Need Help with Case, Cooling, PSU

[savvy]

Main components:

CPU: E6600
GPU: x1900XTX
Mobo: ASUS P5W DH DELUXE
RAM: CORSAIR XMS2 2GB DDR2 800 PC2 6400
HDD: Seagate Barracuda 320 GB x2 (I plan to add more hard drives later, perhaps.)
Monitor: 19" Widescreen (might upgrade later)
Drives: LiteOn LightScribe Dual Double Layer DVD Burner

I was thinking about the NZXT LEXA-NP Black/ Silver Aluminum Construction Plastic Front Panel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case ? Retail Link

But what would be the best case for my system (reasonably priced)?

Also, someone recommended me to use a single 12V rail. So this wouldn't be good, right?:

OCZ GameXStream OCZ700GXSSLI ATX12V 700W Power Supply 100 - 240V - Retail Link

What PSU should I use that has a single, high amperage 12V rail?

Which is better/easier to install?

Thermaltake Big Typhoon CL-P0114 120mm Cooling Fan with Heatsink - Retail Link


Zalman CNPS9500 Link

Do you recommend me additional cooling? I plan to overclock after more benchmarks come in for Conroe.

 

[rflynn74]

Savvy,

That heatsink you can use for Core 2?

 

[savvy]

Someone told me the other day that you can use it for Intel Core 2.

 

[savvy]

I'm looking for a HSF that will allow me to control speed or has automatically controlled fan speed for overclocking. ._.

 

[Henny]

Use Q-fan in the P5W's BIOS.

I'm not a fan of the Zalman 9500. It's only top tier in performance when it's spooled up all the way. However it becomes noisy. It's also expensive.

Scythe Mine and Ninja+ should ouperform the Zalman at a reduced price.

Or try the new Scythe Infinity. I bet it spanks even the Tuniq Tower.

 

[savvy]

Ah, yes, I almost forgot about the Q-fan in the BIOS.

The Scythe Infinity looks nice and it says it has Wide Range Cooling. Link

Specifications:
Fan
Dimensions: 120 x 120 x 25mm
Noise Level: 23.5dBA
Air Flow: 46.5CFM
Speed: 1,200rpm (±10%)

Shouldn't you be allowed the control the speed if it has Wide Range Cooling and shouldn't it give a range of noise level? I don't quite understand. Or is 1,200 rpm plus/minus 10% within the maximum it can go, because it seems like a small range to be considered "wide"? (around 1100 - 1300 rpm)


I'm going to go with the Scythe Infinity or the Tuniq Tower 120 probably, unless someone recommends me something better. But the 120 seems to be sold out everywhere. It also comes with its own thermal grease. But AS5 is better, I suppose?

 

[acegazda]

the tuniq tower is impossible to get in stock... don't kill yourself trying. The best hs for the money is the freezer 7 pro by arctic cooling for $21 @ provantage.com. For the case, I'd go for the lian li pc7b +2 or the pc60 +2, $110 and $125 respectively. The latter adds a removable mobo tray and an air duct, which will be useless as it can't be used in conjunction with an aftermarket heatsink. For a psu, i did your psu calulator thing with all your specs, the 6600 oc'ed to 4ghz @ 1.5v and 2 hdd's and it came out to 361w... don't even think about getting a 700w psu. You need a good 400-500w psu like an enermax liberty, enhance 5150gh or seasonic 500w. Check out offerings from fortron as well. OCZ is pretty much the same as them.

 

[savvy]

Thanks for calculating for me. But I actually plan to add perhaps a few more hard drive in the coming months. So I guess the 700W is still overkill. I will look into your suggestions.

 

[Operandi]

The P5W uses a 4-pin PWM fan header, as far as I know you need a 4-pin PWM fan if you want automatic (Q-Fan or SpeedFan) RPM control.

The Zalman CNPS-9500AT uses a 4-pin PWM fan and is a great heatsink. I wouldn't recommend anything Thermaltake.

For the PSU Seasonic is my top choice. Enhance, Forton-Source, and PCP&C (if you don't mind noise) are good alternatives.

The case; try Lian Li. The PC-7 is pretty sweet deal, but the V series is the true high-end.

 

[Henny]

Originally posted by: Operandi
The P5W uses a 4-pin PWM fan header, as far as I know you need a 4-pin PWM fan if you want automatic (Q-Fan or SpeedFan) RPM control.

The Zalman CNPS-9500AT uses a 4-pin PWM fan and is a great heatsink. I wouldn't recommend anything Thermaltake.

For the PSU Seasonic is my top choice. Enhance, Forton-Source, and PCP&C (if you don't mind noise) are good alternatives.

The case; try Lian Li. The PC-7 is pretty sweet deal, but the V series is the true high-end.

You're confused. Just set it to DC mode vs. PWM mode and it still thermostatically controlls the CPU fan.

 

[Operandi]

Originally posted by: Henny

Originally posted by: Operandi
The P5W uses a 4-pin PWM fan header, as far as I know you need a 4-pin PWM fan if you want automatic (Q-Fan or SpeedFan) RPM control.

The Zalman CNPS-9500AT uses a 4-pin PWM fan and is a great heatsink. I wouldn't recommend anything Thermaltake.

For the PSU Seasonic is my top choice. Enhance, Forton-Source, and PCP&C (if you don't mind noise) are good alternatives.

The case; try Lian Li. The PC-7 is pretty sweet deal, but the V series is the true high-end.

You're confused. Just set it to DC mode vs. PWM mode and it still thermostatically controlls the CPU fan.

Ok, good to know.

I don't personally have experience with the board, I was just under the impression that you needed PWM pin to be present to get fan control, I'm glad to hear that I'm wrong.

 

[savvy]

Indeed. I am equally pleased to know that.

 

[savvy]

So I was thinking about the NZXT LEXA-NP Black/ Silver Aluminum Construction Plastic Front Panel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case ? Retail. Link It isn't a good case? I kind of liked its design. It's around $119 plus shipping. I like the tooless design. I'm better off with a Lian Li then?