[Build Log] INVICTUS: "Unconquerable"

**Project has been cancelled.** The build was completed, and then returned. The build log documents my first build experience, but unfortunately - due to personal circumstances - I have to scrap the project. Invictus will be reborn better, faster and stronger in the near future.

Photos are taken with my iPhone 4S
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"INVICTUS" by William Ernest Henley

I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul
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Chapter 1: Acknowledgements and Preface

Chapter 2: Computer Build Updates & Shipping Updates

Chapter 3: Behind the Scenes

Chapter 4: Computer Assembly

Chapter 5: Water, Water, Water...

Chapter 6: Cable Management & Final Pictures

Chapter 7: Computer Optimization
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Welcome to my build log. This is my first computer build, and it will be underwater too! I'm very excited to put it all together and present it to you for your viewing pleasure. I'm very proud of this project, and I have been looking forward to doing this for a long time. It's still surreal that I'm finally going to do this...

... to entertain and educate! I would be lost without OCN, and I want to make things easier. There's a lot of information out there, and I hope to compile most of it into this log.

Like many build logs, I will showcase the end product. However, I will also share my experiences and thoughts throughout the entire build process for your entertainment and educational benefit. If you are able to learn one thing for your build from my log, then my time spend preparing and making this log was well worth it.



*Click here for Log Organization Overview*
Edited by Passion - 7/22/12 at 11:43am

Thanks for the fast response, azeem40! I was actually considering have 3 x 120mm (2 of them in total - one for the CPU, and the other for GPU -- however, I am willing to rearrange it; perhaps 2 x 120mm might be enough for the CPU, and the rest can be dedicated to the GPU). I haven't finalized that decision yet. I'm going to do a little more research on water cooling before creating a dedicated water cooling thread. The finalized water cooling system will influence the decision on the case.

I updated the OP with a list of cases that I came across through research and recommendations by forum members to give you a better understanding of what I know that's out there. If it's not listed, I probably don't know of it.

In addition to the cases, what do you guys think about the build?
Edited by Passion - 5/29/12 at 1:54pm

Thank you for your suggestion. I looked into the 10 GT in more depth after your recommendation and through process of elimination, I have decided on the Case Lab cases. I updated the OP to reflect my case decision.

The Case Labs is really well designed for WC. It also has plenty of room to withstand many years of upgrades -- which offsets the high cost -- down the road. And after side by side comparison with all the cases, many were ultimately eliminated based on appearances including the 10 GT. We all have our preferences, but I really appreciated your opinion. It gave me the encouragement I needed to explore that case, since I never really gave it a chance before.

Thank you for your input. I am leaning toward the Crucial M4, as well; it seems to be the best "bang-for-your-buck." I don't think the performance difference between the Samsung's SSD and Intel's SSD will be noticeable for me. Especially since I have never owned a SSD before.

The Blue seems to be a solid choice since it will be a secondary hard drive, but -- strangely enough -- it seems to be priced similarly to WD Caviar Black. If it remains that way, I may just opt for the Black since it seems to be a better hard drive.

RE Soundcard: You're right. I rather put that money into the GPU and/or WC loop. I can always get that later down the road as an upgrade.
RE Videocard: Would you vote for 2 x SLI GTX 670 or just one GTX 670 (for now at least)?
RE CPU: Going with i5 as per your recommendation. I can't fully justify the price jump to the i7.

RE PSU: I didn't fully understand your statement. Well, I understand your endorsement for the listed PSU, but after that... Are you saying it's a corsair PSU re-branded as a Seasonic? Or, are Corsair PSU really seasonic PSU with the Corsair logo?

RE Mobo: I'm currently looking into the Gigabyte model that you referenced above, and I will compare it to the other mobo's listed.
RE HDD: I'll do a price comparison.

Thanks for the helpful feedback!


About the Mobo: How does one decide on a mobo? Is it the motherboard's features and build quality that defines "the best motherboard?" It seems like a very important decision to make, but I don't fully know how to pick it. It seems like a shot in the dark.

There's only one aspect I understand. The amount of ports (SATA 6.0, USB 3.0, etc) it offers. But, I don't have the savvy to fully visualize what I'll need, and how many ports I'll use (especially when it comes to obscure things like SATA, and the other stuff -- I can wrap my head around the USBs of course ).

RAM: I didn't know about the Samsungs. I'm going to look into that ASAP. Thanks!
SSD: Great advice... I'll keep an eye on the Samsung prices (and Intel just in case - who knows )
PSU: Do builders normally reuse PSU? Or is it more common to constantly buy new ones for new builds? The reason behind going with that PSU was because I was hoping to reuse that in a second build since it is a really high end PSU.

Is the Corsair TX a better alternative? What are your thoughts on the Seasonic 660w?

Monitor: Thanks for the suggestion. That resolution is going to be awesome. I've played with the idea of having a three monitor setup, but if I have that high resolution I think I would only get two of those 1440p monitors and only game on one. On the other hand, the Dell's have a smaller resolution so I'm sure the PC can support three monitors with relative ease. That seems to be the only draw back. Is my assumption accurate? Would 670 in SLI solve the problem?

Budget: $2000 just covers the case and components. If it can cover part of the watercooling setup, then that would be awesome. The less I can spend now (without sacrificing much performance), the better because I can focus more on keeping my system up-to-date on (more) frequent basis.