[Build Log] KRySTaLoGi (Red, Black, and White)

[kirashi]

KRySTaLoGi-PC

These parts have been in the works since March 2015. Our Canadian Dollar has taken a poop, so that doesn’t help my build much either. On the positive side, I custom painted some parts of the case with a Ford Cardinal Red Automotive Paint, which gives the Air 240 a unique look.

 

Over the last couple of years I've waited patiently for sales on an upgraded CPU heatsink & run through a couple GPU upgrades, starting with a Radeon HD6750, followed by a GTX 950, and finally an RTX 2060, which marks the completion of the build, at least until I decide it's upgrade time.

 

 

PCPartPicker Completed Build

Type	Item	Price
CPU	Intel Core i7-4790K 4 GHz Quad-Core Processor	Purchased For $139.00
CPU Cooler	Phanteks PH-TC12LS_BK 53.3 CFM CPU Cooler	Purchased For $47.00
Motherboard	MSI Z97M Gaming Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard	Purchased For $185.00
Memory	G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR3-2133 CL11 Memory	Purchased For $139.99
Memory	G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR3-2133 CL11 Memory	-
Storage	Crucial MX200 500 GB 2.5" Solid State Drive	Purchased For $230.00
Storage	Crucial MX500 2 TB 2.5" Solid State Drive	Purchased For $247.00
Storage	Crucial MX500 2 TB 2.5" Solid State Drive	Purchased For $247.00
Storage	Western Digital Caviar Green 2 TB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive	Purchased For $49.97
Storage	Toshiba 3 TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive	Purchased For $99.99
Storage	Toshiba 3 TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive	Purchased For $99.99
Video Card	EVGA GeForce RTX 2060 6 GB XC ULTRA GAMING Video Card	Purchased For $477.00
Case	Corsair Air 240 MicroATX Mid Tower Case	Purchased For $99.99
Power Supply	EVGA GS 650 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply	Purchased For $104.99
Monitor	Dell U2715H 27.0" 2560x1440 60 Hz Monitor	Purchased For $479.00
Monitor	Dell U2715H 27.0" 2560x1440 60 Hz Monitor	Purchased For $489.00
Keyboard	Logitech G710 Plus Wired Gaming Keyboard	Purchased For $104.99
Mouse	Logitech G700s Wireless Laser Mouse	Purchased For $50.00
External Storage	Western Digital My Book 2 TB External Hard Drive	Purchased For $49.97
Custom	Logitech UE9000 Bluetooth Headphones	Purchased
Custom	Silverstone CPF04 1-TO-8 PWM Fan Hub	Purchased

Generated by PCPartPicker 2020-11-15 17:50 PST-0800

Initial Batch of Parts – Don’t Forget the Coffee!

What does the name KRySTaLoGi mean?
I decided to play the name into the red, black, and white color scheme. This is the first PC I’ve put together with an actual build long so I wanted to give the PC a name.

 

English name from the vocabulary word crystal = 'crystal (clear, colourless glass)' which derives ultimately from Greek κρυσταλλος (krystallos) = 'ice'

Old Norse logi = 'flame, blaze'

The system is cooled with ice-inspired whites, while the red represents fiery poops performance. Black is pretty common among computer hardware, so I didn’t bother to include that in the name. I have this terrible love for VoWeLCaSe lettering when it comes to naming hardware devices, so I put my own spin on CrystalLogi, removed the double L’s, and threw a K up front in place of the C. Done. Next.

Case Box – Well Packaged
 

All Black Motherboard with Red Accents
 

Tons of Ports and Audio Capacitors
 

The CPU was Pre-Installed, I Swear!
 

I’ve Always Been a Sucker for Dragons
 

Why is the RAM Always Gone?
 

