3 GTX 260's vs. 1 GTX 295Post Date: 2009-07-05 |
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TA 
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Joined: 02 Jul 2009 Online Status: Offline Posts: 22 |
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 Topic: 3 GTX 260's vs. 1 GTX 295Posted: 05 Jul 2009 at 5:44pm |
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Been searching for info on video performance solutions for games/iRacing on a 30" monitor. Would 3 GTX 260/216 BE provide more gaming performance than 1 GTX 295?
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DST4ME
DS ELITE 
Joined: 14 Apr 2008 Online Status: Offline Posts: 36758 |
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Posted: 05 Jul 2009 at 5:47pm |
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yes, I assuming you already have a 260 and that the games support sli?
Edited by DST4ME - 05 Jul 2009 at 5:47pm |
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TA
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Joined: 02 Jul 2009 Online Status: Offline Posts: 22 |
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Posted: 05 Jul 2009 at 6:19pm |
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No I am going to buy a new computer for iRacing. iRacing does support SLI but not sure if that means just 2x or does SLI mean it supports 3 cards too?
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<8) slunK parade
Senior Member 
Joined: 20 Jan 2009 Online Status: Offline Posts: 798 |
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Posted: 05 Jul 2009 at 6:29pm |
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SLI means it supports one or two more graphics cards alongside the first card
you can have 2 way and 3way SLI |
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Mikey14
Senior Member
Joined: 09 May 2009 Online Status: Offline Posts: 148 |
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Posted: 05 Jul 2009 at 6:37pm |
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If you are building a new system don't get 3x 260's they are outdated tech. Post your system wish list and we can tweak it for max performance.
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DST4ME
DS ELITE
Joined: 14 Apr 2008 Online Status: Offline Posts: 36758 |
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Posted: 05 Jul 2009 at 6:40pm |
if you are buying here from DS then from a price and performance point of view 3 x 275 is the way to go  
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TA
Newbie
Joined: 02 Jul 2009 Online Status: Offline Posts: 22 |
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Posted: 05 Jul 2009 at 6:53pm |
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The question is: will 3 GTX 260 Core 216 Black Edition with slight OC out perform 1 GTX 295? Unable to find benchmarks online. The plan so far is to liquid cool an overclocked 920 and use a 30 inch monitor. As a side question: Is the new EVGA classified Hydro Copper board with onboard H2O worth $575? Does this board reduce the costs of H2O cooling?
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TA
Newbie
Joined: 02 Jul 2009 Online Status: Offline Posts: 22 |
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Posted: 05 Jul 2009 at 6:56pm |
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Looks like DST answered the question and the way to go is 3 275's.
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TA
Newbie
Joined: 02 Jul 2009 Online Status: Offline Posts: 22 |
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Posted: 05 Jul 2009 at 7:13pm |
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Looks like the 275's DST recommends are only about $20. more that the 260's. Pretty much a no brainer. That is why I am here asking questions. Thanks all for taking time to answer.
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DST4ME
DS ELITE
Joined: 14 Apr 2008 Online Status: Offline Posts: 36758 |
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Posted: 05 Jul 2009 at 8:55pm |
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LOL I told you that if you are buying here the 3 x 275 is the way to go, both for price and performance
why don't you tell us your budget and let me/us recommend a great build for you, this way you can have the customer point of view
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TA
Newbie
Joined: 02 Jul 2009 Online Status: Offline Posts: 22 |
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Posted: 06 Jul 2009 at 12:17am |
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Don't really have a budget. Just need to buy a system to drive/race online with iRacing. Going to try to contact iRacing tomorrow to get a feel for their software. They list mimimum requirements only.
I have been reading several threads here and have noted your recommendations DST4ME. You have sure helped many here with their systems. Read the thread that ended up with H2O cooling and am a bit confused about just how good the FrostBite System works. How about the bigger 3x or 4x radiators?
A couple of posts back in this thread I asked about the new EVGA classified Hydro Copper mother board with H2O waterblock onboard? How would this tie in with LC solutions. I will ask you what you think about the Tweek Windows service and the overclocking service on the video cards and memory. Does adding all these services help the way the entire system works together? Besides that everything else is pretty much standard gaming rig. HAF 932. Motherboard X58 Classified or the new Hydro Copper. 920 OC'ed as high as the chip allows. 6 GB DDR3/1333. 1000W Corsair HX. 500 GB WD 7200 SATA or 300GB WD VelociRaptor? 3 GTX 275's (Thank you DST). Been doing some reading and plan to take the time to feel comfortable with a configuration before ordering.
