[Build Log] "Budget" BOINCer | Fractal Arc Midi & 3x5870

Initial Order

• Case - NZXT Tempest 210
• Power - Seasonic Platinum 860
• CPU - AMD Phenom II x4 945 (OCN Market)
• Mobo - MSI 790FX-GD70 (OCN Market)
• Ram - Gskill 1333mhz 2x2gb
• GPUs - XFX HD 5870 (OCN Market)
• HDD - Seagate 320gb (spare)

NZXT Tempest 210 Problems
I was going to use the NZXT Tempest 210 in this rig, along with dual 240mm radiators. While the top of the case supports both 140mm and 120mm fans, the 120mm fans are centered in the 140mm openings. This does not allow a 240mm radiator to be mounted, unless you use just 4 screws on top, rather than 8. A 2x140mm radiator may fit the fan mounts, however the motherboard may not fit due to its placement. A workaround would be 2, 120mm radiators mounted in the 120mm fan locations.

For the front of the case, the fan spacing seems correct for a vertical 2x120mm radiator, however the 5 1/4" bays will need a small rectangle cut out for the top of the radiator as the overall height between base on the bays is roughly 5mm short. The XSPC RS240 radiator will also not slide between the 3 1/2" bays and the front of the chassis, but a BlackIce Stealth 240 may. The fans will then need mounted between the front bezel and the chassis. To do so, 25mm fans will not work without modification. The chassis grills on the front are raised, so they would need cut as well as the dust filter removed. Slim fans should work, though you will want to create a "shroud" using foam to fill the gaps if the grill is not cut out.

Ultimately, those mods, while minor to some, were more than I wanted to do for this build. I'm undecided if I'll do it anyway at some point or resell the case.

Here's how she sits today, crunching away with a single 5870 running on air. On another note, really Seasonic?? That is some terrible sleeving for a $200+ Platinum power supply!

Getting Wet

• CPU - XSPC Rasa
• GPUs - Swiftech MCW82 Universal | XSPC Full Cover
• Rads - XSPC RS240
• Pump - Swiftech 355 (DIYINHK board to be added in the future)
• Reservoir - Phobya Balancer 150
• Fittings - XSPC Barbs w/ black alligator clamps
• Controller - Sunbeam Rheosmart 3

Which one of these things is not like the other Sent a message to Performance-PCS tonight. Hopefully waiting a week to unwrap my fittings won't hurt me.
[edit] Sent in the request around 11pm, received a response at 12:30am. That's 1:30am their time!! Got it worked out and they are sending me the correct fitting, no charge


XSPC Full Cover
I know it's odd, but I sold my current 5870 to a friend and will be using these two. Later down the road, I will be purchasing a third 5870 to complete the build.


02-17-12
Final order came in...

• XSPC EX240
• Enzotech 45 degree barbs
• Silver Coil
• Two Yate Loon Mediums

Fractal Arc Midi
What can I say. This case is beautiful! When I started my ideas to build this rig, I was originally going to go with the Arc Mini as I was going to stick with dual GPUs. The more I thought about it, the more I wanted options for the future. Then came along a great deal on the board and CPU and made up my mind that I want 3 cards, therefor needing a larger case. As stated above, I started with the NZXT Tempest 210, but it would not work for what I needed and here I am back at the Arc Midi.

This case is slightly larger than I was expecting, but that's ok. I know for a fact that it will work exactly how I want. This weekend, or possibly late Friday night, I will be drilling out the lower HDD cage and mounting the RS240 in that location, vertically. I shudder at bringing my drill near this piece of art, but drilling out 5 or 6 rivets is painless. That said, it looks like there are pre-drilled holes in the floor to screw in the lower cage. I wonder why they riveted it?

Nice AB! Definitely subbed

Umm, no reason you can't mount a rad on top of the case...

Thank you sir

Subbed.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Angrybutcher

lol a similar but more aesthetically pleasing setup was thought about Tex. I debated on a Koolance shroud modified to support 120mm fans. I personally do not care for external radiators though!

Click to expand...

I thought this was a "Budget" build....

That Azza box was about as budget as I could make it...

LOL!