Trim and fan grills installed:



New Bulgin power switch installed:



The BIOS for this board is quite different from the 680i BIOS's, so there will be a learning curve. Will post some benchmarks this week.

In addition to the aesthetic changes made over the weekend, I also pulled the PC Power & Cooling 1KW psu and replaced it with a Thermaltake Toughpower 1200W PSU:
http://www.thermaltakeusa.com/product/Powe...w0156/w0156.asp.

PC P&C makes incredible PSU's, but I've been having a run of bad luck with them when paired with the power hungry 8800GTX's in SLI. They don't fail all at once, but their performance slowly deteriorates until there is complete failure. Bob Roark (PC P&C's VP of Operations) was quick to offer cross shipment of a new unit. I'll keep the P&C PSU as a backup and run the Thermaltake for the time being.

The Thermaltake is nice in so far as it has a smaller footprint than the P&C and is modular, so I can hook up only those cables I need. The Thermaltake doesn't have modular ATX connectors (24/8), so that strikes a nice balance in the pro/con modular design debate. The difference this makes in cable management is significant and it doesn't appear to hinder performance, judging by the reviews and mft's specs. I've been using PC P&C psu's for so long now, I forgot what it's like to have that extra room. It does make life easier. The Thermaltake has a high efficiency rating (87% compared to PC P&C's 83%) with a boost in horsepower over the 1KW that is noticeable after running the system for an hour.

Thats down right blasphemy.

Did Bob not tell you about the new PC P&C 1200 coming out very soon? Would of been cool if they would of sent you that one before it's availabe for sale.

Considering your track record with the 1Kw units from PC, the confidence level probably wasn't too high.

My experience with overclocking the Quads in this past Forum Wars 2007 convinced me of one thing: unlocked multipliers are MUCH easier to work with than processors with multies locked. If you're an OC god like Paulzig or WGF, it becomes less critical, I imagine, but for we mere mortals, every advantage in our corner helps.

With that in mind, I put in an order for a QX6850 over the weekend. The reviews out there suggest the 6850 overclocks better than any other Quad and gives the E6850 a run for its money. The duo cores will always have the edge in overclocking, but with the added horsepower of four cores, the Quad becomes very attractive for day to day use.

I was able to squeeze 3.82 GHz out of the QX6700 -- nothing to sneeze at. With the QX6850, I think I have a shot at hitting the 4.0 GHz mark. Depending on how the Q6600 performs, I'll keep it in this build and replace the QX6700 with the 6850. The QX6700 will go on the auction block, unless the Q6600 proves disappointing, in which case I'll sell the 6600 and run Extreme editions processors in both builds.

I did ask PC P&C about a 1200W PSU and also put the question to Consumer Relations head for OCZ: neither knew anything about a 1200W unit. That isn't to say there isn't one in the works, but if there is, it doesn't sound like they have 'engineering samples' lying around.

A few night shots (cable management always looks best in night shots ):

Merc's made a poll in the staff section about whether you should be permanently banned from the forums after that remark, I'm trying to keep you here mate, but the man is rallying up some support. Don't go in there and have a look, the staff section is a 'speak freely' part of the forum and if you dont like seeing your good name sullied I suggest you look the other way.


(Just a joke by the way.. dont search for the thread)

By the way, I voted "2: Give JMKays a 30 day vacation from the forum to give him a taste of the fate awaiting him should anymore blasphemous remarks be posted"

I voted for option #3, JmKays must use Antec psu's from now on.

Just spoke with Bob and he stated PC P&C will be selling the new 1200watt ps in about 4 weeks. It is a completely new design instead of just a power upgrade to the 1Kw.

I am totally happy with my 1KW-SR, but can't wait to see this new unit.

Speaking of blasphemy, PC P&C has a revamped RMA policy whereby one's credit card is debited the entire amount of the new replacement PSU, then refunded upon receipt of the defective PSU. I've heard of checking the card for availability of funds (or placing a temporary hold), but not actually processing the return as a new order. That's precisely what they do. Not good business, in my opinion.

Hi Jason:

The new system doesn’t allow us to Front any longer. I will have Tiffiney call for the credit card, which will turn into an order. When the other unit comes back the card will be refunded in full. A return label will arrive with the new unit.

Bob Roark
Vice President Power Management
PC Power & Cooling
Part of the OCZ Technology Group
5995 Avenida Encinas
Carlsbad, CA 92008
P-760.931.5700

Not good at all. OCZ is turning them into "bad corporate".

saw a nice emerson psu at walmart, 1300w and 90amps, all modular.

50 bucs with 10 fruitloops box tops.

pc power is dead, time to look for a new vendor although i have several of the older good ones that i'm keeping for my shock treatment


sold the dell 8800gtx cards for $412 and $418,

kickass rig my man!!!!!!!!!!!kicking!!!

Agreed. I do not believe this was PC P&C's policy implementation. I have little doubt it was the parent company. In previous RMA's (there haven't been many), Bob has sent out the replacement PSU without so much as requesting a credit card -- and declining a number when it was offered.

I'll write OCZ's consumer relations manager later in the day and post his reply.

Thanks, Captain. Now I just need to have you come help me tidy up these wires.