Post by: EHM-0654 Murray on November 13, 2010, 04:42:39 pm
Getting a new GPU also means a new mobo, case and PSU. So, what with the global recession and all, my new gaming rig will have to be a re-hashing of many of the parts I already have, but the first piece of the puzzle just fell into my possession: an Asus Striker II Extreme motherboard, via eBay (a little minor cosmetic damage, but otherwise the full kit that this mobo shipped with two years ago when it was new).
Now I just need new memory (the Striker takes DDR3, my Shuttle is DDR2), a new case, a new PSU and (eventually...) a new GPU.
Post by: EHM-1997 Alexander on November 13, 2010, 05:21:32 pm
That said, the current bunch do better with a few cores and a high clock speed, than many cores and a lower clock speed. This will no doubt change over time, possibly with xp10.
My advice is this - don't upgrade until after xp10 is out - that way you have a better idea of what you need.
That said the nvidia GTX 580 has come out recently, if you want to spend over £400 on a GPU.
Post by: EHM-0654 Murray on November 13, 2010, 05:59:03 pm
Also, the OC opportunities are better on a Striker than in my Shuttle, plus...
A bigger case, slightly bigger PSU will all let me keep up with the new stuff that little bit easier.
Post by: EHM-1997 Alexander on November 13, 2010, 06:11:33 pm
Post by: EHM-0654 Murray on November 26, 2010, 12:46:42 pm
- 4GB of OCZ Gold DDR3 because it was on eBuyer deals.
- OCZ Modular 700W PSU because Aria finally gave me a credit note on my dead SSD.
- Zalman Z7 case for under £50 on eBay.
- New Zalman CPU water block on the way from QuietPC.
Once it's all arrived, I can begin trying to slot it all together. Real fun will begin next year when I look to get a new GPU into it...
Post by: EHM-2381 Ted on November 29, 2010, 10:47:06 pm
While not looking forward to a couple days re-installing and tweaking everything it will be fun seeing how much of an improvement I get in FSX (and a couple other sims....finally I can get DCS: Black Shark and DCS: A-10 :)).
I've also ordered REX and GEX Europe....and been preparing to fly on VATSIM so quite looking forward to next weekend and flying the SU-80 and PC-12 in style!
Post by: EHM-2381 Ted on December 02, 2010, 06:43:24 pm
New system:
ASUS P5P41TD Mobo
Intel Core2 Quad Q8300@2.5GHz (not yet OC'd....I'll get to that eventually).
4Gb DDR3 RAM (3.5 actual as I still use WINXP Pro)
Nvidia GeForce GT430 1GB
While not a monster screamer system I have noticed a huge increase in overall image quality and smoothness so far doing test flights. Shame I cannot run Nhancer as my drivers are way past that so having to tweak it by trial and error.
Once I get rid of the last little gfx errors and the occasional "2-sec freeze" I'll be all set to go...should be able to fly using Flogger this weekend and might even give VATSIM a go too.
Good luck with your new build.
Post by: EHM-0654 Murray on December 14, 2010, 12:14:51 pm
Post by: EHM-1997 Alexander on December 14, 2010, 12:54:11 pm
Heh. Pure fantasy. ;D
Post by: EHM-0654 Murray on January 05, 2011, 12:09:36 pm
Post by: EHM-1997 Alexander on January 05, 2011, 03:50:51 pm
I was tempted by the 580, but since I got the 570 for £270 and the jump to the 580 was another £170, I figured I could hold onto the cash and just replace the card sooner.
Should be a decent enough upgrade from my 4870x2 especially in games that don't support crossfire *cough* fsx and x-plane *cough*.
That said, there's nothing the 4870x2 can't run with high graphics at 1920x1200 at the moment, so it was somewhat of a pure indulgence buy.
http://www.videocardbenchmark.net/video_lookup.php?cpu=GeForce+GTX+570 (http://www.videocardbenchmark.net/video_lookup.php?cpu=GeForce+GTX+570)
Post by: EHM-0654 Murray on January 05, 2011, 04:17:18 pm
FSX runs far better on NVidia cards (no starting flamewars please ATI fans, it's a fact... Has something to do with few fast running cores compared to many slow running cores and the way FSX builds the viewport...)
Oh, and but that I were an investment banker with sheds full of money - http://rebelgadgets.com/product/448/evga-geforce-gtx-580-ftw-hydro-copper-2-graphics-card.html (http://rebelgadgets.com/product/448/evga-geforce-gtx-580-ftw-hydro-copper-2-graphics-card.html)
Post by: EHM-1997 Alexander on January 05, 2011, 04:59:10 pm
I'd recommend not getting to 400 series - the 500 isn't really a leap forward to a new architecture, it's a refinement. the 500s are what the 400s (i'm really talking the 470/480) should have been.
