Need Advice/Help with PSU & Heatsink Choices... on a $2500+ Build.

C

Chameleon

New Member
Here is my Current Build::
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CASE:: Cooler Master HAF XM

CPU:: Intel Core i7-3770K Ivy Bridge 3.5GHz (may OC up to 4.5GHz)

MoBo:: ASUS SABERTOOTH Z77

RAM:: CORSAIR Vengeance LP 16GB (4 x 4GB) DDR3 1600

GPU:: EVGA GeForce GTX 690 Signature 4GB

SSD:: SAMSUNG 830 Series 256GB SATA III (SSD)

PSU:: Open to suggestions -- As long as it's 850w+ & fully modular!

Heatsink:: These are my current 3 options!
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Any suggestions/comments on the 3 heatsink options I've linked would be appreciated, especially if anyone has any experience with these particular brand/models...
One big thing for me is aesthetics, so if you have other suggestions outside of my 3 choices, I'm going for a very sleek/black look inside the case!

As for the PSU... I'm completely open to ALL suggestions, just as long as it's AT LEAST 850w & fully modular.

Thanks everyone!
 
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What is this computer for?

this graphics card in crossfire is faster and cheaper, the one you picked is the same as 2 680's in sli and this is equal in performance to those for less money.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814202001

if you plan to overclock with this then a 2600k will be better for you, they are just as fast as ivy bridge but because of the larger die size there is more room for heat dispersion so when overclocked they run cooler.

the diff between full modular and partial modular is just that the 24 pin and 8 pin plugs come out but they are required so there isn't really a point.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817207024

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817256067

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151102

last one for 15% off takes my recomendation though, is fully modular and 80plus gold so super efficient.

faster ram then same thing but 2 sticks so you can get 32gb's but i think you need the second version of windows for that much

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231511

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231611
 
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jonnyp11 said:
the diff between full modular and partial modular is just that the 24 pin and 8 pin plugs come out but they are required so there isn't really a point.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817207024

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817256067

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151102

last one for 15% off takes my recomendation though, is fully modular and 80plus gold so super efficient.
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Thanks for these suggestions... I'll look into them.

The PC is purely for gaming... and as for the other suggestions, all the other parts are already purchased. Just waiting on them to arrive, and going to be making final decisions on PSU and heatsink soon. But thanks anyways for the reply! =D
 
Any reason to go to 850w? 750w would power it easily. In this review, it didn't even break 500w on full load with a i7-3960X. I don't see any reason why you'd need 850w, unless you want another 690 in the future, which would be crazy.

For the heatsink, I'd look into the Corsair H series. All in one liquid cooling. I have one and it performs well.
 
claptonman said:
Any reason to go to 850w? 750w would power it easily. In this review, it didn't even break 500w on full load with a i7-3960X. I don't see any reason why you'd need 850w, unless you want another 690 in the future, which would be crazy.

For the heatsink, I'd look into the Corsair H series. All in one liquid cooling. I have one and it performs well.
Click to expand...

Yes, eventually I will add a second 690, hence the 850w. As for the corsair H series, I have no intention on putting a liquid cooling system into such an expensive build, especially when I've read that there have been plenty of issues with them. And while sure, yours probably runs great, I'm just not going to take the risk. Plus, they are much louder than air coolers.

Anyone else have any actual SUGGESTIONS, and not just "you should do this instead" posts?
 
Looks like cables are going to matter? Like Corsair HX or AX? Or 3rd party cables? Or extentions?
http://www.performance-pcs.com/cata...34_804&zenid=b155918b1a8baf6aba62267db46e0daf

With the cable management of the XM, there won't be a visual diff between full and semi modular. Not suggesting either way, just saying.

With fan down, and depending on the esthetics/colors you want, Corsair HX or AX.
If not one of those, then we'll have to keep looking and may involve 3rd party cables if you want the part of the cables that will actually be seen, to matter.
 
