cornelious0_0
[H]F Junkie
- Joined
- Apr 6, 2003
- Messages
- 12,783
Well...once again I'm faced with a bit of a predicament. The system that I have up and running is more then what I need for gaming, but anyone who knows me around here knows that I never stop there and that I'm a true benchmark whore at heart.
Before I get into reasoning and pro's and con's as far as I see them let me just say that these two options are being considered for the sake of overclocking and benchmarking so I thought this was a more fitting forum then General Hardware or somewhere else.
Obviously my two options are:
1 - ATI Radeon HD4870x2
or
2 - Custom 120.2 watercooling loop for the CPU and keep my GTX260
Currently my CPU is perfectly stable 24/7 at 4.2GHz (on air) and can run through loops of any 3D benchmark at 4.4GHz on a whim. The point here is to beef up the system beyond reasonable levels and boost benchmark scores as much as possible...so please try not to suggest things from a gamers point of view.
Option 1
Since cash is tight the only way I can afford the HD4870x2 is to sell my GTX260 as well as my HD4870 once it's RMA'd, and still pitch in some cash on the side. I'm not worried about selling my card as I've got a friends 8800GTS 512MB to hold me over, still more then I need for my gaming (WoW) habbits. Obviously the HD4870x2 will boost benchmark scores MUCH more then an extra 200-300MHz added to my CPU so there is that right off the start.
The only reason I don't already have my mind made up is because I'm also becoming an avid case modder and if I go with the HD4870x2 I may not be able to cut up my case and get it painted as I want anytime soon. In order to get my case mods done I have to sell the HD4870 when it's back from RMA, so I can't immediately have both.
Option 2
The watercooling definitely has more aesthetic value then anything else, but I would still be benefiting from it. I have no doubt in my mind that I'd be able to add a couple hundred MHz to my 24/7 and benchmark CPU clocks with h2O...and I would also be able to get my case mods done within the next few months...so the system will be a hell of a lot prettier. The problem is that most recent 3D benchmarks are already showing diminishing returns from my CPU overclock alone. At 4.2GHz I gain a measely 100points from a 100MHz cpu boost in 3DMark06, but I gain a couple THOUSAND points from the OC on my GTX260 alone. In the end the watercooling and the gauranteed ability to get my case mods done is more for aesthetic purposes, but being able to benchmark at 4.5GHz and above would also be a bonus.
Sorry to bore you guys with all that, there's just a lot going on upstairs right now and I'm trying to make sense of it all.
I guess in the end I should probably just go with the HD4870x2 and be happy, if I do the h2O and case mods first I'm not going be able to upgrade my video card for a LONG time as cash is kinda tight. On the flip side, getting the HD4870x2 first leaves my options open to still pinch pennies and get my h2O done before spring...the best of both worlds!!!
I'd have to wait to cut up the case and paint it but I'm pretty sure I'd be happy enough with the HD4870x2 and (maybe) watercooling for awhile...there's always the LAN about 10 or 11 months from now for the paint job I guess.
The reason I'm stressing getting things done in a few months is because of a local 100 person LAN party that I attend ever 6 months, scheduled for April 24th. I'll admit that I do like showing off my rig, not many people take a very serious enthusiast attitude at the LAN so it's always funny to see people's reactions to a REAL case mod or heavily OC'd system.
I'll probably end up going with the HD4870x2 but outside input is still nice...just remember not to talk to this benchmark whore like a gamer, I know it's overkill for my gaming habbits...anybody who knows me should know by now that gaming is more of a side hobby of mine compared to overclocking and benchmarking.
Before I get into reasoning and pro's and con's as far as I see them let me just say that these two options are being considered for the sake of overclocking and benchmarking so I thought this was a more fitting forum then General Hardware or somewhere else.
Obviously my two options are:
1 - ATI Radeon HD4870x2
or
2 - Custom 120.2 watercooling loop for the CPU and keep my GTX260
Currently my CPU is perfectly stable 24/7 at 4.2GHz (on air) and can run through loops of any 3D benchmark at 4.4GHz on a whim. The point here is to beef up the system beyond reasonable levels and boost benchmark scores as much as possible...so please try not to suggest things from a gamers point of view.
Option 1
Since cash is tight the only way I can afford the HD4870x2 is to sell my GTX260 as well as my HD4870 once it's RMA'd, and still pitch in some cash on the side. I'm not worried about selling my card as I've got a friends 8800GTS 512MB to hold me over, still more then I need for my gaming (WoW) habbits. Obviously the HD4870x2 will boost benchmark scores MUCH more then an extra 200-300MHz added to my CPU so there is that right off the start.
The only reason I don't already have my mind made up is because I'm also becoming an avid case modder and if I go with the HD4870x2 I may not be able to cut up my case and get it painted as I want anytime soon. In order to get my case mods done I have to sell the HD4870 when it's back from RMA, so I can't immediately have both.
Option 2
The watercooling definitely has more aesthetic value then anything else, but I would still be benefiting from it. I have no doubt in my mind that I'd be able to add a couple hundred MHz to my 24/7 and benchmark CPU clocks with h2O...and I would also be able to get my case mods done within the next few months...so the system will be a hell of a lot prettier. The problem is that most recent 3D benchmarks are already showing diminishing returns from my CPU overclock alone. At 4.2GHz I gain a measely 100points from a 100MHz cpu boost in 3DMark06, but I gain a couple THOUSAND points from the OC on my GTX260 alone. In the end the watercooling and the gauranteed ability to get my case mods done is more for aesthetic purposes, but being able to benchmark at 4.5GHz and above would also be a bonus.
Sorry to bore you guys with all that, there's just a lot going on upstairs right now and I'm trying to make sense of it all.
I guess in the end I should probably just go with the HD4870x2 and be happy, if I do the h2O and case mods first I'm not going be able to upgrade my video card for a LONG time as cash is kinda tight. On the flip side, getting the HD4870x2 first leaves my options open to still pinch pennies and get my h2O done before spring...the best of both worlds!!!
I'd have to wait to cut up the case and paint it but I'm pretty sure I'd be happy enough with the HD4870x2 and (maybe) watercooling for awhile...there's always the LAN about 10 or 11 months from now for the paint job I guess.
The reason I'm stressing getting things done in a few months is because of a local 100 person LAN party that I attend ever 6 months, scheduled for April 24th. I'll admit that I do like showing off my rig, not many people take a very serious enthusiast attitude at the LAN so it's always funny to see people's reactions to a REAL case mod or heavily OC'd system.
I'll probably end up going with the HD4870x2 but outside input is still nice...just remember not to talk to this benchmark whore like a gamer, I know it's overkill for my gaming habbits...anybody who knows me should know by now that gaming is more of a side hobby of mine compared to overclocking and benchmarking.