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  1. #1
    SeaGOAT midnightpulp's Avatar
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    First of all, thanks to Cry Havoc for your help. My first build in about 13 years went super smooth, which I know it wouldn't have without your input and advice.

    Now on to the goods.

    I essentially copied Havoc's setup aside from a few components.

    CPU:



    Case:



    Awesome case. Three fans, loads of bays, and plenty of real estate, even for the monster video card I bought.

    Video Card:



    http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...370&CatId=3669

    Was originally going to go with a Radeon 6850 2GB, like CH, but Asus's pitch of how this card runs 20% cooler due to its massive triple slot design and promises of easy overclocking with their Smart Doctor software sold me. I have to say, I'm not disappointed.

    Using the very simple and straightforward Smart Doctor software, I bumped up the speed of the processor from 742mhz to 930mhz. Then I put the card under load with Unigine's Heaven 2.1 benchmark, and it remained cool at around 50-54 degrees Celsius.

    Motherboard:



    http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...755&CatId=6978

    Made sure to get a board that is both Crossfire and SLI ready. This board also features a very user friendly bios that makes configuring your system and overclocking a breeze.

    PSU:



    http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...663&CatId=2533

    Again, made sure to get a component that would support a future Crossfire or SLI upgrade with no problems.

    RAM:



    http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...415&CatId=4534

    Okay, guys, gonna need your help here. This RAM is timed at 9-9-9-24 with a voltage of 1.65 and runs at 1333mhz. Currently, it's running at 1066 with timings of 7-7-7-20, which I understand the bios loads automatically because it's considered a safe default setup. I loaded the memory's XML profile, which changed the values of speed and voltage from 1066 to 1333mhz and 1.4 to 1.648, respectively. I figured it changed the timings as well. I restarted, and after a minute of bone chilling fear when the computer shut on and off rapidly, failing to boot up, I got a failed overclock message.

    What I suspect happened is the XML didn't load the proper timings and only increased the the speed and voltage. Where I'm confused is that there are additional timings after the typical CL, tRCD, tRP, and tRAS, and I'm not sure what to do with those. Note that I haven't tried to manually change the CL, tRCD, tRP, and tRAS for fear that I might screw something up.

    The other components are pretty basic. 500gb 7200rpm Sata-3 HD (I went relatively small, because it would take me a year to fill up a drive this size. No point for me to spend an addition 20.00 on 1tb drive when they'll likely be that price by the time I need). Run of the mill Sony DVD drive. Windows 7. No external sound card.

    Total, with me ponying up 88.00 for overnight, was 1333 and change. I also have 55.00 in rebates to claim.

    Final build:

    Last edited by midnightpulp; 04-29-2011 at 08:32 AM.

  2. #2
    Spur-taaaa TDMVPDPOY's Avatar
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    do a 3d benchmark performance yo...

    that mobo u got, the sli/xfire slots...are they 2x 16x or 2x 8x when with 2 cards?

  3. #3
    hope and change
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    oh my god, why are people still building these monstrosities?

    anything larger than micro atx = fail

    mini-itx FTW

  4. #4
    Pain Strength Happiness ManuBalboa's Avatar
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    My first and only build was in a Custom Lian Li PC-G70 case. Full Tower was ridiculous after awhile but so nice when putting everything together.

  5. #5
    SeaGOAT midnightpulp's Avatar
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    oh my god, why are people still building these monstrosities?

    anything larger than micro atx = fail

    mini-itx FTW
    Um, how am I supposed to install 2 video cards using boards that small? And most of those boards have only two DIMM slots.

    Not enough slots for what you need when upgrading = fail.

  6. #6
    I cannot grok its fullnes leemajors's Avatar
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    oh my god, why are people still building these monstrosities?

    anything larger than micro atx = fail

    mini-itx FTW
    If you have small, girlish hands, sure.

  7. #7
    No darkness Cry Havoc's Avatar
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    oh my god, why are people still building these monstrosities?

    anything larger than micro atx = fail

    mini-itx FTW
    Sure, if you don't want to expand your system and you absolutely abhor keeping the case cool. I mean, why the do you need a small desktop anyway? Do you carry it with you to bed and plug it in like a laptop? I put my desktop under my computer desk and leave it there. It doesn't move. The computer desk has enough room for it, so what, exactly, is wrong with a larger case?

  8. #8
    Veteran Wild Cobra's Avatar
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    Did you say two video cards?

    I'm far from an expert here but I'll bet you need a two rail power supply for the 12 volts, and video cards that take the 12 volts direct via cable.

    That's a lot of power to ask the motherboard to handle.

    Just how much 12 volt power does each card require? The PS only handles 64 Amps, but that's more than it's 750 watt potential.

