Project Log: 'Privateer'

[Dedwoods42]

Good evening all! New to the forums, although I've been lurking around them for a while now. I have just embarked (pun intended) on a build - The Privateer - and I'd like to share it with you. For now, photos are taken on my phone and are a bit naff - plus it's rare that I'm actually in the house in daylight This is also my first build, although I've assisted with a few others, so I feel confident enough to get cracking myself.

As some of you may have guessed - the name Privateer comes from the fact that I'll be using as many Corsair parts as I can in this build, with the odd exception. For those unaware - that's what Corsairs were - Privateers. Government-employed Pirates, corsairs being specifically French. I shall most definitely be playing Black Flag on this one

So. Specs. As I'm on slightly awful Apprentice wages (weekly and all), I'm having to put this together over a chunk of time, taking into consideration what may drop in price, and what I can make use of now. Desk, mouse + mat, keyboard and monitor first - then everything else.
Oh yeah - Black & White theme.
Full list, in purchase order:
Phase One:-
Desk - Some lovely 10mm tempered glass and steel thing form Amazon [Got]
Mouse - Corsair Vengeance M65 + MM200 Compact [Got]
Keyboard - Corsair Vengeance K70, Brown Switches [Got]
Monitor - QNix Evolution II 27" 1440p LED IPS [Got]
(On a side note, brilliant monitor. Bought it on eBay from Korea, £264 with Perfect Pixel Guarantee and it arrived 4 days later in perfect condition. Got it up to 120Hz @ 1080p and 100% stable on 80Hz @ 1440p.)
Case - Corsair Obsidian 750D [Got]
Fans - 3x Corsair AF140 LEDs (white) to replace the ones in the case, plus an AF120 LED (you guessed it, white) - 1x120mm filter & 1x140mm filter. [Got]
Controller - Corsair Link Lighting & Cooling. This is now EOL so will likely be upgraded / added to fairly soon. [Got]
PSU - Corsair Pro AX860i 80+ Platinum + Corsair Individually Braided AX Series Cables (white) [Got]
Boot Drive (SSD) - Corsair Force LS 120GB [Got]
Primary Drive (SSHD) - Seagate 1TB SSHD 5400RPM [Got]
Storage / Backup Drive (HDD) - Seagate Barracuda 4TB 5900RPM [Got]
Optical Drive - Samsung SE-506BB/TSBD External BluRay-RW / DVD-RW Drive (I like my Blu-Rays, but couldn't bear to break up the front of the 750D)
RAM - Corsair Dominator Platinum 1833MHz (2x8GB ) [Got]
Mobo - Asus Z87 Sabertooth [Got]
CPU - i7 4770k + Corsair H100i. Looking for 4.0GHz+, which shouldn't be too difficult. [Got]
GPU - GTX780 Ti (Reference design for future watercooling) [Got]
Sound Card - Asus Xonar Essence STX (I'm a musician, and a bit of an audiophile) [Got]
Speakers - Corsair SP2500 [Got]
Headphones & Mic - I already have a Beyer performance mic that I can run though the STX, then a pair of Audio-Technica ATH-M50s [Got]

The sound card and speakers come later as they aren't necessary to have the build up and running.

Phase Two:-
A second 780Ti for some SLI goodness. (Overkill, I know. POOWWWEERRR)
Double up drives, RAID 0 for boot & primary, RAID 1 for storage / backups. May look into more exotic RAID configs.

Phase Three:-
Full custom watercooling throughout. Potentially moving up into a 900D for space.

I'll update with pictures as and when.

I intend to update this main post purely with the most recent set of photos, leaving all of the photo/text/video updates chronologically throughout the thread.

Appreciate any feedback/suggestions.
Dedwoods42.

Most Recent:

 

[Dedwoods42]

Let's be excited together!

 

[Dedwoods42]

Nice specs, looks expensive too! Cant wait for pocs

It is a bit Thankfully my employers pay rather well for overtime, so I'm throwing 60+ hour weeks at it You won't have to wait long for initial pics, promise!

