Project Odyssey

[Tristerin]

Inspiration:  Project Odyssey first became a reality after having such a blast over Christmas with my kids playing on my personal machine with old games over emulators, fantastical 3D walking simulators, flying simulators (Pilotwings64 was my daughters first experience, we have since moved on to more detailed simulators - I love it because its a game I grew up with also!), and city building games.  They are both very inquisitive and watching them learn to navigate these environments - expressions, squeals of joy, and downright learning on their feet and overcoming obstacles is amazing - so I pulled the trigger.

 

Why Odyssey?  This is a throwback to the original TV consoles (Magnavox Odyssey) that set the stage for the gaming I began in the 80's.

 

I began sourcing the parts, at first looking at Ryzen 5000 series, but of course I ran into the same issues I read about daily here - lack of product to purchase.  I quickly tired of that game and gladly settled for Ryzen 3000.  During my parts sourcing I was honored to be contacted by ARESGAME and asked to work with their products in this build.  Below you will see the parts list, with SOME adjustments intended, in transit, or at this time still being sourced.

 

Case: Fractal Design Focus G ATX in black Fractal Design Focus G Mini in black (arrives in 2 days)

Motherboard: ASRock B450m Pro4 

CPU: Ryzen 5 3600

RAM: 2x8gb TeamGroup T-Force Delta RGB DDR4 Gaming Memory 3200mhz CL16

GPU: Sapphire R9 Fury Tri-X EVGA RTX 2060 KO

Storage: TeamGroup MP33 256gb NVMe M.2

Storage: HGST 3tb 7200 RPM 3.5" HDD

PSU: ARESGAME AGV750 Semi Modular 80+ Bronze

CPU Cooler: ARESGAME River 5

Case Cooling: 7x ARESGAME 120mm SYNC ARGB PWM Fans

RGB Controller: Provided by ARESGAME

ODD: Hitachi Blu Ray burner (to be painted black to stealth into the case)

 

This is going to be a clean build with a focus on extra cable management.  Depending on how the case comes apart will determine any possible paint modding.  As this is going to be my first RGB build, I am most likely wanting to keep the majority black color theme that I have going on but that will be determined after I open up the box when the mATX variant arrives.

 

Without further wall of text I give you the beginnings of Project Odyssey - thank you for your time looking at the Build Log and I hope you follow me as I journey through this build!

 

EDIT#1 1.21.21 to main post - TeamGroup has joined the build!  New memory on the way to really enhance the build and apply the final touches to the RGB.  I am blessed and excited to have been able to be sponsored by TeamGroup - let the building commence!  Unfortunately the case hasnt arrived yet.  Shows out for delivery today (pictured atm is the ATX variant I have on hand) so still a few hours to wait.  I plan on going to the shop Friday evening or Saturday to start documenting this build.  Thanks to all following my journey!

 

EDIT#2 1.24.21 to main post - no changes to main post sans this edit - keep scrolling in the log for the major update that occurred today!

 

EDIT#3 1.31.21 to main post - no changes to main post, update on RAM in transit now slated to arrive 2.3.21 and talking about my inability to paint well lol - teaser on update with color scheme.  The HDD brackets and front bezel turned out perfect.

 

EDIT #4 2.1.21 to main post - no changes to main post, updated receipt of RAM and some pic updates. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Since I swapped out the Sapphire R9 Fury Tri-X for the EVGA 2060 KO I am not as worried about power draw, and actually have the option to choose from the AVG750 or the AVG650.  I havent fully decided which will go in this machine yet.

 

The Powerhouse:

 

 

 

 

And the Brains:

 

 

 

Well that is all for today.  After the case arrives I will begin taking things out and progressing the build.  Any possible modding will be determined after the Fractal Mini arrives.

 

Please feel free to follow this post, and I look forward to my next Log update!

 

[GDRRiley]

now we know where all the PSUs went looks like you got at least 5
can't wait to see the build

[Tristerin]

4 minutes ago, GDRRiley said:

now we know where all the PSUs went looks like you got at least 5
can't wait to see the build

Thank you!  And I cant wait to get the needed relevant information over to our PSU Cultists here to disseminate.  ARESGAME has a new lineup coming out in February Ill be receiving as well, I will post that banner on next Log update - Gold rated, fully modular - cant wait to see what they offer (and get into the nuts and bolts of them)

[Hellosh55]

Nice! I have their 500 watt psu in my system and it is working great so far! I hope people will start taking this brand seriously soon... They seem to offer good products at a fair price!

[Hellosh55]

Also quick question, Do you think their AGV 500 will power a RX 5600xt good or should I get something like a 1660 ti?

