Cicada

11/9/2015 - A Little Cosmetic Surgery
 
Took Rumikarimu's advice and heated it up a bit -- The emblem is attached with mounting tape. I used a tiny dab of super glue to re-apply it in the right orientation.
 

 
 
 

 
 
 
Glamour Shots & Tubing:
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

After building a $5000 beast for productivity, I took the opposite approach and decided to see how "budget" I could go by building a sub-$500 gaming PC as a present to my cousin for Christmas (2015).
 
Demands for this build weren't very high as he really only plays Guild Wars 2 and other MMOs which aren't as demanding as many of today's titles. Still, I wanted to build a very capable system, in case he ever wanted to run some Steam games in the future. He currently runs a Mac Mini, so nearly anything would be better for gaming, and his productivity demands aren't very high, either.
 
In wanting to keep with a relatively small form factor (hard to beat a Mac Mini), I wanted to build a Mini-ITX gaming system, but with the parts I wanted to use, it just didn't fit in the budget. Going to MicroATX freed up a lot of options while not sacrificing performance (and in many ways getting better performance).
 
I chose the Cooler Master N200 for the case for its Mini-tower size and features, including USB 3.0 in the front panel. Other choices included the Fractal Core 1000 or the Corsair Air 240. I wanted a clean looking case with a small footprint, and I found the N200 on sale for $44 + Rebate from Microcenter.
 
I chose the AMD FX6300 for its 6 cores, performance, overclockability and most importantly, price. 6 unlocked cores for under $90 is a steal, and by most accounts its the best processor in the price range.
 
Another requirement was that the build had to be fairly quiet, if not silent. For cooling, I went with the highly regarded Cooler Master Hyper212 EVO. It fits neatly in the N200, and since I won't be overclocking the processor much, it should be just fine, and the fan shouldn't spin up enough to be loud. I would have liked to go with a small AIO watercooling solution from corsair, but the budget didn't allow for it, and they don't perform any better than an efficient tower cooler.
 
The Gigabyte GA-78LMT has all the features i'd want for this build with 4 DIMM slots for expandability (up to 32GB), and on-board USB 3.0 headers for the front panel of the N200. On-board Gigabit Ethernet is nice, too. It retails for anywhere between $50-60, but with the Microcenter processor bundle discount, I got this great board for just $19.
 
For RAM I went with 8GB of Crucial Ballistix Sport 1600MHz RAM for its price and compatibility with the GA-78LMT. 8GB of RAM is enough for most games and seems to be the best price/performance point for a gaming and light-duty rig. The RAM ran me $36 from Amazon.
 
For GPU, I scored a Zotac 2GB GTX960 on Amazon while it was out of stock, so I was able to get a $30 discount, bringing the price of the GPU to $169. The Zotac is a solid performer, and for the price of a GTX950, I couldn't pass it up. The 960 is fully capable of running many titles on high-ultra settings at 1080p, let alone less demanding titles like MMOs and MOBAs.
 
Coming from a Mac Mini, I suspected his storage needs weren't very high, or he has an external for media storage. As such, I chose to go purely SSD for storage with a 250GB Samsung 850 EVO SSD. This further increases performance, and the $75 price kept me just under budget. A mechanical HD is easy to add later, for not much money, and the board would easily support the extra storage.
 
For the power supply, I had an unopened Rosewill 630W Green PSU (80+ certified) that had been sitting around for a few years. I tested it and it works, so I was able to save money there. 630W __is_ a bit overkill for the build, but hey -- it didn't cost me anything. Had I needed to buy a PSU, I would have went with the Corsair CX430 or 430M (as budget allowed).
 
Finally, not knowing his connectivity situation, I chose the Gigabyte GC-WB867D-I based on its reviews, wide support for different bands of WiFi, and mostly, for its included bluetooth connectivity. This way, he loses nothing from the Mac Mini in terms of connecting his wireless/bluetooth devices. The price for this part ran me just under $30.
 
