Project: Arrival
Why Arrival?
I’ve been building computers for a long time. As a kid and young adult, it was more about stuffing silicon in an metal box until it worked to allow me to play games. I would go to big LANs, see the fancy builds and stare in awe, but put them out of reach in my head. “Surely these computers are more than you can spend on them, and requires deep intimate knowledge of circuits, electrical engineering, and circuity”, I would say. “Having water cool your parts seems way too complex, no way you could learn to do that.”
Over the last few years, I have taken more steps to become a hobbyist. Starting with simple things like high end air coolers and matching the colors of my parts, to doing small itx builds on funky cases, and eventually getting a watercooling kit to try my hand at it.
This progression probably sounds familiar to a lot of you, it’s a very natural path to the insanity and marvel that is custom building. Along the way I’ve acquired the tools and knowledge to finally build that rig I’ve always pictured in my head. I truly feel like this build marks my Arrival as a computer hobbyist.
Thanks go out to the countless modders putting precious time into build logs, to people like Martin for his exhaustive testing, people like TTL for making it all approachable, and to the wealth of information that is created by awesome communities. We take it for granted, but It’s seriously amazing how a group of people so diverse can come together and share knowledge of this pursuit of aesthetics and power in the digital age.
Parts List
CPU - Intel 3820
As this computer is focused primarily on gaming, something like the 3930K is just not really necessary. With the overclocking potential of the 3820, it’s an easy pick especially when it means getting the X79 platform along with it.
Memory - Corsair Vengeance Low Profile DDR3 1600
It’s white. The low voltage is a neat bonus, plus its Corsair memory. Can’t get much more reliable.
Motherboard - Gigabyte G1.Assassin 2 X79
This motherboard is a fantastic piece of kit. As again, this PC is focused on gaming, Gigabyte took the X79 platform and added great features that are appreciated by someone focused on games rather than benching or multimedia. Onboard Killer NIC, Creative XF-I sound, and a healthy OC’ing ability gives me all sorts of goodies without having to add additional devices. I could yammer on all day about it, but really it was Sin's review that made me finally pick it.
Oh yeah, and it looks fantastic.
Video Card - EVGA GTX 690
Two 680s on a single PCB? Yes please.
SSD - 2xCrucial M4 128GB
Fast, realiable, and they don’t break the bank. Crucial has really hit their stride with SSD’s, it’s an amazing piece of hardware.
PSU - Corsair AX850
Seasonic quality, Corsair customer support, and single braided cables. This is a no brainer to me.
Case - BitFenix Shinobi XL White
Though some look at the Shinobi XL and think “plain”, it strikes me as elegant. It’s has that certain something that Lian Li has often been able to capture. Though I’m not generally a fan of cases with plastic exteriors, the BitFenix SofTouch finish gives it a feel and look that oozes quality, and adds durability. You usually don’t get those together. The ability to house tons of watercooling gear out of the box certainly adds huge points in its favor.
You get all of that for ~$150. Is such a thing even possible? BiFenix is clearly run by Aliens.
Fans - Bitfenix Spectre Pro 120mm
Near silent fans with tons of static pressure, and they look fantastic. Again, no brainer.
Radiator - Alphacool ST30 360mm and Monsta 240mm
Alphacool has some seriously powerful products with their copper series of radiators. The 30mm radiator outperforms thicker radiators like the RX series at low RPMs, which totally throws out the accepted norm of how radiators work. One used to have to make the choice between thin radiators with high FPI (needing higher RPM fans) or thick radiators with low FPI. This is the best of both worlds.
The Monsta essentially performs a size up in terms of cooling capacity. Though overly silly naming conventions for computer parts generally comes off as silly, this thing truly is a Monsta.
CPU Block - XSPC Raystorm
Simply gorgeous with the performance to match.
VGA Block - XSPC Razor 690
This is a bit of an unknown element in my build. I haven’t yet read a single review of one and decided to take a gamble. But just look at it.
Reservoir - XSPC Black Nylon Dual Bay
No acrylic threads for me after a couple of recent headaches. Wonderfully compact with a great pump mount that keeps vibrations down. The build quality on this is quite impressive. XSPC has a winner with this one.
Pump - Alphacool VPP655
Lots of power to keep my fluid running, and it’s variable. I can barely hear it at full speed even.
Tubing - Primochill Clear 7/16”ID x 5/8”OD
It’s what I started my first loop with, and it’s never disappointed. Can’t go wrong here. I've heard of some clouding issues, but it's not something I've personally experienced.
Fittings - Bitspower 1/2” Barbs and various rotary adapters
The Gold Standard of fittings.
Coolant - Distilled water w/ Mayhem’s Pastel Green Concentrate and UV Yellow Dye
So pretty, so very pretty. This is the icing on my cake and what really brings the whole thing together.
TIM - Phobya HeGrease
Skinnee’s TIM roundup moved me to start using this. The fact that I can get stellar performance with a less-than-perfect mount is what won me over.
Concept
White, green, quiet, and clean.
White and green has been a favorite color combination of mine for as long as I can remember, and the bits and pieces have finally come together that allows me to carry the theme through the whole build.
I’ve chosen the 690 over SLI 680s as they allow more of the motherboard to come through, reduce clutter by needing fewer cables, and looks slick. Plus, it’s a freaking 690. This kind of ethic is what has carried most of my part decisions. By limiting the color palette to shades and a striking green, it’ll make the green pop even more while retaining a sleek look.
A taste of things to come:

