Recommend Case + Cooling for i7 920

[im2bz2p345]

Hello all,

 

I've been a long time reader and now a recent member of the wondeful forums here. I am building a Core i7 920 PC, mainly to upgrade my 4 year old PC and to get ready for the launch of Windows 7.

 

Here is what I am looking to buy shortly:

 

CPU: i7 920 CPU D0 stepping

PSU: SILVERSTONE ST70F

MOTHERBOARD: EVGA E758-A1 (x16/x16/x8) LGA 1366 Intel X58

RAM: Corsair Dominator 6GB DDR3

VIDEO: MSI Radeon HD 4890 1GB Factory OCed*

OS HARDDRIVE: OCZ Vertez 30GB SSD

 

Here is what I already have that I will be using:

 

SOUNDCARD: Creative Audigy 2 ZS 7.1 Surround Sound

BACKUP HARDDRIVES: 2 X WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb

 

 

*The MSI 4890 graphics card is a little under 10 inches long.

 

I would like to run the computer stable on air at 3.6-3.8Ghz? Is that do-able? I need a recommendation on a case and a cpu cooler. I haven't read about the most recent components out there, so please offer any suggestion you have on my PC components and/or which Case & CPU Cooler you recommend.

 

I was thinking about using the Coolermaster V8 (seems to have good reviews), but I have no idea which case. I really would love to purchase a Lian Li due to their build quality, but I don't which one would be best that's about $150 (or less): http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList....mp;Order=PRICED

 

Looking for these things in a case:

 

1. Quiet & Overall Build Quality

2. Aesthetic Appeal (I like the fiberglass side area for viewing the "guts" of the PC)

3. Airflow (ability to cool) & Anti-dust protection

4. Will hold it's value (able to use it in the future for upgrades)

5. Simplicity in features

6. Cable Management

 

 

Thanks for all the help!

 

~ Im2bz2p345

Edited June 24, 2009 by im2bz2p345

[Angryfpsplayer]

Depending on whether you need the space or not, for a mid-tower, Im using an Antec 902.

 

Pros

 

-Great airflow throughout case

-Large for a mid-tower

-Black Interior matches exterior

-Your "window" for viewing

-Lots of fans (230mm "Big Boy" exhaust fan on top near CPU throws alot of air out of the case even when on low)

-Made of metal + Plastic, really durable.

-Dust filters on front fans make things easy to clean

-Power Supply on bottom

-Quiet, even when fans on medium (High is noticeable in a quiet room), but who the hell needs to go past medium.

-Cable management system is wonderful.

 

Cons

-Heavy (not ideal for a LAN case)

-IF using SLi or Crossfire, the case can get cramped.

- Dust filters can be hard to get to sometimes

-Not a toolless case

-If your cables aren't long enough, the running them underneath may be tight.

 

IF you need the space, go with an Antec 1200 (The 902, but bigger [adds 3 drive bays]) or a Cooler Master HAF932. Easily the best airflow you can get. IF you want the best airflow, and a really unique case, go with the Antec Skeleton.

Edited June 24, 2009 by Angryfpsplayer

[Angryfpsplayer]

The coolermaster V8 will fit in an Antec 902.

 

IVe heard wonderful things about Lian Li. But i've never actually bought a case of theirs. All I can tell you is that Antec and Cooler Master make wonderful cases.

[im2bz2p345]

Thanks for the response and your suggestions Angryfpsplayer!

 

What do you think of the Antec 900 instead of the 902? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16811129021

 

I can't think of too many major differences between them. Can they fit all the components that I have and leave room for proper airflow?

 

 

I am considering the HAF 932, but I have been reading that it tends to build up too much dust? Is that the truth? Features and cooling wise, I know that it is top notch. I might look into it more.

 

 

Appreciate all the input,

 

~ Im2bz2p345

Edited June 24, 2009 by im2bz2p345

[reddot]

Hey, im2bz2p345!

 

Being a relatively new member here myself, I would still like to take the time and suggest you the case I have finally assembled today.

 

The case is Antec 1200.

 

For noise comparison -> Right now, I have the tower next to me, working at "low-fan settings" (which is more than enough for most of tasks) and my laptop through which i am typing is burning a DvD drive.

The "burning" sound of the drive actually is much louder than the fans in antec 1200.

 

The case is awesome for price! Has amazing cooling features, VERY spacey, looks good and like the previous poster has mentioned, the case is heavy and definitely not tool-less.

