Help the newbie with his build!!

[Talonman]

hehe oh man, it takes a brave man to post a build log I will be a total newbie at some of this build, first time Phase user but I want to learn it all.

But yes I will do that. I still have some lead times on a few components, SSD and Phase unit, still a few weeks off for those. I cannot mod the case until the Phase unit arrives so I can see where holes and cuts need to be made.

I was planning on holding out for the new OCZ SSD unit and I believe it will not be out until the 31st.
If that falls through then I will go with a MTRON unit from here http://www.dvnation.com/ as they seem to be the only ones who stock these babies.

Then build will go like..
First build, 1 9800gx2, everything at stock to get base line numbers
Start Ocing to see what that can do.
Back to Stock settings, then add second 9800gx2 for base line numbers
then finally 2x 9800gx2's and OC

I have no doubt that your build log will receive nothing but praise...

[Buckeye]

Ok talked with the guys over at http://www.dvnation.com/ about there SSD's today, very cool people and very helpful !

I decided on a MTRON PRO 3.5 32GB SATA SSD to see how that goes, option two would be to order a second SSD and raid 0 them together if it appears that it is needed. He said his 64GB loads MicroSoft FlightSim in like 4 seconds so I am thinking that one unit will be enough for speed but if it looks like I will need more space I will order a second unit later.

So 1x MTRON PRO 3.5 32GB SATA SSD on order today, Woot


LOL I also talked with RamSan and recieved a quote

But after receiving a quote I have decided that I might have to pass on these units. I may have deep pockets, but for the price of these units I could put a down payment on a house, buy a new car or some other more practical item.

So here you go, take a look and see what you can get if you wanted to spend the cash

http://www.superssd.com/products/ramsan-400/



RamSan-300

The starting capacity of a RamSan-300 (16GB) is $20,000. It includes:
-16GB DDRRAM storage
-one dual-ported 4Gb Fibre Channel controller
-hot swappable hard disk drives
-hot swappable and redundant power supplies
-redundant battery and fans
-IBM Chipkill in memory (redundant RAM)
-1 year return to factory warranty

Each additional 4Gb FC controller is $3,000 (up to 2 in each chassis).
The RamSan-300 can upgrade to 32GB for an additional $11,200.

RamSan-400

The starting capacity of a RamSan-400 (32GB) is $35,000. It includes:
-32GB DDRRAM storage
-one dual-ported 4Gb Fibre Channel controller
-hot swappable RAID 3 hard disk drives
-hot swappable and redundant power supplies
-redundant battery and fans
-IBM Chipkill in memory (redundant RAM)
-1 year return to factory warranty

[Talonman]

Man, the 400 has:

Over 400,000 random I/Os per second.
3000 MB/s random sustained external throughput.
Gasp..

I can't imagine what that would be like, nor could I afford one!

Fun to look though...

[Buckeye]

LOL yeah they are a bit over the top price wise

[zlojack]

LOL yeah they are a bit over the top price wise

I love how you say "a bit"

[Buckeye]

I had a little box waiting for me when I got home today.

Oh Yeah !

[Talonman]

You got one?

Super monster!!

[Talonman]

I stepped out of my GX2, and into a GTX 280. I currently have a single loop with two blocks cooling my system. I was consirned how my temps would be adding a 280 into the same loop.

My Cooler: The WaterKegIII Xtreme with ThermoChill PA120.3 RAD running with three 70.5 CFM Yate Loon's, and Laing D5 pump:



My two existing blocks: D-TEK FuZion CPU, and EK S-MAX Acetal for my NB. (D-Tek Quad nozzle and gasket installed in CPU block.)



My simple loop with the air cooled GX2 installed.



My PC next to the cooler:



My current CPU temps that I enjoy with a Q6600 @ 3.8GHz:



My EVGA Hydro Copper 16 Waterblock, waiting for my 280...
It came with the 3/8" and 1/2" fittings. I will be using the 1/2"ers.


The full cover block with backplate is $179.99
http://www.evga.com/products/moreInf...%20Waterblocks

BTW: If you would like to see the inside of the block, look here: http://www.legitreviews.com/article/726/4/

It has tiny E's inside for EVGA!

