New Build - Need Help w/ Cooling

[Fes69]

Hi Guys,

I was reading different threads on the forum and decided to register to ask for your help.
I'm building a new setup for 2012 and can't really decide on how to properly cool it !

The build will be:

- i7 2700k
- Asus P8Z68-V PRO/Gen3
- Corsair Dominator 16Gb (4*4)
- WD Black Caviar 2To
- Samsung Internal Blu-Ray Reader
- PNY GTX 460 OC
- Corsair Force Series SATA3 120GB SSD
- Corsair 650 Watts 80 Plus Bronze Power Supply
- Cooler Master HAF-X Full Tower Case

Now, I don't plan on overclocking anything for the first few months but will definitely consider it later.
I've been hesitating between a CoolerMaster Hyper 212 CPU Cooler, or a Noctua D14 or A Corsair Hydro Series ( 70, 80, or 100 ).

What do you think is best suited for my needs ? Price isn't really an issue for me at the moment. If you see any other components that need to be changed, don't hesitate to point it out !

Just F.Y.I, the GTX 460 OC isn't new but I want to keep it for a few more months that's why I didn't go for a GTX 570 or similar.

Thanks a lot for your help

 

[lehtv]

I'd get a Scythe Mugen 3. I've had a very good experience with my Mugen 2 and the Mugen 3 is a slightly more compact but equally well performing cooler. A Sandy Bridge CPU doesn't get so hot at safe voltages as to require more cooling than that.

Thermalright HR-02 Macho is another good choice. It's a fantastic performer, you just need a long neck screwdriver to install it. It performs within a few degrees of Noctua D14 at half the price.

Corsair Dominator is not only way more expensive than RAM needs to be, it isn't compatible with Hyper 212+ or Noctua D14 (or Mugen 3 for that matter). Buy low profile RAM for maximum compatibility, e.g. Corsair Vengeance Low-Profile, Mushkin Enhanced Silverline/Blackline. G.Skill Ripjaws and Sniper are good choices too. Make sure it's 1600MHz 1.5V.

If you see any other components that need to be changed, don't hesitate to point it out !

I'd change

• 2700K to 2600K (stock clock speed is the only difference so why pay the extra) if you actually use heavily multithreaded apps. If it's just for gaming, 2500K.
• P8Z68-V Pro to Gigabyte Z68XP-UD3 unless you really need the extra features on that board (which I doubt)
• 1TB drive for now unless you really need the extra space (buy more space when hard drive prices normalize)
• Corsair Force to Samsung 830 or Crucial M4 (more reliable)
• HAF-X to a mid-tower case (e.g. HAF 922). I just don't see why you would ever need all that space and cooling. One hard drive, one GPU, well cooled Sandy Bridge -> mid-tower is all you need.

 

[Fes69]

Thanks for a quick answer !

I'll go with the Mugen 3 mainly because it's available and Sold by Amazon !

I'll definitely save 100$ and get the 2600K , thanks for pointing it out !

I'll also take the Gygabyte motherboard since it has all the features I really need ( Sata 3 and USB 3.0 mainly ) for 50$ less than the Asus

Now for the Hard Drive, i do need a lot, since I download on average 600 Gb /month and hate deleting stuff ! I Use the Giganews/Newsleecher combination and download A LOT of Tv Shows, all in 720 or 1080p ! I already have 2 WD My Book 3To and definitely need a 2Tb Internal ! But you couldn't know that !

Ok for the SSD, i'm looking for something reliable so I'll take your advice.

I come from a build in a Mid Tower. I love space and feel somehow restricted with a Mid Tower ! I even had to bend my PNY GTX 460 OC a little so it could fit in the Mid-Tower so I definitely want a Full Tower this time !

Finally for THe Corsair Dominator I read on Noctua's website that they fit if you remove the Heatsink. Is that true ? They also point out that Vengeance wont fit since you can t remove anything.

Anyways, thanks a lot for your help LEHTV

 

[ScottAD]

Finally for THe Corsair Dominator I read on Noctua's website that they fit if you remove the Heatsink. Is that true ? They also point out that Vengeance wont fit since you can t remove anything.

You can do that but if you haven't purchased them yet why would it matter? Plus you void your warranty when you remove them.

I use GSkill and have never had any issues. I just think idealistically you shouldn't have to compromise any component to make another fit properly.

 

[lehtv]

I'll definitely save 100$ and get the 2600K , thanks for pointing it out !