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DST4ME
DS ELITE
Joined: 14 Apr 2008 Online Status: Offline Posts: 36758 |
Quote Reply
Posted: 06 Jul 2009 at 12:44am |
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I will make a config for you if you like, but first I like to ask some questions.
first off all tomorrow when you contact iracing please ask them if it supports sli, this is very good info to know, cause if it does not then your Tri sli for that game would be pointless. now so you are going to have a 2560 x 1600 resolution and the Tri sli 275 is for that, very good, we will need the 1000w PSU to run that, corsair is a good one. 1. now much room do you need for your HDD1? its suppose to carry only your OS/apps/games, all your personal/work/media files get stored on HDD2. so the question is how much room do you need for your HDD1? 120GB or 250GB? 2. are you willing to spend $400 for a 120GB SSD or $650 for a 250GB SSD, for your HDD1? or would you rather go with a 500GB for HDD1 now, and H2 of 2010 when prices are better and possibly faster SSDs and upgrade then? 3. OCing a 920 to 4.0GHz here at DS might make you add the fan upgrade which will not be as quite as the LC system on its own, so keep that in mind. 4. EVGA classified Hydro Copper mother board is something I have been looking at also, but I'm not sure how warm its getting and putting it in the CPU loop might hurt the OC and temps, not sure how it will do with the GPU loop, I guess that would be a better place of it if OC on CPU is most important. I would say if sound is something you want to stay away from go with the hydro copper, if you don't mind bit of noise then go with the fan upgrade, but keep in mind the led fans are very loud from what everybody says, but the Zalman, none led fan seems to have much less noise then the led ones. 5. now as for the LC system itself, are you looking to LC the CPU or both CPU and GPU, cause we are getting into the $4400 without SSD and $5500 with SSD, range. So let me know if that is still around the range we want to be. 6. now adding radiators is for people who want to push their OC, for your use I don't think there is any performance to be noticed from pushing the CPU any higher then stage 2 specially since there is only so much we can push the 920, so I say you skip the dual and triple rad, the temps that the fans are needed for are for the north/south bridge anyways. In another thread you may have read my posts that told another member that they should go with a bigger rad, but that was when we were not told that the heat is from north/south bridge, and we were under impression that the heat was either from GPUs or CPU, once we found out the source of the heat was not CPU or GPU then the bigger rad did not provide any solution. 7. the frostbite LC system is a great system made up of good parts like black ice GTX series and a good waterblock and hose and such. this basically start of top of the line system, you can always upgrade the rad to a dual and heatsink but you won't notice much difference for your use, I mean as long as you are under 75 - 80c during your use, you are good to go, you got the warranty anyways, which BTW I recommend the 5 years, that way you have peace of mind, but only if the budget allows it. The good thing about this is that you can replace the parts yourself 6 years from now if you needed to. Edited by DST4ME - 06 Jul 2009 at 12:47am |
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justin.kerr
DS Veteran 
Joined: 06 May 2008 Online Status: Offline Posts: 5084 |
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Posted: 06 Jul 2009 at 12:16pm |
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Remember that the hydro copper does not cover the parts that get the hottest. It is a very poor idea. The north and south bridge run fairly cool on the classified in stock form, but the V regs run very hot.
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TA
Newbie
Joined: 02 Jul 2009 Online Status: Offline Posts: 22 |
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Posted: 06 Jul 2009 at 3:27pm |
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Thanks for the info Justin. Will go with X58 Classified 3X SLI.
DST4ME. Thanks again...YES iRacing supports SLI. The new computer will just be for iRacing. I will use the old system just like I have been doing for everyday use. iRacing said there is no benifit in going with a high end 10000 HD. So a 7200 500 GB should be fine. Will there be a heat issue with just LC the processor and using the Zalman fan kit? What is your opinion on the Windows tweeking service and enhancement software to monitor heat, fans, gpu settings? Just bought the Dell 3007 WFP HC monitor that you recommended. Any more tips you have in mind?
