New GPU

[1701E]

Finally took the jump that has been needed for a while, and upgraded.  I went from a NVidia GeForce 7900GS to an EVGA GTX 260 (216 core).  All I can say is, wow.  And Thank You to those here who helped with determining my GPU was dieing, and to those who helped decide on a new one.

This thing runs about 35-38C on idle, and 45-48C on full load (Crysis or CoD: WaW) even after a few hours.  It runs everything from Aces High to Crysis at max, feel so spoiled, use to playing on medium/low and 'ok' Framerates.  Even though it says it runs at "PCI-E x16 @ x8" it runs this well, Still unsure if that is a glitch or a motherboard error.

System:
-Aerocool M40 cube case
-Biostar Micro-ATX AM2 motherboard  (upgrading to AM3 in December)
-AMD Athlon X2 4850e ~2.5GHz  (AMD Ph.II X3 710 in December)
-2GB DDR2-800MHz
-OCZ StealthX 700Watt
-EVGA GTX 260
--Total cost for those: 500$   \   After future upgrades:  535$

Overall the system runs very cool and runs very well in everything I throw at it.  I have to say the GTX 260 was well worth the 185$.  If someone has the money and has the system to use it, I would very highly recommend it.

[Fulmar]

Do you like your Aerocool M40 case?  I kind of have it picked out for my HTPC build and was wondering how it was.  I read some reviews that it doesn't like some PSU's (i.e. their length is too long and you have to have the standara 150mm size).  How's the installation and access in that case?

[1701E]

I love the M40 case.  It has easy access to everything due to the Two Layer design.  The PSU needed for it is best to use something 144mm or less, as seen I use OCZ and they fit perfectly in it.  I used a PSU that was 158mm long and it barely fit, but it did none the less.

Even with only 1x 120mm intake and 3x 80mm outtakes it gets plenty of airflow.  It does have a spot for a 60mm fan in the top layer, but it requires removing the small LCD screen.
Installing everything was easy even in such a small case.  I have had no troubles installing anything I use in it, and have found a way to hide all unused wires, and a way to route those I do use to out of the way spots.
Overall it is a very easy to use case when installing, cleaning and accessing, and can fit anything you really need.


Pictures are worth, oh who cares, easier to show how nice it is this way:

Top view


Side view; Front of case to the Left


Side view; Front of case to the Right



For anyone who wants an HTPC or just a small case for ease of moving and whatnot, I would recommend it.

[Fulmar]

Awesome, thanks for the pics too.

[Tr1gg22]

Finally took the jump that has been needed for a while, and upgraded.  I went from a NVidia GeForce 7900GS to an EVGA GTX 260 (216 core).  All I can say is, wow.  And Thank You to those here who helped with determining my GPU was dieing, and to those who helped decide on a new one.

This thing runs about 35-38C on idle, and 45-48C on full load (Crysis or CoD: WaW) even after a few hours.  It runs everything from Aces High to Crysis at max, feel so spoiled, use to playing on medium/low and 'ok' Framerates.  Even though it says it runs at "PCI-E x16 @ x8" it runs this well, Still unsure if that is a glitch or a motherboard error.

System:
-Aerocool M40 cube case
-Biostar Micro-ATX AM2 motherboard  (upgrading to AM3 in December)
-AMD Athlon X2 4850e ~2.5GHz  (AMD Ph.II X3 710 in December)
-2GB DDR2-800MHz
-OCZ StealthX 700Watt
-EVGA GTX 260
--Total cost for those: 500$   \   After future upgrades:  535$

Overall the system runs very cool and runs very well in everything I throw at it.  I have to say the GTX 260 was well worth the 185$.  If someone has the money and has the system to use it, I would very highly recommend it.

I just bought the 250 hope i am as happy with it as u are

[1701E]

Awesome, thanks for the pics too.

No problem, if ya have any more questions about the case I am willing to try and answer em best as I can.

I just bought the 250 hope i am as happy with it as u are

Sure hope so, Never fun to spend $150+ and not like the product.  Hard to be disappointed by the 200 series though.