When to Build New System

LunarMist

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That case is probably fine, but it it a lesser concern at the moment. It is not available in the stores and right now I have no way to receive a case. There is no RAM, so it is kind of screwed this week anyway.
 

LunarMist

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Mine just has a lamp on top of it. And usually a cat.
And my rack systems really are not loud.

You must have cables or something connecting it to everything else. Where are the monitor and printers?
 

Mercutio

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You must have cables or something connecting it to everything else. Where are the monitor and printers?

The one in my living room just has three ethernet cables and one power cable coming out of it. Nothing in there needs a display, but there's a KVM in there if I really need to mess with something. I'd set the monitor on top of the machine, do what I need to do and then put the monitor back where I got it when I was done.
 

LunarMist

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OMG this is getting out of control. The system was so crazy hot and one PS gave up. RAM is minimalist, too and will only get worse. I am beginning to regret the whole i7 plan.
 

LunarMist

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It is just the barest of systems with the 980EX on the UD5, the HD 4350, 2x2GB of RAM and an old 2.5" drive. I've just been trying the test the basics of the CPU in a few apps — have no idea what works or does not with the mainboard. The PS in the Soltana II was not up the challenge :( so I found an older PS and have it sitting on the open case. The CPU OCs well enough, put power demands rise very quickly with speed and voltage. Idle power really sucks at higher speeds, though it might be less with an efficient PS. :rnd:
 

ddrueding

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Ah. I'll have to get a 980X so I can test as well. ;) Depending on how many drives you plan on putting in there, I would consider a 500W+ PSU.
 

LunarMist

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Well, I don't think it is worthwhile compared to C2Q and you already have an i7. I really hate to build my final system with this stupid thing. :frowner: It may end up in a parts drawer.
 

LunarMist

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Depending on how many drives you plan on putting in there, I would consider a 500W+ PSU.

I was planning on using the same M12 Seasonic 700W 80 plus. It is less than two years old and works fine.
 

LunarMist

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I was looking at that very same PS a few minutes ago. :) It should be fine for most systems unless you are going nuts with SLI, CPU and heavy OC, too. :cyclopsani: I was about to a start a whole new thread about power supplies since it has been a while.

I'm not so sure about the newer PS trend of having a single, large 12V supply. I like to power some drives on and off and have a separate rail for that.
 

sdbardwick

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I'm not so sure about the newer PS trend of having a single, large 12V supply. I like to power some drives on and off and have a separate rail for that.
The various 12V rails aren't isolated in any meaningful way. Also, a fault on any rail shuts the entire PSU down (if the PSU has functioning protection circuits).
 

Bozo

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I think it's wise to be over powered rather than just enough, underpowered, or marginal.
A larger power supply also gives you a little 'furture proof' for any changes down the road.
Of course you can also go overboard too.
 

Adcadet

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And I suppose it's nice that many of the newer, nicer PSUs don't turn their fans on until the load or temperature hits a certain level.
 

LiamC

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I think it's wise to be over powered rather than just enough, underpowered, or marginal.
A larger power supply also gives you a little 'furture proof' for any changes down the road.
Of course you can also go overboard too.

Aren't power supplies very inefficient when running low loads? If that is the case, then it doesn't make sense to go for a power supply with a large margin.
 

sdbardwick

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Aren't power supplies very inefficient when running low loads? If that is the case, then it doesn't make sense to go for a power supply with a large margin.
Depends on the definition of low.
[Generally:]The sweet spot for efficiency is around 50% of capacity, but there won't be a big drop until <20%. 80+ tests are at 20%, 50% and 100%, so PSU makers optimize for those points. Some of the higher efficiency units (80+ Gold) will stay around 80% efficient even at about 10% of capacity (like this one).
 
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Bozo

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A check of a 1200W power supply test at HardOCP, shows a very respectable efficiency at low power.
The quality of the power supply would determine how well it handles loads from light to heavy.
 

