[Build Log] Arrival - Shinobi XL White - Full Loop

Project: Arrival

Why Arrival?

I’ve been building computers for a long time. As a kid and young adult, it was more about stuffing silicon in an metal box until it worked to allow me to play games. I would go to big LANs, see the fancy builds and stare in awe, but put them out of reach in my head. “Surely these computers are more than you can spend on them, and requires deep intimate knowledge of circuits, electrical engineering, and circuity”, I would say. “Having water cool your parts seems way too complex, no way you could learn to do that.”

Over the last few years, I have taken more steps to become a hobbyist. Starting with simple things like high end air coolers and matching the colors of my parts, to doing small itx builds on funky cases, and eventually getting a watercooling kit to try my hand at it.

This progression probably sounds familiar to a lot of you, it’s a very natural path to the insanity and marvel that is custom building. Along the way I’ve acquired the tools and knowledge to finally build that rig I’ve always pictured in my head. I truly feel like this build marks my Arrival as a computer hobbyist.

Thanks go out to the countless modders putting precious time into build logs, to people like Martin for his exhaustive testing, people like TTL for making it all approachable, and to the wealth of information that is created by awesome communities. We take it for granted, but It’s seriously amazing how a group of people so diverse can come together and share knowledge of this pursuit of aesthetics and power in the digital age.

Parts List

CPU - Intel 3820



As this computer is focused primarily on gaming, something like the 3930K is just not really necessary. With the overclocking potential of the 3820, it’s an easy pick especially when it means getting the X79 platform along with it.

Memory - Corsair Vengeance Low Profile DDR3 1600



It’s white. The low voltage is a neat bonus, plus its Corsair memory. Can’t get much more reliable.

Motherboard - Gigabyte G1.Assassin 2 X79



This motherboard is a fantastic piece of kit. As again, this PC is focused on gaming, Gigabyte took the X79 platform and added great features that are appreciated by someone focused on games rather than benching or multimedia. Onboard Killer NIC, Creative XF-I sound, and a healthy OC’ing ability gives me all sorts of goodies without having to add additional devices. I could yammer on all day about it, but really it was Sin's review that made me finally pick it.

Oh yeah, and it looks fantastic.

Video Card - EVGA GTX690



Two 680s on a single PCB? Yes please.

SSD - 2xCrucial M4 128GB



Fast, realiable, and they don’t break the bank. Crucial has really hit their stride with SSD’s, it’s an amazing piece of hardware.

PSU - Corsair AX850



Seasonic quality, Corsair customer support, and single braided cables. This is a no brainer to me.

Case - BitFenix Shinobi XL White



Though some look at the Shinobi XL and think “plain”, it strikes me as elegant. It has that certain something that Lian Li has often been able to capture. Though I’m not generally a fan of cases with plastic exteriors, the BitFenix SofTouch finish gives it a feel and look that oozes quality, and adds durability. You usually don’t get those together. The ability to house tons of watercooling gear out of the box certainly adds huge points in its favor.

You get all of that for ~$150. Is such a thing even possible? BiFenix is clearly run by Aliens.

Fans - Bitfenix Spectre Pro 120mm



Near silent fans with tons of static pressure, and they look fantastic. Again, no brainer.

Radiator - Alphacool ST30 360mm and Monsta 240mm




Alphacool has some seriously powerful products with their copper series of radiators. The 30mm radiator outperforms thicker radiators like the RX series at low RPMs, which totally throws out the accepted norm of how radiators work. One used to have to make the choice between thin radiators with high FPI (needing higher RPM fans) or thick radiators with low FPI. This is the best of both worlds.

The Monsta essentially performs a size up in terms of cooling capacity. Though overly silly naming conventions for computer parts generally comes off as silly, this thing truly is a Monsta.

CPU Block - XSPC Raystorm



Simply gorgeous with the performance to match.

VGA Block - XSPC Razor 690



This is a bit of an unknown element in my build. I haven’t yet read a single review of one and decided to take a gamble. But just look at it.

Reservoir - XSPC Black Nylon Dual Bay



No acrylic threads for me after a couple of recent headaches. Wonderfully compact with a great pump mount that keeps vibrations down. The build quality on this is something that just has to be seen.

Pump - Alphacool VPP655



Lots of power to keep my fluid running, and it’s variable. I can barely hear it at full speed even.

Tubing - Primochill Clear 7/16”ID x 5/8”OD



It’s what I started my first loop with, and it’s never disappointed. Can’t go wrong here. I've heard of some clouding issues, but it's not something I've personally experienced.

Fittings - Bitspower 1/2” Barbs and various rotary adapters



The Gold Standard of fittings.

Coolant - Distilled water w/ Mayhem’s Pastel Green Concentrate and UV Yellow Dye



So pretty, so very pretty. This is the icing on my cake and what really brings the whole thing together.

TIM - Phobya HeGrease



Skinnee’s TIM roundup moved me to start using this. The fact that I can get stellar performance with a less-than-perfect mount is what won me over.

Concept

White, green, quiet, and clean.

White and green has been a favorite color combination of mine for as long as I can remember, and the bits and pieces have finally come together that allows me to carry the theme through the whole build.

I’ve chosen the 690 over SLI 680s as they allow more of the motherboard to come through, reduce clutter by needing fewer cables, and looks slick. Plus, it’s a freaking 690. This kind of ethic is what has carried most of my part decisions. By limiting the color palette to shades and a striking green, it’ll make the green pop even more while retaining a sleek look.

A taste of things to come:


Edited by Michalius - 7/2/12 at 8:07pm

Case arrived yesterday, some glory shots before I get her naked.









Also, as I was stripping her down, low and behold the audio connectors.



A bit blurry, but literally the only front panel connector that is snap-out removable is the audio cable. Thank you BitFenix.

BitFenix has really done an amazing job with this case. I could go looking for things to do, but cutting everywhere on the case to add further radiator support, outrageous logos, or drastically modifying the chassis seems to be counter to everything I love about it. They’ve really captured that certain something that has always drawn me to Lian Li cases with the simple yet refined design that just oozes quality.

The Softouch treatment is something that needs to be felt in person to appreciate. My wife commented that it felt like supple leather. Coming from someone who worked on a cattle ranch and loves tack as much as I love computers, that's quite the compliment.

A pleasant surprise for me was to see that the top mesh is actually white. If you google image search the Shinobi XL White, the pictures show the top mesh as black. I was planning on painting it, but now I don't have to.

The case is totally stripped, let the fun begin!







Daphne says, "Why are you fussing about with lights when you were supposed to take me running 30 minutes ago?"



Here's the bottom of the front panel. I've heard that front panel fans can suffer a bit in the Shinobi's due to lack of air access. Considering that these are entirely hidden when the case is put together, I'm not sure what purpose they serve of existing other than maybe some slight structual support. Though, when the front panel is attached, the fact that it has plastic rivets holding it into the chassis seems to render this point moot. Off they go.

BitFenix Logo and XSPC Bay Res cover prep.



Going to try out a few different things with the res cover. Fortunately I have a second in case everything goes wrong.

Lines are drawn to make room for the Monsta! Not tired of that name yet, feels good still.

The gun heat sink is totally ridiculous. If I could replace it with a waterblock, I would.

The green though is fantastic, and the only way I can get a motherboard in to complete the entire theme. I don't want a totally themed build and then have an off color present on the motherboard. I think that looks a lot worse than a gun shaped heatsink.

Plus, its a pretty killer board. Read Sin's review I linked above, there are a lot of really impressive aspects to it.