Note: With this block the backplate helps to absorbe heat from the memory chips, and transfer it to the waterblock:

You put some TIM on the backplate to better transfer the heat to the front.

Description:

Featuring a sleek-modern look and a full copper design, EVGA continues to incorporate only the best attributes that make up the Hydro Copper Waterblock Series. An extreme high flow path design with a unique, integrated pressure point allows the Hydro Copper 16 Waterblock to keep your GTX 280 or GTX 260 as cool as can be while under even the heaviest of graphical loads. Exclusive only to EVGA, patent pending -flow technology aids in dispersing heat from GTX 280 and GTX 260 graphics processing unit (GPU). EVGA also provides full coverage with the addition of a heat-piped back plate that links with the Hydro Copper 16 Waterblock using patent pending "Co-op" technology.

Here is the official EVGA Hydro Copper 16 Waterblock install guide: http://www.evga.com/products/pdf/200-CU-HC16-B1.pdf


This is where my system speed was currently at:
NOTE: System had to Prime 2Hrs error free before numbers were recorded.
Note: The only thing OC'ed on my GX2 SSC is the fan!
FSB -- DDR2 ----- BIOS ----- CPU-Z ------ BIOS ----- Everest - CPU-Z --- 3DMark06 --- SM2.0 -- SM3.0 --- CPU ------ Vantage --- CPU --- Graphics
420 -- 840MHz -- 3.79GHz -- 3.7801GHz -- 1.51875v -- 1.50v -- 1.496v ---- 19,296 ----- 7,661 --- 9,062 --- 5,375 ----- P10,553 -- 13,167 -- 9,898

421 -- 842MHz -- 3.80GHz -- 3.7895GHz -- 1.51875v -- 1.50v -- 1.496v ---- 19,305 ----- 7,647 --- 9,078 --- 5,385 ----- P10,553 -- 13,164 -- 9,899

422 -- 844MHz -- 3.81GHz -- 3.7979GHz -- 1.51875v -- 1.50v -- 1.496v ---- 19,364 ----- 7,690 --- 9,113 --- 5,369 ----- P10,583 -- 13,281 -- 9,912

423 -- 846MHz -- 3.82GHz -- 3.8074GHz -- 1.53125v -- 1.51v -- 1.512v ---- 19,164 ----- 7,550 --- 9,042 --- 5,358 ----- P10,595 -- 13,441 -- 9,896

424 -- 848MHz -- 3.83GHz -- 3.8164GHz -- 1.53125v -- 1.51v -- 1.512v ---- 19,226 ----- 7,570 --- 9,047 --- 5,419 ----- P10,574 -- 13,254 -- 9,906

425 -- 850MHz -- 3.84GHz -- 3.8252GHz -- 1.53125v -- 1.51v -- 1.512v ---- 19,503 ----- 7,766 --- 9,141 --- 5,428 ----- P10,574 -- 13,262 -- 9,905

426 -- 852MHz -- 3.85GHz -- 3.8346GHz -- 1.53750v -- 1.53v -- 1.528v ---- 19,499 ----- 7,762 --- 9,123 --- 5,447 ----- P10,564 -- 13,232 -- 9,899

427 -- 854MHz -- 3.86GHz -- 3.8430GHz -- 1.53750v -- 1.52v -- 1.520v ---- 19,237 ----- 7,598 --- 9,015 --- 5,385 ----- P10,475 -- 13,515 -- 9,745

428 -- 856MHz -- 3.87GHz -- 3.8525GHz -- 1.53750v -- 1.52v -- 1.520v ---- 19,592 ----- 7,795 --- 9,185 --- 5,457 ----- P10,453 -- 13,486 -- 9,724

For each FSB test, I rebooted and waited for all disk activity to stop. I ran Vantage first, then 3DMark06 second. Each program only received 1 run, and data was recorded.

Chart data recorded:
FSB selected - What DDR2 Frequency will be required - How fast the BIOS reports when booting - How fast CPU-Z reports from Vista - Lowest voltage required to Prime 2hrs (BIOS setting) - Everest reported Core voltage - CPU-Z reported core voltage - 3DMark06 score using default settings - 3DMark Vantage using default settings.

