Not sure if this is relevant, but if you have an OEM version of Windows will it still work with a new motherboard? I had read that they are linked to your MD so if you change it, it will think you are running on a new PC and need another license. As I said, I don't know if this is true but may be something to consider if it is.

 

Hi there

Have look on this OCZ PSU

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showpr...FUbMtAodOHYA7Q

What CPU cooler you are running,if you are still running OEM CPU cooler,I would say,I would upgrade without the doubts for better one if you are want to overclock yours bundle

What CPU you are running?

Extra longevity with upgraded GPU and Motherboard,not sure,if you have enough good CPU and good MB I would go with better GPU,which can easy beat SLI for less than upgrading everything

As you know some games still doesn't support SLI/Crossfire


Jura

 

It's an Artic Cooler fan, was part of an 'overclocked bundle' that Scan do.
CPU is an i7 2600k, current MB is the Gbyte GA-Z68AP-D3.

Think I'm better off selling the two 560ti's I have (annoyingly I can't return the new one as I've opened it) and just getting a better ATI based card.

 

Good thing to know, fortunately as I built this myself I got the retail version.

 

Hi there

Yes CPU cooler used this CPU cooler before on my previous build(i7-920) and still I've managed nice numbers(4.4GHz)

When you are getting BSOD,I would try disable Speed Step,any sort of the power saving modes etc

About the GPU,not sure,if yours MB support Crossfire I would go with ATi GPU,I've never have any problems with ATi cards,in some cases,mainly in rendering(Mental ray,VRay,Poser Pro etc.) I would use nVidia card and overclocked CPU


Jura

 

Yeah my current MB does support crossfire. I'm leaning towards switching to an ati card, chopping in the 560's and seeing where that gets me.
So is a 7950 a good step up in performance to my 560ti?

 

If you re thinking get HD7950 I would have look too on the HD7970 too,price wise 7970 is sometimes around £70-£100 more expensive


Jura

 

this mght help you compare ..
http://www.hwcompare.com/11444/gefor...adeon-hd-7950/

 

Suppose it'll depend on what I can get for the 560Ti's. If it gets me close to the price of a 7970 I may just pay the difference.

 

7970 is only about 5% faster clock for clock than 7950. More for benchmarkers really and not worth the extra over a 7950. If the 7950 won't play it, neither will the 7970!

 

Yes agreed on that,if you are comparing both cards in stock speeds,but if you are overclock the 7970 then 7970 is winner

As I said depends on more factors,which card I would choose

Good tests

http://hexus.net/tech/reviews/graphi...essor/?page=14

http://hexus.net/tech/reviews/graphi...d-7970-clocks/

Jura

 

lol I'm completely bewildered now. Perhaps I should just sell the extra 560 and live with what I've got till a titan card comes down to £400

 

Been building PC's for me and friends since 486's and have only ever had one problematic Gigabyte board (pentium 2) compared to loads of issues with Asus and MSI.

Gigabyte have some of the best QC in the industry, I choose them for reliability over performance, Asus can often have a minor edge (less than 1%) in performance but reliability lets them down.

 

I have 2 580 gtx's and tbh I almost always run out of SLI mode. The heat generated, power consumption and performance gain on most games isn't worth it, Crysis games I usually re-enable it, and will probably do the same for Bioshock as it is more GPU intensive.

 

I have read that it's always better to get one single good card over an SLi set up (should have read up before I bought the 2nd card!).

 

Somebody will have a new motherboard on monday, i wonder who

 

But beware the cards that are sli already (twin GPU models like the 690)

 

Need to order a new PSU.
Thinking either of these...

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showpr...odid=CA-058-EN

http://www.scan.co.uk/products/750w-...m-quiet-fan-at

or this one that's just popped up in my inbox...

http://www.ebuyer.com/265709-ocz-zx-...ign=b2c_monday

 

I'd go with this (and did!):

http://www.scan.co.uk/products/850w-...et-fan-atx-psu

Only fires up the fan if it gets too hot, and good length connectors. (preorder at scan but can get elsewhere)

 

I've read good things about Seasonic PSUs. Shame it's pre-order on Scan, £20 cheaper on there to Ebuyer etc.

 

If you can stretch your budget a little go for either a Corsair AX fully modular or a Seasonic fully modular. I use the Corsair AX850 myself, they are a nice quiet psu.

Having a fully modular PSU is great, it allows you to just plug in the cables you need, also it allows you to take out the PSU to clean your case and c lean the PSU itself just by unplugging the cables.

http://www.ebuyer.com/227503-corsair...FcHHtAodzCIAKQ

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showpr...odid=CA-026-SS

 

Probably you have more luck with them,but not me,due this I'm staying away from them.I've build numerous PC like for myself or other people and friends

Jura


I've used only CoolerMaster and OCZ,I'm very happy with the them,but personal preference is for me OCZ

Have look on this too for £79.99 at PC World OCZ ZS750 its 80plus Bronze which should be OK for yours needs

http://www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/ocz-zs...waqpt&istBid=t

Jura

 

How often do you take a PSU out to clean it then?

The Corsair I've got at the moment has a noisy fan (I presume it's that and not the GPU fan!). If I could find a seasonic PSU that is in stock and not more than £120 I'd get one.
Champing at the bit to rebuild it now!

 

I give my PC i light clean at the end of each week, just a quick blow with Dust off and a quick wipe inside.

I probably clean it thorough once every 6 months, psu out, mobo out, leave ram on the mobo and cpu cooler etc. It doesn't take long at all especially with having a fully modular psu, so twice a year for a thorough clean.

 

100% agree on OCZ, been very good for me.

 

Blew the budget a little and went for a fully modular Seasonic 850w PSU.

 

FFS thought I'd route around for my Windows 7 disk. Found my two copies of home premium, neither of which I used on this machine. Checked my invoice from Scan, I bought an OEM version with it and to top it all off I can't find the DVD!
I've used magicjellybean Key retriever and have the Product ID and CD Key but I'm guessing that's not gonna be of any use when Windows decides it's on a new PC.
What's the crack? do I phone MS up after the swap and convince them I've swapped motherboards? must be pretty common?

 

So your up and running with the new motherboard

Yeh it will be pretty common, people have motherboards replaced under warranty as well as upgrading them.

Do you know anyone thats got a windows 7 home premium disc that you can borrow ? I'm pretty sure your key will work with any disc as long as its the same version, i'm sure someone on here would do a copy for you if they have it, i'm running Windows 7 Ultimate 64 bit so that wouldn't be of any help.

I'd ring microsoft anyway, they may send you a new disc as you have the serial code, i have a feeling though that they may tell you to contact the manufacturer who supplied you with the OEM version which came with your pc.

 

Good choice

 

No Rob, PSU hasn't arrived yet
I've got both the DVD's from my home premiums, although I'm hoping not to have to do a reinstall