1st build

[RauleDuke]

Well, I went ahead and ordered the above system.  Only gripe is after reading about the vendetta 2 cpu cooler, I realized i needed to add a mounting bracket kit because the pushpin mounting system supplied sucks and installing can apparently damage, bend your mobo.  kit was only 9 bucks but the shipping was another 6 .  Oh well, had to have it.

[TilDeath]

Well, I went ahead and ordered the above system.  Only gripe is after reading about the vendetta 2 cpu cooler, I realized i needed to add a mounting bracket kit because the pushpin mounting system supplied sucks and installing can apparently damage, bend your mobo.  kit was only 9 bucks but the shipping was another 6 .  Oh well, had to have it.

Seems you dont like to ask.  You do not need the Bracket number one.  Number 2 if you only ask I could have saved you tons of monies on your purchase... ie the bracket $5 Vendetta 2 $42 etc etc  Oh well.

Good luck with your build

[BaldEagl]

Only gripe is after reading about the vendetta 2 cpu cooler, I realized i needed to add a mounting bracket kit because the pushpin mounting system supplied sucks and installing can apparently damage, bend your mobo. 

The pushpin mounting systems work just fine as long as you know what you're doing.  I've mounted several with the motherboard installed in the case and have never had a problem with them.  In fact, I'd never use a bracket or back plate...  If you want to replace the CPU fan you have to tear out the motherboard vs just replacing the HS/Fan.

[TilDeath]

The pushpin mounting systems work just fine as long as you know what you're doing.  I've mounted several with the motherboard installed in the case and have never had a problem with them.  In fact, I'd never use a bracket or back plate...  If you want to replace the CPU fan you have to tear out the motherboard vs just replacing the HS/Fan.

Agreed with a few exceptions.  In an H2O system a support bracket is needed for the water block to adhere to the CPU properly.  Another would be when you have a native X Socket HSF but a different Socket MB.  Lastly if you lap both your processor and the heatsink portion of your HSF a bracket is awesome when used in conjuction of a torque driver for equal pressure on all sides of the processor.

Other then the above mentioned I agree... no need, the pushpins do as they were designed.

[Masherbrum]

I used my backing plate for my Silent Knight II.   I like the additional support it gives. 

[RauleDuke]

Seems you dont like to ask.  You do not need the Bracket number one.  Number 2 if you only ask I could have saved you tons of monies on your purchase... ie the bracket $5 Vendetta 2 $42 etc etc  Oh well.

Good luck with your build

I don't mind asking and I appreciate the advice you've previously given, I have changed a lot of what I originally planned to get based on your recommendations.  However, I was in a hurry and wanted to get the system ordered.  When I read some posts about the vend2 on NewEgg, 2 things kept coming up; 1st, its a great product.  2nd, the pushpin system was hard to use and several people were complained that after installing the item, the mobo was bent and or the item kept coming loose.

Now I don't know if these guys are simply inept or what, but it seemed pretty universal in the comments.  I don't know if I'll use the bracket or not based on what you've just said above.  I'll probably try to use the pushpin system and if I have trouble, I'll resort to the brackets.

I do have another question however.  I saw your piece below on OCing the E8400 to 4.4.  Is that possible with my system since I'm only using 4 mgs of DDR2 ramm?

[Fulmar]

Personally, I'm not a fan of the push pin design.  I don't recall having issues with the stock Intel HSF push pins, but my larger Arctic Freezer 7 seemed to have a cheaper plastic used for the pins than the Intel one.  When I initially installed the AF7, I didn't realize that the bottom fins were in contact with the larger passive heatsink of the Asus P5N-E SLI northbridge.  So I could not push the pins down the way.  Like I said, I didn't realize it at first and has issues mounting.  I ended up bending the 2 of the pins on my first attempt.  After some fin mods I did to the AF7 and bending of the mount pins, I was able to get it seated.  Though I'm not comfortable knowing the strength of the pins was an issue.

