I am a little behind...

FroGGer · Posted: Wed Dec 06, 2006 11:43 am Post subject:

you guys are talking about the 580i nVidia chipset. In my research I've read that the Intel D975XBX2 Motherboard is very good and a good overclocker. Which chipset would you suggest? I found an ASUS board with the Nvidia 680i chipset? it's the ASUS 680i SLI Striker Extreme Motherboard. I've just started getting into this. I'm looking for expandability and several PCI-E because that's what the new sound and video cards use, correct?

but no one answered my question regarding HDD. I have 2 36 GB raptors and am plannign to keep them. Is there anything way faster than these that have come out? I don't think so...
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fussnfeathers · Lord of the Tweak Joined: 14 Dec 2004 Posts: 2763

Not sure on the mobo, but Asus has had some problems lately........

Most add-on cards are still regular PCI, the only PCIe cards that I'm aware of are serial port/parallel port, USB, and FireWire cards. Soundcards, network cards, IDE/SATA cards.....they're all still regular PCI.

And no, there's nothing faster than your Raptors yet, just bigger. 150gb Raptor X drives.

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sickofsoyo · Posted: Wed Dec 06, 2006 7:45 pm Post subject:

Someone else has a 680i board... eVGA I think has one thats a bit cheaper and is descent as well. Look into that, an 8800 (will run 2 monitors no problem) and an Intel E6600 (good for overclocking).

I dont think the intel board come with many voltage options for overclocking, but I think there is a mod you can do to unlock them (maybe its the first Bad Axe Im thinking about?)
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P4 3.2ghz
lanparty pro875b
Enermax Liberty 500 Watt Modular PSU
Sony 52X CD-RW
Samsung 120gig SATA hdd
Maxtor 100gig SATA hdd
Powmax Demon case
ATI X800 XL AIW, 525 Core, 525 mem
Creative X-Fi Platinum
PDP systems Patriot Ram 2,3,2,5 timings

FroGGer · Posted: Sun Dec 17, 2006 7:11 pm Post subject:

Ok, so I've narrowed my list down to some mobo's. Right now I'm leaning toward a Nvidia video card, but I hear the new ATI chip due out in January will also be very good and compete with the 8800.

Here's what I've narrowed the list to:

-eVGA nForce 680i SLI
-ASUS 680i Striker Extreme Motherboard
-ASUS P5W DH Mobo

Am I missing anything?

I am also looking for good case. I don't think water cooling is worth it, is it?
I found a nice thermaltake case with watercooling kit built into it, might be overkill though?
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ABIT IC7 MAX 3, Corsair PC4000 Pro, P4 2.6C @3.23 GHz 1:1, 2.5-4-4-7, 2 WD Raptors in RAID 0

fussnfeathers · Lord of the Tweak Joined: 14 Dec 2004 Posts: 2763

Overkill??? HERESY!!!

Which Thermaltake case are you looking at?
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FroGGer · Posted: Mon Dec 18, 2006 8:59 am Post subject:

the thermaltake armor. I know it's too much though. the price and the water cooling. I'm looking for something sturdy.
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ABIT IC7 MAX 3, Corsair PC4000 Pro, P4 2.6C @3.23 GHz 1:1, 2.5-4-4-7, 2 WD Raptors in RAID 0

ToggleHead · TWEAKGURU Joined: 03 Mar 2004 Posts: 4360 Location: Jersey

wonderful case.
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fussnfeathers · Lord of the Tweak Joined: 14 Dec 2004 Posts: 2763

I'll agree there. If you don't want water cooling, just get the regular Armor, you'll be very, very happy with it.
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sickofsoyo · Posted: Mon Dec 18, 2006 2:30 pm Post subject:

Just got the armor, it is really nice. I have the model with the 25 cm fan, quiet and cool

_________________
P4 3.2ghz
lanparty pro875b
Enermax Liberty 500 Watt Modular PSU
Sony 52X CD-RW
Samsung 120gig SATA hdd
Maxtor 100gig SATA hdd
Powmax Demon case
ATI X800 XL AIW, 525 Core, 525 mem
Creative X-Fi Platinum
PDP systems Patriot Ram 2,3,2,5 timings

FroGGer · Posted: Wed Dec 20, 2006 10:41 am Post subject:

I know I asked this question already, but what cases do you guys suggest?

thanks
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ABIT IC7 MAX 3, Corsair PC4000 Pro, P4 2.6C @3.23 GHz 1:1, 2.5-4-4-7, 2 WD Raptors in RAID 0

FroGGer · Posted: Wed Dec 20, 2006 10:41 am Post subject:

The armor has built in water cooling and I'm not sure if it's really needed for a E6600
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fussnfeathers · Lord of the Tweak Joined: 14 Dec 2004 Posts: 2763

Frogger, there's two different Armor cases. The Armor LCS has the liquid cooling system, the regular Armor does not. There's also the Kandalf (which Mojo owns) and the Kandalf LCS (which I own).

Sure, you don't need the liquid cooling, but who really does, unless you plan on heavily overclocking. If it were me, I would spend the extra bucks for the LCS version of the Armor, just to have the option. The case is also much quieter, since you're eliminating one of the noisier fans in the case, your HSF.

I can't really comment on the Armor LCS's cooling system, as it uses a different radiator than my Kandalf (the Armor has a 240mm radiator, the Kandalf has a 360mm), but the pump and waterblock are the same, so it should be a good performer.

Honestly, if you want a killer full tower, I would go with the Armor or Kandalf. I absolutely love mine.
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FroGGer · Posted: Wed Dec 20, 2006 11:38 am Post subject:

Is there a lot of maintance involved with a LCS case?
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fussnfeathers · Lord of the Tweak Joined: 14 Dec 2004 Posts: 2763

No more than any other liquid cooling setup.
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FroGGer · Posted: Tue Dec 26, 2006 2:01 pm Post subject:

Is is possible for me to buy this case (cheaper one) and buy liquid cooling accessories later. Is this case outfitted like the LCS except without the water cooling equipment?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811133020
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ABIT IC7 MAX 3, Corsair PC4000 Pro, P4 2.6C @3.23 GHz 1:1, 2.5-4-4-7, 2 WD Raptors in RAID 0

sickofsoyo · Posted: Tue Dec 26, 2006 4:02 pm Post subject:

yup, mine has holes in the back of the case you can punch out to put in pipes to the radiator and back in
_________________
P4 3.2ghz
lanparty pro875b
Enermax Liberty 500 Watt Modular PSU
Sony 52X CD-RW
Samsung 120gig SATA hdd
Maxtor 100gig SATA hdd
Powmax Demon case
ATI X800 XL AIW, 525 Core, 525 mem
Creative X-Fi Platinum
PDP systems Patriot Ram 2,3,2,5 timings