First Build, wanted to share!

[Puck]

Hey everyone, I just joined the community today and I'm really excited about that! This was my first build, ever, and I've been doing a lot of tinkering to get things the way I like them (Looking to make some upgrades soon).

I use this for gaming on a single monitor and video editing/encoding.

I don't have a fancy camera, but the pictures are not terrible quality.

Also, I'm working on getting you picks of the other side of my case AKA my cable *somewhat* management.

Now when you see the pictures, I know what you're going to think, "Those colors are everywhere!"... I know... I wasn't really going for a specific color scheme (That's later). Also, there are some eye-sore Molex connectors... I've fixed that.

Anyway, here's the specs and below those are my plans for upgrades!

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Current Build (Actually my first build):

Corsair 500R (with DIY window mod)
MSI Z87 GD65
G.Skill Ares 4x4Gb (1600)
Intel i5 4670 (Stock Cooler Max Temp 70C)
GTx770 Gigabyte Windforce (Max Temp Gaming 67C, OC +90MHz GPU Clock and +300MHz Core Clock)
Avermedia Live Gamer HD
Rosewill 400Mbps wireless card
XFX Pro 750W Black Ed.
Samsung 840 EVO 120GB (OS)
Samsung 840 EVO 500GB (Games)
Seagate Barracuda 1 TB
WD Green 2 TB
2x Corsair SP white LED
3x Noctua NF-P12
1x Corsair AF140 QE
2x Bitfenix Alchemy white LEDs 12cm

Other stuff:

Acer 1080p Monitor
Logitech Keyboard
Dynex mouse (MLG.........)
Logitech speakers
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Front of case

Front without camera flash on

You can see all the way to the back because of the LEDs

Side panel

So the acrylic I chose was frosted, also I used vehicle trim to cover up the dremal cuts. I like the look. Also the MSI Z87 GD65 patch on the side of the case is something else I enjoy. It's not for everybody, I know. And, you can't see the Noctua fans, which is nice. Also, camera wristlet...

With the Flash on, you can really see how frosted the glass is. Like a cold pint glass.

hard drive bay, LED fan, Brown Noctua.

Without flash, the Noctua isn't much of an eye-sore.

Stock cooler for the CPU. It's ugly... Looking to upgrade both.

I like the glow...

OS drive, 3M double sided tape to "lock" it down on to the top of the drive cage.

Audio Boost. Kinda pink.

Noctua Nipples... Not necessary, but easier than screws.

MSI motherboard

From the optical drive bays, over the GPU

Avermedia Live Gamer HD capture device and Gigabyte Windforce GTX 770

System side view

I see the Molex connectors, I'm gonna fix them...

Glow. Also My chair which is slightly visible is a Skate that I purchased from staples. Quite comfortable

LED and custom window side panel



As for upgrades, I posted in the New System Build thread, but I'll share with you all:

Intel i7 4790k (Thanks to TTL I know that it will work with my Z87 MB )
GTX 780 Ti (Brand TBD)
CPU Radiator (Brand TBD)
2x8 GB G.Skill Ares 2133 Memory

Hope you guys enjoyed my first build! I know I had a lot of fun with it!

 

[NeverBackDown]

Not bad at all dude. Very nice and it being a first build isn't bad at all.

 

[SuB]

not bad at all, if it was me i'd flip the top nocture so both push out, and make the rear fan pull-in.

Also if it were me i'd make all fans of the same brand because consistency is king!

other than that, not a lot to critique, we're fans of noctua here so we LIKE to see them

 

[Puck]

Thanks guys. I'll definitely see how switching the fans around works for the rig. I really do appreciate the feedback.

 

[jamesriley94]

Pretty good for a first attempt.

I agree with flipping the Noctua around so they're both pushing in the same direction, but if it were me, I might also think about putting them on the inside of the case rather than under the top mesh. It just looks a bit funny at the top for some reason. Might be an idea to try it at least.

I do also agree with using all the same fans, but after spending considerable money on the Noctua's I can't imagine you want to shell out any more on fans.

The window's different. I think I'd prefer it with a non-frosted panel though. The point of a window is so you can see the parts inside. Having obviously done a good job of cutting the window and the acrylic, it seems a shame that you then can't see inside.

Maybe think about tidying up the cables a little, especially near the optical bays, and the blue SATA cables look a bit odd really. You got black ones with the motherboard surely? I think they'd look a lot better with those.

Still, good job for a first go

 

[Puck]

I didn't actually realize the the panel was frosted until I removed the protective film. I decided to just go with it because, well, why not?

The coolest thing about it being frosted is how the light glows through the panel. It's definitely different and not for everyone.

As for the Noctua's, my plan is to get a radiator (not really sure which), mount that in the top, and install the Noctua's underneath in a push configuration.

Blue Sata cables... I know I wan't focused on a color scheme (hence the orange RAM). I'll replace them with the black one's I have. The only unfortunate part is that the end connectors themselves are white. So really it'll look funky either way.

The optical bay cables are tricky. I have yet to find a good way of routing them. I watched TTL's TNR build with the same Corsair 500R case and he cut most of those front panel cables out. Personal preference for sure, It is his case after all!

