Old Man Snail

7950 GX2. It was very expensive, power hungry and became outdated very quickly.

Update time!
 
Made a mobotray from a 3mm aluminium plate (32x49cm) and installed the standoffs for the mobo. Decided not to use a rear i/o bracket, but instead installed the i/o panel right into the backside of the case;
 

 

 

 
I've cut almost half of the mobotray away to get a more open feel/look

 

 

 
The mobotray is held in place by small aluminium corners, on this picture the first two are done

 
And here the third is done too (The small corner on the top right)

 
Installed some parts to get an idea of the look, hmm not too bad at all  B)

 
The 5h plate is measured and filed so it wraps around the mobo

 
Hard to see, but the double bottom is also installed, under the white plate on the bottom there is 15mm space to hide cables

 
That's it for now..

On Twitch, the same place it was streamed. It's in the archived videos for the Linus Tech Tips channel.

Totally doable if you have a solid psu. 

Hello everyone, this is my first build log as well as my very first custom built PC. I decided to take on the challenge of making it a Batman themed build and I have to say that I had a blast working on it. 
 
I bought all the parts during Black Friday and Cyber Monday back in November 2013. I have been working on the rig since then and I finally managed to fully finish it.
 
So let's start with the the specs: 
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2ggKc
CPU: Intel Core i7 4770K
Cooler: Corsair H100i
Motherboard: ASRock Z87 Extreme 6
RAM: Kingston HyperX Black 2x8GB
GPU: EVGA GTX 770 ACX
SSD: Kingston HyperX 3K 120GB
HDD: Seagate 3TB
PSU: Corsair RM750 80+ Gold
Case: Fractal Design Define R4 w/ window
 
Extras (For a temperature controlled RGB LED Strip):
Arduino Uno R3
5m RGB LED Strip (~4m used)
One Wire Digital Temperature Sensor - DS18B20
MOSFET Transistor N-Channel 60V/16A STP16NF06 DE3268
 
 
Received all the parts!!
 







 
Did a test build. At first, I pressed the power button and nothing happened - my heart sunk. Pressed it again and still nothing. Then I realized my noob mistake: I didn't plug in the 24-pin power connector. Plugged it in and phew...it turned on.
 

 
Motherboard and CPU are in.
 

 
 
All parts in and wired.
 

 
 
Now time for some cable management.
 

 
 
Wire management done. 
 

 
 
She's alive! Installing Windows 8.
 


 
 
Aluminium Batman Logo:
Now it's time to create an aluminium Batman logo! I made this sketch in SolidWorks using an image as a reference in the background.
 


 
 
I decided to get it cut with a CNC machine, which I have access to at my university. Someone helped me transfer the SolidWorks drawing to MasterCam, which calculates the path that the CNC takes to cut the metal.
 

 





 
For the Batman silhouette, I didn't use SolidWorks as it would have been really tedious trying to dimension it. I opted for creating a paper template and hand-cutting it with a dremel.
 

 


 
 
It was really hard to cut but I did it. Took me about an hour to cut and 4 hours to refine.

 
 
I refined both the Batman logo and the silhouette by filing and sanding.
 


 
 
Time for a brushed aluminium finish!
 





 
 
First pass on the silhouette
 
 
 
 
I think it turned out pretty nice.
 

 
 
To attach the logo and the silhouette, I used Uglu (amazing stuff). It holds them on the case very strongly and I don't think I ever have to worry about the aluminium falling off.
 

 
 
RGB LED Strip:
 
Then I moved on to creating the temperature controlled RGB LED strip. I cut the 5m LED strip to size and put it around the side perimeter of the case. For making the circuit, I followed this tutorial: http://www.jerome-bernard.com/blog/2013/01/12/rgb-led-strip-controlled-by-an-arduino/
 
To power the LED strip and the arduino, I used the 12V and 5V supply from the PSU molex connector. I haven't had any issues with the LED flickering or pulling too much current. And the arduino still works after about 3 months of use. Eventually, I would like to take the arduino out and just use the Atmega 328 chip to run the circuit. 
 


