The Official PC building thread - 4th Edition

Typically speaking, when used for parallel processing work like that, the SLI technology isn't really used, so you don't have to suffer the limitations of it so much. SLI really comes into play with games.

 

Hi Guys, I hit a problem with my build, I bought a Coolermaster V8 heatsink approximately 3 years ago when they were first released. I was hoping the heatsink would fit on the new Gigabyte GA-Z68XP-UD4 Motherboard however I found that none of the retention brackets that came with the v8 actually fit this board. Coolermaster actually sell retention bracket sets for the 1155, will they fit on my 3 year old V8 heatsink though?. If not can you guys recommend a new heasink?

 

Ask them. You will likely have to pay for the bracket to be shipped out to you.
Otherwise, I'd recommend something from Thermalright, Prolimatech or Noctua.

 

The Cooler Master V8 is a pretty beefy cooler though so it might be worth your time to get the brackets.


Hmmm just just a rather expensive HEPA Dual Air Purifier for my room. Smell the ionized goodness Sleeping much better.

 

You're right Sam I'm used it both ways and it really doesn't seem to make a big difference or any noticeable difference and I'm using a Gigabyte board just like Russ's.

 

I'm using a rather similar board and the differences are not readily apparent but they are there. Everything is just a bit faster, snappier, and more responsive with AHCI. It's a shame you forgot to turn it on as I have gone back and restarted formats just to have that feature working. I doubt it hurts much in the long run but it does enable a few token technologies.


RUSS, I was was wondering if you could tell me was SB Spread Spectrum was? You seem to have a firm grasp of these boards. Mine is a 790X Chipset with an SB850 Southbridge.

 

Estuansis,

This function is used for meeting the specifications when complying with the CE acceptance test. Enabling it leads to a noticeable deterioration in performance. That's why it should always be disabled! This is only used for Central Europe, hence the CE part. It's the stylized CE you see on Motherboards. It has to pass the test to earn the CE. Sort of like UL in the US, only a bit more complex

Best Regards,
Russ

 

Interesting! Tomshardware has a rather old article on it I had to find through forums.

In other words, it's for very sensitive work no?

 

Estuansis,

No! LOL!! See above!

Russ

 

Oh didn't see your edit! I see, very interesting! It's off by default for me so I never gave it much thought.

 

Estuansis,

It's funny, I just googled it yesterday to find out what it was. I was always told to leave it disabled, but no one knew why. Great minds think alike, I guess!

Russ

 

Here's something new I just discovered. I just flashed the motherboard bios to F9, in my Gigabyte 990XA-UD3. As you scroll down through the voltages, the CPU voltage is now set to 1.30v, instead of 1.40v, when you select Normal!



I have been wondering where the 1.40v came from to begin with, since the CPU box indicates it should be much lower than 1.40v The big surprise is that it runs so much cooler.

Russ

 

I had that with a P35 board actually, the automatically selected voltage chosen changed when I updated the BIOS.

 

Sam,

What get's me is that Normal has always been 1.40v, and now it's 1.30v. I've always had to lower the voltage, as it was too high, set to normal. It's never run with it set this low before though. I ran IBT, Maximum stress, 10 passes, and it got to 53C max. It never hit 40C encoding a DVD. Same settings as before, 3.6GHz, with the HT set to 5200.

Russ

 

That's very impressive russ. You certainly have me beat. Plus you have 6 cores to my 4. I'm itching for one of those badboys! Maybe I'll break down and sell some stuff, so I can afford one. Not sure when I'll get another job. They're supposed to let me know.

 

Oman7,

All I can say is as good a board as the 790X-UD4H was, the socket AM3+ 990XA-UD3 is a good 15% faster, with the 1090T at bone stock settings. I took my time with this build, did a lot of research, asked questions, and then shopped sales for all the pieces. Every component improved the build because I bought as close to the top as I could reasonably afford. If I needed something I couldn't afford at the time, I waited, saved my money and spent my time looking for a sale! This thing is a beast! It would satisfy over 90% of computer builders, but never satisfy the hard core gamers. I'm not disappointed in what it can't do, I'm impressed as Hell, with what it does! It's the best computer I've ever built for myself!

Best Regards,
Russ

 

What would be he minimum wattage PSU for these specs:

Intel Core i5 2500K 3.3GHz Socket 1155
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?mai...oducts_id=16531

Gigabyte GA-Z68XP-UD4
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?mai...oducts_id=18071

GeForce gtx295
8gig RAM
Fan Controller
LED Feet
2 Cold Cathode Lights

 

550w minimum, preferaby 600+

 

Thanks Sam, that includes all the lights I have going on yeah?

 

Lighting makes a fairly negligible difference to the load, even CCFLs don't add much.