2011 Heaven - Second Build

[Jeci]

So, due to work commitments i've come to realise that i need a little more cpu grunt and the availability for a decent amount of RAM (32GB+), so i thought it's time for a bit of an upgrade!

My old rig that i've now started to sell off to help fund this new machine is my Sig Rig (i5 2500k etc.).

My new machine that i've started buying parts for is going to be based on the 2011 architecture, unfortunately i can't afford the hexacore intel cpu's so i'm sticking with the quad cores for now, spec is going to be:

• i7 3820
  
• Asus P9X79 Pro Intel X79
  
• Corsair Vengence 1600Mhz 8GB (For now, will upgrade when cash flow improves)
  
• Corsair H100 for cooling
  I wanted to stick to air cooling, but the good coolers take up too much motheboard space and I didn't want to restrict myself on the type of ram i could use due to covered ram slots.
  
• NZXT Switch 810 - Special Edition Gun Metal
  Waiting for the release of this over in the UK, it appears to be released around 6th of July
  
• PSU - open to suggestions on this, must be fully modular and around 850 watts, without costing the earth preferably.
  
• ATI 6970 HIS 2GB version - Recycled from my sig
  
• Crucial M4 128GB - Recycled from my sig
  
• 2x1TB Samsung F3's - Recycled from my sig
  

I've purchased a few bits and pieces from a local retailer:

 

[Jeci]

2011 refers to the socket of the i7

 

[Jeci]

Just making an un original joke

 

[Jeci]

A little update:

A few more bits arrived, i'm now just waiting on the NZXT Switch 810 Gun Metal to be released over here and I will start putting it together, prepping the case etc:

 

[Jeci]

Hello Everyone!

Final major update;

The case arrived on friday so i spent the majority of friday putting bits and pieces together, documenting progress etc. There's going to be a few more updates but these are going to be relatively minor, for RAM Upgrades and potential GPU upgrades if anything comes along!

So lets get started with the good stuff!!

The box turned up a little battered and bruised (even a little wet):

This case is literally massive (even a little pretty ):

I dont usually look at the manuals, but it came with SOOO Many screws i literally had no alternative:

A nice touch I thought, they included an adapter with a phillips head to allow you to screw in the standoffs nice and tight, rather than thumb tight:

A made a little boo-boo :

The next couple of shots really do show the size of this case:

A money shot (i didn't realise how much the 2011 socket cpu's were compared to the 1155's!):

Moved the 140mm fan at the top exhaust to have a second front intake:

Trying to clean off all of the h100 stock TIM replaced with some decent artic stuff:

The H100's radiator is DWARFED in this case, i think altogether this case supports a 360mm rad at the top, a 120mm rad at the bottom (with all of the hard drive cages in), and a further 120mm radiator at the front with the hard drive cages taken out:

H100 installed:

Hard drives installed:

H100 installed again:

Hard drives wired up all nicely, although this shot is a little dark to see the goodness:

Side panel on:

Side panel off:

So next i would like to get a fan controller, and replace all of the fans throughout for the Corsair Air Series Quiet Edition fans, and as i mentioned earlier more ram (up to 32GB) and maybe another 6970 if i see one going somewhere for cheap.

I hope you enjoyed it thus far!

 

[Jeci]

looks good love the case

Thanks, it really is georgous - I could not recommend it enough it's such pleasure to work with.

 

[Jeci]

I haven't had any problems yet with the H100, I seem to be getting really good temps with it as well! Idle temperatures of 32c and I haven't seen temperatures go above 55c uncle load with a slight overclock to 4.2Ghz.

I wanted to avoid the coolers so I had no issues accessing the ram slots as I plan to upgrade RAM and occupy all the slots.

A custom loop would have really been my only other option and I don't really have the know how to put one together and the cost was a little daunting...

 

[Jeci]

Hello,

Quick update, the RAM came in today - I'm going to give my bank account a little chance to calm down and see if i've got the budget for Cable extensions, Fans, and a new desk.

Pictures of the RAM (I'm going to pre-warn you, my camera is atrocious):

The new

Side by side comparison

Installed but not powered on.

Installed and powered on with ambient light.

With less ambient light at which point my camera dies a death and can't operate....

Hopefully there's going to be a few more updates as and when i can afford it!

Regards,

Jeci