I went nvidia this time as I tend to flit between the two. ATI cards appear to be more efficient, have better output (drive 3 displays off 1 card) and give more ram so can perform better at high resolutions (2560x 1600) at the same price point and typically, just as the drivers for my 4870x2 have settled down, I hear the nvidias are playing up in x-plane :P However I want to try Physx and Cuda and want to get a single GPU card and move on from the multi-GPU mess I've had with the last card.
Nvidias drivers have traditionally been stronger than amd's.
Post by: EHM-0654 Murray on January 10, 2011, 12:04:42 pm
I'm also in the process of changing my mind about the water cooling; rather than the Reserator XT, I'm going to make a mostly internal WC rig from parts so I can have two loops fairly easily (already got an EK dual-res spin bay on the way from eBay)
That'll let me sell my old rig a little easier and I can use the proceeds to get my first new GPU a little quicker.
Post by: EHM-0654 Murray on January 13, 2011, 12:00:40 pm
After that though, I should be able to sell my Shuttle and Reserator (got a guy at work interested already).
Post by: EHM-0654 Murray on March 05, 2011, 08:15:13 am
Post by: EHM-1997 Alexander on March 05, 2011, 08:40:57 am
Post by: EHM-0654 Murray on March 05, 2011, 09:33:32 am
Any how, you know as well as anyone that I have more important stuff to do right now 8).
Post by: EHM-0654 Murray on March 15, 2011, 04:09:33 pm
More news if I have it later.
Post by: EHM-1997 Alexander on March 15, 2011, 07:01:37 pm
Post by: EHM-0654 Murray on March 16, 2011, 07:17:48 am
Any how, silly Asus sent it back unfixed with a "customer induced damage" sticker on it, so I'm no better off than when the d**n thing was with them. Can't afford a new Striker II Extreme just yet (nor the rest of the WC loop), so it may all have to wait for some months... :(
Post by: EHM-1997 Alexander on March 16, 2011, 07:55:28 am
Or was it sent to you broken by te ebay seller all the way back in november?
Post by: EHM-0654 Murray on March 16, 2011, 09:27:39 am
Post by: EHM-1997 Alexander on March 16, 2011, 11:02:09 am
I would never buy electronics from ebay myself.
Post by: EHM-0654 Murray on March 16, 2011, 03:19:18 pm
Post by: EHM-1997 Alexander on March 16, 2011, 03:27:55 pm
Post by: EHM-0005 Maarten on March 16, 2011, 03:56:01 pm
I already have very good framerates with my current rig:
- Intel i7 920 OC'd at 3.8 ghz
- Gigabyte X58-UD4p (the bottle neck :) )
- 12 gb Corsair Dominator (too much for FSX, but I do some photoshopping)
- Zotac nVidia GT570
- FSX installed on a intel SSD
And of course this great FSX tweak tool to give a couple of more FPS :) http://www.venetubo.com/fsx.html (http://www.venetubo.com/fsx.html)
Post by: EHM-0654 Murray on March 16, 2011, 04:24:33 pm
@Maarten: Sandybridge you say (1155/1156?) Interesting thoughts... yes...
Post by: EHM-0654 Murray on March 21, 2011, 10:51:28 am
Sod it, it's bought. Seller says no damage whatsoever; came out of his gaming rig, had some photos taken, and then got boxed. I'd rather spend what little money I have available on a new GPU than a new mobo and CPU.
Post by: EHM-1997 Alexander on March 21, 2011, 12:12:34 pm
Test it and return if there's anything wrong with it on receipt.
*fingers crossed*
Post by: EHM-0654 Murray on March 22, 2011, 02:31:09 pm
Post by: EHM-0654 Murray on April 02, 2011, 12:41:29 pm
Can't test the mobo because the OCZ memory I've got for it doesn't work with it (even though there are people out there that say it does...)
Gotta love the Internets; a third of hits say it works, a third of hits say it doesn't, and a third of hits are totally useless...
Post by: EHM-1997 Alexander on April 02, 2011, 01:32:44 pm
Post by: EHM-0654 Murray on April 02, 2011, 01:54:00 pm
Addendum but, in a karmic sort of way, I had totally forgotten that the eBay vendor included a CPU with the mobo (and a whole load of other bits and pieces), and said CPU is a little faster than my Q6600. It's a Q8300, so 1,333MHz FSB and 2.5GHz core speed. Here's hoping it'll OC as well as the Q6600 does.
Post by: EHM-1997 Alexander on April 02, 2011, 02:56:28 pm
It may be that RAM does work with that mobo but that mobo doesn't work eh?
Use one stick only to boot with if that doesn't work then surely it's not a sync issue?
