first self built PC

[vorticalbox]

finally after almost 2 years got my rig finished well i still need to wire in the CD but i don't use it so haven't needed to as of yet

nothing amazing just an i3 2100, 8gb ram, 7770, vertex 4 ssd 256 and a 500GB storage drive.

old case was a coolermaster elite 340 had no cable routing what so ever so i think (well i hope) I've done an ok job of this one but not around the back that is like noodles :/


the power cables at the bottom are a bit messy i have two cables ties on there bit maybe im being picky?


next step is to upgrade and do my first watercooling loop.

 

[SPS]

That's a pretty decent job

The case is a little overkill for your hardware but it is a nice investable case as it's pretty flexible.

 

[jamesriley94]

Very tidy...

Hate seeing a massive case like the Switch with next to no hardware in it though.

There's probably quite a few things to upgrade tbh. Firstly, if you don't use the DVD drive, just take it out altogether

Also, if you're planning on upgrading the CPU to a 3570k or something like I saw on one of your threads the other day I think, I'd get a new motherboard. You'll be very limited on overclocks with that.

I'd be a little skeptical over the OCZ psu too.

 

[Liarma]

That's a pretty decent job

The case is a little overkill for your hardware but it is a nice investable case as it's pretty flexible.

Well he did say he's going to do a custom loop in there so I don't see how it's overkill? He could always upgrade his CPU to an i7 as well...

 

[yassarikhan786]

Nice job on the cable management. The PCI-E cable(s) look kinda wonky to me

 

[vorticalbox]

Very tidy...

Hate seeing a massive case like the Switch with next to no hardware in it though.

There's probably quite a few things to upgrade tbh. Firstly, if you don't use the DVD drive, just take it out altogether

Also, if you're planning on upgrading the CPU to a 3570k or something like I saw on one of your threads the other day I think, I'd get a new motherboard. You'll be very limited on overclocks with that.

I'd be a little skeptical over the OCZ psu too.

i am sceptical about it as well, when i first build the rig i was an avid xbox gamer so the rig was for college work and the internet then i decided to try out PC gaming so a got the 7770, loved gaming on PC ^_^

my plan was to upgrade to the 3570k but i think i will hold off and build a rig that the case deservers. It's begging me to get a custom loop in there


i knew this case was big but not that big my ATX board looks tiny in there lol

 

[jamesriley94]

i am sceptical about it as well, when i first build the rig i was an avid xbox gamer so the rig was for college work and the internet then i decided to try out PC gaming so a got the 7770, loved gaming on PC ^_^

my plan was to upgrade to the 3570k but i think i will hold off and build a rig that the case deservers. It's begging me to get a custom loop in there


i knew this case was big but not that big my ATX board looks tiny in there lol

I'd do hardware first tbh. You won't see any benefit watercooling at this stage, whereas a new motherboard and i5, especially overclocking it slightly, you'd see a bigger difference. Maybe wait for Haswell.

As for the ATX part, your board is thinner than ATX. Proper ATX should go to the screw holes just to the right of where your board ends.

 

[alienware]

Nice to see a good looking mid ranged rig

But for all that is holy, get rid of that stock cooler.

I know it'll only be for looks but there's so many cheapish coolers out there atm that it's a crime to use a stock one.

 

[vorticalbox]

Nice to see a good looking mid ranged rig

But for all that is holy, get rid of that stock cooler.

I know it'll only be for looks but there's so many cheapish coolers out there atm that it's a crime to use a stock one.

yeah i will do, i have some tim cleaner and mx-4 paste in a box somewhere, so far i haven't upgraded because this i3 really doesn't make much heat.

thinking Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 PRO Rev.2, that is only £16 on aria.

any suggestions on a cooler the top does look a little empty ^_^

 

[alienware]

The Freezer is ideal as it has a black and white fan that should fit your theme nicely

 

[SPS]

Well he did say he's going to do a custom loop in there so I don't see how it's overkill? He could always upgrade his CPU to an i7 as well...

Like I said, overkill for current hardware, but worthy of an investment...

 

[sheroo]

I think it looks really smart dude. If you're happy with it that's all that matters. I've heard nothing but good things about the Cooler Master Hyper 212.

 

[tinytomlogan]

i knew this case was big but not that big my ATX board looks tiny in there lol

Thats because its not full size ATX matey.


Till youve spent money on a new CPU and GPU (£500)

Its not going to be worth shelling out another £350 to watercool it PROPERLY and even then because of your board your overclocks will be limited.

 

[vorticalbox]

Thats because its not full size ATX matey.


Till youve spent money on a new CPU and GPU (£500)

Its not going to be worth shelling out another £350 to watercool it PROPERLY and even then because of your board your overclocks will be limited.

Yeah I don't plan on water cooling this rig. considering jumping to an amd rig so many choices don't have the biggest budget.

 

[barnsley]

Yeah I don't plan on water cooling this rig. considering jumping to an amd rig so many choices don't have the biggest budget.

How much? If you're thinking of going amd, remember that you'll need to change the motherboard as well. If I was you I'd upgrade the cpu, gpu and get a AIO cooler like the Seidon. However, before you start even thinking that, I'd replace the psu. They really do not have a good history...

btw, good job on the cabling

 

[vorticalbox]

How much? If you're thinking of going amd, remember that you'll need to change the motherboard as well. If I was you I'd upgrade the cpu, gpu and get a AIO cooler like the Seidon. However, before you start even thinking that, I'd replace the psu. They really do not have a good history...

btw, good job on the cabling

Thanks yeah first plan is to get a new one. Any PSU you guys suggest?

I'll be either going i7 or fx and hopefully a 7970, oh and water

 

[Dandaman91]

Nice first build my friend, looks nice and tidy.

I would suggest Corsair branded PSU's myself as I've been using them for a while now and have no complaints + they have a really good warranty if anything does go wrong.

 

[Dark NighT]

Thanks yeah first plan is to get a new one. Any PSU you guys suggest?

I'll be either going i7 or fx and hopefully a 7970, oh and water

I would chuck a i5 3570K in that mobo if its just for gaming and spend the money on a better motherboard for overclocking if you ever want to do that, shouldnt wait to long with that considering haswell is getting quite close and manufacturers stop making s1155 mobo's

 

[mastercrim]

looks good for a first rig man how you like your switch I love mine I went with the Gunmetal gray which I love

 

[Mark3Max]

Very nice first build , good job.
I would recommend a Corsair or Seasonic psu, most everyone here will probably recommend them also, Corsair psu's are very reliable and have a great warranty.
I would just put a 3570k and a decent after market cooler in there and run it for a while until you have more funds to go to a haswell setup.
But nice job , it looks pretty good for a first build.