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    GPU and case upgrade + Advice

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    • M
      Markus1337 Regular Member last edited by

      Alright guys, I’m planning on a small upgrade ;)

      I would like your advice about the case and GPU I’ve selected and if it’s a good idea.

      So as of today I have:

      Motherboard - MSI MS-7320
      RAM: 4 GB DDR2
      GPU: NVIDIA GeForce 9600 GT
      CPU: Intel® Core™2 Quad CPU Q6700 @ 2.66GHz
      PSU: My investment baby - http://www.novatech.co.uk/products/components/powersupplies/nov-psg500.html

      Okay so basically I want to upgrade to the AMD 7950 windforce 3x (hint - mining) http://www.ebuyer.com/342450-gigabyte-ati-7950-gv-r795wf3-3gd, I checked and the card won’t even fit in my case -.- so I’m thinking new case!

      The new case - http://www.novatech.co.uk/products/components/cases/cases/z11p.html

      Seems really nice and should keep the temps low.

      So what do you guys think is the case and GPU alright? it’s not going to be a 100% dedicated mining PC. I will be playing games on it too but when I’m not it will be mining so PC on pretty much 24/7.

      Thanks :3

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      • U
        UKMark last edited by

        I’ve had 3 x of the 6950 versions of these running for nearly 6 months 24/7 and they were bought 2nd hand too:

        http://www.ebuyer.com/483268-his-7950-iceq-boost-clock-3gb-gddr5-pci-e-dvi-hdmi-2xmini-dp-h795qc3g2m?utm_source=google&utm_medium=products&gclid=COuxz8_DwbcCFXMRtAodkxAAHQ

        If I was to upgrade it would be HIS IceQ’s again for sure. 8)

        As for a case, whatever you like really as long as it’s got good air-flow and plenty of space around the card, you can always take a 4" circular saw to it and fit a 120 anyway < that’s what I did to my A30 Matx case. :)

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        • M
          Markus1337 Regular Member last edited by

          [quote name=“UKMark” post=“8438” timestamp=“1370044456”]
          I’ve had 3 x of the 6950 versions of these running for nearly 6 months 24/7 and they were bought 2nd hand too:

          http://www.ebuyer.com/483268-his-7950-iceq-boost-clock-3gb-gddr5-pci-e-dvi-hdmi-2xmini-dp-h795qc3g2m?utm_source=google&utm_medium=products&gclid=COuxz8_DwbcCFXMRtAodkxAAHQ

          If I was to upgrade it would be HIS IceQ’s again for sure. 8)

          As for a case, whatever you like really as long as it’s got good air-flow and plenty of space around the card, you can always take a 4" circular saw to it and fit a 120 anyway < that’s what I did to my A30 Matx case. :)
          [/quote]

          That does look like a solid GPU, thanks for sharing! Do you think there would be much difference of hashing power between those two GPU’s ?

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          • Z
            zythen Regular Member last edited by

            I just used a $6 milk crate rather than spring for a case. :)

            1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
            • ghostlander
              ghostlander Regular Member last edited by

              Locate some space on your table, find a thick book you don’t want to read again, and put the mainboard on the top of it. Excellent air flow guaranteed by design :)

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              • U
                UKMark last edited by

                [quote name=“Markus1337” post=“8441” timestamp=“1370045193”]
                [quote author=UKMark link=topic=1086.msg8438#msg8438 date=1370044456]
                I’ve had 3 x of the 6950 versions of these running for nearly 6 months 24/7 and they were bought 2nd hand too:

                http://www.ebuyer.com/483268-his-7950-iceq-boost-clock-3gb-gddr5-pci-e-dvi-hdmi-2xmini-dp-h795qc3g2m?utm_source=google&utm_medium=products&gclid=COuxz8_DwbcCFXMRtAodkxAAHQ

                If I was to upgrade it would be HIS IceQ’s again for sure. 8)

                As for a case, whatever you like really as long as it’s got good air-flow and plenty of space around the card, you can always take a 4" circular saw to it and fit a 120 anyway < that’s what I did to my A30 Matx case. :)
                [/quote]

