Power supply for 25.00. Sketchy, much?

[JillyBean]

posting from *phone (not home...) lol

[JillyBean]

Like, this one says m-ATX supported: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811129021

This one says micro-ATX: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811133094

This one says mini-ATX: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811133086

(all also list just plain "ATX" or "Full ATX" as well)...

This girl is overwhelmed and confused

[Shura]

This girl is overwhelmed and confused

lol i'll see if i can help clarify a few things, in regards to mATX, this usually refers to Micro-ATX. Mini ATX was originally designed for mobile/portable embedded computers for use in things such as ATMs and digital signs, as it runs cool and quietly.

Micro ATX is designed to have all the features of a full-sized ATX motherboard in a smaller form factor. Think of it like a PS3 original fat model and a PS3 slim, its the same thing but they made it more compact.

Other differences are things like PCI slots and size; ATX has 5 PCI slots and a standard size of 305 mm × 244 mm. Micro ATX has 4 PCI slots(can have less), a max size of 244 mm × 244 mm and as small as 171.45 mm × 171.45 mm. Finally Mini ATX has one PCI slot and a standard size of 15 x 15 cm.

Your board is close to a mATX(Micro-ATX), since we'll be going with a Mid-tower case, you don't have to worry about it supporting your motherboard; simply because of the way the mount holes are arranged, if it supports ATX, it will probably support Micro-ATX.

As for your cooler, i was thinking of going with the Xigmatek Dark Knight II Night Hawk, yes its a bit bigger but compared to other coolers with similar performance, its small. As Dhalmel mentioned, this one also uses Direct Touch heatpipes, which require you to install thermal compound a bit differently but its still pretty straight forward. I'll post some links that explain what to do, its pretty easy, main idea is instead of putting the paste on the cpu, you put it on the cooler.

Different Methods of applications with temp tests

If you choose to do the parallel line method, i linked a small video that shows you what to do, though the above test says a small dot on the center of the cooler gave the best results.

40sec Video on how to do the parallel line method

This is all assuming you still don't want to go with a closed liquid cooler. Here is a video that explains how a H60 is installed, its really simple, a lot simpler then most high end air coolers.

[JillyBean]

Ok Shura, I will be able to check out everything a bit later^^

My next question would be, since you do recommend a certain cooler, is there any particular case you prefer over others? Do you like any particular brand? And will *any* of the Mid-Tower options accommodate your recommended cooler as well? Again, many many thanks!

[JillyBean]

*certain case (not cooler! ) can't edit from phone!ack

[Shura]

*certain case (not cooler! ) can't edit from phone!ack

I'm looking at some reviews now, there are a lot of new models on the market so gonna need some time. I have personally used the same case in my last 3 builds so been awhile since i looked at case reviews. Also i do recommend you look at the Liquid cpu cooler video, i know your a bit reluctant to go with liquid but its not the same thing as a water cooled PC. I know how you feel, even I'm reluctant to do water cooling but i tried a liquid cpu cooler 2 years ago and loved the performance you got for a small piece of tech. This is closed circuit, so unlike a full water cooled system, you don't really do anything, just install it like a air cooler and your done.

[JillyBean]

I'm looking at some reviews now, there are a lot of new models on the market so gonna need some time. I have personally used the same case in my last 3 builds so been awhile since i looked at case reviews. Also i do recommend you look at the Liquid cpu cooler video, i know your a bit reluctant to go with liquid but its not the same thing as a water cooled PC. I know how you feel, even I'm reluctant to do water cooling but i tried a liquid cpu cooler 2 years ago and loved the performance you got for a small piece of tech. This is closed circuit, so unlike a full water cooled system, you don't really do anything, just install it like a air cooler and your done.

My son uses a big giant Thermaltake case, so that would be my first inclination (to get the mid-version).

So as to the liquid cooler, there is absolutely no maintenance to it other than what one would do with an air cooler (cleaning/reapply paste?) Is H60 the liquid cooler you refer to? Simpler install than others and better cooling? hmmm. is it this one? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835181015 The first review mentions tough fitting next to RAM, and I think my RAM area is already tight?

Haha, after watching the H60 cooler install, I'm looking at this case.... http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811139008


PS~ If I decided to go with the H60, would I use their pre-paste, or wipe that off and use Pro-PK1 or something else?

I am thinking that corsair case and that corsair H60 are the way to go. Can't wait to hear your opinion


Another EDIT: Please forgive me, I'm starting to eek out about liquid/water again, so may just go with an air cooler after all. I assume the Dark Knight is your #1 recommendation on that? Do you have any others?

[Shura]

My son uses a big giant Thermaltake case, so that would be my first inclination (to get the mid-version).

