Got a couple questions regarding my PC build

[Nucl3ar]

Now I know this is noobie but I gotta ask so please don't laugh .

1). When running SLI with 2 monitors can I just run each off its own cards hdmi? Or do I need to run off the same card?

2). When overclocking the cards in SLI do they show as one card to change the clocks, or do you need to do the cards individually?

3). For my Corsair H110 CPU cooler I'd like to change the stock 140mm fans to Cougar 140mm LED's that have a static pressure of 1.4. Is this enough? I will also be running it with 4 of the fans in push/pull.

 

[P1nnacle]

1) It's better to run both of the monitors on the same graphics card.
2) You'll have to overclock both cards individually.
3) The stock Corsair fans have a SP rating of 4.0 mm/H2O, they are a much better choice than any other fan on the market.

 

[Nucl3ar]

3) The stock Corsair fans have a SP rating of 4.0 mm/H2O, they are a much better choice than any other fan on the market.

I know the Stock Corsair fan is superior for the application, just wondering if it will still function well especially using 4 fans.

 

[P1nnacle]

Yes, the cooler will function, that said, it will function with a large loss in cooling ability. Adding 4 fans would not improve your temperatures over the 2 fans you are already using.

 

[Nucl3ar]

Yes, the cooler will function, that said, it will function with a large loss in cooling ability. Adding 4 fans would not improve your temperatures over the 2 fans you are already using.

You honestly think it will effect it that much, and using a push/pull formation on the rad won't help?

 

[P1nnacle]

I do believe that it will affect it a lot. Push pull doesn't do much in terms of performance gains, it's really just a modifier to SP performance. At best case you'll have a 2.8 mm/H2O SP from your push pull, actual practice will show lower results. In addition to that, your CFM of airflow won't be doubled by your fans, it will stay the same, so unless these fans push a lot more air than the Corsair fans, you won't see any performance gains. Very likely you'd see losses though.

 

[Nucl3ar]

I do believe that it will affect it a lot. Push pull doesn't do much in terms of performance gains, it's really just a modifier to SP performance. At best case you'll have a 2.8 mm/H2O SP from your push pull, actual practice will show lower results. In addition to that, your CFM of airflow won't be doubled by your fans, it will stay the same, so unless these fans push a lot more air than the Corsair fans, you won't see any performance gains. Very likely you'd see losses though.

Thank you very much for the in depth explanation. I more or less understand what your saying and what it comes down to is a trade off of performance to esthetics. Going by rated sound the Cougar is a lot quieter which is also a plus. All I'd like to do is some mild overclocking so as long as I can keep base performance while running quiet, and looking good I'm happy.

 

[P1nnacle]

Well, i'm glad I could help out your decision making process, any other questions?

 

[Nucl3ar]

Well, i'm glad I could help out your decision making process, any other questions?

Lol like a million but that can wait till my PC actually gets here...thanks again

 

[tiny voices]

1) It's better to run both of the monitors on the same graphics card.
2) You'll have to overclock both cards individually.
3) The stock Corsair fans have a SP rating of 4.0 mm/H2O, they are a much better choice than any other fan on the market.

Pretty sure you are wrong on number 2. I used MSI afterburner to overclock my 560s when I had them in SLI and they both ALWAYS changed clocks at the same time with a single overclock.

 

[Nucl3ar]

1) It's better to run both of the monitors on the same graphics card.
2) You'll have to overclock both cards individually.
3) The stock Corsair fans have a SP rating of 4.0 mm/H2O, they are a much better choice than any other fan on the market.

Pretty sure you are wrong on number 2. I used MSI afterburner to overclock my 560s when I had them in SLI and they both ALWAYS changed clocks at the same time with a single overclock.

Yes I believe if you sync them in the software it changes both.

 

[tiny voices]

MSI afterburner requires no changing of any settings. It only gives you one slider for core clock, memory clock, voltage, etc. Botch cards change at the same time always. This is how SLi works. Both cards ALWAYS run at the same speeds. ALWAYS. They default to the slower of the two cards speeds as soon as your run them together. That is how it works.

 

[Nucl3ar]

Well I sure do hope that is the case which will make this easier for me

 

[tiny voices]

That is how it works, yes.

 

[P1nnacle]

Pretty sure you are wrong on number 2. I used MSI afterburner to overclock my 560s when I had them in SLI and they both ALWAYS changed clocks at the same time with a single overclock.

Hmm, I used EVGA Precision X, and I had to change both... Different programs I guess.

 

[Nucl3ar]

I was told on another forum that in the EVGA GPU boost there is a "sync" button to have them linked by clocks, but yes as Tiny Voices said you would think they would be linked anyways.

 

[tiny voices]

Every SLi or crossfire setup I have used/ build ALWAYS defaulted to the same clocks. I'm pretty sure they only work that way.

It is the same as RAM.

 

[Nucl3ar]

Good to know thx again Tiny

 

[P1nnacle]

Yeah good to know, maybe I'm just remembering incorrectly.