[reignofchaos]

Isn't 800D a bit too old? Its a negative air pressure case so everything needs to be water cooled or else it'll get a bit toasty. Also if you are water cooling your cpu, why not get a complete custom loop? Else I'd suggest wait and get the 900D once it hits the shelves. That one works fine both with air and water.

Considering the rest of your setup, I'd say your GPU needs an upgrade.

[R2D2]

Originally Posted by reignofchaos

Isn't 800D a bit too old? Its a negative air pressure case so everything needs to be water cooled or else it'll get a bit toasty. Also if you are water cooling your cpu, why not get a complete custom loop? Else I'd suggest wait and get the 900D once it hits the shelves. That one works fine both with air and water.

Considering the rest of your setup, I'd say your GPU needs an upgrade.

You are right about the -ve air pressure on the 800D. Actually the only reason I went in for the 800D is the upcoming 900 is larger and quite a bit heavier for my desk. The machine is not kept on the floor as it can ingest dust by the ton coz I live in a dry and dusty Pune.

I experimented with water cooling with a Swiftech system years ago in 2004 and found that I prefer air cooling of the video card for convenience of maintenance and upgrading. I will be adding 120mm fans to the 800D to create some level of +ve air pressure. I am not into gaming but multimedia (sound, video) and photography.

Anyways, in a week I shall be building another system with a better motherboard (Rampage IV Extreme) and CPU (Core i7 3970x). The current CPU/MB/RAM will replace the old 1st Gen Core i7 950 machine.

[alpha1]

23" or 24" LCD MONITOR help.
I am on a lookout for an LCD monitor. Budget is typical Indian style - as low as possible.
But I want considerable performance too (which means that if a 15K screen has better specs, but do not produce really significant visual difference, I would go for a 10K screen with not as great specs).

What all should I look for?
I am getting bogged down by IPS, VA, DCR, etc terminology. Don't know how much of difference does it actually make in real life viewing.
My purpose would be mostly browsing & gaming. Viewing pix and movies. (in that descending order).

My current monitor is Samsung CRT which has worked really GREAT for past 9 years!
I want a similar trouble free operations also from this screen!

[R2D2]

Corsair have released their brand new and super sized case - the Obsidian 900D

http://www.corsair.com/us/corsair-ob...per-tower.html

Check those dimensions! 29.7x14.2x31.5 inches (HxWxD)!! Must weigh around 16-17 KGs empty. Takes upto 15 drives, 15 fans, 5 rads and 2 PSUs. Phew!

EDIT: The only other case/cabinet that comes close to this one is the Cooler Master Cosmos 2. It's big but not as big. The 900D is the Godzilla of cases.

[vasudeva]

Originally Posted by R2D2

Corsair have released their brand new and super sized case - the Obsidian 900D

http://www.corsair.com/us/corsair-ob...per-tower.html

Check those dimensions! 29.7x14.2x31.5 inches (HxWxD)!! Must weigh around 16-17 KGs empty. Takes upto 15 drives, 15 fans, 5 rads and 2 PSUs. Phew!

It seems it is 9 hard disk/SSD plus 4 optical drives. That is definitely an improvement of high end standard of 6+4. Now if only motherboard manufacturers would give us ports for plugging these devices. Intel gives only max of 6 native ports and I simply do not trust the Marvell, etc add on ports that some motherboards offer.

[R2D2]

Originally Posted by vasudeva

It seems it is 9 hard disk/SSD plus 4 optical drives. That is definitely an improvement of high end standard of 6+4. Now if only motherboard manufacturers would give us ports for plugging these devices. Intel gives only max of 6 native ports and I simply do not trust the Marvell, etc add on ports that some motherboards offer.

Actually it is up to 15 drives... to quote from the overview page:

"And if nine hard drives or SSDs aren’t enough, you can expand to 15 drives by adding additional drive cages (available separately)."

Of course your observation about ports is correct however there are enthusiasts who plug in SATA, SCSI or SAS cards to expand their storage options.

Like you I prefer the native PCH SATA ports and not the supplementary ports offered by the board using Marvell, ASMedia and other chips. Somehow they doesn't seem as reliable as the Intel solution...it's just a perception but a strong one.

[vasudeva]

Originally Posted by R2D2

Like you I prefer the native PCH SATA ports and not the supplementary ports offered by the board using Marvell, ASMedia and other chips. Somehow they doesn't seem as reliable as the Intel solution...it's just a perception but a strong one.