 

 

For cooling, I suggest Noctua-12 series, SUPER quiet and VERY efficient. This cooler if not THE best, it is among the top 3 air coolers for i7's.

 

Here are the links to what I am talking about:

Noctua CPU cooler

Antec 1200 Case

 

Hopefully this will shine some light on your questions.

[The Smith]

Is that the truth?

I did not have any problems about dust. However the thing is that I often build/unbuild my computers so dust does not really have the time to accumulate. But anyway, what is it to open the case every month and blow away the dust? Takes 5 mins.

 

So... All in all this is a great choice. Don't be afraid because of that, if ever it's true. The Antec 1200 also looks great but I never tried it personally.

[thebridgerofdoom]

Antec 902 is the upgraded version of the antec 900. I recommend getting the 1200 though, its big and bad and hardcore

 

Btw, are you comfortable with 70 degrees full load temps? If you are not, you might wanna consider high end coolers, such as the TRUE.

 

Are you sure you don't want a higher capacity ssd? win 7 RC is 20gb. And thats not including the sp and other stuff.

Edited June 25, 2009 by thebridgerofdoom

[bilcliff]

+1 for the 1200

 

dont get the 900 over the 902 (nine hundred 2). my sister has the 900 and it doesnt have dust filters like the 1200 and 902 do. also to adjust the fan speed in the 900 you need to open the case to get at the switches. you dont have this problem with either the 902 or the 1200

 

i had a full thing written on the pros and cons of the 1200 but then firefox crashed and lost it. <_<

 

Pros

- the 4890 will fit in a 1200 as i have a gtx 260 in my 1200 and the gtx 260 is longer slightly

- large and very roomy with good cable management

- lots of fans to keep cool. the 200mm top fan works great i even occasionally stick my laptop on top of it to cool it down.

- athestically pleasing window

 

cons

- heavy. not ideal if you lan alot

- not tooless. this doesnt normally bug me but to clean the dust filters on the front intake fans you need to remove 4 thumb-screws on each side of the drive cage and then slide the cage forward just to get to the filter.

- loud if the fans are cranked to max not that you would ever need em on max

 

other notes

it has a bottom mounted power supply which could be an issue for some. because its a full tower some power cables may struggle to reach and be cable managed at the same time.

 

hope this helps

[im2bz2p345]

Thank you reddot, The Smith, thebridgerofdoom, and bilcliff!

 

So basically it boils down to Antec 1200 vs Cool Master HAF 932 vs a Lian Li.

 

Here is what I found by reading a ton of other forums:

 

Antec 1200 pros: Better style (subjective), better side visibility, better overall air-flow (more balanced), variable rheobus controls for front 3 fans, 3-way speed switches rear fans and top fan, fan filters in front and side. Roomy interior, enough for a radiator at the top.

 

HAF 932 pros: Better side fan, better cable management, better HDD mounting and concealment, better motherboard plate/accessibility (cut-out)

 

I'm leaning toward the HAF right now based on a general consensus and it seem more thought out in terms of ease of use/interior functionality, but I'll take a look them both at a Fry's/Microcenter to see which one I like. In terms of overall cooling, it seems they are about equal.

 

Also, is there anything from Lian Li that would match these two (to hold it's own) in terms of features & air cooling for about $150? I am really in favor of getting a Lian Li because I have seen their cases in person and their quality is just amazing. The only concern I have is that most of the Lian Li's that I've seen for around $150 are Mid-Tower, so I'm not sure how they would hold a 4890 and provide decent air flow at the same time. Any help or thoughts?

 

EDIT: I also saw people mentioning in the CM 690 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119137) in the "Cases" section of this forum. That also seems to be quite nice in terms of features, size (in between mid tower-full tower = perfect!), and price (bang for buck). It doesn't have the "window" but I can live with it. I'll see if I can find this at Frys/Microcenter and take a look at it as well.

 

 

Regarding the CPU Cooler, I'm really confused at this point on what to get. I don't want something that I will have to "lap" and want something realitvely quite, yet can provide decent cooling (again, I'm trying to OC the 920 D0 to about 3.8 Ghz). I was recommended the Xigmatek Dark Knight S1283 on another forum, which has good number for running fairly quiet and cool. Best of all it's only about $40 (shipped): http://www.frostytech.com/articleview.cfm?...2333&page=5

 

That seems to be the best bang for the buck without dealing with "lapping" or getting into too extreme of cooling options. Your thoughts on the CPU Cooler?

 

~ Im2bz2p345

Edited June 25, 2009 by im2bz2p345