Benny Boy said:
Looks like cables are going to matter? Like Corsair HX or AX? Or 3rd party cables? Or extentions?
http://www.performance-pcs.com/cata...34_804&zenid=b155918b1a8baf6aba62267db46e0daf

With the cable management of the XM, there won't be a visual diff between full and semi modular. Not suggesting either way, just saying.

With fan down, and depending on the esthetics/colors you want, Corsair HX or AX.
If not one of those, then we'll have to keep looking and may involve 3rd party cables if you want the part of the cables that will actually be seen, to matter.
Click to expand...

You know, after looking at both of these, and seeing the review for the HX850 on jonnyguru.com, I think I'm sold on it! However, the AX850 is supposedly getting really good reviews across the board as well... and many are saying it's quite like the Seasonic X-850... which is another one I'm now looking at. What are your thoughts on all three of these, comparatively speaking?
 
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Looked at it and id get the ax850 if you dont mind the price, the cables are individually sleaved all the way so you dont see the colored wires at the end of it where the sleave ends on the other power supplies.
 
jonnyp11 said:
Looked at it and id get the ax850 if you dont mind the price, the cables are individually sleaved all the way so you dont see the colored wires at the end of it where the sleave ends on the other power supplies.
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Yeah, I think I'm going to go with the AX850, as the Seasonic only has a 5yr warranty, while Corsair's come with 7yr. Plus, they are cheaper.

So... BAM! PSU selected! Rock on!

Now, it comes down to COOLER... I am actually partial to the Zalman CNPS12x, simply because it's known to perform well and is super quiet... plus, I've used and loved Zalman coolers in the past... However, the 12x is HUUUGE, and I'm not even sure it'd fit on the MoBo, or inside the case. I emailed Zalman to see if they can answer that question...

But does anyone have any other suggestions for really good heatsink options?

Aesthetics is a big thing when it comes to the heatsink. A lot of people seem to really like the Noctua heatsinks, but I think they look horrible! so they're out of the question. haha
 
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The AX's cables aren't individially sleeved all they way like single braided, but they have black wires and that looks good. Good ps/choice.
 
Benny Boy said:
The AX's cables aren't individially sleeved all they way like single braided, but they have black wires and that looks good. Good ps/choice.
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Yeah... and I actually went ahead and purchased THIS heatsink, as i know it will fit, and will cool the cpu well. It's a bit louder than the 12x model, but I think I'll be okay with that.

However, if Zalman gets back to me and says they believe the 12x will fit, BEFORE I install the 9900max, I might just return it and go with the 12x.

Though, I would still love to know if anyone has any other aesthetically pleasing suggestions that I should check out. I'm not against returning the 9900max if there is something even better out there that fits my needs! =)
 
Benny Boy said:
The AX's cables aren't individially sleeved all they way like single braided, but they have black wires and that looks good. Good ps/choice.
Click to expand...

Looked and youre right, only pre individually sleeved psu i can find is the ocz fatality 1000w which is slightly lower quality but a great choice too, but i think the on big sleeve looks nicer than 100 thin wires running around
 
Not sure how it actually performs but the cooler master v10 looks nice, cancheck the reviews and see what people say
 
Benny Boy said:
Direct contact copper heat pipes would be better. Like this one has.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835154011
http://www.frostytech.com/articleview.cfm?articleID=2480
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Yeah, the Tuniq was one of my choices, however, I began reading that it has a noise issue, which really bothers me. But this is why I was looking at the Zalman CNPS12x, it is a direct-touch heatsink also.

Though, given my wife currently has a Zalman CNPS9900LED on her PC, which is almost exactly like the 9900max, AND it performs quite well, I'm sure the 9900max won't be a problem, even though it isn't direct touch.

So I guess it looks like it's going to come down to whether or not the 12x model will fit. Hell, even if I don't hear from Zalman, I may just purchase one and do some comparisons with it on hand... then return the one that I don't use. :-)

Thanks again everyone!
 
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