So as to the liquid cooler, there is absolutely no maintenance to it other than what one would do with an air cooler (cleaning/reapply paste?) Is H60 the liquid cooler you refer to? Simpler install than others and better cooling? hmmm. is it this one? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835181015 The first review mentions tough fitting next to RAM, and I think my RAM area is already tight?

Haha, after watching the H60 cooler install, I'm looking at this case.... http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811139008


PS~ If I decided to go with the H60, would I use their pre-paste, or wipe that off and use Pro-PK1 or something else?

I am thinking that corsair case and that corsair H60 are the way to go. Can't wait to hear your opinion

I have personally never owned a Thermaltake case so i can't personally comment on the quality, only base it on what the reviews say. The Corsair you linked to is a nice case, it was actually the one i was leaning towards; i personally feel the outside is a bit plain but the inside is absolutely beautiful(that's what really counts anyway lol).

As for the Corsair H60, the one you linked to is a old model, you want This one, its the new 2013 model. Also after you install it, that's it your done like a normal air cooler, when you clean the PC, you may want to remove the fan attached to the radiator and spray some air to remove any dust on it then reinstall the fan. Aso unlike Arctic Silver, most of the new thermal compounds do not require you to reapply every 2 years or so; they last for 4-5 years so by the time you need to change it, your probably upgrading anyway.

As for the stock per-applied paste, i don't know what paste they are using on the new model, my old model came with Shin-Etsu which is a really high quality paste so i just used that. I'm gonna try to see if i can find out what paste their using but just go with stock paste and If it turns out to be some cheap paste, you can always change it later, if you saw the video, you know how easy it is to remove.

Here are 2 video reviews for the Corsair Carbide 300R ($69) and 400R ($99), go ahead and watch them so if you decide to buy them, you know what your getting. The one thing i don't like about Corsair case is, while they have so many places to install fans, they usually don't come with them. Upside is you can buy high quality fans of your choice as opposed to paying $150 for a case with fans then changing them anyway since their cheap garbage fans.

Edit: just saw your edit lol, ya if you decide to go with Air i recommend the Dark Knight, while there are better ones, they cost twice as much and twice the size, for 2-3C difference. I understand your worries about using something labeled as "liquid" cooling because before i bought one, i was in the same shoes, even now I'm afraid to do a full water setup. Both are good coolers, i personally never liked the idea of having such a big heatsink taking up most of the space in my case so i tried the H60 and have not gone back since.

[Dhalmel]

Yeah I agree with the cases, 300R and 400R are probably the best budget cases you can get that doesn't look cheap and full of annoying LEDs.


As for the H60, this is just my opinion but I dislike most of the pre sealed AIO water coolers. I don't trust the quality of the pump, because once it dies there's the chance you will kill your CPU and you won't know till it's too late. This happened to my old i7 950 build. Not to mention some of them are kind loud. I would rather stick to a air cooler with some quality (quiet) air pressure optimized fans.

and shura, how are you? it's kinda being in the same thread and not acknowledge each other lol

I rec'd the AXP-100 mostly because for the sound level it's performs greatly. I prefer my systems to be nearly dead silent at all cost, the DK probably has fans that moves more air, giving that 9'c difference and it has a bit more surface area to move away heat.

[Shura]

Yeah I agree with the cases, 300R and 400R are probably the best budget cases you can get that doesn't look cheap and full of annoying LEDs.


As for the H60, this is just my opinion but I dislike most of the pre sealed AIO water coolers. I don't trust the quality of the pump, because once it dies there's the chance you will kill your CPU and you won't know till it's too late. This happened to my old i7 950 build. Not to mention some of them are kind loud. I would rather stick to a air cooler with some quality (quiet) air pressure optimized fans.

and shura, how are you? it's kinda being in the same thread and not acknowledge each other lol

Honestly i have 2 systems at home that use the H60(old model) and built a few for people and never had any problems; and if you monitor your temps, you'll know when something is up but have yet to experience any issues, the one in my system is few years old now and still cooling like a beast. I don't want to force you to do anything you don't want to do, this really comes down to what you want to do, The Dark Knight is a good cooler too. I personally like the H60 since it preforms at the same level as high end air coolers, for less cost and looks clean and simple in a case. Never liked the idea of having huge air cooler heatsinks in my case. Having something like this sitting on your CPU is just so ugly to me:



Hey Eagle, I'm doing good, my course load for university this year is just insane so other then PC/tech related threads on this forum, i have not really been keeping up with the game. Exams start in 2 weeks so hopefully by the time I'm free again, it'll be phase 3-4. I always quoted you knowing who you were and i assumed you were replying because you knew it was me lol, i just never made any off topic comments since i didn't want to think about the game till i was done with exams. Thinking about computers on the other hand just helps me relax, but anyway, how have you been, still running the 3930k? and make any new insane upgrades like the Titan lol?