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  1. Tristor

    Replacing the thermal interface material in a CPU package?

    Another point of view, which is why I delidded for my relatively "mediocre" 24/7 OC of 4.4GHz, is that delidding allowed me to drop temps far enough to also drop voltages. For me, it was more about longevity and stability. The cooler the chip runs at load, the better, period. It did have the...
  2. Tristor

    Replacing the thermal interface material in a CPU package?

    Honestly, the least extreme thing about doing direct-to-die cooling is modifying the socket retaining bracket. Also, the risk is very low of damaging your CPU if you use the vise/hammer method, rather than the razor blade method of delidding. The razor blade method is unnecessarily risky and...
  3. Tristor

    Is the new chipset x99 worth it?

    If you're comparing X99 to X58 or X79, then yes, it's definitely worth it. If you're comparing it to Z97, then that's really just a matter of opinion. I would have said X79 wasn't worth it compared to the Z77/Z87 stuff, but I think X99 as a platform is definitely worth it compared to Z97, just...
  4. Tristor

    X99 Boards - Whats on your wish list?

    I'm going to wait to see what Xeon support looks like on the X99 boards, since I'd like one of the E5-v3 Xeons for my next workstation build. It's looking like Asus is likely a winner though, although EVGA may still yet be in the running for me.
  5. Tristor

    [WSJ] Samsung, Nvidia Shy Away from Server Chip Battle

    That's why announcements like this are really interesting: http://www.extremetech.com/extreme/184828-intel-unveils-new-xeon-chip-with-integrated-fpga-touts-20x-performance-boost It provides an opportunity for existing x86-centric workloads to be accelerated through custom logic in the FPGA...
  6. Tristor

    CPU improvements year to year

    Performance improvements are still happening, just not in traditional ways (increasing clock speed, IPCs). Instead we're seeing focuses on scheduler improvements and threading. If you look at things like the OpenPower/Power8 architecture where you've got 8 threads per core versus Intel's...
  7. Tristor

    Thinking about upgrading my Sammy 830..

    I upgraded from 2x 128GB Samsung 830s to 2x240GB Sandisk Extreme IIs recently in my main rig. Even comparing the E2s to the 830s after I had done a secure wipe on the 830s, the E2s are obviously and noticeably faster. I'm not sure if it'd be noticeable for most people though, but where I most...
  8. Tristor

    i7-4770K OC question

    XTU is not sufficient to test stability. It's more of a benchmark than a stability test. Prime95 is also not sufficient. You need to run Intel Optimized Linpack, which will hit every single part of the math pipeline which allows you to truly stress the system under AVX2 loads and ensure full...
  9. Tristor

    No post after installing a new cpu cooler (Tuniq tower 120)

    Make sure the backplate is not shorting out anything on the back of the mobo. As a general precaution I usually use electrical tape and cover the back of the mobo around the CPU socket completely within the cut-out of the mobo tray before installing the backplate to a cooler. I've had numerous...
  10. Tristor

    Kingston SSDs any good?

    There is no way I would ever purchase a Kingston SSD given their track record. They had a short run where they were acceptable, but the ruined that with their bad behavior. Your system's long-term reliability is worth the extra $20 spot.
  11. Tristor

    NEW EVGA GTX 780 SC ACX for $300 good price?

    Congratulations, that's definitely a good price, at least $200 under MSRP.
  12. Tristor

    You Can Soon Buy Google Glass...Would You?

    I was one of the 2nd group of people invited to get Google Glass and I turned it down. While I find the technology very exciting and at some point I want something similar, I have three things I find significantly limiting with Glass: 1) I wear glasses for my vision and Glass isn't usable with...
  13. Tristor

    Anyone else getting bored with PC hardware?