 

[Dedwoods42]

First (small) update:
I got my DisplayPort cable today, so am finally enjoying some 1440p goodness. What a difference! Surprised by how well my little GTX675M handles it.
I've now dropped out the front 3.5" bays, as I won't be using them, ready for the 120mm fan. I also got the first AF140 LED today, so have swapped out the standard exhaust fan for that. I've moved said standard fan to intake from the very front of the roof, nice and out of sight - although I'm curious as to whether anybody knows if I can still squeeze the H100i up there too? The measurements add up (just), so I'm hoping I can get both in. I've also started doing dummy cable management with twist-ties to get an idea of spacing. The 750D is a dream to cable manage in. I'll have the PSU and cabling in on Friday (20th Dec), so I'll throw some photos up that afternoon!

Sorry that this was so soon after the inital post - was posting on a different forum, now both are equally up to date

 

[Dedwoods42]

Good spec there bud gotta throw up some pics too.

Edit, just seen your Bromsgrove small world: )

Friday, fingers crossed! It certainly is! I work in Redditch

 

[Dedwoods42]

Awesome spec! really looking forward to seeing this develop! i really need to sort myself some 1440p monitors for my soon to be 780ti build, how are the QNix?, would you recommend them? - Adam

Cheers!
Very good - especially considering the price. 80Hz is about good enough for me, even coming from a 120Hz panel, which is nice. Colours are crisp and fairly well reproduced, and the actual picture quality is very good. If you're really really bothered by backlight bleed and contrast ratios, then you probably want to look at something a bit pricier. For gaming and movies, with the odd bit of image / video editing, it's great though

 

[Dedwoods42]

Another small thought - I can't stand leaving the AX860i standard, as the red 'AX' will look out of place. I'll attack it with some Citadel paints once it arrives, and make the 'AX' a nice gunmetal colour to suit the build a little better.
Expect quite a few of these mini-updates and ideas whenever something pops into my head

 

[Dedwoods42]

Small update time:
PSU, cabling and some cable management bits ordered this morning. I also grabbed some dust filters for the extra intake fans that I'll have running. My thinking is: more fans, lower RPMs = quieter
Also, I was being a fool by questioning whether I could get the rad in the roof with the extra intake - as I'm running it in pull, so it's that fans that'll be up there anyways... I won't be able to get the PSU in or do the little bit of painting until Saturday morning - and that's provided I'm not working, so I'll throw some teaser photos of my desk and the empty case up tomorrow afternoon.
On a side note, I've started picking out components for the custom loop - liking the look of that XSPC dual Bay res with a pair of D5s. I'd swap the LEDs out for white ones and produce my own faceplate for it that will sit flush with the front of the case, and fill the face - offset forward from the res. Probably with the Corsair logo cut into it, to fit the build. Loving everything that EKWB make too, and rigid tubing FTW.

Pictures up soon, promise!

 

[Dedwoods42]

Some teasers for you: Sorry about the camera quality!

Everything lit up... Wallpaper also

Drive cage arrangement.

Against the monitor, for scale.

 

[Dedwoods42]

Wow, what an awesome PC driving that monitor without a mobo or RAM or CPU or Graphics

Good luck. I applaud your patience but I cannot do that. Buy all now!!!!!

It's magic!

Yeah... I've avoided a credit card / buying on finance so far, I intend to keep it that way - although when I'm within spitting distance of getting the loop set up I may give in

 

[Dedwoods42]

Right! Niiice big package arrived from OcUK yesterday (20th) which contained the PSU, cabling, dust filters and some cable management bits. Double Haribo too, a Merry Christmas indeed!

Anyways, I've ferreted away the cables, management bits and one of the filters until they're required. For now, the 140mm filter is on and the PSU is in. I've attached the filter on the outside of the case to remove any tiny risk of it interfering with the fan, and it hides under the magnetic roof cover perfectly Turns out that painting the PSU logo was unnecessary, as de-stickering was easier and cleaner - then replacing it with the rather lovely included case badge. It seemed a shame to not make use of it, and I'm extremely pleased with the results.

Looks totally standard from the outside...

But is concealing the filter nicely. Not worried about airflow restriction too much, as this is a pretty unnecessary extra fan as it is.

