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- Joined
- 2 Jul 2012
- Posts
- 257
Well after having a good read on the multiple HTPC threads on here I finally decided I wanted to get involved.
I wanted to build a HTPC that would be able to do a bit of light gaming too but couldn't decide on a case until OCUK brought out the Bitfenix Prodigy 'Yin' - I was sold straight away.
Stock photo (forgot to take a before picture)
Stripped for ease of installation
I already had an OCZ 750w PSU so I threw that in, a bit oversized I know.
PSU going in
Next up was the motherboard and CPU. I decided on the new Ivybridge i3 3220 (3.3Ghz) which I will be runnign stock in a Gigabyte Z77N-WIFI. I picked this board for its features and because it was black to match the case theme - My only dissapointment with this board is that it does not overclock, now I know I said I wan't gong to overclock the i3 but the plan was to put my i5 in there in a few years time when my gaming rig got upgraded - Not a deal breaker though.
I chose some Geil Black Dragon ram (8Gb) as it was on offer at the time of purchase.
Mobo/CPU/Ram installed
All cables connected
First test and she lives
I wanted an SSD for the main drive on this system so I opted for the OCZ Agility 3 60Gb and installed the consumer preview of Windows 8 (Yes I cheaped out and no I don't like it)
I installed the SSD and HDD cage with rubber washers between them and the case to try and stop any vibrations.
All was fine for a few days then I had a few issues with where the PC would lose all power and would eventually not get past the windows startup screen - Turned out that the PSU decided to die on me but a few swift emails with the OCUK CS team and I had a replacement on my door step 3 days later (thanks OCUK). I asked if I could get a different unit as I didn't want the same one again due to its premature death (3 months) and went for a PC Power & Cooling Silencer Mk.III 500w, which coincidentally is black and white also
. In the same order I purchased a few Bitfenix Alchemy extensions and a black and white Bitfenix Spectre Pro 230mm fan as the intake.
The extensions I purchased were as follows:
24 Pin (MOBO) in green
4 Pin (CPU) in green
6 Pin (GPU) 1 in green/1 in orange
USB 2 extension in orange
I know the Prodigy & mobo do USB3 but I don't like the look of the clunky black connector and I can't find any nice extensions so sacrificed speed for orange braid (waiting to be mocked for that one)
There is a bit of a clash with the red LED's on the Geil RAM with the orange/green braided cables but it'll do for
now.
Braided cable extensions
My "Neat" cable management - no one will see it with the side on.
Top down view of motherboard form the top vent
I also changed the stock Intel cooler for a Prolimatech Panther I had laying around, anyone who has a mini ITX mobo will know the issues of fitting any reasonable sized CPU cooler unless you spend £150 on an ASUS board so I have mounted the cooler in the wrong direction with the fan blowing accross the case rather than towards the back - Not sure how well this will work when a GPU gets installed but no issues at present.
Prolimatech Panther fitted
Quick test with the top vent open so I could keep an eye on the fans
This is as far as I have goten at the moment, stroll on payday!!
Next up is a GPU and I really want to DIY a window (hence the coloured sleeves in preperation)
Cheers
SM
I wanted to build a HTPC that would be able to do a bit of light gaming too but couldn't decide on a case until OCUK brought out the Bitfenix Prodigy 'Yin' - I was sold straight away.
Stock photo (forgot to take a before picture)
Stripped for ease of installation
I already had an OCZ 750w PSU so I threw that in, a bit oversized I know.
PSU going in
Next up was the motherboard and CPU. I decided on the new Ivybridge i3 3220 (3.3Ghz) which I will be runnign stock in a Gigabyte Z77N-WIFI. I picked this board for its features and because it was black to match the case theme - My only dissapointment with this board is that it does not overclock, now I know I said I wan't gong to overclock the i3 but the plan was to put my i5 in there in a few years time when my gaming rig got upgraded - Not a deal breaker though.
I chose some Geil Black Dragon ram (8Gb) as it was on offer at the time of purchase.
Mobo/CPU/Ram installed
All cables connected
First test and she lives
I wanted an SSD for the main drive on this system so I opted for the OCZ Agility 3 60Gb and installed the consumer preview of Windows 8 (Yes I cheaped out and no I don't like it)
I installed the SSD and HDD cage with rubber washers between them and the case to try and stop any vibrations.
All was fine for a few days then I had a few issues with where the PC would lose all power and would eventually not get past the windows startup screen - Turned out that the PSU decided to die on me but a few swift emails with the OCUK CS team and I had a replacement on my door step 3 days later (thanks OCUK). I asked if I could get a different unit as I didn't want the same one again due to its premature death (3 months) and went for a PC Power & Cooling Silencer Mk.III 500w, which coincidentally is black and white also
. In the same order I purchased a few Bitfenix Alchemy extensions and a black and white Bitfenix Spectre Pro 230mm fan as the intake.The extensions I purchased were as follows:
24 Pin (MOBO) in green
4 Pin (CPU) in green
6 Pin (GPU) 1 in green/1 in orange
USB 2 extension in orange
I know the Prodigy & mobo do USB3 but I don't like the look of the clunky black connector and I can't find any nice extensions so sacrificed speed for orange braid (waiting to be mocked for that one)
There is a bit of a clash with the red LED's on the Geil RAM with the orange/green braided cables but it'll do for
now.
Braided cable extensions
My "Neat" cable management - no one will see it with the side on.
Top down view of motherboard form the top vent
I also changed the stock Intel cooler for a Prolimatech Panther I had laying around, anyone who has a mini ITX mobo will know the issues of fitting any reasonable sized CPU cooler unless you spend £150 on an ASUS board so I have mounted the cooler in the wrong direction with the fan blowing accross the case rather than towards the back - Not sure how well this will work when a GPU gets installed but no issues at present.
Prolimatech Panther fitted
Quick test with the top vent open so I could keep an eye on the fans
This is as far as I have goten at the moment, stroll on payday!!
Next up is a GPU and I really want to DIY a window (hence the coloured sleeves in preperation)
Cheers
SM
