KronosOne

EDIT:  Updated the title to the somewhat name change and status of the build.
 
 
Hello all and welcome to my build log.  This build log is a culmination of upwards of two years of research and planning and will be my first real computer build (non-work related).  My only real previous experience with building a computer for myself was a junkyard HTPC / bootleg NAS built from spare, replaced parts from my last job as a IT Tech.  While she still runs nice and is currently strapped to my TV to provide that oh so enjoyable Netflix / Twitch / Youtube viewing pleasure, she is by no means a gaming computer.  That role is currently being filled by a now almost 3 year old MSI gaming laptop and while like the HTPC she still runs nice, I felt it was time to finally break my own personal financial blockade and start working on something that can last me for quite a few more years.
 
Anyway, enough about the back story, on to the actual computer!  
 
Let us begin with the parts:
 
CPU ~ Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0 GHz Quad-Core Processor (Acquired)
 
CPU Cooler ~ Corsair H110i GT 113.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler (Acquired)
 
Motherboard ~ Asus MAXIMUS VII IMPACT Mini ITX LGA1150 Motherboard (Acquired)
 
Memory ~ G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory (Acquired)
 
Storage 1 (SSD) ~ Samsung 850 EVO-Series 250GB (Boot, drivers and utility applications) (Acquired)
 
Storage 2 (SSD) - Samsung 850 EVO-Series 500GB (Steam library / Games) (Acquired)
 
Storage 3 (HDD) ~  Western Digital Black 1T 7200RPM (Fast storage applications) (Acquired)
 
Storage 4 (HDD) ~ Western Digital Green 3TB 5400RPM (Mass storage / media) (Acquired)
 
Video Card ~ Asus GeForce GTX 980 4GB STRIX Video Card (Acquired)
 
Case ~ Phanteks Enthoo EVOLV ITX Mini ITX Tower Case (Acquired)
 
Power Supply ~ Corsair 760W 80+ Platinum Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply (Acquired)
 
Operating System ~ Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) (Acquired)
 
Exhaust Fan ~ Corsair Air Series AF140 Quiet Edition 140MM 1150RPM 67.8CFM 24DBA (Acquired)
 
Updates to follow once more parts start rolling in.

OP finally delivers the goods (It only took a few extra days)
 
I measured out the space between the bracket and the top of the rad + fans.  Looking at 11.5cm or 4.3 inches.  I think the pump mount that is purchasable separately adds to the height as well, so it will be tight if you want to add a res + pump combo onto this area.
 

 
 
 
I used my potato level paint skills to try and illustrate what I mean by the bracket:
 

 
Normally the brackets on either side of the case extend to roughly where the red line is, this prevented me from installing the rad mount with the radiation screwed in.  Even though Phanteks has listed up to 280mm rads fit in the top, I think these specs where for a custom rad, not one of the AIO which is bigger due to having to mount the reservoir within the unit.
 
 
 
After giving it a quick measuring, it [might] work without having to mod.  I say that in brackets because after the bending, I can't be really all that sure how long they actually were.  In the end, if you are not willing to do some bodge work, I would just recommend getting a 240mm AIO, the difference in performance is not that huge and it would save some headache.
 
Lastly a couple of orders have come in over the last few weeks from Dazmode.  Can't say enough good about this company, really spot on with the service and seem to work some strange kind of magic over Canada Post as they always seem to deliver my orders from them almost a week before the expected delivery date.  I most certainly will be going to them once I get around to watercooling my rig.
 

 

OP finally delivers the goods (It only took a few extra days)
 
I measured out the space between the bracket and the top of the rad + fans.  Looking at 11.5cm or 4.3 inches.  I think the pump mount that is purchasable separately adds to the height as well, so it will be tight if you want to add a res + pump combo onto this area.
 

 
 
 
I used my potato level paint skills to try and illustrate what I mean by the bracket:
 

 
Normally the brackets on either side of the case extend to roughly where the red line is, this prevented me from installing the rad mount with the radiation screwed in.  Even though Phanteks has listed up to 280mm rads fit in the top, I think these specs where for a custom rad, not one of the AIO which is bigger due to having to mount the reservoir within the unit.
 
 
 
After giving it a quick measuring, it [might] work without having to mod.  I say that in brackets because after the bending, I can't be really all that sure how long they actually were.  In the end, if you are not willing to do some bodge work, I would just recommend getting a 240mm AIO, the difference in performance is not that huge and it would save some headache.
 
Lastly a couple of orders have come in over the last few weeks from Dazmode.  Can't say enough good about this company, really spot on with the service and seem to work some strange kind of magic over Canada Post as they always seem to deliver my orders from them almost a week before the expected delivery date.  I most certainly will be going to them once I get around to watercooling my rig.
 

 

Ummmmmmm......
 

 
UMMMMMMMM......
 

 
*sigh* everything is alright inside.... Thank god for extra packing material, still kinda... rough job done by the shipping company...
 

 
A few more bits and bobs arrived along with the CPU.  Spare SSD bracket just in case I want to expand down the road and the PWM fan hub from Phanteks.  I'm probably not going to be using it, since I overestimated how many fan ports I actually needed.  None the less, I will mount it in the case since the mounting screws sit behind the mobo.  If I needed more ports down the road, it would mean removing the whole lot, which would be a pain.
 

