Curse

Alexandra-Sweet · May 19, 2008, 05:22 PM // 17:22

I'm looking for a high performance computer with a mid-end video card and it needs to run very very silent (my current computer is suppose to be silent but I still wake up and ripping the powerplug out of the computer because it stresses me out)

Currently I have this planned:

Motherboard
XFX N790

Processor
Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9770

Processor cooling
Thermal Take Blue Orb II

Memory
OCZ 4 GB DDR3-1600 Kit

Video card
Either Asus/Gigabyte/MSI 9600GT Silent

Harddisk
2x Samsung Spinpoint F1 1TiB

Diskdrive
Anything that can read DvDs is fine.

Power Supply
Thermaltake Thoughpower 750W

Casing
Enermax Big Chakra (sorry couldn't find anything better that I like, I'm so picky~)

Operating system
Vista x64

And now the dilemma
1. ~

2. Do I really need a x64 operating system to 100% use my 4GB memory?

3. Is the power supply good enough for this configuration? And how does Watt affect performance?

4. Is the power supply and processor cooler silent enough? Or is there anything better? (I kind of don't understand how water cooling works)

5. ~

6. Is this whole configuration possible? >.>

I hope I didn't forget anything important (no, I don't want a damn floppydrive).

Thanks in advance~

izzywish · May 19, 2008, 05:57 PM // 17:57

Well to do my bit, the answer to question 2, is yes, you do need a 64 bit OS to use 4Gb of Mem. My memory is useless so I could be wrong here, but 32 bit can only use 3Gb of mem.

Brianna · May 19, 2008, 06:07 PM // 18:07

Ok, so for starters. This is the motherboard you're looking at? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131274

*1: I think that if you got the Blue Orb onto an Asus Striker II that it would be a very tight fit. I'd recommend a different heat sink that is more elevated.

*2: Yes, you do need a 64 bit OS to use 100% of the RAM in simple terms.

*3: that Power Supply is over-kill for that configuration, so yes it will work.

*4: I'm not sure about how silent those are, but the DBA of a fan is how quiet or loud it is, the lower DBA, the better.

*5: If you are buying the Asus Striker II that I linked above, that has a water-block on the north bridge. You do need water-cooling for that block, and water-cooling is only for the big boys and girls really, mainly for overclocking, so I'd stay away from that for anyone who isn't familiar with it. - Small edit: - in further review to the board, you may not have to use water-cooling on it, but why buy a board capable of doing it without doing it? No point. It will probably get pretty hot without it too.

6: I think the whole configuration is possible, but you might want to avoid it if you have to put a water-cooling system into the north bridge, because if you do that, you might as well put water-blocks on the CPU and GPU too. $$$Expensive$$$

Here is the equivalent of the Asus Striker II: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...pk=EVGA%2b790i It is a 790i nForce as well, it just has a huge heat sink on the north bridge instead, lol.

Also, can you explain why you hate Vista so much? Vista 64 bit > XP 64 bit any day, I really recommend against XP 64 bit.

snaek · May 19, 2008, 06:10 PM // 18:10

have u tried turnin off ur pc at nite? ^__~

i would assume most pc noise would come from the power supply and fans
and possibly hard-drive and cd drive when they r actively reading data

btw, im assuming u've found all these prodcuts online?
links would be nice

(but sowrie, cant answer any of ur specific questions)

Alexandra-Sweet · May 19, 2008, 07:57 PM // 19:57

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131274 I think it's that one, since it's the only one available in The Netherlands, however I think the water cooling is optional because I've already informed at a local store about it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brianna

Also, can you explain why you hate Vista so much? Vista 64 bit > XP 64 bit any day, I really recommend against XP 64 bit.

Vista is slow, power hungry (my laptop lasts less than 2 hours), rather unstable (I have a Vista certified laptop and it freezes when opening 2 programs at the same time) And they completely moved most settings elsewhere which is very annoying.

Microsoft says they have 100 reasons why you should upgrade to Vista.

I have 1000 NOT to upgrade to Vista.

However Vista does have more x64 drivers than XP x64 but what about 2003 x64?

Quote:

Originally Posted by snaek

btw, im assuming u've found all these prodcuts online?
links would be nice

The only links I can provide are sites in Dutch, but I think Newegg should have it all as well.

Brianna · May 19, 2008, 08:03 PM // 20:03

Newegg has most parts listed there, if not all. Go on over and search them up.