The case looks nice and tidy with the PSU like that. Also, the first LED fan is in!

Close-up on that case badge. Very pleased.

That's all for now, folks - probably until after Christmas - as the Link Commander + Lighting & Cooling Nodes will be going in, as well as the other three LED fans on Boxing Day. Have a lovely Christmas all!

 

[Dedwoods42]

This has so much potential...

Seriously loving the little mods and finishing touches you've started already!! Nice one!!
I'm basically doing the exact same thing as you at the moment, purchasing components bit by bit. Just waiting for my case and extra fans to arrive so beginning to get very impatient after seeing this! Can't wait to see how this build turns out, good luck! I'll be sure to pop back when you upload some more pictures.

Cheers! I won't be doing any big mods, but little stuff to keep the whole thing to plan and colour coded will be throughout

Another update! This'll be it until some time in January as Christmas has left me skint

The LED fans are in all round, as well as the Link Commander. I've placed Cooling node behind the motherboard tray, which has meant that all my fan cables and temperature sensors can run from it without any extension cables, which is a bonus!

The lighting node is in the front of the case, with the LED strips ran from it, framing the front of the case. One at the front, under the cabling coming out of the PSU and one in each top corner. The cables are out of sight already, although I may add some hooks and cable ties if they end up bothering me.

Cable work has begun, with everything I have currently twist-tied in place. The 750D really is a dream to cable manage in. I'm yet to order the braided 24 Pin, so that will come along with the next order.

In doing this, I also ran into a bit of an issue - one that I may drop Corsair a line on. A bit of a gripe. The 750Ds lovely SSD/SSHD/SlimHDD cages in the front of the case are, as I'm sure many of you know, oriented flatways up the case. This is great for displaying them (I'll be doing something with the stickers to make them a little more colour scheme friendly), but not great for cabling with Corsair SATA Power cables. Both the standard and braided cables are flat - perfect for running up a standard HDD cage, but also impossible to run up the flat mounts, shy of running loads of extra cabling. My solution is to stick an NZXT white braided Molex to 4 SATA Power cable on my next OcUK order, as the cables run out of the back of the connectors instead on the sides, and should be able to curve to each drive. Saves me having unused Molexes in the bottom of the case too. Anyways - PHOTOS!

Hnnnnggg. Link Commander. Love a bit of tidy Aluminium.

Bottom dust filter in.

Front LED fans in.

Starting to run cables. Just temporary - they'll be even tidier once everything's in

With the controllers powered, I can test lighting out with the PSU self test Obviously it only runs in default blue without software intervention, but they'll be white to match the fans.

Front fans lit up.

More in Jan. Just need to get drives and RAM, then I can sell my laptop for the Mobo, CPU + Cooler and GPU

 

[Dedwoods42]

Just shy of a week before I next get paid, so just shy of a week before I can crack on with the build! I'll be getting the 24-Pin, new SATA Power cable and probably the SSD. I may even get the OS installed on the SSD using my housemate's rig and be really organised
I'll likely de-sticker the SSD, as with the PSU, for the sake of the colour scheme.

I've also put the loop together and priced it up. I'm looking at around £850 all told, so that may take a while to get together after Phase 2 is complete.

Currently planning to have a 420mm standard thickness rad in the roof (Likely in pull, or push-pull if there's space) and a Monsta 80mm thick 280mm in the front (Push-Pull). Just a shame that Corsair don't do SP140 fans currently. *Crosses fingers*
XSPC Dual bay res with dual D5 pumps in the lower two bays to allow rad space above, with the mod I mentioned in a previous update allowing the front plate to sit flush and tidy with the face of the 750D. I may even have found a laser cutter to do it
Rigid tubing throughout, going with the PrimoChill stuff in black. Black PrimoChill Rigid Ghost fittings too, as I'm going to form the tubes instead of linking them.
Mayhems Ice Dragon Nano fluid, which should show nicely in the res and translucent blocks / SLI link.
On the subject of blocks, it's going to have to be the EKWB Clean CSQ ones all round. So very pretty. EK Backplates on the GPUs too.
I've decided against liquid cooling the mobo or RAM, as I don't intend to be running massive overclocks - it's more for the temps and aesthetics.

