Start of long term project

snips86x · 4 Dec 2012 at 16:48

Start of a long term project..............

So after a year of owning a HTPC case, I felt the need to try and re-build my current setup and move to a more gamer friendly case. My HTPC has been a loyal case for the past 2 years, but I've decided it's time to move on and update to something which I feel is going to be more personalized.

My project will consist of:

1 - Buying the new case, Corsair 600T
2 - After Christmas, I'll get the side panel with a window
3 - Upgrade the 2x 200mm White LED fans to 2x Blue BetFinex LED Spectre fans
4 - Purchase a H60, replace the supplied fans for 2x Corsair SP120's
5 - Purchase blue braided sata cables to replace the red ones currently installed and possibly attempt braiding the PSU wires

Eventually I'm planning on liquid cooling, but nerves get the better of me, as well as lack on money.

Update:

This has changed a lot over the past 5 moths since creating the post and I think it's only fair the OP was updated also.

So the H60 idea went straight out the window when I looked at benchmarks. Decided to go for the K2 instead and another 660 in SLI was introduced also.

The future holds:

Replacement of Mobo, CPU & RAM (as below)
2x Samsung 256gb SSD's to replace my 120gb Vertex 4 & 60gb Vertex 2
Fully Modular PSU (Seasonic/Silverstone/XFX)
New 1080p Monitor for HD goodness and eventually a new keyboard.

snips86x · 4 Dec 2012 at 18:06

Ok, so My new case has arrived and so far, all working fine. Unfortunately, I forgot to take pics from the very beginning, as I was more excited to get it all swapped over.

I started with moving the Mobo, RAM & CPU and since they were all connected, I just put them all in together.

Second, I added all removable drives, SSD's, HDD & DVDRAM & data cables, then GPU

Third, installed PSU and connected the power to the devices, connected case fans to front panel controller.

All components are in and working as expected

Next purchase will be side panel with window, blue LED's but not sure which ones to get:

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CM-052-BX&groupid=701&catid=1428&subcat=1430

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-188-AN&groupid=701&catid=1428&subcat=1430

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-062-NX&groupid=701&catid=1428&subcat=1430

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CM-057-BX&emcs0=2&emcs1=Produktdetailseite&emcs2=CM-052-BX&emcs3=CM-057-BX

The only problem I encountered was the HDD LED was not working and the front panel audio. This was simply the jumpers being the wrong way round for the HDD LED & the AC '97 being connected instead of HDAudio for the front panel input.

Fan controller works and I'm amazed at the build quality of the case. The HDD bay's are a little flimsy, but the case it 10/10 for me.

snips86x · 4 Dec 2012 at 18:08

lukeforrest said:
Will you need liquid cooling?

I'm not sure to be honest. I'm not a high-end gamer, more of an enthusiast and would only really do it for the experience. I don't think it would add any real benefit, but I love the idea & how amazing it looks once it's been completed.

snips86x · 5 Dec 2012 at 06:45

CrazyArsedMonky said:
Nice case buddy!

Thanks!

I've been umming and arring about it for a good few months. It was this or the Silverstone FT02. I'm so glad I got it now, and yes, it's massive!

Missed the update for my K2 - so adding it in here:

Immidiatley unpacked it and cannot believe the sheer size of this behemoth! It is MASSIVE!

Started the removal of the themal greese using the ArctiClean, giving a really nice citrus smell.

Stock backplate and bracket removed, K2 bracket in place and with thermal paste, waiting to be mounted...

Cooler put together and fitted...

@ 4ghz

@ 4.4ghz

Prime95 on 4.4ghz sits around 41/42 degrees. Loving the new cooler!

snips86x · 5 Dec 2012 at 09:32

Matd80 said:
what are you doing with your old case?

I've already sold it! It was selling it that enabled me to buy the 600T

snips86x · 14 Apr 2013 at 11:32

Finally managed to get some cash to upgrade, despite only having the FX-6100 for about 18 months. Due to the new tax changes with the personal allowance, I've got the following ready to order at the end of April:

YOUR BASKET
1 x Intel Core i7-3820 3.60GHz (Sandybridge-E) Socket LGA2011 Processor - Retail with Dead Space 3 PC Game £239.99
1 x Asus P9X79 Intel X79 (Socket 2011) DDR3 Motherboard £199.99
2 x Patriot Intel Extreme Masters 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-14900C9 1866MHz Dual Channel Kit (PVI38G186C9K) £53.99 (£107.98)
Total : £547.96 (includes shipping : FREE).

Cannot wait for this to arrive & set it up. Never had a rig like this before, so I'm expecting something quite amazing compared to what I have now. This will be paired with by 2x 660's in SLI, Alpenföhn K2 & my 2 SSD's.

snips86x · 14 Apr 2013 at 11:42

Doomedspeed said:
That is going to be very nice indeed.

