≠

[rjk]

≠ No Equal:
A New Project

• Large Case
• High Standards
• Gaming Horsepower
• Modifications
• UK Companies

I wanted a system that showcases my own tastes and designs whilst using hardware from vendors I work closely with.

Parvum Systems
Mayhems
Gigabyte
XSPC
Pexon PCs
Caseking
Monsoon
Innovation Cooling


Full Component Listing:

Case

• Lian Li PC-343B

Components

• Intel i7 4770K Processor
• Gigabyte G1.Sniper 5 Intel Z87 (Socket 1150) ATX Motherboard
• Team Xtreem LV "Frost Edition" 16GB (2x8GB) 2666MHz
• 3X AMD R9-290X Graphics Cards
• 2X Samsung 830 256GB SSD
• Asus Xonar Essence STX II 7.1
• Antec High Current Pro 1000W 80 Plus Platinum Modular Power Supply

Cooling

• IC Diamond 24-Carat Thermal Compound
• Aqua Computer Aquaero 5 LT USB Fan-Controller
• Corsair SP120 Fans
• XSPC AX 360 White Radiators
• XSPC Raystorm CPU Block
• XSPC Raystorm Black Aluminium Mounting Plate
• XSPC Razor R9 290X Fullcover GPU Blocks [x3]
• XSPC Razor R9 290X Backplate [x3]
• XSPC Photon 270 Tube Reservoir [x2]
• XSPC D5 Vario [x2]
• EKWB EK-FB GA G1.Sniper 5 - Acetal+Nickel Motherboard Waterblock
• Primochill Revolver Fittings
• Monsoon Hardline Tubing
• Mayhems Pastel Coolants

Mods

• Pexon PC - Fully Braided Power Supply Cables - MDPC-X Braiding
• Monsoon Bending Kit
• Powdercoated Case
• Powdercoated Block Fascias
• Nickel Plated Blocks
• Plasti Dipped Acrylic Block Covers
• Upgraded Switches
• Custom Case Panel Shrouds
• Custom Motherboard Tray
• Custom Base Plate
• Custom Case Feet
• Anodised Bolts
• XSPC Raystorm White CPU Block Fascia

 

[rjk]

Hi Guys

hope you all had a good week, festivities over, I thought I would show some snapshots of whats coming.

progress is proving difficult at the moment as I am still finalizing specifications as well as puttings designs down around the chassis that I am using.

some small teasers to whet your appetites.

 

[rjk]

Doesn't look like a Parvum..

Yet.

 

[rjk]

** Pexon PCs & MDPC-X **

A few months ago at Insomnia 49, I felt like everyone I was being introduced to was showing me cable braiding services. I have braided a few power supplies in the past and I must say, I absolutely hate it. I would literally rather do anything else than braid a PSU. The work I was being shown was all fairly decent until I met James from Pexon. The guys from Parvum Systems introduced me to him, we exchanged business cards and talked a little about what Pexon offer.

Fast forward a few months and I am starting to get hardware together for the ≠ project. Insomnia 50 was on and myself and James had a chance to catch up. We have some things in the pipeline between OcUK and Pexon now and I thought he would be the best person to sleeve my PSU cables.

I wanted MDPC-X braid. It is expensive yes, but my hamfisted photography 'skills' do very little to showcase the finish of this product. I chose white, green and grey and left the design and pattern up to James.

I am sure you can all appreciate the time and effort that goes into a service like this. James has really put in the hours here despite being plagued with problems because of my PSU choice.

I'm sure someone will ask, so I will briefly touch on it. This is expensive. It is NOT a £50 job including materials that most people seem to assume it is.

I paid in excess of £150 for this service and would happily do so again given the superb attention to detail and finish that James at Pexon PCs has provided me with. Huge thanks to Pexon for this.

 

[rjk]

No defense needed. The product is superb and that's why I went to James in the first place. I have some more pictures uploading now...

 

[rjk]

In other words, don't go to James with an Antec HCP 1000!

Once he mentioned the cables were littered with double pins, I immediately felt like the bad guy for getting him to work on it.

The 24 pin has a breakout cable on it also. Looking at it in retrospect, I would have chosen a different supply for the Project but the spec is superb on it and as can be seen, Pexon came up trumps with the finished result.

Especially since I have a Silverstone supply I know he would have much preferred to work on instead

 

[rjk]

The connectors are red. They will be hidden as they are on the PUS side. No issue with them being that colour at all.

 

[rjk]

** XSPC Watercooling Hardware **

Another update for the weekend.

