I don't think I can improve on some of the specs provided by others (I'm not that aware of all the options available!).
However, it may be well to consinder 15krpm SAS drives if you can't quite stretch to a fast SSD. Though you'll have to factor in the cost of a RAID card that supports SAS protocol.
While I was silently building the spec in my mind before posting I did factor in a SSD for primary but I found that I scaled that back once the cost went over budget.
I will however look at the SAS configuration, are there any Vista 64 driver issues with these cards?
Snaga wrote:
That 8gb of ddr3 will fly in vista ultimate. My 8gb ddr2 makes ultimate much more respnsive than xp ever was for me!!!
Thanks that is nice to know. Using 64 at work can be sluggish at compile times (unsure of the RAM on that machine at the moment, but it sure isnt 8GB and definately not DDR3)
After doing some research and confirming in my mind all the parts for this build, I find information that states the x38 boards are natively DDR3 1333, and considering that memory I had in mind for this build was 8GB DDR3 1600 will not be compatible unless the CPU is overclocked. A fly in the ointment.
My thinking then leads me to the x48's and as they are not currently listed here, I must ask when do you expect them on the shelves?
X38 chipset is natively DDR3 1333, however I'm sure that the boards such as the Asus natively support DDR3 1600, as they have not used the reference sample Intel chipset.
However, the limiting factor here will be the processor, which at the moment only goes up to FSB 1333 without overclocking.
However the rest of the system can be downclocked to be compatible with the FSB, or a memory:FSB ratio which isn't 1:1 can also be used, which means no overclocking is necessary.
I don't think I can improve on some of the specs provided by others (I'm not that aware of all the options available!).
However, it may be well to consinder 15krpm SAS drives if you can't quite stretch to a fast SSD. Though you'll have to factor in the cost of a RAID card that supports SAS protocol.
I did place one [SAS RAID card] in my configuration. I didn't choose the SAS drives because they were not available in the configurator
at least it would improve system speed.
But if you don't want the Blu-Ray drive then the extra dosh can be applied elsewere...
I think you'll find it in the second set of drives (ie, storage drives as opposed to system drives, not sure why it is like that, I recall Vincent saying something about it being tricky to add).
Eu wrote:
I did place one [SAS RAID card] in my configuration. I didn't choose the SAS drives because they were not available in the configurator
at least it would improve system speed.
I ordered two refurb 73GB SAS 15krpm drives along with a refurb SAS 256MB raid card, will be seeing what differences it make to my system compared to just a single 250GB SATAII 7,200rpm drive. Can't wait to come home!
The best hard drive TBH atm is 750Gb Samsung SpinPoint F1 HD753LJ 7200 32mb Cache SATA II
it was reveiwed and they found it to be to the standard as raptor but less problematic, also bigger it a good hard drive and i goign to use it probaly in my build...wish i had your money though lol.
on the watercool VS air, watercooling supposed to be good for overclocking, but wont be over kill i think, maybe a basic s-watercool set-up may be worth while.
if you choose air i been told the best CPU cooler is:
Scythe Zipang Heatpipe Cooler
Since learning of the ASUS Rampage Extreme and QX9770 I decided to wait a little before ordering, but since there is no news of a release date of the MB I think I will have just enough time to hold out for the P5E3 Premium DDR3 X48 with the QX9770 1600.
On paper at the moment there doesn't seem to be a huge advantage between the the QX9650, we are yet to get one in yet for testing and we will let you know more later on, but at the moment it looks like the QX9770 is just Intel ratteling their sabre at AMD.
If you are looking for a powerful yet stable platform, we have had excellent results so far with the Asus Maximus Extreme and the QX9650 using a 9800GX2 for graphics. This is a highly recommended and stable platform, that if watercooled, should allow us to get quite a substantial overclock out of the CPU and graphics card. Using these components and just a single GX2 should leave you some money left over for an SSD which would give you a more notable performance boost over the QX9770 and X48 motherboard.
My opinion, the Lian Li V2100 or V2000 series case are great cases for being watercooled, but for an Air Cooled system I would not choose this case.
It really does not allow for a great air flow do to its design, so I would go with a water cooled setup if your stuck on using this case.
