Macroman's PC #2

[Macroman595]

Hello and good day to you all!

I built my first computer around 2012-13 but I was new to the pc building scene and had much help with it.

I decided to build another after various problems with my first and mainly as a solo project using forums and reviews for the parts I was after and decided for myself what I wanted/was looking for.

The following makes up the bulk of this new build:

• Fractal Design Arc Midi R2
• MSI Z87-GD65 gaming
• Intel Core i5 4670k
• Corsair AX860 (Modular)
• Corsair Vengeance LP 8GB

Today I decided to put it all together:


Used the motherboard box and desk as test bench.


Everything was fine, so I added the temporary GPU.


No problems after I ran the rig with the GPU installed. Then installed everything I currently have into the Fractal Case. I added the GPU after.


Further testing resulted in no problems. Connected the big tv and booted the rig into BIOS.


Added a temporary storage device and the GPU. Both will be replaced later on.


The 2 fans are fractal design silent series and came with the case. A third on is behind the front removable filter.


Closed the case up and let it ran some more. Bios was reading CPU temps of ~40c. (Stock Cooler)


I would like to give a big thank you to the OC3D community for your advice and support.

Plans in planning:

• Replace stock cooler with either a better air or liquid cooler.
• Possiblity of overclocking
• Move a Radeon 7870 Tahiti LE from first build to this one.
• Re-use SSD in current build as boot drive.
• Install new OS to SSD
• Mass storage drive will also be transferred over
• Swap the Fractal design fans for Corsair fans from current build

[lAnimal]

Looks good, keep it up

[Macroman595]

For liquid cooling I am looking into getting the corsair H100i. Is there enough space to install it internally with fans mounted in a "Pull" fashion?

[powerfuse0]

Looks good, nice and neat . Not sure about h100i in there, might be a little tight, but i'm not certain.

[Macroman595]

Originally Posted by powerfuse0

Looks good, nice and neat .

Thank You. The case has a number of options for cable management.

[Cru]

Originally Posted by Macroman595

For liquid cooling I am looking into getting the corsair H100i. Is there enough space to install it internally with fans mounted in a "Pull" fashion?

yeah you should have no trouble fitting an h100i in the arc r2

[Macroman595]

Been a while since an update. Have Ordered the TTL bundle from Special Tech. Going with the H100i for water cooling. Bundle also comes with 2 SP120 quiet fans.

I'll post more pictures once I have it and installed.

(Update: 9/5/14 - Cooling system came today. Will install sometime this weekend. Current status of this build is 80 - 90% complete. Storage medium and OS installation left.)


Installed the H100i in to the top of the FD Arc2 midi with the fans between the case and rad. Pics up later.

*11/5/2014* Pictures uploading.

H100i and SP120 fans from Special Tech. (TTL bundle)


Removed stock Intel cooler.


Cleaning the cpu of the thermal material.


Installing the H100i rad into the top of the case. Removed FD 140 case fan.


Positioning the SP120's in a pull through rad, push out top config.


Attached rad.


Fixed the heatsink/pump to CPU


Turned on the system to test. Heard a horrible sound when it first turned on.


Turned of the system then rebooted into BIOS.


CPU and System temps where reading between 27 - 33*C. Nothing strenuous, left it to run idling in BIOS, highest the CPU got was 33*C.

(13/5/14) - I have ran the system twice now 15 - 20 mins idling and on both occasions I heard a noise coming from the cooler, after 5 minutes the noise stops.

Hand up, I immediatly jumped to installed the cooler rather than testing if it worked. It does work, nice and quiet when the noise stops.

Anyone had a similar issue? If it is because of airbubbles in the rad/pump loop what can I do.


*Update - 17/05/2014*
Fitted hardrive and SSD. OS, drivers and mobo software installed.

Booted the system yesterday evening, H100i noise has now stopped. Downloaded Corsair link and updated it's software.

Began stress testing using OCCT in Linpack mode.

Stress Test has been going for over 14 hours and there has not been any errors or problems. Have seen CPU usage drop momentarily then shoot back up. Kept testing overnight and everything is very quiet.



(Only stressed the CPU currently. How can I stress my GPU? This is the 7870 I had in my previous computer and it has stood strong but I want to push it higher than what I have used to date.)