That is just a laptop, Alexandra. That shouldn't make you dooms-day Vista, me and a lot of other people here run Vista 64 bit just fine, Vista 64 bit is much more supported than XP 64 bit yes.

However 2003 X64, I have no clue. I'm not experienced with that as I have never used it, so someone else will need to fill in on that.

As long as you have 2GB of good RAM, a good video card and processor, Vista should not be a problem at all, what are the specs of your laptop? It also could just be driver-related freezes, who knows.

I definitely recommend Vista 64 bit though.. at first I hated it, but now I realize that I like it and I have no problems with it, I just had a few driver problems at first which were no problem to sort out, it happens.

And I must state, that every new operating system here-on from Windows XP is going to use more resources, and perhaps be more power hungry (new features) you must embrace the future. XP is not going to be used forever, while it is arguable that Vista could use a little bit of improving. But it works fine honestly, or else I would be on my other hard drive with Windows XP on it right now.

Snograt · May 19, 2008, 08:04 PM // 20:04

In my (very humble) opinion, if you don't get on with Vista64, then just put up with 3-and-a-bit GB. Vista is the only 64bit Windows worth having - XP64 is just nasty.

Windows 2003? Are you a business, or a student getting the most out of DreamSpark?

Alexandra-Sweet · May 19, 2008, 08:20 PM // 20:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snograt

Windows 2003? Are you a business, or a student getting the most out of DreamSpark?

I have access to the Microsoft Developers Network (MSDN) so I can get most Microsoft operating systems for free.

And if I can't find it on MSDN I can always use my 80%/90% student discount so that shouldn't be a problem.

Lord Sojar · May 19, 2008, 08:20 PM // 20:20

Use XP 32bit Pro, you will be sorry if you use XP64 bit or Server 03' 64bit. They lack driver support, and are a PAIN in the neck! !@^$)*#%!&@#$

MSFT is being sued because of that "Vista Certified" bullshit they pulled. Use Vista 32/64. With the setup you are proposing, and SP1 on Vista, you should be a ok. It has much better driver support. SP1 also fixed a TON of the slowdown issues and compatibility issues. It also boosted the speed of OS and got rid of a ton of bloated code.

Secondly.... DO NOT go with an Intel Extreme CPU.... That would be, to be frank, dumb. A waste of money, especially when you are putting in such a measly graphics card in comparison. The 9600GT is a great card for midrange setups, but you will bottleneck everything else you have there with that 9600GT.

Thirdly, ASUS has gone down the tubes as far as motherboard makers go. They are using cheaper and cheaper non primary chipsets, and no surprise, they are using antique technology on some areas of their boards (including power regulators near the CPU) Best Mobo manufacturers around now are eVGA, MSI, Abit, Zotac, and XFX. I personally adore eVGA, and that is only product that goes in my PC.

Drop that overpowered worthless CPU (quad core CPUs are not at all worth the money unless you are using a very complex program like the stuff I use at work), upgrade the graphics card, and liquid cool both, or liquid cool the GPU only.

Allow me to show you:

CPU:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115036

Video Card:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130339
That video card has a combo deal with a Corsair 750W PSU that kicks ass. Rails are high amp, great setup.

Motherboard:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813188025
Great board, Step-Up program, much higher quality than ASUS can ever do.

Memory: (I have no idea why you chose OCZ... ewww...)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820148146
Buy 2 of those kits. A bit pricey, but worth every penny (and you saved over 1000 dollars by going with the CPU I listed above)

Tell me if you have any experience with Liquid cooling solutions please. Then I recommend a solution based on your experience.

Any questions for me, I am happy to answer.

Cyb3r · May 19, 2008, 08:30 PM // 20:30

Alexandra send me a pm and i'll help ya since i'm from belgium know a couple decent stores in the benelux that might help ya

Alexandra-Sweet · May 19, 2008, 09:33 PM // 21:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rahja the Thief

Secondly.... DO NOT go with an Intel Extreme CPU.... That would be, to be frank, dumb. A waste of money, especially when you are putting in such a measly graphics card in comparison. The 9600GT is a great card for midrange setups, but you will bottleneck everything else you have there with that 9600GT.

Drop that overpowered worthless CPU (quad core CPUs are not at all worth the money unless you are using a very complex program like the stuff I use at work), upgrade the graphics card, and liquid cool both, or liquid cool the GPU only.