Mercutio

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Corsair PSUs are OEM'd from Seasonic. Everyone knew that, right?
Besides being cheaper, Corsair bothers to certify their products for exotic video card configurations. I'm sure the Seasonic originals are just as capable, but they don't show up on ATI's HCL list for triple crossfire or whatever.
 

time

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A check of a 1200W power supply test at HardOCP, shows a very respectable efficiency at low power.

Hmmm, I'm not sure 300W could be called "low power". The 80+ guidelines apparently include 20% and 50% loading, so performing well at 25% isn't at all surprising.

The percentage efficiency is a somewhat misleading way of expressing the issue - Wastage or Heat Dissipation focuses the mind more on what's happening. For example, 80% vs 90% efficiency really means there is twice as much heat being dissipated. Similarly, 70% is wasting twice as much energy as 85%.

All else being equal, you would expect that operating a power supply in its most efficient range would prolong its life.
 

LunarMist

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Those high power units should have a rating at 10%, too.
 

LunarMist

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I need some help with the OC. There are several interrelated settings that control the CPU core frequency. I have read a bit about the i series CPUs on the interwebs, but it is rather confusing and some sites express different opinions.

Which do you use primarily to OC, the multiplier or the BCLK?

Which is best for RAM operating in between standard speeds, higher frequency or tighter timings? (The latter generally seems to be favored.)

Is it correct that the QPI and uncore speeds are not so important?

Do any of the settings truly make much practical difference or is it mostly benchmarking BS?

Thanks. :scratch:
 

Bozo

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Hmmm, I'm not sure 300W could be called "low power". The 80+ guidelines apparently include 20% and 50% loading, so performing well at 25% isn't at all surprising.

"Low power" is relative. If you need 1200W, then 25% is low power. If all you need is a 400W power supply, 25% is not low power.
 

LunarMist

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No, but it's quiet.

I have one. Frankly, if the fan ever spins, I can't tell.

The X-650 does not appear to be so quiet somewhere between 300-400 W. Are you running it at lower power levels?
 

LunarMist

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I need some help with the OC. There are several interrelated settings that control the CPU core frequency. I have read a bit about the i series CPUs on the interwebs, but it is rather confusing and some sites express different opinions.

Which do you use primarily to OC, the multiplier or the BCLK?

Which is best for RAM operating in between standard speeds, higher frequency or tighter timings? (The latter generally seems to be favored.)

Is it correct that the QPI and uncore speeds are not so important?

Do any of the settings truly make much practical difference or is it mostly benchmarking BS?

Thanks. :scratch:


Any ideas? Buchner, Buchner?
 

Mercutio

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It's more of an art than a science, Lunar. It depends a lot on the specifics of your hardware. You just have to screw around with settings until you get something that works to an acceptable degree.
 

LunarMist

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This is the best I can do that will run the Intel Burning Test Linupak without errors. From what I read that is a strenuous test. It draws far too much power overall and core temp is 82 °C in the benchmark. :eek: Idle is 43°C, both with no case. I'll try to keep it at 4.3G and lower the voltage to 1.32V for the long term.
 

sechs

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The X-650 does not appear to be so quiet somewhere between 300-400 W. Are you running it at lower power levels?
According to the UPS, my system is pulling 414W right now. The fan must be going because blazing hot air seems to be moving out of it.
 

ddrueding

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This is the best I can do that will run the Intel Burning Test Linupak without errors. From what I read that is a strenuous test. It draws far too much power overall and core temp is 82 °C in the benchmark. :eek: Idle is 43°C, both with no case. I'll try to keep it at 4.3G and lower the voltage to 1.32V for the long term.

Those are really good results Lunar, looks like you are the OC expert now ;)
 

LunarMist

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I wish it would go faster, but there is just so much heat produced. :queen:
 

LunarMist

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I am confused about the PCIe lots and lanes on this board. I have one video card and the LSI 8x controller in another slot. Can I use both of the other long slots at 8X or maybe one at 8x and one at 4x?
 

ddrueding

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Typically the manual states which slots share lanes. My board has 7 physical 16x slots, but the manual spells out which combos are allowed. What board do you have?
 
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