Don’t Eat if You Value Your Jaw
 

Right Where They Belong
 

Can’t Get Enough of the Color Scheme
 

Decent Accessory Package and Case Badges
 

Would LOVE to Sleeve the Black Cables
 

My Entertainment While I Built the Computer
 

Smoke Frosted Window will Show Off the Color Scheme
 

Logical Placement of the Front IO, Unlike Fractal’s Node 304
 

Mesh Held on with Magnets
 

Love Orientation Free Cases
 

Black Case, Black Cables, Almost Black Fans
 

Panels Removed to Show Hard Drive Bays
 

Power Supply has Room for Cable Management
 

Motherboard in its’ Nest (replacing CPU heatsink soon)
 

Black Cables Would Look Amazing in Red (replacing CPU heatsink soon)
 

Stock Cooler will Have to Go Soon (replacing CPU heatsink soon)
 

Cable Management or More Hard Drives?

[Guest]

you didn't have to watermark all the photos silly cx

none the less amazing job 

[kirashi]

Reserved for more things and stuff. Guess not. @Ronnie76 beat me to it.
(I know I didn't have to watermark them. It's my default Lightroom export settings. I do photography on the side.)

Looking to custom sleeve some power supply cables in red and black to match the build colors. I’m leaning toward buying, or making my own extensions, similar to what ShakMods has available.

I'm going to see what kind of cable extensions I can get for my PSU, but I'm still more inclined to get extensions so they can go into another build of similar colors in the future. They look top-notch in the photos.

[Galaxy_McGuire]

Geez, just name it xXMLGXxXPuSsYDeStRoYErXxxX420 already

[Albatross]

The cable management is insane.

 

 

Amazing job. Can't wait to see it completed. You should add some red accents to the case or something, even if small, it would help with the overall theme.

[kirashi]

Quote

Geez, just name it xXMLGXxXPuSsYDeStRoYErXxxX420 already

Unfortunately all names with xXx have been taken. (or they should have never been allowed in the first place.)  Before you wonder, no, I am not and never was one of those Halo Kids with names like your example. But I sure as hell find them hilarious when I hop on the old Xbox 360 for some weekend fun on Halo 3.

Quote

 

The cable management is insane.

Amazing job. Can't wait to see it completed. 

You should add some red accents to the case or something, even if small, it would help with the overall theme.

 

Thanks! I want to do something red on the case itself, be it a custom stencil/paint job or more disassembly for painting. If anyone has good recommendations for cables I'm interested in sleeving the 24 pin ATX, 8 pin EPS, and 8 pin PCI-e cables. Oh and a right-angle USB 3.0 header extension would be grand.

What do we think about painting the metal slats red?

UPDATE: NOT painting the power buttons or Corsair Logo.

[C_Mike]

Nice build, I may consider that case for my next, love the huge space for cable management. 

 

Part of me just wishes you'd used an aftermarket cooler.

 

My suggestion would be a BeQuiet Dark Rock Three, with a Corsair SP120 w/Red Ring.

[kirashi]

Nice build, I may consider that case for my next, love the huge space for cable management. 

 

Part of me just wishes you'd used an aftermarket cooler.

 

My suggestion would be a BeQuiet Dark Rock Three, with a Corsair SP120 w/Red Ring.

 

My initial part list indicates I'm waiting for the Corsair H105 AiO cooler to go on sale. I am definitely not keeping the stock heatsink by any means. It's hideous, and doesn't fit the color scheme at all. But at least it works for now.

Thanks for the fan recommendation as I planned on replacing the color ring on the H105 with the red one Corsair includes. I'm undecided on wanting to replace fans, but I'll probably go with your suggestion of the SP120's.

[Albatross]

Unfortunately all names with xXx have been taken. (or they should have never been allowed in the first place.)  Before you wonder, no, I am not and never was one of those Halo Kids with names like your example. But I sure as hell find them hilarious when I hop on the old Xbox 360 for some weekend fun on Halo 3.

 

 

Thanks! I want to do something red on the case itself, be it a custom stencil/paint job or more disassembly for painting. If anyone has good recommendations for cables I'm interested in sleeving the 24 pin ATX, 8 pin EPS, and 8 pin PCI-e cables. Oh and a right-angle USB 3.0 header extension would be grand.

 

UPDATE: I made a mockery in Photoshop. @C_Mike @Albatross @Galaxy_McGuire @Ronnie76

What do we think about painting the metal slats red?

corsair_air_240.png

 

I like the idea, but I would suggest a different red if that's the color you wish to go with. Too bright.  Don't spray paint the Corsair logo though.

