New Year, New computer....
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HVAC filters, the ones you get for your household forced-air heating and cooling systems. Usually from the home improvement store.
I can see those would be a great idea for filters, especially if you buy the high-performance ones. But how do you mount them to the fan inlet? You could cut several filters out of one full-size filter so the cost would be defrayed per-filter for the computer, so that's a nice benefit.
Another thought would be automotive air filters. they really let the air flow and keep the dust out.
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@escapeartist said:
I can see those would be a great idea for filters, especially if you buy the high-performance ones. But how do you mount them to the fan inlet? You could cut several filters out of one full-size filter so the cost would be defrayed per-filter for the computer, so that's a nice benefit.
Another thought would be automotive air filters. they really let the air flow and keep the dust out.
I think you are talking about filters for the fans in the case. I'm talking about a filter to replace the side of the case, with an external fan to provide the air flow. I don't need filters for the case fans, because all of them blow air from inside the case to the outside, and the air they are moving has already been filtered.
Here's the kind I use. Not the pleated kind. Just remove the cardboard frame, cut to size and gently peel off however many layers you want to use (I've only ever used just one layer and it's worked perfectly for me). Then I make a wooden frame to fit the side of the new case, and just attach the filter to it using blue painter's tape. I then attach strips of that foam insulation that comes on a roll with one adhesive side, cut to length and stuck to the frame so that it seals the frame to the computer, ensuring that any air that gets inside has to go thru the filter. And then I attach the frame to the computer using a few strips of the blue painter's tape. Like I mentioned earlier, it ain't pretty, but I don't care about pretty. All I care about is protecting all those expensive heat-sensitive components. (I could make it pretty, but for me that's just not necessary)
I used to go to the trouble of making the frame so that I could slide a new filter (on a separate frame) into it, but if you keep the filter clean I've found that it lasts a very long time. The inside of my computers remains very clean, and the filter allows plenty of air to pass thru.
This solution isn't for everyone, especially those that have to have a fancy case with all the lights and doo-dads. But different strokes, and all that
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thank you Steve.
that image really helpful to make me understand better of the idea.
i'd like to try that if i got the chance to upgrade my pc. -
Wow, you replace the entire side of your case with a filter? That can actually reduce cooling capability of the fans in your case, i.e. the fans will just circulate hot air instead of being able to direct it through and out of the case. I guess if you only have fans taking air out it might work OK, but like you said that solution isn't for everybody.
Generally you want positive pressure in a case (Neutral would be ideal), this will keep contaminants out of the case. Negative pressure would suck dirt in through every little hole in the case, and that can be in your USB ports, headphone jacks or any other port that is not sealed. My other half's PC has negative pressure and the ports are clogged with cat fur after a few months and they need to be vacuumed out. Eventually some sneaks through and clogs the processor fan and the graphics card necessitating further cleanup inside. Not really desirable as every time it is necessary you expose the components inside to damage or static discharge. Positive pressure will mostly avoid this.
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The external 9 inch fan blows in air thru the filter, the others draw out the air. The computer stays cool, and it stays clean. I have been using this system on all of my computers for many years, works great. Like I said, this won't appeal to everyone, aesthetically.
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Hellnbak -- I'm sure you're getting enough cooling, but not the most efficient. More open doesn't equal cooler. Here's an interesting article on air cooling setups.
Smaller more confined spaces direct air current over the parts that need to be cooled where larger, more open cases have to move a lot more air. There's also the issues of pursuing a negative or positive pressured case.Plus... there are some pretty cool cases if you look around.
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Sorry to hear that my computers have not be running very cool and clean for many years. Guess I'll have to throw them out and build new ones with the correct cooling system
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Lol, bit dramatic eh?
Whatever works. Aesthetically I wouldn't like it at all; but if you're not OC'ing and things aren't failing or causing crashes, who cares if it looks like a case designed by Home Depot?
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So it turns out that I didn't buy my system when I originally posted as my wife bought a laptop for home so my work system stayed put....
But now its on!! Things haven't seemed to have changed much since unless you all have some updated tech info....
