Ok guys, am gonna do a bit of an upgrade to the rig.
Got myself a second GTX 295 today and ran quad sli. Had issues on full load with my PSU not keeping up and powering down the PC (1000w Antec quadro.)
Am over the P55/ Q9550 so am upgrading the mobo, CPU and PSU in 1 hit.

This is what i am looking at and Best prices i have found are:

MOBO
EVGA X58 Classified 3way SLI $497
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/EVGA-X58-SLI-CLASSIFIED-Mainboard-Socket-1366-Core-i7-/380214606214?cmd=ViewItem&pt=AU_Components&hash=item58868e7986

CPU
Core i7 930 $339
http://www.computeralliance.com.au/parts.aspx?qryPart=11266

PSU
Silverstone ST1500 $380
http://www.mtechcomputers.com.au/product_info.php?cPath=272&products_id=17267

OR

Xigmatek HC1501 $409
http://www.mtechcomputers.com.au/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=+Xigmatek+HC1501&x=56&y=9

Any comments, suggestions or links appreciated

Cos

You could go with something similar to what i have:
Asus P6T Mobo (infinitely reliable board. Love it)
i7 930 (you've already got that on the list)
Thermaltake Toughpower 1200W (Thermaltake tend to deliver closer to what they advertise than most other PSU's)

Looks good to me so far.

nice stuff cossie, consider this for the mobo http://www.gigabyte.com/MicroSite/193/images/unlocked-power-4way.htm i have the ex58 extreme, its quiet, runs really cool, absolutely no noise, and the LED is great for troubleshooting problems,
It also performs better with 980x and future cpus, though it might be 200 bux more

overall nice upgrade, hope to see some great vantage scores

also if you wanna be more "extreme" then consider this OC your PSU (LOL) http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=15_226&products_id=14577

Cos that list looks good. You should not need a 1500w psu, a good 1200w unit would shit it in. I have the Xigmatek in a 1200w which has run 3 x 280 plus big Oc cpu, 8 x fans, H2o pump and 6 x drives ect. I run this for over 12 months with no probs. Then one of the capacitors shit it self, as i type this im waiting on a delivery for the replacement they are sending me. 12 to 18 months seams to be the life of most of the 1000w and above units when put under real load. This is the 3rd psu to die this way for me, all dif brands and all 1000w or above. The Xigmatek is the best i have had so far and i would buy another one, very well thought out cable management and extras.
One thing the Xigmatek is a fair bit bigger than the antec i had so check for fit.
The toughpower is the other PSU i would have a look at.
You need to make sure that which ever one you buy it has two separate 12v rails for your SLI.
Cos you left out the water set up? (cause i just know your gunna want to go for some big OC's)

Thats why just go for Corsair they tent to be the best, they have heaps of AMPs on all of the rails compared to most PSU manufactures and they are a all round good PSU makers are you shure that you need more than 1000 w to run all of this, what GFX carda are you going to using, and when it comes to 4 way sli i recon its a bit of waste unless you are going to be bench marking.

I do believe Cos did say 2 x 295's, and what do you go on, when saying Corsair PSU's are the best. If you spend some real time looking into who makes most of the top branded PSU's you will find that they are made by the same company, including Corsair.

hope you've got air-con mate coz you could roast a buffalo on 2 295's.

Ok never read the who post Arny.

i7950's might be coming down in price soonish.

Dont hold your breath though.

http://vr-zone.com/forums/732521/good-news-intel-price-drop--.html


Im still shitty sandy bridge has a different socket.

Screw sandy bridge its not out till next year then you need a new bloody expensive mobo and for all we know it could turn out shit which means waiting for nothing. There is always new stuff coming out in the tech world, you just have to go screw it and buy something. an oced i7 930 or 950 will be more than enough for years and years.

Yea looking at that Antec 1200 think that would be a better choice. Some how i think that they have wired the PSU 12 rails in series.

The main reason the i7960/950 are comming down in price is to clear stock before the six core i7970 hits the sean in Q3. Im waiting for that chip to come out! and maybe 3 x GTX 480's as well.

fuck you

In All, kick ass rig cossie

Ok guys I have a new st1500 psu in the rig now and am very impressed with it. Am going to the computer fair on the weekend and may get a 930 + classified 3 way if the price is right. Did acouple of vantage runs and was on the brink of cracking 30000 so am happy.
A question on gpu performance. Will my vantage gpu score increase by much when I change the CPU to i7 rather than the q9550?

Maybe a tiny bit but not that much. The cpu score should skyrocket though.

Hey Cos,
Glad you got the St1500 and it fixed your issue.

Its a great combo of hardware which you will not be disappointed with.

With 2x 295's and a i7 930 you should crack 33-36k performance points with some overclocking on the cpu and minor oc on the cards.

Just gizz a yell when you get your rig up and running and i will help with any overclocking you need to do on the CPU. I know that mobo inside and out lol.

BTW what cooling are you planning to use?

i7 should be significantly different, it has no bridges on the MB, the memory controllers are in the CPU as opposed to non 'i' series, which shortens the times for things to happen.

Great, the i7 should make the gpus run better, it feels like this CPU is holding back the 295's even at 4 ghz. Nappy yeah the psu is great, will hit u up for tips when I get the mobo. Cooling wise, will run air as I am now and look into H2O later on. Has been fun playing warhead all maxd out with good fps with these cards

You getting some water in your rig Cossi?

