[Project Log] Progect 77

[kris8583]

Thanks for your view NMB, white/red is what I was aiming towards but wanted to get some opinions from others in the community.

Whilst the case is still under wraps as a bit of a surprise and for fun, I can say that it is white and black so the white interior will contrast the black of the case and compliment the white. I can also say that a LOT of the interior will be on show hehehe!

 

[kris8583]

Update 4 - The 760T Arrives

Small update time, bit short on time today.

Well here it is, the build will be based around a Corsair 760T!

I don't know how many of you had ideas around what case would be used so I hope you will agree on this as a good choice. Reviews of the case have been mainly positive with some commenting on the flex of the case. To be honest, I think its not that bad and as for the plexi panels, well how often are people going to be swinging on these?

Here are a few snaps of the planning for the CPU loop using the parts from EK:

With film removed:

Custom vent panels:

I chose the 760T for a variety of reasons;

Space - Plenty of room for mods and future upgrades.

Aesthetics - Beautiful case as I am sure you will agree. The white exterior will compliment the interior of white and red.

It was the full side window that really sold me on this though, showing off the custom interior was obviously high up on the list of requirements and with the slightly tinted side window, when back lit, should show this off in all its glory.

The exterior as you will see from the mock ups will include 2 custom vent panels and some decal work will be applied to really finish this off.

More soon

Hope your enjoying this as much as me

 

[kris8583]

Good choice I like that case. Is the glass slightly smoked?

Yes the plexi is very slightly tinted. I think when the case is lit then it wont seem as dark, with all the white acrylic in there it should be fine.

If I move the rad to the top of the case it allows me to have a clean internal vent panel on the front and add the third fan to where the 5.25 bay is. That will mean another vent panel to be created for the exterior. By doing this I can still keep pipework hidden and allow better airflow from the front.

A closer look at the pipe holders that will be cut to keep everything in line. There will be 2 types of these with some attaching to the motherboard tray to keep the angle right.

The spacing is the same as that of the EK CPU block. At the moment I am trying to figure how to back light the red parts.

 

[kris8583]

It is with great pleasure that today I add a sponsor to this project, Avexir have today confirmed that they will support me and provide 16GB Blitz 1.1 Original with white LED (4x4gb). I wanted to use RAM away from the normal Corsair Dominator (nothing wrong with the Dominator, just wanted something different) and the Avexir range offers great value and back lighting to compliment the interior on this build. After looking at my ideas they were very kind to assist and I would like to thank Peggy for following this up for me. I will be posting a review for them and adding some nice pics when the parts arrive.

The project is in a bit of a lull state until Justin over at Parvum has time to add me to the queue, hopefully he will take a look here and drop me an email! I have been dying to get on and I could not resist fitting the WC parts just to see how far I can push the 3570K. I wont do pics of the rig at the moment as there is nothing to really shout home about. I installed the CPU loop and set about leak testing.....ALL GOOD!

Topped up, air pockets removed and began clocking up to 4.4ghz as a starting point. This was good on air cooling so no reason to start any lower. Hopefully I have a good chip and can push it higher, if I can get 4.5 - 4.6 out of it I will be very happy. I made no changes other than the multiplier on the Gene V, it booted straight up and into Prime 95 while using Real Temp to monitor things. I have ran for around 6 hours today with my highest core temp reaching 81C on core 2. Core 1 was running around 7-8C lower than all the other cores...I am new to overclocking and the ASUS boards do make it easy, is the difference anything to cause concern? I did a bit of reading and most people seem to accept a difference of this.

Anyway, at this point I hope you are all enjoying the project, I am new to writing logs so I will be cleaning things up a little as the thread continues. If anyone has any advice or views, please do let me know. All the threads I have read here at OCUK have been excellent, the authors all put time and effort into a hobby they love so much and I hope that I can do this justice.

....come on Justin, lets get it moving!

 

[kris8583]

Thanks Colin, no, not sponsored before, I figured I would send out my ideas and see what happened. Its also my first log so I will be cleaning it up as I go, Im sure nothing beats experience!

I am also talking to ASUS but I havent had a reply for a while, so not holding my breath

I guess everyone has to start somewhere and who knows, if this goes well, it may help for future projects. I do have a big project lined up after this but I want to make sure that this is finished to the highest level of quality.

Im pleased you like the log, Im not a photographer but I do have a friend who has access to a studio so I might ask him to do the final shots of this.

Its not a problem about Justin, I know their work is top notch so I dont mind waiting.

 

[kris8583]

Avexir have contacted me this morning to confirm shipment. Items should be here next week. Its a good thing I went for the EK spacers as the RAM modules are quite tall. I will post pics when they get here

 

[kris8583]

Update 5 - Avexir



The RAM modules arrived yesterday, 16GB of Avexir Blitz 1.1 Original with white LED. The memory is split into 4x4GB to fill the slots on the Gene V and the white LEDs should look great when the build is complete. The modules are quite heavy and feel very well made, even the packaging is very nice.

The modules are over 5cm tall so my pipework may have to be moved if the EK spacers are not tall enough. Avexir have also got something else a little unique here, they offer the Blitz set in varying styles to match your motherboard. The MSI and Gigabyte variants will certainly stand out and will help those with OCD looking to get everything looking perfect on their boards!

