[Case Gallery] 4.8 Ghz Tri SLI Update

[HeavyH20]

To view this case mod, go here.



Specs:
qx9650 @ 4.8 GHz, Vapochill LS, 8 GB DDR2-1000, 3 x EVGA GTX 260 Core 216 video cards, 2 x 150 GB RaptorX in RAID 0, 1 x 150 GB RaptorX (games, swap, temp), 1 x 750 GB Seagate 7200.11 (data), CM Stacker 832 NVIDIA, Coolmax 1200 Watt PSU

Mods:
Original case came with green mesh which was pulled and anodized black. Vapochill LS was upgraded slightly for quad support ( coolant recharge, extended plumbing, better fans). Side panel was dremeled to install window kit.

31K in 3Dmark Vantage - 25K in 3Dmark06

 

[Dia01]

Haven't seen a mod from you for awhile, what's the TRI-SLI scaling like, worth it?

 

[HeavyH20]

Haven't seen a mod from you for awhile, what's the TRI-SLI scaling like, worth it?

I have to run some more testing in games, but, my tests at 2560x1600 indicate that turning up AA and AF has very little cost. I think that is where Tri SLI will shine. I will be posting more information as I move along through testing the platform on the Tri SLI thread.

http://forums.techpowerup.com/showthread.php?t=71382

 

[ty_ger]

vapochill + high CPU OC = 10/10
tri-SLI + waste of money + lots of heat - no GPU WCing = 7/10
stock "franken cooler" on board + lots of heat = 6/10
very clean system = 9/10


overall 8/10

 

[reflexy]

sweeeeet!

 

[SK-1]

10

 

[magibeg]

Ah yes, HeavyH2O strikes again with a system that makes everyone else feel bad Very clean and impressive.

 

[zvonjola]

Just beautiful,as allways!Great components,powerfull cooling and overall look of the rig!9/10 from me!plz rate and comment my rig at:

http://www.techpowerup.com/gallery/1213.html

 

[steelkane]

Clean, cool & powerful. Awesome job on modding & build Quality.

 

[HeavyH20]

Thanks, guys. New toy to play with.

vapochill + high CPU OC = 10/10
tri-SLI + waste of money + lots of heat - no GPU WCing = 7/10
stock "franken cooler" on board + lots of heat = 6/10
very clean system = 9/10


overall 8/10

Those are legitimate critiques. Actually, if Tri SLI does not work out, I can move a card to a new home. But, gaming at 2560x1600 almost requires this.

As for the watercooling, I will defer that effort until I know the cards are all solid. I have been testing each card individually and that is a pain with watercooling installed. Additionally, I will likely Step Up the cards to GTX 280 or the GTX 280+ if it is released early enough.

I never found that cooling the board helped much on the OC. I already removed the stock heatsinks and applied proper thermal paste (AS Ceramique). Seems to keep cool enough.

 

[atarist]

thats some nice setup max respect.
10/10

 

[kyle2020]

can i just ask, how much (total) have you spent on that god like rig?!?!?!

 

[HeavyH20]

can i just ask, how much (total) have you spent on that god like rig?!?!?!

Not that much, actually.

CPU - $250
RAM - $150
Case and PSU - $300
Vapochill - $400
Hard drives -$600
Motherboard - $250
DVD - $20
Fans, etc - $50
And, recently $900 on the video cards.

So, about $ 2,900. Cheaper than Voodoo or like.

 

[kyle2020]

Not that much, actually.

CPU - $250
RAM - $150
Case and PSU - $300
Vapochill - $400
Hard drives -$600
Motherboard - $250
DVD - $20
Fans, etc - $50
And, recently $900 on the video cards.

So, about $ 2,900. Cheaper than Voodoo or like.

wow thats quite impressive. £1.5K on an epic build. DO WANT!

 

[SystemViper]

sounds like a sweet build,

You bet, "Do it Yourself"

 

[_jM]

too rich for my blood... all those VGA's are a waste of money.. shoulda bought a 4870x2 and ditched the NVIDIA mobo.. bad NB not stable enough for me. The phasechange is good though

 

[ty_ger]

too rich for my blood... all those VGA's are a waste of money.. shoulda bought a 4870x2 and ditched the NVIDIA mobo.. bad NB not stable enough for me. The phasechange is good though

all those VGA's are a waste of money.. shoulda bought a 4870x2
- agreed

ditched the NVIDIA mobo
- agreed

Don't mean to crap on the thread.

I don't like my 780i so much. I can reach stable clocks and have had not nearly even close to as many problems with mine as some others (still on my first board even), but the high power consumption due to poor investment NVIDIA made [didn't upgrade their chipsets and kept the large manufacturing process] and the insane amount of heat it creates scares me.

