Update on Liquid Cooling System

[aigomorla]

:X

 

[PCTC2]

Originally posted by: daw123

Originally posted by: Gillbot

Originally posted by: daw123

Geez, how the hell do you get these new CPUs?

Because he has more budget than brains. I thought this was common knowledge.

LOL.

Edit: To be honest Gulftown doesn't matter to me, since I will be keeping the X58 MB / CPU / RAM rig for 2-3 years. Therefore, I will jump Gulftown and upgrade to whatever replaces it. I can't remember what this will be since I haven't looked at Intel's roadmap in a while - I imagine it would be an octo-core processor.

I will probably tinker more with the water cooling, than the hardware.

It's Aigo we're talking about here. I'd be happy to pick up a Gulftown someday, but I've managed to get my i7 to 3.9GHz using turbo mode (21x). It's stable as far as I can tell. Passes all stress tests and never hangs, but it BSOD's on shutdown (I think it's an OS installation problem because Vista SP1 won't install either). I think you'd be fine with a 920 and saving some cash for something else for your PC.

 

[aigomorla]

Vista wont install means either you have a bad CD, or your overclocking is failed.

Did you try to install without OC and see if it would install?

 

[daw123]

Originally posted by: aigomorla
Vista wont install means either you have a bad CD, or your overclocking is failed.

Did you try to install without OC and see if it would install?

I think you posted in the wrong thread, mate.

 

[aigomorla]

I was talking to PCTC.


Daw i still think you should grab a 920, use the offset on getting either SLI or Xfire.

i7 + scaled video cards is where it stomps the competition.

 

[daw123]

Originally posted by: aigomorla
I was talking to PCTC.


Daw i still think you should grab a 920, use the offset on getting either SLI or Xfire.

i7 + scaled video cards is where it stomps the competition.

Oops, sorry.

I only skim read PCTC's post and my brain didn't pick up on the BSOD comment he made.

I'm going to have my cake and eat it; get the 950 and another HD4870 X2. I may get the X2 this month or early next month (they've come down in price by £100 from what I paid for mine last August). It's now only £250 inc. VAT; bargain

Aigo, how does your X-fire X2 compare to the single X2; does it scale okay?

 

[aigomorla]

:X

im not too happy with Xfire..

im actually looking at replacing them once the GTX300 series come out.

 

[Gillbot]

ATI + Aigomorla = FAIL
ATI + xFire + Aigomorla = UBER FAIL

 

[daw123]

Originally posted by: Gillbot
ATI + Aigomorla = FAIL
ATI + xFire + Aigomorla = UBER FAIL

Tad bit of sarcasm there, Gillbot

Originally posted by: aigomorla
:X

im not too happy with Xfire..

im actually looking at replacing them once the GTX300 series come out.

Is that the cards or the MB? I'm going to see how my finances are at the end of the month and if they are ok (I think they will be) I'll get the second X2. If not, I'll do it next month. I know it scales for shit, but I'm interested in having a play with an Xfire set up (I've never run multiple graphics cards before). I also think there's probably an element of e-peen there (oh well ).

As I've said before, the main guts of this rig are not going to change for a couple of years. By then there will be something bigger and better from ATI / Nvidia / AMD / Intel.

Oh, I've also reserved this (against everyones' recommendations) and this and I will be collecting it from Novatech this Saturday. Novatech are one of the first shops in the UK to have this CPU physically in stock. There's one left, so get your wallets and flexible friend out (*** insert innuendo here ***).

I've taken next Monday off work and I will be re-building the rig on Sunday and Monday. Wish me luck. No doubt I will have questions since there is so much stuff that I'm doing, which I don't know that much about (connecting the M Cubed BigNG and extension set and using a SSD springs to mind).

I've had a think about how I'm going to deal with the HW / SW side.

Unfortunately, my old PC has a DVD burner, but the DVD burning function is knackered, so it can only read DVDs. My dad's computer, supposedly only has a CD-writer (I'm not sure that he is right about this one).

So, I'm going to have to take one of the DVD burners out of my new case, connect it to the old PC and rip Windows 7 RC to it.

