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[Pictures] Finished Computer Build!

Blogs > FragKrag
Post a Reply
1 2 3 Next All
FragKrag
Profile Blog Joined September 2007
United States11552 Posts
June 19 2010 23:36 GMT
#1
Final Build:
CPU: Intel i7 860
RAM: Corsair XMS3 1600MHz 8-8-8-24
MOBO: ASUS P7P55D Pro
PSU: Corsair HX650
GPU: MSI Twin Frozr GTS 250 512MB
HDD1: Samsung Spinpoint F3 1TB
HDD2: Samsung Spinpoint F3 1TB
OS: Windows 7 Home Premium 64Bit
HSF: Corsair H50
LCD: ASUS 21.5'' 1920x1080
Optical Drive: Some ASUS drive
Case: Antec 300

As you can see, a bit changed from my initial build around April as seen here:
http://www.teamliquid.net/blogs/viewblog.php?id=118253
Most notably, the removal of the SSD, the addition of the Samsung 1TB, and the upgrading from the ATi HD4670 to the Nvidia GTS 250.

The SSD was removed because
A. I could not decide between the new Sandforce controller drives and the older Intel controller drives
B. Intel is going to refresh their SSD line later this year

Because the SSD was removed, I had a bit of extra money which was used to upgrade the 4670 to the GTS 250, and increase the storage space. I still intend to add a SSD later on, but as of now I'll live without.

As far as the build, it went fairly well :> (note that the times for the pictures are all completely wrong!). I apologize in advance for the blurry pictures!

[image loading]
Parts laid out on the ground.

[image loading]
Mounting the PSU

Mounting the PSU into the case first is generally good practice since once you plug the PSU into a power outlet (and turn it off), it effectively grounds your computer which is good for those people who are afraid of static shock. Generally you mount the PSU by screwing 4 screws into the back of the PSU. Some cases (Lian Li notably) have tool-less ways of doing it.

I chose a modular PSU so there aren't many cables (only the 24 pin mobo power and the 8 pin CPU power). If you choose a non-modular PSU, there will be a lot more cables attached to your PSU.

[image loading]
CPU and 1 DIMM of RAM installed

Only 1 DIMM since I want the computer to POST before anything else. It actually matters where you plug in your RAM sometimes. Many Intel motherboards have the channels separated so that the 2nd slot from the socket is the 'first' slot. I assume this is because many heatsinks like the Scythe Mugen cover up that first RAM slot. Consult your motherboard instruction booklet to see where to install it.

[image loading]
Motherboard, H50 Radiator and Backplate

I didn't actually get a picture of the backplate, but it's just a plastic piece that you put 4 headers through. The thing on the right is the CPU Cooler. The square thing is the radiator, and the cylinder attached to the tubes is waterblock that goes on the CPU.

I did a bit of research on the Corsair H50 before I actually got it, but apparently the TIM/thermal paste they preapply is high grade Shin-Etsu, which happens to be among the top 10 thermal pastes (That's Corsair for you! <3). So if you're buying the H50, don't take off the thermal paste and add on your AS5 or anything, that'd be a waste!

Anyways as far as the cooler goes it's pretty simple. Water flows through the tubes, takes heat away from the CPU, goes down the radiator where heat is blown away by a fan.

[image loading]
GTS 250, H50, and motherboard installed

This situation is actually a bit un-ideal. Normally I like to try to post for the first time while the motherboard is still out of the case, but with the H50, it seemed like a hassle to attach the radiator, then unattach it again. (A mistake on my part T_T)

I recommend keeping your motherboard out of your computer during your first attempt to post.

[image loading]
Front Panel Connectors and terrible cable management

Not much changed here. That is all you need to have in your computer to post. Motherboard, 1 Stick of RAM, CPU, PSU, Heatsink, GPU (don't even need GPU if your motherboard has onboard graphics). You do not need anything else, and I would recommend against anything else in the case your computer fails to post, it's easier to see what went wrong, and there is less trouble to take things off.

[image loading]
Makeshift Posting Station

Moved from the carpet just for a bit of extra safety. Don't want to invite danger!

[image loading]
The Most Beautiful Screen

This means that none of your core components are DOA, and you didn't fuck anything up. Awesome. This is what you want to see when you press the power button.

[image loading]
Just the HDD I think

Yeah, cables are messy as fuck because I suck at cable management. However, I have fixed a bit since this picture.
I think this is partially Corsair's fault since their SATA connectors are geared towards a PSU that is going to be top mounted. In order to get the SATA Power to fit correctly, I had to bring the cables up, and then back down instead of just bringing them up.

Also they decided to add a floppy connector on the ends of each of the molex. That was a bit annoying since the molex cables already had like 4 connections.

I fucking hate molex.

I may have installed the second RAM DIMM here as well.

[image loading]
Windows, any monkey can take it from here

yea!

