SuperTomTom64 SuperTomTom64

My Dream Machine

My Dream Machine

Woo!

So recently I have been pricing up a dream computer. What PSU should I look at? Currently I have the following parts priced up:

Intel Core i7 975

EVGA Classified X58 4x SLI MoBo

EVGA 285 FTW x4 (SLI)

Intel X25-m G2 160GB SSD x12 (RAID 0)

12GB Corsair Dominator GT 2000 Mhz C8 DDR3 RAM

Mountain Mods Extended Ascension Case

Koolance 1700W Liquid Cooled PSU

Prometeia Mach II GT Phase Change CPU Cooler

 Revised.

222,240 views 86 replies
Reply #51 Top

Currently i am looking at the Antec 1200 myself. It seems to be large enough for any graphics cards and the huge fans ensure good airflow to the 295s. That would be my choice, for price and because i'm biased :P  

Lian-Li cases are very high quality so you cant go wrong.. but the Antec is good too... and then theres thermaltake and coolermaster... Cases are probably the most confusing part of a PC to get, they are all basically the same and yet it's impossible to choose

Reply #52 Top

Alright, Which case should I get: the Lian Li PC-P80, the Thermaltake Xaser VI, the Thermaltake Spedo Advanced Package, the Antec 1200, the Coolermaster ATCS 840 or the Coolermaster HAF 932?

Looking for major cooling, plenty of space and some amount of quietness.

Alternate suggestions welcome.

Reply #53 Top

Alternate suggestions welcome.

I have an Achilles in black and find it to be a solid, reliable performer with plenty of room for expansion... larger graphics cards (8800GT/9800GT, etc) fit with 3.5cm spare between it and the HDD's.  It has 120mm side and top fans, a 400mm rear fan so cooling/ventilation is good.... it is also quiet.

The case doesn't come with dust filters on the fans, but I fitted some for about $20.00, bringing the cost of my case to AUD $85.00

BTW, the Achilles doesn't come with the internal blue lights... those are an optional extra and the front panel lights can be disabled if you don't like 'brightly lit'

:)

 

Reply #54 Top

Nothing flash.... just a sensible all-aluminium case that works.

It's the model I used to plonk all my fancy new bits into....;)

Reply #55 Top

CM ATCS 840

The CoolerMaster ATCS 840. Sorry Jafo, but this is prettier.

Also, I would rather stay away from cutting holes in the mobo tray.

Reply #56 Top

Quoting starkers, reply 3


I have an Achilles in black and find it to be a solid, reliable performer with plenty of room for expansion... larger graphics cards (8800GT/9800GT, etc) fit with 3.5cm spare between it and the HDD's.  It has 120mm side and top fans, a 400mm rear fan so cooling/ventilation is good.... it is also quiet.

The case doesn't come with dust filters on the fans, but I fitted some for about $20.00, bringing the cost of my case to AUD $85.00

BTW, the Achilles doesn't come with the internal blue lights... those are an optional extra and the front panel lights can be disabled if you don't like 'brightly lit'


Hmm, not bad, might be too small for the aftermarket CPU cooler and the 295s. 

Also, I read a review where they overclocked the i7 975 to 4.2 GHz. With stock cooling. The CPU stock clock speed is 3.33 GHz. :drool:

Reply #57 Top

Also, I would rather stay away from cutting holes in the mobo tray

That was due to the size of the V8 cooler....otherwise there'd have been no need...;)

Reply #58 Top

I'm getting the V8.

OH SNAP

Reply #59 Top

i've used that lian-li model that jafo has for quite a few customer rigs. it's a very good case and not that expensive, either. personally, i use the V8 and am very happy with it. i recommended it to jafo.

i currently use the silverstone FT01-BW, which is a very nice case, after switching from a lian-li v1200b. you'd have to mount all the water-cooiling stuff externally on the silverstone.

Reply #60 Top

Hmm, not bad, might be too small for the aftermarket CPU cooler and the 295s.

It's not exactly a small case... w. 20cm x h. 45cm x d. 46cm. I've been looking into after-market CPU cooling myself and the few that I looked at appear as though they'll fit just fine.  The Xigmatek HDT-S1284 is one I'm considering and it should pose no problems size-wise.

The GTX295 is 1.5" longer than the 8800GT so it would be a tighter fit length-wise, but it should fit OK... may mean the HDD directly in front would need to sit further forward or slot into another bay. of which there are six (6)

:)

Reply #61 Top

I'll get around to looking at SilverStone.

