Want to change PC case, have questions.

[arizonachris]

Running both CPU and GPU full tilt does not lend well at all to overclocking. I'm already pushing things.

I will say that AMD CPU's are more bullet-proof than Intel CPU's, at least at running at 100% on all cores the way we do with Folding. I had a Phenom I 9600 run for seven years before it finally started throwing errors. That was at 100%, 24/7.

[Importz2k1]

I'm always get slightly amused when simmers get worried by water cooling in a PC.
How many people drive air cooled as opposed to water cooled cars?
Most cars on the market are water cooled and yes the water is next to some very expensive electronics - much more expensive than your average PC.
Sure there are accidents, but modern sealed cpu water coolers are usually not prone to failure.
I've had one running for 2 years no issues and I had an "open" system that I have just changed after a year+ of fault free use - because I was fed up with having to refill it every 3 months or so.
Water is much more efficient in cooling than air.
Water cooled systems do not attract dust to the cpu area as air cooled ones (fins) do.
There is less weight/torque effect on the mobo (many are very thin these days) in a water cooled system than an air-cooled one.
(Some manufacturers even recommend you remove the cpu cooler (air) before you move the PC due this weight/torque effect even with stabilisers.

We need to put the risks in perspective and IMHO the risk of a water cooled system failing and spraying the inside of your PC with water is probably in the same order as the cpu, PSU, RAM, mobo, or gpu failing.

pH

After reading this, I decided to look at some videos and read comments from owners and I'm thinking I might give this a shot http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103181. I don't o/c since I don't know how, so to me keeping my system cool is my only priority. I also purchased this sound card http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00654PTT2/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 and am waiting for it to arrive before switching everything to my new CM Storm Trooper case.

[arizonachris]

The Storm Trooper is a really nice case. That water cooler looks good, too. I recently got a Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS card used, and what a difference it made. Realtek onboard was OK, but this one with special drivers from Daniel_K is really fantastic. Kinda like TS 2014 with RSC's sounds (onboard) vs. Krellnut's Sound Pack v.3 (Audigy card). Good choice!

[Importz2k1]

I didn't want to start a whole new thread so I will ask you guy's here.

The very first gaming pc my wife bought me was a piece of ( )
ECS MCP61-M3 NVIDIA GeForce 6150SE AM3 mtx Motherboard + nForce 430chipset
AMD Athlon X2 5200+ 2.3GHz 2x512KB Dual Core CPU
MSI Radeon HD5450 1 GB DDR3 graphics card
4gb DDR3 1066MHz memory
500GB SATA Hard Drive 7200 RPM
DVD RW Drive
550 Watt PSU
Raid Max XB case with 10 fan

After building my new one, the original pc became her ofc pc. I have already upgraded to 2-2TB hard drives and had to replace the dvd reader last week. I found in my closet a new Gigabyte 880GM-D2H MB http://www.gigabyte.my/products/product-page.aspx?pid=3515#ov and an Amd Phenom II X4 985 3.0 GHz quad core cpu http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103809. These are much better than what's on the pc right? So if I get some memory, she will basically have a new pc.

Now just like my original question about changing cases, if everything on my wife's pc is on the new hd's and I replace the MB and CPU, is it just a matter of replacing these, hooking everything up and hitting the power button/ business as usual? Do I have to install the op sys again or will I be good to go?

As always, thank you for all your help, you guy's have always been extremely helpful.

[Ericmopar]

It depends if that OS has attached itself to the Mobo in the wifes PC.
It might work, sometimes not.
If the old computer was custom built, and not something from a PC company like Dell, then swapping mobos usually works.

[Importz2k1]

It depends if that OS has attached itself to the Mobo in the wifes PC.
It might work, sometimes not.
If the old computer was custom built, and not something from a PC company like Dell, then swapping mobos usually works.

It was custom built and purchased on ebay.

[Chacal]

I seriously regret not adding water cooling 4 years ago when I built my PC.
It seemed complicated to find all the parts and nobody I knew had experienced it.
Now I have to live with the noise of the 9 fans I eventually had to install in the case in order to keep the Core-i7 and two 9800 GTXs' temp at an acceptable level. And the case is supposed to be specially designed for good airflow (Thermaltake).

[arizonachris]

Importz, if Windows does want to authenticate again, it's easy enough. Just select to use the telephone authentication, you will get a number online, then follow the voice prompts on the phone. Usually Windows will let you change two or three major components before requiring you to authenticate again.

[Ericmopar]

Hmmmm.
I'm using this and never get more than mid 50's when running my CPU under hard loads. Usually high 40s C.
I had it recommended by a tech at Fry's. I was a doubting Thomas, but now I'm a believer.
CPU i5 3570K


http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... llFullInfo

[Importz2k1]

What a difference between the two cases! The CM Storm Trooper (full tower) is running about 13 degrees cooler (internally) as compared to my old CM Storm Scout (mid tower). I really like the way the new case looks and feels (rubbery) and couldn't be happier. Now to start saving for the rest of the goodies I want for my girl.........

[Importz2k1]

Installed the new M/B and CPU on my wife's pc last night, everything went smooth. I did have to verify the product key though.
Thanks for all the help fellas!

[Importz2k1]

Have another question and did not want to start a whole new thread for this. I've got the itch to upgrade my video card http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&DEPA=0&Order=BESTMATCH&Description=XFX+HD-695X-CNDC+Radeon+HD+6950+2GB+256-bit+GDDR5&N=-1&isNodeId=1, and am trying to make an educated purchase. I want something similar or slightly better and I want 2 of them to run in crossfire mode. These guy's are affordable to me http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007MJGMYA/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=7OGNH460HIHS&coliid=I2QM3E8V3E1JYO, what do you experts think? This is not for Railworks, it's for me to get better FPS from other games.

[arizonachris]

the 7870's a good card, I like XFX, too. Keep in mind, specs say minimum 500 watts for one card, for two you should have at least 850 watts, preferably 1,000 watts.

[Importz2k1]

I've got a 950 watt.

[arizonachris]

That should do it nicely. There's no way you can push both cards to their 100% limit, like I do with my single GTX670 (and a GTX560Ti in another PC). New Egg has that same price, by the way. I've never dealt with Amazon. Lots and lots with The Egg, tho.