[image loading]
guts

[image loading]
battlestation

With my ABS M1 Keyboard and Microsoft Sidewinder X3 mouse

In general, this build is completely half-assed and I know it. New GPUs coming out next year so I can't be assed to splurge on an 5850 (also compounded by the fact that Newegg can't stock the ASUS 5850s I've been waiting for). SSDs are awesome, but I can't justify spending $230 on tech that will be EOL'd later this year or early next.

I still love my new computer though :>

***
*TL CJ Entusman #40* "like scissors does anything to paper except MAKE IT MORE NUMEROUS" -paper
MorningMusume11
Profile Blog Joined November 2007
United States3490 Posts
June 19 2010 23:39 GMT
#2
good job ^^ Overall how long did it take for you to get all the components and actually put teh thing together?
FragKrag
Profile Blog Joined September 2007
United States11552 Posts
June 19 2010 23:48 GMT
#3
About 2-3 hours. The HDD installation and optical drive installation probably took the longest because of the weird SATA cables.

The H50 was surprisingly painless
*TL CJ Entusman #40* "like scissors does anything to paper except MAKE IT MORE NUMEROUS" -paper
foozoo
Profile Joined October 2009
United States26 Posts
June 19 2010 23:50 GMT
#4
The Antec 300 is a nice looking case, that's what I have. Enjoy the new computer
blabber
Profile Blog Joined June 2007
United States4448 Posts
June 19 2010 23:52 GMT
#5
hey I have the same case. Do you get interference when using the front panel audio jacks?
blabberrrrr
Tom Phoenix
Profile Blog Joined January 2009
1114 Posts
June 19 2010 23:53 GMT
#6
As they say in Death Rally: "That is one hell of a piece of machinery!" Quite impressive. I was going to say "What the hell do you need 2 TBs of space for?!?!" But then I always remember how I manage to easily fill up 120 GB and feel always starved for space. -_-

One question, though. If these pictures are recent, why do they say "2005"?
You and your "5 years of competitive RTS experience" can take a hike. - FrozenArbiter
FragKrag
Profile Blog Joined September 2007
United States11552 Posts
Last Edited: 2010-06-19 23:55:47
June 19 2010 23:54 GMT
#7
Here's the overclocking I ended up doing
[image loading]

upped Base clock to 160mhz, and disabled turbomode for a final clock of 3.37GHz on the i7 860.
Mostly to get my memory up to rated speed really.

I found that the GTS 250 didn't have much overclocking headroom. Stock clock is 738MHz on most models. Mine was clocked at 675MHz, but I managed to get the clock to a final of 785MHz. 790MHz caused what I think were artifacts on Furmark so I didn't push it anymore. Got a memory clock of 1200MHz though.

Edit: Blabber I do unfortunately

As for the 2TB, I bought a 1080p monitor and plan on using it to store lots of 1080p anime and movies. :D
*TL CJ Entusman #40* "like scissors does anything to paper except MAKE IT MORE NUMEROUS" -paper
Oracle
Profile Blog Joined May 2007
Canada411 Posts
June 19 2010 23:54 GMT
#8
does the antec 300 have a backpanel to feed your cables through (particularily 24 pin and 8 pin mobo connectors)?
that being said, then it would only leave the sata HDD connectors and 6/8 pin GPU connector getting in the way

I've used the H50 on a i7 930 1366 CPU, i saw a 2 degree disparity between it and a noctua NH-C12P
So i didn't use it, the risk for 2 degrees wasnt worth it imo
FragKrag
Profile Blog Joined September 2007
United States11552 Posts
June 19 2010 23:57 GMT
#9
Koltz unfortunately, no. That is my major irk with the Antec 300 which is the lack of cable management holes. They seem to just want you to stick all your cables behind the hard drive cage. However it is an old case, so whatever. I can't really complain about something I got for free :p

As for the H50, I have never heard any issues of it leaking so I just went for it.
*TL CJ Entusman #40* "like scissors does anything to paper except MAKE IT MORE NUMEROUS" -paper
meCh[dtr]
Profile Joined March 2009
Canada111 Posts
June 20 2010 00:25 GMT
#10
How're you liking the case? I got the same one.
FragKrag
Profile Blog Joined September 2007
United States11552 Posts
June 20 2010 00:33 GMT
#11
It wasn't exactly the best case to build in. My friend bought a CM 690 II for a computer I built with him and it was much easier to handle the cases. The case is pretty roomy though, I like it. The only issue I have with it is the interference when using the front microphone jack.
*TL CJ Entusman #40* "like scissors does anything to paper except MAKE IT MORE NUMEROUS" -paper
MarCoon
Profile Blog Joined May 2007
Germany493 Posts
June 20 2010 00:38 GMT
#12
some benching would be cool :D
~follow me on twitter.com/GGmarCoon
meCh[dtr]
Profile Joined March 2009
Canada111 Posts
June 20 2010 00:46 GMT
#13
Yah, it was a bit of a cluster for me as well, I got most of my cords tucked into the extra space for more HDD mounting. Also can't say I've come across that mic jack problem (my headset is USB).
Grobyc
Profile Blog Joined June 2008
Canada18410 Posts
June 20 2010 01:34 GMT
#14
oh damn that's sweet frag :3
If you watch Godzilla backwards it's about a benevolent lizard who helps rebuild a city and then moonwalks into the ocean.
Disregard
Profile Blog Joined March 2007
China10252 Posts
June 20 2010 02:01 GMT
#15
Ive learned my lesson when I bought Earthwatts instead of a modular PSU. Oh well, it still works... Just my tower looks like a explosive device on the inside.

