My 940 rig

[DoctorDave]

Hi all,

I am back after not building a machine for a long while. I deleted my old sig. I remember those celeron chips 300 to 500 was fun hehe. And before that P2 OC's hehe. So I had a lot to read up on.

So after trolling for days in here this is what I am going to put together. Please feel free to flame or give me any advice you may have. My goal is a gaming rig. I would love to hit 5.0 gig. But I am betting I am dreaming.

As far as my parts go - I have lots of room for error because I am a chiropractor and I have 9 computers in my office. So I can always swap out parts and just move them "down stream" to the clinic. I use electronic records and I have a machine in nearly every room. After having little luck with wireless and pen tablet PC's, I mounted 19inch LCD's and added a shelf with a keyboard and mouse in almost everyroom. Works great and super fast with the wired network. Plus I put together a decent server.

Also one point for my rig I am trying to get help with is:
I have a Quiet power by Swiftech. I have had it for a long while. I bought it back in the day because it was totally assembled and all. It is the one with the case and all of the cooling build in to it. I want to upgrade the waterblock to one of Gabes new ones. It has the original one. I think it is 5000 or something like that. The thing I HATE is - you have to attach all those screws with the springs in them to the mobo and you have to remove the mobo from the case. UGGG. Apparently you do NOT have to do that anymore. That makes the 50 bucks well spent for the new one. I hated tearing the MOBO out. In fact on the CPU I have in there now, the waterblock is zip tied in the drive bay out of the way and I am using Intel stock fan/heat sink. That is lazy hehe. Also will that new block fit? If anyone is an expert on that give me a shout... I am going to drop an email off to Swiftech :p

Anyways back to my rig for my home gaming...

MOBO
I went with Asus because I have always had great luck with them. So I purchased:
Asus P5WD2-E Premium 975X P4/Celeron 1066FSB LGA775 DDR2 ATX Motherboard w/Audio, Dual Gigabit LAN, RAID/Serial ATA Retail
This is their top of the line board now which I see many of you intel guys are using.

CPU - I was going to go with the 920 or 930, but what the hell. I remember being a poor grad student and I can finally step it up some. hehe. (I remember reading that from one of our poor grad students on some other thread in here and I can totally relate :) )
Intel® Pentium® D Processor 940 3.2GHz, 800MHz FSB, Socket 775, 2x2MB Cache, Dual Core Retail

Memory
I had a hell of a time picking this out. But I went for the lower latencies and I remember OCZ being good mem. I am sorta a newb compared to reading what some of you all have written. But I am thinking this is an overall good choice.
OCZ OCZ26672048ELDCGE-K 2GB Kit DDR2-667 PC2-5400 Gold Edition Enhanced Latency Dual Channel Memory

DVD DRIVE - well back to my liking of Asus - I was on Zipzoom and just picked out a decent one from them for 50 bucks. I did not have time to review anything on drives. I will burn some stuff for the family, maybe rip some movies etc. Not sure on this part.
Asus DRW-1608P2S 16X Double Layer DVD±RW Drive (Silver)

STORAGE
I think I have owned 20 drives of Maxtor and they have all served me well. I even have some 4 gig ones laying around with patient files on them. I don't want to get rid of them because of the data on them, even though I formatted them. Maybe I can burn them hehe. Anyhow I got 2 250's. I need to learn the best way to set them up though. any suggestions or suggested threads please....
Maxtor DiamondMax 10 6V250F0 250GB Serial ATA (3.0Gb/s) 7200RPM Hard Drive w/16MB Buffer

Powersupply
I was reading about duel rails etc and I am getting lost hehe. I will plug all of the socket on that mobo with power though. I will definitely read that Asus manual on the mobo too. I read a few review on here and decided to shell out for the power supply at the last minute.
SILVERSTONE ZEUS SST-ST65ZF 650W Power Supply
Hopefully I will not be sending it back hehe.

Video card
Well the heart of the gaming rig - Well last year I picked up a 6800BFG GT card which I really love. I know there are better cards... BUT I am not getting anything new until I get one question answered...Since I have a pretty nice card anyways when is Nvidia coming out with something better than their 7xxx cards? How much better with the new series be? I usually wait 2 steps to upgrade. My last card was the famous 4600 one. If nothing is coming out I will just pick one up and bring mine to the office. Lol way overkill for the clinic.


Anyways my main concern with the new rig is clockspeed on the CPU for fun, gaming and a bit of braggin rights. lol. So any advice is very much appreciated. I understand that I have a few questions that are off the CPU topic, but that is my main concern so I put it here. 5.0 gig possible or close to that if I get that new Swiftech waterblock? Who knows. I know that this project will keep me busy.

