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[Build Log] Project GW2 Special build

17K views 172 replies 21 participants last post by  remz1337 
#1 · (Edited)
TLDR; final pics:














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Original post:

I'm building a new computer to play Guild Wars 2 (the remaining betas and game when released). My budget is limited.

QUICK LINKS:
-Boxies!!
-Unboxing and test
-Preparing for paint
-Preparing for paint part2
-Paint and panel
-patin part 2 and assembling
-cable management and os installation
-OC bios config
-Not enough!
-window panel
-End of mods!(final pics)

Here are the pieces:

DVD: Asus DVD Burner - 20$
FANS: 3x120mm 2000 rpm fans(for cpu heatsink) - 24$
CASE: Thermaltake Commander Series White/Black -60$
MOTHERBOARD: GIGABYTE GA-970A-UD3 -120$
GPU: ASUS Radeon HD 7850 -260$
PSU: CORSAIR GS700 -120$
RAM: G.SKILL Ripjaws Z Series 8GB (4 x 2GB) 2133mhz -90$
CPU: AMD FX-4100 Zambezi 3.6GHz (3.8GHz Turbo) -115$
SSD: Mushkin Enhanced Chronos 120GB -100$
NORTHBRIDGE COOLER: Logisys Computer CC2 North Bridge Cooler 2 -10$
CPU COOLER: hyper 212 evo -35$

LIGHTING:
Blue LED case feet -15$
White LED sunlight stick -9$

average cost: 1100$
extra 100$ for acrylic panel, paint and other

Total(and max budget): 1200$

So, here is the plan: White/Black theme with little blue(and a touch of GW2 of course)

FIRST- cut side panel to install smoked acrylic panel(width of the motherboard)
then, apply custom etched applique of GW2 logo on right side of acrylic panel, 3/4 of the applique and i'll paint 1/4 in blue on the remaining part of the white panel(on the case)

SECOND- fully white paint the PSU(except grill and sticker) and the GPU cover

THIRD- Make acrylic back plate for GPU with a decal on it (probably just 7850HD or a logo)

FOURTH- get that artwork painted on the right panel of the case

http://www.overclock.net/content/type/61/id/889184/width/600/height/375/flags/]
375
[/URL]

FIFTH- White ArenaNet logo painted on the two remaining drive bay cover

SIXTH- 'NCSOFT' painted in black on top of the case

FINALLY- Overclock the **** out of it and enjoy GW2!! I also heard some 7870 successful bios flash, so i will surely give it a try.

I would have sleeved everything but it is over my budget :\

Can't wait to start!

What do you think? any advice or proposition? I will probably start in two weeks, giving me the time to sell my current rig. I'll post pictures and update as soon as i start
 
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#3 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kolmain View Post

I'd say save some money by not getting a CD drive and the LED's and get a 670 instead!
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I hear the FX4100 isnt great for gaming, but my buddy got it and its fine. Should be good!
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haha thanks, but i use my dvd burner alot and 20$ isn't going to kill me
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, for the 670 i'll look into it, but i'm a bit of amd/ati fan ^^, and the fx4100, i've already used one and i was pretty impressed, i know it's probably not the best gaming cpu but for the price it's nice and you get great overall perfomance(casual program, programming and other stuff) and with a great overclock i hope this system can last me at least 3-4 years.

I just thought a GW2 computer would be nice

EDIT:i just love led, not too much but just enough to be attractive and eye-catching
 
#4 ·
FWIW I upgraded from an 8500 to a fx4100... I was not happy at first (at stock speeds) as it just felt a bit sluggish. Then I applied the MS patches and overclocked it to 4.3ghz using the Asus auto overclock and it made a huge difference! Havent benched it at all, as I dont put much stock in numbers, but it feels so much snappier!
 
#5 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by JRWAssassin View Post

FWIW I upgraded from an 8500 to a fx4100... I was not happy at first (at stock speeds) as it just felt a bit sluggish. Then I applied the MS patches and overclocked it to 4.3ghz using the Asus auto overclock and it made a huge difference! Havent benched it at all, as I dont put much stock in numbers, but it feels so much snappier!
i totally agree with you, i noticed the same thing when i tested one. That's why i think the fx4100 is perfect for me

thx
smile.gif


UPDATE: i'm having some difficulties to sell my current rig :\ and i don't want to lower the price since i won't be able to build this awesome project but I guarantee it will be done during summer
biggrin.gif
 
#7 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by JRWAssassin View Post

Since then I increased my daily overclock to 4.5ghz. I also pushed it over 5ghz simply because I could. opening up the throttles really helps with this cpu.
and I have benched it also at 4ghz and 4.5ghz. see the "epic amd phenom vs fx grudge match thread"
nice! are you happy with the fx4100? Or phenom would have been a better choice?
 
#8 ·
hard to say. phenom seems to score better at the same speed, certainly the higher end models do... but I bought my cpu for $115. I can also overclock this cpu very easily, and though I "may" have had some success unlocking an extra core or two with the right phenom.
Fact is though that I couldnt have bought a phenom for that price that consistantly outperforms my 4100 when overclocked. I also couldnt have bought a better system than an intel i3 2100 for the same price (and that would have meant skimping on the ram also).
I am happy.
biggrin.gif
 
#11 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by JRWAssassin View Post

yeah, that artwork will look good if done properly. maybe a screen print would do the job also
yeah, so far the airbrush option is looking to be expansive but i think it is the only way to have it done correctly. what do you mean by screen print?
 
#15 ·
I can't decide, transparent blue plexiglas with blue paint or smoked plexi with black paint?

considering i'll have blue led in my case(fans and cathode under)

I'm also starting to think about putting something on the top of the case, i was thinking about a black silhouette of Logan Thackeray and put his quote somewhere:"Salvation is something you must stand and protect; it doesn't come just because you are looking for it"

What do you think?

UPDATE:
I think i'll go with smoked panel and blue paint lol
 
#26 ·
i think for the cost and all considered things the performance of a 6950 especially if you could find one of the reference pcbs and bios flash it to a 6970 would have been a bit better then the 7850. that is just my opinion though. according to anandtech benchmarks a 6950 and a 7850 are right within 2 fps of each other in many games.
 
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