I chose not to add any optical drive, since most games are delivered digitally nowadays, and any drivers or programs can easily be either downloaded, or transferred to a USB drive. Newer 5.25"-less cases are becoming more popular as a result.
 
In total, the build ran me just $495 USD (at my purchased prices, YMMV) for what promises to be a pretty good gaming computer. This doesn't include the peripherals I purchased for him, like a Logitech G600 mouse and a G710+ keyboard, and Steelseries "Guild Wars 2 Edition" Headset. These Items add another ~$150 to the build.
 
Waiting on the RAM and video card to come in, but will have build/completed photos soon!
 
 
Parts list:
 
Case:
Cooler Master N200 CPU:
AMD FX-6300 Black Edition (6 core, 3.5GHz) Motherboard:
Gigabyte GA-78LMT-USB3 RAM:
8GB Crucial Ballistix Sport DDR3-1600 GPU:
Zotac GTX960 2GB PSU:
Rosewill 630W Green (80+ Certified) Storage
250GB Samsung 850 EVO Cooling:
Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO Networking:
Gigabyte GC-WB867D-I 802.11a/b/g/n/ac PCI-Express x1 Wi-Fi Adapter

11/9/2015 - A Little Cosmetic Surgery
 
Took Rumikarimu's advice and heated it up a bit -- The emblem is attached with mounting tape. I used a tiny dab of super glue to re-apply it in the right orientation.
 

 
 
 

 
 
 
Glamour Shots & Tubing:
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

11/9/2015 - A Little Cosmetic Surgery
 
Took Rumikarimu's advice and heated it up a bit -- The emblem is attached with mounting tape. I used a tiny dab of super glue to re-apply it in the right orientation.
 

 
 
 

 
 
 
Glamour Shots & Tubing:
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

11/9/2015 - A Little Cosmetic Surgery
 
Took Rumikarimu's advice and heated it up a bit -- The emblem is attached with mounting tape. I used a tiny dab of super glue to re-apply it in the right orientation.
 

 
 
 

 
 
 
Glamour Shots & Tubing:
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

11/9/2015 - A Little Cosmetic Surgery
 
Took Rumikarimu's advice and heated it up a bit -- The emblem is attached with mounting tape. I used a tiny dab of super glue to re-apply it in the right orientation.
 

 
 
 

 
 
 
Glamour Shots & Tubing:
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

11/3/2015 - More Goodies! - SSDs, Cooling Components, Fans, Cables & Bend Kit
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
Monsoon Mandrel Kit
 
 
 

 
 
 
240mm Slim Rad
 

 
 
 
Tt Riing Fans (5 total, for radiators)
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
Cablemods Cables for Corsair AX PSUs

11/3/2015 - More Goodies! - SSDs, Cooling Components, Fans, Cables & Bend Kit
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
Monsoon Mandrel Kit
 
 
 

 
 
 
240mm Slim Rad
 

 
 
 
Tt Riing Fans (5 total, for radiators)
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
Cablemods Cables for Corsair AX PSUs

Seriously -- I'm just on the other end of the country and the stuff can't come fast enough -- I placed 3 separate orders with them last week, so this week should be a good week for goodies. Then I'll have to really plan out how I want everything routed and then order extra fittings. I think the biggest challenge is going to be where the pump mounts. the access to the basement is kind of at an awkward angle (as you can see in the above pic showing the proposed pump location) and clearance isn't much -- may need to dremel, but i'm hoping one of the double or triple rotary fittings will address the awkward angle, and i'm hoping there's enough clearance for it.

I think you're right.
 
the logo looks like it's recessed a bit so there may be a small recess for the logo, so i cant place it anywhere else -- at least i can turn it right-side up

Is the logo not just applied with adhesive? 
 
