Upgrade of PC to run CoD Properly

[TonyD]

I bought a Corsair Carbide 500R case and H100 cooler when I built my new system because I wanted to avoid cooling issues altogether, and the case has a pre-designed mounting for the radiator in the top (bottom mounted psu). This case has plenty of room for multiple graphics cards, both width and length, and is almost exactly 500mm tall. I too have a customised stand and am limited for space – my case has 20mm clearance at the top, and my monitor about 6mm each side, so everything just fits.

A bottom mounted psu shouldn’t interfere with gfx card cooling as the inlet would be at the base of the case with the exhaust out of the rear, so I’m not sure what they are referring to. Most modern gaming cases have the psu situated this way as this permits large exhaust fans/radiator mounting at the top.

You’ll find a number of reviews on the ’net ( http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/C...de_500R/1.html , http://www.guru3d.com/article/corsai...e-500r-review/ ), but they seem to favour the white model for pictures (mine’s the black one). I have built a number of custom machines in the past, and my opinion of this one is that it compares favourably with some costing twice as much (CoolerMaster HAF-X for eg.), both in terms of quality of construction and function.

[Bikerjack]

Settled on the Enermax Staray Midi=ATX Tower. Right overall size and plenty of room inside. Price was not the main issue and this was very reasonable. I nearly went for a much larger case and more expensive, but had visions of major carpentry required on my desk and consequently a horrific vision of extra work put me off.

I am not sure about the PWS position issue either. As I think I understand it, the PWS fan is reasonably powerful compared to the GPU fans and MAY win the battle in terms of available airflow if too close. In some cases we looked at the VTX card I have would have been very adjacent. Obviously this applies more when having two cards in place - no point having a case that can't accommodate both GPUs if eventually fitted.

I suppose, since I have the two cards I can at least test on a single card basis and on the Crossfire set-up. That may prove interesting and will illustrate/confirm some of your concerns. If little or no improvement or disruption with "stuttering" occurs with both cards installed, then I can always leave one out and either keep it on the backburner or sell it.