Currently with just my CPU and NB in my loop, my max temp's don't cross 60C two hours into Prime! Usually around 55C most of the time on all 4 cores. It only spikes to about 59C for a few seconds, even when I'm hitting my chip with 1.5v's.

My 280:








I figured I better just install her as is, to make sure she worked before I took it apart for the block installation.

She installed just fine...


How she looks idle, with stock clock settings, and fan set to 75%. Room temp was 70.3F.



15 minutes of some smooth COD4!!
It ran my temp up to 64C.


One Vantage run using stock settings, just to see...


My cover is on the PC, and I have moved my fan up to 100%.
I want to know the best the fan can do before I go water cooled.
I'm trying to give it every advantage, to see how much my block can actually lower my temps beond the stock coolings ability.

I ran 3DMark06 at default settings, and kept Precision open taking a GPU temp reading after each test completed.

Temp after Return to Proxycon: 59C

Temp after Firefly Forest: 59C

Temp after CPU1 test: 51C

Temp after CPU test2: 49C

Temp after Canyon Flight 59C

Temp after Deep Freeze: 60C

Not too bad...

1 Hour of UT3, Max detail settings 1920x1200 and V-Sync on 57C.
I do have the UT3 Physx Mod installed too.

62 FPS non-VSync Mode
60 FPS with V-Sync on.

For testing I went after the big dog of heat generation, Crysis.

I set it up at 1920x1200, all high except Object Quality was Medium. (4xAA no V-sync)

With the fan set to 100%, and playing from the beginning for 1 hour, 70C was the max I could get GPU temp up to.

I was convinced my card was functioning within normal paramaters. (Time to mod it!)

Install went well:

Removed 2 black DVI bracet screws, 2 black rubber plugs, and 10 screws from the back. You have to pry off the heatsink:

This is what I found underneath.



I cleaned off the memory chips:



We now remove the heatsink, from the GPU.



Cleaned the gunk off:



I put some MX-2 on, and I know, most like to just put a dot...
I can help myself, I had to distribute it on the face of the chips too!!
You attach the block with the provided mounting bolts, insuring you line it up correctly when it contacts the card. You want your TIM to contact the raised spots on the block.



For the memory chips, and under side of GPU, I used the supplied thermal pads:



Attached the backplate:
TIM is applied where the 2 bolts join backplate to block, near the barbs.


I set mine up like the example in the lower right corner of the page.

As you look at the barbs in the block, OUT should on the Left hand side, and IN on the Right. Having the barbs pointing up or down makes no difference.



or, Out is E, In is A.
I did use the 1/2" barbs, and it's all ready for install:



Added er into the loop!:



How she looks idle, on water:


Looks like at idle:

CPU Core 1 through 4 are all checking in at 1C higher. No big deal...

NB had no change... (I have always liked this NB block.)

SB is also reading 1C higher... (And not in the loop...)

GPU was 38C, and now is 34C. I lost 4C off my GPU temp at idle...

On to load testing!

3DMark06 on water... Current basement temp: 71.6F

I kept Precision's on screen display active, and watched the screen like a hawk recording the highest temp I reached during each test.

3DMark06 at default settings:

Temp during Return to Proxycon: 43C (16C cooler!)

Temp during Firefly Forest: 44C (15C cooler!)

Temp during CPU1 test: 39C (12C cooler!)

Temp during CPU test2: 39C (10C cooler!)

Temp during Canyon Flight 44C (15C cooler!)

Temp during Deep Freeze: 44C (15C cooler!)

I have to say that I am impressed getting up to 16C cooler temps, with no fan noise under load. I had to run the fan at 100% to generate my first set of numbers.

I am thinking that keeping my loaded temps below 50C means I'm doing pritty good.

Another thing I noticed was when re-filling my loop, my flow still seemed plenty strong jetting my water through the lines. I was consirned about having enouigh flow for the 3 blocks. I now think it's a non-issue.
It still looked plenty strong to me...