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DST4ME
DS ELITE
Joined: 14 Apr 2008 Online Status: Offline Posts: 36758 |
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Posted: 06 Jul 2009 at 3:57pm |
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Hmm for 3 gpus which is what you need for your 30" monitor, heat can be a problem, LC would be your best option, I make 2 configs you decide which you like:
Air cooled GPU, Liquid cooled CPU: Here you go Ticket# 304035 --- Price: $3379 (To see this build click here) Price after current promotion $3079 Copy of Specifications: Chassis Model: Cooler Master HAF 932 Exterior Finish: - Standard Factory Finish Interior Finish: - Standard Factory Finish Trim Accents: - Standard Factory Finish Processor: Intel Core i7 920 2.66GHz (Quad Core) Motherboard: EVGA X58 Classified 3X SLI (Intel X58 Chipset) (Supports Triple SLI or CrossFire) System Memory: 6GB DDR3 1333MHz Digital Storm Certified by mushkin enhanced (Highly Recommended) (Hand Tested) Power Supply: 1000W Corsair HX (Dual/Triple/Quad SLI Compatible) (Silent Edition) Card Reader: - No Thanks Hard Drive Set 1: Operating System: 1x (500GB Western Digital (16MB Cache) (7200 RPM) (SATA) Set 1 Raid Options: - No Thanks Hard Drive Set 2: Multimedia\Data: - No Thanks Hard Drive Set 3: Backup\Misc.: - No Thanks Optical Drive 1: DVD±R/RW/CD-R/RW (DVD Writer 20x / CD-Writer 48x) Optical Drive 2: - No Thanks Internet Access: High Speed Network Port (Supports High-Speed Cable / DSL / Network Connections) Video Card: 3x SLI Triple (NVIDIA GeForce GTX 275 896MB (Includes PhysX Technology) Add-on Card: - No Thanks Sound Card: Integrated Motherboard Audio Extreme Cooling: H20: Stage 3: High-Performance Liquid Chilled FrostBite System For CPU Liquid Color:UV Redish Pink: Medium Glowing Non-conductive Fluid (Requires H20: Stage 3 & UV Lighting) Chassis Airflow: Upgrade Chassis With Zalman Performance Fans (Up to 6 Fans) Internal Lighting: Internal Chassis Lighting System (UV) (Creates Glowing Effect For H20: Stage 3 UV Fluid) Enhancements: - No Thanks Chassis Mods: - No Thanks Boost Processor: Stage 1: Overclock the processor between 3.3GHz to 3.9GHz (Requires Air Cooling Upgrade) Boost Video Card: - No Thanks, Please do not overclock my video card(s) Boost Memory: Memory Fan Kit Only (Does not include memory overclocking service) Tweak Windows: - No Thanks, Please do not tweak the services on the operating system Windows OS: Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium (64-Bit Edition) With Windows 7 Upgrade Coupon Restore Kit: Digital Storm Specialized Recovery System (DVD Image Based) Virus Protection: - No Thanks Office: - No Thanks Benchmarking: - No Thanks Install/Test Game: - No Thanks LCD Display: - No Thanks Surge Shield: - No Thanks Speakers: - No Thanks Keyboard: - No Thanks Mouse: - No Thanks External Storage: - No Thanks Exclusive T-Shirt: - No Thanks Priority Build: - No Thanks, Ship Within 5-10 Business Days After Order Is Successfully Processed Warranty: 3 Year Platinum Care Extended Parts & Labor Warranty --------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------- Liquid cooled GPU, Liquid cooled CPU:: Here you go Ticket# 304071 --- Price: $4220 (To see this build click here) Price after current promotion $3820 Copy of Specifications: Chassis Model: Cooler Master HAF 932 Exterior Finish: - Standard Factory Finish Interior Finish: - Standard Factory Finish Trim Accents: - Standard Factory Finish Processor: Intel Core i7 920 2.66GHz (Quad Core) Motherboard: EVGA X58 Classified 3X SLI (Intel X58 Chipset) (Supports Triple SLI or CrossFire) System Memory: 6GB DDR3 1333MHz Digital Storm Certified by mushkin enhanced (Highly Recommended) (Hand Tested) Power Supply: 1000W Corsair HX (Dual/Triple/Quad SLI Compatible) (Silent Edition) Card Reader: - No Thanks Hard Drive Set 1: Operating System: 1x (500GB Western Digital (16MB Cache) (7200 RPM) (SATA) Set 1 Raid Options: - No Thanks Hard Drive Set 2: Multimedia\Data: - No Thanks Hard Drive Set 3: Backup\Misc.: - No Thanks Optical Drive 1: DVD±R/RW/CD-R/RW (DVD Writer 20x / CD-Writer 48x) Optical Drive 2: - No Thanks Internet Access: High Speed Network Port (Supports High-Speed Cable / DSL / Network Connections) Video Card: 3x SLI Triple (NVIDIA GeForce GTX 275 896MB (Includes PhysX Technology) Add-on Card: - No Thanks Sound Card: Integrated Motherboard Audio Extreme Cooling: H20: Stage 3: Specialized FrostBite Separate Dual Loop System for CPU & Three Video Cards Liquid Color:UV Redish Pink: Medium Glowing Non-conductive Fluid (Requires H20: Stage 3 & UV Lighting) Chassis Airflow: Standard Factory Chassis Fans Internal Lighting: Internal Chassis Lighting System (UV) (Creates Glowing Effect For H20: Stage 3 UV Fluid) Enhancements: - No Thanks Chassis Mods: - No Thanks Boost Processor: Stage 1: Overclock the processor between 3.3GHz to 3.9GHz (Requires Air Cooling Upgrade) Boost Video Card: - No Thanks, Please do not overclock my video card(s) Boost Memory: Memory Fan Kit Only (Does not include memory overclocking service) Tweak Windows: - No Thanks, Please do not tweak the services on the operating system Windows OS: Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium (64-Bit Edition) With Windows 7 Upgrade Coupon Restore Kit: Digital Storm Specialized Recovery System (DVD Image Based) Virus Protection: - No Thanks Office: - No Thanks Benchmarking: - No Thanks Install/Test Game: - No Thanks LCD Display: - No Thanks Surge Shield: - No Thanks Speakers: - No Thanks Keyboard: - No Thanks Mouse: - No Thanks External Storage: - No Thanks Exclusive T-Shirt: - No Thanks Priority Build: - No Thanks, Ship Within 5-10 Business Days After Order Is Successfully Processed Warranty: 3 Year Platinum Care Extended Parts & Labor Warranty --------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------- tell me what you think Edited by DST4ME - 06 Jul 2009 at 3:58pm |
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TA
Newbie
Joined: 02 Jul 2009 Online Status: Offline Posts: 22 |
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Posted: 06 Jul 2009 at 4:25pm |
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The parts that I have been using are what your first configuration is. I added the Windows tweeks and EGVA software for cooling fan adjustments. The difference between your first configuration and the second one is $741. The only difference I see is the higher CPU overclock and the LC of the 3 video cards. Am I missing something? The reason I chose the higher overclock is because I thought the chip needed to be of higher quality to be overclocked that high. I figured I could always detune the CPU if heat became an issue. Seems like I am getting close but the price seems to vary with the same configuration. |
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Mikey14
Senior Member
Joined: 09 May 2009 Online Status: Offline Posts: 148 |
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Posted: 06 Jul 2009 at 4:28pm |
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Both the Windows tweaks and ESA are absolutely useless.
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DST4ME
DS ELITE
Joined: 14 Apr 2008 Online Status: Offline Posts: 36758 |
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Posted: 06 Jul 2009 at 4:31pm |
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I don't see a config you made on this thread.
the difference between my 2 cofigs is not the higher CPU OC, they both have stage 1 OC. the difference is that one can LC on GPUs and one does not. windows tweaks is a waste of your money, esa is not supported on i7 platform so that is a waste of your money also, the LCD temps display is mainly used to control fans, but if you are not going to LC the GPUs, then the fans need to run full speed so no point in the temp display either. hope that makes sense, sorry I forgot to respond to your windows tweaks/esa/LCD temp display in my previous post but I cleared them up in this post
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TA
Newbie
Joined: 02 Jul 2009 Online Status: Offline Posts: 22 |
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Posted: 06 Jul 2009 at 4:34pm |
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Second comparison look I see you have the same CPU overclock...Why the price difference when all you have added in the second configuration is the GPU cooling loop? Seems expensive for the LC the video cards or am I missing something?
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DST4ME
DS ELITE
Joined: 14 Apr 2008 Online Status: Offline Posts: 36758 |
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Posted: 06 Jul 2009 at 4:37pm |
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I'm not sure what you are looking at boss, both my configs have stage 1 oced picked and both have LC on cpu.
like I said the only difference is that one system has 3 gpus on air and the other has 3 gpus on LC. the gpus on LC will give much better temps, putting 3 cards next to eachother like that, under load will produce lot of heat, for 3 gpus and the new quick-release valvesthey are using, I recommed LCing the gpus. the price is higer because each gpu will need a waterblock ($130 to $160 each, so say $130 x 3) and then 2 radiators for the 3 gpus ($110) and a pump ($80). Edited by DST4ME - 06 Jul 2009 at 4:40pm |
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TA
Newbie
Joined: 02 Jul 2009 Online Status: Offline Posts: 22 |
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Posted: 06 Jul 2009 at 4:38pm |
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Thanks Mikey and DST. Will delete the tweeks from the configuration.
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TA
Newbie
Joined: 02 Jul 2009 Online Status: Offline Posts: 22 |
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Posted: 06 Jul 2009 at 4:40pm |
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Well DST the price difference is $741 then for the LC the video cards...Is that right?
