i5 3570k build

[blueem2]

New here. Figured I'd share what I've done over the last few months!

I was running a Core 2 Duo e7500 with a Radeon 4670 for a few years. I decided it was time to build a new rig, I had an Antec 900 that I was housing everything in:



Cable management was important to me, because the Antec 900 was pathetic at it and I didn't really want to modify the case!!! Now, onto the new stuff!:

First came the video card. I went with the GTX 480 because the price was too good to refuse!



Then I decided that the GTX 480 was just much too powerful for a Core 2 Duo, I then upgraded the core cpu:



MSI Z77-G45
I5 3570K (Not a very good overclocker, I've gotten it to 4.5GHz stable)
16 Gigabytes of Kingston HyperX ram.

I still had everything jammed in the Antec 900, and made my 775 cooler work:



The case was too small, and I wanted cable management, so I upgraded to the HAF X:



Then I upgraded to a 1000 watt Cooler Master power supply, from the 750 watt thermaltake toughpower. Mainly because I either plan to SLI the 480, or upgrade to a 670. I'd really like more graphics power. I also got a proper cooler the 212 EVO:



I got the first piece of the water cooling puzzle I plan to complete in February:



I do have a few questions though.

What is a good water cooling setup? I was thinking of getting the XSPC Raystorm RS360 with the MP655 pump from frozencpu.

Is there a cheap, quality fan controller that doesn't look terrible? I've been looking around and I'd like to spend no more than 50 bucks.

I want more graphics power, Should I sell the GTX 480 and upgrade to a 670 or just SLI the 480? (I know this one has been asked a lot)

So, theres my rig!! The build, for now:

HAF X
i5 3570k @ 4.5GHz
MSI z77-g45
16 GBytes of Kingston HyperX
Cooler Master 212 EVO push/pull configuration
Cooler Master 1000 watt power supply
GTX 480

[blueem2]

Dbl Post

[blueem2]

hmmmmm

[blueem2]

Triple Post Fail!!!

[sswilson]

Looks great! Huge difference going from the antec into the Haf. :)

As far as WC kits go, are you in Canada or in the US? If you're in Canada, Dazmode has some pretty decent kits at reasonable prices. The only thing I'd personally suggest is that you go with a 5 1/4 bay Res/pump combo as it makes the installation sooooooo much easier, and comes out with a really clean looking build.

[blueem2]

^ Good idea. Now if only I could figure out why when I edited my post it got deleted... hmmm

Thanks, I'm going to look into Dazmode. I'm in Canada :)

[dandelioneater]

Originally Posted by blueem2

I'd like to have more graphics power. Should I SLI the 480, or sell it and get a 670?
I want to get a decent fan controller, any suggestions ?
Is the XSPC Raystorm rs360 a decent watercooling setup with the MP655 pump? Will it cool my CPU and 480 or would I need 2 rads?

I would definitely try and sell the 480 and move up to a 670 or even a 680. Two 480's are probably more or less equal to a 670 (480 SLI beats a 580) but the single newer card will run cooler and consume much less power.

To cool a CPU and 1 video card, you need at least a 120mm radiator for each component. A triple rad would be ideal.

[sswilson]

Originally Posted by blueem2

^ Good idea. Now if only I could figure out why when I edited my post it got deleted... hmmm

Thanks, I'm going to look into Dazmode. I'm in Canada :)

There's an ongoing issue WRT the system thats in use that places posts by new(er) posters into moderation when a link is involved. Once posts are aproved they appear normally, but if the OP then attempts to edit the post, I believe the system reacts as if funny stuff is going on (it's primarily designed as an anti-spam feature that lets admin see posts before they go live). It's something the folks in the back rooms are looking into.

[3.0charlie]

I'm really surprised by the 660 Ti performance. What's your monitor resolution?

[blueem2]

My monitor res is 1920X1080. :) I just bought this 480 without doing much research. If I had done it... I probably would have gone with the 670 right away. Now that I have it though, I'm not sure if I want to go through the hassle of selling.. etc. That being said, the 480 GTX actually runs cool when you undervolt it (no performance loss). Mine at 100% runs at about 66 degrees celcius, also the power consumption drops dramatically. That card gets lots of negative rep by those who don't care to tweak the voltage. They are cheap right now too. 170+tax+shipping. I'm just worried that SLI performance will be poor (screen tearing, etc). However, with the reference cooler it is loud... no matter what.

I kind of regret buying it but now that I have it... I need to decide.