I use the front panel audio so cutting those cables just isn't in the cards for me.

I'll gladly post some updates and pictures as I get feedback. Especially when I upgrade my parts (still seeking advice on that)

Thanks for the feedback jamesriley94!

 

[remember300]

Nice looking start, a hobby that will never finish, i like the idea for using vehicle trim, ill be doing that when i buy a nice piece of perspex for my case next year. So thats defo a good call!

What kind of OC are you looking at if you just want 4.4Ghz or under you can do that with your CPU now.
Also dependent on the OC will depend on the cooling you might want to go for like an AIO or a bigger air cooler
That cpu is it a "K" edition if so that 2133Mhz RAM might be a bit of a waste if your not going to OC past 4.4Ghz which it will be locked to as its maximum on your CPU now, yes it is faster RAM but latency will go up i have seen a few vids mentioning it. Its why i stuck to 1866Mhz.

for a first build its nice and tidy, tidier than my first few were lol Mind you they were oooolllldddd systems with no nice panel on the side so it did not matter so much with those huge cone things in from the side for the cpu ...

With those SSD's you could also if your trying to tidy it up could put a bit of that acrylic off cut if you have some in the gap and under light it so you get a soft white glow rather than a hole, and you could stick the SSD/'s to the back of it.

 

[Puck]

As suggested

Thanks guys for your input, it's really helpful!

First in response to remember300:
*** My current CPU is not a 'k' version. So no overclocking currently.
*** The CPU I'm going to upgrade to is the 4790k, so I plan on overclocking to 4.5 - 4.6 GHz if possible. I was thinking the H100i, but I haven't received any feedback on that as of yet. If you find your way over to the new build threads, maybe you can post a suggestion or two there?
*** I didn't think about using the acrylic to mount the SSD that way! That's a really cool idea, I may just experiment with that! Thanks!

So first I rotated the back fan to make it an intake (I received the fan filter yesterday in the mail, as planned).

Next, I remounted the Noctua fans as exhaust, and placed them underneath

Replaced the ugly blue SATA cables with the black ones. That fat connector right above the SATA cables is USB 3.0. It really limits how I route my cables. More on that in a few images.

With the computer on, you can see where the cables near the optical drive bays are, well, not so pretty. As pointed out by jamesriley94. The next two images show you the lack of room that I have to run them.

Back

Close up of the trim for remember300! Glad you liked it! It's easier than paint matching, especially for just having to paint edges.

Was able to get the camera to focus on the MSI logo, that way you can see at least a little bit better how the LEDs glow across the panel.

Thanks for the feedback guys! If you have any more suggestions I'll gladly take them!

 

[YouWhat]

just an idea, but if you got extra sata cable, or if you just using the 1 connection to the top drive bay, can you route the sata cable up the back, through the side of the fans and out through the top cable hole for fans to get the the top drive bay?

Also sata lead for it, try to see if you can route that through the side holes where the little ledges / shelves are for the 5 1/4" drives, so that way the cables enter there without being seen.

Also CPU fan lead (for quick cheap and easy fix), just to make it look tidier, some black PVC tape / electrician tape, wrap around the cables on it for quick and easy covering, that way it is less noticeable than the green and yellow wires that are on view, so wont stand out as much.

 

[remember300]

Ah that close up is nice, hows the seam? how did you hide that?
And i have the h100i and love it got a few sp120's QE on them and running at 4.4Ghz which is the most a non k can go i rarely hit 65'C even in this heat.

 

[Puck]

I'm not entirely sure if this is what you had in mind, YouWhat, but I ran most of the cables down the side of the front fans, now only the Motherboard cable comes out of the top grommet.

I don't have any black zipties... so white will do for now, easy to fix.

No noticeable cables

remeber300, there are actually 2 seams! pictured below:

Top

Bottom right side just above the corner

I used the flash in this shot, and circled them, so that they are more noticeable.

The best advice I can give, is not to have a seam in the corners. It's a pain to try and hide. Also, when laying the U-Trim, cut it slightly longer than perfect, it'll force the trim onto the sides more. That's really about it.

I will definitely put the h100i on my wishlist! Thanks!

Thanks again guys!

 

[remember300]

ah very good i will remember that might use a super glue test to see how much it damages the rubber. to make a smooth join.

There are other AIO i just mentioned h100i as i have it.

others im sure will mention others.

and where did you get ya perspex from?

 

[Puck]

I went to my local hardware store. They had a piece that was 28 x 36 cm (11 x 14 in). I had to cut it down to 25 x 33 cm (10 x 13 in).

 

[remember300]

thats pretty cool then ill have a look

 

[YouWhat]

I'm not entirely sure if this is what you had in mind, YouWhat, but I ran most of the cables down the side of the front fans, now only the Motherboard cable comes out of the top grommet.

Not quite what I had in mind, it was to wrap up the whole cable in it, so it covered like it would be when braided, so there wont be no colours shown, only the black tape which will look like black shrink wrap / sleeving if done right.

 

[Puck]

Oh I see. I could still probably do that and then attach them with zipties to the case. Cool idea, thanks!