First try at OC (core i7 / classified) worklog

[error404]

Hey guys... this will be some type of work log with plenty of questions and some pics

Last computer that I built from the ground up was a pentium 4 (back when HT didn't even exist)

Since then I have been conformed which whatever my company gave me, but now is time to build my own computer!

List of parts so far:

Intel Core i7 920
EVGA classified E760
CORSAIR CMPSU-1000HX 1000W
OCZ Gold 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3
ZALMAN CNPS9700 LED 110mm 2 Ball CPU Cooler
EVGA GTX 260
TJ07 (silver)

The idea is to Air Cool it on stage I and later water cool it (stage II)

I also, did some small modifictions while installing everything, like inverting the MB tray, and installing a custom bezel to match the case


THE BUILD:

Test fitting the mb tray upside down (without the rails)



and here with the rails on (there was no way I could fit the top rail)... The bottom rail (which used to be the top rail, had to be reconfigured to be a little taller)


checking the lian li bezel (to see how I was going to fit it)


some cuttings





Test fitting


And here is a quick photoshop of what I'm planning to do once I water cool it













checking the manual



Double checking the manual






Triple checking the manual!!


a couple of adjustment!




Some cable management












I was very unhappy with the lengths of the cables that came on my PSU (CORSAIR modular -1000W)

Does anyone know what would I need to create custom length cables? the 24 was fine, but the 6 pin ones for the video card were to short!!!

[error404]

OVERCLOCKING:
(Warning, this is not a guide to overclock anything... you'll be safer following someone that actually knows what he/she is doing )

So far I have been reading a lot of guides, and I'm still pretty lost

The first thing I did was to install a series of programs:
EVGA E-LEET
Core Temp
Real Temp
p95v259
LinX
CPU-Z

Then I started to raise the QPI
I was able to go from 133 to 148 (turbo enable x21 = 3.1 Ghz ) without a problem
@ 148 10 passes on linX and 10 1/2 hours of p95v259 (overnight) = 0 errors


The Benchwell scene (maxwell) went from 11m. 13sec (956.79 benchmark) to 10.05m. 5sec. (1063.29) (Nice improvement in my book )



@ 150 (and everything else on auto) I got the BSOD

Then I tried
QPI = 160
VCORE = 1.275
CPU VTT = 1.35
DRAM voltage = 1.65



The computer was stable, I didn't get any errors and I was able to test maxwell again



9min. 33sec. @ 1122.31

Temperatures seemed fine @ mid 70s under load... but later that night core#0 reached 79, so I brought it back to my previous configuration (148). The whole room felt wayyy hotter than the rest of the house.
Did I used too much voltage?

I'm thinking of buying two of these 120mm (triple 5 1/2 bay) fans and maybe upgrading the all the fans on the case... any recommendation of what fans to buy?
I'm also planning to take the Plexiglas covering the top and coming back to use the grille

any other suggestions?

thanks guys!!

[ViViD]

Wow It's Nice Pics
Great PhotoGrapher
And Good Work M8

[error404]

Originally Posted by ViViD

Wow It's Nice Pics
Great PhotoGrapher
And Good Work M8

I was planning to take a backdrop out and some studio lights ( My parents have a photography studio / business), but I have seen so many good studio pics in this site, that I figured it wouldn't be worth the extra time.

Instead, I borrowed the "terminator" and took some pics.
I call the terminator a Canon 5D mark II with a 24-70mm f/2.8 L (luxury model )

It doesn't matter what you do... you simply can't screw up the pictures, they always come out perfect. That is why you see pics of me in there... I let my best friend take those pics!

I have tried for my friend to take some good pics before using (lets see) a S2-pro, D100, and a 20D with no success, he is simply "camera illiterate".

[Onoff312]

Very nice but you need a better cooler man that thing is failing at near stock clocks.

[Asylum1]

Yea setup is looking good but if your going to overclock that thing get some water on it.

[dexster]

nice clean build

and nice pics!!!

[TheParadox]

Originally Posted by error404

I'm thinking of buying two of these 120mm (triple 5 1/2 bay) fans and maybe upgrading the all the fans on the case... any recommendation of what fans to buy?
I'm also planning to take the Plexiglas covering the top and coming back to use the grille

any other suggestions?

thanks guys!!

I have a V2110 case that i fitted with 2 of those Scythe kama bay fans. The fans are useless unless your really looking for some peace and quiet... (800rpm / 30.5 CFM / 12.8 dB) but the housing for them is great... which is what i why i got them. There is a dust filter in them too (didn't know that when i got them... requires you to remove the fan).

If you get them... get something powerful and just add either a controller or one of those cables that'll drop the voltage.

Also, i've heard of some people that put a small 40mm ($5) fan on the NB cooler for the classified and drop the NB temp about 20c (yup... $5 dollars well spent) so by cooling that better, you may also see some better temps on the CPU. There's holes cut on the NB cooler... just need a fan.

Good job I haven't built a computer since this rig (an ITX PC) and before that i built an AMD something with an ATI all-in-wonder radeon. Can't wait to pick up some serious hardware.