[Tristerin]

5 minutes ago, Hellosh55 said:

Also quick question, Do you think their AGV 500 will power a RX 5600xt good or should I get something like a 1660 ti?

Perfectly fine with a RX 5600 XT - that draws around 150w, 75w is supplied by the PCIe slot itself with the additional power supplied over the PCIe cable from the PSU.  

[Hellosh55]

12 hours ago, Tristerin said:

Perfectly fine with a RX 5600 XT - that draws around 150w, 75w is supplied by the PCIe slot itself with the additional power supplied over the PCIe cable from the PSU.  

Also its not like im running a 64 core cpu or anything im just running an i5 10400 so I should be in great shape. Thanks so much for your help!

[Velcade]

Sponsor?!  Nicely done.  Can't wait to see the build log.

[Tristerin]

Update #1 - TeamGroup has joined the build!  I have edited the main post to reflect the memory being supplied by TeamGroup, and their sponsorship banner.  I am beyond excited!  Cannot wait for it to arrive!

 

EDIT - case has arrived as well, cant wait to strip it down

[Tristerin]

First major update - still awaiting receipt of RAM, around 48 hours of painting left for the design (paint, dry, coat, dry).  I have started unboxing everything and getting the fit tested for cable management and installation flow.  

 

First the basics - bought the CPU used, I can see TIM has been cleaned away from the previous owner but still some present on the edges of the CPU - Im covering it here soon so I didnt really care.

 

Next I get it in the box, to start working on the massive airflow these fans are going to provide (and to see how and where the cable lengths lay after install)

 

 

 

Time to install the CPU Cooler provided by ARESGAME - the River 5.  In size, fin stack, and weight it reminds me of 180w-200w CPU coolers I have at the house.  Pleasantly surprised it came with 2 sets of fan holders for push pull orientation (comes with 1 fan in packaging).  No offense to ARESGAME but I will be using my favored paste (pictured below) - though it includes paste, spreader and consistency looks great with what came with the Cooler.  

 

Lastly - the instructions were robust, very well done.

 

 

With robust instructions installation was a breeze - at first I was worried the metal (shiny) mounting kit was such a contrast to the black of the cooler that it wouldnt mesh well, but the cooler completely covers the shiny metal bracket so all is well. 

 

 

 

Aesthetically this is a perfect CPU cooler for the design I have in mind.  I cant wait to put it through some Prime95 torture tests.

 

Now it was time for the boot drive - This item was purchased by myself prior to TEAMGROUP reaching out to support with the RAM going in this build (still in transit).  I am a fan of TEAMGROUP products, I have their storage in nearly every personal PC I own.  This one was going to be no exception, as the value to cost to performance ratio is perfect for my needs.

 

 

 

And for the final fit that I had time for today - the most powerful GPU in my arsenal!  Those who know me, know I tend to stick into the performance per dollar ratio, and due to the last few years of GPU tumultuousness I am personally using, and have been using R9 Fury X's for some time (I have 3 at this point).  The third was originally going into this build but I decided that for my daughters first build, they needed something more modern, and budget conscience at the same time!

 

Meet the EVGA RTX 2060 KO - she's thicc.

 

 

Install was a breeze as it was picked for the size, and space available (and the performance per dollar of course!)

 

 

 

Id like to take this time to thank you for reading this post, following this build log, and enjoying the tech pr0n.  If you have any questions about the build feel free to ask, the only reveal Im keeping under wraps for the most part will be the final case design (if I can keep my mouth and camera shut lol)

 

Id also like to take the time to thank my sponsors - ARESGAME and TEAMGROUP - It is an absolute pleasure to work with their products!

 

 

[Tristerin]

Build Log Update 1.31.21

 

It was a busy week!  I have unsuccessfully painted both side panels twice now due to runs, sanded back down and will be doing what I believe is the final paint this week (crossing my fingers, I think Ive got this type of paint and runs figured out now!).  Front bezel is exactly as I wanted it, ODD is matte black and ready to be installed. 

 

RAM is in transit from TeamGroup still, unfortunately with the current shipping situations worldwide it was to arrive this week on 2.1.21 but has been pushed out to 2.3.21.  Not bad coming from across the ocean!  Hoping it shows up so I can do some RGB stuff next weekend!  Its my first RGB build, so the ecosystem I am going to use depends on how it all behaves.  I have the controller but part of me wants to use Polychrome for everything if possible so I can get some use case experience with it.  We will see.

 

Ive also purchased and received my cable sleeving to really tie the build together for any wires exposed inside the build.  Not your traditional sleeving either.  Anyone care to take a guess on color or type of material?  Ive only given 1 hint in this thread to what this is going to be finishing up looking like.

