'Privateer' Build log.

Just shy of a week before I next get paid, so just shy of a week before I can crack on with the build! I'll be getting the 24-Pin, new SATA Power cable and probably the SSD. I may even get the OS installed on the SSD using my housemate's rig and be really organised :D
I'll likely de-sticker the SSD, as with the PSU, for the sake of the colour scheme.

I've also put the loop together and priced it up. I'm looking at around £850 all told, so that may take a while to get together after Phase 2 is complete.

Currently planning to have a 420mm standard thickness rad in the roof (Likely in pull, or push-pull if there's space) and a Monsta 80mm thick 280mm in the front. Just a shame that Corsair don't do SP140 fans currently. *Crosses fingers*
XSPC Dual bay res with dual D5 pumps in the lower two bays to allow rad space above, with the mod I mentioned in a previous update allowing the front plate to sit flush and tidy with the face of the 750D. I may even have found a laser cutter to do it :D
Rigid tubing throughout, going with the PrimoChill stuff in black. Black PrimoChill Rigid Ghost fittings too, as I'm going to form the tubes instead of linking them.
Mayhems Ice Dragon Nano fluid, which should show nicely in the res and translucent blocks / SLI link.
On the subject of blocks, it's going to have to be the EKWB Clean CSQ ones all round. So very pretty. EK Backplates on the GPUs too.
I've decided against liquid cooling the mobo or RAM, as I don't intend to be running massive overclocks - it's more for the temps and aesthetics.

The loop is likely to run:
Res (pumps) - Front Rad - GPUs - Top Rad - CPU - Res (pumps)

I'm a total n00b to watercooling - so if anybody has any suggestions they will be more than welcome!
 
Small update, people!
SSD, 24-Pin and Sata Power extension are all on the way now. I've decided that I'm going to get RAM and the mobo after these, then sell my laptop for the GPU, CPU & CPU cooler afterwards. I can throw a 160GB drive I have kicking about for light primary storage duties until I grab the SSHD the week after I get the thing running. It's all so close now!
In the mean time, I've begun cable lacing using AlpenWassers glorious guide!
IMG_20140114_215941.jpg
 
Small update, people!
SSD, 24-Pin and Sata Power extension are all on the way now. I've decided that I'm going to get RAM and the mobo after these, then sell my laptop for the GPU, CPU & CPU cooler afterwards. I can throw a 160GB drive I have kicking about for light primary storage duties until I grab the SSHD the week after I get the thing running. It's all so close now!
In the mean time, I've begun cable lacing using AlpenWassers glorious guide!
IMG_20140114_215941.jpg

That looks awesome, Myself I've gone for the lazy mans option, Cable comb ^_^
Looks as good as lacing *To Me*, Is transparent, Costs very little and comes in all sizes, 4pin, 6pin, 8pin and 24 pin.

2bj5ovj.jpg
 
Oooh, that looks bang tidy! I like the lacing as I can contrast the black against the white cabling, but that looks real tidy! A lot less work too, I imagine :-P
 
Good morning people!
I am terribly sorry, updates have been sparse of late. I have good news though! I now have my extra cabling and the SSD, so I'll be getting Win 7 installed in preparation.
I'm working my way through cable lacing, so may have some photos up for you soon!

The best news of all: the end (of the beginning) is in sight. This Thursday will see the Mobo ordered, and the Thursday after will see all of the remaining components ordered. I *should* have the thing alive on the Friday.
Not long now, Privateer.
 
Good day, all!
Friday brought with it another wonderful package from OCUK... The Z87 Sabertooth. Just gorgeous, absolutely gorgeous.
Test fitting, with cabling:
20140131_195412.jpg

I've decided (for now) to do away with the cable lacing, however I may change my mind later on, and have the resources to do so.
This week will see the final push to having her up and running, as my laptop will be sold on Wednesday. Goodbye, Series 7 Gamer - you've served me well.
Come Friday, she shall live. Then comes the long road up to having her fully modded out and under water.
Not long now, people.
 
Last edited:
Nothing pleases me more than seeing the Sabertooth board being used.

So tired of all these ROG builds these days. Limits you to the colour choice.
 
Nothing pleases me more than seeing the Sabertooth board being used.

