What do you chaps think? How should I change this?

[Britton30]

I'd get the bigger fan, more airflow at lower speeds. The Ripjaws will fit but I think you'll have to install them before the cooler, the Noctua is a biggie.

If you think you'll need 3 fans on the cooler it may be a good idea to go with a Corsair H100.

 

[Music Guy123]

Thanks, I don't want to go for the h100 because I want to keep cooling to air! Right, now could someone please recommend me a wireless keyboard that is cheap and an Eyefinity adapter. Also, some case fans that are big and quiet. Any help would be much appreciated and rewarded with a tipping of the scales !

 

[ignatzatsonic]

These 2 links might give you some ideas:

Noctua NH-D14 flagship dual-fan CPU cooler | silentpcreview.com

Above is thorough review of a slightly different (older) Noctua cooler.

Recommended Fans | silentpcreview.com

Recommended 120mm fans

 

[Music Guy123]

Ok, thanks for those links! For the case fans, the nexus d12sl look very good. For the CPU cooler, I will start with the stock fans but I must admit, I don't like having two different fan sizes! I will start with stock, then see how loud the 140mm fan is at full speed. If it is too loud, I will get some nexus 120s if it is fine, I might get another two noctua 140mm fans so I can have three matching fans. I am sure I can find a use for the 120mm noctua that I remove! Thank you for all the help, now I need help finding an eyefinity adapter and a wireless keyboard, any ideas?

Also, off topic, how do you view the amount of rep you have received? Apparently my rep power is 6 and I have received 10 points but I have no clue how to view where the rep came from!

 

[bobkn]

If you go for the Noctua and a third fan, make it 120 mm. Of the two fans that come with the NH-D14, the one that goes between the radiators is 140 mm. There are no issues with it clearing the RAM. The external 120 mm fan can be raised to clear RAM. The P9X79 Pro has RAM on both sides of the CPU socket (8 DIMM slots), so I'd make the second external fan 120 mm also.

My main complaint with the Noctua is the beige fans. It's huge, but it fits the P9X79-Pro fine, There's no problem with it contacting a graphics card in the first PC-E X16 slot.

Incidentally, the Noctua is good enough to allow the I7-3930k to clock to 4.8 GHz or better (in my system). The SB-E CPUs begin to throttle for thermal reasons at lower temperatures than the older Socket 1366 chips, so cooling is even more important for overclocking than with the I7-9xx series.

The Noctua NT-H1 heat sink compound that comes with it is similar to Arctic Silver. I don't know it compares in effectiveness, but I vaguely recall that it's as good or better. Like Arctic Silver, it's a thick paste; you put a small blob of it in the center of the CPU heat spreader, and let the pressure of the heatsink squash it out thin.

My current system is quite similar to the one you're building. I think you'll like yours.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Also, off topic, how do you view the amount of rep you have received? Apparently my rep power is 6 and I have received 10 points but I have no clue how to view where the rep came from!

User CP at the top of the screen.

 

[smarteyeball]

For the CPU cooler, I will start with the stock fans but I must admit, I don't like having two different fan sizes!

Performance wise, it makes no difference.

I will start with stock, then see how loud the 140mm fan is at full speed. If it is too loud,

It's not loud at all

I will get some nexus 120s if it is fine, I might get another two noctua 140mm fans so I can have three matching fans.

For the CPU cooler? You'll have a lot of trouble with RAM clearance (even with low profile) with 3 140mm fans.

a wireless keyboard, any ideas?

Is wireless mandatory? For your needs (ie a lot of typing ), I'd seriously consider a mechanical keyboard instead.

Ducky, Leopold, DAS, Filco, Topre Realforce are brands worth considering.

Cherry MX Blue/Brown switches are the most suited for typing. They're more robust and just 'feel' great to type on compared to rubber domed keyboards.

(My personal favourite is the Topre, but it's also rather $$$. The others are cheaper. )

 

[Music Guy123]

Thank you very much for the help everyone! I didn't think about the fan size getting in the way of the ram, that is a good point, I will start with stock and then see if I need another fan or not. For the keyboard, wireless really is necessary I am afraid! I don't need something that expensive, I am generally not fussy about my peripherals. @bonkn, thank you very much for that information, it was very helpful! I had thought about the gpu clearance, it is good to see it will be fine. Also, how much ram clearance do you have? Would this stuff or similar fit in? http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B00...ref_=sr_1_2&s=computers&qid=1333201542&sr=1-2 As for the noctua again, I didn't realise you could o/c the 3930 that far safely! I doubt I will be going further than 4.6ghz but it is good to know I can go more. Also, I didn't realise that the two fan sizes affected performance, I would have thought that a smaller fan would restrict the flow of the bigger one. I have heard a lot of good things about noctua and their thermal paste. Apparently they give you a 10g tube of it as well! One of the main reasons I am going with the noctua over the phanteks is because their customer service is so remarkbly good, even though the phanteks cool better. I will now do some keyboard research! And yes, I think I will like this pc! It is a real beast! I am hoping for the CPU to drop in price slightly though when ivy bridge is released. Thank you very much again everyone! I am still looking for help on an eyefinity adapter though, does anyone have any ideas?