I can run my board fine in excess of 2,000MHz FSB QDR with a NB (SPP) voltage of 1.3v which is not too bad. So, I disagree that their NB sucks; I just believe the whole board is subpar in general.

I cannot wait for the x58. IMO x58 will kill the NVIDIA motherboard/chipset division and NVIDIA will be only making GPUs at that point.

 

[_jM]

I cannot wait for the x58. IMO x58 will kill the NVIDIA motherboard/chipset division and NVIDIA will be only making GPUs at that point.

You hit the nail on the head. The x58 will be a new turning piont for future technology. I cant wait either... but i can.. im going to stick with my P45 mobo and E8500 i have ordered untill all the bugs are worked out with the X58 / i7 chips.

 

[_jM]

Not that much, actually.

CPU - $250
RAM - $150
Case and PSU - $300
Vapochill - $400
Hard drives -$600
Motherboard - $250
DVD - $20
Fans, etc - $50
And, recently $900 on the video cards.

So, about $ 2,900. Cheaper than Voodoo or like.

Where in the world are you buying all those parts for those prices..i.e. qx6850 for $250 !!! k newegg has that chip for 999.99$ And only 900 for 3 evga 260's... all i can say is wow. give me a link to where your buying that crap.

 

[ty_ger]

Where in the world are you buying all those parts for those prices..i.e. qx6850 for $250 !!! k newegg has that chip for 999.99$ And only 900 for 3 evga 260's... all i can say is wow. give me a link to where your buying that crap.

Cought that as well. He must be purchasing second-hand and likely has no warranty on the CPU.

Best QX6850 price I could find on short order:

QX6850: $888
http://www.starmicro.net/detail.aspx?ID=1064

 

[erocker]

I don't believe he says he bougt anything retail? I've seen QX's go very cheap new, through certain programs not available to the general public. Nice build HeavyH20!

 

[HeavyH20]

I don't believe he says he bougt anything retail? I've seen QX's go very cheap new, through certain programs not available to the general public. Nice build HeavyH20!

Intel Retail Edge - $249 - new with warranty - QX6850 - this is the reason why there are so many brand new sealed QX6850's on fleabay as of recent.

EVGA GTX 260 Core 216 - $299 retail for $900.

As for the NVIDIA chipset, I got sick of buying a new Intel chipset motherboard for every single revision of a CPU. I have had no issues with the NVIDIA boards. Had them since the NForce 3 days, so it is probably a comfort factor. Deviated from the path with a MSI PowerUp Edition 975X board and a GigaByte DQ6. Worst mistake(s) of my life. I have three 680i boards and the 780i board with no issues, so I cannot say that I am not pleased with the quality. Worked solid on all my systems.

As for video cards, I tried the x1900 when it came out and recently had a 3870x2. Nice cards. I looked at the 4870x2, but, for the same cost as a couple of GTX 260 cards, I opted for the 260's. The third 260 was thrown in the mix since I was curious about Tri SLI.

 

[_jM]

Intel Retail Edge - $249 - new with warranty - QX6850 - this is the reason why there are so many brand new sealed QX6850's on fleabay as of recent.

EVGA GTX 260 Core 216 - $299 retail for $900.

As for the NVIDIA chipset, I got sick of buying a new Intel chipset motherboard for every single revision of a CPU. I have had no issues with the NVIDIA boards. Had them since the NForce 3 days, so it is probably a comfort factor. Deviated from the path with a MSI PowerUp Edition 975X board and a GigaByte DQ6. Worst mistake(s) of my life. I have three 680i boards and the 780i board with no issues, so I cannot say that I am not pleased with the quality. Worked solid on all my systems.

As for video cards, I tried the x1900 when it came out and recently had a 3870x2. Nice cards. I looked at the 4870x2, but, for the same cost as a couple of GTX 260 cards, I opted for the 260's. The third 260 was thrown in the mix since I was curious about Tri SLI.

You still havent said where you bought this stuff.. i would really like to know where i can buy a QX6850 for 249$

 

[HeavyH20]

You still havent said where you bought this stuff.. i would really like to know where i can buy a QX6850 for 249$

Nowhere, unless you are in the retail channel sales or know someone. There is the program called "Intel Retail Edge". You take Intel tests all year, build up points, and you get a deal from Intel. Most people simply flip the item on eBay and make a little money.

 

[_jM]

Nowhere, unless you are in the retail channel sales or know someone. There is the program called "Intel Retail Edge". You take Intel tests all year, build up points, and you get a deal from Intel. Most people simply flip the item on eBay and make a little money.

Yea i just found it. Funny thing is... i already have the 3000 chips for the QX6850 for 239.99.. i dont work for best buy.. but my friend does and hes coming over to let me use his stor chain and employee ID in order to buy this cpu.. Thanx for that lil tib bit of info... im going to save over 700$!!!!