Air at first M8 then h20 later.

Ok got hold of the CPU today i7 930
Have the EVGA X58 Classified 3X SLI on order.

Just hope my Thermalright Ultra-120 eXtreme cooler fits in ok, will order the 1366 bolt through kit to suit it.

Cos.

Thats a great cooler, i have the thermalright true black 120, i saw a 5 degree drop on idle, and 10-15 degree drop on load compared to the stock.

You getting a push - pull config?

virt i already have it on the Q9550..two fans pull, push config, yeah they are great coolers..am struggling to find a bolt kit adapter for the 1366 socket though.....all are out of stock.

I ask why do you guys always reccommend Nvidia when oviously ATI is way more powerful!!!

we have similar rigs cos. I also have that thermalright 120 extreme with the Q9550, with the same full tower Thermaltake Armour+

Have you sold your cpu yet? I'm looking to upgrade soon. It would ease the finances up if i had sold some of my parts in the process.

damn u and ur full towers lol, ive got the armor+mx.

also you can try and call pccasegear and see if they can get the 1366 bolt in, ive ordered a few things, and they get it quiet quickly.

Also stevo gtfo with your ATi

Ati has the power Steve, but the quality in graphics is different. I've had my share of cards.

Stevo.......each to his own with GPU's I tend to stick to one brand with everything lol My 295 quad sli goes well enough now, just need to get the full potential out them with the i7...... Have never owned any other GPU than nvidia, never any other motorbike than Yamaha's, always buy Sony gear for my home cinema etc.

Charlie, yeah the case is great, heaps of room...with the 790i mobo and Q9550 i will build a second PC with my old 9800GX2 Quad sli setup for the mrs and get rid of her dual core piece of crap. Have a spare antec tower and the 1000w psu to slap it in also.

I know someone who is after a Q9550 CPU will send ya a PM.

Virt i got hold of the bolt through kit today from Auspcmarket...they were great, most places were sold out. Charlie you will need this kit if you wanna put the 120ex cooler on the 1366 socket.

Now am just waiting on the EVGA classified mobo to come tomoz....then the fun starts....i love building these things lol

Cos

It's like playing Lego all over again. Just more costly lol. I want to see how yours works out cos, we have similar taste. Perhaps I might make the move of getting better GPU's, I purchased a Samsung 55inch 3D TV last week. In prep for the 3D gaming that's to be announced lol and of course for the movies.

I have a 2nd i7920 here if any one wants it, $200 and it sold.

Bah! What stepping is it Arny?

It's C0 stepping.

ah, i have the c0 stepping, if it was d0 i woulda thought about it im sure ebay would get you some buyers.

What's the difference?

The C0 is the earlier model of the i7

Ok guys (Arny) what are the best H20 systems out there...my Thermaltake armor case has the Bigwater 760is designed for it, internal....but reviews say its not that effecient.

http://www.thermaltakeusa.com/Product.aspx?C=1444&ID=1616

The Zalman reserator XT looks good but is $650

Am looking at the Swiftech kits also..
Any tips appreciated.
Cheers,

Yea that water cooling system looks a bit weak if you ask me, might need a dual radiator or bigger to keep a Core i7 CPU for overclocking Basejj went for a pritty nifty system fully complete water block dual radiator water pump and hoses, and one more thing if you are looking for a complete water cooling systems dont go for a system that has the Water pump on the CPU block makes more heat.


http://www.overclockersclub.com/reviews/thermaltake_prowater_880i/

But again if you have the money go for a water Pump with lots of flow, radiator 2 120 mm fans bays or bigger with high flow good tubing and a large reservoir to keep all the cooled water stored. But think you might already knw that.

Cos the best way is to build your own water system, Have a look at this site.
I buy most of my stuff off them. http://www.frozencpu.com/
Start with a good water block, i have a swiftech gtz http://www.frozencpu.com/products/9767/ex-blc-679/Swiftech_Apogee_XT_Extreme_Flagship_Performance_CPU_Waterblock_Sockets_775_1156_1366.html?tl=g30c323s835

a big pump with 1/2" hoses, Swiftech do a good one MCP655-B http://www.frozencpu.com/products/6190/ex-pmp-54/Swiftech_MCP655_12v_Water_Pump_w_Speed_Control_and_38_Conversion_Kit_317_GPH.html?tl=g30c107

Nice big radiator, this the one i use http://www.frozencpu.com/products/7224/ex-rad-131/Feser_XChanger_Triple_120mm_Xtreme_Performance_Radiator_-_Thermochill_Killers.html?tl=g30c95s161

and you need some sort of Reservoir, the only other thing i have is a water block on my north bridge chip set.

Danger den have some cool looking blocks as well. Just remember when putting a system together DO NOT mix copper and aluminum or some of the cad plated cheap shit parts together, ie aluminum rad and copper water block ect.
Also check out PC case gear.
Most of the water kits you can buy are crap and cost as much as building your own but work 1/2 as good!
Given that you do Over clock the shit out of your gear (like me lol) you need a bit better than a std kit.

yeah i brought a good water cooling system for my I7 920 the other week keep the CPU around 35 degrees C halfed my normal temp i got a Thermaltake Prowater 880i. Brought it from Australia Online VIP for just under $300

http://www.thermaltake.com.au/Products/LiquidCoolingSystem/CL-W0171/Prowater880i.aspx

Cheers for all the helpful info guys will look into them tonight.