Lowyat.NET: Latest topics by CHiNO730

Watercooled Silverstone FT02, 3-way SLI, Core i7

CHiNO730 — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 12:34:24 +0800

Gentlemen (and maybe some ladies?),

Here's my current build. I will do my best to post a work log, this is my first one.

It's so fresh that all the parts aren't even yet. Still waiting on the processor, blocks, add'l GC's, PSU etc etc.

So here's some history:

My previous build was completed sometime in 2008 and was designed to handle First Person Shooter type games which is my preferred genre. It took me a while to search and source for all the parts (Penang doesn't have all the cool shops you find in KL) and bought parts from PC Fairs, local retailers, and even stopped by KL to pick up some stuff. It worked well and handled Crysis decently on my tiny, lower resolution Samsung monitor.

Unfortunately, while shipping it to my office in the states, it was "misplaced." Actually it was stolen - it never made it onto the container vessel, so I was unable to claim insurance. I did not ever finish modding the previous workstation. It was an overclocked E8500 C2D with 9800GT's in SLI, in a reasonably priced Coolermaster Centurion 5 case. It also had pretty blue LED's. =) I have several posts in previous threads so if you want to see it you can probably search.

Anyways, here the current plans for the build:

Motherboard: EVGA E760 CLASSIFIED "Overclocker's Pick" 3-Way SLI
Memory: CORSAIR DOMINATOR-GT 6GB 240-Pin DDR3 1866 C7 Low Latency (7-8-7-20)
Video Card: 3x EVGA GeForce GTX 275 Superclocked Edition
Video Cooling: 3x EK FC275 GTX PCB Waterblock
Processor: Intel Core i7 920 D0 LGA 1366 Quad-Core Processor
Processor Cooling: Koolance CPU-350AC Waterblock
Radiator: Koolance 120mm x1; Koolance 140mm x 3 radiators
Pump: Koolance PMP-450S w/CNT RP 450 Res Base
Reservoir: Undecided
Audio Card: Asus Xonar D2 7.1 Hi-Fi
Case: SILVERSTONE Fortress Series FT02B-W
HDD: Western Digital 300GB "Velociraptor" 10,000RPM
HDD: 2 x Seagate 1TB "Barracuda" 7200RPM 32MB Cache SATA2 300- RAID 0 Array
ODD: LG 8x Blu-Ray RW
PSU: Corsair HX1000 1000-watt

Monitor: Samsung T260HD 26" (might need to go up to a 30" Apple monitor now)
Keyboard/Mice: Logitech G15, MX518 (any suggestions on replacements?)

Here we are bench testing it - processor hasn't arrived so I'm borrowing another with a stock, older model heatsink (it works okay).

I chose the EVGA 760 board because it was highly rated and supposedly good for OC'ing. Just look how massive the NB heatsink is! Plus warranty is top-notch, even if you OC, or swap out the stock heatsink. I was contemplating blocking the entire mobo chipset, but reviews showed that adding a small fan on the heatsink was enough to get the NB to relatively cool levels. Plus I kinda like how it looks (it has an illuminating logo on it =)

I'm starting with just 3 DIMMS, but will probably buy three more later.

Just a little bit of concern is that the FT02 might actually be too small for the setup. The case hasn't arrived yet so I won't know, but the measurements will be tight. Another thing is that the case is not really designed for an internal rad WC setup. But I really liked the quality and build, and the sexy look. I searched Lian Li, Coolermaster, Zalman, Corsair, Antec, etc., and found that this one was my favorite.

Video cards have dropped in price, and the GTX280 performs nearly as well as the newer NVIDIA single gpu cards, plus they are a bit cheaper. 3-way SLI scales okay in the newer games with updated drivers. The original build was going to have a PC Power & Cooling T12 1200watt PSU, but my supplier ran out. Switching to the Corsair unit saved me about RM 800 with a loss of only 200watts. It should still be enough for this setup - I'll definitely run it over full load and bench test it to see how much power the final setup pulls.

I think the build will take 2-weeks or so waiting for parts, and working on it on my spare time.