 
 
Testing the strip with the old PSU
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Without further ado, here's the final product:
 
 






















 
 
Next steps:
 
I would like to some day finish the GPU backplate I started working on. I measured everything on the GTX 770 and even created the SolidWorks model for it but never really got around to finishing it. I'll be sure to post back if I ever finish it.
 

 
Anyways, I hope you enjoyed this build log. I sure had a lot of fun building "Dark Vengeance" and I learned so much.  

Nice, but could you post some better pics please? Also what speakers are those?

Made this rig because i needed the extra power, does what i need and it is a shared computer. I use it for all my work etc like Cinema 4D, Photoshop and Premier. It is a bit messy inside but it isn't a show rig. The CPU cooler is massive and touches the side panel, really close call probably should have checked measurements before i got it but its in and fits luckily. I picked the Fractal Core 1000 because i have a Fractal Arc XL and it is awesome. The Core 1000 is crazy value for money as i got it for £20($33.17). Motherboard was the Gigabyte H81M S2PV which i chose because it was the cheapest and did what it needed, only £40($66.34). I know Gigabyte is good from my Sniper 5 which has so many features it is crazy. CPU i went for Intel Xeon 1230v3, doesn't need to be overclocked and is basically a 4770k just without the overclocking features. Ram i went for Corsair Vengeance 2x4GB, i might upgrade to 2x8GB but for now 8Gb total is fine. CPU cooler i went for Zalman CNPS10X, it is way bigger than i expected but it means i can run the fan really slow, the CPU never gets hot even on full load. Because of the ram i couldn't fit the standard fan so i got a 120mm Fractal fan that was originally in the front of the case then i put a 140mm in the front with zip ties. Graphics, i went for a 570, it is more than half the price of a 670 and only has 15% less performance. I don't know what model 570 but i know its MSI. It is hearable on high load but usually it is silent. Power i went for Fractal Design Newton R3 600W. I already have one in another rig so why not get another. Storage, i have 128GB SanDisk SSD, 1TB 2.5" HDD, i think it is seagate. I also have a 300GB HDD in a Scythe Himuro. i don't use the DVD RW drive so i may just take it out, only used it for installing OS. Well thats it, thanks for looking.
 
 
 




 

Just recieved my set from WASDkeyboards in the US for my UK QuickFire Rapid. They're ABS but are decent and I was given one of these keycap pullers.

Been a while since the last update (I should patent that phrase!) but I've continued working on the case in the meantime
I'd planned some time to take pictures of the progress yesterday, but both my camera and my camera skills let me down. Out of 60+ pics not a single one was decent enough to show in the logs. Either the colortemp is all messed up (way too orange) or the pic is just too dark to see the details.. Problem is I don't have a decent space to photograph my build, I have a small computer room with terrible lightning for taking photo's. Tips and tricks for better photo's are very welcome (
 
So for now a small update with the progress, pictures are taken with an iPad, sorry for that..
 
The acrylic strips in the front of the case will be lit with UV leds, in the 4th strip from the left the led is visible

 
With power it looks like this, in reality the whole strip is lit like the bottom half, pink/purple. The camera makes it look alot more blue than it really is.

 
 
Continuing on the internals of the case, first made a small Sketchup to see the idea before building it

 
So I ordered 6 plates of aluminium (493x210x3mm) and started to cut and file it. First plate I finished was the midplate

 
After that I started on the rest of the plates, made a drawing in Sketchup, converted it to Layer and made 1on1 stencils on stickersheets. (May thanks to Waynio for explaining this to me!) 
 

 

 
Cutting

 
Alot of filing

 
And done!

