CM Storm Stryker Intel i7 Sandy Bridge HD7970

[Xander]

TOPNOTE: I HAVE CHANGED SOME OF THE PARTS SO THE TITLE MAY BE MISLEADING!



Hello there fellow computer enthusiasts!

Yes! You may have noticed some of the same components going into TinyTom's build as well. I'm a copycat, I loved Tom's Orca build so much I've decided to copy it to a degree.

I'll be adding pictures throughout this build whenever I buy a component or change something up.

As I am a student I have not got the greatest income of money to fund my build but I will do my best to get parts and keep you updated. Feel free to comment your build log on this thread I will add it to the bottom.

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So far I have bought (They will be highlighted green):

1. Cooler Master Storm Stryker (Case).

2. ASRock Etreme 4 Z77 LGA 1155 (MOBO).

3. EVGA GeForce GTX 670 FTW (Graphics Card).

4. Corsair Vengeance 2x4GB DDR3-1833 (RAM).

5. Corsair AX 750W (PSU).

6. Intel Core i5 3570k Ivy Bridge 3.40Ghz (CPU).

7. Western Digital 1TB Black Caviar (HDD).

8. Cooler Master Hyper 21v1 EVO (CPU Cooling).



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LOG:

7/10/2012

Unfortunately I had done some work on the fan connectors and the hard drive bays before I decided to make this thread so I will add some more photos of what I did in the morning.

In detail of what I did to the hard drive bays:

I swapped them round so that rather than the fans only blowing across the hard drives they blow straight through the front of the case and out the end. The first time I looked at the bays I couldn't figure out how to switch them round but it turned out I had to remove a little steel bar separating the two compartments.

In detail of what I did to the fan connectors:

I braided the two sockets together (not sure what they are called) and then bound them with some plastic ties. Then I tidied them up by running them through the tabs on the side of the hard drive bays.

Ill provide a picture later of this as it will be easier to see.

(Picture here)

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UPDATE: 29/10/12

Hi guys. Nothing has been bought so far, but I am close!

I have changed a couple of things so far. I changed the Motherboard to a Asus P8Z77-V LK and I changed the graphics card to a GTX 670 2GB for reason I won't list because I have study to do and I'm lazy but one of the reasons was nVidia PhysX.

That's all for now. Hope somebody reads it!

UPDATE: 31/10/12

Hey there.

Still nothing happening just thought I'd upload a pic of what it looks like at the minute. (It's in the corner of course).



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UPDATE: 1/11/12


The motherboard has been changed to an ASRock Fatal1ty Z77.


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UPDATE 17/12/12:

Hi guys. I haven't been on the forums for a bit as I have had exams, but I am on holiday now. Which means (drumroll please)..... BUILD LOGS! Yes! I am travelling to Los Angeles quite frequently in the next 8 weeks, so I have decided to change the build up abit, since there is a wider range of parts and it's a hell (excuse my language) of a lot cheaper, like, thousands of dollars cheaper.

Anyway, i've changed the components in the main build overview. So check it out if you want.

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UPDATE 12/3/2013

The build is finally complete I ordered all the parts and built it last Thursday. Pics will follow. Not the original parts stated so check the updated list.



Interesting builds:

http://forum.overclock3d.net/showthread.php?t=38824

Props to this build. It has really in-depth analysis of why and what is going into the case and it also has HD pictures!

 

[Josh Weston]

It would seem as though you're a wizard. Tell me, how does time travel work?!
Looks like a good setup, although there are some things I'd want to change.

For one, the SSD. I'm not entirely sure as to the reliability of the new drives with their in-house controllers, but I still don't trust OCZ when it comes to quality products. So, with that in mind, might I steer you towards either a Crucial M4 drive or a Samsung 830 - top in the class when it comes to reliability as well as in-OS performance.
Secondly, why that motherboard? Are you getting the Gene due to price? Everything will still work just fine, but I always find it strange looking at mATX boards in a full tower, or even mid tower, case.
Thirdly, the buying of the products. If it were me, anything that I didn't have to work on, i.e. mod, i'd buy at the same time. This makes it easier to order, you don't have to worry about having different warranty periods for different products (i.e. month wise or w/e) and you're more likely to find that prices drop as time goes on - good, as you'll need to save up to buy everything in bulk.