I want to post my scores/benches when I set it up. Thanks in advance...

Dr. Dave

[batboy]

Most of your selection looks pretty good. Well, except for the power supply. That Silverstone is a quad +12v rail which probably is a poor choice for a power hungry dual core. I would exchange it for an OCZ Powerstream 520 which is a single rail that cranks out a lot of amps on the +12v rail.

So, you are keeping your old 6800 vid card? Is it an AGP or PCI-E slot card? You'll need a PCI-E slot to fit your new mobo. Nvidia just recently released their 7900 series, so I doubt they'll have a new card out for quite awhile.

I have a 940 on water (see signature) and I'll be honest with you, 5 gig will be very tough with a Presler. But, mine does 4.5 gig very comfortably (4.6 gig if I really crank the voltage).

I have a Swifty Q-Power that I overhauled. Not much of the original system other than the case and rad. I've replaced the block, pump, and tubing plus added a reservoir (and eliminated all the bleed valves). I'm using a MCW6000 block which I think is discontinued now. The new Storm and Apogee blocks are the current design. I think you still have to remove the mobo to mount hardware on the back of the mobo. If you ordered a new Asus P5WD2, then just install the block hardware before installing the mobo.

[DoctorDave]

You are right about the video. Looks like my office computer will be BLAZING hehe for what I need.

FOR THE Power supply

This one?
OCZ PowerStream OCZ520ADJSLI ATX, BTX, EPS12V 520W Power Supply - Retail

OR

OCZ ModStream OCZ52012U ATX, BTX, SATA, P4 and EPS12V 520W Power Supply - Retail

OR should I jump up to 600W with this one...
OCZ OCZ600ADJSLI ATX12V 2.01, ATX, BTX, SATA, P4, and EPS12V 600W Power Supply - Retail

Thanks...

Dave

[Stratus_ss]

well i have the 600 and like it but the scuttlebut here is that for overclocking you want the 520 since it has a single rail (34A) and the 600 has dual rails (20/20)

[batboy]

You want a single rail PSU that is over 30 amps on the +12v rail. The OCZ 520w Powerstream is a single rail with +12v@33a. That's the one to get. I know the OCZ 600w sounds like it should be more powerful, but it's rated +12V1@20A and +12V2@20A, so the +12v is split up into two 20 amp rails. If you want a big O/C, get a single rail PSU with lots of amps.

[DoctorDave]

I am still lost between the 2 520's...

One is adjustable and one is not. When I was on new egg I did not see the details for the amps.

one is 139.99

one is 99.99 with a 20 rebate.

I am guessing it it the 139 one from what I am reading. Can you confirm if you have a chance?

Dave


EDIT
Also I better order a new vid cards asap. lol...So who is winning the Nvidia vs ATI race lately.... now that will open a can of worms for flamming hehe. I never tried ATI so unless they are kicking the crap out of Nvidia I am going Nvidia...

thanks.

[greenmaji]

POWERSTREAM not the modstream :D

video cards..
http://oc3dmark.octeams.com/cardguide.htm
thats fairly new, you might be able to find slightly better deals but the information is pretty much spot on. :D

[batboy]

There might be other PSUs that work good, but the OCZ Powerstream 530w is a proven overclocking winner. I can't bring up the newegg website right now, but if they don't list all the specs you can click on the manufacturer's site link for more info. You want the PSU that says +12v@33a.

Ok, which is better? ATI or Nvidia (which is kind of like the Ford vs. Chevy debate of old). A month ago I would of said the ATI X1900 series was top dog (which is what I have). But now, the 7900 series is out which catches Nvidia back up. There is still no clear winner, each wins some benchmarks and loses others. If you feel more comfortable with Nvidia, then get that if you want. Personally, I love my X1900XT.

[greenmaji]

when your shopping for a PSU just make sure to look at what Voltage lines it has.. if it has more then one +12V ??A then its not going to have what it takes to OC an intel rig really.. You want a PSU that does not have dual (or more) +12V rails.

[xTrEmEoVrClOcKr]

CPU: 930, PSU: 520w Powerstream, done and done ;).

[Mr. $T$]

The two PSU's I'd recommend for high power Intel systems are either the SilverStone ST56ZF 560w which I personally have and highly recommend. It has a single dedicated 38amp 12v rail which is ideal for overclocking dualcore Intels. Or the OCZ PowerStream OCZ520, it has a great 33amps on the 12v Single rail line for high OCs on Intels once again. As you can SEE (http://www.ocforums.com/showthread.php?t=441181) the OCZ despite it's lower rail is no pushover, at peak it was drawing 700w from the wall socket to feed a severely overclocked 955XE and X1900XTX. Either one will be plenty for you system.