[Guest]

-snip-

Looks unique.. darker red though perhaps?

[kirashi]

Quote

I like the idea, but I would suggest a different red if that's the color you wish to go with. Too bright.  Don't spray paint the Corsair logo though.

I've updated the post to reflect me NOT painting the logo. Found out upon closer inspection it's grooved metal, which would not work well with paint.

 

What color red do you suggest?

I've contacted MNPCTech to see how much shipping to Canada would be for the red Thumbscrews they sell. Want to replace the black screws and motherboard screws with them. You heard me: I'm going to secure my motherboard with thumbscrews.

Quote

Looks unique.. darker red though perhaps?

Was trying to make it unique yeah. The red (hopefully) won't be metallic or light like in my photoshop mockery.

I want to use something that gives it a matte finish, closely matching the MSI red color.

[Albatross]

Actually, that red seems fine, if it won't look so metallic when finished.

[kirashi]

Just a small weekend update regarding the color scheme.

 

I went ahead and purchased 16 Red Anodized 6-32 Thumbscrews from MNPCTech as linked below:

http://mnpctech.com/screws-anodized-m3-m4-30mm-35mm-40mm-red-blue-green-gold-ek-alphacool-hardwarelabs-corsair-xspc/

 

 

I also purchased an ATX Pin Removal Tool and Molex Pin Removal Tool from MNPCTech:

http://mnpctech.com/pc-sleeving-psu-power-supply-atx-tool-white-black-pet-red-green-blue/pc-sleeve-tool.html

These should make it much easier than using my current tool: a specially bent and hammered down paperclip

It works, but man oh man does it hurt your fingers. The tools above should make my fingers much happier.

 

I think the screws are going to look pretty sweet on both the motherboard, and rear of the case.

Once the screws arrive I'll try to find some matching red paint, and paracord or sleeving for the cables.

It's probably a good idea to use primer on the black painted aluminum parts of the case so I'll do that too.

[kirashi]

Normally I don't like to double post, but I thought I'd share a little update with everyone.

Painted this weekend and here are the results. I'm quite happy, even though it was tough matching up the paint.

It's Ford Cardinal Red, for anyone asking. Hopefully my computer doesn't stop working because of the paint

 

Getting the Steel Detached was a Pain

 

I'm FREE at Last!!!

 

Ford Cardinal Red was a Close Match

 

Prep and Mask that Steel

 

Decided to Prime it Just to be Safe

 

Surprise! Painting the PCI-e Brackets Too

 

Look at All that Overspray

 

Black and Red Stripes

 

Drying Time

[kirashi]

Look ma, a triple post! Does that make me a bad person? Nah.

Brought her inside to help the paint dry. It's fast drying anyways, but was still tacky from painting in 5 C temperature.

 

Chilling Out by the Woodstove

 

That Red is VIVID

 

Cat Must Inspect Workmanship

 

I Approve! Meow

 

Rear IO Panel Looks Sick

[gipsy danger01]

Looks amazing!

[kirashi]

 

Quote

Looks amazing!

Thanks @gipsy danger01

 

The Screws and Power Supply Pin Removal Tools arrived from MNPCTech!

I've installed the screws as you can see in the photos below and quite enjoy their color complimenting my custom pain job.

 

Also gave the ATX Pin Removal Tools a try - they make cable sleeving much easier than my old hammered down paperclip.

No pictures on sleeving practices yet as I haven't decided whether I'm going to sleeve myself or order some @CableMod extensions.

If I can find some relatively inexpensive cherry red paracord or sleeving I'll start sleeving the Fan cables.

 

In terms of cooling, I've ordered a couple of Arctic Cooling Arctic F8 PWM REV.2 80mm Fan 4Pin 850-2000RPM fans for the rear of my case.

Then I remembered most motherboards don't have more than 4 fan connectors so I ordered a Silverstone CPF04 1-TO-8 PWM Fan Hub to run my fans.

