The Scientific Moustache
New member
well she is all done, just waiting on my GTX680 to arrive....
Ignea Machina Mk VII, £2700, Full Build Log with Pictures 30/05/12
- Thread starter The Scientific Moustache
- Start date
The Orange One
New member
What an Amazing Build, I Bet you are very, very proud of Her. Enjoy it, you deserve it
The Scientific Moustache
New member
GTX680 in stock and shipped, arriving tomorrow XD.
The Orange One
New member
Lucky, Lucky Man
The Scientific Moustache
New member
false alarm, the order got confirmed and the payment processed but i didn't get a picked or dispatched notification by 8pm so i figure they ran out by the time my order came up. i'll ring them tomorrow but i think the wait will go on.
The Scientific Moustache
New member
further update, I moaned at SCAN this morning, and a guy has given me a free upgrade to the EVGA superclocked+ bundle with the EVGA backplate. I can't find a review for it, so I do not know how it compares?
The Scientific Moustache
New member
ok, the evga card arrived, i have ordered a high flow bracket. I installed windows 7 ultimate, and all the drivers for my components. ran intel burn test for 20 minutes peaked core temp at 51C, prime95 gave me 63C on a max heat torture test for 20 minutes. that's at 3.5Ghz and 1.408v on the stock turbo. I am away for the weekend but next week i will try and post some of the pictures. also what software do people use to monitor all system temps like individual cores etc, AI 2 seems a bit ungainly.
SparkleDJackson
New member
How did you find specialtech service. My experiences with them Havent been great. For me they too my money but then waited a full week to despatch the stuff. It should be pack ready for despatch take money despatch. Not happy. Another time i ordered ram blocks and they send the wrong model an x6 red acrylic instead of a x4 clear acrylic. They may have the best selection of products but i hate having to use them
The Scientific Moustache
New member
Well, from order placement to arrival it was 2 working days. The money hadn't left my account till after they had arrived. Ok they sent the wrong model of fans, so i got a freepost label and the new ones arrived the following day. Somewhat rocky, it seems their warehouse staff are a little bit careless but actual customer service side of things was excellent.
The Orange One
New member
I Find Specialtech to be one fo the best on The Net - - They have a large product Range AND My Experiences with them have been great
The Scientific Moustache
New member
the stock voltage was waaay to high on the CPU I downvolted to 1.3v and pushed my multiplier to 40. now my CPU idle's at 31C and P95 pushes it to 54C, a whole 8-9C cooler than the 3.5@1.4
It also seems they have given me the C2 revision for nothing.
It also seems they have given me the C2 revision for nothing.
The Orange One
New member
Will you try and Overclock it slightly More?
The Scientific Moustache
New member
yeah but i am going to download benchmark stuff reset it to stock. do a full spectrum suite. then start mucking arround.
I have 3dmark11 pcmark7 downloading... what other benchmark tools are recommended?
I have 3dmark11 pcmark7 downloading... what other benchmark tools are recommended?
The Orange One
New member
Unigine Heaven for GPU'S
The Scientific Moustache
New member
ok i get on PCmark7 5145 & 3dmark 11 P10331
Solidarity
New member
I can't wait to see pics of the 680 in there.
The Orange One
New member
The 680 Will just Finish it off Well
The Scientific Moustache
New member
After 12 hours of on and off benching. here is the complete stock rundown. verifications and pictures will follow tomorrow.
The Scientific Moustache
New member
So here it is- the epic build log.
First stuff to arrive was the Specialtech order along with the bits from Overclockers.co.uk.
Here you can see:
3 x Bitfenix Spectre 120 mm black no LED Fans (they were meant to be Pro’s, Specialtech switched them straight away)
1 x Bitfenix Spectre Pro 200 mm Black Red LED Fan
4 x 4 GB of Samsung 30 nm 1.35v DDR3 RAM 1600 MHz 11,11,11,28
1 x ASUS DVD read/write SATA II Optical Drive
32 x vibration reduction washers
Then Scan order arrived.
