====================================================================================================
The (Almost) Finished Product
====================================================================================================
====================================================================================================
Build Log Links
====================================================================================================
- Initial build pictures and documentation.
- Modifying my sleeved extensions.
- PSU off for RMA.
- Corsair AX1200 Arrival, Unboxing and Installation.
- GTX 590 Sold and 7970s Ordered.
- 2x MSI 7970s Arrived.
- 7970s Unboxed, Pictured & Installed.
- 7970 Crossfire - Overclocking and Benchmarking.
- 5.4GHz 2600k Ordered & Crucial M4 SSD Arrival.
- Tear Down for New Case.
- Building a Commisioned Rig.
- NZXT Switch - Return to Sender.
====================================================================================================
Where it Began
====================================================================================================
I recently decided that I wanted a mid/high end gaming PC and so bought a machine with the following spec pre-built;
- CoolerMaster Elite 330 Case
- Sandybridge i5 2500k Processor
- ASUS P8P67 Pro Motherboard
- 8GB Elixir DDR3 RAM @ 1333MHz
- AMD Radeon HD6950 2GB GPU
- 2TB Hitachi HDD
- ToPower ATX 750W PSU
This picture was taken after I did some cable management (not an easy feat in the CME330!);
As per my first ever post here;
http://www.overclock.net/13844039-post419.html
You can see the changes that I have already made. It's a nice little system, plays Crysis fully maxed with the Rygel texture mod, natural mod and level 6 CCC custom config at a minimum of 31fps, so I was happy with that!
However... by trade I am a QA Technician at a game development company in the UK and we were fortunate enough to receive an early build of Battlefield 3 to have a quick go on, which smashed my confidence in my current PC (irony, lol). Namely I am now after more gaming performance to ensure that I can max out (or at least damn near) BF3 in November. In this interest I have set out a spec list in my mind and have set the plan in motion.
Thanks to the kind help of CircuitFreak, PapaSmurf and BadWrench I was advised on some things to change regarding my plans for the future. Due to my ignorance I instantly jumped on the 'keep things cool, buy more fans' bandwagon, but they showed me the error of my ways.
====================================================================================================
The Realisation
====================================================================================================
Bearing in mind that I'm completely rebuilding this machine with the end goal of playing BF3 maxed out, it was apparent that the CME330 had to go. There was no way it would be able to control the temperatures involved with the graphics card I planned on using (being the EVGA GTX 590). The 590 vents hot air back into the case, which is why my attention was drawn to the Silverstone Raven RV02-EW, being that it will easily handle the airflow with it's ingenius 90 degree motherboard rotation. The HD 6950 2GB card wouldn't be up to the job either. While a very capable card and the huge potential or unlocking/crossfire I decided that I would be better off with the 590 in terms of future proofing (I plan to run Quad-SLi eventually, perhaps before BF3 release if funds permit). Lastly, I decided that while I'm at it, I'm going all out, so to match my case I wanted a white PSU to go in and some MDPC-X sleeve on every cable inside.
====================================================================================================
What I've Got
====================================================================================================
So after realising what had to be done, I got to making myself poor. Sat next to me right now is a Raven RV02-EW (the model with the revised AP181 fans);
28/6/11 - Pictures added of the RV02-EW on request of SKl. I apologies for my mediocre photography skills! Below;
The eagle-eyed of you will have noticed that I have rotated one of the AP181s 90 degrees to aid in my cable management scheme, which will hide the wires of all three fans via the PSU. I've also swapped the 'hot-swap' HDD bay to be closer to the motherboard in order to hide some more wires there too.
And an NZXT Hale90 Gold 850W Modular PSU;
Apologies for the pink towel and baby toys - the Mrs would surely end me if I scratched her table
====================================================================================================
Final Thoughts
====================================================================================================
I'm extremely anal about things like cable management so I am going to strive to make this build as clean cut and efficient as possible. I've made some small changes to the interior of the RV02 already, and have plans to incorporate my Lian-Li 5.25" cooler into it as a feed for the Antec Kuhler.
I could do with your help though - I'm still not 100% sure on what I want with regards to the colour scheme of my MDPC-X sleeve. I was thinking black, with every third sleeve being white, and white heatshrink. Any ideas?
Hopefully you'll agree that this should become a well-thought out and capable machine when it's built, and I hope to high hell it can play BF3 maxed, or I'll be forced to buy another GTX 590 (what a shame that would be
). But please, I am open to any and all constructive criticism, suggestions and ideas. I look forward to all your input.
More pics and updates coming soon
The (Almost) Finished Product
====================================================================================================
====================================================================================================
Build Log Links
====================================================================================================
- Initial build pictures and documentation.
- Modifying my sleeved extensions.
- PSU off for RMA.
- Corsair AX1200 Arrival, Unboxing and Installation.
- GTX 590 Sold and 7970s Ordered.
- 2x MSI 7970s Arrived.
- 7970s Unboxed, Pictured & Installed.
- 7970 Crossfire - Overclocking and Benchmarking.
- 5.4GHz 2600k Ordered & Crucial M4 SSD Arrival.
- Tear Down for New Case.
- Building a Commisioned Rig.
- NZXT Switch - Return to Sender.
====================================================================================================
Where it Began
====================================================================================================
I recently decided that I wanted a mid/high end gaming PC and so bought a machine with the following spec pre-built;
- CoolerMaster Elite 330 Case
- Sandybridge i5 2500k Processor
- ASUS P8P67 Pro Motherboard
- 8GB Elixir DDR3 RAM @ 1333MHz
- AMD Radeon HD6950 2GB GPU
- 2TB Hitachi HDD
- ToPower ATX 750W PSU
This picture was taken after I did some cable management (not an easy feat in the CME330!);
As per my first ever post here;
http://www.overclock.net/13844039-post419.html
You can see the changes that I have already made. It's a nice little system, plays Crysis fully maxed with the Rygel texture mod, natural mod and level 6 CCC custom config at a minimum of 31fps, so I was happy with that!
However... by trade I am a QA Technician at a game development company in the UK and we were fortunate enough to receive an early build of Battlefield 3 to have a quick go on, which smashed my confidence in my current PC (irony, lol). Namely I am now after more gaming performance to ensure that I can max out (or at least damn near) BF3 in November. In this interest I have set out a spec list in my mind and have set the plan in motion.
Thanks to the kind help of CircuitFreak, PapaSmurf and BadWrench I was advised on some things to change regarding my plans for the future. Due to my ignorance I instantly jumped on the 'keep things cool, buy more fans' bandwagon, but they showed me the error of my ways.
====================================================================================================
The Realisation
====================================================================================================
Bearing in mind that I'm completely rebuilding this machine with the end goal of playing BF3 maxed out, it was apparent that the CME330 had to go. There was no way it would be able to control the temperatures involved with the graphics card I planned on using (being the EVGA GTX 590). The 590 vents hot air back into the case, which is why my attention was drawn to the Silverstone Raven RV02-EW, being that it will easily handle the airflow with it's ingenius 90 degree motherboard rotation. The HD 6950 2GB card wouldn't be up to the job either. While a very capable card and the huge potential or unlocking/crossfire I decided that I would be better off with the 590 in terms of future proofing (I plan to run Quad-SLi eventually, perhaps before BF3 release if funds permit). Lastly, I decided that while I'm at it, I'm going all out, so to match my case I wanted a white PSU to go in and some MDPC-X sleeve on every cable inside.
====================================================================================================
What I've Got
====================================================================================================
So after realising what had to be done, I got to making myself poor. Sat next to me right now is a Raven RV02-EW (the model with the revised AP181 fans);
28/6/11 - Pictures added of the RV02-EW on request of SKl. I apologies for my mediocre photography skills! Below;
The eagle-eyed of you will have noticed that I have rotated one of the AP181s 90 degrees to aid in my cable management scheme, which will hide the wires of all three fans via the PSU. I've also swapped the 'hot-swap' HDD bay to be closer to the motherboard in order to hide some more wires there too.
And an NZXT Hale90 Gold 850W Modular PSU;
Apologies for the pink towel and baby toys - the Mrs would surely end me if I scratched her table
====================================================================================================
Final Thoughts
====================================================================================================
I'm extremely anal about things like cable management so I am going to strive to make this build as clean cut and efficient as possible. I've made some small changes to the interior of the RV02 already, and have plans to incorporate my Lian-Li 5.25" cooler into it as a feed for the Antec Kuhler.
I could do with your help though - I'm still not 100% sure on what I want with regards to the colour scheme of my MDPC-X sleeve. I was thinking black, with every third sleeve being white, and white heatshrink. Any ideas?
Hopefully you'll agree that this should become a well-thought out and capable machine when it's built, and I hope to high hell it can play BF3 maxed, or I'll be forced to buy another GTX 590 (what a shame that would be
More pics and updates coming soon