ASUS P8Z77 WS - ATX / Z77 Intel Core i7-3770K CM Stacker + 2nd WC Case

Time for upgrades. Using my existing build will change few components and rebuild a "new" PC based on the Z77 chipset.
The bases of this is whatever i have from my previous build.
Link-> 1)
and 2)

The watercooled extrenal case was rebuild as result of, a 2 year old at the time, "mild" affection, resulting into broken sides, front etc.
At the same time, need to keep it clear and able to modify some parts, gave birth to the idea of vertical rads, no front, no top, and simply a very simple design.

To the point.
The build will be based on the following items.

• Intel Core i7-3770K
• ASUS P8Z77 WS - ATX / Z77
• 16GB G.Skill DDR3 PC3-19200 2400MHz TridentX Series CL10 (10-12-12-31) Dual Channel kit
• Apogee HD (white)
• EK-Ekoolant CLEAR -1000 ml
• Laing DDC-1T-PLUS
• Laing DDC-18W
• Dual Reservoirs XSPC (dual pump)
• ThermoChill PA120.3 (i have both versions, the old and the newer, though is few year back) still working ok.
• Keeping my 2x HD4870x2. Still old but working, both are on water and so i dont see a point changing them now.
• Few SSD disks, 2T HDD etc.
• 2x 24" BenQ G2420HDB

I think a reasonable overclock is somewhere between 4.5 to 4.8 Ghz (i think)
Will be targeting for SDD+HDD caching
From what i read LucidLogix Virtu MVP with crossfire / multi monitor setup is no go. If you know something else, pls drop me a note.

Currently waiting for parts to arrive.!!
Will post pics as the project comes along.

Got a i7-3770K Batch: 3204B821 made in costa rica MM# 920492

Few days later. Parts arrived and build started.
Some pictures before going to the next post.
Attachment 127031

Attachment 127032

Attachment 127033

Attachment 127034

Attachment 127035

Attachment 127036

Attachment 127037

Attachment 127038

Attachment 127039

Attachment 127040

http://img717.imageshack.us/img717/1315/46ghztest1.png
By neo_rtr at 2012-05-23

Iam trying to get to some overclocking now.
If you have any settings to share pls do.

Mate, im so jealus... very nice memory and mobo you have there :D and of course this block is gorgeous...

Now you just need some help from ppl who owns ivy to get some good clocks from your chip...

Guys give us some help please... :)

Few Interesting things.
1) iam not able to disable the throttling of the cpu. It goes between 1.6Ghz to 4.5Ghz depending on the load. Presumably i have it locked in 100*45
2) The crossfire setup- 4 x PCIe 3.0/2.0 x16 (dual x16 or x16, x8, x8 or quad x8
I use PCIe 3.0/2.0 x16_1 and PCIe 3.0/2.0 x16_2 slots as this is my understanding reading from the manual page 2_8
According the Catalyst control center i have this.
Maximum Bus Setting PCI Express 2.0 x8
According to GPU Z i have PCI-E2.0x16 @16 2.0. Running the test (is the ?) next to the Bus interface it confirms PCI-E2.0x16 @16 2.0
On the other hand page 2_7 of the manual refers to a slot description i dont quite understand
Slot 4 PCIe 3.0/2.0 x16_3 slot (single at x16 or dual at x8/x8 mode)
So which port is it?
ps i have Driver Packaging Version 8.961-120405a-137813C-ATI
Catalyst Control Center Version 2012.0405.2205.37728

http://img715.imageshack.us/img715/6518/46ghztest11.png
By neo_rtr at 2012-05-24

Attachment 127121PCMark Suite 23029 PCMarks
I think i got it right not sure how well that is

3DMark03 The pc scores 217408 3dmarks

Score PCMark7 basic edition
4022 PCMarks with ATI Radeon HD 4870 X2(4x) and Intel Core i7-3770K Processor
http://3dmark.com/pcm7/355442

Interesting enough the system reporting
ProcessorIntel Core i7-3770K Processor
Processor clock 0 MHz
Physical / logical processors 1 / 8 # of cores 4

Also needed to fix this
Attachment 127284
And this is the post i found some help
http://hardforum.com/showpost.php?p=...&postcount=176
http://hardforum.com/showpost.php?p=...&postcount=177

