Upgrading to Dual Core and more RAM

[Genocidicbunny]

well, for one, its needed. Although if you do lapping on your processor and heatsink, you should be able to reduce how much you need.

 

[Maniacal]

lapping? What is that? (I know nothing about overclocking)

 

[Genocidicbunny]

lapping? What is that? (I know nothing about overclocking)

Lapping isnt necessarily for overclocking, but just general temperature reductions.

What happens is that a processors surface isnt flat, its a bit curved. Most heatsinks are designed to accomodate for that, but its not perfect. lapping is basically sanding down both surfaces to be as flat as possible using their own weight and very high grit sandpaper. Some people have said it can reduce temps as much as 10C, but at the very least it will make the transfer of heat much more efficient


I should note that you should not attempt it if you are not comfortable with messing with your hardware. Doing it on a processor voids the warranty, as well as has the potential to screw it up..

 

[Maniacal]

I think I'll pass and just use thermal paste and a heatsink/fan. Speaking of heat/sink fan, what is a good price range and brands?

 

[Genocidicbunny]

Zalman is a good company. Most good heatsinks/fans are from 20-60$. You just have to read some reviews and decide which one would work best for you.

 

[Maniacal]

What size of fans should I look at?

 

[Genocidicbunny]

90mm or so should be fine. Look at quality rather than quantity..

 

[Zelig]

What size of fans should I look at?

Biggest one that fits.

Bigger fans means slower spinning for equal air, and slower spinning means less noise.

 

[Maniacal]

I'm thinking I might will go with DirectCanada, free shipping, the thermal paste is $6 cheaper, and the fan is $8 cheaper. As well the price matching for stuff on NCIX only showed something for the paste amd fan since the price is more than 20% different.

But anyways that's not what I'm asking you, this is, I think I'll get this fan for my processor;
http://www.ncix.com/products/productdetail2.php?noheader=1&sku=17225
http://www.directcanada.com/products/?sku=10450AC4602&vpn=FREEZER-7-PRO&manufacture=ARCTIC COOLING

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Now, I mise as well get that UPS/Power protection while I'm at this.

I want something that will give me time to safely shut down my computer when the power goes out and protects it from power surges. I wonder if I had a 550 watt power supply in my tower and a 450 watt UPS, it wouldn't affect my power supply would it?

http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?minorcatid=1036
http://www.directcanada.com/category/?minorcatid=1006

 

[Zelig]

II want something that will give me time to safely shut down my computer when the power goes out and protects it from power surges. I wonder if I had a 550 watt power supply in my tower and a 450 watt UPS, it wouldn't affect my power supply would it?

That might be cutting pretty close, depending on the computer. Computer PSUs are approximately 80% efficient, so with a 450 watt UPS, you'd only be able to run your computer up to about 360 watts.

edit: Or rather, the UPS would only work up to 360 watts of load, the computer would still work up to 550 watts as long as you haven't actually lost power.

 

[Maniacal]

Eh I can get the UPS later when I get a new graphics card, I found my sheet and I have a
OCZ OZC45012U-450W Modstream Power Supplie PCI-E Readr W/ Ezmod Cable System & Blue LED fan.

 

[Maniacal]

http://www.extreme.outervision.com/PSUEngine

Okay, so according to that calulator, I would need just over 500 watts when I add the new stuff, another 30 when I add a 8800GT.

Would a 620 watt power supply be enough then? Since they don't usualy go to their full potential or something like that.

EDIT: I think this one will work just fine, as well the Q6600 is listed as a common product bought with this one.
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=18185&vpn=OCZ700GXSSLI&manufacture=OCZ Technology

 

[Zelig]

Would a 620 watt power supply be enough then? Since they don't usualy go to their full potential or something like that.

Yes, as long as it's a quality model.

http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=26414&vpn=CMPSU-650TX&manufacture=CORSAIR&promoid=1006
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=19648&vpn=SST-ST65ZF&manufacture=Silverstone Technology

Those are both good, the Corsair has a great reputation, and a fair price, and the Zeus is tops in build quality.

Lots of options for power supplies, if you're looking at something else, either check some reviews on it, or post back here.

Although I'm not going to guarantee it, I'd wager that the modstream would power the processor, it's in games with the video cards that it might have problems.

 

[Maniacal]

http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=18185&vpn=OCZ700GXSSLI&manufacture=OCZ Technology

1. Will the PS I linked to abovwork for me?

2. Would this 650 WATT one work as well?
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=26414&vpn=CMPSU-650TX&manufacture=CORSAIR&promoid=1006

 

[Zelig]

Yes, they're both fine.

Of the two, I'd probably go with the Corsair, which I linked in my last post.

 

[Maniacal]

Mkay, yeah I think I'll go with the 650 watt, one last question;

Since the intel quads are really two dual cores stuck together, do I need more than one fan? Or are they all covered by one fan?

(This one designed for LGA775)
http://www.ncix.com/products/productdetail2.php?noheader=1&sku=17225

 

[Zelig]

Just 1 fan/heatsink.

The "two dual cores" is just a technicality, it's not going to make a difference to the end user.

 

[Maniacal]

Done, I've ordered what I want (sale ends today and I have to go to work soon). Thanks for the help!

Now I need to read up on how to install these.

 

[azzaman333]

Most things only have 1 spot where they can go generally. It (hypothetically) shouldn't be too hard to figure out what fits where.

 

[Maniacal]

I'm more worried about BIOs and other software stuff rather than actual physical assembly. The manuals are supposed to be pretty good.