My new AMD rig, check it out

[rav3n]

Hey all I don't usually do AMD based systems but i decided to because apparently the new phenom II chips are really overclockable so here are the specs and a couple of pics of my new AMD rig. Let me know what you think or if you have any ideas.

Mobo: Asrock K10N780SLIX3
CPU: AMD Phenom II 940 overclocked to 3.6ghz
RAM:4Gb Crucial Ballistix Tracer
Graphics Card: Inno3d GTX260 overclocked
HDD:2x 500gb samsung sata-II from old system(wanted ssd but way to expensive for there size)
Optical drive: LG Blu-ray writer,LG dvd-rw from old system
PSU:850w OCZ game xtream
Case: NZXT Tempest Elite
Monitor: 22" samsung syncmaster
Additions: Creative soundblaster, zalmann fan controller

Going to mod the case somehow(ideas anyone?) and maybe get liquid cooling system. This system cost about $1600 AUD.

http://s708.photobucket.com/albums/ww90/rav3n52/

Let me know what you guys think. I will be working on a new intel system soon for a friend so suggestions 4 that would help too.

 

[aevm]

Nice work!

For the Intel system I'd suggest an i7 920/P6T Deluxe V2 combination.

 

[aevm]

Add a Xigmatek Dark Knight cooler to the Intel build, btw.

What kind of cooler did you use for the Phenom?

 

[rav3n]

the phenom is running on the stock retail air cooler. I want to upgrade this fairly soon because I have noticed that it gets fairly hot. Any suggestions?

 

[megamanx00]

A good Xigmatek is always a good bet. I take you want to use liquid cooling on it though to overclock it a little more.

 

[aevm]

A Xigmatek HDT-S1283 should do nicely, yeah.

 

[rav3n]

What would be the best air cooler for me? There is no way that I will EVER go back to water cooling after my last incident (the hose came cracked and leaked coolent stuff all over my cpu, took out every component in the system, even the fans) I have my cpu overclocked to about 4.5 but it gets fairly hot with the stock cooler.

 

[Helloworld_98]

Thermalright Ultra 120 or Noctua NH12 are the best at the moment I think. can't remember if it was the NH12 or UH12 thats at the top though...

 

[rav3n]

The thermalright Ultra 120 is fanless? That can't possibly be that good

 

[vegettonox]

My advice to you. drop your overclock by 200 MHz and stick with air cooling. Several times i have looked at liquid cooling solutions but the raw idea is simply that. The tubes can rupture, the couplers can leak, you can forget to refill the tanks, and on top of all that if you dont get the proper tubing it can harden and break yet again.

Ohh and lets not forget the 200 dollars for a cheap cpu only cooler system compared to an extremly efficient air cooling solution for 40-50 bucks.

 

[vegettonox]

COOLER MASTER RR-CCH-LB12-GP 120mm Sleeve CPU Cooler

Rather efficient cooler ive personally used on a phenom 9950 and it kept it at 46 degrees

 

[aevm]

The thermalright Ultra 120 is fanless? That can't possibly be that good

You can use it with 0, 1 or 2 fans. Without fans, it's great for a silent HTPC. With two fans, it beats all the air cooling records. With a single fan (e.g. Scythe SFF21F) it does an excellent job. Most people use it with one fan, AFAIK, especially since adding the second fan makes only a small difference.

The Noctua NH-U12P is just as good and a little quieter, but costs more.

 

[rav3n]

Well i was looking at getting a Xigmatek dark Knight cooler. Its only about $60. Is there a better cooler thats not really expensive (like over $150 expensive)

 

[aevm]

The Dark Knight is good. For an i7 build, it's the cheapest good cooler I can think of.

For an AMD build, you might as well get the HDT-S1283. Basically the same cooler, it doesn't have an LGA1366 bracket, but it has all you need for the Phenom and it's cheaper. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233003

 

[rav3n]

Is there a better sub $150 cooler?

 

[aevm]

The best ones are the TRUE and the NH-U12P. Both are under $100, if you shop around a bit. Read this article to see some numbers.
http://www.anandtech.com/casecoolingpsus/showdoc.aspx?i=3268&p=7

 

[xthekidx]

Are you in the US? $60 for the DK seems pretty steep...

The CM V10 is probably the best air cooler around at this point, better than the TRUE I think, but its fairly expensive and I would opt for the TRUE or maybe the Xigmatek Thor's Hammer, which apparently competes very well with the TRUE...$140USD for the V10.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103056

Thor's Hammer, gotta buy a fan separately though:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233032&Tpk=HDT-S126384
Lapped, I think its probably better than the TRUE. All reviews I have seen have been with an unlapped cooler vs the TRUE and its really close, lapping would probably knock 1-2C off.

 

[shortstuff_mt]

Here's a pretty good review of some current coolers:

http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/coolers/display/core-i7-coolers-roundup.html

www.frostytech.com also does good HSF reviews.

 

[rav3n]

No i'm in australia thats why it's about $60