If the question is asked if you can cool an over-clocked Q6600, a 280, and NB all on a Thermochill PA 120.3, my answer would be YES...

It might also be said that as expected, the full cover block shines under load, rather than just at idle on temperature reduction.

The 4C cooler temp at idle is nice, but the 16C less under load stands out to me as more valuable to the OC'er...

30 minutes of Prime let me hit a high temp of 60C.


Before the block install 59C was my max on the same test...

To be honest though, I was use to seeing my CPU hover at about 54C Priming. Now it hovers at 59 or 60C. My max temp may be showing only 1C higher so far, but my 'Normal Prime Operating Temp' went up about 5C. Adding the 280's block into the loop didn't come for free as far as the CPU is consirned.

Also note that my 280 is now showing an idle temp of 40C insted of the 34C I see when not Priming. Having all 4 cores at 100% is dumping some extra heat into my loop.

I guess I can roll with that!!

My new MAX GPU temp for UT3 with the same settings is 44C.

That's 13C lower, than what I had on the stock cooling.

Using the same settings I had on the air test, fired Crysis up again. 48C looks to be about the most heat Crysis will now generate...

This is right after exiting the game, and the highest GPU temp I have been able to generate since the install:

That's a Mighty 22C lower than my air test playing Crysis.
Impressive for sure!!


OC results:
I used Precision's on screen display and recorded the highest temp I could hit during each test of Vantage.
Even if the temp only displayed for a micro-jiffie, it was recorded if it was a new high.
I kept upping my clock settings, to see how it would change my load temps.

Vantage using default settings:

280 Set To: -- Stock --- SC --- SSC --- FTW ---- HC
____________ Speed _ Speed _ Speed _ Speed _ Speed
Jane Nash ----- 44C ---- 45C -- 46C ---- 46C --- 47C

New Calico ---- 44C ---- 46C -- 46C ---- 47C --- 47C

Airplanes1 ----- 39C ---- 40C --- 41C --- 41C --- 41C

Airplanes2 ----- 42C ---- 42C --- 43C --- 43C --- 43C

Colors1 -------- 44C ---- 45C --- 45C --- 46C --- 46C

Colors2 -------- 43C ---- 44C --- 44C --- 45C --- 45C

Mountains ----- 45C ---- 46C --- 47C --- 47C --- 47C

Flags ---------- 42C --- 42C ---- 43C --- 43C --- 43C

Dots ---------- 42C ---- 43C --- 43C --- 43C --- 44C

Fog ----------- 46C ---- 47C --- 47C --- 47C --- 48C

Stock 280 scored= P12178 (602/2214)

280 to SC speed scored = P12567 (621/2268)

280 to SSC speed scored = P13013 (648/2322)

280 to FTW speed scored = P13586 (670/2430)

280 to HC speed scored = P13878 (691/2430)


I haven't noticed any screen artifacts so far...
My 280's Vantage score set to HC speed:

I have added almost 2K on to my Vantage score just from the OC!

Still running at HC speed, I ran 3DMark06.
45C was the highest temp it could generate on my GPU during the entire run.
Most of the time it ran around 40C.



I decided to run Core=702MHz, Shaders=1512MHz, and Memory=1269MHz on my 280.
Still no artifacts, and Vantage is still not taking my GPU temp above 48C.
My new 'Keeper' settings gives me a 14K score in Vantage.


Once again, what my 280 scored using the default clock speeds:

A difference of 1,823 Vantage Points!
Ya gotta love the OC!

I love the block. Understand too that keeping your 280 below 50C is not this blocks performance limit. One of the boys at the EVGA site is keeping his OC'ed 280's load temp below 40C. He is running in the 30's under load, but dosen't have a CPU in the same loop.

Keeping a OC'ed 280 below 50C is just my limit. Well, it is for now until my cold a$$ basement returnes to about 59F come winter! (Snicker...)
The RAD is really going to love it this year.

I am ok with this setup and my 1 loop. I think it should keep me out of trouble...

Core=702MHz, Shaders=1512MHz, and Memory=1269MHz producing 14K in Vantage with loaded temps under 50C is the end of the story for me...

