[Build Log] Project: MLP - [My Little Prodigy]

[Jlryan]

I'd like to say first that this project will be very long and on-going due to financial terms.

A bit of background:

I'm an unemployed/self working computer technician, IT jobs are so hard to come by around here, so funding for this project will be slow. I am also looking for sponsors to help with this rig. :)

At the moment, I have only one machine running 24/7. This is doing my Folding@home work for our team, my word doc/pdf conversion work (which can hit hard on the CPU depending on the document size), Photography work and of course, gaming. This got me thinking for a while, to which the conclusion was to build a secondary machine. This would mean having my i7 rig running 24/7 on Linux Server for my Folding@Home/Storage server purposes. Though that one is reserved for a future build log

Now the second machine I am going to build will be this one. It will serve as my daily workhorse and for my gaming pleasure. It needs to be silent, but yet fast. It also needs to take up as little space as possible, since now I will be running two machines in my compact bedroom. (Really, it's TINY!)

Now as some of you may have guessed already where the origin of the name came from, I will explain to those who don't know. The name for this project is inspired by the show; My Little Pony. I am a fan of the show, but it won't impact too greatly on the outcome of the case will be. Only slightly! But yes, the name: MLP [My Little Prodigy] - fits really well!

Enough introduction, I don't want to make this tooo long, soo I will get on with the part/components list.

Main Components

• Case: Bitfenix Prodigy [Arrived - 14/01/2013]
  
• Motherboard: ASRock Z77E-ITX
  
• CPU: Intel Core i5 3570k [Currently saving for - £5.40 / £167.94]
  
• GPU: Nvidia GTX 660 Ti / GTX 670
  
• RAM: Crucial Ballistix 8GB or 16GB kit (Most likely get the 16GB with the photography work I do)
  
• PSU: Undecided - Most likely a Seasonic 500w or Corsair AXi
  
• Storage: 128GB SSD (not sure what yet), 2x 500GB Western Digital Black 2.5" Striped
  

Watercooling Components yet to decide

Temporary Hardware

• Motherboard: MSI H61I-E35
  
• CPU: Intel Celeron G540 Dual Core
  
• GPU: Onboard HD2000
  
• RAM: 4GB G.Skill Ripjaws X 1600MHz
  
• PSU: Antec Earthwatts 430W
  
• Storage: 32GB OCZ Onyx SSD, 500GB Seagate (Apps and docs), 500GB Samsung (games)
  

I will be using the temp hardware while I save up for better components.

Mods:

I will be doing a series of mods to the case, depending on condition (since I bought it Open Box/B Grade). Hopefully not much paint work, but we'll see. The mods I will be doing are purely for aesthetics and silence. Not performance/cooling. (since the Watercooling will hopefully be sufficient enough).

• Side Window (Possibly on both sides, not sure yet)
  
• Silencing - Anti vibration and sound dampening foam around the panels
  
• Lighting - I have some LED lighting spare, I may get a remote control box for it and use that
  

This list will grow, gradually.

[Jlryan]

Contents:

• [Prodigy Arrived] - 14/01/2013
  
• [small update] - 14/01/2013
  
• [Temp rig rebuilt, brief WC components overview] - 17/01/2013
  
• [small update - Lighting] - 18/01/2013
  

[Jlryan]

[Reserved for final images]

[Jlryan]

Prodigy Arrived!

Slight problem with this one, though I have gotten in touch with Bitfenix about this. :)

[Jlryan]

Just a tad update:

Got the temp rig built and setup, creating this build log from it now. :)

I have to say though, it was a absolute pleasure to build in! Everything is so easily removable and customizatable!

I also have my dedicated folding rig setup too, unfortunately it's not folding for Linus' team as I'm in a team competition with Overclock.net :P But yeah, that's sitting nicely above my head, pulling 40k PPD.

Enough of talking, Le pics!

[Jlryan]

All of this is going to change... All 3.5" drives will be located to the Folding@Home rig as that is now acting as a storage server. Both the mid and lower hard drive cages will be removed. ODD cage will also be removed as well as the rear fan.

I'm currently overviewing and finalizing my checklist for the watercooling components, I'll add those to the OP later, once I've finished.

What I can confirm though is, there will be 2 rads, Most likely a EK EX240 in the top with 1200rpm Noise Blockers, and a Magicool slim 180mm rad in the front with a Silverstone FM181. All fans will be controllable via fan controller in the 5.25" bay (still working out on how I'm going to mount that).

Finished re-building the rig earlier, mainly to have a play about with the different ways to build in the Prodigy. Not that it matters since almost all of its guts will be stripped out. :P

[MTROB]

Great looking build. I would like to build a mATX computer but I was wondering how hard it was compared to a full sized case. The cable management must be the hardest part?

[Jlryan]

Great looking build. I would like to build a mATX computer but I was wondering how hard it was compared to a full sized case. The cable management must be the hardest part?

Thanks!

If you're just doing a normal build, cable management in a small case can be an absolute pig to get right. Though in this build I'll be cutting all the wiring down to size, and sleeving them. :)

It just takes a very long time, patience is key! :P

[Jlryan]

Small update: Lighting