 
I finished 4 of 6 plates, for the other 2 I need a mobo to get the correct measurements so the plates won't touch the hardware
 

 
 
And I've been playing around with Sketchup a bit
 

 
Comments are welcome
 

 

BF4 is still a broken mess and doesn't play well with Nvidia cards

http://imgur.com/a/3GCoc

--specs--

CASE: Silverstone ML04B

CPU: AMD A6-6400K

MOBO: MSI FM2-A75-E35

PSU: ANTEC VP-450

RAM: Crucial Balistix 2x4GB

HDD: Seagate 4TB (data), OCZ VERTEX2 40GB (boot)

(edit) HSF: Scythe Shuriken

 

Comments / suggestions much appreciated

Hello again!
  Since I've finished Project 180 I've started a new build which I'd like to share with you   The victim this time is a Dell XPS 720. An all aluminum case (3mm) and in my opinion one of the best looking cases ever. I've spend quite some time looking for a good one, and about half a year ago one was offered on a Dutch marketplace and I've bought it The previous owner removed most of the hardware so it was just the case, perfect for my modding needs         Some of the remaining hardware, the cpu heatsink and some ducting     It's a big case, Project 180 fits inside it, the radiator is a EK-XT360   Without plastic front   First thing I did was strip the case. Went quite fast because the case doesn't have an internal chassis, it's just the front and back panel that hold the whole case together. So it was a matter of drilling out some rivets to take apart the entire case   Because Dell made the case as a BTX the orientation of the I/O panel is upside down and has to be replaced. On the left the original backside and the front on the right   I've replaced the front and back by 3mm aluminum panels and attached those to the original brackets on the top and bottom        Up next, het openingmechanism on the sidepanels!   On the original case the left panel is fixed to the top and bottom and can't be opened. This is a problem because I want to be able to reach the backside of the mobotray, so it needs to be changed.  On the right panel there is a big metal bracket with the opening mechanism on it, this makes the panel click into the top and midplate of the case. Because I'm not going keep the midplate that part of the opening mechanism isn't needed and can be removed from the right panel and I can use it for the left panel. (On the picture this part is already removed)   The metalbracket was glued to the panel with some sort of ubertape, almost impossible to remove, but using a heatgun and a putty knive I got it removed   I've cut the bracket into 2 pieces, the lower one already has an alu strip that will be used as the handle to open the panel         That's it for now  

(finished prior sorry)
Hi guys.  The purpose of this project is to build a fully fledged gaming rig, in a 13 year old case which you could probably find at your local junkyard. The computer must be a champ in three categories; Power, Cooling and Silence. All thise while looking completely stock on the exterior.  I started this project a few months ago, but am still awaiting a few parts. All picture have been taken with a non-smart phone sorry.   Specs: 4770K With 360 Loop MSi GTX 770 oc in SLi (+Backplate) Gigabyte Z87MX-UD3H PNY 4x4GB 1600 Kingston v300 120GB SSD (windows, high priority games) Seagate Barracuda 2TB (Steam games, a lot) FSP Aurum 750M GOLD     First off, Heres the beauty. Ah, that windows ME sticker means business folks.   How did such an old case stay so clean?   This was used to line the interior panels of the sides, top and front. Even the drive bay covers.   Thanks to MNPC tech, I could stencil early!   Ready to cut!   Some early parts!   Just some little tweaks...   The cut is made....and the case is Powder Coated!!   These are some neat doodads  And this will be a challenge..   I love velcro dots <3 (for filter, ssd, and panel)   This Pantyhose dust filter for the bottom of the case is a little ghetto   More parts!! Cable extensions are silverstone btw! They look like shoe laces. I didnt even have to mod for this hole!   More of these haha Exciting.... Turned this reservoir into absolute ghetto Things are falling into place The front panel cables have been heatshrinked too.   Neato fan controller to be chopped up!   Ghetto, but temporary!   Far out its sexy!   First card and ram arrived!   A bonus swag sticker to go with my celeron D!   Now for a start at putting her together!   And the final shoot!

haha trolled hard!

This is a 3rd party device. Aka not an official product that is licensed for the system

Budget, location, use? Its different for every price segment, country, shop,... and personal use.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EnYGp_HkX4E

I like what you have done with the forum

The only brand that puts proper sensors in the majority of their mice. So long as you're getting an AM, FK, EC1 or EC2 evo, good choice.