The loop is likely to run:
Res (pumps) - Front Rad - GPUs - Top Rad - CPU - Res (pumps)

I'm a total n00b to watercooling - so if anybody has any suggestions they will be more than welcome!

 

[Dedwoods42]

Small update, people!
SSD, 24-Pin and Sata Power extension are all on the way now. I've decided that I'm going to get RAM and the mobo after these, then sell my laptop for the GPU, CPU & CPU cooler afterwards. I can throw a 160GB drive I have kicking about for light primary storage duties until I grab the SSHD the week after I get the thing running. It's all so close now!
In the mean time, I've begun cable lacing using AlpenWassers glorious guide!

 

[Dedwoods42]

Good morning people!
I am terribly sorry, updates have been sparse of late. I have good news though! I now have my extra cabling and the SSD, so I'll be getting Win 7 installed in preparation.
I'm working my way through cable lacing, so may have some photos up for you soon!

The best news of all: the end (of the beginning) is in sight. This Thursday will see the Mobo ordered, and the Thursday after will see all of the remaining components ordered. I *should* have the thing alive on the Friday.
Not long now, Privateer.

 

[Dedwoods42]

this build makes me want a 750D even more than I already did. I love the look of it with your white LED fans.
can't wait to see what it'll look like finished!

Cheers! It's a really great case. Very easy even for an idiot like me to work in!

 

[Dedwoods42]

Good day, all!
Friday brought with it another wonderful package from OCUK... The Z87 Sabertooth. Just gorgeous, absolutely gorgeous.
Test fitting, with cabling:

I've decided (for now) to do away with the cable lacing, however I may change my mind later on, and have the resources to do so.
This week will see the final push to having her up and running, as my laptop will be sold on Wednesday. Goodbye, Series 7 Gamer - you've served me well.
Come Friday, she shall live. Then comes the long road up to having her fully modded out and under water.
Not long now, people.

 

[Dedwoods42]

We need more pictures, that last post isn't showing any picture for me, but great job so far!

Cheers! Just the one for now, as the lack of daylight + poor phone camera have made getting any beauty shots impossible for tonight Just a random photo - the only bit of lacing I'm leaving on currently is on the 6&8 PCIe power...

 

[Dedwoods42]

So, this happened...

This time tomorrow I'll be eating Haribo and getting her running
The 1866 DomPlat kit I was after was out of stock, but the 2400 kit was only £15 more, so it was a no-brainer. I initially intended to pick up the MSI or EVGA 780Ti, but both also out of stock. Conveniently the Gainward one dropped to the same price as the MSI! I would have grabbed the Inno3D card, but I'm a little reserved about buying from them as they don't appear to have the reputation of the other vendors.

The next update will (hopefully) be a working system!

 

[Dedwoods42]

So. The weekend was filled with both victory and tragedy. On Friday night I had her built and running. Posted first time, RAM set to rated, OS installed, drivers updated.
Saturday brought more updates and getting my drive allocations right - and tweaking everything to my liking.
Sunday I began gaming. Gave Borderlands 2, Tomb Raider and Metro: Last Light a run (everything still at stock) as benchmarks before settling down to play some Black Flag.
Then disaster strikes.
Something like 2 hours into gameplay - the system shut down. Then there was a pop. One of those nasty electrical pops. A burning smell.
It seems the PSU gave up the ghost, for seemingly no reason; a faulty unit I imagine. Absolutely heartbreaking. RMA requested, and we'll see what happens from there. I'll likely get in touch with Corsair too and see if they have any ideas. Everything was at stock and I hadn't touched any of the 860i settings in Link yet - so I don't *think* it's an error on my part.

Anywho - photos from the build for you:
Dat DomPlat doe.

CPU and RAM in:

Some GPU pr0n for you:

GPU seated

H100i installed too

There she was. Since I couldn't change the colour of the GPU logo, I decided to match the CPU block to it and add purple light. (Temporary) Hnnnggg.

Until next time, peeps. Hopefully she'll be resuscitated before long.