Why Arrival?
I’ve been building computers for a long time. As a kid and young adult, it was more about stuffing silicon in an metal box until it worked to allow me to play games. I would go to big LANs, see the fancy builds and stare in awe, but put them out of reach in my head. “Surely these computers are more than you can spend on them, and requires deep intimate knowledge of circuits, electrical engineering, and circuity”, I would say. “Having water cool your parts seems way too complex, no way you could learn to do that.”
Over the last few years, I have taken more steps to become a hobbyist. Starting with simple things like high end air coolers and matching the colors of my parts, to doing small itx builds on funky cases, and eventually getting a watercooling kit to try my hand at it.
This progression probably sounds familiar to a lot of you, it’s a very natural path to the insanity and marvel that is custom building. Along the way I’ve acquired the tools and knowledge to finally build that rig I’ve always pictured in my head. I truly feel like this build marks my Arrival as a computer hobbyist.
Thanks go out to the countless modders putting precious time into build logs, to people like Martin for his exhaustive testing, people like TTL for making it all approachable, and to the wealth of information that is created by awesome communities. We take it for granted, but It’s seriously amazing how a group of people so diverse can come together and share knowledge of this pursuit of aesthetics and power in the digital age.
Parts List
CPU - Intel 3820

As this computer is focused primarily on gaming, something like the 3930K is just not really necessary. With the overclocking potential of the 3820, it’s an easy pick especially when it means getting the X79 platform along with it.
Memory - Corsair Vengeance Low Profile DDR3 1600

It’s white. The low voltage is a neat bonus, plus its Corsair memory. Can’t get much more reliable.
Motherboard - Gigabyte G1.Assassin 2 X79

This motherboard is a fantastic piece of kit. As again, this PC is focused on gaming, Gigabyte took the X79 platform and added great features that are appreciated by someone focused on games rather than benching or multimedia. Onboard Killer NIC, Creative XF-I sound, and a healthy OC’ing ability gives me all sorts of goodies without having to add additional devices. I could yammer on all day about it, but really it was Sin's review that made me finally pick it.
Oh yeah, and it looks fantastic.
Video Card - EVGA GTX 690

Two 680s on a single PCB? Yes please.
SSD - 2xCrucial M4 128GB

Fast, realiable, and they don’t break the bank. Crucial has really hit their stride with SSD’s, it’s an amazing piece of hardware.
PSU - Corsair AX850

Seasonic quality, Corsair customer support, and single braided cables. This is a no brainer to me.
Case - BitFenix Shinobi XL White

Though some look at the Shinobi XL and think “plain”, it strikes me as elegant. It’s has that certain something that Lian Li has often been able to capture. Though I’m not generally a fan of cases with plastic exteriors, the BitFenix SofTouch finish gives it a feel and look that oozes quality, and adds durability. You usually don’t get those together. The ability to house tons of watercooling gear out of the box certainly adds huge points in its favor.
You get all of that for ~$150. Is such a thing even possible? BiFenix is clearly run by Aliens.
Fans - Bitfenix Spectre Pro 120mm

Near silent fans with tons of static pressure, and they look fantastic. Again, no brainer.
Radiator - Alphacool ST30 360mm and Monsta 240mm


Alphacool has some seriously powerful products with their copper series of radiators. The 30mm radiator outperforms thicker radiators like the RX series at low RPMs, which totally throws out the accepted norm of how radiators work. One used to have to make the choice between thin radiators with high FPI (needing higher RPM fans) or thick radiators with low FPI. This is the best of both worlds.
The Monsta essentially performs a size up in terms of cooling capacity. Though overly silly naming conventions for computer parts generally comes off as silly, this thing truly is a Monsta.
CPU Block - XSPC Raystorm

Simply gorgeous with the performance to match.
VGA Block - XSPC Razor 690

This is a bit of an unknown element in my build. I haven’t yet read a single review of one and decided to take a gamble. But just look at it.
Reservoir - XSPC Black Nylon Dual Bay

No acrylic threads for me after a couple of recent headaches. Wonderfully compact with a great pump mount that keeps vibrations down. The build quality on this is quite impressive. XSPC has a winner with this one.
Pump - Alphacool VPP655

Lots of power to keep my fluid running, and it’s variable. I can barely hear it at full speed even.
Tubing - Primochill Clear 7/16”ID x 5/8”OD

It’s what I started my first loop with, and it’s never disappointed. Can’t go wrong here. I've heard of some clouding issues, but it's not something I've personally experienced.
Fittings - Bitspower 1/2” Barbs and various rotary adapters

The Gold Standard of fittings.
Coolant - Distilled water w/ Mayhem’s Pastel Green Concentrate and UV Yellow Dye

So pretty, so very pretty. This is the icing on my cake and what really brings the whole thing together.
TIM - Phobya HeGrease

Skinnee’s TIM roundup moved me to start using this. The fact that I can get stellar performance with a less-than-perfect mount is what won me over.
Concept
White, green, quiet, and clean.
White and green has been a favorite color combination of mine for as long as I can remember, and the bits and pieces have finally come together that allows me to carry the theme through the whole build.
I’ve chosen the 690 over SLI 680s as they allow more of the motherboard to come through, reduce clutter by needing fewer cables, and looks slick. Plus, it’s a freaking 690. This kind of ethic is what has carried most of my part decisions. By limiting the color palette to shades and a striking green, it’ll make the green pop even more while retaining a sleek look.
A taste of things to come:
