Just placed an order - doing this the wrong way around, but I'd love to hear opinions

[samsmi]

Hi guys,

Literally just placed my first order. I've left out a few key components, IE graphics card etc, as I'll be buying these separately. I intend on going for the RADEON 7950; specifically this one http://www2.hardwareversand.de/3072+...t.changed=1&lb (Looking towards upgrading to CROSSFIRE 7950's at some stage) -- I also left out coolers. I'm not sure how necessary they are, but as I would like to overclock a bit I guess I'll need them. I'm not sure on the case compatability with the Corsair H100, but I think I will purchase either a Corsair H100 or H80 in the near future... unless someone talks me out of it!

Anyway, here is the spec I will be slotting the 7950 into. I'd love to hear your thoughts, if you'd change anything or if you have any recommendations for additions/alterations - I'm not very technically minded, but my aim here is to create an immensely powerful, good looking and future proof system; you can let me know how I'm getting along!

I'll be using my older GTX 285 when it arrives. Soon after it will be a single 7950, and maybe after that a CROSSFIRE 7950 setup.

Case
NZXT PHANTOM 410 WHITE GAMING CASE
Processor (CPU)
Intel® Core™i5 Quad Core Processor i5-3570K (3.4GHz) 6MB Cache
Motherboard
ASUS® P8Z77-V PRO: PCI-E 3.0 READY,WIFI, SLI, CROSSFIREX
Memory (RAM)
16GB KINGSTON HYPER-X GENESIS DUAL-DDR3 1600MHz, X.M.P (4 x 4GB KIT)
Graphics Card
NONE, I ALREADY HAVE A GRAPHICS CARD
Memory - 1st Hard Disk
120GB INTEL® 330 SERIES SSD, SATA 6 Gb/s (upto 500MB/sR | 450MB/sW)
1st DVD/BLU-RAY Drive
24x DUAL LAYER DVD WRITER ±R/±RW/RAM
Power Supply
CORSAIR 750W ENTHUSIAST SERIES™ TX750 V2-80 PLUS® BRONZE (£86)
Processor Cooling
INTEL SOCKET LGA1155 STANDARD CPU COOLER
Sound Card
ONBOARD 6 CHANNEL (5.1) HIGH DEF AUDIO (AS STANDARD)
Network Facilities
10/100/1000 GIGABIT LAN PORT - AS STANDARD ON ALL PCs
USB Options
6 x USB 2.0 PORTS @ BACK PANEL (MIN 2 FRONT PORTS) AS STANDARD
Operating System
NO OPERATING SYSTEM REQUIRED
Office Software
NO OFFICE SOFTWARE
Anti-Virus
NO ANTI-VIRUS SOFTWARE
Warranty
3 Year Standard Warranty (1 Month Collect & Return, 1 Year Parts, 3 Year Labour)
Delivery
2 - 3 DAY DELIVERY TO REPUBLIC OF IRELAND (£19)
Build Time
Standard Build - Approximately 10 to 12 working days
Quantity
1

Price: £779.00 including VAT and delivery.

[keynes]

I'm not sure on the case compatability with the Corsair H100, but I think I will purchase either a Corsair H100 or H80 in the near future... unless someone talks me out of it!

From a previous thread it was mentioned that coolit manufacturers corsair coolers. The H100 should be similar to the coolit II dual radiator in performance (minor aesthetic difference), if I were you I order it from PCS to make sure it is also cover under your warranty. If you still want to go ahead and get the H100 you could also ask them to see if there are any issues fitting the coolit II dual radiator in your case.

I intend on going for the RADEON 7950

Sounds like a good plan It is the overclock version from the link and I'd think it has close performance to the GTX 670.
Is 120gb enough? or are you planning in adding an additional hard drive?

[samsmi]

From a previous thread it was mentioned that coolit manufacturers corsair coolers. The H100 should be similar to the coolit II dual radiator in performance (minor aesthetic difference), if I were you I order it from PCS to make sure it is also cover under your warranty. If you still want to go ahead and get the H100 you could also ask them to see if there are any issues fitting the coolit II dual radiator in your case.

Sounds like a good plan It is the overclock version from the link and I'd think it has close performance to the GTX 670.
Is 120gb enough? or are you planning in adding an additional hard drive?

Thanks a lot for your reply,

I really am quite new to all this, but I'm determined to learn!

I know nothing about coolers - I guess I will need one if I'm going to overclock. I have been intending on going for the H100 as I've seen very strong reviews for it across the board. I've read that it will fit the case and can run in PUSH/PULL configuration as either an intake or exhaust >>>> problem is I haven't a clue what ANY part of that means. Would you by any chance be able to explain it to me? (sorry to be a pain) -- I'm also worried if I'll be able to fit/configure everything as a beginner... are there any other popular coolers that you'd recommend which might offer the performance I need?

