I wasn't sure I was going to post a build log about this, since it's really just a simple upgrade for my 'backup' PC, but what the heck. I use this rig when I'm taking the big girl down for maintenance. Prior to upgrade, specs were as follows:
Radeon R7 1700 (non-X) on Asus Crosshair VI Hero X370
Heatkiller IV CPU block (clear acrylic)
16GB G.Skill 3600CL15 DDR4 - 8GB x 2 (currently running at 3200CL14)
A pair of GTX 980s with EK GPU blocks
Phanteks Enthoo Luxe case
So I've been getting toy-itchy lately, and I've been very curious to see how AMDs 7nm Vega chip performs. So I picked up a Radeon VII GPU, Gigabyte variant, since that's what Canada Computers had in stock. Behold, one hefty behemoth!
Popped her in the rig to test drive it.
I stress tested it with the latest AMD drivers, and to my surprise, there is a lot of cool stuff in the newest driver. Auto undervolting, auto overclocking, etc. I tried auto overclocking on air just for giggles, and it became apparent that this is one of the few cards that REQUIRES water. Unless you are a headphone guy, or are stone deaf, there's no way to put up with the noise levels. This thing overlocked LITERALLY (I shit you not) rivals my Dyson canister vacuum for noise. It's awful. That's where this little puppy comes in:
Along with a really shiny new back plate, a very pretty deluxe fingerprint magnet:
A few moments later (actually it was a day later, since Gigabyte uses tiny Torx bits on the back plate, and I could find my tiny bit set). DOH!
In addition to being overpriced, EK also makes you cut up your own thermal pads. I guess pre-cut pads cost too much money. I mean this block and back plate combo is only $300, how could we expect a luxury like that in this price range.
Had to route the RGB ribbon cable through the clear part of the GPU block. Tiny strips of 3M double sided clear tape came in handy:
Radeon R7 1700 (non-X) on Asus Crosshair VI Hero X370
Heatkiller IV CPU block (clear acrylic)
16GB G.Skill 3600CL15 DDR4 - 8GB x 2 (currently running at 3200CL14)
A pair of GTX 980s with EK GPU blocks
Phanteks Enthoo Luxe case
So I've been getting toy-itchy lately, and I've been very curious to see how AMDs 7nm Vega chip performs. So I picked up a Radeon VII GPU, Gigabyte variant, since that's what Canada Computers had in stock. Behold, one hefty behemoth!
Popped her in the rig to test drive it.
I stress tested it with the latest AMD drivers, and to my surprise, there is a lot of cool stuff in the newest driver. Auto undervolting, auto overclocking, etc. I tried auto overclocking on air just for giggles, and it became apparent that this is one of the few cards that REQUIRES water. Unless you are a headphone guy, or are stone deaf, there's no way to put up with the noise levels. This thing overlocked LITERALLY (I shit you not) rivals my Dyson canister vacuum for noise. It's awful. That's where this little puppy comes in:
Along with a really shiny new back plate, a very pretty deluxe fingerprint magnet:
A few moments later (actually it was a day later, since Gigabyte uses tiny Torx bits on the back plate, and I could find my tiny bit set). DOH!
In addition to being overpriced, EK also makes you cut up your own thermal pads. I guess pre-cut pads cost too much money. I mean this block and back plate combo is only $300, how could we expect a luxury like that in this price range.
Had to route the RGB ribbon cable through the clear part of the GPU block. Tiny strips of 3M double sided clear tape came in handy:
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