First PC build in 18 Years

[andyrblank]

I started building and tinkering with PCs probably around 12 years old (I'm 37 now) and one of my first jobs was working for a computer shop building PC's too.

 

My last build though was around 2005 and from what I remember it was an AMD system with an ATI X1600 in a Small Form Factor case and I remember replacing the GPU with a GeForce 6800GS and blowing the SFF PSU since it didn't provide enough amps on the 12V rail.

 

Since then life has happened and PC building had become a lower priority.

 

In the meantime I've bought laptops and even an Alienware Aurora R8 pre-built system during 2020.

 

I think it was around that time that I found the LTT channel on YouTube and it brought back all the PC Building memories and definitely fueled my desire to build a gaming PC again.

 

So without further ado this is my first build in 18 years.

 

Specs

Corsair 4000D Airflow case

3 x 120mm Corsair intake fans

1 x 140mm Corsair exhaust fan

MSI PRO B65M-A WIFI Motherboard

AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D

32 GB (2x16) Corsair 6,000MT/S DDR5 RAM

MSI Radeon 6750 XT GPU

DeepCool AK620 CPU cooler

2TB NVMe Gen 4 SSD

Corsair RM750e 750-Watt Power Supply

Windows 11 Pro

 

[SorryBella]

Rotate that fan on the AK620 clockwise. But beyond that, well done.

[andyrblank]

On 9/30/2023 at 3:05 AM, SorryBella said:

Rotate that fan on the AK620 clockwise. But beyond that, well done.

Good call. I think what you're saying is to rotate them 180 degrees so that the wire comes out closer to the motherboard. I felt like there was a reason I didn't do that but now that it's all together that does look like the better idea. Thanks for the feedback!

[SorryBella]

1 minute ago, andyrblank said:

Good call. I think what you're saying is to rotate them 180 degrees so that the wire comes out closer to the motherboard. I felt like there was a reason I didn't do that but now that it's all together that does look like the better idea. Thanks for the feedback!

Less that and more to actually hide those fan lead in the first place. Theyre the only mistake on your cable management except maybe your GPU cable being not pulled taut enough. But frankly its not the safest thing, leaving slacks is fine.

[andyrblank]

20 minutes ago, SorryBella said:

Less that and more to actually hide those fan lead in the first place. Theyre the only mistake on your cable management except maybe your GPU cable being not pulled taut enough. But frankly its not the safest thing, leaving slacks is fine.

 

Yeah the GPU cable is up against the glass but I don't want to stress it for now. I may get some custom cables at some point with a 90 degree bend.

 

Also want to get a 120mm fan for the rear of the case for exhaust and more lights at the back of the case.

 

I moved the fans as you suggested and it does look much better. When I get more zip ties I will clean up the cable routing just a touch more.

 

Thanks!

 

 

 

 

[alyen]

On 10/1/2023 at 8:19 AM, andyrblank said:

Also want to get a 120mm fan for the rear of the case for exhaust and more lights at the back of the case.

You may not need a rear fan if you just move the top fan to the rear. It looks like the exhausted air from the CPU heatsink is being pulled 90 degrees to the top exhaust fan. The top fan is also recirculating air that gets pulled in from the top outside. It may not be happening if the fan speed is set really low, but seems better to prioritize having a single rear fan than a top fan as exhaust to keep with the CPU cooler flow.

 

Over all things look pretty good even though the computer case seems so oversized for the components. Nice seeing someone else using RGB light bars, but I keep mine tucked in the top or sides of the case where they are not directly visible but provide lighting.

[andyrblank]

On 10/5/2023 at 12:27 PM, alyen said:

You may not need a rear fan if you just move the top fan to the rear. It looks like the exhausted air from the CPU heatsink is being pulled 90 degrees to the top exhaust fan. The top fan is also recirculating air that gets pulled in from the top outside. It may not be happening if the fan speed is set really low, but seems better to prioritize having a single rear fan than a top fan as exhaust to keep with the CPU cooler flow.

 

Over all things look pretty good even though the computer case seems so oversized for the components. Nice seeing someone else using RGB light bars, but I keep mine tucked in the top or sides of the case where they are not directly visible but provide lighting.

Thanks for the feedback. I've been going back and forth on my airflow plans for this build. The temps right now are well under control so it's just a matter of optimizing airflow at this point. The top fan is 140mm and the rear only supports 120mm. My new plan is to install a 2nd 140mm on top and make both of the top 140mm intake fans to draw in as much ambient air as possible and create a positive air pressure. Then add a rear 120mm fan for exhaust that lines up with what the CPU cooler is doing.

I also thought about hiding the light bar but with the cable management shroud right there and the bar being about the same size I actually liked the look of it there. Definitely still need more lights around the rest of the case too though to highlight the rest of the build.

[The Hope]

The build turned out well I must say.

 

I find the RGB with the three colours rather Christmassy.

 

In all the other pictures I find the light adds value.