The new consoles will need to be cracked or have an exploit discovered before we see Windows or Linux on them. This is because the CPU uses private keys to stop unsigned code from running. So basically you need to crack the key (is extremely hard, Original Xbox was never fully cracked I believe) or find an exploit that allows unsigned code to run. Think reset glitch hack on the Xbox 360.

Its putty-time, adding some bondo and sanding it. 
 
All walls done, and the floor is on.
 

Hi, I decided to make a rig for gaming, mainly BF4.
Specs:
i5 4670k @ 4.6 GHz
EVGA GTX 780 +200 MHz OC and +500 MHz memory
Gigabyte Z87X-OC
Corsair Air 540
8gb Corsair Vengeance
OCZ 256gb Vertex 450
H100i with 2xNoctua NF-F12
OCZ 550w ZT PSU
This rig performs great in modern games, 90fps average on BF4 @Ultra with shadow play enabled.
100+fps on Sim City at the highest settings. I am happy with the silence and temperatures of this system when when under full load. Max temps are about 85 with OCCT avx linpack but under normal load I haven't hit 75°C. I do intend to use noctua fans for the rest of the rig but I might try some be quiet! fans. Hope you like the look of the rig, will post some performance numbers and since better pictures of the rig
(In the pictures the fans for the rad are SP120 silent fans but I have since replaced then with noctua fans)

Closing this thread since I'll no longer be monitoring it. I've read through all the feedback and will carefully consider it. Thanks so much guys.
 
I'm not turning this thread into a poll because I intend to carefully read the replies of every single person who posts in the next couple of days.
 
I won't make a decision like this without consulting the community that made us one of the top technology channels on YouTube.
 
I am considering completely abandoning unboxings in 2014 to focus on reviews, guides, Tech Quickie, and our upcoming daily news show.
 
What this means first of all is LESS CONTENT. Unboxings take a fraction as long as all that other stuff, so we won't be able to cover nearly the breadth of products that we used to do...
 
What it also means is MORE QUALITY and MORE FOCUS. We'll be able to really spend time getting familiar with things before we show it to you and really zone in on the stuff that we feel is most relevant, exciting and interesting.
 
Please let me know your thoughts.

Then this happend

EDIT: This post was originally about Next Car Game being in Kickstarter, but they didn't achieve their goal. Pre-orders are running in their own web page however and the game is being developed. So I decided to modify this post to keep you up to date.
 
 
Bugbear entertainment has a new game coming. Pre-orders are already running on nextcargame.com.
 
At this stage the game is called just "Next Car Game" but the name will change when the game is more complite. Important thing is that this game is going to be "the new FlatOut". It may not have the name FlatOut but it should have the feeling of FlatOut.
 
If you have ever heard of FlatOut you may know a little bit what's coming, but here's the thing in summary:
FlatOut is about racing without rules on rusty old cars - proper reckless racing where you feel no pitty for your car. So you can tackle your opponents as you wish but damage also affects your cars handling (and also looks realistic.) Racing places are narrow gravel roads in forests, tarmac racing tracks, sand pits etc.
 
Next Car Game steps it up a notch on every aspect. Dynamic damage, graphics, physics, car upgrading, detailed racing tracks... Everything should be better than before.
 
The game will also feature multiplayer, 12 players on track (at this point at least).
 
Here's some early video about the game:

 
Here's their web page with lots more info about the game:
http://nextcargame.com/
 
Oh and one thing to note is that this game is going to be PC only (at first at least). They also say that the game should run well even on little older hardware, so you don't have to upgrade your computer to play the game. But if you want to crank up the settings, it will require a high end PC.
 
Release schedule: sometime early spring 2014.
 
This looks like an awsome game to me. I really hope they get pre-orders to fund the project!
 
If you pre-order the game you'll get a technology sneak peak right away. Here's a video: