Locker

I have a fairly complete system that I've specced for purchase. I now need to determine a proper cpu air cooling solution and apply any appropriate case/fan upgrades to the build below:

Proposed System

CPU - Intel i7 920

Motherboard - EVGA 132-BL-E758-A1 LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel

RAM - Mushkin 998679 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory

Graphics - EVGA 017-P3-1293-AR GeForce GTX 295 1792MB 896 (448 x 2)-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card

Hard Disk - Western Digital Caviar Black WD1001FALS 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive

Case - COOLER MASTER HAF 932 RC-932-KKN1-GP Black Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case - Retail

Power - CORSAIR CMPSU-1000HX 1000W ATX12V 2.2 / EPS12V 2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Modular Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply

Optical - Sony Optiarc Black 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 12X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA DVD/CD Rewritable Drive

Operating System - Windows Vista Ultimate 64 OEM

I am planning to add another GTX 295 (for a total of 2) and another 6G of RAM (for a total of 12G) in the near future.

Questions

1. What would be the top competitors as a CPU air cooling solution for my build including the proposed upgrades? The following have been suggested to me so far:

Noctua NH-U12P SE1366 120mm SSO CPU Cooler - Retail
Thermalright Ultra-120 eXtreme 1366 RT

2. I am trying to avoid liquid cooling due to the cost. What, if any, other case modifications should I consider with regard to fans, other types of heat sinks, etc?

3. If the above suggestions are implemented, what would be some good overclocking speeds to start with for increased performance but within good safety tolerances?

Thank you very much for any thoughts or opinions.

- Locker

P.S. I would like extend special thanks to shinji2k, Enigma8750 and especially grunion for their help in finding a power supply and case for my build in this thread over in the Power Supplies forum.

Pascual

I feel like i have to recommend the Xigmatek Dark Knight-S1283V (http://www.xigmatek.com/product/air-...-s1283-v.php#2) great cooler that comes with a bolt thru kit.

I also have the HAF and it really doesn't need any mods but one to look into is this dust filter mod (http://www.overclock.net/air-cooling...side-fans.html)

Locker

Thank you very much the information. I will be sure to add that cooler to my review list. Anything in particular about the case you'd like to share, good or bad?

Thank you sir.

-L

Pascual

The best i have ever had. Cooling is great and comes with lots of little features that make the case well worth it. Be sure to take advantage of all the cable management features it makes it really easy.

fullthrottle

Either the Thermalright or the Megahalems (or Optimus Prime like to call it).

Grunion compared the two recently and optimus beat the TRUE by 5C full load. Pretty significant.

The xigmatek isn't bad at all but if you're spending so much for the i7 why settle for less? Get the best so you won't regret it later.

zomgiwin

was just gonna say the optimus prime :P

the xiggy is a great cooler, but on things like a i7... it starts to show its weakness

Marin

:d

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T3h_Ch33z_Muncha

well if you are looking for max gaming FPS, you would be better suited getting a C2D or C2Q and two GTX 285's or three 275's or two 295's... you get the idea.

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