Lastly, what is this computer going to be used for? If it's just going to be gaming, go for the 3570K (make sure it's the K varient - I noticed you've omitted this from your writing). If you're going to be doing some frequent video/complex photo editing, go for the i7, although i'd still try and go for Ivy if you can.

 

[Xander]

.

For one, the SSD. I'm not entirely sure as to the reliability of the new drives with their in-house controllers, but I still don't trust OCZ when it comes to quality products. So, with that in mind, might I steer you towards either a Crucial M4 drive or a Samsung 830 - top in the class when it comes to reliability as well as in-OS performance.

How right you are. I previously had a Crucial M4 on my mind, Ill add it in.

.Secondly, why that motherboard? Are you getting the Gene due to price? Everything will still work just fine, but I always find it strange looking at mATX boards in a full tower, or even mid tower, case.

I'm a veggie! I completely didn't notice. Are you able to recommend a cheaper motherboard that may have the same effect?

.
Thirdly, the buying of the products. If it were me, anything that I didn't have to work on, i.e. mod, i'd buy at the same time. This makes it easier to order, you don't have to worry about having different warranty periods for different products (i.e. month wise or w/e) and you're more likely to find that prices drop as time goes on - good, as you'll need to save up to buy everything in bulk.

Yes, This is my main problemo with this build. You see I don't trust myself. I'll just end up saying oh the build can just wait a little bit longer. I was doing this more as a motivation factor than trying to rush the build.

.
Lastly, what is this computer going to be used for? If it's just going to be gaming, go for the 3570K (make sure it's the K varient - I noticed you've omitted this from your writing). If you're going to be doing some frequent video/complex photo editing, go for the i7, although i'd still try and go for Ivy if you can.

This would be mainly used for Gaming and Borderline video editing as I "will" be making BF3 commentaries (i'd like to make it a hobby of mine).
Ill also switch out that 3570 for a 3570k.

Thanks for that. I'd love to hear from you.

 

[Xander]

It would seem as though you're a wizard. Tell me, how does time travel work?!
Looks like a good setup, although there are some things I'd want to change.

I'm a day ahead! (New Zealand is +12 GMT)

 

[Josh Weston]

I can offer motherboards as suggestions, but I don't know what colour scheme you're trying to achieve. The forum's favourite are the MSI Z77A boards, but you'd have to factor the blue into the rest of your rig.

If you're doing it as a hobby, and money is an issue, an overclocked 3570K is going to do just fine for some video editing You may want to invest in some more RAM, though, as video editing really does like loading your memory up.

I'm a day ahead! (New Zealand is +12 GMT)

And aaah, I see! I should have realised. God, time zones confuse me

 

[Xander]

I can offer motherboards as suggestions, but I don't know what colour scheme you're trying to achieve. The forum's favourite are the MSI Z77A boards, but you'd have to factor the blue into the rest of your rig.

Unfortunately I can't find that Motherboard at the two stores I looked in. Is it worth it to order it from overseas?

 

[Xander]

Also it is easy enough to change my colour scheme to blue as it is really nice white blue finish with the case.

I have a newbie question: How does sleeved cable work? Stuff like this: http://www.computerlounge.co.nz/components/componentview.asp?partid=16154

 

[Xander]

Also also also, Is it worth water cooling it? The main reason I was using a Rasa was for it's low down design. I find that fans take up so much room.

 

[Josh Weston]

The Z77A GD65 is one of the most recommended motherboards on here, but it's up to you whether you want to go for it. Look at some reviews and see what you think - I've got one in my system and I think it's great.

Cable sleeving is something I have no experience in whatsoever, so that'll have to be left for someone else to cover, as I can't tell you a thing

Water cooling is also up to you. If you're trying to emulate Tom's rig, then watercooling is obviously a big part of it.
Watercooling is good for four reasons, in my opinion.
1) If done correctly, it looks absolutely amazing - well beyond anything that can be achieved by air cooling alone.
2) It can yield great temperatures, which can result in clocking your hardware higher or using less volts.
3) It can be silent. One of the benefits of having such big radiators cooling your hardware is that you can turn your fans right down to inaudible levels, whilst still beating the best air coolers which sound like a Boeing 747.
4) It adds that extra level of personalisation to your rig. Not only have you put the parts together etc. but you've also constructed the cooling. And, when it looks badass, you'll have an immense sense of pride over what you've done.