UPDATE 3-16-10

Ok based on feedback from our wise and generous forum expertise, I am modifying the setup.

First off, FT02 arrived today and discovered the Koolance RP1000 will not fit in the FT02 with 3-way SLI. So I am going to do a traditional reservoir + pump setup (still single loop =)

Advantage is that I get to upgrade the pump - will go for Koolance's top of the line unit (PMP-450S). Also picked up a good base unit for the res which should help assist in the loop.

Also, considering upgrading to 140mm x 3 + 120mm x 1 based on everyone's feedback that my setup is too weak - will have remove the HDD cage to fit.
With HDD case removed 120mm x 4 will also fit, but 140mm x 3 has better surface area.

I want this to be a clean build, so I'm sleeving everything. Even the stock chassis wiring:

As always, still welcoming feedback. =)

UPDATE 3-17-10

Had to remove the HDD cage to fit the massive rad and pump. I've never seen anyone do this before.

I hope everything works out. Can't wait to mount the blocks and test fit the tubing.

UPDATE 3-24-10

Bad news. Vendor is out of GTX280 and probably won't be getting any more stock because they are old models. So for a similar price I picked up 3x EVGA GTX 275 Superclocked Edition and also had to replace the Danger Den Tieton 280 waterblock with the EK-FC275 GTX PCB.

The performance of the 280 is better than the 275 and is cheaper - so I'm not too happy with the change. I suppose I could have stepped up to the 285 but the cost of the build is already going to be RM 15k.

Here are the latest photos:

UPDATE 4-21-10

WaMu anyone?

CHiNO730 — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 00:54:08 +0800

I went in large on Washington Mutual earlier this year, betting on it's excellent credit rating, extremely high cash deposits (spelling out liquidity to the tune of over 138 Billion USD) and even bigger asset base (over 300 Billion USD).

The shares were trading around 10 USD ea. down from about 40+USD less than a year prior.

Today as their credit and liquidity position rapidly deteriorate, it follows in the wake of giants such as Lehman and Merrill. My positions have erroded from nearly 10USD to a paltry 2.00USD, and wiped away massive amounts of my hard earned money.

So far, the big players have been reluctant to take over the ailing bank, and now the S&L is looking to outright buyout from Private Equity firms.

So today I'm faced with the decision, whether to cut my losses and stand to hold 20% of the investment I added in, or to possibly regain a few hundred basis points after the US Gov't 700B bailout plan is unleashed - or lose it all, assuming WaMu cannot tread in the waters long enough to survive, or the last bidders leave it out to drown. The best case scenario is a takeover with a premium on the market price which would net be some additional pocket money. If I hold what's left, half a decade from now, I could be back with quite a sum - but the question is - which scenario is most likely to play out?

1. Bankruptcy?
2. Takeover at a Premium to market price?
3. Takeover at a Discount to market price?
4. Survival?

What does LYN think? Anyone own shares of this bank?

Where can I get a longer SLI cable?

CHiNO730 — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 00:24:14 +0800

Hello,

Does anybody know where I can find a longer SLI cable as pictured below (apprx 12").

I've checked about 10 stores, and they only carried standard sized ones, or none at all.

I will be running Accelero Twin Turbo's for my SLI setup.

I will greatly appreciate help from anyone that can help me find a store for this cable!

Pressure Wave Supercharging?

CHiNO730 — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 17:43:37 +0800

My old roommate was trying to explain to me this concept, but I didn't quite understand how it works or in what types of automotive engines it applied in.

Basically he was saying that a linear one-dimensional pressure wave that's discharged from the exhaust valve causes a scavenging vacuum, aft of the exhaust pulse front.

This vacuum can be applied to the interchamber pressure helping to siphon in the intake charge on the next cycle of a particular cylinder bank. ( I believe that's what he said ). But since the movement of the piston during the stage is discharging the air, the intake valve would have to be open at the same time, which may create backpressure, thus negating any 'scavenging' effect, right? How can net negative pressure be generated at the intake header when the exhaust pulse is being evacuated from the cylinder (same cycle)?!

