MacMan Build - GA-X58A-UD5 - i7-950 - GTX 470

[MacMan]

My Latest CustoMac Pro
​

This build is now my everyday machine. My original CustoMac Pro is now my X58 development/test system.

Cooler Master Storm Sniper ATX Mid Tower Gaming Case (Black) SGC-6000-KXN1-GP
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001OIRUQO?ie=UTF8

Gigabyte GA-X58A-UD5 LGA1366 SATA3 ATI CrossFireX ATX Motherboard
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003378K7M?ie=UTF8

Intel Core i7 Processor i7-950 3.06 GHz 8 MB LGA1366 CPU, Retail BX80601950
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002A6G3V2?ie=UTF8

Scythe Mugen 2 Rev.B CPU Cooler SCMG-2100
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001OCPRQ0?ie=UTF8

OCZ 6GB Triple Channel DDR3 PC3-12800 1600 MHz Gold XTC Kit OCZ3G1600LV6GK
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001IT4BWA?ie=UTF8

EVGA GeForce GTX470 Superclocked 1280 MB DDR5 PCI-Express 2.0 Graphics Card 012-P3-1472-AR
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003EEMFUC?ie=UTF8

Samsung 1 TB Spinpoint 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.5 inch Hard Drive HD103SJ
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002NXPARA?ie=UTF8

2 x Sony 24X SATA Internal DVD+/-RW Drive - Bulk (Black) AD-7260S-0B
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003MRHOQG?ie=UTF8

Corsair CMPSU-750HX 750-Watt HX Professional Series 80 Plus Certified Power Supply
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0029F21LK?ie=UTF8

Kingwin KF-4000-BK - Storage drive cage - 3.5" - black
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000SOUBBG?ie=UTF8

Mac OS X version 10.6 Snow Leopard
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001AMHWP8?ie=UTF8

Comments:
The motherboard I received is a Rev. 1.0 and as far as I can tell the only difference with the Rev 2.0 is the Realtek NIC.

I am over clocking the CPU to 3.68 GHz with Turbo enabled and reaching 3.84 GHz. The limiting factor right now is the RAM which I will be replacing. I'm confident that I can get close to or reach 4.0 GHz.

I have have not seen the infamous "Fermi Freeze" on this setup. I don't know if this is because I got a good motherboard or because I installed the CIDA driver.

 

[Stork]

MacMan,

Given your component list, why did you choose a 750 watt PSU? Will you be adding goobs of hard drives or SSDs? (I noticed the hard drive cage for the case.)

I ask because, when I read folks builds, I see a lot of excess capacity in their choice of PSU size (watts) when compared to the computer component lists.

BTW, I'm impressed with VG reviews for Corsair's HX and AX series PSUs. Only Seasonic gets better reviews.

 

[MacMan]

I wasn't sure what I was going to need when I purchased this PSU and went a little overboard. Wanted to be safe and not sorry. You can really get by with the 650W PSU.

 

[celebbb]

What temperatures are you getting with your overclock? Your BCLK?

I'm a bit afraid of overclocking on air, even with an idle temp of 39, but I would like to get more out of my 950.

Thanks.

 

[MacMan]

What temperatures are you getting with your overclock? Your BCLK?

I'm a bit afraid of overclocking on air, even with an idle temp of 39, but I would like to get more out of my 950.

Thanks.

I am running BCLK of 160 with an idle temp of 41 C right now. At stock the idle was the same or maybe 1 degree less.

I am planning on documenting my BIOS settings and Geekbench scores when I get some time.

 

[Stork]

OK. That seems to be my understanding - built margin into your PSU. Plus, you can't beat the price/performance of the Corsair 750HX for your size system.

I'm starting to plan my next system by applying the lessons learned from my 1st system, which, by the way, is exceeding my expectations for it's processing power for audio/video conversion.

However, I really do like your build outlined above. If I was upgrading today, I'd copy it in a heart beat.

 

[jpa]

points in novabech? in cinebech?

great hack!

 

[MacMan]

 

[jpa]

woow thanks

video card, works nice games and snow??

 

[georgeba]

Hi Macman,
I am thinking of buying a new HDD and clicked on your Samsung Spinpoint link. I looked, and thought: how come he chose a 5400 rpm drive?
I reckon you put the wrong link.