Then I will have to return the DVD burner to its original home. I can then install a 200GB HDD (that I have lying around, but I know it works) and install Windows 7 to it. I can then NTFS partition the new 1.5TB HDD (100GB / 1.4TB split) and firmware update the Vertex SSD (if required). I can then remove the old 200GB HDD and install Windows 7 again to the SSD.

The reasoning behind this convoluted set up is that I want the SSD to have Windows and Office on it and I can install all the other programs on the 100GB partition on the 1.5TB HDD. I can then use the remaining 1.4TB HDD for storage and if I need to firmware update the SSD, I can bung the 200GB HDD back in and format the 100GB partition only on the 1.5TB HDD, (so I can clean install all the programs again).

On the hard ware side, I will get everything up and running (including bleeding the loop) except for the M Cubed BigNG, Extension Set, temp probe and flow meter (although the latter two will be installed in the loop, but not connected to anything). Once everything works and I've installed Windows 7 for the last time, I will then connect the BigNG, Extension Set, temp probe and flow meter. The Big NG will also control the speed of the RAM cooler, rad fans and case fans.

Sounds like a cunning plan (to steal Baldricks favourite phrase). Can you spot any obvious cock ups?

Oh, I've also got to fit the two acrylic panels in the side panel windows and also mod the drive bay adapters for the SSD.

Geez, that is a lot to do in two days.

P.S. Sorry for the long post. WAKE UP.

 

[aigomorla]

actually its no sarcasm at all.

im just eternally cursed with ATI.

ive owned a total of 5 ATI cards.. all had problems.

i had a 3850 hdmi... that burned out...

Then i had 3870 in xfire... ask gillbot the nightmares that brought both me and him.

And now when i was gonna give ati one last chance, one of my 4870X2 died twice!

Im going back to nvidia on the next gen hardware.

I think eVGA and i go well, i dont know why, but i always get lucky with eVGA.

(well haruhi went though 3 PSU's.. i dont know if you would call that lucky tho.. )

 

[daw123]

Originally posted by: aigomorla
actually its no sarcasm at all.

im just eternally cursed with ATI.

So it will be plenty of ammunition for the AMD fanbois; a high-end Intel CPU and Nvidia set up.

You would get verbally linched over at AMDZone (I was when I had the QX9770, but it was fun)

 

[Gillbot]

Originally posted by: aigomorla
I think eVGA and i go well, i dont know why, but i always get lucky with eVGA.

Everyone has a certain manufacturer that they prefer and that treats them well. Maybe sooner or later, you'll see why I like my MSI even though everyone in history thinks they are garbage. They have treated me VERY well and they get me pretty dam good results.

 

[PCTC2]

Originally posted by: Gillbot

Originally posted by: aigomorla
I think eVGA and i go well, i dont know why, but i always get lucky with eVGA.

Everyone has a certain manufacturer that they prefer and that treats them well. Maybe sooner or later, you'll see why I like my MSI even though everyone in history thinks they are garbage. They have treated me VERY well and they get me pretty dam good results.

Maybe it's just the awesome customer support and lifetime warranties right down the street from him.

 

[daw123]

Originally posted by: PCTC2

Originally posted by: Gillbot

Originally posted by: aigomorla
I think eVGA and i go well, i dont know why, but i always get lucky with eVGA.

Everyone has a certain manufacturer that they prefer and that treats them well. Maybe sooner or later, you'll see why I like my MSI even though everyone in history thinks they are garbage. They have treated me VERY well and they get me pretty dam good results.

Maybe it's just the awesome customer support and lifetime warranties right down the street from him.

Do EVGA have good customer service? I did consider an EVGA MB, but I had a look at the manufacturer's website and it only mentioned SLI support, not X-fire. This put me off buying one.

Originally posted by: aigomorla
actually its no sarcasm at all.

im just eternally cursed with ATI.

ive owned a total of 5 ATI cards.. all had problems.

i had a 3850 hdmi... that burned out...

Then i had 3870 in xfire... ask gillbot the nightmares that brought both me and him.

And now when i was gonna give ati one last chance, one of my 4870X2 died twice!

Im going back to nvidia on the next gen hardware.

I think eVGA and i go well, i dont know why, but i always get lucky with eVGA.