Unigine
Sanctuary demo
benchmark edition v2.3
FPS:
238.1
Scores:
10097
Min FPS:
43.8
Max FPS:
351.1
Hardware
Binary:
Windows 32bit Visual C++ 1500 Release May 21 2010
Operating system:
Windows 7 (build 7601, Service Pack 1) 64bit
CPU model:
Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-3770K CPU @ 3.50GHz
CPU flags:
3492MHz MMX SSE SSE2 SSE3 SSSE3 SSE41 SSE42 HTT
GPU model:
ATI Radeon HD 4870 X2 8.961.0.0 QuadFireX 1024Mb
Settings
Render:
direct3d10
Mode:
1920x1080 fullscreen
Shaders:
high
Textures:
high
Filter: bilinear
Anisotropy:
4x
Translucence:
enabled
Parallax:
enabled
Reflection:
enabled
DOF: disabled
HDR: disabled
Unigine Corp. © 2005-2010

Hopping to collect some info about OC settings people are using with this motherboard and i7 3770K
Settings like your Vcore etc are welcome.

For reference x4,7Ghz Crossfire HD4870x2
Unigine Sanctuary demo benchmark edition v2.3
FPS: 251.8 Scores: 10678
Min FPS: 129.1 Max FPS: 368.0
Settings Render: direct3d10
Mode:
1920x1080 fullscreen
Shaders:
high
Textures:
high
Filter: bilinear
Anisotropy:
4x
Translucence:
enabled
Parallax:
enabled
Reflection:
enabled
DOF: disabled
HDR: disabled

Installed a Zotax z GTX 680,
Running the demo got following results. Lucid is installed
Unigine Sanctuary demo benchmark edition v2.3
FPS: 361.7 Scores: 15334
Min FPS: 185.8
Max FPS: 607.7

Hardware
Binary:
Windows 32bit Visual C++ 1500 Release May 21 2010
Operating system:
Windows 7 (build 7601, Service Pack 1) 64bit
CPU model:
Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-3770K CPU @ 3.50GHz
CPU flags:
3500MHz MMX SSE SSE2 SSE3 SSSE3 SSE41 SSE42 HTT
GPU model:
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680 8.17.13.142 2048Mb
Settings
Render:
direct3d11
Mode:
1920x1080 fullscreen
Shaders:
high
Textures:
high
Filter: bilinear
Anisotropy:
4x
Translucence:
enabled
Parallax:
enabled
Reflection:
enabled
DOF: disabled
HDR: disabled

Following step is to intruduced a watercolled GPU block.
Looked for the various blocks, Watercool Heatkiller GPU-X3 GTX680 Hole, Razor GTX680
from XSPC as well as the one from EK-FC680 GTX Full Cover Waterblock .
At the time of the writing, backplates where out of stock from a number of online shops.
However found that the Heatkiller GPU block was a bit more ínteresting, (have used EK ones at the past) and wanted to change brand. I also found the back plate very good looking.
So the following update will be with some pictures of it.
In the mean time
Attachment 128031
Attachment 128032

Looking good. You might want to give a little more money to Intel for some insurance:

http://click.intel.com/tuningplan/

I just tried MSI Afterburner. GTX680 is on default settings
Details for score ID = 64144
Score: 6159 points (103 FPS)
Submitted by neortr (anonymous mode) on July 4 2012, 9:22 pm

API 3D: OpenGL 4
Tessellation details: X16 (inner), X8 (outer)

Duration: 60000 ms
Resolution: 1920 x 1080
Anti-aliasing: X0
Window mode: fullscreen

Primary renderer: GeForce GTX 680/PCIe/SSE2
OpenGL version: 4.2.0
Graphics drivers: 8.17.13.142 R301.42 branch r30107-67

Number of GPUs: 1
GPU 0 - NVIDIA GeForce series (10de-1180) - GPU clock: 0 MHz - Mem clock: 0 MHz - Max GPU temp: 78 °C - Max GPU load: 98 %

CPU: IntelR CoreTM i7-3770K CPU @ 3.50GHz
CPU speed: 3500 MHz
Operating System: Windows 7 64-bit build 7601 Service Pack 1

Waiting for my block..