In no particular order:
1 x Corsair Obsidian 650D case
1 x Intel Core i7 3930k C2 revision OEM
1 x ASUS X79 Rampage IV Extreme
1 x Akasa Baymaster S
1 x ASUS PA238Q 23” IPS Monitor
1 x 2 TB Western Digital Caviar Black HDD
1 x Corsair AX850 Modular Power Supply
1 x Silverstone 5.25” to 3.5” Drive Bay Converter
1 x Windows 7 Ultimate 64 bit OEM
1 x Microsoft Office 2010 Home & Student
1 x ASUS USB Wi-Fi Adapter
1 x Corsair H100 CPU Cooler
1 x 120 GB Corsair Force GT SSD
1 x MX-4 Thermal Paste
First thing I did was to setup my workbench, I put an old towel down across my second desk and got my screwdriver set, pliers, clippers, angle poise lamp, sealable plastic bags, cable ties, optical cloth and Swiss army knife all to hand.
I unboxed the case, it was packaged well and realistically it took two of us to get it out safely without any risk of damage. My first task was to inspect it and see what went where and what I needed to remove.
I removed the side doors, all the stock fans, the front dust filter, the front cover, the PSU bracket, the HDD cages and their ugly plastic base mount.
My motherboard comes with Fan Xpert and I have been warned away from the H100 fan controller, so I removed the built in case controller. I removed the Hot Swap SATA interface from the case as my Baymaster has one. I also took a tip from Tom in his cable management video to clip the IO cables I will not use, so the Firewire connection went as well.
I then installed the 200 mm fan in the front section, reusing the vibration reduction washers that were used for the stock one. Again calling on Tom’s video I ensured the fan was orientated to take the fan cables through to the back as effectively as possible.
I inserted the power supply and reattached the bracket; I used vibration reduction washers on the back panel. At this point I worked out exactly what PSU cables I would need and threaded them through the grommet one at a time and plugged them in.
Following this I turned my attention to the Optical bays. I had two to get in so I started with the Baymaster.
The Silverstone bay converter was somewhat difficult to assemble, I ended up having to Blu-Tac the screws to the end of my magnetic screwdriver so not to lose them in the holes in the sides.
That large pill shaped hole is the access to the screw hole on the inner plate. It was frustrating but I must admit I cannot think of an easily fabricated alternative.
Once assembled, it then becomes apparent that the 3.5” hole is not quite 3.5”. The Baymaster’s front plate bulges as it struggles to find enough room. With some playing about with the tightness of the screws I eventually manage to even it out.
I reattach the upper HDD cage, using the locking rails provided and securing it with the thumbscrews. It did rattle in this configuration, so I improvised and cut a long 1cm sliver of packing foam and used it as an interface on the rail furthest from the screw and nearest the front (This was the rail that was rattling).
I installed the SSD in the same cage and then tidied any and all associated cables so far attached.
Now this might be wrong, but it made sense in my head. I left the motherboard secure in its tray and inserted my RAM. I looked at the instructions for the CPU attachment aid and got very confused. I have never used one before, so I didn’t bother this time either.
After inserting the back IO plate into the case, I carefully mounted my motherboard sub-assembly. You can see here how the RIVEs E-ATX form factor overlaps the grommets nearest the tray. I found that if you have to get a cable through, slide the grommet out the back, thread the cable through the grommet, then the hole, then replace the grommet.
Motherboard in place I started routing cables. I knew that I could put the entire front IO external USB connections down behind my H100, so I cable tied them and did at this point.
Just make sure you get the right amount of play outside the case before you tighten the ties. I unpackaged the three 120 mm fans and the H100 and laid it all out on the bed.
I naturally attached the fans to the H100 radiator before attaching it to the case. I made sure to use vibration washers either side of the fan, on all screws.
Interestingly enough my H100 was actually slightly damaged out the box, but it was only cosmetic so I felt an RMA was unnecessary.
I took the native thermal paste off of the H100 with a Camera Optical lens cloth from Jessops and isopropyl alcohol. I used a plastic PVA glue spreader to apply the MX-4. I am not sure if I did something wrong, but the H100 would not go on vertically, only on its side. It worked so I left it.
