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PC project - my custom pc build

Posted: Wed Dec 21, 2011 10:20 pm
by Sethioz
PC Project Pictures

I recently started a new PC project. got the new midi tower case today, it was probably the easiest choice.
maybe PSU is easier to find. its Antec midi tower DF-85.
with 7 fans in total. 3 120x120 fans in front, 2 140x140 fans on top and 2 120x120 fans at back, all fans have speed controls, which was surprising.
front fans have small turnable buttons, rear and top fans have switches low/high.
it has 3 normal usb (usb 2.0) and 1 usb 3.0 on top, power supply place is at bottom, which is a lot better design than the ones that have it on top. it also has one external slot for small SATA HDD, its a slide-in slot.
and its massive compared to normal computer cases.

Re: PC project - my custom pc build

Posted: Fri Dec 23, 2011 5:33 pm
by MagicalSilence
"show off" looks nice thot

Re: PC project - my custom pc build

Posted: Thu Dec 29, 2011 7:30 pm
by Sethioz
Installed mobo today. it's ASRock M3A770DE
2 PCI-E slots, 3 PCI slots with AM3 cpu socket, 16gb max ram, 4 SATAs, 1 IDE + usual stuff.

before i didn't really check out the case, today i took it apart so i can hide the cables between other side panel and motherboard support panel and noticed that 3 front fans on case have removeable air filters. each fan opens like a door and filter slides out.
one of the best case for sure.

i will upload all pictures here:
http://sethioz.com/pictures/pc-project/

and here
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set= ... c616b3c7c9

Re: PC project - my custom pc build

Posted: Sun Jan 01, 2012 8:38 pm
by Sethioz
CPU and RAM fitted.

CPU - Quad Core Phenom II X4 3.6ghz
RAM - Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2x4) 1600mhz with heatsinks

now waiting on PSU. it's going to be 800w Black Storm. then ill use my old 1GB GT 240 video card and current harddrives to boot it up.
later when i buy new HDD, i will make image of my current HDD and put it on new one, that way i don't lose anyhing .. hopefully.
most annoying part in new pc is the HDD, where i have to do all the settings again. really dont feel like spending 1-2 months on it.

added pictures into facebook album

Re: PC project - my custom pc build

Posted: Thu Jan 05, 2012 12:42 am
by Sethioz
up and running. for now the specs are:

CASE: Antec DF-85
MOBO: ASRock M3A770DE
CPU: Quad Core Phenom II X4 3.6GHZ
RAM: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2x4) 1600mhz DDR3
PSU: 800w Black Storm
GPU1: GeForce GT 240 1GB
GPU2: GeForce 9500GT 512MB
HDD1: 250GB Maxtor SATA
HDD2: 320GB WDC SATA
HDD3: 160GB Maxtor IDE
DVD-RW: some unknown thingy
Wireless: Edimax PCI adapter (with 2 antenna sockets)


new video card is next in list, but depends. i havent really looked into this yet. even HDMI is not working anymore. if i can get these cards working in SLi without the SLi bridge i might leave these 2. It's not a bad combination if they would work.

however 2 things im not happy with right now. PSU cables are very short, i couldnt hide them between other side panel and mobo support panel, some still show up and its ugly. other thing is that HDMI cable didnt fit with this case, graphics card has HDMI socket so close to one side that it goes against the case, i had to cut off the plastic, maybe thats why HDMI is not working, maybe i damaged the cable (doesnt look like it tho).

so i strongly recommend checking your video card and case before buying any. to see where the sockets are and if it fits. not a big deal anyway.
it booted up for the first time, so its cool. just forgot some small things, like connecting power cable to my 3rd HDD and tought why it isnt detecting it and forgot to take my old DVD-RW and had some issues with drivers.

system seem to be sitting in quite "idle"
mobo 26C
cpu 30C
gpu1 38C
gpu2 28C (idle)

UPDATE:
tried messing around with "SLi" settings in nvidia control panel, but it doesn't really seem to have any effect at all. both GPUs show up and can be used, but running just cause 2 on 1080 is only 20fps and thats not even with max graphics.

while NFS World runs above 30fps on 1080 and max graphics. tdu2 runs above 30 too @ 1080p.
this project just needs new GPU, thats all.
.. so awesome how cool this pc stays. even when playing, still quite cool temps.

Re: PC project - my custom pc build

Posted: Thu Jan 05, 2012 8:58 am
by KEN
I thought SLI would work only with 2 same video cards?
but you're having a 9500gt with a gt 240
a Gtx 580 will be a good choice.Which one you planning to buy?

