Hailstorm II mostly cooling question

A bit about me. I have been a competitors customer for many years. I was not happy with my last system. I wasn't sure of some of the component/cooling changes that I was making and how they would work together (or even if they would). My first couple of systems they were more than happy to help me be sure that what I was buying would all be happy together, the last time I got a "we cannot recommend"... so.. not being the hardware guru I was less than happy with my last system. This time is was even worse.. so.. here I am.. liking what I see so far.

On to the questions:

I don't see any of your standard systems putting water cooling to anything but the CPU. Is the air flow for the towers adequate for the high end video? My current system has one failed video, a failed SSD, my second video card is on the edge. Most of which I blame on overheating. The fan setup has never worked right in my current case.

Budget:
generous (can i still get black friday? :) )

Expectations:
I want to be able to play almost every game I play on ultra with 60+ fps, both rpg's and mmo's (current high use Dragon Age Inquisition, WOW, FFXIV, Minecraft (hey i played muds... remember muds?). I am old.. I need my system to help make up for the reduced reaction time.

Usage:
Mostly I game. I also do some large dataset processing for work, but rarely use my home pc for that.

Special Needs:
I have two dogs, I love them dearly but they do add to the general dirt and dust my systems need to put up with.

Saved Ticket #: 1137744 (except windows 7 pro... don't make me do windows 8!)

Specifications:
Notes: second ssd because I currently have over 250G of games and system installed. Would like one drive specific for game installations.

Chassis Model: Special Deal Hot Seller - Hailstorm II Edition
Exterior Finish: - Standard Factory Finish
Trim Accents: - Standard Factory Finish
Processor: Intel Core i7 5930K 3.5GHz (Six-Core) (Unlocked CPU) <br><strong></strong>
Motherboard: ASUS X99-DELUXE (Intel X99 Chipset)
System Memory: 16GB DDR4 2666MHz Corsair Vengeance LPX (High-Performance)
Power Supply: 1050W Corsair HX1050
Expansion Bay: - No Thanks
Optical Drive: DVD-R/RW/CD-R/RW (DVD Writer 24x / CD-Writer 48x)
Storage Set 1: 1x SSD (250GB Samsung 850 EVO)
Storage Set 2: 1x Storage (1TB Western Digital - Black Edition)
Storage Set 3: 1x SSD (250GB Samsung 850 EVO) <br><strong></strong>
RAID Config: - No Thanks
RAID Card: - No Thanks
Internet Access: High Speed Network Port (Supports High-Speed Cable / DSL / Network Connections)
Graphics Card(s): 2x SLI Dual (NVIDIA GeForce GTX TITAN Black 6GB (Includes PhysX)
Sound Card: Creative Sound Blaster Zx (Includes Audio Control Module) <br><strong></strong>
HPC Processor: - No Thanks
Extreme Cooling: H20: HydroLux Level 1: Digital Storm Exotic Custom Cooling System (CPU Only)
H20 Tube Color:Red Tubing with High-Performance Fluid (UV Lighting Reactive)
Chassis Fans: Standard Factory Chassis Fans
Internal Lighting: Remote Controlled LED Lighting System (Multiple color options and lighting effects)
Airflow Control: - No Thanks
Chassis Mods: - No Thanks
Noise Reduction: - No Thanks
LaserMark: - No Thanks
Boost Processor: Stage 2: Overclock CPU 4.5GHz to 4.8GHz (Requires High-End Motherboard Selection)
Boost Graphics Card(s): - No Thanks, Please do not overclock my video card(s)
Boost Memory: - No Thanks, Please do not overclock my memory
Boost OS: - No Thanks, Please do not tweak the services on the operating system
Windows OS: Microsoft Windows 8.1 Professional (64-Bit Edition)
Recovery Tools: Windows Recovery Toolkit (Bundled with Windows CD)
Virus Protection: FREE: McAfee AntiVirus Plus (1 Year Service Activation Card) (Not Pre-installed) ($35 Value)
Office: - No Thanks
Game: - No Thanks
Display: - No Thanks
Surge Shield: - No Thanks
Speakers: - No Thanks
Keyboard: - No Thanks
Mouse: - No Thanks
Portable Gaming: - No Thanks
Branded Gear: - No Thanks
Priority Build: - No Thanks, Ship Within 10-15 Business Days After Order Is Successfully Processed
Warranty: Life-time Expert Care with 3 Year Limited Warranty (3 Year Labor & 1 Year Part Replacement)

GPUS ( video cards) benefit from cooling more than the CPU for gamers, IMO. Nividas GPUs can't boost their clock if there's too much heat, for example.

But it's expensive to water cool GPU due to the need for a custom water block or GPUs WITH the water block which are really pricey.

So you will find it's a pricey upcharge.

If you are using a 4k monitor good lucking, running any game at 60fps with no slow downs. Some modern games press even fairly high end dual video cards to the limit. Sure, a lot of games will run fine on 4k monitors with a sufficiently good GPU. But some games are punishing when run at 4k.

For 1080 resolution, a single 970 should do the trick, but I can't assure you all games will run at a minimum of 60

I ordered a system, which will hopefully show up one day, with dual 980s, that I hope will play any game at 4k on good quality settings with mostly smooth performance :)



Edited by michaeljhuman - 25 Jan 2015 at 1:09am

Hi Lois Grits,

Here is a basic system with dual GPUs with the GPUs, CPU and Chip set water cooled. I used the standard WC tubes but there are rigid tubing available at a higher cost.

I put in the 850w PS and will be enough unless you plan on future expansion of the system. I use the 5820 that will work as a cost saving choice. You can keep the 5830 if you prefer. The PCIe lanes are the only difference.

I changed your 250Gb 850 EVO SSDs to the 256Gb 850 PRO. That is not a lot of money and the PRO is a better choice.