If that's the case, some heat, a guitar pick, and a pair of tweezers could do the trick in prying it up, then removing it. Also it depends on how fragile the acrylic is itself, or how easy it would be to scratch.  :unsure:
 
 
(I'm not liable for any damage done to your CPU block! )

I'll say! Think I've placed 3 orders for fittings now because what's in my head for the loop is never what actually happens in test fits.
 
Just realised you may be able to mount the reservoir on the radiator or attach it to the removable rad holder up top with something like this, or like this from EK.  
 
Why is there an ocean between you and I PerfPcs! Why...

11/1/2015 - Test Fitting & Loop Planning
 
While I wait for a bending kit, PETG tubing, 2nd rad, my GPU waterblock and a couple fittings to arrive from Performance PCs, I figured i'd try and lay everything out since I have all of the essential components, and see how this will all fit (or not fit). I'll reserve ordering/wasting more money on fittings until I see what exactly I'll need for all the hardline.
 
I visualized the loop in this post. Let's see what it looks like IRL.
 
 
 

 
It looks a bit tight. With the length and width of the Strix, I cannot mount the reservoir next to the motherboard, nor can I mount it in the case's recommended mounting location (under the rear 140mm exhaust fan) The PSU shroud is perforated, and I can easily mount it in the position in this photo without having to drill. The pump will (hopefully) be mounted near the front radiator in the basement (pic below)
 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 
I may mount the block in this orientation just to allow for easier/cleaner routing of the lines -- but my OCD may not let me, because of the logo. I saw the PerofrmancePCs Star wars blocks they released over the Halloween weekend -- almost wanted to pick one up -- almost
 
 
 

11/1/2015 - Test Fitting & Loop Planning
 
While I wait for a bending kit, PETG tubing, 2nd rad, my GPU waterblock and a couple fittings to arrive from Performance PCs, I figured i'd try and lay everything out since I have all of the essential components, and see how this will all fit (or not fit). I'll reserve ordering/wasting more money on fittings until I see what exactly I'll need for all the hardline.
 
I visualized the loop in this post. Let's see what it looks like IRL.
 
 
 

 
It looks a bit tight. With the length and width of the Strix, I cannot mount the reservoir next to the motherboard, nor can I mount it in the case's recommended mounting location (under the rear 140mm exhaust fan) The PSU shroud is perforated, and I can easily mount it in the position in this photo without having to drill. The pump will (hopefully) be mounted near the front radiator in the basement (pic below)
 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 
I may mount the block in this orientation just to allow for easier/cleaner routing of the lines -- but my OCD may not let me, because of the logo. I saw the PerofrmancePCs Star wars blocks they released over the Halloween weekend -- almost wanted to pick one up -- almost
 
 
 

10/31/2015 - More Parts; RAM, PSU, GPU
 
 
I haven't been able to get my hands on an OC Strix, but I figure I'll be WC'ing and OC'ing it anyway, so it should be just fine. I rarely game, so it doesn't matter as much to me.
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

10/30/2015 - Watercooling Kit
 
Picked up the EK X360 Kit yesterday -- I'll be using most of this kit (pretty much everything except fittings and tubing, though I may use some for draining) for the loop.
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

10/31/2015 - More Parts; RAM, PSU, GPU
 
 
I haven't been able to get my hands on an OC Strix, but I figure I'll be WC'ing and OC'ing it anyway, so it should be just fine. I rarely game, so it doesn't matter as much to me.
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

Maximus VIII blah blah bullshit, what a joke.
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant   CPU: Intel Core i5-6600K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($254.99 @ Amazon)  CPU Cooler: Corsair H100i 77.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler  ($134.99 @ Newegg)  Motherboard: Asus Z170-A ATX LGA1151 Motherboard  ($141.99 @ SuperBiiz)  Memory: Corsair Vengeance LPX 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-2400 Memory  ($96.99 @ Amazon)  Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($87.99 @ Amazon)  Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($47.66 @ SuperBiiz)  Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 980 Ti 6GB Superclocked+ ACX 2.0+ Video Card  ($649.99 @ SuperBiiz)  Case: NZXT S340 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case  ($59.99 @ Micro Center)  Power Supply: EVGA 750W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($89.99 @ Newegg)  Total: $1564.58 Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-11-01 08:53 EST-0500