Re: PC project - my custom pc build

Posted: Sun Jan 22, 2012 3:21 am
by Sethioz
New Video card fitted:
EVGA GeForce 2GB GTX 550Ti. GTA IV @ 1080p, most on high over 30fps (details on fb, in descripton of album, see FIRST post for link).
Far Cry 2 maxed out @ 1080 and still 50fps.

who was the idiot who said that there's not much difference between 720 and 1080 in games ? there's HUGE difference.
clarity of game is huge. it looks so much more real @ 1080.

Re: PC project - my custom pc build

Posted: Wed Jan 25, 2012 4:24 pm
by Sethioz
I was looking around a bit if there's anything i could upgrade on my PC, but i don't think i will upgrade, maybe some small things like new cpu heatsink. However i decided that my next build will be extreme.

I start with quad socket motherboard, meaning it will have 4 physical CPUs and each being 8-core CPU. These motherboards have 200 - 300GB ram support, i doubt i will get THAT much, but 100GB ram should do. I wan't to be able to run my stuff properly and never close games and apps that take loads of memory.
Also with 3 PCI-E slots, so i can fit in 3 Sli nVidia cards. nVidia now makes these new video cards that are "SLi" by default, they have 2 physical GPUs, so its as good as 2 cards. so it would be like having 6 video cards.
that also means each video card has AT LEAST 3 display sockets, i want to fit at least 9 monitors to it.

However one thing i haven't really figured out .. is how will i power this thing ?! as far as i know, they don't really make PSUs over 1500w or so ..uhm, but this machine would definetly want more than 2000w. considering that each of these GPUs want like 200-300w if not more. GPUs alone would go over 1000w + 4 cpus that are 125 - 200 ?! not sure if 8 core CPUs actually take more power than 4 cores. 4 and 6 core CPUs sure don't have any difference in wattage.

and case would be one of the fish tank cases they make. it costs about 500usd. it has built in frame so you can attach motherboard and stuff onto it and it uses huge radiator with pump to circulate and cool mineral oil in it. that radiator has 12 120mm fans on it. These cases were tested with dual socket motherboards and some extreme xeon CPUs, so it will be enought to cool the joint.
i could build case myself, but too much hassle.
however my idea is to get freezer's system and run these pipes thru mineral oil, so it would keep it super cool.

Anyway this is the idea for future. I won't be upgrading this, instead i will start building new one when things come to that. it doesn't cost THAT much. MOBO is 200 - 1000 USD with 2 - 4 cpu sockets. its quite affordable. Ive put about 850usd under this machine anyway. it would be already enought to get MOBO, 1 CPU and RAM.

now you fellas know what's in my mind for next machine, can't call it PC really, its more like super server or mini cluster already.

Re: PC project - my custom pc build

Posted: Thu May 03, 2012 7:25 pm
by Sethioz
new CPU cooler:
Asus Silent Knight II

pictures can be seen on the facebook album linked in first post and HERE

idle temp went from 45C to 31C. now when using browser, msn, facebook messenger and skype, it's 33-34C.
fitting was difficult tho. had to replace back bracket on mobo, which was annoying. otherwise totally awesome.
Asus quality is good. first thing i bought from Asus and im good with it. came with lot of stuff, including thermal paste.

Re: PC project - my custom pc build

Posted: Sun Jun 03, 2012 2:47 pm
by ronokae
So out of curiosity, how much did making this cost you vs buying one custom made?

Re: PC project - my custom pc build

Posted: Sun Jun 03, 2012 11:02 pm
by Sethioz
no idea how much such pc would cost when its built.

Re: PC project - my custom pc build

Posted: Wed Aug 08, 2012 11:16 pm
by Sethioz
STAY AWAY from that blackstorm PSU i bought. its been about 6-7 months since i built that PC (i started earlier, about 8-9 months ago).
today it just burned. only good thing, is that it didn't take anything else with it.
i immidiately took out 400w psu from my dual core machine and tested, works fine and its running on that 400w right now, but it's a disaster, since that old psu is not meant for bottom mount. cables are too short, i had to put it sideways on top of a fucking ducttape roll !

so anyway, i was away from pc for 1h or so, came back .. and noticed that idle temps are way lower than with 800w blackshitstorm. so either its just complete shit or was faulty, either way it's very badly built.
i opened it up and main power cable (220 volt cable) runs very close to heatsinks, like 1-2mm cap only. if you give it a slight nudge or tap psu (by accident) or even hit your pc by accident, it would be enought to shortcircuit 220v.
I noticed that in the first place when i took it apart and i taped the wires, however tape won't prevent it from burning.
Also for 800w psu its very lightweight and that transformer is too small. i knew its shit as soon as i got it.

So i ordered a new one. OCZ 600w performance PSU. has good reviews and description and is 3 times heavier in weight.

If you want to know if psu is on the level, check weight of it. heavier PSUs usually mean performance and durability. light ones have some shitty transformer that burns in fast. will post new pics once i have it.