Cool Build

[muy_caliente]

Planning a new build with i7 2600k and MSI Lightning Xtreme 580 GTX and wanted to ask the community for general advice.

Primary Use: Gaming at 1900x1200, high settings, in DX11

Specific requirements:
- Low heat signature. Looking for something that won't significantly raise the ambient temperature around the PC without sacrificing performance.
-Low noise level is a plus.
-Liquid cooling is not an option for me in this case
-Single GPU

Other components still under consideration. There are many to choose from and I'm a bit overwhelemed at what may be good matches for i7 2600k and MSI 580 GTX.
-Z68 Mobo
-PSU (600-650 watts seems to be the right number after research? Amps?)
-Memory
-Case (any specific cases/matertials that might help with temps?)
-Fans/heatsinks (I understand replacing stock fans/heatsinks may help keep the PC cooler?)

 

[chillin15]

If you are looking for cool and quiet, I can help

GPU: Asus GTX 580
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121429

You said just single gpu so this should be fine. coolest and quietest 580 on the market.

Z68: ASRock Extreme 4 Gen3
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157265

PSU: Corsair HX750
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139010&Tpk=hx750

One of the best 750PSU's out there. Fan doesn't turn on under 40% load which means QUIET

Case: Silverstone FT02
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811163162

Best airflow out of any midtower case. keep those 3 180mm fans on low and it is quiet. Just be aware that your mobo will be rotated 90 degrees..

CPU Cooler: Prolimatech Megahalem
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835242001&Tpk=megahalem

Two Fans for your cpu cooler: Noctua 120 NF-P12 x 2
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835608004

Use the noctua fans in a push/pull configuration and enjoy the cool temps and low noise...

Memory: G Skill Ripjaws X series 8GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231445

No liquid cooling required

 

[wintermint]

Do note that hyperthreading won't help with gaming and isn't worth the extra $100 or so. If you plan to be designing/3D rendering then definitely get the i7-2600k I suggest at least 700W for your setup. You won't need any aftermarket cooler because stock will work fine pushing to 4.0+ around stock voltage. If you plan to go over, I highly recommend it. The Hyper 212+ will do fine for $30. I would go for the Mugen 2 around $45. The Prolimatech Megahalem he suggested is also a good choice. I also don't think the CAS latency will be important as long as it's at least 1600MHz for Sandy Bridge processors. Other than that, you made good recommendations.

 

[Twoboxer]

I'd second Chillins recommendations, particularly the choice of case. Mainly because I have a similar configuration myself, though I chose the Noctua NH-D14 cooler. If you don't OC, you'll be very pleased with how cool and quiet it is.

If you do OC the cpu the parts will still run cool, the case will still be quiet, but there will be more heat expelled. (I have no experience OCing the 580 so I can't comment on its heat.) However, my system is under my desk, 6 inches from my knee, and the heat thrown off has never been an issue for me.

 

[chillin15]

Hey twoboxer, I'm about to start my own i5 build myself and am considering the ft02 - The only questions I have about the ft02 case are:

1) Is there enough room behind the mobo tray to store cables? Maybe even add a layer of accoustic film and
2) Did you need extension cables for your build?

Thanks!

 

[muy_caliente]

Thanks for the recommendations. I've been out of PC building for a while so it's been a re-learning experience. That CPU cooler looks like a monster .

Besides price, what are some fundamental difference between memory like this
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820231445
or
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231475

Are we talking any real world significant improvement to gaming?

Based on recommendations looks like I'll need 700 or 750 watt PSU.

 

[chillin15]

hmm that first link isn't working for me. For memory, you want to look at the core voltage it's running at - make sure it's not higher than 1.5v because sandy bridge processors don't like that. Also look at latency values - the lower the better.

Make sure the memory you do get does not interfere with the cpu heatsink, 1600mhz DDr3 is relatively cheap so get that. besides that, nothing else to consider.


corsair and g skill are good brands. 8gb memory kits 4gb each are a good bargain

 

[muy_caliente]

Wierd can't get the link to work either, but this is the product: G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 2300 (PC3 18400) Desktop Memory Model F3-18400CL9D-8GBXMD

 

[chillin15]

That is OC'ed ram. Just get this one:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231428

it's like 1/25 of that price and you won't see a major real world difference.

 

[Twoboxer]

Hey twoboxer, I'm about to start my own i5 build myself and am considering the ft02 - The only questions I have about the ft02 case are:

1) Is there enough room behind the mobo tray to store cables? Maybe even add a layer of accoustic film and
2) Did you need extension cables for your build?

Thanks!

Yes, there's room and no, I didn't need any extension cables when I used the specific parts shown in my configuration. The Asus p67 Deluxe mobo's USB3 Box has a short cable, but it just made it from the case front panel, over the 580, and into the mobo connector.

I have to say I really, really like this case. All the fans are set to low and temps are never an issue running 8xPrime95 + Furmark at 4.4MHz - core temps are under 65C and and the 580 bounces up against an 85C limit. I also have come to appreciate the value of having all the cables exit the case in a tight bundle at the same spot, high off the floor. They stay neat and clean, and the case is presentable even from the rear. It's a positive pressure case, so the filters really do keep the case free of dust, and the filters are easy to remove and clean. Having the window on the right side works perfectly for me, YMMV.

The case is not free of design flaws, though they are (to me) minor. The power on button is hard to find by feel until you get used to it, and you will sometimes turn the power on accidentally when you just intended to move the case. The top cover isn't as easy to remove as it should be - one side or the other will remain attached until you learn to yank the top off with exactly even pressure.