PC build thread

[marurun]

That is actually a really interesting idea... I'd be curious to know how much noise the end results makes, because GPU fans are usually not that quiet. Are you just going to rely on motherboard temp sensors and operate the fans from the motherboard connectors, or do you think you'll rig up something separate?

I wonder if there's a way to get some kind of MONSTER (not the brand) power supply to drive all three...

[fastbilly1]

that's brilliant, Fast. My first thought was about heat - and then yeah, you nailed it. Water cooling. Of course water cooling! Seriously, fascinating project. Please document all stages of progress.

I think I am going to proof of concept with some older pcs and see how it goes temp/sound-wise with just air cooling. Then move up from there.

And hit me up tonight - I can get a box a parts out to you tomorrow morning.

Sorry blown water heater and horse show threw me for a loop. We can round the wagons about that soon.

That is actually a really interesting idea... I'd be curious to know how much noise the end results makes, because GPU fans are usually not that quiet.

I could mitigate that with water cooling on the gpu or getting a quieter gpu. Most of the time only one gaming pc will be on at a time, and I rarely get top of the line gear. Right now I am looking at upgrading to an Asus Strix 960 which is known for running 40db under load.

Are you just going to rely on motherboard temp sensors and operate the fans from the motherboard connectors, or do you think you'll rig up something separate?

My plan is to use the motherboard sensors to operate fans for that pc alone. Then a third party device to operate overflow fans, then another to operate "get the hot out at any cost" fans. Specifically:


I just need to find a standalone thermal probe/fan controller that I can set the temp higher on. Ill hook those up to some server fans I have that will fit across the entire back.

I wonder if there's a way to get some kind of MONSTER (not the brand) power supply to drive all three...

I have never been able to find a PSU that supports more than one 24pin. I mean you could get a 24 pin extension cable and make a splitter out of it. I wouldnt want to run two gaming pcs off a homemade splitter though.

[marlowe221]

I am looking to upgrade my GPU in the near future. Right now I have a GTX 660 2 GB.
I was leaning toward a R9 380 but I wanted the opinions of the Racketboy PC Brain Trust first.

Otherwise my system is as follows:

FX-8320
16 GB RAM
CX600M PSU

My budget is roughly $250 USD.

Thoughts?

[noiseredux]

I am looking to upgrade my GPU in the near future. Right now I have a GTX 660 2 GB.
I was leaning toward a R9 380 but I wanted the opinions of the Racketboy PC Brain Trust first.

Otherwise my system is as follows:

FX-8320
16 GB RAM
CX600M PSU

My budget is roughly $250 USD.

Thoughts?

Why not go for the GTX 960? It's in your price range and currently has a $20 New Egg rebate and some Heroes Of The Storm DLC (which you can give to the guy who recommended you the GPU ).

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductLi ... isNodeId=1


And discussion on the R9 380 vs GTX 960:

http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/id- ... 0-380.html

[marlowe221]

Why not go for the GTX 960? It's in your price range and currently has a $20 New Egg rebate and some Heroes Of The Storm DLC (which you can give to the guy who recommended you the GPU ).

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductLi ... isNodeId=1


And discussion on the R9 380 vs GTX 960:

http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/id- ... 0-380.html

Well, the GTX 960 certainly seems like the most viable alternative to the R9 380. I am definitely interested in the 4 GB model of either card though. A card with only 2 GB just doesn't seem like very much any more and I plan to keep whichever card I buy for a couple of years (having a baby in February).

Any thoughts on 960 4GB vs 380 4GB?

[noiseredux]

Any thoughts on 960 4GB vs 380 4GB?

Yes, but they're going to be incredibly biased and based solely on personal preference and anecdotal evidence.

Nvidia cards are always going to be slightly more expensive than their AMD counterparts. So if you want "bang for buck," go AMD. But after 2 AMD cards - that I got good use out of, both - I went Nvidia and now will never go back. Again, anecdotal, but things just seem to "work" with Nvidia I feel like. And to me it's because the drivers are updated constantly. When I happen to pick up a new release day one, there is almost always a new Geforce driver kicked out a week prior updated to optimize that specific game. Hell, I recently bought an Alienware laptop from 2011 that got new drivers this year!

Not to mention the lower power consumption on Nvidia cards...

Plus, if it were me, I'd want the Heroes Of The Storm DLC

[marlowe221]

Plus, if it were me, I'd want the Heroes Of The Storm DLC

Hmmm, well I'm going to think it over. But if I go with the 960, the Heroes DLC is yours!

[noiseredux]

haha thanks!

Here's some conversation specifically about 4gb versions:

http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/id- ... 0-4gb.html

[marlowe221]

haha thanks!

Here's some conversation specifically about 4gb versions:

http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/id- ... 0-4gb.html

Careful man, that thread may not be helping your DLC cause!

[noiseredux]

well the OP selected this post as best answer:

In your case I would go with the 4gb 960. Particularly the EVGA 960 4Gb. Ive noticed lots of people saying the 960s 128 bit bus cant fully utilize 4gb vram. That may be true with past video cards with 4gb vram and 128bit bus, but is NOT true for the 900 series as maxwells color compression technology gives
more bandwith one a smaller mem bus. GamersNexus tested this to find the 960 4gb could use nearly the full 4gb when pushed to it. I've tested this my self since I have a EVGA 960 4GB SSC and a 1440p monitor. In some games my 960 is utilizing 3gb+ just fine. So I am very glad I got the 4gb version. It even overclocks very well. I got my 960 running 1475gpu(boost) and 8000vram on stock voltage. Bumping the voltage up a bit I've gotten 1625gpu(boost) and 8200vram. With fans set at 50% its very quiet and has never broke 65c. Also mine has a quite low ASIC score of 67% so really it shouldnt be considered a good overclcker but Its managed to impress me. My last card was a Powercolor 270x DEVIL and this EVGA 960 4gb SSC+ has blown it out of the water. The 380 is a great card for the price but I believe the 960 4gb is a better card overall.

But again - personal preference. I own a 970. I wouldn't trade that for a 290 personally.