Score: 14251 points (237 FPS)
Submitted by neortr (anonymous mode) on July 4 2012, 9:26 pm

API 3D: OpenGL 4
Tessellation details: X8 (inner), X8 (outer)

Duration: 60000 ms
Resolution: 1280 x 720
Anti-aliasing: X0
Window mode: fullscreen

Primary renderer: GeForce GTX 680/PCIe/SSE2
OpenGL version: 4.2.0
Graphics drivers: 8.17.13.142 R301.42 branch r30107-67

Number of GPUs: 1
GPU 0 - NVIDIA GeForce series (10de-1180) - GPU clock: 0 MHz - Mem clock: 0 MHz - Max GPU temp: 74 °C - Max GPU load: 96 %


CPU: IntelR CoreTM i7-3770K CPU @ 3.50GHz
CPU speed: 3500 MHz
Operating System: Windows 7 64-bit build 7601 Service Pack 1

Received a very nice package from Watercool.
So lets start..
The task in hand is to a) remove the existing cooler from the Zotac GTX680 b) Installation of the GPU block, GPU-X3 GTX680 Hole c) test d) Overclock.

Removing the GPU cooler was not that difficult. Basically you remove all screws around the base, bottom and back side of the VGA card.

It looks like this after that.
http://img72.imageshack.us/img72/2034/img0493xy.jpg
By neo_rtr at 2012-07-05


Going over to the backplate. As I read from the instructions I am to prepare the screws and then the plastic nut.
http://img593.imageshack.us/img593/3462/img0494jd.jpg
By neo_rtr at 2012-07-05
Have to admit got a bit confused. Spend some time reading over and over. The reason is that are many more holes them screws in this arrangement. I mean holes on the PCVB of the VGA. The backplace + info page frm watercool explain the different of the the screws to be used. Fine with that.

I would have found it ever better, if they could provide some pictures to show how the arrangement should look like.
http://img585.imageshack.us/img585/5011/img0495e.jpg
By neo_rtr at 2012-07-05

http://img233.imageshack.us/img233/7691/img0496ju.jpg
By neo_rtr at 2012-07-05

http://img98.imageshack.us/img98/8163/img0498e.jpg
By neo_rtr at 2012-07-05

http://img856.imageshack.us/img856/4401/img0500wp.jpg
By neo_rtr at 2012-07-05

http://img59.imageshack.us/img59/3044/img0501mf.jpg
By neo_rtr at 2012-07-05

http://img526.imageshack.us/img526/4694/img0502pj.jpg
By neo_rtr at 2012-07-05

http://img689.imageshack.us/img689/4056/img0503gj.jpg
By neo_rtr at 2012-07-05

One thing that puzzled me was these two screws.
http://img59.imageshack.us/img59/3044/img0501mf.jpg
By neo_rtr at 2012-07-05
These do not fit the back place.
They are, from what I figured out, placed on the PCB, then attach the back place.
From the instructions, could not figure out if a) install the block on the VGA. Then use these two screws to hold it in place, (not secure it in place). Then attach the backplate.

The thermal pads, come pre-cut, and fix perfectly.
I noticed one side is a bit sticky. The other not.
Could not tell from the instructions which side to put facing the board.
I assume it does not matter. Better it does not matter as I used the sticky side facing the board.
http://img62.imageshack.us/img62/3940/img0509fv.jpg
By neo_rtr at 2012-07-05

http://img593.imageshack.us/img593/1858/img0510hf.jpg
By neo_rtr at 2012-07-05

Start looking better now..

http://img43.imageshack.us/img43/9082/img0513p.jpg
By neo_rtr at 2012-07-05

Also to note there is one more screw to put in order to hold the bracket.
http://img441.imageshack.us/img441/1628/img0514n.jpg
By neo_rtr at 2012-07-05
That is the small M3 one.