 

Red Thumbscrews Compliment the Paint Job 

 

Close Match to MSI's Cherry Red

Ugly Holiday RAM Color Scheme (thanks @W-L)

[gipsy danger01]

Damn, that RAM tho.

Looks great

[W-L]

Damn, that RAM tho.

Looks great

-SNIP-

 

Fits well with the Christmas season.  :lol:

[kirashi]

With spring arriving it's finally time to finish up this build and call it done!

(Apologies for reviving an old thread, but I'm not going to start a new thread just because life delayed my build.)

Since the last update, I installed the two 80mm Arctic Cooling fans above the motherboard, and wired them and the included top 120mm Corsair fan to the Silverstone Fan Controller. The fan controller is attached to the roof of the HDD/PSU compartment of the Air 240 case using velcro. All the fan cables are routed out of sight above the motherboard so you cannot see the rainbow wire colors Arctic used.

 

I also installed an 80mm half height fan taken from an old AMD Heatsink on the rear cover of the 3.5 inch HDD tray. There's no official fan mount there, so I made my own using regular fan screws and some rubber washers to prevent scratching my custom Ford Cardinal Red paint job. The half-height fan fits perfectly between the cover and the hard drives, and brought the drive temperatures down by 10 degrees Celsius.

Corsair Air 240 Custom 80mm HDD Fan - Click for Video

 

Things Still To-Do:

• Buy aftermarket CPU Heatsink DONE - Phanteks TC12LS Low Profile Air Cooler
• Replace all Stock fans with Arctic Cooling F12 120mm Fans DONE
• Buy GPU (when Canadian Dollar is not ridiculously unbalanced)
  • Bought GPU on Cyber Monday 2016 - scroll down for updates.

[GeekJump]

Besides the case, this looks like what my current build was going to be. But, due to price changes last minute and a gpu change, I went with what I have currently - in my signature  

 

I like it!

[kirashi]

1 minute ago, GeekJump said:

Besides the case, this looks like what my current build was going to be. But, due to price changes last minute and a gpu change, I went with what I have currently - in my signature  

 

I like it!

Dang, you managed to clickbait me into your Solus Build. Love it if only for the Fractal Design R4 Case. It's what I would have gone with had I been building a NAS.

[GeekJump]

9 minutes ago, kirashi said:

Dang, you managed to clickbait me into your Solus Build. Love it if only for the Fractal Design R4 Case. It's what I would have gone with had I been building a NAS.

thank you. pay no attention to the cable management! I was overexcited and posted the build before I finished routing cables and plugging everything in  

[kirashi]

I'm aware this is old, but again, I'm not starting a new thread for something that completes this build, so HERE. WE. GO!

 

Snagged a decent deal on an EVGA GTX950 2GB video card this Cyber Monday for $129 CAD after $20 mail in rebate.

https://ca.pcpartpicker.com/product/QWbkcf/evga-video-card-02gp42958kr

 

Why an older GTX900 series card you ask? Well, two reasons:

• hackintosh, hahaha what was I thinking - I don't have time to tinker because being an adult sucks up all my time...
  • MacOS has no driver support for GTX1000 series cards (yet) so I've got to pick what works. That's either the GTX750, or GTX950 cards.
  • Considering the price of a GTX750 Ti here in Canadia land was around $90-$110 with Black Friday sales, I figure $130 for a GTX950 is a good deal.
•  port nerfing on the GTX1050 is ridiculous.
  • The GTX950 supports up to 4 displays. Obviously, this isn't for gaming, but would be useful for web development and productivity.
  • The GTX1050 only supports up to 3 displays? Maybe even only 2 display? nVidia doesn't say, but it's lacking ports despite being a new gen card.

I've been looking for a new video card for a while now, and have come to the realization that I don't care about highest game settings anymore.

Between work and going outside occasionally, I'm content with a card that performs OK for casually playing Rocket League or older titles like AoEII HD.

I'm also a bit of a hobbyist photographer, so upgrading to something with CUDA acceleration is nice, even if it's not top of the line.

 

Either way, its an upgrade from my aging Radeon HD 5750. Installation pictures to come, and then this build is completed!

[Oalei]

Me here just waiting, for the status to be change complete