    While hardware is slow to advance in the consumer space, there is still a ton of exciting work being done in R&D and we are seeing more of this being released in enterprise/scientific computing before consumer spaces. Since I get to work on both sides of the equation, I still find hardware...
  14. Tristor

    [guru3d rumor] GTX 880- 8GB-3200 SP's

    I'm overjoyed at the improvements they were able to make in GM107, but I'd like to see those same improvements extrapolated out to a true big die GPU and encompassed in a die shrink. The additional perf/watt a die shrink will net us should make such a GPU a worthwhile upgrade over the current...
  15. Tristor

    POLL: Desktop SSDs, Pls Vote

    Every system I own has a minimum of a single stand-alone SSD drive, any non-mobile devices have 2 SSDs in RAID0 minimum, I don't store any media on any systems except for a file server in the house. SSDs are cheap enough and large enough that there's no reason to ever have HDDs in anything...
  16. Tristor

    DIY Quick Guide: TIM replacement in 15 minutes. (excellent results)

    A solvent which is always safe to use on electronics is 91% isopropyl alcohol. It evaporates quickly and is non-damaging to the materials used in electronic components. That + a lint-free cloth is always the way to go for removing TIM and cleaning the surfaces of components prior to...
  17. Tristor

    Add another SSD to increase SSD storage?

    Why would RAID0 not be recommended for a boot partition? Here's the skinny OP: RAID0 gets you all of the space of both disks, and roughly double the write and read speed (since it stripes both). However, it adds no redundancy and because any of the two disks failing can cause the entire array...
  18. Tristor

    Waste of my damn money :(

    I'm glad to hear it worked out for you.
  19. Tristor

    TIM Application

    I am not a fan of "tinting". I always start each application with a fresh wipe down of the CPU IHS and the bottom of the heatsink using a lint-free cloth soaked in 91% isopropyl alcohol. I follow it with a wipe down with a dry lint-free cloth, and immediately apply the TIM using the "pea"...
  20. Tristor

    How badly did you get hosed on your first SSD?

    319.95 each for 2xIntel 80GB X25-M G2s I'm pretty sure I ordered them on launch day, but maybe not. It was shortly after AT posted the review. Have had 2x SSDs in RAID0 in every box I've built since. You can never go back to a regular disk after getting an SSD, it just feels painful.
  21. Tristor

    EVGA Allowing Step-Up For 780 6GB

    I wonder if they are including the Classifieds in this? Since I intend to do 3x1080p Surround at some point very soon by adding a third monitor, I'd consider it. Next year I'm planning to shift to 4k, but I am hoping for the 20nm Maxwell to be released mid-year in 2015. I still haven't seen a...
  22. Tristor

    Excessive writes to SSD without my knowledge.

    Windows 8/8.1 has been doing some freaky stuff with my SSD RAID as well. In fact, I noticed after a patch about 2 months ago that my box started being extremely sluggish. Obviously this should not be, all things considered. Luckily it happened during a time when I was trying to install a game...
  23. Tristor

    Accelero Hybrid install on Radeon 7970 Ghz

    I look forward to seeing your results. I applaud your attitude about modifications, and it's one I share. I do the hobby for fun and to gain some benefit over what comes out of the box. If I make a mistake, that's my responsibility, not the company that provided me a working product when I...
  24. Tristor

    HD Tune Results for Samsung EVO 840 250GB and 300GB Velociraptor. Normal?

    You are also using an older version of HD Tune than the respondent to your post OP. Have you tried using the latest version of the HD Tune utility? They've changed stuff significant since version 4 was released specifically to deal with appropriately measuring performance from SSDs. With...
  25. Tristor

    AMD: References for Dual C32 & G34 Motherboard Forums, Reviews, etc.

    It's even in a non-standard font for the forums. @OP: I've built a G34 based workstation for a friend. Other than ensuring you're careful about reading the QVL/HCL before purchasing components once you've picked a motherboard there's not a whole lot to it beyond what you'd expect from...
  26. Tristor

    Arctic's new Freezer i11 HS/F, any good ?

    I would tend to agree, but that's not what he asked. Personally for the money if you're trying to fit in a relatively tight space (the HR-02 Macho is /huge/) I'd say the Xigmatek Gaia + 2xCougars is a good pick over the Hyper 212 for minimal increase in cost (they're actually both the same...
  27. Tristor

    [Build Log] System Refresh with the New NZXT H440

    Wow, very nice. Looks fantastic. The color scheme is very well put together, and I'm kind of shocked that two rads + a full loop fit in that small of a chassis.
  28. Tristor

    Arctic's new Freezer i11 HS/F, any good ?

