Associate
Hey OCUK
After the attention my recent build JR2.0 received around the internet Parvum Systems made me an offer I couldn't refuse, arranging for sponsors HyperX and XSPC to help out with the project too. I've done three consecutive red and black builds with lots of Corsair and Asus parts, this will be very different while retaining my extremely clean style. Most notably it will be small, no it will be tiny, while still packing a considerable amount of power and not compromising on aesthetics. Quite early on I realized water cooling the CPU and GPU wasn't going to be an option given the packaging constraints, so I made an interesting decision which informed several component choices and the unusual colour scheme.
Central to that theme are these Noctua IndustrialPPC NF-F12's of the 2000RPM PWM IP52 variant. I will only use two somewhat mitigating the massive cost although it is immediately justified by the attention to detail and build quality.
As the GPU consumes far more power than a CPU typically I decided it would benefit the most from Liquid cooling and opted to air cool the CPU. Additionally finding an air cooled graphics card in-keeping with the aesthetic would be very difficult so this is the logical solution. I wanted a heatsink that would neatly fit a 120mm fan so this low profile NF-L12 from Noctua was perfectly suited to the task.
Of course the standard Noctua color fans wouldn't do and as there is no IndustrialPPC 92mm fan I will be using a single 120mm which should provide adequate cooling for a baby i5 while looking absolutely lush. This assembly really encapsulates the theme and the dull black against bright nickel plating will be continued through the build.
I will actually be using an EVGA motherboard partly for its excessive blackness but mostly down to it's unique location for the CPU socket. Unlike many other ITX boards the power delivery is packaged to the side of the socket meaning it sits nearly on the 'top' edge of the motherboard. Although it seems insignificant that makes for the best looking orientation to mount the L12 as Noctua advise against pointing the heatpipes down and it just doesn't look right sideways. Considering EVGA are better known for graphics cards the board looks to be magnificent quality and the packaging and details are leagues ahead of their GPU's. Even the internal USB ports come fitted with little black rubber blanks which is a lovely touch.
The last component I will be unveiling today is the mighty Powercolor R9-290X, perhaps not quite as pretty as the other toys but by contrast it is enormous! Chosen for the far more logical reason of it being very reasonably priced (thanks OCUK) this is actually my first AMD GPU after a long line of 7 nVidia cards.
Nothing else to see here
You just can't turn down doing a test fit of a huge heatsink onto a tiny motherboard even if you don't have a CPU yet! It nestled in beautifully under the PCIe slot without extending from any side of the board. The rear secure firm mount was extremely close to fouling the VRM heatsink but it would seem they were designed around each other, quite a tense moment all the same.
Thanks for looking and I would love to hear your opinions.
JR