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DST4ME
DS ELITE
Joined: 14 Apr 2008 Online Status: Offline Posts: 36758 |
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Posted: 06 Jul 2009 at 4:40pm |
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ya just go with one of my configs, I make my configs so that every dime produces performance, anything that does not provide noticeable performance I don't choose.
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DST4ME
DS ELITE
Joined: 14 Apr 2008 Online Status: Offline Posts: 36758 |
Quote Reply
Posted: 06 Jul 2009 at 4:42pm |
for my config you are looking at $3079 for gpus on air and $3820 for gpus on LC, so yes its around $741. |
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TA
Newbie
Joined: 02 Jul 2009 Online Status: Offline Posts: 22 |
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Posted: 06 Jul 2009 at 4:46pm |
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OK DST. Thanks again...I won't spend the $741 to LG the video cards. What do you think about the higher OC? Better chip to be OC'ed to 4.0? Easy to back down IF heat is an issue. |
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DST4ME
DS ELITE
Joined: 14 Apr 2008 Online Status: Offline Posts: 36758 |
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Posted: 06 Jul 2009 at 4:51pm |
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at your resolution you won't notice the difference between 3.5GHz and 4.0GHz in gaming.
but if you want the stage 2 oc just change your ram to 1600MHz and keep the 920, otherwise you have to go with 975 which is $1000 more then the 920. now just as a customer and friend I'm telling you right now those gpus are gonna get hot on air. |
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TA
Newbie
Joined: 02 Jul 2009 Online Status: Offline Posts: 22 |
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Posted: 06 Jul 2009 at 4:56pm |
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Ok. 3.3 to 3.9 then. Are you saying the keep the CPU at 3.3 to 3.9 and upgrade the ram? |
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TA
Newbie
Joined: 02 Jul 2009 Online Status: Offline Posts: 22 |
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Posted: 06 Jul 2009 at 4:58pm |
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Sure hope the Zalmans blow air like crazy. Hopefully DS has a good handle on the heat with the upgraded fans.
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DST4ME
DS ELITE
Joined: 14 Apr 2008 Online Status: Offline Posts: 36758 |
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Posted: 06 Jul 2009 at 4:59pm |
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no for stage 1 oc the 1333 is fine, sometimes they ask customers to upgrade to 1600Mhz ram for stage 2 oc.
so what I was saying is for stage 1 oc 920 and 1333 for stage 2 oc 920 and 1333 (unless they ask you to upgrade to 1600 and also they might ask to upgrade the fans) in your case you are going with the fans for the gpus anyways. not sure how well the zalmans will due, you are the first one so I guess you will let us know.
Edited by DST4ME - 06 Jul 2009 at 5:01pm |
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TA
Newbie
Joined: 02 Jul 2009 Online Status: Offline Posts: 22 |
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Posted: 06 Jul 2009 at 5:04pm |
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Think I finally got it. Thanks for you time and patience DST4ME. Your help is very much appreciated. I will use your first configuration with upgraded Zalmen fans.
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TA
Newbie
Joined: 02 Jul 2009 Online Status: Offline Posts: 22 |
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Posted: 06 Jul 2009 at 5:35pm |
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Note: Zalman fans already on your first configuration. Changed the interior color from red/pink to blue. Your configuration is now 304119. The one I will buy. Thanks again, TA
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DST4ME
DS ELITE
Joined: 14 Apr 2008 Online Status: Offline Posts: 36758 |
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Posted: 06 Jul 2009 at 6:55pm |
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sound good but just so you know, you charged the light to blue which is fine, but just so you know the front fan is s red led, and there is nothing wrong with that, but I'm just pointing that out
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TA
Newbie
Joined: 02 Jul 2009 Online Status: Offline Posts: 22 |
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Posted: 06 Jul 2009 at 9:19pm |
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Well DST4ME...That is the way I ordered it online... I change 1 thing from your configuration and I manage to screw it up...Thankfully you did a great job getting me what I needed...Thanks again
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DST4ME
DS ELITE
Joined: 14 Apr 2008 Online Status: Offline Posts: 36758 |
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Posted: 06 Jul 2009 at 10:15pm |
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My pleasure, call Sarah tomorrow and she will fix whatever you need to fix
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TA
Newbie
Joined: 02 Jul 2009 Online Status: Offline Posts: 22 |
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Posted: 07 Jul 2009 at 12:02am |
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It figures DST4ME. You even help me get the light changed from blue to red. OK. THEN I will be 100% of your configuration. Will call Sarah tomorrow. I sure hope DS takes very good care of you. I will let Sarah know your excellent help prompted me to buy from DS. One last big THANK YOU so much. |
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