Project Air Cooled Monster

coolsurfer · 10 Sep 2013 at 07:35

Hi Guys,

My old pc is a 7 or 8 years old Pentium D 2.8Ghz Windows XP slow as hell. If I have 25-30 browsing tabs open the bugger likes to crash. I have decided to buy some high spec components with a view to SLI down the line. Here is what I've bought so far:

coolsurfer · 10 Sep 2013 at 07:46

To summarise the spec:

Intel Core i7-4770K 3.5GHz
Asus Z87-DELUXE
Corsair AX1200i power supply
Evga GTX 780 SUPERCLOCKED (stock cooler)
BE QUIET DARK ROCK 2 air cooler
16gb Corsair Vengeance Low Profile (2x8gb)
Samsung 256GB SSD 840 PRO SATA 6Gb/s Basic
Corsair obsidian 650d
2 x Western Digital Red - 3TB
LG BH16NS40.AUAR10B 16x SATA Internal BDRW Retail Kit
Lg cheapo DVD drve
Be Quiet SilentWings 2 120mm Case Fan
2 x Be Quiet SilentWings 2 140mm Case Fan
BitFenix 200mm Spectre PRO Fan with Blue LED
Internal USB 3.0 adaptor
Windows 8 Pro
Noctua - Thermal Paste

DJ_Bucho · 10 Sep 2013 at 07:46

Really looking forward to seeing the progress on this. I feel your pain mate, I'm currently using an old Pentium D as well (albeit the 3.6ghz model) although it died on me over the weekend and I'm yet to resuscitate it

I'm also in the process of building myself a new machine (which reminds me I need to update my project thread), good luck with yours buddy and I look forward to seeing future updates

swiftmetal · 10 Sep 2013 at 07:59

Parts looks good so far don't forget to keep us updated and loads of pictures.

coolsurfer · 10 Sep 2013 at 08:01

DJ Bucho thanks for the motivation mate. Need to properly move into the current times of i-series processors and ssd drives haha. This is also my first ever build. In the past I have added in graphics cards, RAM and optical drives and my friends think I know a thing or two about computers but now it's time to put money where my mouth is and actually build one from scratch. If anything it appears to me they have proper dumbed down the process with auto detection and no jumpers needed to adjust bus speeds etc.

sirgraystar · 10 Sep 2013 at 10:38

What's the reason behind getting such a high wattage PSU? I know you plan to go SLI down the line, but still. Something like the Seasonic 860w platinum would be more than adequate and would have saved you a bundle, based on overclockers prices at least.

tomparker95 · 10 Sep 2013 at 11:26

Why an earth do you need 25 browsing tabs open lol! Nice kit though mate

jonnyp1993 · 10 Sep 2013 at 11:33

Looking forward to this

DJ_Bucho · 10 Sep 2013 at 12:44

coolsurfer said:
DJ Bucho thanks for the motivation mate. Need to properly move into the current times of i-series processors and ssd drives haha. This is also my first ever build. In the past I have added in graphics cards, RAM and optical drives and my friends think I know a thing or two about computers but now it's time to put money where my mouth is and actually build one from scratch. If anything it appears to me they have proper dumbed down the process with auto detection and no jumpers needed to adjust bus speeds etc.

No problem mate, good to find someone else still rocking a Pentium D

I've really only ever built one PC before and that was back when I was like 17 and Sata Hard Drives had just come out (and Im talking about the old 150mb/s versions, lol). I'm currently waiting for most of my parts to arrive but it looks like you've got the jump on me and have pretty much everything you need all ready to rock and roll

Keep us updated with your progress, I can't wait to see this come together

Aneskimo · 10 Sep 2013 at 13:08

Laughed @ 25 tabs

On a serious note, you got some very good kit going in so plenty of pic's please

coolsurfer · 10 Sep 2013 at 13:47

tomparker95 said:
Why an earth do you need 25 browsing tabs open lol! Nice kit though mate

Haha! You shud see how frustrated I get with an iPhone and the max 8 tabs limit! I tend to browse a site/forum then click on links on the page in a new tab and so on going back an forth. Can easily end up with 30-40 tabs from one session. God bless save tabs on google chrome as when my wife gets on my Pc she closes them all down!

coolsurfer · 10 Sep 2013 at 15:07

sirgraystar said:
What's the reason behind getting such a high wattage PSU? I know you plan to go SLI down the line, but still. Something like the Seasonic 860w platinum would be more than adequate and would have saved you a bundle, based on overclockers prices at least.

Definately hear what you are saying, I checked out loads of reviews and that was the one that came up as being silent and the bes. Thought I would not eat takeaways for a month or two. I would sooner go all out and waste less money on beers and food ;-)

sirgraystar · 10 Sep 2013 at 22:53

coolsurfer said:
Definately hear what you are saying, I checked out loads of reviews and that was the one that came up as being silent and the bes. Thought I would not eat takeaways for a month or two. I would sooner go all out and waste less money on beers and food

Fair point mate. That's what I do with my spare cash at any rate

Tonester0011 · 10 Sep 2013 at 23:42

Good choice on PSU mate, especially when you're going for quiet!
Mine is passive whilst gaming with a single 670 and 3930k

The fans would only just creep up when i had two 7970s in the rig. Worth spending the extra even if you'll never use the wattage.

coolsurfer · 11 Sep 2013 at 21:53

OK guys be easy on me my first time an all ;-)

So a few more pictures of some parts/boxes:

The LG blu-ray drive looks sleek and matches the case's brushed metal look perfectly. I might do away with the other backup cheapo LG drive.

Power supply came in a nice velvet pouch which was a nice touch by Corsair when your spending that kind of money!

If you wondered why the box was so huge like me, here is what else was inside it:

coolsurfer · 11 Sep 2013 at 22:29

Graphics card's a beauty! So heavy compared to ones I've held up before!

Pair of WD REDS. I really hope they are reliable as I will RAID them and use it as a main backup drive in conjuction with blu-ray for offsite backups.

First thing I did was rip all the stock fans out of the case and replace the exhaust ones with the Bequiet Silent Wings 2's for the exhaust and the Spectre Pro for the intake:

Next in the AX1200i

coolsurfer · 11 Sep 2013 at 22:44

This cooler is a beast! Very heavy!

RAM close up, fits comfortably as its low profile:

Time to start cabling up!

Baby SSD shot:

Tidyness is not my strong point at all! One of you guys will have to teach me what to do!

REDs in:

Graphics!

coolsurfer · 11 Sep 2013 at 22:47

Bottom drive looks very cheap!

Window on:

Ready to boot!! Not bad at all if I say so myslef!!

Orch · 11 Sep 2013 at 22:52

Very nice! Those 780's do look the nuts. Really liking that case too, got me thinking of upgrading my 300r now!

coolsurfer · 11 Sep 2013 at 22:54

With the lights and gizmo's all lit up. I honestly never bleeding thought for a second that the Geforce GTX logo would light up bright green! Brought a massive grin to my face! Was going to have the tower on the floor but it'd be an insult if I did that now!!:

Very proud! Looks spectacular. RIP Pentium D 2.8Ghz

THE END!!