There is nothing at all wrong with Overkill!  It is my personal preference, mine is completely overkill, and I find that a good thing.  It just means I have LOTS of room for growth in the future.
 
Any subzero guys still here??  Nateman, I know you're nearly full time at your CNC currently, BUT, time to bust out that LN2 pot again!

What was nice about our generation of benchers (by generation, I don't mean age.. I mean the X58 platform) was all you needed was a i7920, the X58, and 2 gtx 295's, the corsair ram, and you had it made. We all had the same equipment, it was 'affordable' and it was a level playing field.  What separated all of us here was the methods used for cooling, and the time spent (and perhaps a lucky piece of hardware batch)  I feel like the cost of video cards went through the ROOF, not to mention when hex core chips came out they were over FIVE times more expensive for 2 extra cores. 
 
I know for me it just wasn't worth it to keep up with it.  I have YET to offend either of my X58 machines.  In fact I have my X58 micro running my new CNC in the basement.  The only 2 video games I play (if i ever have some free time) are TF2, and Left 4 Dead 2.  So my 465 sli setup works just fine.  Even played crysis 2.  


I really do miss the benching though.  Now if I get a new piece of hardware, I can make a waterblock for it.  I have always wanted to make a full motherboard waterblock.  Where every single IC was cooled, and the CPU.  Ironic that benching got me into machining.  I bought the SR2 board because I wanted to get dual hex core chips, but no way on earth I could afford them.  So I started making SR2 waterblocks to help pay for the chips.  By the time I could afford them, I found it more compelling to invest the money back into the machine. 

nateman_doo
What was nice about our generation of benchers (by generation, I don't mean age.. I mean the X58 platform) was all you needed was a i7920, the X58, and 2 gtx 295's, the corsair ram, and you had it made. We all had the same equipment, it was 'affordable' and it was a level playing field.  What separated all of us here was the methods used for cooling, and the time spent (and perhaps a lucky piece of hardware batch)  I feel like the cost of video cards went through the ROOF, not to mention when hex core chips came out they were over FIVE times more expensive for 2 extra cores. 
 
I know for me it just wasn't worth it to keep up with it.  I have YET to offend either of my X58 machines.  In fact I have my X58 micro running my new CNC in the basement.  The only 2 video games I play (if i ever have some free time) are TF2, and Left 4 Dead 2.  So my 465 sli setup works just fine.  Even played crysis 2.  


I really do miss the benching though.  Now if I get a new piece of hardware, I can make a waterblock for it.  I have always wanted to make a full motherboard waterblock.  Where every single IC was cooled, and the CPU.  Ironic that benching got me into machining.  I bought the SR2 board because I wanted to get dual hex core chips, but no way on earth I could afford them.  So I started making SR2 waterblocks to help pay for the chips.  By the time I could afford them, I found it more compelling to invest the money back into the machine. 

 
 
I Agree It's Hard to Quit Completely Nate!
 
Back then Components were Very Expensive (Not that they're much cheaper NOW!), But Fun was had by All that engaged in trying to Completely Destroy their System in an attempt to Push Everything Beyond All Known Electrical/Physical Limits! 

 
Lately I have still been using My 762 MB and buying some "Less Expensive" Components to Bench/Game with since I have long since Sold the four 580 Graphics cards and the 980X I used previously.
I Managed so far to get four EVGA 560 Ti Classified 448 core's / a 975EE at a REASONABLE Price (Still have my 920 DO also) and am now in the process of setting them up for Water Cooling (Just Room Temp, Not Chilled!   ).
 
I'll keep going at it again and see what other Products/Components/Options become available that I may be able to pick up for a song and dance!   

nateman_doo
I actually just went through pages 100, till a bit after 200.  That was the height of the thread.  after the 300th page (and the advent of the 580Classified), Sniper, John & Q left, the thread almost ground to a hault. It didn't help that I completely took a sabbatical from benching and went into machining.

 
Yeah, I can understand Why most of the guys left, But then again it still was a lot of Fun, even though it was anything but Cheap to keep upgrading components all the time!
 
 

nateman_doo
That huge block of copper I was talking about:
http://forums.evga.com/FindPost/400666
 
3 years ago, and that lump of copper STILL stares at me to make the project that I bought it for. 

Jezzzzz....That could do some Damage if it fell on your foot!
 
I'm guessing it will be awhile before you get around to starting (finishing?) that particular project with all the Backlog of current projects that you have going on.

Well, I threw together my New (Old?) Rig built from Outdated Components I Had/bought/pieced together on my Old 762 once again just to Reminise.
 
