Blue and White Stryker - First ever build

[GadgetGarrett]

Now, this is more than a little nerve-wracking for me as I've seen the standard of the rigs posted here and the standard is high.

Intro
My name's Jay and, amongst other things, I'm a bass player originally from Barnsley, South Yorkshire and currently living in London E17.

I've generally had the cast-offs and hand-me-downs from family and friends that upgrade regularly so it's just been a case of me taking an old bit out and replacing it with a newer bit.

At the start of this year I got an unexpected bonus from my day job and decided that I was going to have a brand new bit of kit instead of buying some more music stuff or spending the money on food and rent and that kind of nonsense.

Anyhoooo... this is my very first build so be gentle.

Spec:

Case: CM Storm Stryker
MoBo: Gigabyte 787-UD3H
CPU: i5 4670 running at 4.2Ghz
Cooler: Corsair H80i
RAM: 16GB Corsair Vengeance
GPU: Zotac GTX780 AMP! Edition 3GB
SSD: Crucial 120GB for OS and main games
HDD: 1TB
Firewire card
NZXT sleeved LEDs

Lights off (apart from the 140 LED fan in the roof)

Through the window

From above

Down the side

Lights on in the engine room

My workstation - also featuring my TC Electronics RH450 bass amp, Philips monitor sat on a TC Electronic Impact Twin audio interface, Blue Aura powered speakers (Bluetooth and NFC), Corsair K60 keyboard and Corsair M65 mouse.

Well, I hope at least some of you dig it.

*EDIT*

With re-routed GPU cables

 

[Excalabur50]

A nice tidy rig very good.

 

[Wraith]

Welcome to the forums fella, very nice job on your rig, kudos on the cable management. But... there will only ever be one true CM Stryker and that's TTLs very own Orca, all others are just imposters. :lol:

 

[barnsley]

Very nice cable job

 

[GadgetGarrett]

Wow!

Thanks people! That's started my day off pretty darned fine

Welcome to the forums fella, very nice job on your rig, kudos on the cable management. But... there will only ever be one true CM Stryker and that's TTLs very own Orca, all others are just imposters. :lol:

It was TTL's reviews of the Trooper and the Stryker that sent me down that route.

I would never attempt to replicate Orca, for many reasons.

-----------

Very nice cable job

Cheers

I know your profile says you're in Cambridge but do you have a connection with Barnsley, S. Yorks?

I lived there before moving to London.

 

[Excalabur50]

Always edit don't double post or the Mods will get upset with you!

 

[ShaunB-91]

I'm digging it.

 

[GadgetGarrett]

Always edit don't double post or the Mods will get upset with you!

Sorry. Did I repeat a post?

*EDIT*
Ah, you mean include all quotes and respond to individual comments in one post... kinda thang?

I'm not that eloquent before my third coffee.

 

[tinytomlogan]

Only thing I would say is put your GPU cables out to the side so you see less of them - other than that kudos for a tidy rig.

Id always prefer a well built rig than something with just an amazing spec list but look crap

 

[Excalabur50]

Sorry. Did I repeat a post?

*EDIT*
Ah, you mean include all quotes and respond to individual comments in one post... kinda thang?

I'm not that eloquent before my third coffee.

Yep! For my im hopeless before my first cup of tea

 

[GadgetGarrett]

Only thing I would say is put your GPU cables out to the side so you see less of them - other than that kudos for a tidy rig.

Id always prefer a well built rig than something with just an amazing spec list but look crap

Thanks Tom!

Did try sending the cables off to the side but couldn't get them to sit nicely. Was going to get some cable combs but weren't sure if these BitFenix Alchemy cables were 3mm or 4mm so had to wait for them to arrive first.

Will put that on my to-do list.

Yep! For my im hopeless before my first cup of tea

Okay dokes - I get ya. Will make sure I do this kinda posting thing in the future

I'm digging it.

Cheers dude!

 

[GadgetGarrett]

The Guvnor says re-route your cables, you go and re-route your cables

GPU cables re-routed. SAH!

 

[luongo27]

Looks pretty good to me.

 

[Wraith]

The Guvnor says re-route your cables, you go and re-route your cables

Arrrh well done grasshopper! :lol:

It's not just for Aesthetics, proper cable routing vastly improves your case air flow.. but yes it does make it look sexy as hell!

I learned my lesson real quick on this forum, we hate cables, we disapprove of OCZ.. and last but not least all Thermaltake cases must be destroyed with fire.

 

[GadgetGarrett]

Looks pretty good to me.

Thanks buddy :cool5:

Arrrh well done grasshopper! :lol:

It's not just for Aesthetics, proper cable routing vastly improves your case air flow.. but yes it does make it look sexy as hell!

I learned my lesson real quick on this forum, we hate cables, we disapprove of OCZ.. and last but not least all Thermaltake cases must be destroyed with fire.

Yup - I hope I prove to be a fast learner too.

Well, that was a bullet dodged as, at one point, I briefly flirted with the idea of Theramtake's Level 10 GT :ashamed1: ... then I realised it was a nonsense and saw the light. :happy2:

 

[littlejamo]

Very nice but the CM Storm Stryker to see on this forum is TTL Orca

 

[GadgetGarrett]

Very nice but the CM Storm Stryker to see on this forum is TTL Orca

Orca is awesome (and TTL is a bit handy too) and I know I'm waaaaay off that rig's look and spec not to mention the Guvnor's skills.

But, as my first build, I'm pretty chuffed with how it's turned out and amazed/thankful that it all works as it should :nerd1:

I'm even contemplating doing a mini-one next once my finances recover... who knows... I might even attempt some of that fancy liquid cooling rather than buying ready made kit.

One step at a time though huh?

 

[FourLions]

ye sure looks great lots of light

 

[GadgetGarrett]

ye sure looks great lots of light

Cheers!

Kinda glad the NZXT LED kit comes with a 3-way selector so I can turn the lights up or down depending on the vibe I want

 

[GadgetGarrett]

Trying to weigh up what to get next. I fancy the Superflower Leadex Platinum white psu. Can only find the 1000 and 1200 (both are overkill, I know) for sale in the UK but they'd no doubt look great in my rig.

I'm also now eying up the 256GB Corsair Force LX ssd for my games instead of blowing the cash on the Jackson Ridge Intel 730K just coz it's purty. I've kinda decided that I might just hide the ssds away and remove the cage in the bottom of the case. Could always mount a fan there instead or just leave it spacious.

Thinking it might come down to a coin toss... unless I see something else...

Pay day today!