[TilDeath]

I don't mind asking and I appreciate the advice you've previously given, I have changed a lot of what I originally planned to get based on your recommendations.  However, I was in a hurry and wanted to get the system ordered.  When I read some posts about the vend2 on NewEgg, 2 things kept coming up; 1st, its a great product.  2nd, the pushpin system was hard to use and several people were complained that after installing the item, the mobo was bent and or the item kept coming loose.

Now I don't know if these guys are simply inept or what, but it seemed pretty universal in the comments.  I don't know if I'll use the bracket or not based on what you've just said above.  I'll probably try to use the pushpin system and if I have trouble, I'll resort to the brackets.

I do have another question however.  I saw your piece below on OCing the E8400 to 4.4.  Is that possible with my system since I'm only using 4 mgs of DDR2 ramm?

No you will not be able to go to 4.4 with your setup.  This is also not a 24/7 setup its a benchmark test only and a push of the processor, MB and mem.

Going back to the Vendetta 2, a little tip on the install without the backing plate.  You will need a normal size screw driver.  When the fan is in place on the Vendetta 2, two of the push pins are located under the fan itself, apply your the thermal paste to the CPU about 1/2 the size of a pea, make sure the plastic protection is removed from the bottom of the HS, locate the HSF so that the fan is facing your memory, set it in place.  Now place the flat part of the screw driver on top of one of the push pins (since it is under the fan you can not get a finger onto the top of the pushpin) and push down, you will hear it click into place (two clicks).  Now do the one diagnal with your finger (again two clicks) place the screw driver on top of the other pushpin under the fan and repeat above.  Thats all there is to it.

[BaldEagl]

I would think you should be able to get a pretty easy 3.6Ghz out of it.  Anything more and you're going to have to OC your RAM in which case you probably should have just started with faster RAM to begin with.

[RauleDuke]

Well, all my stuff arrived from NewEgg on Friday.  Went to work putting it all together.  Had it set up, sides were still off the case and wires everywhere, but I figured why bother with cable management until I know it works.  Well, I hook up my monitor, keyboard, mouse and fire it up.  Blue LED lights all working, fans all humming.  From the monitor, "no signal."  I check my cables, make sure the vid card is seated properly, retry.  NOTHING   And I'm thinking, Oh my god.  I just bought nearly a thousand dollars worth of computer equipment, put it together the best I knew how following manuals and online tutorials and I don't even get the proverbial screen of death.  I mean, I don't even know where to start looking for my problem.

I pack everything up and stick it in the computer room.  We go to pool and I run into a guy I know who builds computers.  I've had a few and I'm really upset about the thing not working, I'm panicking because I don't even know where to start looking for my screw up and I tell him I'll give him a hundred bucks if he'll just come over and get it going.

Next day, this morning.  Wife is going for her hair appointment and I tell her, well I'm gonna work on it a little more, see if I missed something.  Yesterday, when I start unpacking all this crap and there's boxes, screws wires, etc. everywhere, she and her freind say, "Are you sure you know what you're doing? You know you're not mechanically inclined."  So she just kind of looks at me and says "OK" which means I told you so.

So I bring it back into the living room on the coffey table.  Flip it on the side and start looking at the mobo for any missing connections, specifically power connects.  I see one on the corner close to the heat sink.  An 8 pin connector.  I look at my PSU.  Have no 8 pin connectors, but a line with two 4 pin connectors that are obviously supposed to be coupled.  I look at the mobo manual.  Sure enough, there is supposed to be an 8 pin power connection that powers the cpu.  I plug it in, make sure everything else is right and fire it up.  Thing starts loading and a minute later I'm installing my OS   Yes, I am the man!

However, I'm the man that knows nothing about ocing, will appreciate any advice on how to go about with evga 780i mobo and e8400 cpu and 4g of ocz reaper ram(DDR2).

[Masherbrum]

I would do the cable management ASAP.   It can only help you with airflow, no matter what else you do.   

