Assassin

MrKambo

New member
Ladies and Gentlemen,

I present to you 'Assassin'

This is a build log of what i consider to be primarily my gaming rig, i have a PS3 & Xbox360, but smashing a keyboard feels so much more natural!

What ive specc'd out so far:

  • Case: Bitfenix Shinobi XL Black
  • PSU: Seasonic X-Series 650w PSU
  • GFX: MSI 7970 OC
  • SSD: Corsair Force GT 120GB
  • Moniter: Asus MX239

Haven't decided whether i want to go x79 or z77 so haven't ordered anything on that front, i know a x79 for a gaming rig is a complete waste, but i reckon in the long run i wont have to replace it say next year or what ever.

Still waiting for the case to arrive, wasn't in stock as of last night and wont be till next week...

Some Pics:



Photo08-01-2013111307AM_zpscee674ff.jpg


Photo08-01-2013111530AM_zps1e07a106.jpg

 
Last edited:
Just go with Z77/3570K if you intend to use it primarily for gaming. 3770K if you do any compute-intensive work. You're missing a hard drive; try to go with at least 1TB at a minimum. Good build so far!
 
Just go with Z77/3570K if you intend to use it primarily for gaming. 3770K if you do any compute-intensive work. You're missing a hard drive; try to go with at least 1TB at a minimum. Good build so far!

i was leaning towards the 3770k, i do use handbrake time to time to re-encode stuff for my apple tv

ive already got a couple of 1TB drives i use in external enclosures, they'll be going straight in the build
 
ok guy, here's a quick update :D :D :D :D :D

Photo29-01-2013102513AM_zpse0c0bf52.jpg

Final Spec's


  • Shinobi XL (Black, With Window)
  • Asus Maximus V Formula
  • i7-3770K
  • Corsair Dominator Platinum 8GB (2133mhz)
  • MSI 7970 in Xfire :p
  • Seasonic X-Series 850w Fully Modular PSU
  • Corsair Force GT 120SSD (OS)
  • Asus MX239 IPS Monitor

I sent the 650w psu back and got the 850w as i randomly woke up and decided i wanted to xfire the 7970, you know at least make sure it would last me till the end of the year before needing to upgrade!

i was um'ing and ah'ing about going X79, and decided it would technically be a waste purely because my cpu intensive work isnt the priority, and im pretty sure the 3770k for gaming is a overkill!

now you're probably looking at the photo and thinking erm...wheres the cpu cooler, now i didn't order one.....watercooling :d i will be watercooling this setup, but for now i wanna build it and run it make sure there are no issues with the parts then watercool it.

erm i think that's it for now, ill try and build it up this weekend, if not ive got a week off work next week ;)

Edit: Still waiting for my Roccat Keyboard!! *%&$%&£ Amazon :mad:
 
Last edited:
yea when i read shinobi XL there was no doubt on my mind that you were planning to watercool that system. keep the build log updated! i want to see pics of the progress ;)
 
Always good to run AMD cards for a few weeks before voiding their warranty with a waterblock.
I used to own one of the reference 7950s myself - and with a cooler as loud as they are, you may be wanting to watercooling ASAP - even more so with two of them!

Anyway, looks interesting! :)
 
yea when i read shinobi XL there was no doubt on my mind that you were planning to watercool that system. keep the build log updated! i want to see pics of the progress ;)

Yeah the Shinobi is kinda of the case to use for beginners watercooling, im hardly handy with a dremal to cut stuff up lol!

Always good to run AMD cards for a few weeks before voiding their warranty with a waterblock.
I used to own one of the reference 7950s myself - and with a cooler as loud as they are, you may be wanting to watercooling ASAP - even more so with two of them!

Anyway, looks interesting! :)

i was under the impression the amd cards arent too loud on load :confused:
 
Yeah the Shinobi is kinda of the case to use for beginners watercooling, im hardly handy with a dremal to cut stuff up lol!



i was under the impression the amd cards arent too loud on load :confused:

Coolers on air are always loud if you push the fans.....

Loud could also be annoying, high pitched noises etc.
 
Coolers on air are always loud if you push the fans.....