 

Need a hint on the color scheme cause you didnt catch the first hint?  Here is an HDD bracket during paint session:

 

 

 

Thank you for following my build log, and thanks once again to ARESGAME and TeamGroup for supporting my build!

 

[alyen]

I've been following this to see if it resembles anything to the Magnavox Odyssey version 1 or 2. My childhood game console was the Mattel Intellivision so I wanted to see how this turns out.

[Tristerin]

The text I received yesterday contradicted the delivery I received today!

 

Unboxing was as expected with RAM packaged like this, knew exactly what I was getting into!  What I did not expect was the cool case sticker with the T-Force logo to adorn my case with.  That is a solid +1 for me.  I will not be using it on this build as it is not going to fit into the overall theme with design, but I will be keeping this for the future .  

 

This RAM (TeamGroup T-Force Delta RGB DDR4 3200mhz CL16 2x8gb kit) fits perfectly into the system for compatibility and stability using a B450 and Ryzen 3000 series.  I cant wait to push it through the paces!

 

As always I am blessed with the sponsors and appreciate TeamGroup taking this leap of faith in my build.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

@alyen is following well!  I hope the brown HDD bracket gives you an idea of which Odyssey we are going to see here in the future

 

Thank you to those who take the time to read my posts, and follow this build log!  

 

I am either going to work on sleeving the fans and PSU, or get the RGB ecosystem ironed out this weekend - either way there will be PC pr0n coming in the near future!

[Tristerin]

Large'ish update!  Painting was completed (3rd times the charm on the white side panels) and install of PSU, RAM, HDD, cable management has occurred.  I only had time to POST to bios, make sure things were good in that regard and head out for the day.  

 

Thank you to ARESGAME and TeamGroup for sponsoring this build, we are nearly to the line as I need to get the OS installed, RGB on point (right now just random), and check temperatures, etc.

 

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO IS FOLLOWING THIS BUILD - IT IS NOT DONE YET! 

 

The inspiration (NOT my unit, pic from interwebs):

 

 

The results - not finished yet!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Appreciate everyone taking their time to look at my build.  Almost finished with design, then to get it cranking numbers.

 

 

[alyen]

You need some wood grain vinyl adhesive trims on the white area to give it a retro look. I'm not too sure where you can put since the area around the wood should be raised up so you don't see the edge of the vinyl.

[Tristerin]

7 hours ago, alyen said:

You need some wood grain vinyl adhesive trims on the white area to give it a retro look. I'm not too sure where you can put since the area around the wood should be raised up so you don't see the edge of the vinyl.

Agree I was looking at where I could source - affordably - custom painting, and hydro dipping as options to get the wood grain affect - in the end I choose a more modern mix up of the dark hazelnut brown paint - trying to mix the two (Odyssey inspiration with current PC form)

 

If I had to do it again, and it wasnt out of pocket (fully sponsored), I would absolutely have had the front bezel hydro dipped as wood grain.  I plan on using it in the future (a personal kit is not actually that expensive).

[Tristerin]

Well - here we are.  I have tried and given up on my quest to custom cut and shrink wrap cables to the two differing brown shades of cable coolers on the original Odyssey.  Im just short of going out and getting some spray Flex seal in the coolers I need.  Might just do that.

 

So instead we ended today with the final updates, installation of stress test programs, temperature checks, stability blah blahs - in short, works as advertised!

 

With BIOS to the latest revision (man those previous BIOS revisions really liked their voltage!), latest Windows updates, all fans at 100% speed:

 

 

Prime95 15 minutes FTT blender test - 71c max on CPU, ambient temp 20c.  Spiked to 71c for a moment and huddled in the mid to upper 60c's - its what I expected from the heat pipes and fin stack on this CPU cooler and the chiplet design of the CPU.

 

RAM was as expected - 1 click XMP and stable through all stress tests (Prime95, OCCT, Heaven) 3200mhz CL16.  

 

My only complaint so far is with ASRock Polychrome software.  Fresh OS, full updates, latest BIOS and software and it just borks.  I will spend a little more time on it then call it a dud if I cant get it working.

 

OCCT for 38 minutes net the same temps on the CPU - 71c max, same ambient temp of 20c.  GPU hit 76c but I have not put a fan curve on it.  Will for Heaven run next.

 

Heaven temps on the GPU (she thicc, but short) were 72c after 30 minutes of running at extreme presets.  Score seemed a little low but I havent investigated yet where I should be.  Its late, time for bed, more work tomorrow!

 

 

Oh and the acrylic side panel on the case attracts dust like nothing Ive seen before lol

 

[Fatih19]

Heyyo! This case doesn't have a side intake doesn't it?