My friends over at XSPC have been putting out increasingly desirable hardware over the past three years and it has got to the point where the stuff they are making is becoming the reason I am watercooling my system again.

Just looking at XSPC hardware in person, it is easy to see why they are easily the most popular brand at OcUK and why their popularity is increasing as fast as it is.

XSPC have agreed to assist in this project by kindly providing the blocks and radiators for the system. In standard form, the blocks are superb, they have an industrial but sleek look to them. I am contemplating having parts of the blocks powdercoated but am still undecided on what look I will be going for with the GPU blocks.

Then there are the AX series Radiators. Hands down the nicest looking radiators I have seen and performance is supposed to be fairly spot on too.

A huge thanks to XSPC for their contribution to this project and for their continued support.

 

[rjk]

Not wanting to sound like a dick, but why is there a picture of a computer that doesn't belong to me in my project log?

 

[rjk]

Build is coming together slowly. I'm in nno rush as some key parts aren't available to me yet.

Looking into powder coating this week but probably will wait until payday and take the case to the people who do our 8Pack systems as the finish is spot on.

I have some pictures of the motherboard, will post them up when I'm next at a computer.

 

[rjk]

** Gigabyte G1 Sniper 5 Motherboard **

Hi Guys

The main hold-up on the build has been the motherboard, up until recently I have been uncertain on what board to use. I wanted the Sniper 5 but was unsure about the colour schemes I wanted to use.

Going with white/black/green was a stupid idea as it has really limited a lot of my hardware choices, but the Sniper 5 is simply one of the best motherboards on the market today so it made things a lot easier.

I have a few more parts to collect/design/build and then I can make a start on modding the case and installing parts.

Massive thanks to Gigabyte UK for their support.

 

[rjk]

Decided to start stripping down the case to get a feel for the space I have to work with as well as testing for rigidity of the chassis with certain parts removed.

ideally I want to get rid of the drive mounts and a few other parts.

Stripping the case down so it can be sent to powder coaters at some point this month as I am sick of my computer looking like this:

So I made a start taking all of the panels and accessories off the case.

I then started drilling the riveted sections out.

removed the SSD mounts

front ports were very fiddly

this shows the scale of the case compared to a 7990

Now the case is just a frame, I will test fit some hardware to ensure it is sturdy enough and if everything is good, remove the rest of the rivets so it is just panels.
the casters on the bottom are coming off too. they will probably be really useful but they dont fit the look I want.

This is my pile of bits left over...

hopefully some actual progress soon...

 

[rjk]

I have sold my three 7990s.

this system will have 3 R9 290X cards.

currently working on measurements and designs, will update the thread with pictures when I have finished.

 

[rjk]

sorry for the lack of updates guys.

really in the hands of other people at the moment.

My VGA blocks are currently away being worked on.

My case is in bits being powder coated

Parvum are working on some additions but right before I asked them what I wanted, I placed a massive order for Parvum cases for OcUK which they are obviously working on as a priority.

things should accelerate when these parts return to me.

 

[rjk]

Some rubbish phone pictures of my naked blocks...

mainly so I remember which screws go where when it comes to reassembly time.

 

[rjk]

OP Updated with Build Components.

Still waiting for parts to be returned to me.

 

[rjk]

sadly not a lot.

Parvum are working on some items for the build which unfortunately I cannot proceed with until they arrive.

My blocks are also being worked on elsewhere but I haven't heard anything back for a few weeks.

 

[rjk]

Hi Guys

Bit of an update, something that Justin sent me today:

My front panel for the case.

Will get some proper pictures etc when I get it test fitted over the weekend.

Needless to say, I am now very excited about the arrival of the courier tomorrow.

Just need to get the case back from the powder coaters tomorrow and the building & modding can begin.

 

[rjk]

Im honestly so happy with the final outcome. well worth the wait.

One thing or another has meant delays for the project which has really made me sort of lose interest but I am determined to get this finished over the coming months.

Parvum have done an absolutely stunning job on this. I cant wait to see the rest. they pretty much did what I had in my head, I let them have free reign over the design and positioning of things but they have cut a fair amount of panels for other uses in the case such as cladding, motherboard trays etc.

I will get some proper shots of the panels when they arrive and hopefully the plans I have will start to make sense to everyone whilst the project gathers some momentum.

 

[rjk]

So, after a monumental wait to get my blocks nickel plated, I have finally managed to get them back and start work on modding my VGA blocks to match my CPU block.

The pictures say more than I can really. It took all weekend, I used primer, paint and then clear lacquer.

the XSPC logo embossing is still there which looks brilliant under the white paint but I havent been able to capture it on the photos.

anyway, enjoy