(well haruhi went though 3 PSU's.. i dont know if you would call that lucky tho.. )

Ouch, that must have been expensive.

It may be a good idea to try your hand with NV's cards, if you have had bad experiences with ATI.

 

[PCTC2]

eVGA has awesome support. They have rather timely BIOS updates, great CS, and an amazing warranty. I've returned my 680i SLI to them 3 times and each time gotten one in a timely manner back (upgrade to A1 for quad, then dead board, then RAM killing slots), and once returned a 7950GT and got an 8800GT back because they no longer had B-stock of the 7950GT. And I believe their X58 WOULD support Xfire because it's an Intel X58 chipset. Maybe not, but I don't think it's like SLI which requires licensing.

 

[daw123]

Originally posted by: PCTC2
eVGA has awesome support. They have rather timely BIOS updates, great CS, and an amazing warranty. I've returned my 680i SLI to them 3 times and each time gotten one in a timely manner back (upgrade to A1 for quad, then dead board, then RAM killing slots), and once returned a 7950GT and got an 8800GT back because they no longer had B-stock of the 7950GT. And I believe their X58 WOULD support Xfire because it's an Intel X58 chipset. Maybe not, but I don't think it's like SLI which requires licensing.

I wasn't a 100% sure that the lower end X58 EVGA MBs supported Xfire, and I defintely want to run a quad-fire set up, so I wasn't willing to take the chance that it didn't. I know Aigo's Classified is running X-fire, but then again that is a £400+ MB, not £250 (I would expect that to have all the bells and whistles). Also, considering EVGA's relationship with NV only products, it would be a way for them to save a few pennies by not supporting X-fire.

I've got to admit that I'm worried about the build. Something is bound to go wrong, since I'm changing so many components all at the same time. I just hope that none of the stuff I've bought is DOA.

The thing I'm most worried about is leaks from the loop, since it is 5 months since I last touched the rig and I'm going to have to remove and re-instate the water block to fit the new LGA1366 mounting plate. I also have to fit the flow meter and temp probe. I will just have to double check that all the barbs are tight before I turn the power back on.

I've also read up on how to update the firmware on my Vertex SSD. The hardest thing was finding out which setting to change to change the SATA controller to IDE mode on my old and new MB's BIOS', since different BIOS' call the setting different names.

I've wrote out a 6-page list of things to do (kind of like a Schedule of Work) and the sequence I should do them in.

Wish me luck.

 

[daw123]

I'm in the process of installing everything.

It's midnight now and I will post tomorrow with photos and a more detailed update.

I haven't stability tested yet, but with C1E and EIST switched off it is running at 24x multiplier and with the SSD it is f*cking quick in Win 7 RC 64-bit.

I'm running stock at 3.238GHz (24x133MHz) at 37C across all cores at idle with the side panels off. It's 48C at load under Prime (with TJMax set to 100C; I'm not sure if this right for a I7). Vcore is 1.22V in BIOS, so plenty of head-room there. The ambient temps are about 20C.

btw, with C1E diabled, my MB seems to run all the time in Turbo mode (hence the 24x multiplier). I'm certainly not complaining though.

The only issue I had was with leaks with the Alphacool Flow Meter. The tossers at Alphacool supplied the flowmeter from the factory with loose screws. I was filling the res up to the brim before switching the PC on and drip, drip, drip happened. Thankfully the PC wasn't on otherwise it would have been like a fountain. Any way, I tightened the screws up and there are no leaks after running for about 4 hours.

I also fitted the two acrylic panels to the side panel. The side panel looks great.

I had to mod the ChilledPC back plate and EK Supreme mounting plate because the slots they had cut in the plates were not long enough. Hence when I fitted the back plate to the MB, the bolts were cock-eyed (all four were angling outwards from the vertical). So some filing later and it fits like a champ.

I'm a very happy bunny, since so far there have been no components DOA (touches wood for luck).

 

[aigomorla]

lol about friggin time!

in the time it took you to build 1, how many did i go though? Oh daw you see the revision on miyuki?

 

[PCTC2]

Originally posted by: aigomorla
lol about friggin time!

in the time it took you to build 1, how many did i go though? Oh daw you see the revision on miyuki?