So here's what I'm ordering:
i7 2600k 3.4Ghz
12Gb 133MHz DDR3 RAM
240GB SSD
1TB Hard drive
Nvidia GTX580 GPU
800W Power supply
Win 7 64-BitThe only thing I am not convinced about ia whether to go with a GTX 680 rather than the 580. Had a look here again http://www.videocardbenchmark.net/high_end_gpus.html and also here: http://www.hwcompare.com/12366/geforce-gtx-580-vs-geforce-gtx-680/
Not sure what 'Texel rate v Pixel rate is or even if I would notice it but would love to know anyway... Also, the cost difference is not much so either way it doesn't make much difference.Anyway, close to sending off final specs so if any of you have comment they are all welcome!!
Oh, and I'm thinking a bigger monitor.... yes, yes I know I have said in other threads that my 24' is sufficient but I am now coming around to something bigger..... HOW BIG???
Cheers,
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Utiler, this looks like a nice machine... I'm pretty close to putting a system together but was leaning towards an i7-3930 (or maybe come back to a i7-3820), but otherwise very similar to yours. I was wondering how you came to your decision regarding CPU? I've also been bouncing the graphics card thing around - originally Quadro 2000, but now reconsidering the same choices as you. Cheers - Mick
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Hey Mick, actually I this CPU was quoted to me a little while ago so I should ask about a the i7 3930.
From what it seems the Quadro cards are priced to target professional CAD users where as the GTX cards perform just as well if not better for what SU needs as you'll see by the links I provided.
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@utiler said:
Hey Mick, actually I this CPU was quoted to me a little while ago so I should ask about a the i7 3930.
From what it seems the Quadro cards are priced to target professional CAD users where as the GTX cards perform just as well if not better for what SU needs as you'll see by the links I provided.
Don't get me wrong, what you have looks good - I was just wondering if there was something particular that swung your decision, as it's pretty hard trying to make a decision with all the choices out there. Having looked at it more, I think the 3820 isn't really a great option, so for me it seems its between the 2600 and 3930.
With the video card, I figure that I can always buy something like the gtx580 and if it doesn't work out for me then I'm sure someone will buy it off me for a reasonable price, but not sure I could say the same for the quadro. As a side note, it seems the gtx580 is being discontinued... so is already old
Cheers
- Mick
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Thanks for that, Mick. I'll ask my tech guys whats hot in cards at the moment....
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@utiler said:
Thanks for that, Mick. I'll ask my tech guys whats hot in cards at the moment....
I'd be interested to hear what they say. From what I can work out the new gtx680 is the pick of them (less wattage, more triangles per sec), but I had a look online and there seems to be a lot of "out of stock" here in Oz, so not that confident of grabbing a cheap one any time soon.
Just to keep the door open on this topic.... I have yet to find anyone who actually has used both the quadro2000 and gtx580 and can offer any first hand comments.
Cheers
- Mick
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@sketchymick said:
"out of stock" here in Oz,
You sounded a little Aussie, Mick!!! Must be the way we write posts...
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Hey Utiler, yep aussie and proud of it
Any advice from your tech gurus?
I can't believe the amount of on-going debate all over the internet regarding Quadros and GTX's, even for apparently quadro optimised software.
Cheers
- Mick
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Hey Mick, we just bought a new system in the office. This is what we went for:
i7 2600
16Gb RAM
Nvidia GTX 580
240Gb SSDAnd it really hums!!!!
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Ok, it's time to buys again.... The one we bought a month of so ago is a beauty but even in that short time things go out of date.
The GTX 580 is obsolete; the 680 is apparently the current pick.
The i7 3930 is the top end processor (apparently) although the Xeon E5 series are the next step up....
RAM is cheap as chips so maybe 24mb...?Any news that I should know about before spec'ing up a new piece?
BTW, we bought an AOC 27" 3D screen which seems pretty good although I do like to stay with Samsung (only because I have always had them...) any others you have good things to say about?Cheers,
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The GTX 580 is is far from obsolete if you are going to use it for cuda calculations, it will beat 680 that is actually heavily optimized for games. Before all nvidia cards tend to play better for GPGPU, if they where "latest", now the game has changed.
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Maybe obsolete was not the right term notareal.... rather old stock. [well here in Australia anyway...]
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