Project refresh Amateur to Slick?

Staffy50 · 15 Sep 2013 at 23:29

So, i'm going to be updating the aesthetics of my rig and also switching out the Crossfired 6950's (nightmares) and going to a 770. Long term plan is to go mATX as soon as theres a cpu worth upgrading my 2500k to.

I never fell in love with the Xigmatek elysium case so thats going to be replaced with a NZXT Switch 810 Gunmetal PC Case.

The two 6950's are going (going to put the fans back on them and auction em) and replace with a EVGA 770 and EK full block. EVGA are also offering the free backplate with the card (not sure if it applies to uk though) so i will be adding that at some point.

Switching out the res with a EK-D5 X-RES 100 CSQ EK res/Top.

The plan is to go with flexi tubes, but keep the as straight as possible (anyone got experience with this? any tips?). Going to keep the black monsoon fittings but use blue tubing with the same mayhems pastel blue coolant (as the cpu is plexi).

Im away next week on a Adventure training package with work, so wont be starting the strip and build till next week. Not going to rush getting it together this time as i think GTA V will satisfy my gaming for a bit haha.

This is how my rig finished up the first time after which at the time i was happy with but now i think looks amateur so hopfully it will look much better!

OLD

NEW

Staffy50 · 27 Sep 2013 at 15:41

Got the nxzt 810 case which is fantastic. Build quality is very good and is easy to work with.

Went with watercool heat killer gpu block and I'm really impressed with this too.

here's how it's looking so far.

comnents/suggestions?

Staffy50 · 27 Sep 2013 at 16:43

Don't think it would fit either way mate but I see what your saying. It doesn't look bad how it is as its quite flush, but if I used some more fittings at the top Rad I could run it parallel..

Staffy50 · 4 Oct 2013 at 13:33

So the EVGA 770

With the Watercool block

The backplate

And how it looks installed

I have to say i prefer the watercool blocks over the EK ones. I had EK universal GPU blocks on a pair of 6950's before, and have a EK supremacy on my CPU which will be going next time i upgrade the cpu.

More to follow

Staffy50 · 6 Oct 2013 at 10:59

Well heres it finished and filled.

Becasue i wanted to flow to go to the right i had to mount the pump backwards, but i think the evga sticker looks better than the awful? EK pattern.

Heres where my camera lets me down... Side pannel on;

Then i got a 2m NXZT blue led strip, which like the case is really nice build quality. The LED's have 3 settings on a small card which fits into a pci bracket.

Top of the case, where i have 3 be quiet silent wings pulling air through the phoyba G Changer rad (poor QC on that

)

and finally the lamptron controller which controls the 2 rads and the bottom intake and rear extraction.

The temps are pretty good. GPU under RTW 2/3d mark isnt above 40'c and the CPU doesnt break 50'c clocked at 4.5ghz max load.

I have noticed the vengeance ram is getting rather hot though with the warm air coming through the top rad.. May have to get get dominator ram and a block at some point

Whatcha all think?

Staffy50 · 6 Oct 2013 at 11:01

those pics don't really do the monsoon fittings justice. I'll get better pics when i unpack my camera if anyone is interested!

I would also at some point like to go to rigid tubing, but i don't think they do it at the same size as the compressions i have (or if you can even use normal compressions?)

Also im going to get some fan guards especially for the 140mm at the bottom. The blue fans are probably okay. Any recommendations for a nice 140mm fan guard?

Cheers

Staffy50 · 6 Oct 2013 at 12:43

T345 said:
Which tubing/ coolant is that on the new build! It looks amazing.

The tubing is XSPC UV Blue and the coolant is mayhems pastel blue, Im prob gonna put in a UV cathode at some point. Went for the blue tubing as theres no point having the monsoon fittings with clear tubing.

I think under a UV the fittings will look mint

hakank68 said:
i love this case , great build

Yeah the case was really good to work with. Never bought anything NXZT before but i was really impressed

Cheers guys

Staffy50 · 7 Oct 2013 at 15:38

DJ_Bucho said:
I have to say your first effort hardly looked amateur, I'm be more than chuffed if my build turned out that good. Your new build looks spot on tho, nicely layed out and neat and tidy

Thanks very much. Im really pleased with it.

~>Dg<~ said:
i have a 810 myself

There great arnt they

Staffy50 · 8 Oct 2013 at 15:04

The ram seems to be getting a little hot, which is a great excuse to buy some dominator ram and a waterblock, keeping my eye out for some

Staffy50 · 5 Nov 2013 at 22:27

Thanks guys.

Staffy50 · 9 Nov 2013 at 00:08

No mate, there both 're sleeved extensions.