The GTX680 looks like this,
http://img580.imageshack.us/img580/1829/img0515xe.jpg
By neo_rtr at 2012-07-05

http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/1688/img0517wb.jpg
By neo_rtr at 2012-07-05

http://img833.imageshack.us/img833/1723/img0518gu.jpg
By neo_rtr at 2012-07-05
http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/9886/img0519ip.jpg
By neo_rtr at 2012-07-05
http://img411.imageshack.us/img411/3879/img0520mf.jpg
By neo_rtr at 2012-07-05
http://img690.imageshack.us/img690/9216/img0521g.jpg
By neo_rtr at 2012-07-05

http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/9886/img0519ip.jpg
By neo_rtr at 2012-07-05

http://img717.imageshack.us/img717/2349/img0528yy.jpg
By neo_rtr at 2012-07-05

http://img38.imageshack.us/img38/2714/img0529tw.jpg
By neo_rtr at 2012-07-05

I can only say that at start my GPU temp was 24C, Using MSI afterburner to test for temps 15min into full load was at top temp 38C. Ambient was around 24c i think.

http://www.ozone3d.net/msi_kombustor...0.php?id=64635

Score: 5086 points (85 FPS)
Submitted by neortr (anonymous mode) on July 6 2012, 9:38 pm

API 3D: OpenGL 3
Fractal flame details: 4000000 vertices

Duration: 60000 ms
Resolution: 1920 x 1080
Anti-aliasing: X0
Window mode: fullscreen

Primary renderer: GeForce GTX 680/PCIe/SSE2
OpenGL version: 4.2.0
Graphics drivers: 8.17.13.142 R301.42 branch r30107-67

Number of GPUs: 1
GPU 0 - NVIDIA GeForce series (10de-1180) - GPU clock: 1199 MHz - Mem clock: 3213 MHz - Max GPU temp: 35 °C - Max GPU load: 99 %


CPU: IntelR CoreTM i7-3770K CPU @ 3.50GHz
CPU speed: 3500 MHz
Operating System: Windows 7 64-bit build 7601 Service Pack 1

Score: 6845 points (114 FPS)
Submitted by neortr (anonymous mode) on July 6 2012, 9:42 pm

API 3D: OpenGL 4
Tessellation details: X16 (inner), X8 (outer)

Duration: 60000 ms
Resolution: 1920 x 1080
Anti-aliasing: X0
Window mode: fullscreen

Primary renderer: GeForce GTX 680/PCIe/SSE2
OpenGL version: 4.2.0
Graphics drivers: 8.17.13.142 R301.42 branch r30107-67

Number of GPUs: 1
GPU 0 - NVIDIA GeForce series (10de-1180) - GPU clock: 1199 MHz - Mem clock: 6426 MHz - Max GPU temp: 33 °C - Max GPU load: 98 %
CPU: IntelR CoreTM i7-3770K CPU @ 3.50GHz
CPU speed: 3500 MHz
Operating System: Windows 7 64-bit build 7601 Service Pack 1

If you compare previous score
This one is 6845 Vs 6159
Score OC: 6845 points (114 FPS) Vs Score Default settings: 6159 points (103 FPS)

Current profile for the Zotac GTX 680 is
Core Voltage : default
Power Limit: +130
Core Clock : +115
Memory Clock: +210
This is equivalent to GPU clock: 1199 MHz - Mem clock: 6424 MHz - Max GPU temp: 33 °C while running the MSI Kombustor 2.3 test

Some great results you have there mate :D

Very nice block the heatkiller and it seems to perform really good.
It would be nice if someone with a watercooled 680 gtx could post some results too.

I am thinking of the following Headset Astro A40 Audio System
Attachment 128414

Got the Astrogaming A40 headset with Mix amp. I thought that my P8Z77 Ws on board audio card could work with it. It requires Dolby Digital Live. Thus i tried acheap solution. Creative Recon3D PCIe. After several days of trying to get the DDL pack workign gave up.
Here is what i got now.
Attachment 128694
Asus Xonar Essence STX 124 dB SNR Headphone Amp card for Audiophiles

I rest my case. It work straight away!

Unfortunatly the Astro A40 was giving me too much of a hassle. You see the problem was it was pressing my right side above the ear tip and was gettting to frustrated with it. So. .
Since i wanted to test out the Tiama 7.1 I got the headset ofcourse and Asus Xonar D2X
Some pics and comments will follow

Last 3 posts have nothing to do with watercooling. Nice stuff. Watercool the headsets?

Move on.