NOTE: It is my opinion that even though when OC'ing from stock speed, to HC speed, I only had a 2 to 3C change in load temp, I don't believe using the stock sink/fan cooling, would produce the same result.

Crysis for example was much hotter on air than on water. I think this is a direct result of that huge slab of Hydro Copper. It flat out handles the heat better, and like mine for example, HATES to go over 48C.

Crysis on the stock cooling with fan set to 100% took me to 70C.

I would expect the same OC on the stock cooling, would move your max temp more than it did on the water rig. If you are running the stock cooling, you probably shouldn't be expecting the same tiny 2 to 3C change in load temp, if you OC from stock to HC speed.

For trivia: My TJ09 has (5) 120mm Scythe S-FLEX Case Fans, a Corsair CMXAF1 ram cooler, A 60MM fan on top of that pointing at my coils, (1) 120mm Silverstone fan that came in my case, suspended from my GPU's power cables, pointing directly up at the GPU. My Ohio basement was also a cool 70F.

All of that to let you know that my case get's good cool air flow. The stock cooling had allot of things going it's way.

I just wouldn't want to NOT give the block it's due credit, when it comes to reducing your loaded temps. That is after all, it's specialty.

The stock fan can't run with this sucker!

The End...

[zlojack]

Wow...great stuff Talonman. I hope you enjoy your 280!

[Talonman]

Thanks...

Still playing with OC'ing my card...

These are some of the valid numbers I can lock my core into:
691
702
713
729

My issue is that when I set my Core to 702, it would cause Vantages Crash'n'Burn Physics test to crash my system about every fifth run. I fired up Vantage and turned all other tests off, just to speed the process up. I also set the test up to run 3 times when I click go. With the core set to 702 I would keep running that single test to see how many successful runs I could complete in a row. Five was about it before the system would re-boot.

Setting the core back down to the next lowest number that would lock in, was 691 (HC speed). With the core set back to 691, Vantages Crash'n'Burn test ran clean 15 runs in a row for me. When my core was 702 it would crash about every 5th run, and core at 713 would crash about every other run...

Like it or not, if I want an error free Vantage, 691 has to be my core's number. (So far...)

Shaders were successfully working for me at 1512. I went up to the next higher number that I could lock in, which is 1566. With my victory number 691 locked into the core, I gave the 1566 shader setting a try. Jane Nash had a big problem with this, and promptly caused the system to re-boot about 20 seconds into the action.

Setting the shaders back to 1512 corrected all issues.

My memory was successfully OC'ed to 1323, and is still working fine for me at that setting.

Core=691, Shaders=1512, and Memory=1323 are my current settings.
Note: A stock 280 HC is set to Core=691, Shaders=1458, and Memory=1215. I still am running a wee bit over that...

Still getting 14K in Vantage, with cool GPU temps under load, and still lovin my Vanilla OC'ed Water Cooled 280!

[zlojack]

Give us a look at the X preset, if you get a chance. I'd like to see what it does when it's pushed a bit!

Sweet benchies.

[perkam]

Nice clean rig

Perkam

[Talonman]

Thanks!

[Talonman]

I have what I think is more favorable info on the block, and watercooling in general.

I was reading a thread about some users having 280 heat issues, and one post recomended running FurMark to test how well your 280 handles heat.

http://www.ozone3d.net/benchmarks/fur/

I did just that, and on my system it was able to generate more heat then Crysis.
Current basement temp was, 71.2F.
NOTE: I was still playing with 702 core here...

First I ran the two Benchmarking tests, Time Based, and Frame Based.
Using Precision's OSD recorded my temps.

Options: I checked the Fullscreen box, and selected 1920x1200.

Both the Time Based and Frame Based ran my temps up to 49C. (Still darn good I think..)



Next, I went after the Stability test set at 1920x1200, Fullscreen, and 2xMSAA Samples.

From close to the beginning, to 134 sec= 50C
135 to 230 sec= 51C
231 to 331 sec= 52C
332 to 500 sec= 53C


53C is my new highest GPU temp that I have hit on water...

Considering the GPU temps I hear this program can generate, I think this is still doing very well...

[perkam]

You have Aero On?