My opinion was based on circa 2011-12 research and personal experience. On my old PC with core i7 and sabertooth x58, the Marvell port used as boot used to give BSODs. Usage as a storage port was not much better. Then in mid-2012, I changed to X79. The ASUS P9X79D has ASmedia SATA ports. Any experience with that??. No matter what, I will be strongly inclined for the near future to use Intel native ports for boot devices and as far as possible, storage devices. Go to various forums (ASUS etc) and see some of the complaints about Marvell (again 2011-12 but may have changed since then). I do not see much in Intel/motherboard manu. 2013-14 plans for expanding native Intel ports from max of 6 to say 10. Any updates here because that will make this case more useful for people like me.

As to usage, my personal preference is towards higher capacity hard disks per port rather than populating all ports with smaller cap. disks. I have 6 native Intel ports of which 2 are blocked for SSD and DVD. The balance 4 are used for 11TB of hard disks (only one of 2TB). Internal 4TB disks are available now but the price is not in a linear relationship with 2-3TB. Maybe same time next year, it could become viable. Then I will sell some 3TB or use as eSATA. B&H is selling Seagate 4TB for US$185 which is 46$ per 1TB which seems reasonable.

As to the specific case in question, cool and great, but such a huge size is not for me for the time being.

[R2D2]

Originally Posted by vasudeva

My opinion was based on circa 2011-12 research and personal experience. On my old PC with core i7 and sabertooth x58, the Marvell port used as boot used to give BSODs. Usage as a storage port was not much better. Then in mid-2012, I changed to X79. The ASUS P9X79D has ASmedia SATA ports. Any experience with that??. No matter what, I will be strongly inclined for the near future to use Intel native ports for boot devices and as far as possible, storage devices. Go to various forums (ASUS etc) and see some of the complaints about Marvell (again 2011-12 but may have changed since then). I do not see much in Intel/motherboard manu. 2013-14 plans for expanding native Intel ports from max of 6 to say 10. Any updates here because that will make this case more useful for people like me..

I've had no problems with the additional non-native controllers but then they were used rarely, for e.g. to plug in or format new hard disks without disturbing the normal set up.

That said, I hesitate to use them on a regular basis and disable them in the BIOS. The Sabertooth X79 that I purchased (around the time you purchased your P9X79) in May last year has ASMedia ports..once again they are unused.

I am now building a new PC with the Core i7 3970x and a Rampage IV Extreme MoBo that has a similar # of ports as the Sabertooth X79 and P9X79.

I have a WD RAID external hard disk plugged in via USB and change over to e-SATA whenever there's a large amount of data to be copied. This is my secondary backup drive, while the primary is one of the 2 TB WD Caviar Black drives that are installed in the PC and plugged into the native SATA port.

I use all 6 (2x 6 Gb/s, 4 x 3 Gb/s) native ports - 3 HDDs, 1 SSD and 2 DVD writers. I may change to 2 SSDs in RAID some day and dump one of the DVD writers or even plug it into the ASMedia port. Like you I prefer 3-4 high capacity HDDs instead of multiple smaller ones.

As for Intel's roadmap - there's something called the X99 on the horizon which may offer more SATA ports but that's still about 1 year away and all reports are pure conjecture and rumors at this time. If you need additional ports try using a SATA PCI-E plugin card. You also get these as RAID controllers.

Originally Posted by vasudeva

As to the specific case in question, cool and great, but such a huge size is not for me for the time being.

Yes, same here primarily due to the size & weight. This case will have to be kept on the floor not a desk. The specs and expandability are fabulous.

[vasudeva]

Originally Posted by R2D2

I am now building a new PC with the Core i7 3970x and a Rampage IV Extreme MoBo that has a similar # of ports as the Sabertooth X79 and P9X79.

It is your money and your preference. That being the case, I would love to have a Rampage IV Mobo. but have you thought about the 3970x seriously and whether it is worth the extra US$400-500 over the i7-3930K. I have the 3930K. This is not of course 3970x which remains the king of the hill, so to say. However, reputed hardware sites do not see much value (for most people) in 3970x over the 3930K.

Also 2012 was a fine time for investing huge in a x79 but can the same be said for mid-2013. You already have a x79 setup and why sell your old cpu and spend >50K on 3970x plus 30-33K on RIVE. Up to you and you may know your needs. Intel core 4x may come in June 2013 (though it is 4 core/8 threads). I am not up to date on Intel's roadmap since I am not interested till end-2014 (having invested in x79 in end-May 2012).

