SubZero - H440 - A Newbie's quest in modding.

[Actuosity]

Hey,

 

 

This is my build log for my customer built PC.
I've decided to start this build log mid build because I have just recently decided I wanted to get into modding. 
I'll Just start with the basics: 

 

 

I7 4790k - 4.0GHz Boost 4.4Ghz
Thermaltake Ultimate 3.0 AIO
16GB DDR3 HyperX fury 1889mhz (I know not a normal clock speed for ram but it works and I was bored) 
ASUS Sabertooth Z97 Mark 1 
Corsair 1000W RM 

Gigabyte GTX 970 G1 Gaming 1335mhz
2 x 256GB Plextor M6S Raid 0 

NZXT H440 Blue 

My build is Black and blue,

PC Park Picker List: http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/4mmB3C

 

Idd just like to explain the reasoning behind my build and the parts I chose. 

I decided to make this build as a present to myself for graduating college and getting a decent job. 
I felt like I needed an on going project and hobby. 

I've built around 20 systems before this, 4 for person use the rest for friends so this is my first build but this is my build with everything I need, Ive been building since I was 14. 

 

CPU: I7 4790K,
Honestly it was the best desktop CPU for 1150 socket so I went with it and I am an intel fanboy. 

 

Cooling: 6x Cougar CFD 120mm Blue LEDs 1x 140mm, Quiet, decent fans dim LED's and nice looking. 

 

Thermaltake 3.0 AIO, 360mm cooler, it was within the early budget, short term solution but I really just wanted to give thermaltake a chance because my very first PSU was a thermaltake,

 

RAM: Hyper X fury DDR3 16GB: Reason behind the OC is I was bored and decided I needed to tinker, It works I don't bother it. 16GB for gaming, youtube, netflix, twitch, all at the same time without issue. Two different colours to go with the scheme, very sleek looking dimm's

 

Motherboard: ASUS Sabertooth Z97 Mark 1: Wanted to have my PCB covered, also hoping top have the CPU, and MOBO around for a while so the warranty is nice. I don't like the look of most PCB so the covered is amazing, keeps dust out and the PCI covers are plasti dipped blue. 

PSU: Corsair 1000w RM Series: Corsair, Gold Rated. 

GPU: Gigabyte G1 Gaming GTX 970: Windforce logo was blue led, OC on it is nice, came with the nicest back plates out of all 970's. I plan to SLI them in the near future. Nvidia fanboy, but still recommend AMD where its due. 

Storage: 2 x 256GB Plextor M6S SSD Raid 0: I don't care about data integrity, I do fresh installs frequently because Im bored, sometimes to mess around with just linux, no dual boot, its just fun to not worry about important things on my gaming rig. Raid 0 because of the speed, I work 10 - 12 hour days 5 days a week so Idd like to have things load as I do them, literally 0 load times on anything except for GTA 5 for some reason. 

 

Case: NZXT H440: It was nice, I liked the size and the look of the case, it allows fgor easy cable management and hides power supplys / cables. I really enjoy the bottom of case has a logo with two spots for 2.5 inch drives just above it. I would recommend this case 10x over. 

 

Display: LG 34Inch UM-65: Saw it on Linus page, bought it the next day it was needed I fell instantly in love. Ultra wide, 2560x1080.

 

Keyboard: Steel Series 6v2 or something: I've had this keyboard since my first computer its rugged.

 

Mouse: Razer naga?: it was wireless (even though I never use it. )and I had bonus money from work for future shop and it was on sale and blue

 

 

Some Pictures of my basic setup:

 

Future Upgrade plans: 

GPU: Sli GTX 970's for smoother gameplay.
Storage: 2x 1 TB SSD'S for the rest of my steam library
Cooling: Full custom watercooling loop details here: http://linustechtips.com/main/topic/429589-loop-plan-looking-for-feedback/#entry5761182
Case Mod: plan to add two 360mm Grills to both the top and front panel for more airflow. Pictures for this weekend

Cables: Custom sleeving the cables with 0 heatshrink showing. 

Keyboard: RGB Mech Something, not sure yet. but RGB
 

Temps:

 

My Rig Details temps Idle with CrystalDisk for my raid setup:
Idle temps for my CPU 34-37 degrees as low as 32 Degrees
GPU temps a steady 33 Degrees

 

Currently I am working on modding my NZXT H440 because the temps are a little high for my liking. 
I ran 3D mark Fire Strike Extreme to show temperatures under load. 
With the panels on the case the temperatures of my CPU reached around 68 - 75 Degrees capping at around 77 Degree
My GPU Hit as high as 71 Degrees

When I removed the top and the front panels my cpu ran at around 29 - 31 degrees. 
My GPU ran at 31 degrees steady.

Under load with 3D Mark again my CPU reached 45 - 52 on average peaking around 64 -69 degrees
GPU peaked at 66 degrees

 

I just love building, want to get in to modding and am looking too meet fellow PC enthusiasts

 

 

Cheers. 

Edit: 

Heres the mod: 

I decided I wanted to add more airflow to my case due to temps, I ended up purchasing 360mm grills. 
This is the first true case mod i've personally done, so its not professional by any means.
Hope you enjoy seeing it as much as my buddy and I enjoyed doing it. 

Thanks again David for the help and letting me use your tools.

Cutting the metal was actually the fastest part of this whole project, we spent around 1 hour cutting through both panels, drilling the holes took around an hour and a half, cutting the plastic was the worst, as it would heat up and belt back together every time you cut through it. Putting the screws on took a nice 40 minutes, it was so tedious and my fingers hurt by the end of it. I have to say that the dremel tool worked much better than I had expected and making perfect circles  was extremely simple. would recommend for anyone. 

 

Getting it put back on the case and turned on was such victory, the front lined up perfectly, and the top was perfectly centered. 
I haven't ran any benchmarks at this point but I have noticed it is just generally cooler air comming from the case. 
Noise wise I hear no difference between the open hex mesh and the "Ultra Quiet" foam stock front for the case. 

The glow from it is so beautiful. 

 

 

 

My next project planned is to do UV Blue and Jet Black Cable sleeving, then under glow for my rig. 

I am also going to be making a retro pie this month, will post the outcome for that as well. 

Below: planning Pics

[DieHörnær]

ooh nice, good little stunner there! Looking forward to the 'frontdate,' not too many blue builds, SCREW THE RED AND BLACK!

[Actuosity]

ooh nice, good little stunner there! Looking forward to the 'frontdate,' not too many blue builds, SCREW THE RED AND BLACK!

Thanks!

I honestly hated blue until I built this PC, but everywhere I looked it was Red /Black, White/Black, Black/Black, and the H440 dropped to 94$ on sale in blue, Im a sucker for a bargain.

[Actuosity]

Finished modding the front and top panel with the new grills, will post pics of progress / final outcome tomorrow. 

[Actuosity]

Update is edited into the main post enjoy!