I tidied up the cables on the back and put everything away to await the arrival of the GPU.
INTERMISSION
The Scientific Moustache is not just a name.
INTERMISSION
18 days later….
Scan kindly upgraded me from the standard reference ASUS GTX680 to the EVGA Superclocked+ OEM. £55 difference for free, not bad.
She is a big beastie and I must say at this point I had forgotten all about the fact that it wasn’t from my preferred manufacturer.
This version is identical to the normal Superclocked one but comes with the back plate as standard.
Originally I wanted to put my card in Slot 4 to benefit from the direct airflow coming out under the HDD cage; the reason I removed the bottom one, not the top. As you can see, this sits directly over the chipset fan. I figured this would cause more problems later on than it was worth so I moved it promptly to slot 1.
What this does mean though is that when I double up for SLI I will most certainly need to go full custom loop, as 1 & 4 are the two 16x slots on this motherboard.
Here is my desk prior after the final assembly was complete. All I had to do now was install the computer in its new surge protected home.
It sits nicely on the desk and has free airflow all around it. I am genuinely chuffed with the build; it was my first high end PC. Previously I had mainly built desktops for offices and the like.
I am really happy with how the cable management turned out. In fact it looks far emptier than I thought it would.
I could not let you off without one shameless long exposure shot, so here it is.
The final shot is from the other day when I was busy benchmarking and burning the system in.
Well there it is. The full build log, I will follow up with more details on the benchmarks I ran, and then onto some science and overclocking. Plus…..
First stuff to arrive was the Specialtech order along with the bits from Overclockers.co.uk.
Here you can see:
3 x Bitfenix Spectre 120 mm black no LED Fans (they were meant to be Pro’s, Specialtech switched them straight away)
1 x Bitfenix Spectre Pro 200 mm Black Red LED Fan
4 x 4 GB of Samsung 30 nm 1.35v DDR3 RAM 1600 MHz 11,11,11,28
1 x ASUS DVD read/write SATA II Optical Drive
32 x vibration reduction washers
Then Scan order arrived.
In no particular order:
1 x Corsair Obsidian 650D case
1 x Intel Core i7 3930k C2 revision OEM
1 x ASUS X79 Rampage IV Extreme
1 x Akasa Baymaster S
1 x ASUS PA238Q 23” IPS Monitor
1 x 2 TB Western Digital Caviar Black HDD
1 x Corsair AX850 Modular Power Supply
1 x Silverstone 5.25” to 3.5” Drive Bay Converter
1 x Windows 7 Ultimate 64 bit OEM
1 x Microsoft Office 2010 Home & Student
1 x ASUS USB Wi-Fi Adapter
1 x Corsair H100 CPU Cooler
1 x 120 GB Corsair Force GT SSD
1 x MX-4 Thermal Paste
First thing I did was to setup my workbench, I put an old towel down across my second desk and got my screwdriver set, pliers, clippers, angle poise lamp, sealable plastic bags, cable ties, optical cloth and Swiss army knife all to hand.
I unboxed the case, it was packaged well and realistically it took two of us to get it out safely without any risk of damage. My first task was to inspect it and see what went where and what I needed to remove.
I removed the side doors, all the stock fans, the front dust filter, the front cover, the PSU bracket, the HDD cages and their ugly plastic base mount.
My motherboard comes with Fan Xpert and I have been warned away from the H100 fan controller, so I removed the built in case controller. I removed the Hot Swap SATA interface from the case as my Baymaster has one. I also took a tip from Tom in his cable management video to clip the IO cables I will not use, so the Firewire connection went as well.
I then installed the 200 mm fan in the front section, reusing the vibration reduction washers that were used for the stock one. Again calling on Tom’s video I ensured the fan was orientated to take the fan cables through to the back as effectively as possible.
I inserted the power supply and reattached the bracket; I used vibration reduction washers on the back panel. At this point I worked out exactly what PSU cables I would need and threaded them through the grommet one at a time and plugged them in.