I would go with watercooling the CPU, VGA and Chipset.
To answer your question about using the Gemini II CPU cooler, yes it should fit, but not with any of OCZ high profile memory, it will only work with low profile seated memory. So the Flexi and Reaper series will not work with this CPU cooler.
If you choose a low profie memory it can also be cooled via the Gemini II's fans as they slide and can be positioned to cool not only the CPU but also the memory. This can be accomplished in the Lian Li V2100 series case as well. I have done so.
I have built both types of systems, a water cooled, and an (air cooled -using the Gemini II CPU air cooler) in this case and had great results, overclocked or not, and stable.
Though air cooled did take more work and fine tuning due to the Lian Li V2100 poor air cool design, especially when using a VGA card that produces a lot of heat, and worse if Nvidia chipset with two in SLI - I would not do this in this case (unless water cooled). Again, airflow too poor, even with fan at front, back and side; of top compartment where all components live.
Lastly should you still go with an Aircooled system in any PC case:
Antarctic Cooling (3-5 Fans digital controlled+VGA/HD Cooling)
this is a must in my opinion because Vadim will setup cooling with approriate number of Fans according to case chosen and supply a digital fan controller, this is gold dust and a must when choosing Air cooling. Trust me on this! Every air cooled system should not be without the Digital Fan Contoller: T-Ban.
Hope this little tid bit of info, and my personal experience building both types in the Lian Li V2100 series, will help you in your choices and decision.
If the Lian-Li V2100B is pretty bad for air flow, what case would you recommend in this possible configuration using Antarctic Cooling (3-5 Fans digital controlled+VGA/HD Cooling) ?
It sounds like the DDR3-1600 2x2048MB Platinum Enhanced Bandwidth Dual Channel height shouldn't be a problem then.
Considering the above air cooling solution, is there a need/room for the OCZ XTC Memory cooler and/or the Scythe Kama Bay?
if you plan to move to watercooling one day, i would go for the TJ07 as it has great aircooling potential too.
if you go for DDR3, then dont worry about memory cooling - its running cool as it is.
I agree with Vincent, the Silverstone TJ07 would be a great choice of case with air-cooling and very good for upgrading to watercooling in the future.
If you go air-cooled, you definately want to choose:
Antarctic Cooling (3-5 Fans digital controlled+VGA/HD Cooling)
This is a MUST HAVE! No questions about it in any case choice!
I still highly recommend going with watercooling if you are choosing an NVidia chipset MB with 2graphics cards in SLI. I highly stress this to you from experience. You will not be sorry, but rather a happy camper in the long run.
Take the time to consider and configured water-cooling into your budget.
If you go with an Intel chipset, go air-cooled so you can get more bang for buck with hardware choice. You can always upgrade later to water-cooling, especially if the TJ07 case is chosen.
Again this is my advise if budget is tight.
Otherwise I personally would go with water-cooling: CPU, VGA, Chipsets(both), and if budget allowed, VRMs(mosfets), water-cool everything. Longer component life; definately when Over-clocking. (I also recommend going with an Intel Chipset MB over an NVidea Chipset MB)
Remember, we are geeks that like to because we can.
Most of all;
Have fun in the process! (Not only when you get your Vadim)
Isn't this what it is all about?
If you are looking for a powerful yet stable platform, we have had excellent results so far with the Asus Maximus Extreme and the QX9650 using a 9800GX2 for graphics. This is a highly recommended and stable platform, that if watercooled, should allow us to get quite a substantial overclock out of the CPU and graphics card. Using these components and just a single GX2 should leave you some money left over for an SSD which would give you a more notable performance boost over the QX9770 and X48 motherboard.
I purchased a Vadim TJ07 based machine including the maximus extreme and QX9650 and I run it using the vadim extreme overclock profile and never had any problems with this board and chip (considering the cpu is running at 4.12GHz watercooled) Runs cool, fast and stable....
I ordered two refurb 73GB SAS 15krpm drives along with a refurb SAS 256MB raid card, will be seeing what differences it make to my system compared to just a single 250GB SATAII 7,200rpm drive. Can't wait to come home!
