June 21, 2010 at 15:05Star Iron Kit
Today we will talk not only about processors, but about what they would be just a piece of silicon without - about the rest of the frequent systems. Well, we meet a selection of test bench for uncompromising performance in all categories, from air cooling to liquid nitrogen.
TRAFFIC !!!
Everything in our world is flowing and changing. There is a change of one leader to another. So in the world of computer hardware, especially overclocker hardware. For example, the leader of the manufacturer of the fastest desktop processors changed when Intel in 2006 (if my memory serves me) released its long-awaited Core generation processors. Then it immediately became clear that the Core2 Duo processors are simply out of competition, both in terms of performance and in terms of heat dissipation. Also, the performance increase was almost, which increased linearly with the increase in the core frequency, not to mention the generation of Netburst (Pentium4), where much depended on the memory performance. This was followed by a decrease in those processes, an increase in cache, etc. In general, everything is as usual: we are improving what has worked well, to the need to release a new architecture. And the next architecture was the Corer i7. Where for the first time the company used the built-in 3-channel DDR-III memory controller, and also, not for the first time for itself, the third-level cache. And here is a surprise - AMD is releasing a rather successful and competitive PhenomII processor. True, they were competitive only in extreme conditions, i.e. in a situation with extreme overclocking, using liquid nitrogen (-196s), which could not fail to please many extreme overclockers. After all, a stand on a PhenomII processor is much cheaper than a competitor. Soon, Intel put a bullet in the market for high-performance desktops, moving its Corei7 to an ultra-thin 32nm process technology. The processor turned out to be 6 core, radically better overclocked, very productive everywhere and expensive.
Well, now about without which processors are just a piece of silicon. Well, we meet a selection of test bench for uncompromising performance in all categories, from air cooling to liquid nitrogen.
Setup:
- Intel Corei7 980X
- Cooler Thermaltake FRIO
- GIGABYTE X58A-UD9
- Corsair DOMINATOR GTX2
- GIGABYTE HD5870 SuperOverClock
- SSD ADATA 128Gb 500-series
- PSU Thermaltake Toughpower Grand 750W
- Glass for LN2 MiniGUN by DeDL
A in more detail.
1. Cooler Thermaltake FRIO
- undoubtedly one of the best supercoolers today. It attracts with its stylish appearance and high quality cooling even the hottest “stones”. It is equipped with two fans at once (for blowing and for blowing) with speed control of each individually from ~ 1200 to 2500 rpm, which will make it possible to choose the optimal cooling / noise ratio. In practice, even the minimum 1200-1300 rpm is enough for high-quality cooling, while the fans are quite high quality, and it will be difficult to hear their work. Of the shortcomings, I can note not the smallest dimensions in height, i.e. there is a very small probability that it may not fit into a small case.
2. GIGABYTE X58A-UD9 - perhaps the most sophisticated motherboard to date from those that you can buy.
It has literally everything, it just can’t cook :). For overclockers, it is interesting primarily because of the very high-quality CPU power circuit, able to withstand loads in any conditions. There is even a specially dedicated video where, in laboratory conditions, almost 1,500 watts of electricity were transmitted through the UD9 socket www.youtube.com/watch?v=YsFG0Pv-7bM . Equipped with 7 PCI-E slots and two NVIDIA NF200 chips for the ability to organize 3-WAY / 4-WAY SLI / CrossFireX. Well, I think it's not worth talking about the fact that it has USB3.0 and SATA-III controllers. As mentioned above, it has everything for all occasions, and it does not matter what to do on it.
But like everything in our imperfect world, and such a motherboard has its drawbacks. Firstly, the presence of 7 PCI-E slots did not go unnoticed, namely, it increased the board size very significantly. And to tell you the truth, there are too few cases on the market where it could fit without the use of the “turner on its own” operation. The presence of two hot NF200 chips negatively affects the final cost and heating of the board as a whole. And there are few users who decide to install 4 video cards at once.
But for an overclocker that needs performance, flexibility, versatility and stability in work, the above-mentioned disadvantages are not disadvantages.
3. Corsair DOMINATOR GTX2- This model is sold individually. Pre-selected in the most severe conditions, based on the most promising Elpida Hyper chips. Allows you to work in the modes: low timings and low frequency, high timings and high frequency.
Those. Here you choose which mode is more optimal for you in terms of performance.
The nominal operating frequency is 2250 MHz with timings of 8-8-8-24 with a power supply of 1.65V.
Among the shortcomings, only the price can be noted, but for all the good as they say ... 4. GIGABYTE HD5870 Super OverClock - a model based on the well-proven Cypress chip, has a radically improved power supply circuit for both the video chip and memory modules. It has the highest initial core frequency compared to the others - 950 MHz.