Perkam

[Talonman]

Yes, should I not?

[perkam]

Yes, should I not?

Avoid Aero like the plague when benching.

Perkam

[Talonman]

Thanks for the tip... Now turned off!!

[Talonman]

Give us a look at the X preset, if you get a chance. I'd like to see what it does when it's pushed a bit!

Sweet benchies.

As requested... My lone 280 with Vantage on X setting.
Core=691, Shaders=1512, and Memory=1323 are my current settings.

[zlojack]

Sweet score!

[Talonman]

Thanks..
I gave "Video Card Stability Test" a run to see just to see how I would do on my temp...

http://freestone-group.com/video-car...ility-test.htm

It ran my water cooled 280 clean up to 46C!

Ya gotta love watercooling...

I scored 1277...

[Buckeye]

Very Nice Talon !

Glad to see you were able to setup. I purchased mine on release day and the new cards came out 1 day after my setup expired, EVGA said no to setup for me !

Glad to see that you rig is doing very well. How did you manage to keep the insides dust free all this time ?

[Talonman]

Air compressor... 1 freekin day... Man.... That is rough.
Holding out for the SSC saved my butt or I would have been right there with you.
GX2 SSC released April 1st, I baught April 1st.

I knew I would step-up if I could... That's why I was holding off on buying a GPU block. I wanted to buy for the card I would end up with.
I figure I will keep my 280 for a year or so, might as well keep er running cool.
I think EVGA did a good job with this block.

I am also glad that my RAD can handle the load...

I wonder within the next 12 months, how many games will be made that a single 280 won't be able to provide an enjoyable gaming experience on?

I'm thinking probably 0.

The ATI cards are attractive, but I can be happy for a while sitting on my H20 280.

I wonder what will be 'THE' card to have in July of 2009?

Put me down for 1!!

[Talonman]

Update: Using the new version of Precision I was able to set my 280 to higher clock settings, and still be stable. I believe this directly related to the new version. I works better for me and others now too.

Now currently running error free @ Core= 738, Shaders= 1512, and Memory= 1323, I went for more.

For my Core: The next highest number it would lock into was 741, odd thing was I needed to enter 742 before the core's clock would actually jump to that speed. After the core jumped to 741, I changed the 742, to 741, and the core returned to 738. Unexpected.. (I put the 742 back in!)

At the same time I moved my shaders up from 1512 to 1566. The last time I tried my shaders at this speed, Jane Nash rebooted my system. That was on the old version of Precision.

So with Core= 741, Shaders= 1566, and Memory= 1323, launched Vantage for a run. Jane Nash rebooted my system again, not too far into the action.

I kept my Core at 741, and backed my Shaders down to 1512, and still kept my Memory at 1323. I suspect my Shaders just won't run at 1566 on my 280. I have tried a few times, and have never made it passed Jane Nash even once. I ran Vantage again to see if any test would take issues with my 741 Core.

I am happy to report that so far Vantage likes!!
P14863 with Core= 741, Shaders= 1512, and Memory= 1323:


With thoes settings it ran my 280 clean up to 40C!! I'm gunna have to keep an eye on that... NOT!

I have no intention of upping my memory any higher. It has ran for me error free the entire time at 1323. I think I have more bandwidth than my GPU probably can use already.

I also wonder if the Shaders jumping from 1512 to 1566 is controlled by the driver, or the hardware itself. I would like to try out a shader speed in between the two. If the Shaders valid speed increments available to lock into, is controlled by the driver, make a driver with mabey a 1525 Shader speed option.

I would like to take my Shaders out for a spin at that speed. I think 1566 is just out for me.

Still Way Happy. I am going to run for a day or two this way to insure it's stable on games too. I still may try to coax more out of my core down the line, but not today...

How do I reconcile this, to having the system rebooting at core 702, and 720 using the old Precision...

Same driver, and no BIOS changes have been made to the system in any way....

I was running unlinked Core and Shaders in both versions of Precision too.

Again, I have no clue why it now works for me, it just does...

[zlojack]

Wow Talonman, pretty sweet stuff there!

You've really ended up with quite the system there.