Nice one daw123. Glad you like your system. I love mine.

Well, Aigo, not everyone has a pocket like yours, nor the connections. In the time it took, I built a few new systems too. But nothing like being Aigo'd again... yet.

 

[Gillbot]

Originally posted by: PCTC2

Originally posted by: aigomorla
lol about friggin time!

in the time it took you to build 1, how many did i go though? Oh daw you see the revision on miyuki?

Nice one daw123. Glad you like your system. I love mine.

Well, Aigo, not everyone has a pocket like yours, nor the connections. In the time it took, I built a few new systems too. But nothing like being Aigo'd again... yet.

Don't let him fool you, he's never finished one build in his life.

 

[daw123]

Well after about 30 hours of working on this over the last two days, I'm knackered.

Any way, as I promised yesterday, here are the photos of my new rig:
http://i429.photobucket.com/al...wilson123/IMG_0918.jpg
http://i429.photobucket.com/al...wilson123/IMG_0919.jpg
http://i429.photobucket.com/al...wilson123/IMG_0920.jpg
http://i429.photobucket.com/al...wilson123/IMG_0921.jpg
http://i429.photobucket.com/al...wilson123/IMG_0922.jpg
http://i429.photobucket.com/al...wilson123/IMG_0923.jpg
http://i429.photobucket.com/al...wilson123/IMG_0924.jpg
http://i429.photobucket.com/al...wilson123/IMG_0928.jpg
http://i429.photobucket.com/al...wilson123/IMG_0929.jpg
http://i429.photobucket.com/al...wilson123/IMG_0930.jpg
http://i429.photobucket.com/al...wilson123/IMG_0931.jpg
http://i429.photobucket.com/al...wilson123/IMG_0932.jpg

Here's my £560 key ring (my dead QX9770):
http://i429.photobucket.com/al...wilson123/IMG_0925.jpg
http://i429.photobucket.com/al...wilson123/IMG_0927.jpg

Screen shot of Coretemp with the correct TJMAx for I7 and CPU-Z at 100% load using Prime 95. The temp inside my case according to a BigNG digital temp sensor is 21.5C.
http://i429.photobucket.com/al...lson123/NewPicture.jpg

(Sorry if the font size on CPU-Z is small; I'm still learning my way around Win 7 RC).

Bios VCore at 3.2GHz is 1.24V ish (from memory).

btw I've had lots of compatability problems with Windows 7 RC. The only thing I haven't sorted out is Zone Alarm.

Another gripe that I have is that updating the firmware on the OCZ Vertex is a pita. Luckily I have an old 200GB HDD lying around that I could install Win 7 RC on. Setting the jumper on the back of the SSD for the firmware update is also a pita; the OCZ engineers decided that it would be a good idea to recess the jumper pins and have a nice big hole next to them for the jumper to fall into (so it falls inside the SSD!). Luckily, I didn't have butter fingers this time.

 

[PCTC2]

Kuckily? Well, looks like you have space for a 120x2 radiator up front. I think you should watercool your graphics card with that.

EDIT1:
Also, nice temperatures. I'm at 81C full Prime load @ 4.137GHz.
EDIT2:
Thanks Aigo. Running @ over 4GHz, Turbo mode (197*21)

 

[aigomorla]

taking bids on how long it takes daw to tear down his system for tweeks!

i estimate 2 weeks.. possible 1 month if he can hold himself.

it looks good tho daw.. glad to see your finally up and running.


OMG DAW your running stock with turbo on. >.<

 

[daw123]

Originally posted by: aigomorla
taking bids on how long it takes daw to tear down his system for tweeks!

i estimate 2 weeks.. possible 1 month if he can hold himself.

it looks good tho daw.. glad to see your finally up and running.


OMG DAW your running stock with turbo on. >.<

I'm going to stability test it over the weekend at stock. Then its over-clocking the ah heck after that.

Temps are a bit higher than I would like, but I'm not sure if I want to go through the hassle of re-seating the water block.

I'm hoping that at 4+ GHz it will be about 75C under load. It seems that core speed doesn't make that much of a difference to the temps, which is weird.

 

[Gillbot]

testing stability @ stock is overrated. I crank mine up as soon as the proc is seated n the socket.