So I have this i7 930 and have no clue

[Rich3077]

I purchased an i7 930 from my local microcenter while they are on sale for $200...

I want a new system bad as I was not smart enough to get a quad the last build (E8500 @ 3.6) The game console ports are killing me as they eat up CPU power.. GTA 4 sucks for me.

I cant afford to lay down a couple grand or more to get this system started so I am buying a part or so each week (working overtime to do so)

So I already know from Google that my CPU batch is a dud and I will be lucky to get 4 Ghz on water. Microcenter let me exchange the CPU and got another known bad batch. (they only have 2 batches in stock) For this reason I will be lapping the CPU as my return time is almost over.. might as well void the warranty. I will also overvolt this puppy to death so long as I am not harming my motherboard or ram.

So far I have the CPU and case.. Coolermaster HAF 932. This coming payday I plan on getting my watercooling suppies. I am not going cheap with this build and am willing to spend $300 or so on watercooling supplies.

I was wondering if anybody has managed to put a feser monster top mounted on my case? It can support a triple rad on top but I am worried about thickness.

Also, I assume I should go with 1/2 inch tubing?? Will be only the CPU at first but may add more loops or radiators later. (never watercooled before)

I am also determined to find a way to use the cooling fill port on top of my case, its there dammit.

I have about 1,000 questions since my last overclock was my kids q9550. I cant think of everything at once.. but watercooling is first up at bat because I am purchasing that next.

Any and all advice/opinions is appreciated

Peace
Rich

 

[richierich1212]

Then why didn't you go with the 920?

 

[Arkaign]

Then why didn't you go with the 920?

Why not the 930? Same price ($200 MC special), and same socket, cache, and general overclock ceiling.

 

[Rich3077]

I have almost no knowledge of this new system... just trying to build it the best I can. I plan on overvolting this thing to whatever it takes at the risk of frying the CPU because I want a better one. Its possible I may get lucky.. but not likely.

 

[richierich1212]

He just said they only had two bad batches of 930s. I would think he may have had a better chance with the 920.

 

[toyota]

He just said they only had two bad batches of 930s. I would think he may have had a better chance with the 920.

I think what he is saying is that when he got another one it was also from the bad batch. there is supposed to be a good batch too. at least thats what I am getting from his post.

 

[Rich3077]

Nah, they had 2 different batches of 930's... both sucked. They had no 920's in stock at my Michigan store. Almost went AMD at that point.. but I will push on.

 

[RussianSensation]

No offense, but watercooling is not for those on a budget. Spend the $$$ on a faster graphics card and forget that watercooling setup -- it's for enthusiasts. If you are working overtime to make ends meet on a system, go air. There will be 0 difference in games between a 4.4ghz 930 and a 3.9ghz 930 anyways. Get a 5870/GTX470/480 or 5850 and overclock that. Just make sure you put the $ into the most important components for gaming first - the videocard.

 

[Rich3077]

No offense, but watercooling is not for those on a budget. Spend the $$$ on a faster graphics card and forget that watercooling setup -- it's for enthusiasts. If you are working overtime to make ends meet on a system, go air. There will be 0 difference in games between a 4.4ghz 930 and a 3.9ghz 930 anyways. Get a 5870/GTX470/480 or 5850 and overclock that. Just make sure you put the $ into the most important components for gaming first - the videocard.

You are correct, I am on a budget... however I am a GEEK on a budget and will go without even beer for a couple of days for an upgrade. I am skilled trade so my overtime earns me hundreds per week. I would even consider going into debt for this build... but my interest rate is to damn high. Even considering a quad boot.. Ubuntu/XP/Leapord/Win7 with multiple hard drives and Win 7 on a SSD HD.

Estimated total cost $ 3k. However it will probably take me all summer to build this damn thing... most expensive build to date.

 

[Apocalypse23]

$200 for a 930? Damn *blush* *jealous*...ship me one

 

[RussianSensation]

You are correct, I am on a budget... however I am a GEEK on a budget and will go without even beer for a couple of days for an upgrade. I am skilled trade so my overtime earns me hundreds per week. I would even consider going into debt for this build... but my interest rate is to damn high. Even considering a quad boot.. Ubuntu/XP/Leapord/Win7 with multiple hard drives and Win 7 on a SSD HD.

Estimated total cost $ 3k. However it will probably take me all summer to build this damn thing... most expensive build to date.

I would say if you are going to build for a while, save buying SSDs and Videocard last since these 2 components lose their value the most with price drops (simply because NV is launching GTX 400 series and SSDs with sandforce controllers are coming out).

 

[Gillbot]

I purchased an i7 930 from my local microcenter while they are on sale for $200...

I want a new system bad as I was not smart enough to get a quad the last build (E8500 @ 3.6) The game console ports are killing me as they eat up CPU power.. GTA 4 sucks for me.

