JuniorNerd

Mullet

New member
Hi All,

Some of you may remember my last build (Project Up) in which I built a rig in a Fractal Design Node 804 case. Well, after posting a picture of that build up on their Facebook group I had some discussion with them and they offered to supply a case for my planned M-ITX build; a Node 304 in black. Thanks Fractal!! :)

What will the machine be used for?
My son (hence JuniorNerd Project Log name) is increasingly using my main rig to play FSX (he is a huge aviation fan) and I wanted to put something together that would be relatively future proof, that would also be able to handle FSX at 1440p.

Current Planned Specs

Case - Fractal Design Node 304 *donated :)
CPU - i5 4690K
MOBO - MSI Z97i Gaming ACK *bought
GFX - Asus GTX 780 *bought
PSU - Silverstone SFX 600W *bought
RAM - Kingston HyperX Savage 8GB 2400MHz *bought
Storage - Crucial MX200 M.2 500GB *bought

I am still considering a cooler for the CPU but am considering a Noctua nh-d15 and nh-d14 (with a consideration of running the cooler minus fans).

Update/unboxing pics of the case, motherboard, GFX card and RAM will follow shortly.

Thanks all!

Mullet.
 
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OK peeps.... my wife has just had surgery (she is OK) so have been focusing on some other life/family things recently hence the lack of an update. Today I placed an order for the MX200 M.2 500GB drive, so that should be with me in the next day or so. I've also settled on a D-15 cooler and as I mentioned in my original post, I intend to run try to run this passively (hence the overkill D-15 on a 4690k).

JR23 and I have been batting around some project ideas and he has kindly put together some visual/renders of how the ideas would actually look.

You'll note that the tiny PSU opens up the opportunity of running a 120mm intake fan on the front of the case.... the location of the PSU will also allow me to run a VERY short 24pin ATX cable. This, coupled with the M.2. drive being mounted on the underside of the motherboard should make for a SUPER CLEAN look.







Will keep the updates coming as things progress.... and thanks again to JR23 for his magic with these renders! :)
 
Starting to check out the components guys. I am really pleased with how clutter free the board is around the socket. Just hope that the monster mash D-15 will fit.... here are a few pics to whet your appetite:

LL


The Ram looks great. IMHO looks nice than the Vengence LP Corsair DIMMS I have in Project Up.

LL


The location of the M.2. 500GB SSD will also help me keep things super clean.

LL


More updates to follow guys! :) Going to try the D-15 for size later today.
 
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Glad to hear your wife's okay :)

One of my colleagues at work ordered a D-15 and it's truly a monster!

Thanks bud, she is doing OK.

Yep - the D15 really is a beast! The first test install was a successful one, noting that this was simply a test to make sure the board itself would take the cooler. I'm happy to say that it fits. But these is a possible challenge to deal with....

RAM clearance is something that has been improved upon over the D14...

LL


LL


And now to the challenge....

I've not offered the motherboard up into the case yet but, you'll note that the cooler sits pretty far back in relation to the rear I/O panel.... so, I'm not yet sure if an exhaust fan fitted on the inside of the case will fit between the rear of the case and the back of the cooler....

LL


I'm running a half-marathon in the morning so will try to post some more pics up tomorrow afternoon....
 
.... so, I'm not yet sure if an exhaust fan fitted on the inside of the case...

Well your not allowed to put one on the outside of the case. Who needs exhaust fans anyway if air comes in, it will find its way out. Having said that negative pressure is slightly more efficient.

JR
 
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