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So I finally finished my PC. There is just one very minor issue, and that is the front 200mm fan. It's a bit rattley. I'm going to see how it sounds after a day or two.
I've upgraded my system in 3 stages over a few months due to financial restraints. First I upgraded the core components See here!, then I added the GPU and Soundcard. I was never 100% happy with the old PSU, despite the fact it performed ok, and I keep reading how important a good quality power supply is. Also, cable management was very limited in my old Antec 902 and although I spent some time tidying, it never looked as professional as I would have liked.
After many hours of reading reviews and build logs, plus watching unboxing video's on Youtube, I chose the popular Corsair 600T. For my PSU I chose Corsair too, since I have built a couple of computers for others with Corsair PSU's and they just seem to ooze quality. Since cooling is important to me (ever since I burnt my old old PC) I decided to upgrade all the fans too. For this I chose BitFenix Spectre Pro. Here are some pics......
IMG_2777 by PMolkenthin, on Flickr
It was a toss up between the 600 or the 650. I like the understated looks of the 650, but the built in fan controller (despite mixed reviews) sold it for me. I wanted to be able to control the fans since I'm either playing games or falling asleep listening to music. For the latter I want the beast to be quiet.
IMG_2783 by PMolkenthin, on Flickr
Out with the stock fans........
IMG_2784 by PMolkenthin, on Flickr
Make way for the new.
I had to remove the HDD cages and just have one next to the PSU in order to fit the BitFenix Spectre Pro 200mm. It leaves lots of space for fresh air to come on in. Also on the rear is a BitFenix Spectre Pro 120mm.
IMG_2785 by PMolkenthin, on Flickr
The top 200mm has now been replaced with 2x 120mm BitFenix Spectre Pro's.
IMG_2788 by PMolkenthin, on Flickr
IMG_2795 by PMolkenthin, on Flickr
These power supplies are pure class. They come in a velvet bag for crying out loud!!!!
Ready for the transplant. The donor on the right. The Antec 902 was an awesome case, but I think it's just a little dated now.
IMG_2798 by PMolkenthin, on Flickr
The motherboard in it's new home. Those with a keen eye will notice that my Gelid GX7 CPU cooler has 2 fans attached. It doesn't make a great deal of difference to the temps, but it makes me feel better.
All the hardware in now, time for some dreaded cable management. To be fair, it looks neat enough on this side not to bother, but I wanted all the cables secure and neat(ish) on the back.
IMG_2806 by PMolkenthin, on Flickr
IMG_2807 by PMolkenthin, on Flickr
Look at all that!!!
IMG_2808 by PMolkenthin, on Flickr
Actually before I start securing all the cables, I just wanted to fire it up and make sure it works....
IMG_2809 by PMolkenthin, on Flickr
...and that all the fans are moving in the right direction.
IMG_2811 by PMolkenthin, on Flickr
Which they are.
IMG_2812 by PMolkenthin, on Flickr
I love the fact that when you turn up the fans, the LED's get brighter.
IMG_2816 by PMolkenthin, on Flickr
The cables are now secure.
IMG_2818 by PMolkenthin, on Flickr
The back panel on.
IMG_2819 by PMolkenthin, on Flickr
The window panel on.
IMG_2820 by PMolkenthin, on Flickr
lol just realised I can see the reflection of my son standing in front of the TV.
IMG_2821 by PMolkenthin, on Flickr
The front.
IMG_2822 by PMolkenthin, on Flickr
The front with the filter panel off. I still may dremel out the grill here, but the thought of cutting up my new case doesn't appeal to me. I'll see how it goes.
IMG_2823 by PMolkenthin, on Flickr
Done. I did have the crazy idea of having the plastic trim painted at some point in the future, but for now i'm happy. Also here is a diagram of the airflow directions.
IMG_28002 by PMolkenthin, on Flickr
PMol.
I've upgraded my system in 3 stages over a few months due to financial restraints. First I upgraded the core components See here!, then I added the GPU and Soundcard. I was never 100% happy with the old PSU, despite the fact it performed ok, and I keep reading how important a good quality power supply is. Also, cable management was very limited in my old Antec 902 and although I spent some time tidying, it never looked as professional as I would have liked.
After many hours of reading reviews and build logs, plus watching unboxing video's on Youtube, I chose the popular Corsair 600T. For my PSU I chose Corsair too, since I have built a couple of computers for others with Corsair PSU's and they just seem to ooze quality. Since cooling is important to me (ever since I burnt my old old PC) I decided to upgrade all the fans too. For this I chose BitFenix Spectre Pro. Here are some pics......
IMG_2777 by PMolkenthin, on Flickr
It was a toss up between the 600 or the 650. I like the understated looks of the 650, but the built in fan controller (despite mixed reviews) sold it for me. I wanted to be able to control the fans since I'm either playing games or falling asleep listening to music. For the latter I want the beast to be quiet.
IMG_2783 by PMolkenthin, on Flickr
Out with the stock fans........
IMG_2784 by PMolkenthin, on Flickr
Make way for the new.
I had to remove the HDD cages and just have one next to the PSU in order to fit the BitFenix Spectre Pro 200mm. It leaves lots of space for fresh air to come on in. Also on the rear is a BitFenix Spectre Pro 120mm.
IMG_2785 by PMolkenthin, on Flickr
The top 200mm has now been replaced with 2x 120mm BitFenix Spectre Pro's.
IMG_2788 by PMolkenthin, on Flickr
IMG_2795 by PMolkenthin, on Flickr
These power supplies are pure class. They come in a velvet bag for crying out loud!!!!
Ready for the transplant. The donor on the right. The Antec 902 was an awesome case, but I think it's just a little dated now.
IMG_2798 by PMolkenthin, on Flickr
The motherboard in it's new home. Those with a keen eye will notice that my Gelid GX7 CPU cooler has 2 fans attached. It doesn't make a great deal of difference to the temps, but it makes me feel better.
All the hardware in now, time for some dreaded cable management. To be fair, it looks neat enough on this side not to bother, but I wanted all the cables secure and neat(ish) on the back.
IMG_2806 by PMolkenthin, on Flickr
IMG_2807 by PMolkenthin, on Flickr
Look at all that!!!
IMG_2808 by PMolkenthin, on Flickr
Actually before I start securing all the cables, I just wanted to fire it up and make sure it works....
IMG_2809 by PMolkenthin, on Flickr
...and that all the fans are moving in the right direction.
IMG_2811 by PMolkenthin, on Flickr
Which they are.
IMG_2812 by PMolkenthin, on Flickr
I love the fact that when you turn up the fans, the LED's get brighter.
IMG_2816 by PMolkenthin, on Flickr
The cables are now secure.
IMG_2818 by PMolkenthin, on Flickr
The back panel on.
IMG_2819 by PMolkenthin, on Flickr
The window panel on.
IMG_2820 by PMolkenthin, on Flickr
lol just realised I can see the reflection of my son standing in front of the TV.
IMG_2821 by PMolkenthin, on Flickr
The front.
IMG_2822 by PMolkenthin, on Flickr
The front with the filter panel off. I still may dremel out the grill here, but the thought of cutting up my new case doesn't appeal to me. I'll see how it goes.
IMG_2823 by PMolkenthin, on Flickr
Done. I did have the crazy idea of having the plastic trim painted at some point in the future, but for now i'm happy. Also here is a diagram of the airflow directions.
IMG_28002 by PMolkenthin, on Flickr
PMol.