Upgrading to i7 system.

[fvjuke]

Hello guys.

OK, I am really considering this upgrade to the new i7 and would like some feedback on the specs:

Intel i7 940
S1366 ASUS P6T-DELUXE/OC PALM X58 PCIE
PSU 750W ATX CORSAIR TX
DDR3 1600MHZ CORSAIR DOMINATOR NO-ECC 6144Mo
Windows Vista Premium 64bit

I intend to keep my current video card 8800GTS 512

Now, I want to o'clock this CPU to around 4ghz on air cooling.

Which HSF do you recommend ?

[T1MT1M]

i would say get the TRUE for 1366, or you could wait till they make more different types of HSF's.

[NickN]

Thermalright 120 extreme 1366 version


may need to wait a bit longer.. they are hitting the market soon

You can also use the regular 120 extreme and order the 1366 backplate mount

its the same HS, just a different bracket but the 1366 version of the 120 comes with a fan and the older version does not and you have to order a PMW 4 pin 120mm fan for it.


Others should be hitting the market soon too however i7 is new so it may take a bit for the support clocking parts to hit the streets



If you are going to 4GHz I suggest you switch to Mushkin 1600 3x2GB 7-8-7

http://www.mushkin.com/doc/products/mem ... asp?id=730

[fvjuke]

Thanks for your suggestions guys.

I can't seem to find the Thermalright 120 extreme 1366 version
for sale in Canada.

[NickN]

[quote]Thanks for your suggestions guys.

I can't seem to find the Thermalright 120 extreme 1366 version
for sale in Canada.

[fvjuke]

NickN, is the difference between the 940 and the 920 really worthed ?

The 920 is half the price of the 940 here and based on comments on the web, the 920 seems to be easy to OC to 4ghz.

What your advice on this ?

[pengyman89]

[quote]
I can't seem to find the Thermalright 120 extreme 1366 version
for sale in Canada.

[NickN]

920 can do it.. question is, can you

there is a difference between 920 and 940 but the 965 and the 940 are the same

to clock a 920 you have to work the numbers on the memory and there will most likely be a lower wall

I dont care what you read on the net.. you are either reading pro clockers at work or hardware sites that want to please intel

You have to push a 920 harder than a 940 to obtain the same result.. It can be done but there is no such thing as a free lunch

[fvjuke]

Hey NickN,

my local store cannot get me the Mushkin DDR3 but they recommended this one instead:
OCZ DDR3 PC3-12800/ 1600MHz / Platinum XTC / Triple Channel Kits / 6GB

CL 7-7-7-24
(CAS-TRCD-TRP-TRAS)

[NickN]

that will do the job just fine

those are actually my 2nd choice suggested memory sticks

[Papafox]

On the subject of 920 vs. 940, NickN has it right: If you have the ability to overclock, the 920 will do just fine. I have my 920 running at 4.0Ghz and I'm blown away by how smooth MSFS X is now. For cooling I use a Thermalright ultra 120 extreme. Temps run about 50 degrees C during MSFS X, which is quite safe. To find the True120 1366 editon (it comes with a fan and large black fan clip), go to thermalright's web page and then check out its list of retailers. Two of the retailers I know of had it in stock this week. For memory I use 6GB of Corsair Dominators. It's great memory, but for the price I'd probably go for the OCZ if making the decision today. The faster Mushkin is tempting as well.

I used the Asus P6T Deluxe motherboard to overclock, and it's stable as can be. The drawback is that sleep mode gets flaky above 165 BLCK or so, and I'm running at 192. The Asus TurboV software does not allow you to jump between stock speed and overclock speed from within Windows. For this reason I'm moving to an EVGA board. The Gigabyte boards also give you control of large changes in computer speed while in windows. If you turn off your computer every night and primarily use the computer for gaming and flight sims, go with the Asus. If you primarily use low-cpu-intensive programs but sometimes need a max overclock for FSX, and you like to leave many programs open overnight, consider the EVGA or Gigabyte boards.

[fvjuke]

Thanks for your feedback papafox, much appreciated !

I will go with the 940, the OCZ RAM and the ASUS P6T deluxe oc palm.

Shoudl be able to enjoy FSX with that system.  A bit expensive, but is worthed.

The system will be ready by end of next week.

Will report back on how it's going.

[Papafox]

fvjuke,
You won't be disappointed! The 940 at stock speed is a very capable MSFS X processor. I would recommend, however, that you put your new computer in a case which has excellent cooling. Personally, I prefer the Antec 900 and Antec 1200 with the big cooling fan on top, but other manufacturers make capable cases as well. These i7 cpus generate significantly more heat than the previous generation of chips, and keeping the chip cool is a factor of both the cpu fan and the case cooling. Take a critical look at your current case, and if it's not up to snuff upgrade the case as well. At stock speed you can get by with the Intel CPU fan, but if you decide to overclock at a later date definitely go for the best CPU fan you can find.