Additionally the pressure built up in front of the pulse has a net effect on the collector assembly on the header that somehow reacts with the stages and timing of the exhaust pulses coming out from the other cylinder banks to create a synchronized flow pressure that actually helps to produce more power without any other mechanical assistance (supercharger / turbocharger).

His team designed a header system for a Honda CRX that was tested against a Mugen Header, DC Sports Header, and HKS Header, and blew away every single one in every single spot in the powerband! It was even published in a large autocar magazine ( I can't remember the name).

Anyways, I don't have a good understanding of gas dynamics to know how this exactly works and am hoping LYN can share their experiences in this NA concept.

I've seen countless setups with an odd sized Garret turbocharger handing off of some 2.0liter engine producing nearly 1000hp at the IDRC but seeing a true NA gem was rare.

Anyone care to share their experience in this?

POLL: Stock Cooler Temp vs Modified Cooler (CPU)

CHiNO730 — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 22:42:25 +0800

Why?

I'm curious to know how good the various aftermarket coolers are. There have been countless reviews using a given batch, but the world of LYN will probably have more brands and processor combos than any review can put together.

Now's your time to brag about how good your cooler is. Just be sure to list the details of your cooler and processor so we can compare. If you're using OC'd specs, please indicate so. Screenshots are a plus but we all trust you. =)

Remember: data should be from a processor at full load using a stress tester for at least several minutes.

I'll start first:

Stock Intel Cooler on Intel Core 2 Duo E6420 at stock speed (2.13GHz). Avg., 56-58C at 100% load. Air con room (25C) Generic side vent case.
Zalman CNPS9500 Avg, 45-47C at 100% load.

Delta is ~ 11 deg C. IMO, not really worth the price of this brand cooler.

Overclock on NVidia nForce 750i chipset

CHiNO730 — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 11:11:49 +0800

Couldn't find a single OC thread in the search on this chipset.

It's not the best for overclocking, but I guess that's the trade off for running SLI.

Still, I've cranked it up from 2.13GHz to 3.10GHz, by raising the FSB bus from 1066 to 1550.
My RAM is brought over from my old system, so it's still running at 667MHz - which isn't helping much.

I can't get anything more above that comfortably, even raising Vcore in increments. Increasing 0.05v, raised the temp about 5 deg C but added little additional stability. Wouldn't last more than five minutes on Orthos or OCCT.

I haven't yet touched the North/Southbridge voltage.

I admit that I need to run at least a half day stress test to consider this 'stable' but so far about 2 hours, it was okay and held up to gaming and benchmarking on Crysis.

Will go for a half day to full day stess test on OCCT and see.

Curious to know what other guys are getting on the E6420.

Any thoughts?

SLI Motherboard - Anything cheap and good?

CHiNO730 — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 02:12:36 +0800

Hi guys,

I'm new here, but I thought I'd tap into the collective expertise of forum Lowyat.

Anyways, I've been searching for a reasonably priced (apprx. RM 350) SLI capable mobo.
Asus had the P5N floating around for under RM 200, and Abit had the Fatal1ty version for about RM 350.

So far I haven't been able to find either - and since I'm new to this segment, not sure which one to look for, or where to look.
I've combed through the search to find anything, but I haven't seen this topic come up recently. Are you guys not into SLI setups or what? =)

The only requirements are:

1. stable for overclocking
2. SLI ready
3. RAID support
4. DDR2 800 / 1333 FSB is good enough.

I searched about 10 computer stores in Penang, and only one store (PC Depot) carried an SLI mobo. There's a few more places I can check for sure, but I'm open to suggestions. If I have to order it from KL and courier it down here, I'll do it.

I've seen awesome mobo's at a lot of these places, but for some reason, most are only supporting a single PCI-E connection - which isn't going to do me any good if I plan to run two 9800GT's.

I've got an old E6420 Core 2 Duo that I 'borrowed' from work that I'll use for a few months before stepping up. I'm hoping to get useful life out of it by OC'ing it.

Any help would be appreciated in both recommending one, and helping to find one. I wouldn't mind spending RM 500 if it's really worth paying the extra.

Thanks in advance.