Cooling system A high-quality power converter is responsible for powering the video chip. The feature of which is specially developed by NEC / Tokin. NEC / TokinOE907 Proadlizer (decoupling capacitor) rated for voltages up to (2.5V) and 900 μF. This makes it possible to provide the GPU with a very large current without interference. These are allotted in the amount of 4 pieces per GPU and one for memory. Of the disadvantages, it is worth noting that the noise level of the cooling system is higher than that of reference cards. 5. SSD ADATA 500-series 128Gb
- One of the few carriers of this type that I have managed to use. This SSD has one very convenient feature, namely a mini-USB connector, which makes it possible to use it in some cases as a quick "big flash drive". In addition to the high throughput speed, which is about twice as much as a simple HDD, the SSD has a disproportionately lower access speed (0.13ms versus 8-13ms) (tested in Everest v5.50). It is the aggressively low level of access time that plays a significant role in the advantage of SSDs. All this has a very positive effect on the OS loading speed, especially if there are 4 video cards on the stand at once and you often have to reboot the system during extreme overclocking.
The ADATA 128Gb 500-series SSD has an aluminum casing and there is even an indication of data flow activity (HDD LED), which can be very convenient if you have an open stand, but there is no such indicator on the motherboard.
6. PSU Thermaltake Toughpower Grand 750W - the new model of the Toughpower series, which differs from the others by its extremely low noise level and output ripples, which is very important for stability during acceleration and durability of the entire bundle of the stand as a whole. What is characteristic, the manufacturer honestly declares that it has a single line + 12V / 60A. One such PSU is more than enough for a system in overclocking in the air with two top single-chip video cards. It has a very stylish look.
As always, blocks of this class have a modular structure, which gives additional convenience in use.
7. Glass for LN2 - MiniGUN by DeDaL - and finally, what kind of overclocker does not like fast processors?). Indeed, to maximize the potential of the processor, you can not do without good cooling, namely extreme, using liquid nitrogen. Glass MiniGUN, was designed for the most modern processors where simplicity in temperature control is required. After all, not all processors, like AMD Phenom II, can work at temperatures close to (-196s) - for example, we have a processor capable of functioning normally at (-130s) and at the same time generate more than 300 watts of heat (approximately the same amount of Intel Corei7 980X emits at voltage 1.75V power supply in multi-stream mode). The convenience of maintaining temperature is very important here.
Everything in our world is flowing and changing. There is a change of one leader to another. So in the world of computer hardware, especially overclocker hardware. For example, the leader of the manufacturer of the fastest desktop processors changed when Intel in 2006 (if my memory serves me) released its long-awaited Core generation processors. Then it immediately became clear that the Core2 Duo processors are simply out of competition, both in terms of performance and in terms of heat dissipation. Also, the performance increase was almost, which increased linearly with the increase in the core frequency, not to mention the generation of Netburst (Pentium4), where much depended on the memory performance. This was followed by a decrease in those processes, an increase in cache, etc. In general, everything is as usual: we are improving what has worked well, to the need to release a new architecture. And the next architecture was the Corer i7. Where for the first time the company used the built-in 3-channel DDR-III memory controller, and also, not for the first time for itself, the third-level cache. And here is a surprise - AMD is releasing a rather successful and competitive PhenomII processor. True, they were competitive only in extreme conditions, i.e. in a situation with extreme overclocking, using liquid nitrogen (-196s), which could not fail to please many extreme overclockers. After all, a stand on a PhenomII processor is much cheaper than a competitor. Soon, Intel put a bullet in the market for high-performance desktops, moving its Corei7 to an ultra-thin 32nm process technology. The processor turned out to be 6 core, radically better overclocked, very productive everywhere and expensive.
Well, now about without which processors are just a piece of silicon. Well, we meet a selection of test bench for uncompromising performance in all categories, from air cooling to liquid nitrogen.
Setup:
- Intel Corei7 980X
- Cooler Thermaltake FRIO
- GIGABYTE X58A-UD9
- Corsair DOMINATOR GTX2
- GIGABYTE HD5870 SuperOverClock
- SSD ADATA 128Gb 500-series
- PSU Thermaltake Toughpower Grand 750W
- Glass for LN2 MiniGUN by DeDL
A in more detail.