And nice the PSU is on the bottom now.
"If I had to take a drug in order to be free, I'm screwed. Freedom exists in the mind, otherwise it doesn't exist."
Lemonwalrus
Profile Blog Joined August 2006
United States5465 Posts
June 20 2010 02:02 GMT
#16
Can you go back through and explain all of the acronyms you used?

Otherwise nice computer.
Carnivorous Sheep
Profile Blog Joined November 2008
Baa?21242 Posts
June 20 2010 02:10 GMT
#17
Now build me a computer imo.

<3
TranslatorBaa!
FragKrag
Profile Blog Joined September 2007
United States11552 Posts
June 20 2010 02:22 GMT
#18
i h8 u lemonwalrus

from my SC2 Computers thread
+ Show Spoiler [Computer Terms (Newbies Read~)] +

CPU/Proc/Processor/Core = Central Processing Unit- It is what makes your computer work. It does most of the work. Probably the most important part of your computer. Produced by Intel and AMD.
Mobo/board/ = Motherboard- It is the backbone of your computer. Everything is attached to it, and it supports all of your components. Produced by the Taiwanese
OS = Operating System- It is the interface of your computer. Without it allows you to tell your hardware what to do. Many types, most common are Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux.
RAM/memory = Random Access Memory- It is what stores what your computer is currently running. Whenever you close an application (or more accurately end a process) the RAM that was allocated for that application is cleared. It is also cleared every single time you turn off your computer.
GPU/graphics card/card = Graphics Processing Unit- The secondary processing unit. It helps the CPU process the graphics and when you're playing a game, it is the GPU that is drawing those frames. It can be either integrated or dedicated. Integrated GPUs have no RAM for themselves and have to use System RAM while dedicated GPUs have their own banks of RAM that they access. As such, integrated GPUs are much weaker than dedicated GPUs.
HDD/HD = Hard Disk Drive- The permanent storage location. Unlike RAM, the information on the HDD is never cleared unless you clear it yourself. It uses disks called 'platters' to store information. The less platters there are, the faster the drive can access information because the HDD utilizes moving parts.
SSD/solid state = Solid State Drive- Newer form of memory storage. Like the HDD it is permanent storage, but unlike the HDD it doesn't use platters or moving parts. As such it is extremely fast when accessing data which allows you to open applications quickly.
PSU/power supply = Power Supply Unit- Device that supplies power to your computer. Comes with different rails of different voltages.
OCing = Overclocking- The act of pushing a part's performance past its designed usage. Most common to overclock CPU, GPU, and RAM to get higher speeds and better performance.
Xfire = ATi CrossFire- Using two ATi Graphics cards in tandem to gain extra performance. Two ATi graphics cards can be 'combined' to give the user better performance. There are limitations to CrossFire, and usually CrossFire works with two of the same cards for best performance. However it is possible to CrossFire different GPUs.
SLi = Nvidia SLi- Nvidia version of CrossFire. Same idea, except the GPUs must be the same.
FPS = Frames Per Second- Self explanatory name! It's how many frames your GPU can draw in a second at a given resolution. The higher the number, the smoother the 'motion' in the game will look. All games are actually just like slideshows with insane amounts of slides changed insanely quickly. The higher the resolution, the more your GPU has to draw, so that is why higher resolutions require better GPUs!


A RAM 'DIMM' is a stick of RAM.
'HSF' is Heatsink Fan (ie Cooling)

You bring the money I'll build the computer imo CSheep
*TL CJ Entusman #40* "like scissors does anything to paper except MAKE IT MORE NUMEROUS" -paper
Loser777
Profile Blog Joined January 2008
1931 Posts
Last Edited: 2010-06-20 02:36:00
June 20 2010 02:35 GMT
#19
Nice build, but cable management -.-;

EDIT: I have that exact keyboard lol
6581
Lemonwalrus
Profile Blog Joined August 2006
United States5465 Posts
June 20 2010 02:37 GMT
#20
EOL'd?
DOA?
You are underestimating the amount of dumb you are dealing with here.
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