Blue^3

[ManOfGold93]

^{So for a while I have been drooling over a smaller build. I've only built a handful of computers but nothing this small. Most of the time the cases are roomy and forgiving when it comes to hiding cables/mistakes.}

^{BUT NOW!}

After selling most of the parts of my last computer I have saved enough money to start my dream build.

CPU: I5 4690k (havent purchased yet)

Motherboard: Asrock z97 Pro4 mATX

RAM: Corsair Vengeance (2x4GB) Blue Edition

GPU: Windforce R9 290

PSU: Corsair AX760

SSD: Samsung 840- 120GB

Hard Drives: 2x1TB WD Blue

Watercooling Kit: XSPC Raystorm 240 (yes I know, first time watercooling, was panicking and just bought this)

Gonna need more fittings

Oh and GPU block

AND THE BEST PART: 

CASE: Corsair Air 240 White Edition.

 

 

 

So whats the plan?

 

Step1 & Future update: Paint the grills/covers/radiator

Step2 & Future update: Finish buying parts

Step3 & Future update: ASSEMBLE

Step4 & Final update: Overclock and done! (jk, its never really over...)

(Step5?!?! who knows)

 

 

 

I will try to take pictures of decent quality but I make no promises haha

[ManOfGold93]

First Update: Painting

So I finished painting the grills, radiator, and cpu cover. 

 

I waited for the paint to dry and then inserted the parts into the build, doing a test fit.

(The case is so small that I wanted to make sure before I finished buying parts that I would be able to fit them all)

Its a tight squeeze

 

 

The Radiator doesnt fit  

Its like a Millimeter too big so what I had to do for now is just try and slide it into the front and just using the tension I mounted it in.

If anyone has any suggestions, please let me know!

I am debating in a few weeks to buy a new slim rad when I buy the water block...

If I do that itll be a pre painted white rad but maybe I will paint the fins to be blue, Idk yet.

Thanks for checking it out so far! 

The next few updates will take a few weeks because I am going on vacation (Where I will be buying my CPU at Micro center as well as some right angle fittings)

[ManOfGold93]

So I thought I was done until I bought some new parts...

Well I got bored and in looking around I found my Reservoir Temperature Monitor! So I decided instead of just sticking it on the inside I would go ahead and dremel out a spot for it on the front panel, what do you guys think?!

[Mao_Zedong]

This looks great! Followed.

[ManOfGold93]

Well I am scheduled to go up to Cleveland in TWO DAYS to visit gf and her family, where I will be going to microcenter to pick up fittings and CPU and potentially a GPU waterblock.

Well I got a little bored today..

And well, 

Here 

Is 
The

Result!

 

 

Ok so the color doesn't 100% match and its killing me.

Im kinda torn thought because I wouldnt mind putting a GPU Waterblock onto it but dont know much about GPU OC'ing... yet...

Idk, money is kinda tight so we will just have to see if I can put it in sometime soon.

This is the last update definitely before my trip.

Thanks for checking it out!!

 

Oh yeah, one more thing.

Should I go with White tubing and Distilled water

or Clear tubing and White liquid?

 

(im leaning towards the white tubing)

[melias24]

That Wind force looks nice I don't really like them, but i might get one now, as i'll paint it yellow and black

[Necrodead]

Awesome Air 240! Too bad your rad doesn't fit, I like the white on blue combo. (maybe cause thats what I'm doing to my 240!)

[ManOfGold93]

Ok so almost a month later I finally got around to looking back at this thread... my bad haha

UPDATE TIME:

 

So I bought some new fittings (originally 7/16" compression fittings chrome-didnt flow with rest of build)

Here is a picture (new fittings are 3/8")

With some white tubing I picked up these look really sick! (Pics upcoming)

 

 

 

 

But most importantly, I got my CPU! the I5 4690k is beautiful and runs like a champ- will post benchmarks later!

 

Here are some set up shots for now- thing looks amazing (and ive got a teaser too)

 

 

 

 

 

(These photos did not come out as expected- not big enough, when I get home I will post proper ones!)

 

Here is how everything looks on my desk

(Custom made Triple monitor stand!)

 

 

OK YOU READY??

teaser time

Edited July 16, 2015 by ManOfGold93

[rjfaber91]

Funny, this. I intend to paint my Windforce-cooled Gigabyte card white and blue as well, in a very similar pattern to what you're currently having. Mine will be a different shade of blue, but nonetheless your photographs give quite a good idea of what it might end up looking like, so thanks for that unintentional service!