£600-£700 Gaming Build

[Brocky36]

Nice parts list you went with there, and only around 40% over original budget Can you post up some pics of the finished build, really like the look of that case

Yeah, I will do.

I started off taking plenty of pictures but it kinda fizzled out once I got to the connecting everything up stage, as I was more concerned about getting everything right.

 

[Brocky36]

The AI Suite software is under 'Utilities' Just select your operating system from the drop down list.

http://www.asus.com/ca-en/Motherboards/Z97KCSM/HelpDesk_Download/

Thanks, lee.

It actually wasn't. Not for Windows 10, at least. Selected Windows 8 and got it from there.

I may actually get rid of it. The auto OC it did was very unstable, as can be seen in this thread and FanXpert is also useless at this point, as can be seen in this thread.

Overall, though, everything went well. I've not played any games on it yet, as I have been tuning and stability testing, but I can't wait to get going on it.

Much thanks to all that have helped me from my initial build query to this point. Your help has been worth a great deal to me and I intend to hang around for a while, as this seems like a great community. Also to OCUK for great service, good deals and free Harribo. Interwebz Milky Bars are on me!!

A few pic's;

Spoiler

I decided to mount the rad this way - push exhaust. I'm sure some will say that it's wrong, but from most accounts, the difference between push and pull for rads is next to nothing. Mounting it this way means that I will get very little dust build-up between the fans and the rad and I will just need to give the underside of the rad a quick wipe every now and then. It also means that the nice silver Corsair trim can just be seen through the window. Much better to look at than the fan housings.


Not a terrible job of cable management for a first-timer, I think.

Shame the power connector for the Strix GTX 970 spoils it a little by being plugged in the front?

Overall, I think I didn't do too badly. Hopefully it performs as good as it looks!

 

[Brocky36]

Looks good. If you route the gpu cable through the same grommet hole as the 24 pin cable, then it will look even neater. You might have to manipulate the end of the cable a bit.

Yeah, now you mention it and looking at it again, that makes sense. Cheers.