Spec Check

[Phage]

Hi All,

I have a few parts already but I need your advice on an i7 build, particularly the cooler. The machine will have to last at least 3 years, and therefore will need an upgrade path and longevity/warranty. I have had some great advice individually and now want to see if it will all work together.

i7 920 - I may try a light Oc on this.
Gigabyte GA-EX58-UD5
6GB (3x2GB) Corsair XMS3 DDR3, PC3-12800 (1600MHz)
Saphire 4890 Vapor-X (not stocked by Scan !)
Cpu Cooler - ??
Optical Drive - Pioneer DVR-217FBK
Hitachi 1Tb - already purchased
Antec 300 - already purchased
Antec True Power 750W - already purchased.

Thanks.

[nightkhaos]

Looks good. Not sure about the cooler through, how much of an OC were you intending?

[Phage]

3.4 - 3.8 looks like a reasonable target for a beginner like myself.

[nightkhaos]

3.4 - 3.8 looks like a reasonable target for a beginner like myself.

Pah... if that's a beginner overclock it must be getting way to easy. Have you considered a TRUE? Bare in mind a TRUE is quite tall, about 16cm, so you need to make sure you case can take it. With a single fan like a Noctua P12 you should be able to get 3.6 easy, with 2 in a push/pull arrangement you should be able to get 3.8. Note when I say these speeds I mean STABLE. You can push a CPU to 4.0 on a stock cooler, but that doesn't mean it will be stable under load.

If you get a TRUE don't forget some Fan Clips and a Bolt Through Kit.

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

Hi All,

I have a few parts already but I need your advice on an i7 build, particularly the cooler. The machine will have to last at least 3 years, and therefore will need an upgrade path and longevity/warranty. I have had some great advice individually and now want to see if it will all work together.

i7 920 - I may try a light Oc on this.
Gigabyte GA-EX58-UD5
6GB (3x2GB) Corsair XMS3 DDR3, PC3-12800 (1600MHz)
Saphire 4890 Vapor-X (not stocked by Scan !)
Cpu Cooler - ??
Optical Drive - Pioneer DVR-217FBK
Hitachi 1Tb - already purchased
Antec 300 - already purchased
Antec True Power 750W - already purchased.

Thanks.

The Core i7 does not have a great upgrade path(if you need to upgrade that is) as socket 1366 is being restricted to higher up processors. Socket 1156 processors(Core i5)will replace the lower end Core i7 processors and higher end Core2 processors.

[nightkhaos]

The Core i7 does not have a great upgrade path(if you need to upgrade that is) as socket 1366 is being restricted to higher up processors and socket 1156 processors(Core i5)will replace the lower end Core i7 processors and higher end Core2 processors too.

Lower End Processors? What is this you speak of! HERETIC!

[Phage]

Pah... if that's a beginner overclock it must be getting way to easy. Have you considered a TRUE? Bare in mind a TRUE is quite tall, about 16cm, so you need to make sure you case can take it. With a single fan like a Noctua P12 you should be able to get 3.6 easy, with 2 in a push/pull arrangement you should be able to get 3.8. Note when I say these speeds I mean STABLE. You can push a CPU to 4.0 on a stock cooler, but that doesn't mean it will be stable under load.

If you get a TRUE don't forget some Fan Clips and a Bolt Through Kit.

Too much ? Damn.

Not sure that 15cm is going to fit in the 300. But I'd have to get a ruler to check.
What's your advice on a more reasonable target, on a less imposing cooler ?

[nightkhaos]

Too much ? Damn.

Not sure that 15cm is going to fit in the 300. But I'd have to get a ruler to check.
What's your advice on a more reasonable target, on a less imposing cooler ?

No. I think you'll be fine with a TRUE and that much OC. As I said... check, google, work out if it will fit, if it won't we'll need to consider other options.

[Phage]

The Core i7 does not have a great upgrade path(if you need to upgrade that is) as socket 1366 is being restricted to higher up processors. Socket 1156 processors(Core i5)will replace the lower end Core i7 processors and higher end Core2 processors.

If I can Oc the i7, I doubt that I'll need to replace the CPU for the next 3 years. I was thinking more on the GPU and having sapre slots / power for additional drives, cards etc.

[Phage]

No. I think you'll be fine with a TRUE and that much OC. As I said... check, google, work out if it will fit, if it won't we'll need to consider other options.

Thanks for the help. I'll get the ruler and fire up Google on the weekend and see what fits.
Much appreciated.

[Hawker1986]

TRUE should fit in a 300 mate , just make sure you get a D0 revision i7 chip.

Hawker