I would also suggest to consider Seagate 3TB over the WD 2 TB caviar black. I had 4 of WD 2TB Caviar Black (plus 1TB Caviar Black) those from 2010 to mid-2012 but I sold 2 of them last year when second hand prices were high and thereafter invested in Seagate 3TB. WD Green 3TB is not so great. I now have only 2 of 2TB caviar black of which one is an esata. As a storage disk, I have found Seagate 3TB to be much faster (not the 2TB one). WD Caviar Blacks have a 5 yr warranty but from 2012 onwards they have started sending refurbished drives as RMA replacement. Following Seagate's example. Even in USB 3 external, Seagate's external drives (freeagent) is faster than WD passport.

[R2D2]

Originally Posted by vasudeva

It is your money and your preference. That being the case, I would love to have a Rampage IV Mobo. but have you thought about the 3970x seriously and whether it is worth the extra US$400-500 over the i7-3930K. I have the 3930K. This is not of course 3970x which remains the king of the hill, so to say. However, reputed hardware sites do not see much value (for most people) in 3970x over the 3930K.).

Intel's frequency unlocked processors, including the 3930k, have never been about value for money but about getting the max performance..at a premium. Intel's Extreme processors the ones with an 'X' suffix are a little over the top and generally retail at a baseline price of about $1,000 no matter what the technology.

So, why the 3970x? Because I cannot get the 3930K. It is out of stock in Mumbai and Pune. I am not sure why but it is the same case at Flipkart and other well known IT e-tailers since a few months now. It is becoming difficult to get these CPUs. Also the 3960x was replaced by the 3970x recently.

My current Sabertooth x79/3930K replaces the 3+ year old Core i7 950/X58 system which I am selling.

Originally Posted by vasudeva

Intel core 4x may come in 2013-14. I am not up to date on Intel's roadmap since I am not interested till end-2014 (having invested in x79 in end-May 2012).

Intel's Core i7 Ivy Bridge-E processors (frequency unlocked processor, 22nm lithography) are expected in Q4 2013. They are expected to have drop in compatibility with the X79 motherboard. While Haswell-E (frequency unlocked processor, also in 22nm lithography) is scheduled for end 2014 or early 2015. The so called X99 (or x89) chipset is expected around that time.

http://us.generation-nt.com/intel-co...s-4059452.html

http://www.xbitlabs.com/news/cpu/dis...ip_Report.html

There's no point getting a high end CPU (read unlocked or Extreme CPU) and a high-end motherboard and selling it off. This X79 upgrade(s) will be retained for around 3 years till 2016. This is my normal upgrade cycle and process.

[vasudeva]

Flipkart is anyway becoming useless as a stockist. As far as I can see, 3930K is around 575-600$ and 3970x is 1000-1050$.

B&H photo is for 575 and ships to India. There is also junglee/bitfang which is selling 3930k for 42.5K (more expensive than my May 2012 price of 36K).

On amazon US site, I sometimes refer to this seller which ships to India.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/browse.html...A1WBR3GSJXTJKA

This seller is shipping at 39.3K to Delhi (cost of 610$/Rs. 35.2K+shipping/handling of 4.1).

B&H would be cheaper at cost+shipping.

Up to you to decide whether you want to pay 15-20K extra for the admittedly great 3970x and get it now or get 3930K delivered online through Junglee/amazon US/B&H. Since you are in photos, you would definitely know B&H and my experience with them has been good. They were closed for passover till 3-apr but now they are open for ordering online with prompt shipping.

If it was up to me (ie wanting the 3930K first and second, and then the 3970x), I would try Junglee and if not possible, give up, grin and buy the 3970x.

[R2D2]

Originally Posted by vasudeva

On amazon US site, I sometimes refer to this seller which ships to India. This seller is shipping at 39.3K to Delhi (cost of 610$/Rs. 35.2K+shipping/handling of 4.1).

B&H would be cheaper at cost+shipping. I would try Junglee and if not possible, give up, grin and buy the 3970x.

And yes, the 3970x + Asus RIVE are a grin inducing combination but dings the wallet big time.

Back in 2004 I used to order cooling gear from frozencpu.com but the price was prohibitive but then there was hardly any choice in India. I must start using Amazon to get parts for my PCs. Thanks for that tip, albeit a tad late. The CPU and MoBo were delivered yesterday. I start the build tomorrow and work on it thru the weekend.