I cant afford to lay down a couple grand or more to get this system started so I am buying a part or so each week (working overtime to do so)

So I already know from Google that my CPU batch is a dud and I will be lucky to get 4 Ghz on water. Microcenter let me exchange the CPU and got another known bad batch. (they only have 2 batches in stock) For this reason I will be lapping the CPU as my return time is almost over.. might as well void the warranty. I will also overvolt this puppy to death so long as I am not harming my motherboard or ram.

So far I have the CPU and case.. Coolermaster HAF 932. This coming payday I plan on getting my watercooling suppies. I am not going cheap with this build and am willing to spend $300 or so on watercooling supplies.

I was wondering if anybody has managed to put a feser monster top mounted on my case? It can support a triple rad on top but I am worried about thickness.

Also, I assume I should go with 1/2 inch tubing?? Will be only the CPU at first but may add more loops or radiators later. (never watercooled before)

I am also determined to find a way to use the cooling fill port on top of my case, its there dammit.

I have about 1,000 questions since my last overclock was my kids q9550. I cant think of everything at once.. but watercooling is first up at bat because I am purchasing that next.

Any and all advice/opinions is appreciated

Peace
Rich

Lol, your first mistake was falling into the hype and EXPECTING a certain clock. Plus, believing all the results you see online is a recipe for disappointment. See here.

 

[M0RPH]

I have almost no knowledge of this new system... just trying to build it the best I can. I plan on overvolting this thing to whatever it takes at the risk of frying the CPU because I want a better one. Its possible I may get lucky.. but not likely.

So you're gonna do extreme overvolting in the hopes the cpu will fry and then you can RMA it under warranty for a better one? But earlier you said you were gonna lap the cpu and void your warranty. So which one is it?

 

[Rich3077]

Never said I would RMA it, just purchase a better chip is all.

Gillbot, just got done reading that thread.. good stuff. I haven't had a "Lucky" chip in many years.. with the only exception being the q9550 that I bought for my kid. I am pretty sure that chip would do 4 Ghz under water as I can run it 3.8 on air.. but it gets pretty hot. So the chip is running stock so that I am certain it will be 100% stable for my kid. Later this year I plan on upgrading her video card and will put a mild overclock on it at that time.

My current E8500 will only do 3.6.. but then again it may not be the chip holding me back.

 

[Mr. Pedantic]

But you're on a budget...?

Also, I've never heard of a dud 930 batch. As far as I know those all overclock very well.

 

[Gillbot]

But you're on a budget...?

Also, I've never heard of a dud 930 batch. As far as I know those all overclock very well.

Most of the 920's and 930's clock well. It's just that people put unrealistic expectations on them after looking at a few results online. Not everyone will hit 4.5-5GHz.

 

[Zap]

I have almost no knowledge of this new system...

Have you ever heard of starting small and working your way up?

No offense, but watercooling is not for those on a budget.

Yup. Especially if adding graphics cards and chipsets to the loop(s), expect it to cost HUNDREDS while adding a bit to your overclock. Unless you need it quieter, air cooling can often hit within spitting distance of liquid cooling for overclocks.

Lol, your first mistake was falling into the hype and EXPECTING a certain clock. Plus, believing all the results you see online is a recipe for disappointment.

EXACTLY!

I cant afford to lay down a couple grand or more to get this system started so I am buying a part or so each week (working overtime to do so)

That's a very bad way to buy a computer.

Sure, the case is fine as they don't change much, and the CPU is a killer deal.

Unless you find more killer deals, I would suggest SAVING the money and then buying all at the same time for these reasons:

1) You might change your mind over the course of several months.

2) Return periods will expire before you can try out your purchase. What if something is DOA?

3) Warranty periods are also ticking away.

4) Something new and better might come out. What if Intel suprises us and releases a new chipset (X68?) with USB3 and SATA6G native to the chipset, with more PCIe lanes?

5) Prices may go down, or the next better item may be the same price, or a killer sale might happen. I bought a 60GB OCZ Agility for $130 after rebate because it was a hot deal. I haven't used it yet. Guess what? Yesterday it was $5 less as a Newegg Shellshocker. I also bought a Core i7 920 from Micro Center for $199, and guess what? Could have gotten the 930 for the same price, or $20 less on the 920. I'm not too bummed because I still got in on less-hot deals, but imagine if I had paid full price...

Any and all advice/opinions is appreciated

1) Save up your money before buying, unless something is a killer price.

2) Take your overclocking expectations and bury them.

3) Get your system operational and happy first, worry about watercooling later.

4) Don't worry about lapping your CPU yet.

5) Reduce your initial budget to $2k for now. For that budget you should be able to build a pretty killer air-cooled rig.

6) Unless you only want to cool the CPU, after your system is built you can start saving up for liquid cooling, and probably budget way more than $300 if you want it to be a really good setup and will liquid cool your GPU(s) and chipset.