    If you get the Hyper 212, my fan recommendation is to get the PWM 120mm Cougar Vortex FDB fans. Noctua fans are nice too but usually more expensive. If you keep an eye out you can pick them up for around $9-$10 each and they're almost always available for $15 or less. Why? Well, they have...
  29. Tristor

    Devil's Canyon or Haswell E for gaming?

    BIOS issues is standard EVGA. You don't buy EVGA for their BIOS, you buy it for the stellar hardware quality and overclocking features such as smaller increments of voltage control. As far back as I can remember EVGA has had meh motherboard BIOS. The rule of thumb was to essentially find the...
  30. Tristor

    Devil's Canyon or Haswell E for gaming?

    I've basically built all I'm going to build until I see X99 released. If it meets my expectations, I'll probably be selling my current rig to pick up an X99 Classified or a Rampage 5. I'm really looking forward to seeing what EVGA's newest mobo entrant will look like now that they have their...
  31. Tristor

    MSI shows next-gen Intel motherboards (9 series chipset).

    Looking at these I notice a glaring flaw and a growing trend on boards. Let's assume for a moment that the top-end board is supposed to be the Gaming 9 (I think this is an accurate assumption). Why is it then that the Gaming 9 has /just/ enough room to put two dual slot video cards in a...
  32. Tristor

    EVGA GTX 780ti Classified K|NGP|N - where are the reviews?

    Considering it's a limited release at a higher cost, specifically contains information in the marketing material informing you that it's for extreme overclocking under sub-ambient methods, and that almost all the units were sold via pre-order and I think it's currently sold out, I'm going to...
  33. Tristor

    What happened to idontcare?

    Hey IDC. I just wanted to say thank you for all of your informative research and threads on this forum. You were a primary source of information in my recent escapades into delidding (which went swimmingly well, I might add). I'm glad to see you're still around and happy to hear you are doing...
  34. Tristor

    Wasted a high end graphics card

    I kind of feel the same way you guys do, but on the other hand I knew what I was getting myself in to. Total War: Rome 2, release 3rd September 2013. nVidia 337.50 Beta released April 9th, 2014. That's more than 6 months, but bam, now the game is playable at maxed settings with my 780 SLI...
  35. Tristor

    Baasha's 4K Surround + Quad GTX-Titan SC *BENCHMARKS THREAD*

    Very awesome information. I'm really looking forward to the beginning of next year because Project CARS should be released and I'll be building something utterly beastly to run it at 4k+. When it happens, I'd be very interested to know how it runs on your system as it will help me a lot in...
  36. Tristor

    Another delid post for the 4770k

    You're doing it wrong then. The idea behind the vice method is that the tensile strength of the adhesive is high, but it's shear strength is not. So you're using a type of force which easily will cause the bond of the adhesive to break within itself (leaving residue on both sides). It...
  37. Tristor

    IBT not loading my CPU to 100%

    Hw Monitor and similar applications should be able to report CPU utilization, but my concern is that they may end up ultimately reporting the same. I'm not sure if they simply utilize a different method of accessing the same data or if they acquire that data directly from the hardware somehow.
  38. Tristor

    Multicore Desktop Processors and their desktop boards: Any risk to audio quality?

    Howdy, I get what your concern is. The reality of the situation is that audio circuits have improved over time in mainstream motherboards. There was a time when it was exceedingly common to run the analog and digital signals right next to each other which could introduce digital noise via...
  39. Tristor

    Another delid post for the 4770k

    I should point out I certainly agree that IC-Diamond is safe to use, but given the cost difference there's really no point in not using CLU on the bare-die application for the slight but still measurable temperature reduction. The liquid metal also does not pump out, however it does have...
  40. Tristor

    DIY Quick Guide: TIM replacement in 15 minutes. (excellent results)

    Last weekend when I put the backplates on (why these aren't included with the Classified when the Lightning had them I don't know, stupid EVGA) I decided to repaste both of the 780s while I was at it. I can't honestly tell you what difference it made simply because I didn't have the ability to...