Post by: EHM-0654 Murray on April 02, 2011, 10:05:02 pm
Post by: EHM-0654 Murray on April 04, 2011, 10:48:56 am
That'll arrive tomorrow and I can test tomorrow evening and finally give the vendor my verdict. Then the real fun can begin (purchasing and installing the WC loops, new GPU, migrating from my Shuttle... you know, the little stuff ;D)
Post by: EHM-1997 Alexander on April 04, 2011, 11:14:20 am
Murray: V. true ;)
Post by: EHM-0654 Murray on April 05, 2011, 02:09:42 pm
Post by: EHM-1997 Alexander on April 05, 2011, 02:39:38 pm
Post by: EHM-0654 Murray on July 21, 2011, 10:48:34 am
Second "pre-loved" mobo was also a #FAIL, so I've been scrimping and saving, and making a list of components, and I'm almost ready to order (just waiting for pay day).
Here's my Google Docs spreadsheet with the components list (https://spreadsheets.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AjgGgo9E5sO9dDF2NFFZZlZJNlNkaVZGY2FmTFNmdkE&hl=en_US) but the highlights for those that can't/won't look at it - separate water cooling loops for CPU and RAM/GPU, Intel Core i7 2600K (which will be 'clocked to 4GHz), Gigabyte GA-Z68X-UD7-B3 mobo and EVGA GeForce GTX 580 SC.
Lots of bits not listed, because lots of bits I already have.
Post by: EHM-1997 Alexander on July 21, 2011, 12:06:57 pm
lower tier mobo (same manufac) pre-clocked air kit.
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=BU-072-OE&groupid=43&catid=2053&subcat=2063 (http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=BU-072-OE&groupid=43&catid=2053&subcat=2063)
Post by: EHM-0654 Murray on July 21, 2011, 12:19:06 pm
Post by: EHM-0654 Murray on July 29, 2011, 04:33:09 pm
Just spent close to £1,000 ordering most of the stuff on my pick-list (CPU, GPU, Mobo, SSD and part of the WC bits). Will arrive (at work) on Monday, so must remember to take my big rucksack with me.
Post by: EHM-1997 Alexander on July 29, 2011, 08:11:01 pm
I have a little something in the post for me now too.
Will announce what when I get it.
Post by: EHM-0654 Murray on August 01, 2011, 04:32:19 pm
Post by: EHM-1997 Alexander on August 01, 2011, 04:54:22 pm
Post by: EHM-0654 Murray on August 09, 2011, 04:34:00 pm
The "Brand New" OCZ PSU I bought before Xmas for gaming rig attempt #1/#2, and which hadn't really received any use before this week, died last night and I can't find where I bought it on any of my preferred supplier "My Account" order histories. Pretty sure it was eBuyer (I had a small refund due from them, and I think I used it for the PSU). Irrespective, will have a slightly larger Corsair PSU arriving at work tomorrow.
Post by: EHM-1997 Alexander on August 09, 2011, 05:34:23 pm
I have a modular corsair and can recommend (I use the mid tier branding I think).
Post by: EHM-0654 Murray on August 10, 2011, 10:27:18 am
Nice PSU, lots of modular connectors, and very simple/plain design (which I prefer to the flashy nonsense of some PSU manufacturers). More thorough review once I get it tested/installed tonight.
Post by: EHM-0654 Murray on August 20, 2011, 10:53:53 am
The Corsair AX750 PSU is a lovely thing. As previously mentioned it's a fully modular design, meaning all of the cables can be unplugged from the body of the PSU (much nicer than the OCZ I was using previously, where the ATX cables were fixed) which makes installing everything much easier as there's no cables to get caught on things. My PSU tester suggests its' voltages are rock-solid and pretty much 0.1V above standards (so, 12.1V, 5.1V and 3.4V) on all the output rails. Those of you who shudder a little seeing that, do remember that PSUs are now expected to routinely deal with overclocks (CPU and GPU), and even this little extra voltage can make all the difference. Styling-wise, it's plain black throughout, with a little gold and white used on the labelling. I like this (you may find this hard to believe in a moment), but some wouldn't be able to live with that. All in all, I heartily recommend the Corsair AX series PSUs, and may well get a "lower order" unit from the Corsair range to replace the PSU in my Linux server, which has been flakey of late.
Now, the other news I have (for those that don't follow me on Twitter): I have my new gaming rig up and running at stock clocks on air cooling! Pics below are from just now, while I'm installing X-Plane (long old install if you've not done it yourself). Observant readers will spot that the case is not the one mentioned previously in this thread: it's an Antec Lanboy Air, and it's got much more free space inside, which I'm definitely going to need for the WC loops that I've yet to build. Mini-review following the pictures.
(Mini-review of the case: a great case to work with, comes apart to the bare yellow rails if needed. Comes with five 120mm fans (always on blue LED throughout), all of which either have a high/low switch or rotary controller for speed, and Antec say you can fit 15 fans total, which I'm prepared to believe. There's separate caddies for the motherboard and PSU, with lots of room behind the motherboard caddy for hiding cables. Personally, I don't like the shade of yellow too much (it's also available in blue in the UK, and I've seen reports of red and green outside the UK), but since it's just painted steel and screwed together, I could always get is stripped and repainted. Wasn't cheap at 125GBP, but it's a performance case, and in that arena it's toward the lower end at the top of the pile. Overall, I like it.)