The Achilles is a little flashy.

Reply #62 Top

From SilverStone the RAVEN series and TJ10 are options.

Reply #64 Top

those video cards are garbage...they are basically 2x gtx 250- 260s slapped together... get a gtx 285 ftw 2gb by evga.... it alone will out perform the gtx 295 and totally rock in sli...i know this from personal experience...i went basically the route you are going... but why so much ram? are you doing any major rendering? if you are gaming 8 gb is best, but still overkill

Reply #65 Top

Quoting o0SHUUMI0o, reply 14
those video cards are garbage...they are basically 2x gtx 250- 260s slapped together... get a gtx 285 ftw 2gb by evga.... it alone will out perform the gtx 295 and totally rock in sli...i know this from personal experience...i went basically the route you are going... but why so much ram? are you doing any major rendering? if you are gaming 8 gb is best, but still overkill

Because I want to. I won't be buying this for a while. I'll look in to the 285's just because you mentioned them.

@IamPas: Google toolbar has a translate function. Ha.

Reply #66 Top

I'll get around to looking at SilverStone.

The Achilles is a little flashy.

Yeah, I've heard a few people say that. Thing is, the promo pics show the 'optional' lighting (probably to impress younger gaming fanatics), but that's not how they look in the real world.  With just the front panel lights on (to show it's running), the Achilles looks like a regular case... but with an alien looking face. 

Must admit, though, I'm not too keen on the red or blue ones.  The black with blue front panel lights looks best (which is what I have), or the grey one with blue f/p lights.  I got mine basically because I wanted a sturdy, solid steel construction and at a budget price.... and comparable Lian, Thermaltake and Antec cases were like a $100 - $150 more (AUD).

 

Reply #67 Top

I got mine basically because I wanted a sturdy, solid steel construction and at a budget price.... and comparable Lian, Thermaltake and Antec cases were like a $100 - $150 more (AUD).

That'll be because they're aluminium....lighter...better finished...and have better thermal efficiency [lighter metal]...;)

Reply #68 Top

A friend I am building a computer for got this case:

Reply #69 Top

Quoting Jafo, reply 17

I got mine basically because I wanted a sturdy, solid steel construction and at a budget price.... and comparable Lian, Thermaltake and Antec cases were like a $100 - $150 more (AUD).

That'll be because they're aluminium....lighter...better finished...and have better thermal efficiency [lighter metal]...

So what are you saying here?  That I should have gone with an alloy case because they're cooler and look cool?  Or are you pointing out that I'll put my back out lifting it onto the bench to work on it...while boasting you won't cos of a lighter machine?

;)

My previous case was aluminium... didn't like it... wasn't substantial enough, seemed flimsy in comparison. :)

Reply #70 Top

So what are you saying here? That I should have gone with an alloy case because they're cooler and look cool? Or are you pointing out that I'll put my back out lifting it onto the bench to work on it...while boasting you won't cos of a lighter machine?



My previous case was aluminium... didn't like it... wasn't substantial enough, seemed flimsy in comparison.

Er...yes....yes...and oils ain't oils, Sol.

Gotta admit though...my new one is effing heavy with all the crap inside it....either that or I'm just getting older and more feeble...;)

Reply #72 Top

Gotta admit though...my new one is effing heavy with all the crap inside it....either that or I'm just getting older and more feeble...

That'd be a yes and a yes... on both counts.  The loaded case is heavier... but to you (being older and more feeble) it feels much heavier than it actually is. 

'Tis a sad fact of life... as you get heavier with age, so does everything else... or so it feels. ;)

Reply #73 Top

Look at the bright side.....

When you old men drop a nut lifting all this "heavy stuff" it's not like you need it anymore.....

Reply #74 Top

Quoting yrag, reply 23
Look at the bright side.....

When you old men drop a nut lifting all this "heavy stuff" it's not like you need it anymore.....

Hey, RESPECT YOUR ELDERS!!

 

 

They're fragile ;P

Reply #75 Top

Quoting yrag, reply 23
Look at the bright side.....

When you old men drop a nut lifting all this "heavy stuff" it's not like you need it anymore.....

Dunno 'bout not "needing it anymore"... but slipping a disc as well... well it makes the other nut irrelevant. :-"

Incidentally, pulled my case out to 'dust bust' and thought I'd weigh it.  Fully loaded it weighs 14.3kg... a nut buster for sure. o_O