My modest FD Arc Mini....work in progress

Hi guys!
I just managed to snap some photos of my "build" so far, I know that it is not some high end machine, like most of the Rigs here, but I really enjoyed building it,. So far I've always had, some already assembled PCs, with dubious hardware inside , . I'd appreciate it, if you give me some advices and pointers, on what should I change, what other hardware to put inside etc. , don't mind the cable bundle, next to the PSU, onse I get graphics card I'll hide the rest of the cables. My plan is to keep it mostly black and white. So here it is:




Specs:
CPU: Intel Core i3-3220/ Box cooler
MOBO: AsRock B75 Pro3-M
Ram: 2x2GB Kingston Value
PSU: Corsair CX500 80+ Bronze
Case: FD Arc Mini
GPU: Sapphire HD5570
HDD: WD Chaviar Green 1TB + some 250GB Seagate
also couple of NZXT SATA Data white extensions

I plan to start, with the cheapest mods first, because the winter bills are much higher , also here in Bulgaria the choices for hardware are very poor, brand-wise, and the shipping prices from decent European and American stores are very high
Sleeving the 24pin, the 8pin and 1 or both 6pin PCI-E cables (single sleeved), I'll do that first, because it is cheap mod to improve the looks, and no I dont have enough money for modular PSU. Next is the ram I think Corsair Vengeance LP White 2x4GB 1600 (the only White ram I found), then SSD, I accept suggestions on good value for money 60/120GB SSD, and last video card, in 2-3 months I'll be able to get 7850, or something in that price range, hopefully some new gen card :lol:

you could also benefit by moving either the roof or rear exhaust (peferrable) fan
to the second position in the front panel. this will allow the HDD and more case
air for more better cooling. this will also allow the case to exhaust a lil naturally.

looks nice. i like the green color of the CX on the power supply

Upgrade:

Sapphire Radeon HD7850 1GB (curently running 1000 Mhz GPU, 1300 Mhz memory)
SanDisk 64 Gb SSD

I found 'em both on sale, the GPU was priced a bit lower than GTX650(none Ti) and the SSD was around $55(US)



My original plan was, to start with the cheapest mods, but as you can see, I bought the most expensive parts first LOL. Also there is a CM Seidon 120M on sale, should I buy it? I know that it will be overkill, for my i3. I followed "airdeano" advice and moved the rear 120 fan in the front, so now I have, 2x 120 intakes, and 1x 140 exhaust.

IliaLo said:

Upgrade:


SanDick 64 Gb SSD

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I see what you did there ;D

SavageCupcake said:

I see what you did there ;D

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LOL. Thanks for pointing that out. Fixed.

IliaLo said:

I just managed to snap some photos of my "build" so far, I know that it is not some high end machine, like most of the Rigs here, but I really enjoyed building it,.

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I think most of the rigs out there are probably not high-end machines. I'd say
yours is quite possibly already above average. Maybe not on this forum, but
even about that I'm not really sure. There are plenty of people around here
rocking some not-the-fastest-on-the-planet hardware, and there's nothing
wrong with that imho.

And what matters about building PCs (not quotes needed imho, yours is a build,
I would say) is not how expensive the components were but actually bloody
building it and how much attention and care to detail is put into it, and that
doesn't depend on money, after all.

I guess what I'm trying to say is: Don't sell yourself short

IliaLo said:

Also there is a CM Seidon 120M on sale, should I buy it? I know that it will be overkill, for my i3.

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If you are satisfied with your temps and noise levels it's not really needed
per se. But this is for you to know I would say.

SavageCupcake said:

I see what you did there ;D

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Haha, gotta admit: I actually lol'ed a bit :lol:


I think sleeving the wires is a great mod. It's really time consuming but if done
properly the end result can be absolutely stunning.
Some people would suggest rotating the PSU 180 degrees so that the fan is on
top, but that would make the bottom of the case a lot messier, so I think it's
ok the way it is now. Other than that I think this is a pretty sweet setup, the
Arc Mini is an awesome case.

