The Member's Systems Discussion Thread

[Daniel Sudakov]

Optimized for better top and average frame rates. They admit that the min frames may not be improved, but this is better than nothing.

It is a move to compete with Mantel for sure.

I really don't notice a difference in my view, I'm already getting 100+FPS in any game. But when I want to do nvidia surround, that'll be pretty useful.

 

[jeremyp79]

So, in my impatience, I ordered a 540 air instead of watiing the 2 weeks or so in the backorder queue to get a 760t. Somehow, the one I got had 0/3 fans that worked, connected to my motherboard. I think it's a sign that I need to wait for the 760t

 

[Mirakledba]

You got an Air 540 rather than an 760t?due to impatience? I did the same but cause I didnt want to wait months for an H440. The 760T is nice. If I had to wait 2 weeks for the H440, I would have. But not months.

 

[azzazel_99]

Something about the 540 air is just cool to me.

 

[Mirakledba]

Azz - What is that something? I haz it right next to me 😛 I just cleaned the side window...the dust filters are SO easy to clean.

 

[azzazel_99]

I like the psu being seperate to start off. That adds more cleaness and looks cool to me.

 

[azzazel_99]

Not sure tho it would allow for a big air cooler like the phantek or the new noctua nh-d14.

 

[jed]

Name: jed
CPU: i7-3960X
Video Card Sapphire R290X
Motherboard: Asus Rampage Extreme iv 2011
CPU Voltage: 1.45V
CPU Bus Speed/Multiplier: 100*48
Clock Speed: 4.8ghz
RAM: 16Gb Patriot Viper 2400mhz DDR3 11-13-13-3T
Cooling: Custom Watercooling Loop
OS:Windows 8.1 Pro 64 Bit

My first custom water cooled machine, So what do you guy's think about it and where can I improve?

It looks great! You don't have to improve anything, but my question would be....1200 watts? You planning to crossfire later on?

Yes, I plan on running triple crossfire soon.

 

[Mirakledba]

Azz - "Maximum CPU Cooler Height 170mm" Corsair Site. So it SHOULD fit them.

 

[tiny voices]

The Air 540 has less lateral space in the motherboard side than it looks due to all the space they use for the back/PSU. This is one of the reasons I would not buy one. For how huge the case is, you would think Corsair would give you 1-2cm more space. There are other standard mid tower cases with 180mm+ clearance space. The Noctua NH-D14 heatsink itself is 160mm tall, so it should fit as long as you push the center 140mm fan all the way down to touch the adjustment tightening screw. There are alot of air coolers that do not fit in this case though so make sure to check before buying one.

ALSO, make sure when you read on newegg that a heatsink is x mm tall, you understand that the only usually measure the fins and that measurement doe not usually account for the heat pipes sticking out the top or for the fan sitting above the top of the fins a bit.

The Corsair 300r also has a stated 170mm clearance, and here is a photo of a "158mm" cooler (remember it is actually bigger than that) in the case:

When they close the case, the side panel basically touches the tips of the heat pipes. The cooler pictured is the Noctua NH-U12P.

This Phanteks, will not fit no matter what as it is 171mm. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835709011

 

[azzazel_99]

So im thinking a new psu maybe next on my list. Not certain 780ti classifieds in sli are gonna like my hx850 psu.

 

[tiny voices]

You can easily do them on that 850w unit no problem.

 

[azzazel_99]

I havent checked the max wattage draw on them yet as the 2nd 780ti is comming in the mail today. I have the first one over clocked a bit which I will probably put it back to factory since it wont be needed in sli. So ya think the hx850 has enough ooomf in it to drive those 2 gpu's and the rest of my system? I mean I hope so cause the cheapest name brand psu I found at 1300watts is the evga for 229 which sounds like a great deal anyway for a 80+gold.

 

[tiny voices]

2 780TIs in SLI at MAX draw only pull 525w. even a good 750w unit would be plenty of power.

And you will most likely not be running them both at 100% constantly.

 

[stickg1]

UGH I just had to remount the stock cooler on my GTX 780 for the third time. It was hard to get a good mount. Temps would look good at first but then full load to idle cool down would take forever and the temps would hang in the low 50C's. I finally got it working right. So many little screws on this ah heck.

 

[nukemaster]

UGH I just had to remount the stock cooler on my GTX 780 for the third time. It was hard to get a good mount. Temps would look good at first but then full load to idle cool down would take forever and the temps would hang in the low 50C's. I finally got it working right. So many little screws on this ah heck.

When it came did it have this issue?
Did it have the normal extreme amount of thermal paste some card makers are known for?

 

[azzazel_99]

Well with these being the classified models which clock alot higher than the stock 780ti is whats got me concerned. How much more do they draw.

 

[tiny voices]

Honestly less than 10w more each. That small "overclock", if you can call it that, won't make any difference.

 

[azzazel_99]

925mhz stock to up to 1150 or 1300mhz if u do custom bios.

 

[Mirakledba]

Tiny - Ok..Thats one issue with the case? Any more? Its space is more than enough for someone whos using a liquid cooler.

 

[stickg1]

UGH I just had to remount the stock cooler on my GTX 780 for the third time. It was hard to get a good mount. Temps would look good at first but then full load to idle cool down would take forever and the temps would hang in the low 50C's. I finally got it working right. So many little screws on this ah heck.

When it came did it have this issue?
Did it have the normal extreme amount of thermal paste some card makers are known for?

I had a waterblock on it and was reinstalling the stock cooler. Took me a while to get it right. First was too little TIM, then too much, the third mount was jusssst right! [:stickg1:2]

 

[tiny voices]

Tiny - Ok..Thats one issue with the case? Any more? Its space is more than enough for someone whos using a liquid cooler.

The case is very good for watercooling. I have seen some amazing builds in these with awesome open loop setups.

Water cooling looks really good in this case.

 

[Mirakledba]

Yeah it is. I DO agree on you with one point, there was no need to give that much room in the back, but it still looks great.

 

[tiny voices]

Yeah the excessive room in the back is a bit much, but I have seen a few open loops with pumps and reservoirs hidden in the back, which looks REALLY clean. I do believe that requires cutting a moding the case though, from what I have seen.

 

[nukemaster]

@ tiny voices, That looks amazingly clean.

@ stickg1, I find video cards are a bit more picky. I remember having to redo the paste on one of those old passive Zalman coolers for my 9800 pro because the contact was not good. Since then I add a bit more for video cards.