Also, when I go onto user cp, it says I have a rep power of 6 and who I have given rep to, nothing about where and when I have received it. Also, when I click on the scales button on one of my posts, it says I have 10 rep points. This is really confusing! Anyway, thanks for helping, I hope you can continue to help!

 

[Music Guy123]

@smarteyeball, i looked up those keyboards and couldn't find anything in the UK for Ducky and Leopold. As for Topre, they look great but far too expensive! I had a look around and came up with this: Play.com - Buy Microsoft Business 2000 Keyboard - Wireless - RF - Black online at Play.com and read reviews. Free delivery to UK and Europe! I know it isn't the best but I don't think it is that bad and it should be fine for me. As for case fans, I decided against the nexus fans as they are a little expensive and I am thinking to maybe get these: Cooler Master Megaflow 200 Blue LED Fan: Amazon.co.uk: Computers & Accessories they look quiet, big and reasonably priced. I think the led is a little tacky but I am sure I can live with that! Anyway, any help with the above would be much appreciated!

 

[bobkn]

Also, how much ram clearance do you have? Would this stuff or similar fit in? GSkill Ripjaws Z Series 1600 CL 9.0 16GB Memory Kit - Red (4x 4GB, DDR3, Quad Channel, Intel XMP Certified):Amazon:Computers & Accessories

The NH-D14 is spec'd at clearing RAM shorter than 44 mm.

The RAM I'm using is:

G.SKILL-Products

It's spec'd at 40 mm height. I think that the kit you provide a link for is the same. (I don't spot a part number on the Amazon page.)

A reminder: I doubt that it's practical to install the RAM with the heat sink in place. Maybe it'd be easy enough if your day job is neurosurgeon.

 

[Music Guy123]

Thanks, I will just install the ram first and then put the heat sink on. I shouldn't need to move or add ram for a little while so it should be absolutely fine. Also, sorry for spelling your name wrong in my previous post, it was my phone's autocorrect! So, I think I am almost there! Just need some help finding an eyefinity adapter! Can anyone help here, someone must have a three monitor setup on one gpu.

 

[Music Guy123]

Another couple of things I have decided I am going to add onto this rig, 1 is a fan controller, something simple, don't need a touchscreen, how does this look: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Scythe-Kaze-Channel-Controller-Black/dp/B004W5KRXO the second piece of hardware I am thinking of getting is a TV card. It will be cheaper to buy a TV card than to buy a TV which I am going to have to do anyway. I don't want an expensive TV card, just one that I can watch freeview, record from and preferably has a remote but that isn't too important. It needs to be relatively cheap as well if possible. Any help would be much appreciated and as always rewarded with a tipping of the scales Also, @bobkn, thanks for the link for the RAM, that is slightly faster than the RAM I linked to. I am going to stay with my RAM because yours is about £30 (~$48) more. Which I don't think is really worth it, thank you anyway! I checked on the Noctua site and the RAM is compatible.

 

[Music Guy123]

Any thoughts on the two pieces of hardware above? Also on the keyboard and fan I linked in post #49? I am still looking for an eyefinity adapter. I hope someone can help, it will be rewarded if the forums allow me to do so!

 

[smarteyeball]

As for Topre, they look great but far too expensive!

, Unfortunately they are - I was lucky to get mine on sale.

I had a look around and came up with this: Play.com - Buy Microsoft Business 2000 Keyboard - Wireless - RF - Black online at Play.com and read reviews. Free delivery to UK and Europe! I know it isn't the best but I don't think it is that bad and it should be fine for me.

That's fine.

Although some other alternatives at a cheaper price point than the Topre:

UK Filco Majestouch-2, NKR, Tactile Action Keyboard: Amazon.co.uk: Computers & Accessories

(Blank key caps could be a deal breaker)
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Das-Keyboar...1_1?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1333318264&sr=1-1

(Key cap inscriptions)
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Das-Keyboar...14?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1333318264&sr=1-14

Admittedly they are more expensive than standard keyboards, but in my humble opinion, worth the investment.

 

[Britton30]

Patrick for 125 pounds or USD, I hope the Das-keyboard is voice activated.