Sand dick. Sounds painful :lol:

AlienALX said:

Sand dick. Sounds painful :lol:

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No that's "Sanded Dick".

Sand dick is the one which disintegrates upon getting wet (not very useful I
suppose) :lol:

Added second screen, which I mainly use, to watch TV, while I'm on my PC. I tryed Eyefinity, but I think it sucks on only 2 displays.

update/
I just ordered CM Seidon 120m, and I have a question. Where should I put the RAD? At the back, or at the top? And if I put it at the back, should I flip the 140mm top fan, as an intake?

Always have the top as an exhaust and always have more intake than exhaust. This means that if you have 2 front/bottom intake you can use the rear and top as an exhaust. If you have less intake than that; use the rear fan as intake and top as exhaust. If you do that, make sure you get a dust filter for your rear fan.

You can then chose whether you want your rad in the rear or top, it won't matter much performance wise but imo it looks better in the rear.

Just ruined my side panel I know that is borderline ugly, but I like it, because I did it myself, suprisingly the window is exactly where I wanted it. Just need some finishing touches and some lighting.

IliaLo said:

Just ruined my side panel I know that is borderline ugly, but I like it, because I did it myself, suprisingly the window is exactly where I wanted it. Just need some finishing touches and some lighting.

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It's not the best job in the world (obviously) but I think with some u-channel you could clean the look up quite nicely and it would probably look like quite a decent window

One way, or another, I'll clean it up, this was just a test fit, to if I cut it correctly. But I think that it will look much better, if I straighen up the lines and paint the whole panel, or maybe just sand and paint the scratches arount the hole.

With enough filing and sanding, you'll be able to get it near perfect in a couple of hours, just be patient and mark out till where you need to file down without the use of u-channel.

Just added some BitFenix Alchemy cables and NZXT sleeved LEDs, still need to work on the side panel tho.

Put the 140 in the front in the top slot along with a 120 in the lower slot. Put the AIO CM cooler in the rear with a fan on either side and the extra 120 fan in the top. This will allow for the positive pressure so less dust gets build up. And yes even just slightly more air in than out can make a huge difference.

NeverBackDown said:

Put the 140 in the front in the top slot along with a 120 in the lower slot. Put the AIO CM cooler in the rear with a fan on either side and the extra 120 fan in the top. This will allow for the positive pressure so less dust gets build up. And yes even just slightly more air in than out can make a huge difference.

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140 mm can not be fitted in the front, it is MINI not MIDI

Nice clean little build man! Looks sharp.

Thanks everyone, I never expected to get so much positive feedback, about my build. Also thanks to everyone, that gave me advice, on what to change and what not to

I just installed the Seidon 120M, and I ran into a weird problem, 1st I conected the pump to the CPU Fan header on my MB, went into the UEFI, set it to 100% and and it didn't start at all, I connected fan on this header, it worked perfectly fine, then connected the pump on every header on the board, still nothing :|, finaly I connected it directly to 4-pin molex, and BAM, pump runs, temps get from 60+ idle, to 23-24 idle, 43-45 full load (and before you say anything, yes I know my i3 does not produce much heat, even with the stock cooler 59-60 full load). Any ideas? Also I'll post some good quality pics, onse I get myself a decent camera.

Heres a photo with the Seidon up and running, don't mind the dust, it will be all gone this weekend, also the side pannel went for powdercode, because I've tryed to paint it myself and failed. About the MESS behind the rig, its temporary



Latest and the last addition to my rig, . I wanted blue Vengence Pros, but the Predators were half the price for 2x 4GB 1866 Mhz kit.




I'm open to sugestions on, what to use to put the 2 HDDs in the 5.25" bays, so I can remove the HDD cage and glue on the SSD somewhere Keep in mind, that this is budget build and I don't want to buy some parts, that cost as much, as my GPU (the most expensive part here).