CoreVengeance

Can't beat free.

Yea I agree with ya. I don't like it too much either. The smaller monitor I just use for watching tutorials while working at the same time. I'm hoping to replace both with a 4K display some day [: I haven't had any issues with the board so far. Hopefully it stays that way.

Aha np. Surprised you actually noticed that. It's one of those things that make the build look neater without actually being noticed.

I can try to make a video of it. I'll post the link here when and if I do [: Thanks everyone. I'm glad y'all like it.

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.

I'm looking for a 46"-47" 1080p TV under $800. I'm not going to use it for gaming; just for watching TV and movies. - I don't need 3D - Has to be slim - Good quality and value I was looking at the LG LN5700 (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BB9ORS0/ref=s9_simh_gw_p23_d0_i2?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-3&pf_rd_r=0ZCY7X8A41K8757WP0M2&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=470938811&pf_rd_i=507846). Is it good? What other/better alternatives do I have around this price range?

I'm excited. I could really use a new phone as an upgrade from my Motorola Razor V3 lol.

Thanks for clarifying that. One last question. Let's say I have a USB DAC connected to my PC and a stereo amp connected to the DAC and passive monitors connected to the amp. Is it better to increase the volume on the DAC or the amp? Or do we have to find a right ratio? Also, does the answer to this question still apply if I have active speakers connected to the DAC?

So it is better to get a DAC than a soundcard? Then why would anyone buy a soundcard? If I want an active 2.1 speaker system for my PC, I should buy the DAC? And if I want to get passive monitors, I would buy the DAC and the amp? Sorry for so many basic questions. I am just trying to wrap my head around sound equipment.

How does the DAC fit in with the speakers, the sound card, and the amp?

What is the difference between a sound card and a stereo amplifier (like this one: http://www.amazon.com/LP-2020A-Lepai-Tripath-Class-T-Amplifier/dp/B0049P6OTI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1368299374&sr=8-1&keywords=lepai+lp-2020a)? If I have a stereo amplifier connected to speakers, and the amplifier connected to PC, would I still need a sound card? And there are some speakers that are not passive. Does that mean that the amplifier is inside the speakers? Please give a simple but detailed explanation. I would really appreciate that.

Okay, I'll wait. Will these also work well if I wanted to connect them to a TV in a small living room?

Where can I buy them? I don't see them in stock anywhere.

I need new speakers for my PC. I was looking at the Logitech Z623 ($130 on Amazon) and the Klipsch ProMedia 2.1($150 on Amazon). My budget is around this $150. I live in an apartment, so I don't really need something too powerful. Which speakers would you recommend? I've read in some reviews that while the ProMedia are really good, they sometimes have problems with burned out amp and have a faulty/weak DIN connector. Is this correct? What 2.1 speaker system should I get around this price range? Once I get the speakers, should I also invest in a sound card? Should the ASUS Xonar DGX be enough? Sorry, I don't know much when it comes to audio.

It's interesting to see that you guys like WMP and I can't disagree with you. It is very nice. I wast just curious to see if there are any other media players with a really modern UI. I just tried out KM player and I like it. Anyways, thanks for the suggestions :]