Project 'Unnamed'

[PMol]

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.

 

[PMol]

You mentioned rattle for your front fan. How noisy are the spectre pro fans ? especially the 200mm one ? I have a 230 mm one coming, and i was wondering if you could hear it from 5cm at 400 rpm. and at 900 rpm

The 120mm's are extremely quiet. I think the 200mm is faulty, hence the rattle. It's what my old fans sounded like after 2 years of wear and tear.

 

[PMol]

Looks very nice

How do you like that case? I'm thinking of swapping it with my NZXT Phantom

I love it. My only issue is the lack of internal USB3.0 header cable. You have to route an external USB out the back and plug it into the motherboard to use the front panel USB3.0. You can buy an adapter for it though.

 

[PMol]

That's a really nice case, how much did that set you back?

Link

 

[PMol]

It was out of my price range too. I just told the Mrs that I spent £1200 in total, her faced changed for the worse.

 

[PMol]

A couple of upgrades/changes to my setup. This hasn't given me a huge performance increase, but it looks a lot nicer I think.


IMG_3927 by PMolkenthin, on Flickr

Remove the GX-7 Cooler and it's 2 fans...


IMG_3932 by PMolkenthin, on Flickr

Clean up the CPU and remove the RAM.....


IMG_3935 by PMolkenthin, on Flickr

In goes the H100i Radiator....


IMG_3940 by PMolkenthin, on Flickr

H100i Pump on. I did wire up the USB and fan cables to use the Link software, but it didn't seem to work properly. Changing fan speeds didn't always actually change the fan speeds, so I reconnected the 600T fan controller.


IMG_3952 by PMolkenthin, on Flickr

New RAM sticks. Pretty much the same as the old ones but much better looking. :S


IMG_3955 by PMolkenthin, on Flickr

Done. I also inverted the rear exhaust fan. After doing a bit of research on this case and the H100, I decided to setup my fans like this.....


IMG_3950 by PMolkenthin, on Flickr

 

[PMol]

@ Anox, yeah I couldn't think of a name, and project white lightning or white whatever just seemed too easy.

@ cypto, No plans for a custom water loop really because I don't really overclock much. CPU is OC'd to a safe 4.0Ghz, and GPU is stock. If I have time to do some research on overclocking, then I might go for a nice EK setup with GPU blocks and everything.

@ acme15, Nice build m8. The 600T is a pleasure to work with.

 

[PMol]

There is one small problem though. The screws that came with the H100i stick out a bit on top, and get in the way of the top filter/panel. Only by about 2mm but it won't close properly. I'll have to try and find some flatter screws.
Also, watch this space. A couple more small mods inbound...

 

[PMol]

Small update. I just brought a Lamptron FC5 v2 Fan controller and some NZXT LED's. I wanted to be able to shut down the fans for ridiculously quiet operation. (Not sure how long I could get away with having the H100i fans at 0RPM, but i'll soon find out)


IMG_3976 by PMolkenthin, on Flickr

IMG_3974 by PMolkenthin, on Flickr

Pictures aren't all that exciting, but hey. Here's what it looks like running and in low light....


IMG_3979 by PMolkenthin, on Flickr

IMG_3987 by PMolkenthin, on Flickr

One thing I noticed is that one of the 120mm fans (on the H100i) is running 100-200RPM slower than the others. I think maybe it needs replacing. Or maybe some WD40


IMG_3986 by PMolkenthin, on Flickr