Following this I turned my attention to the Optical bays. I had two to get in so I started with the Baymaster.
The Silverstone bay converter was somewhat difficult to assemble, I ended up having to Blu-Tac the screws to the end of my magnetic screwdriver so not to lose them in the holes in the sides.
That large pill shaped hole is the access to the screw hole on the inner plate. It was frustrating but I must admit I cannot think of an easily fabricated alternative.
Once assembled, it then becomes apparent that the 3.5” hole is not quite 3.5”. The Baymaster’s front plate bulges as it struggles to find enough room. With some playing about with the tightness of the screws I eventually manage to even it out.
I reattach the upper HDD cage, using the locking rails provided and securing it with the thumbscrews. It did rattle in this configuration, so I improvised and cut a long 1cm sliver of packing foam and used it as an interface on the rail furthest from the screw and nearest the front (This was the rail that was rattling).
I installed the SSD in the same cage and then tidied any and all associated cables so far attached.
Now this might be wrong, but it made sense in my head. I left the motherboard secure in its tray and inserted my RAM. I looked at the instructions for the CPU attachment aid and got very confused. I have never used one before, so I didn’t bother this time either.
After inserting the back IO plate into the case, I carefully mounted my motherboard sub-assembly. You can see here how the RIVEs E-ATX form factor overlaps the grommets nearest the tray. I found that if you have to get a cable through, slide the grommet out the back, thread the cable through the grommet, then the hole, then replace the grommet.
Motherboard in place I started routing cables. I knew that I could put the entire front IO external USB connections down behind my H100, so I cable tied them and did at this point.
Just make sure you get the right amount of play outside the case before you tighten the ties. I unpackaged the three 120 mm fans and the H100 and laid it all out on the bed.
I naturally attached the fans to the H100 radiator before attaching it to the case. I made sure to use vibration washers either side of the fan, on all screws.
Interestingly enough my H100 was actually slightly damaged out the box, but it was only cosmetic so I felt an RMA was unnecessary.
I took the native thermal paste off of the H100 with a Camera Optical lens cloth from Jessops and isopropyl alcohol. I used a plastic PVA glue spreader to apply the MX-4. I am not sure if I did something wrong, but the H100 would not go on vertically, only on its side. It worked so I left it.
I tidied up the cables on the back and put everything away to await the arrival of the GPU.
INTERMISSION
The Scientific Moustache is not just a name.
INTERMISSION
18 days later….
Scan kindly upgraded me from the standard reference ASUS GTX680 to the EVGA Superclocked+ OEM. £55 difference for free, not bad.
She is a big beastie and I must say at this point I had forgotten all about the fact that it wasn’t from my preferred manufacturer.
This version is identical to the normal Superclocked one but comes with the back plate as standard.
Originally I wanted to put my card in Slot 4 to benefit from the direct airflow coming out under the HDD cage; the reason I removed the bottom one, not the top. As you can see, this sits directly over the chipset fan. I figured this would cause more problems later on than it was worth so I moved it promptly to slot 1.
What this does mean though is that when I double up for SLI I will most certainly need to go full custom loop, as 1 & 4 are the two 16x slots on this motherboard.
Here is my desk prior after the final assembly was complete. All I had to do now was install the computer in its new surge protected home.
It sits nicely on the desk and has free airflow all around it. I am genuinely chuffed with the build; it was my first high end PC. Previously I had mainly built desktops for offices and the like.
I am really happy with how the cable management turned out. In fact it looks far emptier than I thought it would.
I could not let you off without one shameless long exposure shot, so here it is.
The final shot is from the other day when I was busy benchmarking and burning the system in.
Well there it is. The full build log, I will follow up with more details on the benchmarks I ran, and then onto some science and overclocking. Plus…..
Solidarity
New member
The ram is so stupidly low profile I'd probably miss it if I wasn't looking for it. Secondly, with a moustache like that you need a top hat and laugh maniacally like an old timey villain who has tied a woman to train track.s