This set obviously is to match the ASUS ROG boards and once the protective film is removed, the colors look very nice. I am undecided as to mod the heat spreaders a little with some vinyl work, I dont want to spoil them!

The part number/spec for this set is;

AVD3U11116000904G-4BZ1
DDR3-1600
9-9-9-24
PC3-12800
1.5V
XMP

Unfortunately I couldnt find this set in the OCUK shop so I cant link for those who may want to look into these further.

Any way, the pictures, I am still on a learning curve with my DSLR and I have got hold of a small tent that has made things a lot easier. Hope you like!

Again my thanks to Avexir for assisting me with the build, particularly Peggy who has been wonderful

 

[kris8583]

It is great looking kit, I was a lillte shocked to see just how tall they were in person but it adds to the aura of the twinkling sticks! I think the product detail labels will come off, they will hardly be seen and the project has to be right

 

[kris8583]

Well since I am now waiting on Parvum to get back to me, I have been playing with the 3570K. If you have been following the thread you will know I managed 4.4ghz on air cooling with little in the way of setting changes. Whilst new to overclocking I dont feel scared to dabble after some reading up and the bios of the Gene V makes things so easy. I have bumped things up now to 4.6ghz with the only change being made to the multiplier with all other cores on auto. So far so good! I will be running Prime95 again for some time to see if any gremlins pop up and will be setting the alarm on real temp for 82deg. To be honest, if it runs stable on this I doubt I would push further, having said that I have read a lot saying that 4.5ghz is the invisible wall and it does make me wonder how far it would go.

 

[kris8583]

Reserved.

 

[kris8583]

congrats on the sponsor.

Lovin the ram !

Thanks guys, I keep looking at the ram, I fancy doing a little work just nothing has clicked yet on design work.

Had a quick look at the PSU from be quiet!...what a piece of kit!

 

[kris8583]

Today I had a bit of time to play with the new backdrop and I decided to get out the parts be quiet! kindly sent me.

Now I should be able to go back and improve the quality of all the images in the thread, they might not be as great as some others on the forum but at least I am going in the right direction.

Customs must have had fun with the psu box, not exactly delicate!

Enjoy.

 

[kris8583]

Nice images, are you using backdrop paper?

Thanks, it's a sheet of cotton from a local fabric store. I was goint to order a large light tent but this ended up costing a lot less and seems to work just as well.

I ended up spending most of the afternoon trying to get some decent shots. The fabric helps but I think I need a decent flash for my 1000D. I must have taken 200 photos just to get these I was happy with and they are still way off the quality from the likes of James and the Parvum Warfare build.

This whole project is becoming a really enjoyable learning experience for the logging side of things and it will be great to look back on and see how it develops.

 

[kris8583]

Hey everyone,

So Justin has now got time to look at this for me at Parvum. With Christmas approaching fast, if funds allow, hopefully I should have the interior pretty much done before the end of the year.

Im currently going over all the final measurements before sending the files over for Justin to take a look at. I thought I would share some teasers of the updated design, it keeps evolving!

Cable management holes now going into place with the WC loop to plan. You may have notice there is no space for the 240mm rad, I will upgrade to a 360 and will be adding a top section inside the case to house the rad and 3 fans, it also allows for the case lighting to be integrated into the panel work.

 

[kris8583]

Yes good old Sketch Up, then will convert to dxf for Parvum. Im starting to get nervous now as I get closer to pulling the trigger because it HAS to be right on the measurements. I wont be happy if something is even a mm out!

 

[kris8583]

Same here, ive emailed it over for Justin to look at and might leave some of the holes for when the panels arrive. It might make it a bit easier!

If I have trouble getting them to dxf (2004) I might give you a shout!

 

[kris8583]

Looking good so far.

Thanks, its nice to know people are liking this so far!

I dont want to get impatient but really looking forward to seeing the back lighting for the first time. I just hope it turns out as well as the idea I have in my mind

 

[kris8583]

Hey everyone, waiting now on a quote from Parvum and I am currently in a pickle GPU wise.

I will be pulling the trigger on a second ASUS 770 2GB this week but now having doubts. This will be running on 5760x1080 and at the moment runs most things pretty well if I dont push too hard. So, should I go SLI, best bang for buck or go to perhaps a single ASUS 970 Strix 4gb? Cant decide either way.

I know that single best card is the best way to go but I bought the 770 with the view of going SLI when the funds allowed, the 9xx had not been announced at the time of purchase.

Your views as always are appreciated

 

[kris8583]

I have noticed the 770 is starting to become harder to find with only one retailer having them at a sensible price but these are now in he clearance section.

I dont want to miss out on a 770 if this will provide enough extra grunt, the Strix is towards the top end of my budget and it is a 4gb card so thats why I was looking at it. Its still an ASUS card to keep with the ASUS theme.

Looking at some reviews the Strix is only slighrly ahead of the 770, it was the ram that made me look at the Strix as it is a 4gb card to my 2gb of the 770.

I dont see too many people complaining about the 770 in SLI so perhaps im worrying a bit too much!

 

[kris8583]

Probbably going to be out my budget from what I have read!