2014 BitFenix Phenom build

-OptimusPrime-

-OptimusPrime-

-OptimusPrime-

Associate
Joined
30 Nov 2013
Posts
16
Location
Norwich, Norfolk
Hi,

I've started my research into a new build and I don't want to get this one wrong as I did previously, my previous venture included;

-Asus P5Q SE Plus Motherboard
-4Gb DDR2 Corsair Dominator Ram
-Intel Core 2Duo E7500 2.9Ghz OC to 3.4Ghz
-M-Audio Delta Audiophile 24/96 Audio Card
-Asus Nvidia GeForce GTS250 GDDR3 1Ghz Graphics Card
-Western Digital Cavair Black 500Gb HDD
-Western Digital Cavair Green 1Tb HDD
-700watt GS700 Corsair PSU
-Pioneer DVD-R DVRS18L
-Thermal Take Armour Jr tower (with window)
-2x Thermal Take Pure Silence ISGC Fans
- Thermal Take ISGC-200 CPU Cooler

Since that build I bought a laptop > changed jobs > got a work laptop > sold my personal laptop leaving me with a "hole". so for my general day to day personal stuff I got a cheepo Dell OptiPlex 960 from a friend, well that's where it has started.
The Dell now has an SSD and I've been looking around for a case to further this (now) project.

This time round I do not want to end up with a dog hence the prep work. This build will happen throughout 2014 and I'm looking for flexibility in a small case (mutually exclusive) and want the possibility of pulling some graphics power out of it further down the line.


My proposed 2014 spec is;

Already own;
Storage - 128GB SanDisk Ultra Plus SSD

About to buy;
Case - Bitfenix Phenom mAtx
PSU – Seasonic G-Series 750w semi-modular (750w ready for future hardware upgrades) (measured to fit in case)
Optical Drive – External

Next stage (more research required):
Processor –Intel i5-4670k
Motherboard – Asus/Gigabyte mAtx ?? (needs to support; wifi, 2 or more Sata6, SLI, LGA 1150, 4 slots for RAM)
RAM – 2x 8 Gb (need help matching RAM to CPU)

Lastly for this stage:
Graphics – Nvidea GTX760

After a short break:
Graphics – Nvidea GTX760 (SLI)
RAM – 2x 8 Gb (16Gb in total)
250 Gb SSD (replace or addition to current SSD)

When inspiration hits (warranty ends)
Water cooling
Overclocking

I would love to hear what advise you have on the above and of course if you can identify any issue's I've overlooked.

Best regards,

Chris
 
Last edited:
Alright,

I've just been taking a look through this and a few things jump out at me..

First of all the case choice.. And future improvments.

The phenom is a fine case (don't get me wrong) but for watercooling, isn't not ideal and for Overclocking the airflow isn't good enough for an overclocked CPU and GPU let alone 2 GPU's.

If you go SLI in the case, the last card will be very near the top of the case, with very little airflow to/from it.

If you really do want to go SLI/watercooling you look at a different case. The two that spring to mind are the 350D and Arc mini R2 (both stunning mATX cases) with great watercooling abilities....And enough space for 2 GPU's.

Just something to think about.
 
Thanks for the reply and that has been my main concern, I understand an element of shoehorning would be required and heat would be my main concern. The issue is that I have the following measurement constraints due to where the PC will live.
420mm height
400mm deep
350mm wide
Unfortunately that means that neither 350D nor Arc mini R2 will fit :(
 
To be clear, by 'water cooling' do you mean a custom loop or an AIO like Corsair's h80i and h100i?
 
That really comes down to the available space I would be left with, it's not priority at the moment and I could always get an external rad if required. if funds allowed I would custom loop CPU and GPU(s) if not then settle for closed loop. but like I say this part is a long way off.
 
Even with an external radiator, you wouldn't fit watercooling gear inside a Phenom M. You'd need everything to be external. The ITX version would presumably be fine as it has the same layout as the original Prodigy, which people have used for watercooling. But then you wouldn't be able to have multiple GPUs.

What is your budget for the first part of your build? Could you use the funds earmarked for a second 760 in the future to get a better single GPU now?
 
The size contraints seem really tight, is it under a desk or something, How many sides are covered by 'walls'?

By the sounds of it i wouldn't even suggest looking at SLI, as the airflow will be too low and it'll get too hot. Putting watercooling in too will be impossible in the phenom with 2 cards and will be a struggle with one.. As you'd mount the 240 at the top and you could maybe just sqeeze a 120 at the back put if you have no air going in from the top, there is no point.
 
