Built a New Computer; Cooling Issues

  • Thread starter Joey D
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Joey D

Joey D

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So what started out as me needing a new hard drive blossomed into my virtually getting a new computer. Funny how sales work isn't it? It's been a work in progress for quite sometime now but using Theseus's paradox to a degree I don't think I can call it the same computer I once had.

Here is what the new system entails:

EVGA nForce 780i SLI Motherboard with triple SLI technology. It's just begging for two more video cards to make the damn thing so over done it's just down right funny. Although it would probably play Crysis :lol:. Got a pretty good deal on it, it was marked $329.99, on sale for $229.99 + a $25 mail in rebate. The only reason I got a new mobo was that the old one didn't interface with the new processor...lame.

Next up was the processor. I figured I didn't need anything overly awesome so I went with the $99.99 Intel Core2 Duo E7200 processor, which I found out through reviews is very good.

Since I only had a 320GB hard drive I figure I needed to upgrade since it had been filled for quite a while. I went ahead and got a $69.99 500GB Hitachi hard drive in OEM form since I had SATA cables already. I'm thinking about going back and getting another one too since you never know.

I was able to salvage my "old" graphics card since it was only bought a few months back. It's a GeForce 8800GTS from MSI, all I need to find now are two more like it and I'm golden. Although there might will most defiantly be a power issue.

My power supply burned up a couple weeks back so I had to get a new one, stupid me only got a 500W one which means now I need a new one. Anyone looking for a slightly used power supply? :sly:

I was also able to salvage my sound card as well which is a Creative Xi-Fi one that has been through three computers with me now.

So basically I got a new computer all things considered and I spent some time last night re-installing Windows XP, as I'm still not 100% sold on Vista. It's not as bad as some make it out to be, or even as bad as I once thought it was (SP1 helped), but I'm not willing to make the switch yet.

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Now on to where I need some help. First off has anyone triple SLI'ed a computer yet? What are the advantages aside from uber-graphics? What are the disadvantages? Would a double SLI be better? I'm pretty sure I can find the same card I have on the internet somewhere.

Also I need a new monitor, my 19" flat screen from Dell isn't big enough or wide screen enough (ok it isn't wide screen at all). I'm thinking 24" but I don't know. Any recommendations? Price isn't to much of an issue as I'll entertain anything. I just don't want to have to sell a kidney for it.
 
Triple SLI is supported by something like 4 games, I believe. Not worth the money for the third GPU, as the performance gain will be negligible unless you feel the need to play Crisis on a $4000 monitor.
 
I can only comment on two of your points. Regarding the purchase of a 2nd 500Gb drive, personally I say don't bother yet. Everything gets cheaper over time, so unless you need it right now, hold off.

As for the monitor, I have a 22" Dell at work running 1680x1050 with a GeForce 8300GS. And it works beautifully.
 
Toronado
Triple SLI is supported by something like 4 games, I believe. Not worth the money for the third GPU, as the performance gain will be negligible unless you feel the need to play Crisis on a $4000 monitor.
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That is sort of what I figured, but come on three GPU's would be downright epic! :lol: I mean it's like putting a million horsepower in a car, you don't need it but it's awesome to tell people.

But would two 8800GTS's in SLI be good? Or would it just be easier to upgrade to a 9800GTS now that they are getting better? I only know a little bit about computers, enough to basically get me in trouble and make my wallet hurt.

TB
I can only comment on two of your points. Regarding the purchase of a 2nd 500Gb drive, personally I say don't bother yet. Everything gets cheaper over time, so unless you need it right now, hold off.

As for the monitor, I have a 22" Dell at work running 1680x1050 with a GeForce 8300GS. And it works beautifully.
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Well I was thinking of doing a RAID setup for the 500GB harddrives although I don't know what the downside is to that. I understand RAID to a degree but then again maybe I don't.

A 22" monitor wouldn't be bad either, I don't know I think I need to shop around.
 
9800s aren't particularly better than 8800s (they take less power, that's about it), so unless you want to buy two GPUs you might as well not bother the 9 series. Twin-SLI setup would most likely be fine for anything you ever need, it wouldn't take that much power and it would be supported by far more apps.
RAID setups have different positives and negatives depending on what setup you use.
 
Toronado
9800s aren't particularly better than 8800s (they take less power, that's about it), so unless you want to buy two GPUs you might as well not bother the 9 series. Twin-SLI setup would most likely be fine for anything you ever need, it wouldn't take that much power and it would be supported by far more apps.
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Alright that is sort of what I figured as well. I probably would still have to ramp up the power from 500W though right? There is an 800W power supply on sale at MicroCenter this week for $69.99 so I might considering getting that. The only thing is it's going to be loud as hell.

For the RAID setup, I've been told it loads programmes much faster which is why I want to do it.
 
About the screen, if you're going to get a big one get a properly big one. Basically that means no 22" but the 24", I made the mistake of buying a 22" 1680x1050 Acer and wanted to get rid of it after about two weeks. I recently took the plunge and bought a 24" 1920x1200 LG... something I should have done in the first place. Bigger than that is unnecessary unless you prefer size over the pixel count, the resolution isn't going to be any better in a 26" than it is in a 24" model. Just make sure it's not one of the 24" models running 1680x1050.
 
Joey D
Alright that is sort of what I figured as well. I probably would still have to ramp up the power from 500W though right? There is an 800W power supply on sale at MicroCenter this week for $69.99 so I might considering getting that. The only thing is it's going to be loud as hell.

For the RAID setup, I've been told it loads programmes much faster which is why I want to do it.
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What brand is the $69 PSU at Microcenter. I would only consider reviewed quality PSUs.
Here is another alternative.
17-153-069-03.jpg

It fits in a 5 1/4 in drive bay and powers a second video card.
And its only $69.99 + shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817153069
I read a review on the 650 watt version and it was recommended.
 
Good move on the E7200, I have not had a single problem with mine so far, had it as high as 3.71. but run it at 3.16 for every day use (333X9.5) The stock cooling fan does a good job of cooling, but I went for this heatsink and im getting 26C idle temps at 3.16

I would recommend getting a good power supply, modular if you want, somewhere around 600W. A lot of people have sworn by the HX620

What kind of ram are you using?

Not sure if you want to do this or not, but the Nehalems are coming out in about 2 months and that is going to change a lot of things. How long do you plan on keeping this system?
 
I have 4GB of DDR2 Corvair Ram. Not sure what the model is on it as I got it a little while ago.

Good to hear that you are happy with the E7200, I still haven't gotten around to getting my desktop up and running yet so I can't tell how it is. My buddy is due over soon to give me a hand doing everything.

I only plan on keeping the system in it's current configuration for two years tops.
 
I don't know how soon I will be dumping my powersupply. I can't find the same video card anywhere so I won't be doing SLI at the moment.
 
I just can't get excited about Radeon graphics cards. I had one before I got my 6600, I can't even remember the number on it but it was a while ago, and it toasted itself quite fast.

I actually just found my same card though newegg, I don't know why it didn't come up when I was searching for it. But I think I'm going to order one, they are $142.99 after a rebate, which isn't bad.
 
So in the god-forsaken task of install a mound of programmes I can't get my damn printer to work. It's a HP F4180 All-In-One. For whatever reason windows won't recognise it despite having the drivers and software installed. I e-mailed tech support and their solution was to make sure it's plugged in...proving once again tech support is ran by morons. If I can't get it working tonight I will buy a new printer tomorrow (Canon probably), but I wondered if anyone had any suggestions.
 
Have you tried switching USB ports, reinstalling the printer software, Downloaded the latest drivers from HP for your printer? I would look at the USB cable first and the USB connection on the MB. Those 780i boards aren't that great. Sorry. I know too many people that have bailed on them because they just wouldn't work.
 
Tried all the ports, installed, re-installed, and re-installed the print drivers and software. I think it's the printer, it's always given me issues. I think I'm just going to get another printer.
 
I'm going to hold off on SLI'ing for a little bit, as I need to sort out a heat issue with my case now. An additional graphics card and larger power supply won't help that. I'm running a rear 120mm fan and there are two 80mm fans on the case (one on top, the other on the side). I think I need to rework the air flow in the case. It's not so high that it will cause damage but I would rather get things sorted out before running more juice through the system.

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Also I fixed the printer issue, apparently the drivers on the CD that was supplied with the printer weren't up to date enough so Windows just didn't want to recognise it. It's all fixed now although I still hate the printer and will probably upgrade as soon as the ink runs out. I have a Canon iP1800 here at work and it's great, although it's a bit ink hungry.
 
Airflow should just come from front bottom to rear top on a standard atx layout... I wouldnt use side because it messes up the flow... Get a CPU cooler which driects it to the rear fan rather than those stock ones which face down to the board. If you really want to solve airflow issues try and tuck as much cabling away as you can, zip tie stuff togther and ideally sleeve eveything.

Robin
 
Maybe you can slap on a Radeon 4870 and put the 8800 into another PC or something. I have a Visiontek 3650 factory overclocked 1gb ddr2 and I am pleased with it.
Edit: Maybe you can get software to tweak fan speed.
 
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