[DoctorDave]

ok I canceled my order for the power supply and picked up the OCZ one. It is the one that is 139.99 on newegg. It has some way you can adjust it. Not sure how to adjust the settings, but it looks cool. It is this one...OCZ520ADJSLI

Also I ordered the vid card. I went with the 7900 GT 256 meg card. I didnt see the value in the 512 card so much. I love to game, but I felt $550 is 'borderline on getting taken' You can build a whole machine for that.

ok now I want to get that new water-block. Not sure what to do on that. I hope I am lucky and I can get 4.5 or more on my cpu... So as far as mounting the waterblock. Is it true that I have to mount it to the bottom of the mobo? I was hoping it would snap down like a stock HS/Fan. Any suggestions here?

Thanks. I cannot wait to get my numbers up here for this fun project.

Dave

[batboy]

The socket LGA775 has 4 holes for stock heatsink mounting. There is no more plastic retainer bracket like the socket 478 had. While I personally don't know how all of the water blocks mount, I'm pretty sure most of the socket 775 ones require some hardware to be mounted with the mobo out of the case. Again, if you have the mobo ordered and it's not actually in the case yet, it's not a big deal. Just mount the block before you install the mobo. Even if the mobo is already mounted in the case, it's not hard to pull it out to install the block hardware.

[MERKiN]

Water Block to get: http://www.dangerdenstore.com/product.php?productid=21&cat=21&page=1

i have it, and i love it.

[DoctorDave]

FedEx is bringing everything but the heat sink tomorrow, So let's see how stable I am on air. Wish me luck. I am still waiting on the waterblock.

Dave

4.4.06
Everything came except for the heat sink and video card. So once the vid card comes I will test it on air... more soon

[DoctorDave]

Ok I snapped most of it together.

I did not install the new OS on the new HD, but I just swapped out the mobo for now. I will play with that later. It is late here and I have been super busy.

I wanted to snap that MOBO cpu fan and vid card in.

Here is what I got. :p :p

No problem booting all the way to 283 bus speed. but 284 was hit/miss and no go at 285. This is all on intel's heat sink/air. I think the total GHz speed, was 4.5 or so. I have the 3.2 cpu. I have to get the waterblock hooked up and the new art silver I have. I am guessing I will get to 285 to 290 stable max. Maybe a bit more and it might be hit or miss with stability. What are your predictions?

Oh and the pack date on my chip is like the end of Jan 2006 - which is not as new as I was hoping for. So I don't think I will make the 5000 Mhz club. lol

Also one dumb question - I was supposed to hook up both of those 4 pin power connectors to each other to make an 8 prong power one, then connect it just behind the CPU RIGHT?

Also any more suggestions on water blocks. I am going to get that ordered in the next few days...

ok thank you all. more later...

[thegreek]

Also one dumb question - I was supposed to hook up both of those 4 pin power connectors to each other to make an 8 prong power one, then connect it just behind the CPU RIGHT?

No, the 2 blue 4pin ones are for video cards... the 4pin black one plugs into the 8pin on the MB. Look in your manual for a picture. I have the ASUS P5WD2 Premium and it's on page 2-38. It has a pic on how to plug it in.

[DoctorDave]

I have the OCZ powerstream and the 2 black plugs are labeled PCI express. I plugged one of them into the vid card and I have a spare, - apparantly for the 2nd vid card.

BUT...

there are 2 more power hookups from the power supply that slide together to make one larger 8 pin. (2 four pin jacks snap together). I have that plugged into the mobo. Those plugs are at about 1 oclock when you are looking at the CPU with the mobo having the "asus" noted on the heatsink on the bridge facing the correct way. Hmmm another way to describe it is - it is right next to the keyboard / mouse jacks.

I have all 8 pins in, that is correct? I had to remove a small cover that was capping off one of the sets of 4 pins.

I think I have it right. anyone... Thanks...


Also I just began installing the OS tonight. Takes forever to format 500 Raid 0 Drive. I picked Raid 0 as that is supposed to be the fastest. I am assuming that is correct?? suggestions please...

Thanks again everyone...

Doc Dave

[batboy]

Can't help with the power connectors since I don't have that mobo.

Yes, RAID 0 is the fastest. When you use RAID 0 on let's say two 250 gig drives, for all practical purposes that makes one big super 500 gig drive. So yes, it'll take a long time to format.