1. Cooler Thermaltake FRIO
- undoubtedly one of the best supercoolers today. It attracts with its stylish appearance and high quality cooling even the hottest “stones”. It is equipped with two fans at once (for blowing and for blowing) with speed control of each individually from ~ 1200 to 2500 rpm, which will make it possible to choose the optimal cooling / noise ratio. In practice, even the minimum 1200-1300 rpm is enough for high-quality cooling, while the fans are quite high quality, and it will be difficult to hear their work. Of the shortcomings, I can note not the smallest dimensions in height, i.e. there is a very small probability that it may not fit into a small case.
2. GIGABYTE X58A-UD9 - perhaps the most sophisticated motherboard to date from those that you can buy.
It has literally everything, it just can’t cook :). For overclockers, it is interesting primarily because of the very high-quality CPU power circuit, able to withstand loads in any conditions. There is even a specially dedicated video where, in laboratory conditions, almost 1,500 watts of electricity were transmitted through the UD9 socket www.youtube.com/watch?v=YsFG0Pv-7bM . Equipped with 7 PCI-E slots and two NVIDIA NF200 chips for the ability to organize 3-WAY / 4-WAY SLI / CrossFireX. Well, I think it's not worth talking about the fact that it has USB3.0 and SATA-III controllers. As mentioned above, it has everything for all occasions, and it does not matter what to do on it.
But like everything in our imperfect world, and such a motherboard has its drawbacks. Firstly, the presence of 7 PCI-E slots did not go unnoticed, namely, it increased the board size very significantly. And to tell you the truth, there are too few cases on the market where it could fit without the use of the “turner on its own” operation. The presence of two hot NF200 chips negatively affects the final cost and heating of the board as a whole. And there are few users who decide to install 4 video cards at once.
But for an overclocker that needs performance, flexibility, versatility and stability in work, the above-mentioned disadvantages are not disadvantages.
3. Corsair DOMINATOR GTX2- This model is sold individually. Pre-selected in the most severe conditions, based on the most promising Elpida Hyper chips. Allows you to work in the modes: low timings and low frequency, high timings and high frequency.
Those. Here you choose which mode is more optimal for you in terms of performance.
The nominal operating frequency is 2250 MHz with timings of 8-8-8-24 with a power supply of 1.65V.
Among the shortcomings, only the price can be noted, but for all the good as they say ... 4. GIGABYTE HD5870 Super OverClock - a model based on the well-proven Cypress chip, has a radically improved power supply circuit for both the video chip and memory modules. It has the highest initial core frequency compared to the others - 950 MHz.
Cooling system A high-quality power converter is responsible for powering the video chip. The feature of which is specially developed by NEC / Tokin. NEC / TokinOE907 Proadlizer (decoupling capacitor) rated for voltages up to (2.5V) and 900 μF. This makes it possible to provide the GPU with a very large current without interference. These are allotted in the amount of 4 pieces per GPU and one for memory. Of the disadvantages, it is worth noting that the noise level of the cooling system is higher than that of reference cards. 5. SSD ADATA 500-series 128Gb
- One of the few carriers of this type that I have managed to use. This SSD has one very convenient feature, namely a mini-USB connector, which makes it possible to use it in some cases as a quick "big flash drive". In addition to the high throughput speed, which is about twice as much as a simple HDD, the SSD has a disproportionately lower access speed (0.13ms versus 8-13ms) (tested in Everest v5.50). It is the aggressively low level of access time that plays a significant role in the advantage of SSDs. All this has a very positive effect on the OS loading speed, especially if there are 4 video cards on the stand at once and you often have to reboot the system during extreme overclocking.
The ADATA 128Gb 500-series SSD has an aluminum casing and there is even an indication of data flow activity (HDD LED), which can be very convenient if you have an open stand, but there is no such indicator on the motherboard.
6. PSU Thermaltake Toughpower Grand 750W - the new model of the Toughpower series, which differs from the others by its extremely low noise level and output ripples, which is very important for stability during acceleration and durability of the entire bundle of the stand as a whole. What is characteristic, the manufacturer honestly declares that it has a single line + 12V / 60A. One such PSU is more than enough for a system in overclocking in the air with two top single-chip video cards. It has a very stylish look.
As always, blocks of this class have a modular structure, which gives additional convenience in use.
7. Glass for LN2 - MiniGUN by DeDaL - and finally, what kind of overclocker does not like fast processors?). Indeed, to maximize the potential of the processor, you can not do without good cooling, namely extreme, using liquid nitrogen. Glass MiniGUN, was designed for the most modern processors where simplicity in temperature control is required. After all, not all processors, like AMD Phenom II, can work at temperatures close to (-196s) - for example, we have a processor capable of functioning normally at (-130s) and at the same time generate more than 300 watts of heat (approximately the same amount of Intel Corei7 980X emits at voltage 1.75V power supply in multi-stream mode). The convenience of maintaining temperature is very important here.