  9. #9
    e^(i*pi) + 1 = 0 MannyIsGod's Avatar
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    I won't knock you because I know how I am but fuuuuuuck 88 for overnight. I think at that point I might actually just wait a few days. I usually do pay more for overnight though.

  10. #10
    Spur-taaaa TDMVPDPOY's Avatar
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    Did you say two video cards?

    I'm far from an expert here but I'll bet you need a two rail power supply for the 12 volts, and video cards that take the 12 volts direct via cable.

    That's a lot of power to ask the motherboard to handle.

    Just how much 12 volt power does each card require? The PS only handles 64 Amps, but that's more than it's 750 watt potential.
    a +750watt psu could handle 2 cards + other crap you got inside

  11. #11
    Texas Dragon TwAnKiEs's Avatar
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    Nice build. If you game online I use the handle TXloveTounge69

    JK!! ... maybe......

  12. #12
    Veteran Wild Cobra's Avatar
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    a +750watt psu could handle 2 cards + other crap you got inside
    I'm not completely sold there. Some graphics cards require a real health amount of power. I didn't see the power requirements of those ones, but if they require 350 watts each, that's at least borderline. Then there are the circuit board traces. That is a single rail power supply and I didn't see anything in the specs about a pair of separate video board power cables.

    Now I didn't do a search beyond the links information, but I would be concerned at the 12V power requirements of the card, and how much power two slots can furnish.
    Last edited by Wild Cobra; 04-30-2011 at 05:15 PM.

  13. #13
    Veteran Wild Cobra's Avatar
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    Took me some searching, but the recommended power supply is 550 watts for one video card. I'll bet you need at least 900 watts for two.
    Last edited by Wild Cobra; 04-30-2011 at 05:20 PM.

  14. #14
    SeaGOAT midnightpulp's Avatar
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    Took me some searching, but the recommended power supply is 550 watts for one video card. I'll bet you need at least 900 watts for two.
    Good point. But the description did state the power supply I purchased was SLI and Crossfire certified, which involves putting the PSU through a series of rigorous tests while running two video cards.

    Could be marketing mumbo jumbo, though.

  15. #15
    SeaGOAT midnightpulp's Avatar
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    I won't knock you because I know how I am but fuuuuuuck 88 for overnight. I think at that point I might actually just wait a few days. I usually do pay more for overnight though.
    Figured that since I spent 1250.00 and UPS ground was 20.00, might as well s out the extra 70.00 to get it here ASAP so the components don't bump around in transit for a week.

  16. #16
    I cannot grok its fullnes leemajors's Avatar
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    Took me some searching, but the recommended power supply is 550 watts for one video card. I'll bet you need at least 900 watts for two.
    It's weird, you can run three with 1200

  17. #17
    Veteran Wild Cobra's Avatar
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    It's weird, you can run three with 1200
    ???

    If we assume the card requires 400 watts, then it leaves 150 for the system. To leave that 150 watts with two cards would require a 850 watt supply and a 1250 watt with three.

    I don't know what the 550 watt criteria is based on though.

  18. #18
    I cannot grok its fullnes leemajors's Avatar
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    ???

    If we assume the card requires 400 watts, then it leaves 150 for the system. To leave that 150 watts with two cards would require a 850 watt supply and a 1250 watt with three.

    I don't know what the 550 watt criteria is based on though.
    NVidia has a Recommended SLI PSU site, several 1200s are recommended for triple SLI systems.

  19. #19
    Spur-taaaa TDMVPDPOY's Avatar
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    you gotto remember when the psu says whatever watts you bought it at, it doesnt run at 100% capacity what it listed, expect only to see 80-90% over the long run

  20. #20
    🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆 ElNono's Avatar
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    That cards uses 330W @ peak according to tests online... A SLI setup uses about 420W @ peak

  21. #21
    Ina world of hype, we win IronMexican's Avatar
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    ricer case

  22. #22
    Independent DMX7's Avatar
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    Took me some searching, but the recommended power supply is 550 watts for one video card. I'll bet you need at least 900 watts for two.
    His power supply has the NVIDIA SLI & ATi Crossfire seal on it, so it's literally built for dual video cards.

  23. #23
    LMAO koriwhat's Avatar
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    oh my god, why are people still building these monstrosities?

    anything larger than micro atx = fail

    mini-itx FTW
    watch out, people love their dump truck cases.

  24. #24
    No darkness Cry Havoc's Avatar
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    What's the matter, kw? You still not tired of the entire forum laughing at your stupidity? Or did you think everyone forgot about it just because Luva was outed as a Naruto fan?

  25. #25
    LMAO koriwhat's Avatar
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    What's the matter, kw? You still not tired of the entire forum laughing at your stupidity? Or did you think everyone forgot about it just because Luva was outed as a Naruto fan?
    wtf are you talking about? btw, where's your little at to back you up?

    hands down, i'd still kick your ass... stop puffing that chest like you're something little in' nerd got.

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