So tired of all these ROG builds these days. Limits you to the colour choice.
Absolutely. As much as I enjoy black & red builds, I'm getting a tad bored or seeing so many of them. The Sabertooth has more than enough features for me, looks fantastic and is at a nicer price-point than something like a Maximus VI Extreme.
 
Last edited:
Looks amazing and reminds me of how I'm planning my future build. As a student I'm probably going down the same path as you and buy every part when I have the money to spend it. Great log, subbed :)
 
Love the stealth look with white cables, can't wait to see her up and running.
Cheers! Me neither :D

Looks amazing and reminds me of how I'm planning my future build. As a student I'm probably going down the same path as you and buy every part when I have the money to spend it. Great log, subbed :)
Thank you! It's surprising how satisfying inching it together like this is. The time you spend seeing the empty case staring at you is a killer, but it's so worth it when you make progress.


Just a random photo - the only bit of lacing I'm leaving on currently is on the 6&8 PCIe power...
IMG_20140120_231000.jpg
 
o my good lord that sexy!!!!!

That looks awesome, Myself I've gone for the lazy mans option, Cable comb ^_^
Looks as good as lacing *To Me*, Is transparent, Costs very little and comes in all sizes, 4pin, 6pin, 8pin and 24 pin.

2bj5ovj.jpg
where can i get these?????
 
So, this happened...
IMG_20140206_030459.jpg


This time tomorrow I'll be eating Haribo and getting her running :D
The 1866 DomPlat kit I was after was out of stock, but the 2400 kit was only £15 more, so it was a no-brainer. I initially intended to pick up the MSI or EVGA 780Ti, but both also out of stock. Conveniently the Gainward one dropped to the same price as the MSI! I would have grabbed the Inno3D card, but I'm a little reserved about buying from them as they don't appear to have the reputation of the other vendors.

The next update will (hopefully) be a working system!
 
Last edited:
This time tomorrow I'll be eating Haribo and getting her running :D
The 1866 DomPlat kit I was after was out of stock, but the 2400 kit was only £15 more, so it was a no-brainer. I initially intended to pick up the MSI or EVGA 780Ti, but both also out of stock. Conveniently the Gainward one dropped to the same price as the MSI! I would have grabbed the Inno3D card, but I'm a little reserved about buying from them as they don't appear to have the reputation of the other vendors.

The next update will (hopefully) be a working system!

Awesome, have fun building and looking forward to the updates :D

Have fun with the Gainward beast, that's a stroke of luck with the price drop.
 
Awesome, have fun building and looking forward to the updates :D

Have fun with the Gainward beast, that's a stroke of luck with the price drop.

Cheers, will do! Absolutely. Still the reference card mind, but really looking forward to it.
 
So. The weekend was filled with both victory and tragedy. On Friday night I had her built and running. Posted first time, RAM set to rated, OS installed, drivers updated.
Saturday brought more updates and getting my drive allocations right - and tweaking everything to my liking.
Sunday I began gaming. Gave Borderlands 2, Tomb Raider and Metro: Last Light a run (everything still at stock) as benchmarks before settling down to play some Black Flag.
Then disaster strikes.
Something like 2 hours into gameplay - the system shut down. Then there was a pop. One of those nasty electrical pops. A burning smell.
It seems the PSU gave up the ghost, for seemingly no reason; a faulty unit I imagine. Absolutely heartbreaking. RMA requested, and we'll see what happens from there. I'll likely get in touch with Corsair too and see if they have any ideas. Everything was at stock and I hadn't touched any of the 860i settings in Link yet - so I don't *think* it's an error on my part.

Anywho - photos from the build for you:
Dat DomPlat doe.
IMG_20140207_144635.jpg

CPU and RAM in:
IMG_20140207_145110.jpg

Some GPU pr0n for you:
IMG_20140207_145409.jpg

IMG_20140207_145556.jpg

GPU seated
IMG_20140207_150118.jpg

H100i installed too
IMG_20140207_154915.jpg

There she was. Since I couldn't change the colour of the GPU logo, I decided to match the CPU block to it and add purple light. (Temporary) Hnnnggg.
IMG_20140208_014501.jpg

Until next time, peeps. Hopefully she'll be resuscitated before long.
 
Last edited:
Back
Top