Define R4 rebuild

Hey everyone, welcome to my first build log. I've built a few systems in the past but never really logged my progress.

Basically, my goal is to rebuild my current system into a Define R4 with a minimalist approach so wish me luck!

The first step is to build a server to house my 9 Hard drives and get them in the loft instead of my shiny new case.

I will add pictures as soon as possible but it is basically an Ubuntu OS running on an old Athlon 3000+ 2GB system.
I had some woes to start with but it's all running pretty smooth now

<linux>:noobsign:

With the HDD mess out of the way my next task is to get the following hardware into my new case:

1090t @4.1GHz
Crosshair IV MB
4GB Dominator GT 2000MHz CL7
256GB 830 SSD
Asus 7950 Direct CU TOP
And my full loop (Laing pump, 360 rad, Scythe GTs possibly my 240 rad in the roof depending on temp difference with and without it running slim fans)


I am going for an all black theme as it is my intention to upgrade to an Asus Sabertooth at some point but my budget won't allow it quite yet.

I am also going to use a lot of custom perspex 'fairing' in a 'crystal black' effect, if you can imagine what clear tubing looks like with black coolant, that type of effect where the black is behind the clear surface.

We'll see how it turns out and I look forward to your opinions. Sorry for the lack of pictures, I am at work at the moment so will get some up as soon as I can.

Wish me luck :lol:

So here's the ghetto rig I had to throw together to get things temporarily up and running. A complete mess but I needed to get a working system. Although my server is online it's painfully slow and my girlfriend has exclusive use of my laptop!



You can see my prototype GPU back plate in these pics also.



Trial fitting the 360 rad with rad mounting brackets.







Just a few pictures of my PSU and pump cover, this will also be black and will have a 350mm tube res rising out of it between the graphics card and rad.







And Ivan keeping guard over the quick footed spider.

Ah yeah, and my DIY acrylic bending jig. It's basically a nichrome resistance wire as a heating element and a hinged platform to make all the bends uniformed.



I use an old car battery and jump leads for the power, and it works perfectly without the need for regulation of current.

Check out the self tensioning system for when the wire heats up and expands lol. (basically a heavy weight!)



I just need to order a bunch of parts and can get building it all properly then. The acrylic is going to be time consuming but hopefully worth it if I get it right.

Holy crap that just might be one of the cutest dog pics I've ever seen! :wub:

Also, looking forward to more (both the build and possibly the dog ).

alpenwasser said:

Holy crap that just might be one of the cutest dog pics I've ever seen! :wub:

Also, looking forward to more (both the build and possibly the dog ).

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LOL, just for you then.





















Major thread derailment already on page one :lol:

James111333 said:

Major thread derailment already on page one :lol:

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Well it's your build log so I think you're allowed some leeway...

Also, I need to start taking more pictures of my dog (well, technically he's my dad's
gf's, but I'm taking care of him for the time being, 40 kg of pure adorability :wub: ).

Cute dog...can the build hold up to it?!?

the build has some promise with mods going on! maybe the dog will give u a helping paw!

Always liked collies have one meself yours is such a cute one though especially like the one yellow eye and keep up the good work on the build looking cool

alpenwasser said:

Well it's your build log so I think you're allowed some leeway...

Also, I need to start taking more pictures of my dog (well, technically he's my dad's
gf's, but I'm taking care of him for the time being, 40 kg of pure adorability :wub: ).

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Haha, yeah, I always wanted my own dog, wouldn't wanna be without him now.

Lystfiskern said:

Cute dog...can the build hold up to it?!?

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I'm not sure, probably not :lol:

nikhiljudge said:

the build has some promise with mods going on! maybe the dog will give u a helping paw!

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Haha, i'm renovating the house I live in at the moment and he helps me every day, especially if i' laying floor or skirting, I get a wet nose in my ear at least twice an hour:lol:

Toppy said:

Always liked collies have one meself yours is such a cute one though especially like the one yellow eye and keep up the good work on the build looking cool

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He's a bit of a mini collie really, we rescued him from a dog home in greece, he was found tied to a rock on a beach - in a storm and the waves were hitting him poor lad, some people are evil. Literally.

Yeah, not really sure whats on with the yellow eye, you can't see it at all normally and it only shows when it reflects the camera flash?


Anyway........ back to PC modding for a minute :lol:

I'm still waiting on a delivery for the new build so ere are some pictures of my old build, it didn't look like this in the end though, it was a dust farm to say the least.

The case is a Cooler Master CM690 II Advanced

I had to mod the case a fair bit to get the look I wanted which is as little pipes in view as possible which meant lots of holes and U channel in the top but all out of view. Also the very front pipe that runs of at 90 degrees from the system was just temporary. That hole actually allowed me to put a fillport in the external hard drive caddy on the case. I made it so the caddy was still useable and the port was exposed by sliding back the polished black cover. Cables sleved all the way to the front I/O.



Fillport hidden under this sliding door on the top.



Going for the Red / Black look...
I also made up a PSU cover out of perforated aluminium, this area housed the slack on the cables, DDC pump and a 90mm PWM floor fan.



Lots of sleeved cable and tight fitting cable holes / grommets.



At the time, these two were absolute cutting edge, man I was excited to be building this system, MSI 5870 and corsair Dominator GT 2000MHz CL7.

It puts a lump in my throat when I think about what I paid for the ram, it was the best available at the time and was £200! now you can get 8GB for £30, argh, although these still have super tight timings for 2000MHz and overclock like a beast, it's just a shame they are only 2Gb each.



A very nearly finished build, just a few loose ends to tidy away.



6 pin goodness.



I spent a lot of time on lighting but can't find any good pictures of it, I basically had a load of red and white LEDs in certain areas, I think the best effect was putting them all round the edge of the MB on the underside, about an inch in, this gave the MB this awesome glow round the edges. I'm really gutted that I don't have good pictures to do it justice but here are a few any way.





Far Cry Blood Dragon lighting?
All in bits now and the case houses my new home server.

very nice like the way you used something other than that rubbish carbon wrap to cover the psu

Toppy said:

very nice like the way you used something other than that rubbish carbon wrap to cover the psu

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Thanks, I figured it matched the silver on the rad and all the MB components, I guess really it's a red / black / silver build.