With regard to the SSD, 120 GB won't be enough, you're right! But I'm going to stick with that just as a primary OS drive and get an additional hard drive later.

Last question! I was talking to someone who said getting a single more powerful GPU would be better than opting for dual 7950's. So I have been looking at the 2GB GTX 680 -- As I would be getting just one graphics card first, how would you think a single 2GB GTX 280 compares to a 3GB 7950?

Thanks so much again,
Really appreciate the help

[keynes]

problem is I haven't a clue what ANY part of that means. Would you by any chance be able to explain it to me? (sorry to be a pain) -- I'm also worried if I'll be able to fit/configure everything as a beginner... are there any other popular coolers that you'd recommend which might offer the performance I need?

I have the fatboy dual radiator push/pull, the radiator is in the middle and there are two fans on each side (fan pulling - fan pushing).
push pull.png
The fatboy would probably be equivalent to the H80, I am currently overclocking my CPU to 4.4 (the highest stable clock speed so far is 5.0) and temperatures are good at idle below 40'C and when gaming less than 60'C. I would recommend going with that one and you don't need to worry about installing it however it wouldn't be difficult to do it yourself and step by step instructions are usually provided with any cooler.

Last question! I was talking to someone who said getting a single more powerful GPU would be better than opting for dual 7950's. So I have been looking at the 2GB GTX 680 -- As I would be getting just one graphics card first, how would you think a single 2GB GTX 280 compares to a 3GB 7950?

If you are thinking of choosing an nvidia GPU I'd go with the GTX 670 2gb since it offers close performance to the GTX 680 and it is cheaper. The reference GTX 680 and GTX 670 would outperform the HD 7950.
http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/201...0-2gb-review/5

[samsmi]

I have the fatboy dual radiator push/pull, the radiator is in the middle and there are two fans on each side (fan pulling - fan pushing).
push pull.png
The fatboy would probably be equivalent to the H80, I am currently overclocking my CPU to 4.4 (the highest stable clock speed so far is 5.0) and temperatures are good at idle below 40'C and when gaming less than 60'C. I would recommend going with that one and you don't need to worry about installing it however it wouldn't be difficult to do it yourself and step by step instructions are usually provided with any cooler.

If you are thinking of choosing an nvidia GPU I'd go with the GTX 670 2gb since it offers close performance to the GTX 680 and it is cheaper. The reference GTX 680 and GTX 670 would outperform the HD 7950.
http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/201...0-2gb-review/5

You're a star! I'll keep doing my research - looks like the system will take a while to reach me as I've only ordered, so I have the time!

I figure a single GTX 670 or 680 makes the most sense now - I was quite keen on a 7950 crossfire setup; while they are well priced on their own, I don't think it makes much sense to be spending double and therefore more than it would cost to get a single more powerful card.

[samsmi]

Hey there,

I have one more question for you if you don't mind.

I see a lot of difference between various versions of the same graphics cards. For example, I have been looking at the following two as possibilities;

http://www.pixmania.ie/ie/uk/1262311...x-edition.html AND http://www.pixmania.ie/ie/uk/1254872...c-graphic.html

Is there much difference between them? Is one much better than the other? Is there a performance difference? I'm a little confused. It's the same card and I believe it's the same spec -- even if it isn't surely I could just overclock it myself?

Thanks again,
Sam

[keynes]

A gtx 670 would be a good choice and the mobo/PSU you selected will allow you to SLI in the future.

[samsmi]

I've decided to get the following 4GB OC GTX 670 card https://www.aria.co.uk/Products/Comp...roductId=50350

Still toying with the cooler! H100 vs the alternatives - I've heard the H100 is noisy; I'd like something that really does the job without sounding like a hoover. I can't find much information on the Coolit - any idea on a good setup for a NZXT 410 case?

Cheers!

[keynes]

Additional Vram in the graphics card (4gb rather than 2gb) will bring benefits if you are gaming at high resolution, when gaming in 1 monitor the GTX 670 2gb is a better option.

Still toying with the cooler! H100 vs the alternatives - I've heard the H100 is noisy; I'd like something that really does the job without sounding like a hoover.

I'd recommend the coolit fatboy, does the job and not noisy unless you push the fans at 50% or more.

[baron75mk2]

Glad you went for the nvidia GTX670 , whilst the radeons are fine cards on their own , when in crossfire there are tons of issues with it compared to nvidia SLI