10/30/2015 - Watercooling Kit
 
Picked up the EK X360 Kit yesterday -- I'll be using most of this kit (pretty much everything except fittings and tubing, though I may use some for draining) for the loop.
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

10/30/2015 - Watercooling Kit
 
Picked up the EK X360 Kit yesterday -- I'll be using most of this kit (pretty much everything except fittings and tubing, though I may use some for draining) for the loop.
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

I'm not seeing the photo Just got my kit (still waiting on gpu block and 2nd rad) and planning out the loop right now -- the rad won't fit anywhere else other than where you mentioned (close to the window, and horizontally) -- the GPU is too wide for it to fit in the case's radiator mount under the 140mm fan.
 
the front radiator is thick, so that makes things difficult too. I wouldnt be opposed to a bit of dremel'ing to make the top radiator + fans to allow better visibility -- maybe i'll take a look at that.
 

 
and i stroke it....sometimes, i even flick it.

I'm not seeing the photo Just got my kit (still waiting on gpu block and 2nd rad) and planning out the loop right now -- the rad won't fit anywhere else other than where you mentioned (close to the window, and horizontally) -- the GPU is too wide for it to fit in the case's radiator mount under the 140mm fan.
 
the front radiator is thick, so that makes things difficult too. I wouldnt be opposed to a bit of dremel'ing to make the top radiator + fans to allow better visibility -- maybe i'll take a look at that.
 

 
and i stroke it....sometimes, i even flick it.

Yea things are a bit tight in some areas. It all depends where you plan on mounting your pump and reservoir, along with what thickness you choose for the radiators, I can hear you saying well duh, so for example I choose to mount my EK X3 250 reservoir [250mm high, 60mm wide] underneath my gpu as I don't think I will want to SLI in the future and if so I'll deal with it then. There is enough room to mount it between the end of the GPU and the front-mounted rad but it was a bit too close for my liking and makes things look a bit cramped. If you mount it underneath the GPU there should be enough room for the SSD maybe. You will have to mount the res closer to the window if that makes sense or on the rear 140mm fan exhaust.
 
Also with the top-mounted radiator I was a tad worried about it covering the motherboard from the side-window's view because of the rad thickness + 25mm of fan thickness as you can't mount the fans in the roof cavity from stock. You can with a bit of trimming [mebe I should make a modding guide in the modding thread?] and so even with a 30mm thick rad up top you loose sight of the top of the mobo with the fans mounted [why phanteks WHY? Its so simple to fix....Enthoo Evolv ATX V2 2016!!!] 
 
Also with the pump down the bottom the bracket that they give you is made for some kind of Dutch 2-bit pump, in that the mounting holes that they give you to screw in mounting screws rarely line up with the pump's mounting holes [i'm using an EK D5 Vario X-Top and only one screw hole lines up, its not really a big deal and might only be my pump, solvable with a drill]. This could easily be avoided with a pump-reservoir combo.
 
Here's a picture of my layout if you're all confused [One day I will learn to use my camera-phone, blasphemy the utterance of these two words together say yee!] :
 

 
Also It is possible to mount a slimline dvd-drive behind the mobo tray, just need to cut some steel and not mind reaching behind the case, don't judge me I like having the CDs for mah music. BTW I know you stroke it.

I was talking more about cooling the PCIe SSD. It's wholly unnecesary, and in mock-fitting stuff and diagram'ing it out in photoshop, with the way i'll have to mount the res, it'll be covered, anyway. Saves me $100 from having to get a block for it

I thought my studio strobes looked like light cannons (Profoto B1's and D1's) -- nope, this is a REAL light cannon! Awesome work, and it makes me want to build one