backdraft61

I've been researching for a while online, trying to build a cheap test system that I can put together, overclock, etc. I want to keep it cheap so that if I break something during the build or during overclocking, it isn't too expensive. Does anyone see any problems with this build: Case: Coolermaster Scout PSU: Corsair TX650 Mobo: Gigabyte GA-M68M-S2 CPU: AMD Phenom 8750 Black Edition Heatsink: Sunbeam Core Contact Freezer Graphics Card: Sapphire HD5750 (with Vapor-X) RAM: 4GB DDR2- I'm not sure about the company yet 1 HDD, 1 CD/DVD drive BTW, seeing as this is supposed to be a cheap system, I am well aware that most of the parts can be better, but I don't need them to be better. I have a Core i7 computer that I will use as my main computer, and this is just a test system. Does anyone see any issues with the system, like compatibility issues?

I thought the Megahalems was a LGA1366 only cooler. Does it also work with socket AM3? Also, if it does, would it cover up any RAM slots on a Gigabyte GA-MA790FXT-UD5P?

Could anyone tell me what is a good heatsink to use with AMD's Phenom II? I (obviously) plan to overclock it as high as I can.

Unfortunately, I'm on a tight budget, so I'm going to stick with the C0 stepping i7 that I have.

Thanks for all your input, and I think I'll go with the Coolermaster Scout. I think it'll suit my needs, and it has decent airflow.

I don't think that I will be running RAID, so I'll probably stick with 1 HDD. So, you're saying that the difference between the modular and non-modular psus isn't enough to justify the huge increase in price (especially if I don't have many HDDs)?

Great, thanks.

My friend and I were talking about overclocking limits, and I was curious, just because the Core i7-920 isn't clocked as high as the Core i7-975 Extreme Edition, the highest overclock for each of those is pretty close, right (as in not 4.5 GHz for the EE and ~3.8GHz for the 920- example speeds only )?

I am upgrading/building a new computer (I'm putting it in a new case, but I am using some components of a OEM computer). Is there any thing that people think that I should change? CPU: Intel Core i7-920 (Overclock target: 3.6+ GHz), C0 stepping Cooler: Prolimatech Megahalems Case: Coolermaster Scout PSU: Corsair TX750 or HX750 (is it worth it to go modular in the Scout case?) Mobo: ASUS Rampage II GENE Graphics Card: ATI Radeon HD5850 RAM: Probably the OCZ Gold 6GB 1333MHz DDR3, I am waiting to see what is cheapest when I buy the RAM HDD: Original HDD that came with my Gateway FX6800=01e CD-Drive: Original CD-Drive that came with my Gateway FX6800=01e Unless someone tells me that there is a better component for around the same price, I will be getting these.

Which cooler do you think (or know) is better, the Prolimatech Megahalems or the Dynatron Genius? I will be overclocking a Core i7-920 (C0), and I am hoping to achieve 3.6+ GHz. I will probably use the Coolermaster Scout case. Edit: Btw, I first saw the Dynatron Genius here: http://www.overclockersclub.com/reviews/dynatron_genius/

I currently have a C0 stepping Core i7, and I am planning to use the Prolimatech Megahalems. Even with that beast of a cooler, does that mean that I won't be able to go much over 3.6 GHz, if even possible?

Thanks for the input on the megahalems, but what I was really wondering was about how many and how big should the fans be on the case, not the Megahalems. Although that's good information to have.

What is the difference between C0 and D0 stepping, and how much does it affect overclocking ability?

Just curious, how many (and how big) fans should be in the case to have decent enough airflow to achieve a overclock to 3.6+ GHz?

I recently decided to upgrade my computer, and this is what I plan to upgrade to: CPU: Core i7-920 oc'd to ~3.6 GHz (C0 stepping) Cooler: Prolimatech Megahalems Mobo: ASUS Rampage II GENE PSU: Corsair TX750/HX750 Graphics Card: Sapphire Radeon HD5850 RAM: Unknown yet, will wait to see the prices around when I buy the RAM, as the prices are too unstable right now to say exactly what I'll get Since the Rampage II GENE is a mATX board, I was hoping to find a case that was small, but with good ventilation. I narrowed my choices down to the Lian-Li PC-V351B and the NZXT Rogue. Will either of these fit the Megahalems (Height: 157 mm)? If not, could you suggest to me a nice midtower case that has good enough cooling to get me to my goal or ~3.6 GHz? This is a first for me, so any other advice regarding building the system would be appreciated. I'm hoping to keep the price of the case to somewhere around $100-120 USD