i7 3k budget first pc build

[Gilles]

For video card, I'd suggest this: Newegg.com - DIAMOND 4870X2PE52GXOC Radeon HD 4870 X2 2GB 512-bit (256-bit x 2) GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards

 

[philbar71]

^ why would do that when 2 GTX285's wipe the floor with it. and he can afford a GTX295. the 295 is faster than a 4870x2

 

[zmatt]

2 4870x2's are about the same as two gtx 295s. Roughly speaking. The Radeon is stronger in some areas and the Geforce is stronger in others. It comes down to preference and pricing.

That diamond is not representative of the other 4870x2s.
Newegg.com - SAPPHIRE 100251SR Radeon HD 4870 X2 2GB 512-bit (256-bit x 2) GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards

It is way over priced. About $100 too much

 

[philbar71]

acctualy if i remeber correctly 2 GTX295's beat quadfire'd 4870x2's

GeForce GTX 295 Quad SLI gaming test

nvidia is still stupid with extreme amounts of AA at extremely high res, but the quad sli still beat quad fire.

 

[zmatt]

GTX 295 VS 4870X2 Single Card and Dual Card - XtremeSystems Forums


depending on which version of 3dmark he ran he got one or the other winning.

 

[Dr.Pain]

is there a led, Flow/temp, control and meter. for a water cooling system ?

like for 2 x 5.25" bays

im going to custom make a external water cooling system for this rig from this case
Newegg.com - APEX TX- 381 Black Steel MicroATX Mid Tower Computer Case ATX12V 300W Power Supply - Computer Cases

no im not going to keep it the same size. it will be cut down to 10'' high and the insides striped

ThermoChill PA120.3 3x120mm High Performance Radiator x2

im going to stack them on the right side of the case witch should bring them up to about 9.8'' tall

XSPC Laing DDC Top

XSPC Acrylic Reservoir for Laing DDC

anything you would change ?

 

[aspire]

That is an appalling case.

Buy a cheap Lian Li case instead and cut that down. Will look loads more sleek and sexy.

My roommate used to have that case and it was a nightmare to work in.

Instead of the Thermochills go for the new XSPC rads.

Petra's Tech Shop

There aren't really any cheap or practical solutions for monitoring flow rate like that.

There are a few hardware controllers, but expect to drop upwards of $150 on em.

 

[saltynay]

This is the predecessor to the case I am going to put watercooling into;
Newegg.com - LIAN LI PC-A70A Silver Aluminum ATX Full Tower Computer Case - Computer Cases

cut it like so

This will mount one 3x120mm radiator internally. Then for the second hang it off the back using the ports provided in the case and a similar mounting method to this;

 

[zmatt]

Those are really clean cuts salty. Nice job.

 

[saltynay]

That isn't mine haven't modded it yet found that was on some random forum a couple of months ago when I was researching how to watercool.