It isn't the Best of Times, But it does Bring Back Some Memories.........
 
Seems Almost Like it use to be.................
 
 

Q56_Monster
I'm currently benching my new laptop.  Clevo P570WM with 4930K and Dual 780m's.  A few laptop WR's with John's help.  No extreme cooling, just the winter cold of the NE ;)
 
Vantage with out Physics
http://www.3dmark.com/3dmv/4912948
 

 
3DMark11
http://www.3dmark.com/3dm11/7732215
 

Looking Good Q56 ,
 
I'm just using Room Temp Water with an Old i7 975 at 4.039GHz on my 762 in 4-Way SLI (Four 560Ti Classified 448 core's at Stock settings).
It is good enough for some 24/7 Fun at a MUCH Cheaper price than spending another $5K+ on a Dark X79/3960K-4960K/4 Titans + Waterblocks/RAM etc...., and even then I would STILL Not be able to "Compete" without going to LN2, which as I have said in the past, I can't see myself using that type of cooling for a 24/7 High End Benching/Gaming System.
 
Oh, and did I mention not having to pay High Electric Bills like I did with My 2012 Bench Rig? LOL!

LOL Q56.
 
Funny, a few weeks ago when it got kinda chilly (I thought it was fine, other half said it was FREEZING) told me she missed my 8800 Ultra's in winter.  Said it kept that side of the house warm, if she got cold, she'd go stand by it for a few minutes. (no central heat).
 
While, right now I won't be getting it MUCH colder, I am working on some upgrades, and I will try to get competitive with scores on AMBIENT based cooling.  Been many years since I cooled subzero, and this thread, especially being resurrected like this, makes me nostalgic.  I WANT TO FREEZE SOMETHING LOL!
 
@Halloween
While 4 way is awesome, aren't there also brackets for clocking with single or dual cards too?  Like drag racing, not everything is Top Fuel?  If so, 780 K|ngp|N edition or something like that and could make a solid run again for a lot less money that what you were mentioning above.

HAH, very VERY true.  Once you have used 2-3-4 cards, its hard to go back, and once you have put your first 1071 blower on your BB stroker running alcohol, its hard to go back to a gas engine with a Kenne Bell that is actually streetable.
 
That does lead me to a question.... what did you replace your 9 second Stang with?

If you haven't found anything new, build from scratch.  Find a car you like and mod like crazy.  Then it is EXACTLY what you want the first time, no more, no less.

Dooooo IIIIIIIT!
Must....... Get........... COLDER!
 
If I had a chiller I know id be clocking something.... more than I already do.
 
Also, maybe just start out lighter, see if it still has the same attraction, get the CPU to about 3-5c above ambient, push it farther.  No hassle of dew prep, but you would be one more step further.

I've followed both of these threads i guess since they started. And now I wanna play with my 920 some more.
 
I've never done any LN2 though. Would it be worth it to try it on my current rig or wait a few months when I upgrade to X99?

How the hell did you find 4 for $305 for all of them? damn that's a steal.

OK, The First Comparison Test between my previous Four GTX 560 Ti Classified 448 core's in 4-Way SLI on Ambient Water Cooling / OC'd MAX to 900MHz/2100Mem, and Two STOCK GTX 780 Classifieds in 2-Way SLI on Air Cooling shows that the 780's Score Slightly higher in 3DMark Vantage Bench Testing (So Far Looking Very Promising Indeed!)
 

Ya'll want to Know Something that Sux?
 
I Guess I have been away from the Forums Too long, Because NOW I found out that if I were to try and go 4-Way SLI with Four GTX 780's (Instead of Four TITAN's), I will NOT be able to run them in 4-way SLI due to the fact that EVGA/NIVIDIA has REMOVED the ability to use it with GTX 780's as stated in the Forums Here: http://forums.evga.com/tm.aspx?m=1948669#2096180
 
I have seen a lot of problems with MB's and Vid Cards over the Years, But THIS is B******T!!
 
The Only GOOD thing about this Mess is the Fact that I didn't Buy FOUR of the GTX 780 Classified's Yet, and Now I KNOW I won't!
 
I'll just try to be "Content" using Two GTX 780 Classified's in my 762 4-Way Motherboard!
 
PS:
Also, I Thank GOD I didn't Buy Four GTX 780 Classified Hydro Coppers, and Don't count on me purchasing Four $1K+ TITAN's just to be able to use 4-Way SLI!

 
 

Buy my classified and pick up some more