 

[Music Guy123]

@Smarteyeball, thank you very much but those keyboards are a little expensive! I think I will start with the Microsoft and then in maybe a years time upgrade if I feel like it! Thank you for your help though. Can people now please recommend on the fan controller, tv card, fan and a suggestion for an eyefinity display adapter? Any help would be much appreciated.

 

[Britton30]

This appears to be a nice fan controller with temp read outs. Thermistors would need to be attached for the temps.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Aerocool-X-...QU/ref=sr_1_15?ie=UTF8&qid=1333355475&sr=8-15
Here's a Hauppage TV tuner card Hauppauge WinTV HVR 1100/Hybrid analogue and digital PCI card: Amazon.co.uk: Computers & Accessories Note at the bottom there is a combo offer for an indoor aerial.

 

[smarteyeball]

Patrick for 125 pounds or USD, I hope the Das-keyboard is voice activated.

lol, no - but once you go mech it's impossible to go back (I've got four of them )

And those prices are 'cheap' compared to here in Aus

@Smarteyeball, thank you very much but those keyboards are a little expensive! I think I will start with the Microsoft and then in maybe a years time upgrade if I feel like it!

That's okay mate. The price is a little off putting But they are worthwhile investments 'down the track'.

Can people now please recommend on the fan controller, tv card, fan and a suggestion for an eyefinity display adapter? Any help would be much appreciated.

Fan controller:
Lamptron Fan Controller-2 45W Per Channel with Anodized Aluminium Housing - Black: Amazon.co.uk: Computers & Accessories

Can handle up to 45W per channel - this means you'd be able to add two fans 'per channel'. (with adaptors) Can handle the most powerful fans or dialling back the noise of multiple fans with less knob turning. (ie CPU fans)

Display Adapter:

Does your monitor have a native displayport?

If not, basically the 7850 needs an active mini displayport out of the card to a DVI connection on the monitor for Eyefinity

Ie:
Accell B087B-006B UltraAV Mini Display Port to DVI-D Single-Link Active Adapter ATI Certified - Black: Amazon.co.uk: Computers & Accessories

StarTech Mini DisplayPort to DVI Active Adapter: Amazon.co.uk: Computers & Accessories

TV Tuner:
Hauppauge WinTV Nova T 500/Dual digital PCI TV tuner card: Amazon.co.uk: Computers & Accessories

Depends on whether you need a single or dual/tri tuner or a PCI or USB based tuner.

Ie I've good and cheap single tuner Compro U100 USB tuner that I use with my laptop and it does the job for travelling, but if you're after something more robust and PVR like, it depends on your needs and budget.

Fan:
The Cooler Master Megaflow 200 is good enough.

Non-LED there's always the Antec Big Boy.

 

[Music Guy123]

Thank you very much for replying, it is very helpful and much appreciated. Firstly, as for the TV card, I have given it some thought and I have decided I am not going to get one immediately. Thank you for the links though. Next, my screens are iiyamas: Iiyama ProLite E2473HDS 24 inch LED Monitor - PLE2473HDS-B1 - CCL Computers Is it me or did the two different eyefinity adapters seem to have different minidisplay ports when you look at the product images? As for the fans, I have decided to stick with the coolermaster as it is half the price of the antec. LEDs mean nothing to me. Finally, the fan controller...decisions, decisions! Should I manually control the cpu fans or should I leave that to the mobo? Next, should I keep the case fans individual or do them in pairs? I am thinking maybe the cpu ones should go in pairs, what do you think? Thanks for the help so far, it is much appreciated! Also, upon looking up the specs for the cpu fans, the 12cm one has intake of 12v and 0.09A the 14cm has an intake of 12v and 0.1A. Doesn't that mean that the 12cm fan has an intake of 1.08w and the 14cm of a fraction over 1.2w. So surely the fan controller to accommodate both cpu fans needs to only be able to cope with 2.4W, 2.5W to be comfortable?

 

[essenbe]

If you will look at the design, the Phanteks is basically identical to the Noctua D 14. The noctua d14 fans are almost silent at full speed. If I am not mistaken, if you write tech support at Noctua you can get a third 140mm fan for the D 14. The ram clearance, as has been stated is 44mm. The G Skill ripjaws is 40 mm and will fit under it. But, If it is a small difference, you can slide the 120mm fan up slightly to provide more clearance. Install the ram first and the d 14 before putting the motherboard in the case. it will save you some extra work. I have the D 14 and am currently using the Corsair H 100. My experience says the D 14 cools better than the H 100. I have installed 4 120mm fans on the H 100 and it is very quiet but does not seem to do as well as the d 14. Just check the Noctua site and make sure it is compatable with your board and that it will fit in your case. To say it is quite large is an ubderstatement. The Noctua thermal paste is excellent too.