2600K is $50 less than 2700K. Did you mean the 2500K? Is gaming the main purpose of this rig?

Finally for THe Corsair Dominator I read on Noctua's website that they fit if you remove the Heatsink. Is that true ? They also point out that Vengeance wont fit since you can t remove anything

That is true, there are Dominator modules that have removable heatsinks. But seems like a bit of a waste to buy expensive RAM with huge fins only to not use them, right?

Vengeance won't fit, but Vengeance Low Profile will.

I come from a build in a Mid Tower. I love space and feel somehow restricted with a Mid Tower ! I even had to bend my PNY GTX 460 OC a little so it could fit in the Mid-Tower so I definitely want a Full Tower this time !

Alright fair enough . Just to provide some more options: Fractal Design Define XL full tower, Rosewill Thor V2 full tower with excellent cooling, Antec Eleven Hundred super mid tower (nearly a full tower), Corsair 500R (very spacious for a mid tower).

What was the previous case you had?

Anyways, thanks a lot for your help LEHTV

np

 

[Fes69]

2600K is $50 less than 2700K. Did you mean the 2500K? Is gaming the main purpose of this rig?
np

No I meant 2600k; It's 315$ on amazon (was 300 until y-day though) and the 2700k is 399. I'm still getting the 2600k for sure, no need to pay more for 0.1 Ghz !

Gaming isn't the main purpose but still a big part ! I'm going to need some punch to run BF3, COD MW3 and other future games !

I'll get a look at the Vengeance Low Profile, might be exactly what I need !

I like the Fractal Design Case you pointed out, I might get it instead of the HAF X.

Finally, I'm gonna be annoying but how hard is it to install a Corsair H80 or H100 ? Compared to a regular Fan cooler ( Noctua, Mugen ... ) I feel like even if I don t really need it now it would save a lot of space and allow me to get any type/size of Ram I want !

Thanks again !

 

[lehtv]

Gaming isn't the main purpose but still a big part ! I'm going to need some punch to run BF3, COD MW3 and other future games !

What is the main purpose, then?

Finally, I'm gonna be annoying but how hard is it to install a Corsair H80 or H100 ?

H100 won't fit all cases, it needs 2x120mm fan slots on the top of the case and they need to align properly with the mounting holes of H100. Apart from that, Corsair Hydros are easy to install from what I've read. Not that you'll need one to cool a Sandy Bridge at safe voltages. Plus, high end heatsinks like Noctua D14 actually outperform contained water-coolers.

I feel like even if I don t really need it know it would save a lot of space and allow me to get any type/size of Ram I want !

Apart from compatibility, RAM size doesn't matter, but heatsink size does. So let's turn that around: low-profile RAM would save space and allow you to get any type/size CPU cooler you want.

 

[Fes69]

Allright so I think I'm going to go for a Noctua with the low-profile RAM you recommend, that does seem to be the best solution !

As for the main purpose, I mainly watch and Encode a LOT of HD videos ! I have a 27" LED screen (Asus VE278Q) so I watch everything on this ! That's why I'm sticking with my GTX 460 which looks pretty pale compared to the rest of the parts I'm getting !

I'm constantly downloading and encoding in the background and I don't want to have to pause anything If I feel like playing BF3 for example !

I know the 2500k and a lower-end mobo would be enough for me but since I have the budget now, I'd rather get something a little bit better so it's ready for what I'll throw at him in the future !

I just want something sturdy that's going to last for a long time !

By the way, any suggestions for a nice looking and effective Fan Controller ?

 

[lehtv]

Fans can be controlled
- by the motherboard
- with voltage control cables (connects directly to PSU)
- with a rear-panel controller knob that goes into an expansion slot (one comes with Define XL)
- with a dedicated front-panel fan controller

If you get the Define XL, I'd recommend using the included controller knob. The case comes with three fans - 140mm front intake, 140mm rear exhaust, 180mm top exhaust. These are plenty for your setup, but you can add another intake if you want to optimize it. You can connect all three fans to the controller, and additional fans can be connected with splitter cables.

 

[Fes69]

Just to be sure is 650W going to be enough for:
- 1 Blu Ray Drive
- 1 GTX 460 OC
- 2 Regular HDDs
- 1 SSD

 

[lehtv]

Easily. With the CPU and GPU overclocked you'll probably use around 300W-350W for the whole system during gaming, 400-450W during stress testing.