                That does look like a solid GPU, thanks for sharing! Do you think there would be much difference of hashing power between those two GPU’s ?
                [/quote]

                Both are factory OC’d to 900 so performance will be pretty much identical - Although HIS has always aimed it’s cards towards the OC’ers market so expect it go a little further if required - Build quality the HIS is a beast of card, the cooler alone looks more like a V8 inter-cooler rather than a GPU cooler < OK slight exaggeration :)

                Edit: Just checked the specs the HIS has a factory Boost clock setting - Engine CLK (MHz) - 850MHz (Boost Clock 925MHz)
                The Windforce is factory OC’d to 900 MHz

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                • M
                  Markus1337 Regular Member last edited by

                  I think I will go for the HIS than, cheaper, slightly better clock. What about temperatures because the windforce seems like it has decent cooling, the HIS also looks like it has some sort of cooling :P I need to read on some forums. Thanks for the advice ;)

                  1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                  • ghostlander
                    ghostlander Regular Member last edited by

                    This HIS HD7950 IceQ comes with a single fan only. It ain’t going to be quiet one. Go for [url=http://www.techpowerup.com/gpudb/b434/his-hd-7950-iceq-x-boost-clock.html]HIS HD7950 IceQ X²[/url] with two fans, though that [url=http://www.techpowerup.com/gpudb/b1187/gigabyte-hd-7950-oc-fz0.html]Gigabyte HD7950 OC[/url] with 3 fans is still better in my opinion. Hits 1GHz and above with ease.

                    1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                    • U
                      UKMark last edited by

                      [quote name=“Markus1337” post=“8512” timestamp=“1370086978”]
                      I think I will go for the HIS than, cheaper, slightly better clock. What about temperatures because the windforce seems like it has decent cooling, the HIS also looks like it has some sort of cooling :P I need to read on some forums. Thanks for the advice ;)
                      [/quote]

                      For comparison I had a MSI Twin Frozr that ran @ 90oC cooped up in my Matx (before the 4" hole saw mod) The same spec same situation HIS ran @ 78-80oC - They have really pushed their ICEQ technology < I think it is on Generation 5 now, with gains always seen over previous generations.
                      The secret is their monstrous heat-pipe design rather than relying purely on forced induction alone, also 3x fans means 3x the headache - Ie: should one ever fail :-\

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                      • M
                        Markus1337 Regular Member last edited by

                        This is such a hard choice :'( I donno actually because I could overclock the windforce a bit more as it has 3x fans so it should have a stable temperature (hopefully) and with the HIS I’m not sure how powerful / loud the fan is. As of now I’m thinking to stick to the windforce :S

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                        • R
                          randomdef last edited by

                          If you are going to use a case, use a 7950 with a reference cooler, otherwise they just blow hot air all over in the case (gigabyte WF3 has no outlet for the hot air other than in the case).

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                          • N
                            Nutnut Regular Member last edited by

                            [quote name=“randomdef” post=“8767” timestamp=“1370145741”]
                            If you are going to use a case, use a 7950 with a reference cooler, otherwise they just blow hot air all over in the case (gigabyte WF3 has no outlet for the hot air other than in the case).
                            [/quote]

                            Agreed! They are a bitch to use in a case.

                            1 is OK if you have good(ish) airflow. 2 need excellent airflow (including side fans, top fans, front intakes and rear exhaust) and you may still struggle to cool them. You are dispensing ~500 watt of heat straight into the case which gets sucked straight back in to the fans. 3 cards… :o

                            I just got this case for my kids rig… great little case with plenty of space for extra fans if needed… http://www.dabs.com/products/corsair-carbide-series-200r-compact-atx-case-8D00.html

                            Edit: This case is fine for a single card of any type - no need to search for reference coolers. If you want to add more than 1 then reference may be better.

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                            • M
                              Markus1337 Regular Member last edited by

                              Thanks guys for all the help, I will be using just one card as it will be for gaming / general use and for mining when not using it. You can see the case I chose seems to have good air flow, I hope…

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