Loud could also be annoying, high pitched noises etc.

i know what you mean, i used to own a Sapphire 5870, the coil whine on that card was annoying enough to make you stop using the rig
 
i know what you mean, i used to own a Sapphire 5870, the coil whine on that card was annoying enough to make you stop using the rig

May have chosen the wrong cards then...
Mine used to coil whine even loading webpages on chrome - even more so when scrolling down. So much so I even felt it necessary to try for an RMA.

The fans aren't quiet. The reference AMD cards have always been louder compared to Nvidia reference.

I ended up selling mine and getting a 670 instead, but if you're watercooling (as I was intending to at the time) it shouldn't be such an issue.

Also, I'm probably stricter when it comes to noise levels than most people. I run all of my fans at 5v. Even the Noctua D14 for me was too loud at 7v, so I had to step that down further.

Hopefully you'll be able to put up with it though! :)
 
Right, i been very sick for the last 36 hours or so, you know manflu :(

woke up this morning feeling a little better thought id get started on the rig

Firstly a quick PSU unboxing

Photo30-01-2013110632AM_zps4d65ae5b.jpg


Photo30-01-2013110653AM_zps0fddf56d.jpg


Photo30-01-2013110739AM_zps062e6c57.jpg


Photo30-01-2013110817AM_zps35758f3d.jpg


Photo30-01-2013111156AM_zps4f8f01ca.jpg


Photo30-01-2013111358AM_zps015bc354.jpg

Love that design of the PCI-E connectors

Photo30-01-2013111545AM_zpsafbcf6b3.jpg

Oh which one is the PSU :p

Photo30-01-2013111704AM_zps2e6503db.jpg


Photo30-01-2013111744AM_zps3826f0d0.jpg


Photo30-01-2013111756AM_zpsaecabf3c.jpg

ahh, the label will be upside down in the case, im gonna email Seasonic, see if they would be so nice to send me another label so its the right way up in the case

Photo30-01-2013111951AM_zpsfa461978.jpg

not bad isit?


Right, so i pulled the Shinobi out the box, this thing is &^%$^ massive :cool:

Photo30-01-2013094934AM_zps27eb3c4f.jpg


Photo30-01-2013095028AM_zps18f43d42.jpg


Photo30-01-2013095149AM_zpsc2f645b5.jpg


Photo30-01-2013095500AM_zps7dcd9410.jpg

i must have got the case they made on the Saturday morning after the Xmas party on the Night before....pretty sure a screw doesn't go there! Also, maybe anyone else with this case can comfirm, the case came with like a little dust all over it, slightly white, seems like some kind of cleaning/polishing compound!

Photo30-01-2013095610AM_zps56393c59.jpg

the included goodies

Photo30-01-2013102039AM_zps4f773fb4.jpg

Case gutted for some measuring and stuff :p

Photo30-01-2013104736AM_zps879f0419.jpg

Just a little messy!

Thats it for now, just waiting on a couple of things to arrive and i can crack on
 
This is going to look amazing cant wait to see the result

Hopefully if all my bits show up when they're supposed to, should be done by the end of next week, minus the watercooling, ill give that a couple of weeks yet, just in case i need to RMA anything
 
i felt a little rough, so decided to stay home today (i work nights, in case anyone was wondering)

did a little more on the rig between naps

Photo30-01-2013040452PM_zps87be6ae3.jpg


Photo30-01-2013040606PM_zpsb3ac934c.jpg

im hoping shes a good clocker, would love to have a nice 4.2Ghz 24/7 clock, and maybe a 4.7/4.8Ghz benching madness clock!

Photo30-01-2013040151PM_zps9488199f.jpg


Photo30-01-2013040325PM_zps0d9e18ae.jpg


Photo30-01-2013040331PM_zps3ab9fd37.jpg

amazing looking ram, it has a decent weight to it! erm, what the connector on the side of these for? i forgot to take a photo

Photo30-01-2013040645PM_zpsf51f91e4.jpg


Photo30-01-2013040736PM_zpsc1c0b934.jpg


Photo30-01-2013040945PM_zps2c9144df.jpg

This motherboard is a piece of art, most beautiful looking thing ive seen! Photos do it no justice whats so ever.

