SSD or Watercooling?

[RampantAndroid]

So, I can nab a 120GB Vertex 3 for around 300 USD, or do a loop with my GPU and CPU for $400 - not equal cost qise, but it is one or the other for me.

I've already got two 150GB Raptors in RAID 0, so my HDD perf isn't TERRIBLE, but I could do better with an SSD.

On the flip side, I have a TRUE-120 Ultra on my i7 920 such that with a modest 3.2GHz overclock, I max my temps at 55C or so on the hottest core, and my GTX580 maxes at 75C with it's stock cooling.

So, what's worth the money?

 

[fffblackmage]

I'd go for the SSD.

 

[Bartman39]

Ditto on the SSD...

I still have my Samsung 103SJ 1TB hardrive in my system and also has a copy of Win 7 Ultimate so I boot it every so often to update and just remind me of how slow a mechanical HD is... The Crucial C300 128gig SATA III is just blistering fast as compared... Best bang for buck in any system... I put my old Samsung SSD (also a 128gig) in my I3 dual core laptop and it came alive too... Keep a portable external 500gig drive for its storage...

 

[BD231]

SSD, water cooling is overrated.

 

[mnewsham]

SSD, unless it is really high end water (cant imagine it would be THAT much of a boost though)

 

[mfenn]

I dunno if anybody has mentioned it yet, but you should get the SSD. :awe:

 

[OlafSicky]

SSD get a 128 gig drive

 

[masteryoda34]

I have an SSD and a high-end watercooling setup. SSD is most certainly more improvement for your dollar.

 

[RampantAndroid]

So, is the Intel 510 120GB SSD a good choice? I have to admit having doubts in OCZ still...

 

[aphelion02]

Intel drives can't be bad, you lose a little performance but you get reliability. I think as long as its not an low end drive, you can't notice the performance difference except in benchmark situations.

 

[Venom20]

SSD, water cooling is overrated.

this

 

[scbjmshpv]

get SSD and with that buy another 4 fans and put them in your case, your good to go.

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

I really enjoyed customizing my own case for a h20 build. As of right now, it's just sitting as the case is too small for anything else besides 1 HDD/SSD but cutting all the holes, finding the rubber grommets, etc. was really fun.. The only drawback was the pump was kinda noisy.. I like a silent PC.

I could go back to a nice 1Tb WD Black or Samsung F3 drive for a main boot and be happy. As a matter of fact, this rig is loaded with an SSD, my other has the WD 1Tb Black and the WD feels just as snappy as the 100g Vertex LE.

 

[muskie32]

^Ditto

Watercooling is quite fun I think it is worth it.

 

[Zap]

I've already got two 150GB Raptors in RAID 0

Are they merely Raptors or are they VelociRaptors?

 

[Davidh373]

Rig #1:
i7 920 | MM case | 3 way GTX 480's under water | Asus Rampage 3 Extreme under water | 12GB ddr3 corsair ram |

Rig #2:
Test Bench | Evga p55 Classified | i7 875k under water | GTX 470 sli | 8gb ddr3 G.SKill |

Rig #3:

I7 920 | gtx 460 sli | 6gb ddr3 | evga x58 sli LE | cool master storm scout |

Wow muskie... I remember when you came in for your first build :'(

Anyways, SSD

 

[mfenn]

So, is the Intel 510 120GB SSD a good choice? I have to admit having doubts in OCZ still...

It's not a bad choice, but $315 is a little ridiculous for a 120GB SSD IMHO. The situations where it would be noticeably faster than the Mushkin Callisto Deluxe 120GB is small enough that I'd say it's not worth the 50% greater asking price.

 

[muskie32]

Wow muskie... I remember when you came in for your first build :'(

Anyways, SSD

Yep, I guess I moved onto a more enthusiast scale :awe:

I am selling rig 3 anyway, and am going to get a 970 for rig one. Also maybe tri sli on the test bench. ()


But, Yeah. Water is lots of fun. Although if you do not want to do maintenance on your loop and all that, then you will see more performance (speed and snappiness) with a ssd.

Just go where your heat is. :thumbsup:

 

[0roo0roo]

lol ssd


water cooling is not even close.

 

[biostud]

Water cooling can be a fun building experience, but since the aircoolers are so good these days, I would definitely go for SSD.

 

[CDC Mail Guy]

Adding JUST for post count...I think enough people have said SSD...I agree.

I tried the watercooling route a "while back", and after all was said and done, and too much money spent, I would have chosen an SSD (if they were out way back then)

 

[Evadman]

SSD.