[REDBOX] - A New PC for Me!

[daDonn]

Here is where I'll be posting a log on the construction of my new PC, which I am calling my REDBOX. Hopefully the meaning behind that name shall soon become apparent

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I have taken quite an extended period of time to select the components for my rig, and have currently received most, but not all, of them. This means it's definitely stil a WIP, and I'll certainly take suggestions for components that I haven't yet built into the system and you haven't seen in any of the current videos.

I'll be updating this thread with newer videos as they become relevant, as I obtain the newer components for the system.

Anyways, here's the first video that I have recorded, which documents the unboxing of most of the critical parts that I'll be using:

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lbhz4ynA-Uw[/media]

This video shows, in order:

CPU - Intel Core i7 3930k

OS Drive - Intel 520 240GB SSD

RAM - Corsair Vengeance DDR3 1866MHz C9 16GB

CPU Cooler - Corsair H100

PSU - Corsair AX850

Motherboard - ASUS Rampage IV Formula

Case - Corsair Obsidian 650D

UPDATE 01

Here's the next vid:

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vz_dnvIOhds[/media]

This one shows:

Case / H100 Fans - 3x BitFenix Spectre Pro Red LED 120mm

Front Case Fan - BitFenix Spectre Pro Red LED 200mm

Mousemat - Razer Scarab

UPDATE 02

Here's a little vid of the system as it is currently built - still lacking a decent GPU, and I'm still awaiting delivery for a new monitor:

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d31RlfalDgg[/media]

I did have the system assembled prior to receiving the BitFenix fans, and I must say that they certainly make an improvement! There's no noticeable decrease in cooling performance, they run significantly quieter, and I like the red glow

.

The CPU idles at around 26°C, and I have yet to see it hotter than 50°C on load.

Oh yeah - it also has a slight overclock, using the simple ASUS in-Windows utility to put it just over 4GHz (though it only achieves that on load due to the dynamic nature of clocking these days).

UPDATE 03

Here's my new monitor finally delivered, after such a long delay!

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPq00TYeiY4[/media]

It is the Samsung S27A850T (which is the newer version of the S27A850D)

UPDATE 04

And here's the final piece to my system - the graphics card!

It is an ASUS 7970 DirectCU II TOP Edition card.

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-5Z3tIdOFk[/media]

 

[nicej]

The Intel 520 ssd's all come with that crappy looking finish. I've got a 520 60gb for windows and a pair of Kingston HyperX's in RAID0. I'm displaying my SSD's in my case with industrial strength Velcro

 

[daDonn]

The Intel 520 ssd's all come with that crappy looking finish. I've got a 520 60gb for windows and a pair of Kingston HyperX's in RAID0. I'm displaying my SSD's in my case with industrial strength Velcro

Is that not the whole reason we have windows in the side of our cases? To show off components?

 

[daDonn]

Here's the next video showcasing some component unboxing - which leaves me with a final question.

What GPU do people suggest that I purchase for this beast? Bearing in mind my "red" theme, and that I cannot run SLI or Crossfire due to having insufficient power connectors on the PSU. I could update the PSU at a later date I suppose, but this one will do for now.

I'm thinking the ASUS 7970 with the custom PCB (I LOVE the fact that it has a backplate, so as not to see the ugly PCB back when I look in the window). Or, should I wait for ASUS (or another company) to bring out a similarly-themed GTX 680?

Anyways, here's the vid:

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vz_dnvIOhds[/media]

This one shows:

Case / H100 Fans - 3x BitFenix Spectre Pro Red LED 120mm

Front Case Fan - BitFenix Spectre Pro Red LED 200mm

Mousemat - Razer Scarab

 

[Ghosthud1]

He called the sticker stupid!

 

[frufsa]

---picture is gone

---

He called the sticker stupid!

no, he called the stupid ugly shit sticker, that makes your pc look like shit, stupid

 

[Ghosthud1]

no, he called the stupid ugly shit sticker, that makes your pc look like shit, stupid

I'm mad when i don't receive a sticker with every component.

And the 7970 vs the GTX 680 thing is very up in air, i would consider going down the 680 aftermarket route

Here are some links to upcomming aftermarket 680's

Gainward Phantom

http://www.gainward....om/p2/index.php[font=verdana, geneva, lucida,] [/font]

EVGA Superclocked Signature

http://www.evga.com/...00669/#GTX680SC[font=verdana, geneva, lucida,] [/font]

EVGA cheesecake 4GB

http://www.evga.com/...0669/#GTX680FTW[font=verdana, geneva, lucida,] [/font]

EVGA Hydro Copper

http://www.evga.com/...X680HydroCopper[font=verdana, geneva, lucida,] [/font]

Palit Jetstream

http://www.palit.biz/event/promote/2...ream/index.php[font=verdana, geneva, lucida,] [/font]

Im a sucker for flat black gpu's

And a suggestion from the red team that would complement your build

http://event.asus.com/vga/2012/hd7970dc2/

 

[daDonn]

Here's a little vid of the system as it is currently built - still lacking a decent GPU, and I'm still awaiting delivery for a new monitor:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d31RlfalDgg

I did have the system assembled prior to receiving the BitFenix fans, and I must say that they certainly make an improvement! There's no noticeable decrease in cooling performance, they run significantly quieter, and I like the red glow

.

The CPU idles at around 26°C, and I have yet to see it hotter than 50°C on load.

Oh yeah - it also has a slight overclock, using the simple ASUS in-Windows utility to put it just over 4GHz (though it only achieves that on load due to the dynamic nature of clocking these days).

 

[Solidarity]

I like the way you're using videos to keep us updated. Rig is looking pretty good as well.

 

[daDonn]

I like the way you're using videos to keep us updated. Rig is looking pretty good as well.

I figure that's the medium that attracted most members of this forum

.

 

[The Scientific Moustache]

I plan on doing a very very similar rig to you, I am going for the Extreme over the Formula. My build log will be here, if you have any tips or pitfalls that you noticed during construction, I'd be most appreciative.

 

[daDonn]

I plan on doing a very very similar rig to you, I am going for the Extreme over the Formula. My build log will be here, if you have any tips or pitfalls that you noticed during construction, I'd be most appreciative.

None to mention, really. This case has just been a pleasure to build in.

Incidentally, here's my new monitor, the Samsung S27A850T. It finally arrived!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPq00TYeiY4

 

[yassarikhan786]

That's the one with the PLS panel isn't?

 

[daDonn]

That's the one with the PLS panel isn't?

Certainly is!

And here's the final piece to my system - the graphics card!

It is an ASUS 7970 DirectCU II TOP Edition card.

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-5Z3tIdOFk[/media]

 

[yassarikhan786]

The build looks superb, well done

 

[The Scientific Moustache]

Ive built mine expect the log soon, whats your PCmark 7 score, you know, for comparison XD

 

[andrevautour]

Nice. I really like the 650D, it's in my top 2 choices for my next case. I really like the look of the backplate on the 7970 also.

 

[The Orange One]

Very Nice build Log

 

[TheOneHalf]

very nice enjoyed the videos

 

[daDonn]

Ive built mine expect the log soon, whats your PCmark 7 score, you know, for comparison XD

I'm sure it'll be less than yours, thanks to your GPU

.

Remarkable how similar our systems are!