I'm so excited about this! Feel like a kid again! With any luck OcUK will get a deal on at the end of the month for the 3820!

snips86x · 14 Apr 2013 at 13:15

Doomedspeed said:
Fingers crossed for you,

You know what would be awesome in that rig?

This:

YOUR BASKET
1 x Phanteks PH-TC14PE CPU Cooler - Blue (Socket 775 / 1155 / 1156 / 1366 / 2011 / AM2 / AM2+ / AM3 / FM1 / FM2) £69.98
Total : £79.88 (includes shipping : £8.25).

And maybe:

YOUR BASKET
1 x BitFenix Alchemy 24pin ATX extension 30cm - Blue £8.99
4 x BitFenix Alchemy 6-Pin PCIe Extension 45cm - sleeved blue/blue £6.98 (£27.92)
1 x BitFenix Alchemy 8-Pin EPS12V Extension 45cm - sleeved blue/blue £5.99
Total : £47.90 (includes shipping : £4.16).

You won the lottery right?

Thanks for the input dude!

Strangely enough, I've already got the braided 24 & 8 pin extensions by Bitfenix, and I would have got that cooler had it been cheaper. I've got the K2 in mine and I'm going to replace the centre & rear fan (front fan is actiing as an exhaust) for a single TY-147 once they're back in stock. May have to look at painting the fins on it as I've got no idea currently & would like them to match. May buy 2 incase it goes wrong

I will look at the PIC-E extensions once I've got my PSU shroud in place as I'm on the limit for cable management in my 600T as it is. Once the shroud is completed, I can pile all the cables under that and the rest, where needed, in the cable management section.

snips86x · 14 Apr 2013 at 14:58

Doomedspeed said:
Ohh PSU shroud, nice touch.

Once I've got the materials, I can add the build log for that too. Tidy & space saving. Will be mounting 2 SSD's to it. Will eventually get the plans uploaded.

snips86x · 16 Apr 2013 at 11:11

Doomedspeed said:
The patriot RAM is on offer today snips... Only if you can only get 1 set it saves you a bit.

haha missed out on that one, was out in Northampton for most of it. Ahh well, It'll come round again.

snips86x · 16 Apr 2013 at 11:14

Doomedspeed said:
Ohh PSU shroud, nice touch.

Well, this is my cardboard template and I've found a metal fabricator to see if he can bend it so I can do the rest. Off to see him with my plans, we'll see how it goes.

My 2 SSD's will be mounted on the front with the cables at the bottom.

snips86x · 19 Apr 2013 at 12:52

codec said:
interesting idea with the cardboard, so that will mask the psu only? won't this restrict the air to the psu?

It's only a template, the actual product will be made of 1,2 or 3mm aluminium. Still debating whether to get mine made or to get a nice one imported from the states as it has the Corsair emblem laser etched out with white LED's behind it.

Somthing Else said:
PSU draws air from bottom of case though a filtered vent

Currently my fan is facing up not down. Will be changed when I get the cover made.

snips86x · 23 May 2013 at 09:56

Doomedspeed said:
Snips, long time...

Is this still going?

Hi Doom

Well...it's in the pipeline and due to unforeseen circumstances, it's been put on hold.

I'm hoping that I can pick it up in few months time, but time will tell.

snips86x · 9 Jul 2013 at 17:25

Update!

So I've finally managed to find some time (and tools) to get on with modding my side window. I've seen some really nice one around recently and wanted to attempt a mod of my own.

Day 1:
I started by planning what I wanted to do on paper and transferred it to my spare side panel. Masking take applied and spent a good hour or 2 drawing the shape.

Day 2:
Dremel disks arrive and start cutting. 10 mins into the session, I've gone through 3 disks and sheered the screw of the shaft. Decided to get some decent ones from B&Q. Bought 2 disks and ground them down to their central fixture after 12". How infuriating.

Day 3:
Pack of 5 disks purchased and the panel has been cut. Some masking tape residue on the case panel and some ad-hoc scratches, but nothing than cannot be buffed/polished out.

Panel Cut:

Fitted with clips on case to see if it still works as I had to bodge the clamping when using the dremel. Apologies for the quality, my phone isn't great.

Next phase it to file the edges and corners followed by ordering the trim and Plexi. Trim will be 2-3 days, Plexi by the end of the month. I've really enjoyed doing this and can appreciate sense of achievement once completed.

snips86x · 8 Dec 2013 at 13:34

It's been a while and we've made some progression. The side panel is finished although it's not as tidy as I would have like it to be.

Trim is not glued on but pushed and despite multiple attempts to find the best way to fix the plexi to the panel, so far silicon sealer has proven the best option.

I've also had a tidy.
- SSD's moved to the cable management section of the case
- HDD Caddy's removed and placed into storage
- HDD fitted to 5.25" bay using an adapter
- NZXT Hue fitted
- Oh and new PSU, CPU ([email protected]) and AsRock Extreme 7 Gen 3

The PSU shroud is still on my list to do, no ETA