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[Build Log] Digging Through the Spare Parts Bin

480 views 10 replies 2 participants last post by  jgrote 
#1 ·
It's time to stop asking a bunch of silly questions all over this awesome forum and start a build log. I must throw out a big thank you to two cables and psyclum for all their help to this point. I think, at this point, I know where this is going. What I'm starting out with is this:

MOBO: MSI X79A-GD45
CPU: I7-3930K
Memory: 32 gig DDr3 1600
GPU's: Not sure yet. Either 1 or 2 GTX760's. I have 2 of them. I also have a GTX650ti. I don't think I'll be using that though.
Storage: 500g WD HDD for now.
PSU: Came with the donor stuff. I'll try to find specs once I dig it out of the donor.

Things that I just ordered:
Sony DVD-RW - nothing special, but I needed it to re-image the HDD's., and wires to plug it in:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B016JHK9TE/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Case: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00TE33YXO/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I'm replacing the fans because they don't fit my color scheme.

Fans: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00066ISES/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00066ISGG/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Lighting: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00JTF2TAG/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1


Parts should start trickling in over the next few days. I plan on also doing some painting, but won't know exactly what until I get the case in hand. This PC will primarily be used by my son for gaming and homework. Right now, Minecraft is the big thing in his life, but you know how quickly kids change their minds. The goal is to build something on the cheap, but has some room to upgrade in the future. I know this isn't a huge build compared to some of the crazy stuff on here, but it will be fun nonetheless. So far, I have $64 into this build! Pics will come as I progress.
 
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#3 ·
Yay Parts!

First thing I did was blow it all apart and start making some plans.

I was able to get the bottom grill out, so that will be painted pink like the DVD drive.
You can see here that I mounted the front fan. It went in with no problems. The donor PC had these cool rubber surrounds on the fans, so I modified it to fit the new fan.It fit perfectly, and should keep rattles down to a minimum.

I bought "pink" LED lighting, but it's not quite as pink as I would like. I bought the waterproof stuff on accident, but that may work in my favor. I'm going to see if I can dye the silicone that makes up the waterproofing. The other thing I've noticed is that it's hella-bright. I may need to reconsider just how much lighting I want to use. I need to pick up some more black heat shrink so I can hide the wires running to all the lights.
 
#4 ·
The lighting is all soldered together, complete with 4 pin plug on it to plug into the PSU. I haven't installed it into the case yet, but hoping my kid will go to bed early enough to get to work on it. I'll make sure to get some pics as soon as I get it all installed. I hope to get all of the components installed into the case on Monday. The only possible problem I see with my plan is that I still have some painting to do, but it's too cold to paint. Although, I'm not sure anyone cares. If anything, this thread helps me remember where I bought things and what stage I'm at. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
 
#5 ·
Have you ever heard the saying one step forward, two steps back? So I got the lighting perfect, except for not realizing that I won't be able to install a DVD drive now. I put the light strip in the way.
redface.gif
No problem, just cut it all apart, move it around a little, and put it back together. So I did. And THAT is when I found out that my DVD drive has to go one bay above where I was planning.
mad.gif
Soooo, cut it all apart again, and move things around AGAIN! Now this is when I really start to get aggravated. Whilst soldering everything back together again, one of the leads breaks off the LED strip. Apparently these things are not designed to be soldered on over and over and over (and over one more time) again. Soooo, out it comes AGAIN! I replaced the light strip with a new piece, and it's good to go. 3 hours to install a little lighting.
rolleyes.gif

]
You can see where the lights go out and back in next to the DVD. Also notice the loop of light at the bottom. That sits right behind the fan and lights it up very nicely.
 
#6 ·
Now it's time to make a few things pink. Spray painting when it's 28 degrees out is an interesting chore. It required some plastic sheeting, a space heater, and a little imagination. I painted everything outside, let it tack up, and then carefully drug it inside the basement. I hope the smell goes isn't too bad by the time the wife gets home.
redface.gif
She's kinda used to me doing this type of stuff though.

 
#7 ·
Now it's time to start putting things together. First, the MOBO.

I didn't realize just how tight this case is! You can now see why I had to move the DVD. The MOBO is in the way. And look how close it is to the bottom of the case. It fits, but not by much. Now it was time to get everything mounted and plugged in. You'll notice that I ended up going with the 760 and the 650. Mostly because It got really pissed at me when I removed the 650. Might as well just leave it in there.
 
#8 ·
Fun read. Subbed.
 
#9 ·
It's so close to finished. I was able to at least power it up and make sure everything works. I have a few things left to do, but it works!


I still need to tie up some wiring, add the rear fan (It's not here yet), and get an extension for the HD Audio. I can't believe how short that cable is.
mad.gif
After that, it's time to start installing software.
 
#10 ·
Well, it's theoretically finished. However, I bought a Dell 24" monitor and I'm not entirely happy with it. When set to 1920x1080, the pic breaks up. Turn down the resolution , and it's fine. I'm using a VGA cable with an adaptor, so that may be my problem. I'm not sure yet.
 
#11 ·
Well, I had a minor setback. I was working on getting some games installed and buttoning things up when the HDD decided to die. It was making some god awful noises and moving really slowly. Luckily enough, I happened to have a spare HDD with Win7 already installed. It cost me a bit of time having to configure things again, but at least it's now up and running again.
 
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