You don't need the sound card unless you have a good speaker system. The sound from the MB is all you need for gaming.

If you decide to go with your GPUs air cooled then the Velox case would be a cheaper and maybe a better choice. Definitely a more economic choice with no loss in performance.   

Frank

Configuration Code: 1137875    Cost: $5821

Specifications:

Chassis Model: Special Deal Hot Seller - Hailstorm II Edition
Exterior Finish: - Standard Factory Finish
Trim Accents: - Standard Factory Finish
Processor: Intel Core i7 5820K 3.3GHz (Six-Core) (Unlocked CPU)
Motherboard: ASUS X99-DELUXE (Intel X99 Chipset)
System Memory: 16GB DDR4 2666MHz Corsair Vengeance LPX (High-Performance)
Power Supply: 850W EVGA SuperNOVA
Expansion Bay: - No Thanks
Optical Drive: DVD-R/RW/CD-R/RW (DVD Writer 24x / CD-Writer 48x)
Storage Set 1: 1x SSD (256GB Samsung 850 PRO)
Storage Set 2: 1x Storage (1TB Western Digital - Black Edition)
Storage Set 3: 1x SSD (256GB Samsung 850 PRO)
Internet Access: High Speed Network Port (Supports High-Speed Cable / DSL / Network Connections)
Graphics Card(s): 2x SLI Dual (NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 4GB (Includes PhysX)
Sound Card: Creative Sound Blaster Zx (Includes Audio Control Module)
Extreme Cooling: H20: HydroLux Level 3: Digital Storm Exotic Custom Cooling System (2x Video Cards + CPU + Chipset)
H20 Tube Color:Red Tubing with High-Performance Fluid (UV Lighting Reactive)
Chassis Fans: Standard Factory Chassis Fans
Internal Lighting: Remote Controlled LED Lighting System (Multiple color options and lighting effects)
Airflow Control: - No Thanks
LaserMark: - No Thanks
Boost Processor: Stage 2: Overclock CPU 4.5GHz to 4.8GHz (Requires High-End Motherboard Selection)
Boost Graphics Card(s): - No Thanks, Please do not overclock my video card(s)
Boost Memory: - No Thanks, Please do not overclock my memory
Boost OS: - No Thanks, Please do not tweak the services on the operating system
Windows OS: Microsoft Windows 8.1 Professional (64-Bit Edition)
Recovery Tools: Windows Recovery Toolkit (Bundled with Windows CD)
Virus Protection: FREE: McAfee AntiVirus Plus (1 Year Service Activation Card) (Not Pre-installed) ($35 Value)
Priority Build: - No Thanks, Ship Within 10-15 Business Days After Order Is Successfully Processed
Warranty: Life-time Expert Care with 3 Year Limited Warranty (3 Year Labor & 1 Year Part Replacement)


Edited by FrankW - 25 Jan 2015 at 4:30am

I really really want a 4K but I just don't think they are quite there yet. I have debated about the titan's back and forth. I would love it if they were there when I am ready for a 4k monitor, but afraid that they may end up being behind on hardware when the 4k quality price point finally starts dropping.

I am planning on moving to a 1440 and am leaning towards the Asus PB278Q, but I havent made up my mind which monitor to get yet.

I do have a nice set of logictech Z680 speakers I paid way too much money for over 10 years ago ... probably the best bang for the buck I ever spent on computer equipment. They still sound great :).

Thanks for the builds Frank! The first one is close to one of plethora of saves..

This is my Velox order ( supposed to show up some day, when the cases arrive)

System Configuration:
Chassis Model: Special Deal Hot Seller - Digital Storm Velox
Processor: Intel Core i7 5930K 3.5GHz (Six-Core) (Unlocked CPU)
Motherboard: ASUS X99-DELUXE (Intel X99 Chipset)
System Memory: 32GB DDR4 2666MHz Corsair Vengeance LPX (High-Performance)
Power Supply: 850W EVGA SuperNOVA
Optical Drive: ASUS Blu-Ray Player/DVD Writer (Play Blu-Ray and Burn DVDs) Storage Set 1: 1x SSD (512GB Samsung 850 PRO)
Storage Set 2: 1x Storage (1TB Seagate)
Graphics Card(s): 2x SLI Dual (NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 4GB (ASUS Strix Edition)
Extreme Cooling: H20: Stage 2: Corsair H110 280mm Radiator Liquid CPU Cooler (Extreme-Performance Edition)
Chassis Fans: Upgrade Chassis With LED Performance Fans (Blue) (Up to 6 Fans)
Internal Lighting: Remote Controlled LED Lighting System (Multiple color options and lighting effects)
CPU Boost: Stage 1: Overclock CPU 4.0GHz to 4.4GHz

Some of it is bling. I decided the PSU upgrade was totally worth it over the 750 watt Corsair option ( using a low end CS model.) I went with the 110 cooler, but the slightly cheaper 100i would be good. I went with the 5930 for the 40 lanes, just 'cause ( and likely not a benefit.) I could have gone with 16 GB which would have been fine, but I figured why not put 32 GB into what was going to be the most expensive PC I ever bought. I liked the factory OC on the Strix, so went with that option - dual 970s would have been more than adequate for my needs. Was not 100% sure about the EVO 850 Pro, but it didn't seem too pricey when gauged against total system value. 512 GB seems good for the boot drive as you can worry less about running out of room. A 1 TB data drive for all my Steam games seems just fine - it's not like load times are that high, but the richer gamer could go with a RAID 5, 3 drive SSD data set :)

Hi michaeljhuman,

A very nice, well thought out system. For $19 I might have went with the WD 1T HDD Black. It has a really good reputation. I hope you don't have to wait too long. The Velox is my favorite case.

Frank