Cooling/SLI Options for my High End 980x Extreme Build

[kirbynathan]

This system was originally built last summer with the help of many Tom's Hardware users. I truely appreciate all the assistance, it has served me extremely well in my gaming and I would like to make a few upgrades.

I need 24gb Ram Upgrade, Hard Drive (I'm currently running everything off of the SSD), Cooling Upgrade, 1-2 Additional GPU's for Monitors 3&4.


Approximate Purchase Date: Immediately
Budget Range: Already spent around $4500. Would like to spend no more than $1,000 more.
System Usage from Most to Least Important: (e.g.: Folding@Home, gaming, surfing the internet, watching movies)
Preferred Website(s) for Parts: newegg.com or amazon.com
Country of Origin: United States
Parts Preferences: It's an Intel System with NVidia GPU's.
Overclocking: Yes
SLI or Crossfire: Yes for some applications.
Monitor Resolution: Currently use 1920x1080
Additional Comments: The items below are what I have currently installed.


Original Build:
CASE: COOLER MASTER HAF X RC-942-KKN1 Black Steel/ Plastic ATX Full Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119225&Tpk=RC-942-KKN1

MB: GIGABYTE GA-X58A-UD9 LGA 1366 Intel X58 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 XL ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128446

GPUS: 2 x GIGABYTE GV-N480D5-15I-B GeForce GTX 480 (Fermi) 1536MB 384-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125319

PSU: Antec TPQ-1200 1200W Continuous Power with PowerCache Technology SLI Ready CrossFire Certified
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371032

CPU: Intel Core i7-980X Extreme Edition Gulftown 3.33GHz LGA 1366 130W Six-Core Desktop Processor BX80613I7980X
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115223

SSD: Crucial RealSSD C300 CTFDDAC256MAG-1G1CCA 2.5" 256GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148363

RAM: G.SKILL PI+ Turbulence 12GB (6 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL6T2-12GBPIS
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231354

CPU Cooler: PROLIMATECH Armageddon for Intel LGA 1156, LGA1366, LGA775, 6 Dual Heatpipe, Twin Tower Type Quiet
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835242005



I have ordered the following RAM for upgrade, it has lower timings than my current 12gb, but figured 24gb of slower RAM is better still: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0033C2A50

My GPU's have been discontinued I'm assuming because of the heat issues etc. I would like to add 1 or 2 more GPUs and monitors to my system. I'm not sure which GPU's would be appropriate to use with the 480gtx's.

Also to keep down heat, I've considered liquid cooling.

However I really don't know what would be my best cooling option. Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[kirbynathan]

I'm thinking perhaps a PCI fan to add additional fresh air?

 

[dontcrosthestreams]

wouldnt a workstation with 2 e1240's be far more powerful and cheaper? go ahead and go with liquid cooling

 

[inzone]

I would try to sell the two 480's and then get either 3 570's or 3 580's which ever you can afford. I was in a similar situation as I had two Evga GTX 480 Hydro Copper cards and I sold them on E-bay and bought 2 GTX 580 Hydro Copper cards. Unless you start out buying components with water cooling in mind , converting to water is a lot of work especially with the video cards. What you could do is just run a loop and cool the cpu or if you do sell your cards then you could get cards with blocks already on them . You would end up saving some money by getting the cards with the blocks on them.

 

[beenthere]

The link below shows test data for the popular HSFs. If you want really cool CPU cooling, I'd go with a refrigerant phase-change system. It literally is VERY cool!

http://www.frostytech.com/top5heatsinks.cfm#INTELHEATSINK

 

[boiler1990]

Unless you start out buying components with water cooling in mind , converting to water is a lot of work especially with the video cards. What you could do is just run a loop and cool the cpu or if you do sell your cards then you could get cards with blocks already on them . You would end up saving some money by getting the cards with the blocks on them.

It's not that difficult - you just need to take off the GPU cooler and attach the block. It is easier if they're reference models, because it's easier to find reference blocks.


The Samsung F3 is the fastest consumer grade hard drive, and is cheaper than other comparable drives like the WD Black.

I'm not sure of the power draw of the 480, but your PSU will easily support 2x580s if you decide to replace them. If you need SLI still as a function, then I'd try and grab another 480 for Tri/Quad-SLI.