For where the PC is to be placed; image a cube and you remove the front and the right hand side, these removed sides are the "openings" to the space for the PC all other sides are part of the desk.

Glad I asked you guys as I was wondering if a SLI rig (would be my first) would generate that much more heat, I always assumed adding a second graphics card would double in everything and the size of the case and space available this could be an issue... perhaps I should get a 3 bay graphics card of a good spec? I suppose I could go up to the £300.00 mark...

I shall write off custom loop water cooling, closed loop on CPU only might be a good idea to get rid of the heat within the case although not essential.
 
This is the sort of thing id be looking at:

YOUR BASKET
1 x MSI Geforce GTX 780 Gaming Edition OC 3072MB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Card £399.95
1 x Intel Core i5-4670K 3.40GHz (Haswell) Socket LGA1150 Processor - Retail £185.99
1 x MSI Z87M Gaming Series Intel Z87 (Socket 1150) DDR3 Micro ATX Motherboard £99.95
1 x BitFenix Phenom MATX Cube Case - Midnight Black £74.95
1 x TeamGroup Xtreem LV 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-21300C11 2666MHz Dual Channel Kit (TXD38G2666HC11CDC01) £69.95
1 x SuperFlower Golden Green HX 650W "80 Plus Gold" Power Supply - Black £59.99
1 x Corsair Hydro H80 High Performance Liquid CPU Cooler *Manufacturer Refurbished Unit - 90 Day Guarantee £39.95
1 x Corsair SP120 Performance Series High Pressure - Dual Pack (CO-9050008-WW) £23.99
1 x Samsung SE-S208DB/TSBS External Slimline 8x DVD-RW (TV Connect) - Black £21.98
1 x TP-Link 300Mbps Mini Wireless N USB Adapter (TL-WN823N) £11.95
Total : £1,003.64 (includes shipping : £12.50).



Stunning eh? :)
 
Not bad, I'll give you that ;)

how are those USB wireless adaptors? I remember using one an long while ago and the connection interface was provided via its own branded interface and not via the usual windows method, does that make sense? I didn't like that too much as I felt restricted with the networking capabilities.
 
I use one and it doesn't have any 'branded interface'.. Just plugged it in (with the Ethernet attached) it installed its own drivers and worked perfectly. :).. I think its better than a wireless card or shelling out lots more money for a wifi motherboard.
 
So works just like it had wireless built in? Nice! I completely agree with you, the rate the wireless market is evolving having a £10 throw away part is much more beneficial than an integral mobo. I shall definitely go that route for wireless.
 
I did see that, when the time comes I'll then make a decision on the GPU as still toying with prices between £250 to £400. I have to admit that MSI wasn't even on my radar but looking into it looks like they churn out some good components! Thanks for the recommendation as before I was just looking at Asus and Gigabyte.
 
Last edited:
Hi Guys,

With the above info I went on the hunt for another case that would eventually allow SLI and a custom loop liquid cool system that would fit into the space allowed and I stumbled across this unit -Silverstone TJ08-E
http://www.silverstonetek.com.tw/product.php?pid=303&area=en
Looks more suitable for my needs, anyone played with the case or heard good/bad things about it? Reviews tend to be good :)
 
Have you had a look at this case?

YOUR BASKET
1 x Xigmatek Aquila Micro-ATX Case - Black £69.95
Total : £79.55 (includes shipping : £8.00).



The dimensions are 265 x 403 x 390 mm (W x H x D), which would fit. Due to its internal layout (similar to the original Prodigy, with the motherboard horizontal and the PSU underneath) it has plenty of breathing space for your components. It will certainly give better cooling performance than the Silverstone one.


This is the first time I've come across it, but it looks/sounds pretty good.
 
Thanks for the recommendation, I had looked at this case and unfortunately it has a few problems for liquid cooling, first off; the slopped design would be troublesome for reservoirs and I wouldn't be able to mount a large rad in the front due to the compact nature.
For a little insight I had been looking at the following, I've also explained the reasons behind why I'm not buying them below (don't get me wrong they're all good case's but not what I'm looking for)

Silverstone PS07 (poor air flow compared to TJ08-E and a little deeper)
Silverstone TJ08-E (chosen case - need to start a new thread with a different title ;) )
BitFenix Phenom M (too small for liquid cooling)
Xigmatek Aquila (slanted design makes things tricky)
Lain li pc 355 (price and doesn't give me any benefit over the TJ-08-E)

To me the above seems justified, I'll wait until after Christmas as no doubt I'll find something else.

Thanks for all your help so far guys I'm looking forwards to this build!
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom