pow3rtr1p

So, I had a dream. Of a completely over the top, completely 1337, Micro ATX computer. RAID 0, Crossfire, Quad Core, mad cooling, in an itty bitty case. That, and my Stacker was starting to break my back.

So, in true pow3rtr1p fashion, I decided to start spending money. Thus, the long-lived "Soberclock" machine is gone. Partially to go Micro ATX, and partially because I have been anything but sober for most of this past summer...

So, I went from a DFI Dark 790GX to a DFI JR 790GX. That's right, practically the same board with less slots on it. I also purchased a second 640GB Caviar Black for mad ill RAID 0.



Here's the board. Modern DFI styling all over it. However, the PCI-E x16 slots are pretty close together, meaning CF will practically require aftermarket cooling, or the cards will nearly touch. Thus, I think I am going to end up with some Zalman VF900s, though if anyone has any suggestions as to low-profile GPU heatsinks that will still keep it cool, I'd love to hear any suggestions.



Here's everything installed. Yes, I'm on stock cooling right now. I'm trying to decipher a good HSF / NB Heatsink combo that will work in these tight quarters, without blocking RAM slots. I may get 8 GB of RAM someday soon. It's cheap enough.



Here are the HDDs, in the drive cage from my Stacker. You will see why in a moment. Also, sponsored by my new drink of choice, in the hopes of not being such a fat slob anymore...



Here's everything all put together. Yup, caseless until my Mini P180 gets here. Makes me feel awesome. It took me almost an hour to get the dang thing to POST. Reminds of the good old days with DFI. Except this time, it wouldn't POST because it was sitting straight on the cardboard box at first. Once I put the foam pad it shipped with underneath it, it worked fine.



OMG, teh fanz r niec n kool, lol.



As you can see, the Secure Erase Function was DOING. Pretty much, it shreds the drives. It took freaking forever, and then I spent a whole day at work doing a low-level format on both for the best possible speeds.



I'm not really certain what this is... It goes in some drive that sort of looks like a slot-loading CD-ROM, but it's much smaller. Apparently this is vital to a RAID set up, though. It took me 3 hours of research to find out what kind of drive uses these ancient relics of computer technology, and another hour of spelunking at work to find one of those drives, take the dead rats out, and then figure out what cable to use. It was so confusing...



And, short-stroked to 100 GB (I hope that's enough space):



So, the initial build is complete. As I upgrade cooling, get the video card and case, and OC it, I will continue to update.

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pow3rtr1p

The newly unboxed case. Still has nice sticky stuff to protect it.



This card is very sexy. Thanks to M3t4lm4n222 for this card.



Got the drives all loaded up in their little rack things, ready to be installed. Very nice, sturdy, easy HDD rails. Not something you see every day.



But as you can see, that cage can't stay there...



So I moved them to the top cage. Also, installed the motherboard. I'm liking the way this looks.



Lots and lots of cables to manage. OK, not that many, thanks to the modular PSU, but still. Small case, lots of cables.



Now, all managed. I will need to buy some right angle SATA cables to get the HDDs to play nicer with the RAM. Also, will need to fix some other minor issues that may arise from these cables.



I still have some modding to consider, but it's together, and functional.

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pow3rtr1p

Reserved for another update, and perhaps the final build pictures.

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pow3rtr1p

Updated the 2nd post. If anyone cares...

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xToaDx

Awesome build.
I love the Mini P180. .

I de-riveted that top 5.25 bay though, and use the bottom bay for my DVD drive. It makes wire hiding way easier.

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MrAMD_Fan

We DO care duder! Looks cool! I'm actually thinking i want to go small too.... but maybe really small as in itx....

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THE CHEVY Owners CLUB!!!

aFreak

Lol at the Floppy. Nice rig! I was considering a mATX cause I don't have much room. Love that case too!

pow3rtr1p

I may end up doing that. My intentions for modding are as follows:

1.) Unisleeved Power Supply Cables
2.) Upgraded Cooling (thinking a Black TRUE with Custom Mount)
3.) Better SATA Cables
4.) Cleaner fan cables, and new Fans

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Spooooon!!!

omg this is gorgeous ;_;