Dreamer said:
Powersupply, not to sure about the PCP&C 750W Silencer SLI, the fan is quite loud @ 41dba, and would also like modular cables so i can easily cut and shut them for tidyness, any recomendations on a modular psu.
Thanks
Click to expand...

It is not very loud at all and you will typically find that the lower spec of 26 Db is all you will ever hear. This supply can put out 60 freaking amps! I doubt you will ever need that much amperage.

You definitely do not want modular cables. Every time you add a connector to your PSU you will see a power loss. If you want tidiness then cut your cables to size. For a training session on how to screw your PSU warranty please go to Feeding Frenzy or to Feeding Frenzy Interlude. ;)
 
Quad Dreamer said:
Powersupply, not to sure about the PCP&C 750W Silencer SLI, the fan is quite loud @ 41dba, and would also like modular cables so i can easily cut and shut them for tidyness, any recomendations on a modular psu.

What kind off wattage would i need to run this lot with the pumps, sli 8800's etc.
Click to expand...
The PCP&C Silencer is the quietest PSU I've worked with in the 750W+ range. PCP&C also put out the best PSU's. If you look at the amps supplied to the rails, you'll see why it's such a great performer. I used to like modular PSU's as well until I noticed system stability of those PSU's weren't as good as others. I read up on it and one of the draw backs of modular PSU's is that it does affect system stability.

Most systems these days won't push past 600W even with the most decked out water cooled computer. I made the mistake of buying a bunch of 1K PSU's and there's really no performance/stability benefit.

If you insist on modular PSU's, I'd recommend the Silverstone models.
 
Hi there again,

Sorry for the slow response, been helping build a garage, well it was nice weather yesterday. :cool:

Anyway back to the PC, took your comments on board and after some reading it seems your advise is spot on about the power supplys so i shall go for the PCP&C 750W.

Thanks for the link Top Nurse your FFproject is something else :eek: and I love the attention to detail you put in your work, nothing short of amazing and I feel inspired to push my levels of workmanship. While i'm doing that, can u teach my girlfriend to be more like you instead of a clean freak.

Anyway thanks for the thoughts, I need to start ordering some bits.

Oh before I forget, what size of rads should i get, ranker you said go for thermochill stuff, 120.3, should i get 1 for everything or another one? I see form your sig you run three rads, and TN well i'm surprised you haven't manage to squeeze in a nuclear reactor cooling core :D

what you think, i like the tj-07, i seen a build with a 120.4 along the bottom?

Del :)
 
Quad Dreamer said:
Hi there again,

Sorry for the slow response, been helping build a garage, well it was nice weather yesterday. :cool:

Anyway back to the PC, took your comments on board and after some reading it seems your advise is spot on about the power supplys so i shall go for the PCP&C 750W.

Thanks for the link Top Nurse your FFproject is something else :eek: and I love the attention to detail you put in your work, nothing short of amazing and I feel inspired to push my levels of workmanship. While i'm doing that, can u teach my girlfriend to be more like you instead of a clean freak.

Anyway thanks for the thoughts, I need to start ordering some bits.

Oh before I forget, what size of rads should i get, ranker you said go for thermochill stuff, 120.3, should i get 1 for everything or another one? I see form your sig you run three rads, and TN well i'm surprised you haven't manage to squeeze in a nuclear reactor cooling core :D

what you think, i like the tj-07, i seen a build with a 120.4 along the bottom?

Del :)
Click to expand...

I've seen some beautiful builds with the TJ-07. If you go over to xtremesystems.org/forums you can see the build by Saban and Massaville with two loops. Most people usually get a PA120.2 and a PA120.3 on the bottom and run two loops. I've seen someone with a GTX480 and a PA120.2 at the bottom as well. I'd suggest two radiators, so 2 loops.

I'm not a pro at the TJ-07, so stop by XS and ask away. It seems a new TJ-07 worklog goes up every other day. I'll link a few of the recent/best ones.

Saban Project: http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=143231

Twin Turbo:
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=136408&highlight=twin+turbo
(best one I've seen)
 
Ranker said:
Drives: HDD wise, if money is no concern, two raptors mixed in with 1 or 2 WD 1 Terabyte drives. However, it's getting harder and harder to justify raptors these days when 1 terabyte drives in SLI give almost comparable performance if not better in certain situations.
Click to expand...

This has to be the most confused statement made on this subforum in a long time. :D
 
Quad Dreamer said:
Hi there again,

Sorry for the slow response, been helping build a garage, well it was nice weather yesterday. :cool:

Anyway back to the PC, took your comments on board and after some reading it seems your advise is spot on about the power supplys so i shall go for the PCP&C 750W.

Thanks for the link Top Nurse your FFproject is something else :eek: and I love the attention to detail you put in your work, nothing short of amazing and I feel inspired to push my levels of workmanship. While i'm doing that, can u teach my girlfriend to be more like you instead of a clean freak.

Anyway thanks for the thoughts, I need to start ordering some bits.

Oh before I forget, what size of rads should i get, ranker you said go for thermochill stuff, 120.3, should i get 1 for everything or another one? I see form your sig you run three rads, and TN well i'm surprised you haven't manage to squeeze in a nuclear reactor cooling core :D

what you think, i like the tj-07, i seen a build with a 120.4 along the bottom?

Del :)
Click to expand...

A single 120.3 radiator is more than enough to cool your entire computer to an acceptable level. Once you get past one loop you have to look at larger cases or smaller tubing so it is a matter of opinion as to what to do.

Rule of thumb, don't over complicate your first watercooling loop. Start with a single 120.3 and a CPU block and have some fun. Add in a GFX block or two and have more fun.
 
Too much of anything is bad. Same goes for watercooling.

If the heat isn't there, adding more and more radiators actually hurts performance. A 65w CPU might dump upwards of 120w of heat into the loop during a large OC... If that's all that's in your loop, the MAXIMUM any number of radiators can dump to air is 120w or so...

Each single radiator is capable of dumping about 125w and a Quad Core can dump about 245w, so practically everything after the 2nd rad becomes useless.

Grab a PA 120.3 for now, and upgrade to a GPU loop later.
 
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