As for my future upgrade plans, I have a couple of ideas of what I want to do:
 
1.  Longer SATA cables
 
Currently using the 30mm long ones from dazmode, however, they are a bit too short for me to feel comfortable with for long term and I actually already have longer ones sitting on another table waiting to get installed once my second SSD arrives / tear down the system for other work.
 
2.  Applying carbon fiber vinyl wrap to the inside.
 
I want to continue with the very much used black / red colour theme and some accents would be nice inside.
 
3.  Individually sleeved power cables for the mobo.
 
As the GPU cables are simply hidden by the bracket, I figure I could save a bit of cash on just doing up the mobo ones to look nice.  Would also make for a much easier time cable managing them if I get shorter ones as it's a bit... cramped behind the mobo tray.
 
4.  Something to make it feel more.... unique?
 
I'm a huge fan of Star Wars and the build as it's going has a distinctly Sith feel to it, so I've been puttering around with different ideas on how to improve it / make it more interesting.  The other idea that tossed around in my addled mind has been doing up some kind of "HAL 9000" idea (see this thread http://linustechtips.com/main/topic/382770-evolv-itx-hal-9000-mod/)

There was interest about what can actually fit inside of this kind of case, so I figured I would get off my lazy ass and about post up some more stuff on this build.
 
It's been done for a little over a month now and running fine since then (apart from the horrendous NVidea driver issues with Witcher 3 and causing the video to lock up every now and then... which of course only started to return after I thought I had fixed it when the story was getting really interesting).
 

 
Yes that is a Corsair H110I GT that I managed to fit inside.  It does not normally work, as the brackets that support the removable radiator tray are too long, however I simply just bent them down (and did a rather mess on it honestly).  I now have my dremel back after loaning it out, so once I get a few more ascetic parts to upgrade, I will be cutting the supports down to length.  No, there is no issue with support even at their current state as it is also supported on either side by sliding into the mobo wall & screws on the window side of the case.
 

 
Semi glam shot of the case with the LED turned on (yea, can't really see it because of how crap the lighting is in my office.  For those that are wondering, the space between the GPU and the PSU cover is about 0.75 cm.  I have had no issues with temps so far, hovering in the high 60s to low 70s when under 99% load with W3.
 

 
EDIT:  Tolerances are also INSANELY tight for the 140mm exhaust fan, at the start I though I would have to order a 120mm one, but I was somehow able to get it to fit on the lowest part of the cutout.  I might not be able to get the anti-vibration grommets I ordered from Dazmode to fit in, even at only 2mm thickness.

There was interest about what can actually fit inside of this kind of case, so I figured I would get off my lazy ass and about post up some more stuff on this build.
 
It's been done for a little over a month now and running fine since then (apart from the horrendous NVidea driver issues with Witcher 3 and causing the video to lock up every now and then... which of course only started to return after I thought I had fixed it when the story was getting really interesting).
 

 
Yes that is a Corsair H110I GT that I managed to fit inside.  It does not normally work, as the brackets that support the removable radiator tray are too long, however I simply just bent them down (and did a rather mess on it honestly).  I now have my dremel back after loaning it out, so once I get a few more ascetic parts to upgrade, I will be cutting the supports down to length.  No, there is no issue with support even at their current state as it is also supported on either side by sliding into the mobo wall & screws on the window side of the case.
 

 
Semi glam shot of the case with the LED turned on (yea, can't really see it because of how crap the lighting is in my office.  For those that are wondering, the space between the GPU and the PSU cover is about 0.75 cm.  I have had no issues with temps so far, hovering in the high 60s to low 70s when under 99% load with W3.
 

 
EDIT:  Tolerances are also INSANELY tight for the 140mm exhaust fan, at the start I though I would have to order a 120mm one, but I was somehow able to get it to fit on the lowest part of the cutout.  I might not be able to get the anti-vibration grommets I ordered from Dazmode to fit in, even at only 2mm thickness.

This is my build log with the Evolv ITX.  I was able to fit a H110I GT as well as 980 into it with TONS of room.  The H110 took some modding to the brackets to support the removable rad bracket.
 
http://linustechtips.com/main/topic/362035-build-log-project-currently-without-a-name/
 
There is no pictures of the full build, but I can get around to snapping some if there is enough interest once I finish some small upgrades / mods.

I do yes, I have had no issues so far with the perforated PSU shroud + GTX 980 Strix.  The 200mm intake fan blows it's lower ~40% into the lower chamber to cool the HDDs and provide enough air for the GPU.  It stays steady at ~70* celcius when under load / gaming W3 maxed out.  I have not tried OCing with it, as I don't see much of a need.
 
I was required to do some cutting of the rad bracket to be able to fit a H110I GT, but temps are awesome with my 4790K OCed to 4.53ghz stable and temps in low 50's under load..

Maybe find a way to incorporate the "data modules" into the build?
 

 
Looking at my case, something like this could fit on either the GPU bracket or the cutout for showing of the PSU.
 
Also having the dull red glow could give it that "HAL" feel.
 
EDIT:  ...Now I totally want to steal your idea, would be such a sweet look...

This is going to be sweet.  I just build in the Evolv ITX and have nothing bad to say about it.
 
As a PSA, if you are thinking about going the AIO route, the H110I GT from Corsair requires some modding to the rails that hold the removable rad mount to the top of the system.  I had to cut them down by ~3/4 of an inche on either side.

For a moment I thought that the prizes were one of the three competition builds, but I could settle with the chance to win one of these beautiful looking cases.
 
Snef, you are quite the modding god, this build is probably the nicest I've seen yet.