[Build Log] my first build

don't really know if anybody would be interested in a noob's first build. i'm making this build log mostly to get tips from the more experienced builders

first off, my goal is to build a gaming rig that will handle anything i throw at it for the next two, maybe even three years. i'm lazy, so i can't be bothered upgrading every year. i will definitely overclock at least the cpu... even tho i've never done that before either

secondly, my budget is theoretically unlimited, but the more i spend on parts, the longer it will take to build this. per month i can only afford to buy parts worth ~300$. that's due to an arrangement with the wife, because she has this ridiculous idea that we still need to pay bills and buy food

thirdly, due to the restrictions stated above, this is going to take a long time. i hope to have it done by july august october the end of december?. i know, i know... i'm going for the record for slowest build

CURRENT STATUS OF THE BUILD

STEP 1 - STRIPPING THE CASE AND INSTALLING FANS

STEP 2 - CPU INSTALLED AND MOTHERBOARD INSIDE THE CASE (scroll down a bit to see some of the wiring and sleeving solutions)

STEP 3 - MODDING THE SIDE PANEL

STEP 4 - CABLE MANAGEMENT

here is my parts list as far as i've figured it out after reading tons of reviews and forum threads (most of them on this site, which is why i've made an account here and started this build log)

THIS LIST IS PERMANENTLY UPDATED, SO CHECK BACK OFTEN TO HAVE A LOOK AT IT

case: Cooler Master 690 II Advanced - acquired PICS

CPU: Intel i5-3570K - acquired PICS

motherboard: Asus Sabertooth Z77 - acquired PICS

VGA: Sapphire HD7970 OC

HDD: Samsung F3 1TB SATAII 32MB Cache 7200RPM - acquired PIC

SSD: Samsung 830 256GB

RAM: Corsair Vengeance DDR3 1600 2x4gb - acquired PICS

PSU: Corsair TX850M - acquired PICS (scroll down a bit)

cooling:
Cooler Master Aquagate Max res + pump unit (for the look) - acquired PICS
Hardware Labs Black Ice GT Stealth 240x120mm Radiator ?
2 or 4 x Scythe Gentle Typhoon 120mm - 1850 RPM radiator fans
EK Supreme LTX CPU Waterblock ?
1 x NoiseBlocker 120 mm - PWM - NB-BlackSilentFan XLP rear exhaust - acquired
1 x NoiseBlocker 140 mm - NB-BlackSilentPro PK3 front intake - acquired
2 x Scythe Slip Stream Kazemaru2 140mm 1700RPM top exhaust - acquired
1 x Sharkoon Strobe Fan 80mm Red side exhaust/intake (need to experiment) - acquired

optical drive: LG 10x Internal Blu-Ray BDRW - acquired PICS

misc:
cyborg v7 gaming keyboard - acquired PICS
cyborg R.A.T. 7 gaming mouse - acquired PICS
Lamptron Fan-Atic 5-Port Baybus - acquired
Cooler Master Musketeer - acquired PICS
Icy-Box 5.25'' Enclosure - acquired PICS
paracord for what will probably be a pathetic attempt at sleeving - acquired
heat shrink tubes for the same reason - acquired
other sleeving bits and bobs - acquired
2 x Akasa Cold Cathode UV light - acquired
fittings, tubing, coolant, etc

also, please check out this thread if you want to help out with the cosmetic aspect of this build
Edited by Moralagos - 12/23/12 at 5:59am

from what i've read, i5 and i7 are pretty closely matched, if you don't take hyperthreading into account... i don't need hyperthreading and i'm going to oc anyway, so i don't see the point in spending the extra bucks

can you elaborate on vga choice? why would you go for those instead of 6950? which would become 2x6950 in a month after the build... or maybe even straight from the start
Edited by Moralagos - 2/2/12 at 2:08pm

well, i could go for the 7950 i guess... the 7970 is out of the question because that price would delay my build... BUT if i can get two 6950 for little more than the price of one 7950... would you still recommend the 7950?

UPDATE:

the lamptron controller and two kaze 140mm are being shipped this monday

i've started ordering fans because i've decided to go with a user-friendly corsair h100 for starters. will see how that goes and i'll change to some other wc setup later, if i feel up to it.

so, this is what i'm thinking: i'll replace the stock 140mm front led fan with one 140mm kaze and put in a side 140mm kaze at the gpu location. then, later, i'll get five 120mm gentle typhoons. one will replace the stock rear exhaust, the other four will go on the h100 radiator for a push/pull config.

what do you guys think? is it enough to cool this system?

hey there

thanks for taking an interest in my build

ok... so, 7950 would be better than 2x6950? if so, then, by all means, i'll save the extra money and get that. it's not that hard, really. 7970 would be a real stretch tho, as i've already said. you're probably right because it's a build to last a few years... and i should get the best i can afford since video cards are the first to become overwhelmed by new games and the 6950 is already "old". tbh, in my previous system, i've only added some ram and upgraded the video card in like six years. and i was able to play any game on reasonable settings, until now

i'm not worried about the i5. i've read only good things about it and i will look to oc it to around 4ghz... maybe push for more... will see, depending on the temps i get with the cooling solution i've chosen
Edited by Moralagos - 2/7/12 at 1:29am

good point

+rep