H2O Cooling Build Log (Retiring) 4-way SLI - Successful

  • Thread starter Pako
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Pako
:lol: It took you long enough!

Now I'm not saying I will, but if I did, what would I be looking at without getting a new liquid cooled ready mobo, vcards, etc...?
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Nice 3DMark results.

What are you looking at? A fully custom solution, or some kind of kit solution? Off the bat I would definitely recommend two separate systems: one for the processor and whatever else you'd like (NB, capacitors, etc) and one for the video cards.
 
Almost Going on a year, I've finally added a couple new fans to the case and got a new 3DMark06 score of 14,700 on a stable system. I wanted to hit 15,000 but it looks like I just won't get there. Here are some pics on the newly installed Hyper 212 from Cooler Master.

 
On this 3.0 chip, I have a slight OC of 3150 running a 1400MHz FSB. IF I push it any more, it locks up. I've seen these E6850 chips OC to 3.6 on air cooling only..., one guy even claims a 4.0 OC. A 3.4 OC would be comfortable and help me achive my 15,000 3DMark06 score. :)
 
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Running stable so far E6850 Dual Core stock 3.0 mhz, OC'ed to 3.6.


Running 3DMark06 now to see if I brake 16,000. :D
 
Thanks for the info, I'm not in a competition with anyone but myself. I realize the diver isn't supported until Futuremark has a change to make sure nVidia isn't making any sly driver adjustments (remembering back a few years when this was rumored). I might have check out the other driver for sure.
 
Pako
Thanks for the info, I'm not in a competition with anyone but myself. I realize the diver isn't supported until Futuremark has a change to make sure nVidia isn't making any sly driver adjustments (remembering back a few years when this was rumored). I might have check out the other driver for sure.
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I know where your coming from. I like getting those scores also. Don't think I can crack 16,000 though............
 
Pako
WOW, your CPU scores are 2k+ from mine... That would be about 1k for each additional core. ;) 👍

@opendriver19a,
That's just insane.:crazy:
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Im just waiting for the guy that's going to have 3 GTX350's in Tri SLI in a skulltrail system. Thats 6GB of video mem and 8 cores at ~3Ghz or more. I don't know why someone would do it,no need for that much hardware


Any ways I can improve my 3dmark score?
 
opendriver19a
Im just waiting for the guy that's going to have 3 GTX350's in Tri SLI in a skulltrail system. Thats 6GB of video mem and 8 cores at ~3Ghz or more. I don't know why someone would do it,no need for that much hardware


Any ways I can improve my 3dmark score?
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Great score! Not sure how much more you can safely squeeze out of that system without some serious cooling.
 
Added a few new components to the rig.

1.) Q9550 Quad Core @2.83 12mb L2, 45nm processor. OC stable at 3.4 (1700 FSB)
2.) EVGA 780i FTW mobo with solid state caps. (this will be my last nForce board, after this build I will be going back to intel motherboards)
3.) Upgraded the total system memory to 8gb of OCZ ReaperX
4.) Vista Ultimate 64-bit to take advantage of the 64-bit processor and the 8gb's of ram.
5.) Added another 120mm Fan on the Hyper 212 CPU Cooler.
​
For benching marking purposes, 3DMark06 scored 17,502 at an OC of 3.6ghz. Clocked back down to 3.4 for every day use, I am getting on average 45+ FPS on Crysis at 1920x1200 with everything on Very High, again, in 64-bit DX10. There are still some instability issues I need to work out, but once I do, I will be very happy with this rig (although I'm already looking at a couple 9800GX2 in SLI if the prices ever come down to a reasonable level).
 
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I really have a sickness. I really should be medicated so I don't make decisions like this....

I just ordered another BFG 8800GTX 768mb OC for a Tri SLI configuration. It's used so the price was right. It will be a week or so before it arrives, so it will give me a chance to meditate on my actions....
 
opendriver
Just keep in mind that windows has a 4 GPU limit.
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I was curious about that. Does using a GPU as a physx card count towards the 4 GPU limit? Hummm.....

Neither here nor there. Running three 9800gx2's is both beyond my finances and well beyond my PSU rating. As it is, I think I'll be pushing it with the three 8800GTX's.
 
Just took delivery of my third 8800GTX OC. Hopefully later today I will be able to check it out. I am already running into stability issues while in games. 15-20 minutes and CRASH. Oddly enough, I can run Prime95 for 8 hours stable. Running the games at lower resolutions has helped with reducing how hard the cards are running and subsequently are producing less heat. I should note that I have never been a fan of FSAA because of the performance hits, ect. I have always tried to run my games at high resolutions so FSAA was not required. I will say, I have been impressed with the 16xFSAA while running the lower 1280x720 resolutions in Crysis. Although it doesn't look as good as 1920x1200, it still looks great with the benefits of 50+ frames per second on average. I'm afraid that when I add a third card to the mix, I'll really start having issues. I already have plans of cutting another 120mm fan in the side of the case just above the graphics cards. I have also started looking into some liquid cooling options although I'm not sure if I'm ready to tackle that quite yet. I've seen some sweet Liquid Cooled Tri SLI setups so I know it's possible...

...anyways, more to report later today.
 
Updated:
3DMark06 results a 19065. I would have expected a better increase, but still not too shabby.



 
Well, to add to my existing 4 gigs, I got another 4gig kit for 8gb's of ReaperX Ram:

ReaperX_b.JPG

Installed, the heatsink fins look damn impressive. I'm honestly surprised that they even fit side by side. The heat sinks are actually touching each other which I thought would be an issue, but doesn't seem to bother. Performance so far is good. Running at 5-5-5-18 timings and at 900mhz, I'm able to run my FSB at 1800mhz for an effective CPU Overclock of 1000mhz from stock on my Q9550 quad core. :D

3DMark06 results are over 20K now. As suggested by opendriver, I should be able to do much better with some GPU overclocks. If I can keep the heat under control, I would totally agree!
 
Thanks! The only thing I don't like about it is that it heats up my basement. I really need to figure out a better cooling method if I'm going to keep this computer for a gaming rig and a daily driver. I have been looking at liquid cooling as well as a Mineral Spirit dunk tank. Not sure if I'm ready to drop $3k worth of hardware into a liquid, but it's tempting. :)
 

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