i7 920 PC. Should I upgrade?

[nicksan]

Originally Posted by tim

Good idea getting stuff that you can reuse on a new build. Are you getting an SSD or two?

Yeah, I'm getting a 120GB for the System and Apps, and a 240GB one for the photo stuff. I am not expecting a miracle when it comes to actually editing photos b/c as I mentioned before, everything in PS CS5 happens in RAM since I have enough allocated to it. But I wouldn't mind faster boot time and just Win 7 generally feeling faster.

Overclocking the CPU seems to have made things quicker. Not by a whole lot, but it definitely feels quicker.

Going to get the case from a local shop probably tomorrow. The Noctua I'll have to order from Newegg. Because these new cases have access to where the backplate installs on the Mobo, replacing the cooler when I get it won't be a problem. It's HUGE! When I see photos of the cooler, I laugh...b/c it's so ridiculously huge!

I guess the only issue is if socket 2011 is going to be the standard in the near future, then the Noctua NH-D14 will pretty much die with this rig. But I might keep the rig around for other purposes, so that's OK.

[tim]

Actually that's a good point, it's probably not worth spending big bucks on the Noctuna if it won't fit a future socket. The CoolerMaster 212 plus is a very effective cooler that's really cheap too.

[nicksan]

Originally Posted by tim

Actually that's a good point, it's probably not worth spending big bucks on the Noctuna if it won't fit a future socket. The CoolerMaster 212 plus is a very effective cooler that's really cheap too.

Well, I am hoping that an overclocked i7-920 will be good for another handful of years. If that's the case, then spending $89 is really no big, especially compared to spending much more for an Ivy Bridge rig. I mean, I already spent $60 on the smaller Noctua, so what's another $30? Plus, it is the BEST air cooling solution out there afterall.

[nicksan]

Well, I got the Corsair Obsidian 550D case today and swapped everything out from the old case to this one. Very different including the fact that the PSU goes to the bottom. Plenty of space up top and good cable management system, though I could do a better job at that!

Here's the "classic" case I had before. The Antec SX1080...I think...it's so old, I can't even remember. Shoulda taken a photo of the innards before gutting. Oh well.



Here's the new case. Definitely neater than before. Not really crazy about the cable that carries extra current from the PSU to the Mobo running across like that, but it's not long enough to be routed behind the plate. Maybe I can buy an extension for that part.



BTW, CPU temps went down about 2C. Wasn't expecting too much. I suspect the biggest jump will come from the Noctua NH-D14. The good thing is, it'll be easy to replace the stock with the Noctua b/c I won't have to remove the Mobo because the new case provides me access to the back plate area.

Oh yeah, and overclocked at 3.8Ghz, which is where I am at right now, it takes Prime95 about a minute to push the temps to 90C. Not good.

[tim]

Access to the back of the MB would be handy. My CoolerMaster silencio doesn't do that, I don't think. Overall I don't rate my case, and it's a bit too small to take a standard cooler because of the foam padding, cable management isn't great (looks like a spiders web).

If you have the case on carpet put something under the feet to make it easy to draw in cool air. I just put a piece of cardboard under mine.

[nicksan]

Originally Posted by tim

Access to the back of the MB would be handy. My CoolerMaster silencio doesn't do that, I don't think. Overall I don't rate my case, and it's a bit too small to take a standard cooler because of the foam padding, cable management isn't great (looks like a spiders web).

If you have the case on carpet put something under the feet to make it easy to draw in cool air. I just put a piece of cardboard under mine.

Yeah, it's really nice being able to route the cable into the back of the unit. Keeps it nice and tide. I'm going to try to clean it up better once I get the SSD drives in there.

I have the PC under the desk, on hardwood flooring, so no issues there. Now that I've cleared out the space better, I'm getting about 3-4 degrees lower on the CPU readings.

[nicksan]

Good god! I have the Noctua NH-D14 sitting inside the box at the office and that thing is humongous!@#$

Yeah...it's a good thing I replaced the case!

I'll post some photos later. It's so big it's comical.

[tim]

Yeah they are pretty big.

[nicksan]

Originally Posted by tim

Yeah they are pretty big.

Pretty big, Tim? Now that's an understatement!!!

[nicksan]

Ah crap. The NH-D14 version I got was for socket 2011! Doh!
So now I've got 2 Notcua coolers I can't use. Time to RMA them both.

Already ordered the correct one. In the meantime my editing PC is down since the Intel cooler is in the garbage because I couldn't re-install it and I ran out of patience.

Good thing I got this spiffy Core2Duo laptop with the new SSD. This thing is chugging along nicely.

Need to pay attention when I hit the "Add To Cart" button!!!

[tim]

Post a link to the cooler you ordered, and what CPU you have, I'll check you don't strike out a third time!

[nicksan]

Tim, yeah, I made a mistake of buying the "special edition" of that cooler made for socket 2011 CPUs. I made sure I hit the regular one.

Newegg restocking fee is like $13. Add to that return shipping and I just pissed away $20. Live and learn I guess.

Here's the correct one!

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835608018

I bought this one by mistake:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835608024

[DarK_MischieF]

That's a bummer! Glad to see you're being positive about it though.

[nicksan]

OK, so I went a little crazy and bought 2 more Sandisk extreme 240GB drives. They are on sale at Newegg for $180 so I couldn't resist. Going to return the one I bought from Amazon for $229.

[tim]

I have this one, it's more compact but still very solid.