I also got a Corsair H100i CPU cooler (the 3930K uses the H100) and AX1200i power supply. The 150W 3970x is a hot house and will require close temp control monitoring.

RAM is once again in short supply and a Mumbai dealer tells me that it is due to huge fluctuations happening daily. I have gone in for 32GB 1600 MHz G Skill memory again (worked beautifully with my Sabertooth x79). A repeat order. The premium for Corsair memory wasn't worth it. I am really impressed by G Skill's quality v/s pricing. It runs out of the box. In fact I rate it better than the Corsair DDR3 1333 MHz memory which required tweaking in the BIOS to run with the X58/Ci7 950 PC.

[vasudeva]

Originally Posted by R2D2

I have gone in for 32GB 1600 MHz G Skill memory again (worked beautifully with my Sabertooth x79). A repeat order. The premium for Corsair memory wasn't worth it. I am really impressed by G Skill's quality v/s pricing. It runs out of the box. In fact I rate it better than the Corsair DDR3 1333 MHz memory which required tweaking in the BIOS to run with the X58/Ci7 950 PC.

You will definitely soon upgrade to at least 1833+ RAM. You buy RIVE and then go with stock RAMs. Again for my x79 build, I bought 16GB 1600 Gskill ram from flipkart for 6K. That was 2 kits of 8GB each which is not so stable at OC. But it is native 1600 and that is a plus.

Within a month, I got Gskill Ripjaws 1866 16GB as a kit of 4 RAM sticks of 4GB each. I got it online in UK with delivered prices being competitive with Indian rates. The advantage of 16GB in kit was better stability and better XMP.

As a tip, if you are going to amazon, when you type in a product, amazon usually shows more buying choices. Click on that and you may find many sellers delivering `international'. I am registered with amazon and I choose ship to my address here in Delhi (I have also listed my brother's London address). Build your cart with shipping destination, see the final price and then compare with Indian rates. As to amazon, it is an all purpose site but increasingly I use amazon to find other specialist sellers who also have their own sites and are quite often cheaper than amazon. Case in point is B&H for photo equipment or expresschemist UK for my nicorette gum supply.

[mav2000]

Wow, finally, good to see some high end gear being discussed here. I am really waiting for the 900D to launch in India. Lets see what they price it at. The Cosmos 2 really sucks when compared to the 900D, as its huge but lacks basic water cooling features.

[R2D2]

Originally Posted by vasudeva

You will definitely soon upgrade to at least 1833+ RAM. You buy RIVE and then go with stock RAMs. Again for my x79 build, I bought 16GB 1600 Gskill ram from flipkart for 6K. That was 2 kits of 8GB each which is not so stable at OC. But it is native 1600 and that is a plus.

Within a month, I got Gskill Ripjaws 1866 16GB as a kit of 4 RAM sticks of 4GB each. I got it online in UK with delivered prices being competitive with Indian rates. The advantage of 16GB in kit was better stability and better XMP.

As a tip, if you are going to amazon, when you type in a product, amazon usually shows more buying choices. Click on that and you may find many sellers delivering `international'. I am registered with amazon and I choose ship to my address here in Delhi (I have also listed my brother's London address). Build your cart with shipping destination, see the final price and then compare with Indian rates. As to amazon, it is an all purpose site but increasingly I use amazon to find other specialist sellers who also have their own sites and are quite often cheaper than amazon. Case in point is B&H for photo equipment or expresschemist UK for my nicorette gum supply.

I will certainly consider Amazon from now on. As for RAM, will be sticking to 1600 as frankly I run out of budget for this PC plus there isn't too much of difference between throughputs from DDR3 1866 and DDR3 1600. Also forgot to mention I am getting 3 Corsair 140mm high flow fans to replace the ones that came with the case plus 4 x 120mm high airflow fans (optional). This should create some +ve pressure within the case.

This Corsair centric build will be my mainstay for years to come.

Originally Posted by mav2000

Wow, finally, good to see some high end gear being discussed here. I am really waiting for the 900D to launch in India. Lets see what they price it at. The Cosmos 2 really sucks when compared to the 900D, as its huge but lacks basic water cooling features.

Do you have the Cosmos II? I considered it as it's a phenomenal case but simply too large. The Corsair case and PSU replace my Cooler Master ATCS840 and CM PSU. Wanted to try Corsair now coz I had 2 Antec cases before CM.

The 900D is even larger and retails for $350 in the US, so expect it to be about 20K+ like the CM Cosmos II. Availability will be an issue in the beginning.