[Getback]

Well, all my stuff arrived from NewEgg on Friday.  Went to work putting it all together.  Had it set up, sides were still off the case and wires everywhere, but I figured why bother with cable management until I know it works.  Well, I hook up my monitor, keyboard, mouse and fire it up.  Blue LED lights all working, fans all humming.  From the monitor, "no signal."  I check my cables, make sure the vid card is seated properly, retry.  NOTHING   And I'm thinking, Oh my god.  I just bought nearly a thousand dollars worth of computer equipment, put it together the best I knew how following manuals and online tutorials and I don't even get the proverbial screen of death.  I mean, I don't even know where to start looking for my problem.

I pack everything up and stick it in the computer room.  We go to pool and I run into a guy I know who builds computers.  I've had a few and I'm really upset about the thing not working, I'm panicking because I don't even know where to start looking for my screw up and I tell him I'll give him a hundred bucks if he'll just come over and get it going.

Next day, this morning.  Wife is going for her hair appointment and I tell her, well I'm gonna work on it a little more, see if I missed something.  Yesterday, when I start unpacking all this crap and there's boxes, screws wires, etc. everywhere, she and her freind say, "Are you sure you know what you're doing? You know you're not mechanically inclined."  So she just kind of looks at me and says "OK" which means I told you so.

So I bring it back into the living room on the coffey table.  Flip it on the side and start looking at the mobo for any missing connections, specifically power connects.  I see one on the corner close to the heat sink.  An 8 pin connector.  I look at my PSU.  Have no 8 pin connectors, but a line with two 4 pin connectors that are obviously supposed to be coupled.  I look at the mobo manual.  Sure enough, there is supposed to be an 8 pin power connection that powers the cpu.  I plug it in, make sure everything else is right and fire it up.  Thing starts loading and a minute later I'm installing my OS   Yes, I am the man!

However, I'm the man that knows nothing about ocing, will appreciate any advice on how to go about with evga 780i mobo and e8400 cpu and 4g of ocz reaper ram(DDR2).

  WTG been there. Once I carried my PC to the kitchen table so many times I could have loaded a semi. I then look at the 24 pin connect. Barely touch it and it falls out. Doh!

[RauleDuke]

As soon as I got windows loaded I shut it down and did all my cable management stuff, put the case sides on.  Running great.

[BaldEagl]

Well, all my stuff arrived from NewEgg on Friday.  Went to work putting it all together.  Had it set up, sides were still off the case and wires everywhere, but I figured why bother with cable management until I know it works.  Well, I hook up my monitor, keyboard, mouse and fire it up.  Blue LED lights all working, fans all humming.  From the monitor, "no signal."  I check my cables, make sure the vid card is seated properly, retry.  NOTHING   And I'm thinking, Oh my god.  I just bought nearly a thousand dollars worth of computer equipment, put it together the best I knew how following manuals and online tutorials and I don't even get the proverbial screen of death.  I mean, I don't even know where to start looking for my problem.

I pack everything up and stick it in the computer room.  We go to pool and I run into a guy I know who builds computers.  I've had a few and I'm really upset about the thing not working, I'm panicking because I don't even know where to start looking for my screw up and I tell him I'll give him a hundred bucks if he'll just come over and get it going.

Next day, this morning.  Wife is going for her hair appointment and I tell her, well I'm gonna work on it a little more, see if I missed something.  Yesterday, when I start unpacking all this crap and there's boxes, screws wires, etc. everywhere, she and her freind say, "Are you sure you know what you're doing? You know you're not mechanically inclined."  So she just kind of looks at me and says "OK" which means I told you so.

So I bring it back into the living room on the coffey table.  Flip it on the side and start looking at the mobo for any missing connections, specifically power connects.  I see one on the corner close to the heat sink.  An 8 pin connector.  I look at my PSU.  Have no 8 pin connectors, but a line with two 4 pin connectors that are obviously supposed to be coupled.  I look at the mobo manual.  Sure enough, there is supposed to be an 8 pin power connection that powers the cpu.  I plug it in, make sure everything else is right and fire it up.  Thing starts loading and a minute later I'm installing my OS   Yes, I am the man!

However, I'm the man that knows nothing about ocing, will appreciate any advice on how to go about with evga 780i mobo and e8400 cpu and 4g of ocz reaper ram(DDR2).

 

[skullman]

We have all done things but I wont even attempt this one-great job