M8 Magnum Build Log

[maddy2012]

This is my first ever project log so i apologise now for the crappy photography

Was planning on keeping my old Maximus Formula III for this build but after spending a ridiculous amounts of pennies on a case i couldn't resist upgrading to Z77, was getting bored of red and black anyway

This is roughly whats going to be in it, excuse me if i forget something:

MSI Z77A-GD65
Core i5 3570k
2 gtx680's
16gb of Corsair Dominator RAM
OCZ vertex 3 60gb
OCZ vertex 3 256gb
Samsung F3 1TB (might upgrade to a 2TB drive)
Asus Xonar D2x
Corsair AX 1200w power supply

Now for the cooling:

EK Supreme HF
EK RAM Dominator x4 CSQ
EK FC680gtx
EK FC680gtx
D5 vario with an EK xtop rev2.
EK x2 res 150mm
EK XTX360
EK XTX360

Then a boat load of compression fittings and angle fittings, i decided to get some Bitspower crystal link for the cards as well cos i'm not too keen on the bridges.

I went for the Spectre Pro plain black fans for the Case fans and Gentle typhoons for the RADS.

I also bought a waterblock for my maximus which is lovely looking, shame to not be using it tbh.

 

[maddy2012]

A few pics of the case with the Spectre Pros installed, excuse the quality i'll get some more taken when the lightings better and i'm not knackered.

Oh, sorry for the dust, it's been sat in a corner for the past 2 months taunting me until i could afford the rest of my parts

Like i said i'll get some better shots tomorrow of the whole thing with a bit of daylight, and i'm hoping my TIM remover arrives so i can install my first gt680 block, the rest of the parts won't be here til the weekend or they're still in my current rig.

 

[maddy2012]

Some new pics for you:

EK Supreme Nickel Acetal

EK Dominator X4 CSQ

I must admit these new EK blocks are absolutely gorgeous in the flesh, they look a lot more polished and slick than the previous versions.

And everybodies favourite sticker

Now for the VGA block, really wished the CSQ versions were out when i bought it, at least you rarely see the top of it i suppose.

EK FC-680GTX

And finally lots of boxes, WOOHOO

 

[maddy2012]

Yeah it's lovely, the pictures don't do it justice really.

 

[maddy2012]

Yep, why didn't you buy all of the parts with that style?
This will look awesome, sorry if I missed it, but which colour coolant?

I bought the VGA blocks before the CSQ ones were released

Oh and i couldn't resist:

Looks a lot better i think, gonna use the Supreme when i do my HTPC build.

 

[maddy2012]

That FC 680 block looks familiar

Meaning?

 

[maddy2012]

Hoping to have it done this weekend, that's when the rest of the parts should be arriving, that's if i haven't forgotten anything ofc.

I'll be using Mayhems Pastel blue to answer your earlier question, i'll be adding some blue dye to try and match it to the MSI's colours.

 

[maddy2012]

My board is an MSI, I am hoping to do a custom loop when I replace my G530 for a 2500k/ 2600k/ 3570k etc...
I like the colours

Yeah it's the nicest looking Z77 board imo.

Couple more pics of the jet plate installation on the supremecy, not quite sure what the difference between the two are but the manual says it's better for this socket:

Just saw in the watercooling section that EK are releasing a full nickel Supremecy block so i'm ****ed off now

It would look amazing if they released a Nickel RAM block and 680 block as well

 

[maddy2012]

Well i was gonna give a massive update on my progress and how well it is going except after taking the heatsink off my new Ocuk value gtx680 i've realised it's not a reference card Fan-****ing-tastic, now it looks like i'm gonna have to run 1 card till some one releases a block for the Palit jetstreams.

 

[maddy2012]

Iwas cheap and bought the Ocuk one so i didn't know what i'd get, i think EK are making a block for it so if i can't send it back i'll just wait.

The front fans are set for exhausts.

I'll be posting some pics soon, just leak testing at the moment.

 

[maddy2012]

Well i'm returning the card and my Motherboard has died as well

 

[maddy2012]

Yeah, one good thing there were things i wasn't happy with on the 1st go so when i do the watercooling again i can get it spot on.

Not sure how the Mobo died, well i'm presuming its the mobo, it powers on but won't boot then randomly turns itself on and off, and occasionally squeals at me then turns off.

I've tried another PSU and different RAM, and i can't see it being the CPU tbh.

I'll get some pics up in a day or two of how far i got.