Photo30-01-2013041234PM_zps225e61c4.jpg


Photo30-01-2013041242PM_zpse005ed31.jpg


Photo30-01-2013041306PM_zps09431fd8.jpg


Photo30-01-2013041427PM_zpsb8d865b1.jpg


Photo30-01-2013041637PM_zpsded20275.jpg


Photo30-01-2013041712PM_zpsa6377263.jpg

too much or too little? :confused:

Photo30-01-2013042022PM_zps4c201fe7.jpg


Photo30-01-2013044338PM_zpsd86a3020.jpg

How the Assassin currently sits!

Photo30-01-2013061234PM_zps8d3d47bb.jpg


Photo30-01-2013061321PM_zps555f44cf.jpg


Photo30-01-2013061458PM_zps301bf59c.jpg


Photo30-01-2013061754PM_zpse5164864.jpg


Photo30-01-2013053624PM_zps8896c664.jpg

Bitfenix Red Braided Cables, im really annoyed with the 24pin cable, the PSU end doesn't connect to the extension! but the cable will connect on its self! so i cant use it!

also the Seasonic, i cant use the single 4 pin cpu connector because using 2 GFX cards means it renders the 4 pin useless, im assuming i only need it for extreme overclocking?

Photo30-01-2013053624PM_zps8896c664.jpg


Photo30-01-2013063735PM_zps513b6816.jpg

With the cards in, looks nice, pictures dont really make it look that good! Need to invest in more braided cables...
 
Last edited:
Keyboard arrived :D Roccat Arvo if anyone is wondering

Photo31-01-2013114738AM_zps3673f9f7.jpg

the box is embosed :p

Photo31-01-2013114857AM_zps1aa1b94a.jpg


Photo31-01-2013115036AM_zps35109198.jpg


Photo31-01-2013115044AM_zpsac8b7810.jpg

Also, id like to share with you guys the first official bootup of Assassin (click on the image it will open a video in new tab)


my apologies for it looking like shit, im still working on it as we speak

Posted this from Assassin, thing is a beast!!!!!!! :o:p
 
Last edited:
Right....after a broken windows install and pissing around with drivers and crossfire not working properly etc etc etc

here are some scores, all settings are stock haven't touched a thing!.......yet
Using 13.2 Beta 4 drivers

ASSSSD_zpsfd31efeb.jpg

Im not sure whether the SSD is performing right, i mean it seems stupidly fast but yeah, can someone confirm these are the numbers i should be expecting

heaven_zps5260da3f.jpg


3dmarkvantage_zpsc3c02ba2.jpg


3dmark11_zpsa6f481b5.jpg


AllBenchmark_zps8a6e469a.jpg

Allbenchmark isnt using crossfire i dont think, the second card doesn't get warm or fan speeds up

let me know what you guys think.
 
looking good i think i read that you need to set legacy pci in bios for it to work in crossfire/sli dont quote me on that, but i know others were having issues because with it off its using Lucid when idle i.e on chip graphics...

ill do some digging on the asus rog website...
 
looking good i think i read that you need to set legacy pci in bios for it to work in crossfire/sli dont quote me on that, but i know others were having issues because with it off its using Lucid when idle i.e on chip graphics...

ill do some digging on the asus rog website...

Lucid is switched off in the BIOS, im just wondering if the AMD power saving thingy is stopping the second card from kicking in
 
right, just a small update, been really busy with work and stuff lately havent had much time to do stuff

SystemPhoto_zps23e7a2e9.jpg

this is currently how it sits :D im happy with how everything works, the wireless card died after a couple of weeks shitty broadcom crap, i replaced it with a Intel Centrino Advanced N 6200, works a treat

so next up watercooling, ill be ordering everything over the coming week, so expect big update soon


Here are somemore benchies for those of you interested.

7970-3DmarkVantage_zpsb228f902.jpg


7970-3Dmark11_zpsb0b6e363.jpg


7970-HeavenXtreme_zps2ca9793a.jpg


7970Xfire-3DmarkVantage_zps3ade78c7.jpg


7970Xfire-3Dmark11_zps55a20248.jpg


7970Xfire-Heaven_zps76fc8e46.jpg

I also switched my SSD over to the Intel Controller

ASSSD-SwitchedtoIntelController_zps92409a61.jpg
 
Back
Top