Well I was kind of hoping to get that processor, I just like it when everything runs on 1600 MHz, and I'm not sure what kind of processor would fit for my needs so I just took the "best".
Running 3 games on the background while playing BluRay movies, having an internet browser with +30 tabs open, MSN, downloading stuff, probably burning a cd in the process, running Windows Virtual PC and what not.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rahja the Thief

Tell me if you have any experience with Liquid cooling solutions please. Then I recommend a solution based on your experience.

Nope, nada, nothing, but I do think the Thermaltake BigWater 760i is funny.

And for the motherboard you suggested, where I live they apparently never heard of eVGA because they are very rare.

After reading some reviews of the Asus Striker II Extreme I decided to search for something else and the XFX N790 is the closest thing I could find.

Brianna · May 19, 2008, 09:38 PM // 21:38

The XFX 790i is a good version too, also recommended along with EVGA, if you can't find EVGA parts, definitely go with XFX.

And damn that is a lot of multi-tasking that you mention, probably would help to have a Quad Core for that, lol, and a lot of RAM.

Admael · May 19, 2008, 09:45 PM // 21:45

With a QX9770 I doubt Vista could slow it down. But 1600FSB is very easily achieved with any of the 45nm chips. And you don't really need a Extreme series CPU unless you do plan to use that unlocked multiplier (Intel charges you anywhere from 200 to 800 USD for *just* the "Extreme" tag and the unlocked multiplier).

I'd recommend going against XP64 for lack of drivers support.

But in short, get the Antec P182 Case, it's virtually silent, strip all the stock fans and equip them with Zalman F3 120mm, and set the fans to silent. They make no sound or vibration when they're on silent.

Lastly, watercooling kits made by Thermaltake, Corsair, Vantech, CoolIT, and ESPECIALLY Coolermaster are garbage. You'd be off building your own.

Kits made by Swiftech and Zalman are good, and are perfect if you find those blocks to be the ones required to cool your components.

Just remember if you decide to go watercooling, the more components you cool, the bigger rad you'll need, the more fans you'll need, the louder your system.

EDIT: the 750i, 780i, and 790i all experience something known as 'video corruption bug' where artifacts appear on the screen and leads to lockup after using Windows Media Player after awhile. There is currently no known solution or why it happens. There are some lucky boards that do not have this problem, or experiences it less than others.
http://www.evga.com/forums/tm.asp?m=253891 < EVGA
http://forums.anandtech.com/messagev...readid=2178960 < AnandTech
http://forums.nvidia.com/index.php?showtopic=65855 < Nvidia Nzone

Alexandra-Sweet · May 19, 2008, 09:59 PM // 21:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by Admael

And you don't really need a Extreme series CPU unless you do plan to use that unlocked multiplier (Intel charges you anywhere from 200 to 800 USD for *just* the "Extreme" tag and the unlocked multiplier).

And what exactly is an "unlocked multiplier"? >.>

Quote:

Originally Posted by Admael

But in short, get the Antec P182 Case, it's virtually silent, strip all the stock fans and equip them with Zalman F3 120mm, and set the fans to silent. They make no sound or vibration when they're on silent.

I forgot to mention that I need a High-Tower case, 8 Series and 9 Series videocards can get rather... big, and I plan to add a second videocard in the future, or just a better one.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Admael

EDIT: the 750i, 780i, and 790i all experience something known as 'video corruption bug' where artifacts appear on the screen and leads to lockup after using Windows Media Player after awhile. There is currently no known solution or why it happens. There are some lucky boards that do not have this problem, or experiences it less than others.

Who uses Windows Media Player anyway? >.>

I just use Media Player Classic with a good codec.

Admael · May 19, 2008, 10:13 PM // 22:13

Unlocked multiplier is what you're paying for. If the QX9770 was locked, it'd probably cost 350 USD.

a CPU multiplier is the cpu clock rate:FSB/NB
The QX9770 will be 400x8=3200MHz, since all Intels are QDR (quad data rate), you take the effective clock, 1600, and divide that by 4. and multiply that by 8 to have your clock speed.

Having an unlocked multiplier means you can change the multiplier, obviously, making it easier to overclock from the CPU side, instead of raising the full FSB.

EDIT: I had two 8 series GTX cards fit in my mid-tower. Unless you'll use more than 4 HDs, you should be fine with the P182.

