SPCR

Please see parts list below:



Now, firstly I'm wondering what you guys think about using the CNPS10X cooler? As it will be blowing air upwards in the case, rather than working in the same direction as the natural airflow design of the Lian Li PC-B10B. At first I thought this was going to be a problem, but have since been thinking that maybe it will be a good thing. (Plus I rather like that Zalman :p, lol)

Because I'm using a fanless psu and a fanless graphics card the extra turbulence might be good. It may also encourage air to enter through the power supply rather than using the it as (a poor) exhaust?

Also, are memory timings a point of interest any more? I can't find much real information on it (mostly just people arguing about overclocking). I know you can change the timings easily, but almost all of the RAM I've come across is rated as 9-9-9-27 but the optimal recommendation for the 965 is 8-8-8-24. Will most 9-9-9-27 memory happily run at 8-8-8-24 without too much additional power/heat/errors? If anybody knows of a page with a more mathematical approach to memory timings in relation to current CPU's, please link me.

Most of all I would just like you to check over my list and let me know if I've done anything drastically silly (before I spend all of my money, lol). Do you think everything will stay cool enough without running the fans too high? Also, if suggesting alternative parts, please note that I'm already well and truly over budget, so equal or lesser price only, lol.

Thanks for any help,

[quote="jAlso, are memory timings a point of interest any more? I can't find much real information on it (mostly just people arguing about overclocking). I know you can change the timings easily, but almost all of the RAM I've come across is rated as 9-9-9-27 but the optimal recommendation for the 965 is 8-8-8-24. Will most 9-9-9-27 memory happily run at 8-8-8-24 without too much additional power/heat/errors? If anybody knows of a page with a more mathematical approach to memory timings in relation to current CPU's, please link me.
[/quote] I have been told that times and even speed of memory just isn't that important to performance except that it may help the memory keep up with your computer if you overclock... and that apparently with the new generation of Sandy Bridge chips, memory speed has become even less consequential.

Article on memory for Sandy Bridge builds below. Shows not much difference at all for CAS latency 8 vs 9, like a fraction of an fps in games.
LINK

Also, since you are guying a very expensive power supply, you just need a metal box for the computer. The single most expensive part in your build list is basically a fancy steel and plastic box. $50 would suffice here. Also, buy it locally as shipping is insane. You'll pay more to ship the case than the rest of the parts combined.

ces wrote:I have been told that times and even speed of memory just isn't that important

This is seeming to be the case. Things have changed a lot, lol.

Plekto wrote:Also, since you are guying a very expensive power supply, you just need a metal box for the computer. The single most expensive part in your build list is basically a fancy steel and plastic box. $50 would suffice here. Also, buy it locally as shipping is insane. You'll pay more to ship the case than the rest of the parts combined.

I'm getting the expensive case for a number of reasons but mostly for sound insulation and improved cooling (particularly with low speed fans). I don't mind spending extra on the case because it will never need upgrading. I also find the case very attractive :). Oh, and just to correct you; it's not a "steel and plastic box", it's all aluminium, baby! :P

Also, I am buying it locally :)


Thanks for the replies,

j386 wrote:I also find the case very attractive

And right you are!

Any further advice on my selected components? Sorry, I just want to make sure that I wont regret anything, lol

Also, I possibly should have mentioned that this computer will primarily be an audio workstation (hence the graphics card).

Will my RAM fit fine with the "sideways" Zalman cooler? I've tried my best to check everything using the manufacturer's specifications and everything looks like it should fit fine, but it's a bit hard to tell sometimes.

j386 wrote:I'm getting the expensive case for a number of reasons but mostly for sound insulation and improved cooling (particularly with low speed fans). I don't mind spending extra on the case because it will never need upgrading. I also find the case very attractive . Oh, and just to correct you; it's not a "steel and plastic box", it's all aluminium, baby!

Aluminum does a really poor job of sound insulation. it';s more rigid than steel and therefore transmits sound vibrations better. Also the cooling performance is negligible. They do look really cool.

What do you do with your computer that is resource intensive?
Are you going to be overclocking?
Do you plan on buying a motherboard?
Why two hard drives? how are you planning on setting them up?

goatsandmonkeys wrote:What do you do with your computer that is resource intensive?

j386 wrote:this computer will primarily be an audio workstation

Digital audio processing, lots of VST effects and instruments, image editing and some video encoding.

goatsandmonkeys wrote:Are you going to be overclocking?

Nope.

goatsandmonkeys wrote:Do you plan on buying a motherboard?

Yes. Please see my original post, it's the top item on the second section/image of my list. Sorry, I probably should have summarised my list to make it easier to read. I might do that now actually

goatsandmonkeys wrote:Why two hard drives?

The RE4 will be used as my working drive and the Green will be backup and media storage. I also have an external drive that is already used for routine backups. My external will be used to routinely backup the entire contents of the Green. Overkill you say? I've lost too many hours of work due to HDD failures and HDD's are so cheap these days it seems ridiculous to not have a second drive. On a previous system, I had my backup and main drive fail at the same time. The Green is probably less reliable than my working drive? That's OK, I'd rather have my backup die before my working drive anyway, and as I stated I will routinely backup the Green to an external drive anyway.

j386 wrote:

goatsandmonkeys wrote:What do you do with your computer that is resource intensive?

j386 wrote:this computer will primarily be an audio workstation

Digital audio processing, lots of VST effects and instruments, image editing and some video encoding.

goatsandmonkeys wrote:Are you going to be overclocking?

Nope.

goatsandmonkeys wrote:Do you plan on buying a motherboard?

Yes. Please see my original post, it's the top item on the second section/image of my list. Sorry, I probably should have summarised my list to make it easier to read. I might do that now actually

goatsandmonkeys wrote:Why two hard drives?

The RE4 will be used as my working drive and the Green will be backup and media storage. I also have an external drive that is already used for routine backups. My external will be used to routinely backup the entire contents of the Green. Overkill you say? I've lost too many hours of work due to HDD failures and HDD's are so cheap these days it seems ridiculous to not have a second drive. On a previous system, I had my backup and main drive fail at the same time. The Green is probably less reliable than my working drive? That's OK, I'd rather have my backup die before my working drive anyway, and as I stated I will routinely backup the Green to an external drive anyway.

missed the second image, my bad.

I don't think it's over kill AT ALL. the only thing is each additional hard drive adds noise. I don't know how much you need for a system drive and how big your projects are, but if you can get rid of the black drive and get a SSD you will have less noise and faster performance. I have a 1tb drive that I back my system on and keep it at my parents house in case of fire.

No further advice or critique? I think I'll order tomorrow