Zio wrote:
Definitely. The CPU score is a bit different though, eh?
To be fair 3DMark Vantage is probably not the best way to benchmark the processor. Your GPU score is incredible though, and I'll bet both those two cards combined are still probably running cooler than my single GTX 280.
As I said before the 940 in games with DDR2 is about level peggings with the I5. Most of it now comes down to your GPU set up. Crunching media? yes, you would tell a huge difference. I took all of that into account when I got the 940. I really wanted I5. However, like you I had really nice DDR2 ram and I could not justify spending £120 more on a chip board and new ram when I already had ram that could perform well with a recent CPU.
As for card temps? one is 51C the other 48c. the 51 is the top one with less airflow. They never get hotter even under maximum load and obviously the bottom one is cooler for two reasons. First it has space under it's centrifuge and secondly it's right in the path of the 120mm front fan
. I fucking love them though, that's for sure
I have had to decide against the Corsair to be honest. And, I forgot to tell you it's only weak point. If you only have one 120mm rear exhaust it cripples the airflow out the back of the machine being that it's a radiator. So I advise against using one if you only have one fan mount there.
I'm really glad I decided to keep the Noctua now as it's only giving a 3c rise in temps which were well under control any way. And I only have the one fan on it this time (adding two was snake oil) and I can't even hear it.
Even after a 30min Dirt 2 session my room was still
nowhere near as hot as it got with the 280 in here.
Pic. The mobo is slightly smaller and due to the adapters I have to use looks a bit cack. The airflow is top notch and everything is well tidy though
I also reccomend the Noctua (the 92mm one) as it's big but not stupid. However, firstly they don't make them any more and secondly I don't know if you can get a mount kit for your I5. I certainly don't have one for that or the I7.
Actually looking at the photo rather than stuffing my head inside I think I have done pretty admirably really.