Lord Sojar · May 19, 2008, 11:41 PM // 23:41

Alexandra, because you are wanting a SILENT system, you definentally don't need the Extreme Edition CPU. The 45nm dual cores will be more then enough. You can give it a slight overclock (100-250MHz) and it will scream.

eVGA is probably the best company out there atm. XFX is doing pretty well also. Zotac is also GREAT. I wouldn't touch current ASUS stuff with a 39 1/2 foot pole.

All of the 45nm chips can handle 1600MHz FSB. Don't waste your precious money on the "extreme" CPUs. They are overpriced crap for hardcore gamers that like having e-peen. Total waste of money.

@Admael

Regarding liquid cooling kits. Yes, compared to a good DIY LC job, they fail. However, for beginners, some of the kits are pretty decent. They cool equal to if not slightly better then very high end air cooling. And, best part is, they are quiet.

Thermaltake makes the best kit systems for cooling. One of my older PCs back about 5 years ago had a Bigwater system. It worked very well. Pump went out after about 2.5 years, and I just built a new system using phase change after that. I am currently on high end air cooling, but it isn't quiet by any means of the word. But, I don't care too much, seeing as how I listen to music really really loud anyways.

Also regarding the case issue. While Admael is correct, 2 8 series cards can fit into a midtower, but if you want really good cooling and more room for them to breath, get a full tower ATX case.

Going off your above choice in case, I would recommend this one as well:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811133056

Make sure if you get an armor case, that you get the Armor+ version, or the ESA version (very hard to find)

If you don't want to deal with cooling at all, and want a big case, checkout this deal:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811133171
Personally, the Tai Chi looks odd, but you may very well like it. It also has a decent LC system preinstalled and ready to go. Great case for first time liquid cooling builders. You can always take it out and put in your own system when you feel confident.

Happy shopping!

Snograt · May 20, 2008, 12:46 AM // 00:46

I like the look of that Tai Chi - hydraulic doors, though? oO

This review made me lol:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Someone with no taste

Pros: Dont have it

Cons: Because its hideous

Other Thoughts: Water cooling is cool and all, but this case is uglier than my grandma.

Admael · May 20, 2008, 12:48 AM // 00:48

Is it just me or does the tubing on the Tai Chi look incredibly thin?

@ Snograt, no it's not hydraulic doors, thats the rad on the door.

Not even hardcore gamers get the QX series, they're more for technology enthusiast who don't mind paying double the price for 'freedom'.

You can get the same performance for a lower price with a cheaper chip. Because all 45-nm will go to 400 FSB and beyond. I'm not sure about the QX9770 and if it'd go beyond 450, but I've seen a lot of E8500s (dual core Wolfdales) do 495.

If you insist on a quad, go Q9300. They're locked at 333x8, they'll do 400x8 (same as QX9770) easily, and you'll save about a grand in USD.

EDIT: Sorry to push this but... can you blame me? http://www.performance-pcs.com/catal...7f37621a1269eb

Snograt · May 20, 2008, 12:56 AM // 00:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by NewEgg

All aluminum extrusion built chassis
Compact and stylish chassis
Better choice for upgrading liquid cooling system
Hydraulic side panel opening
Tool-free installation
Optimize internal space and airflow
Relocate-able front control panel (Power, Reset switch, HDD & PWR LED)
Removable aluminum motherboard tray
Easy Lifting Handles

:P

Ok, so my QX6700 is for people who don't know any better. So, I didn't know any better, ok?

Hmm, should I clock it, then?

Cyb3r · May 20, 2008, 02:13 AM // 02:13

the extreme series are for people who want the unlocked multiplier which is not possible by the pencill trick like on the AMD cpu's (got to check on the phenom and the newer one's on how to do it)

However if you're going to overclock with the multiplier and the fsb (if you know what you're doing)
I suggest you take atleast watercooling (handless up to 600 - 800 mhz oc depending on the pump and other variables) or liquid freezer aka deep freeze the cpu to under -40°C don't even ask how much it is in fahrenheit cause i wouldn't know (that handles an oc of 1200mhz very nice

And if you start voltmodding the motherboard and replacing other crucial parts (aka then ya need custom memory chips that can handle the oc)

Then you can technically go even higher however don't go to far on deepfreeze technology cause you're cpu will literally implode, same if it get's too hot a cpu never explodes allways implodes!