$3500 Workstation/Gaming Build Progress

[Torvach]

So my (roughly) $3500 workstation build is coming close to an end. All I'm missing now are the dual GPU's but I'm still indecisive about those. Although the new ASUS MAXIMUS 980ti looks epic and the Fury X2 will be releasing soon as well. So I'm sure it will come down to one of those.

But anyways, here are the current specs.

Case: Corsair 350D

MOBO: ASUS WS-M X99

Memory: Corsair LPX DDR4 2666MHz 32GB (4x8GB)

CPU: Intel Core i7 5820k

Storage: 2 512gb Samsung 850 EVO Pros (will be in raid 0)

PSU: Corsair RM1000i

CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Glaciel 240L

Case Cooling: 3x Noctua NF-S12A and 2x Noctua NF-F12 for the radiator

GPU: Either 2 ASUS MATRIX Platinum GTX 980 Ti in SLI or single Radeon R9 FuryX2 (when released).

Currently this is where it's at:

Everything is installed and ready to go besides the lack of GPU's. I decided to go ahead and power up the system to do a quick check using the Q Code debug on the motherboard to see if anything irregular showed up. Code d6 pops up meaning there is a failure with the display output (obviously because there is no GPU). But the thing that is slightly concerning is the Diag_HDD LED that illuminates on the motherboard. I'm hoping it's just the fact that no OS is installed and that it doesn't really have an assigned boot device yet. But I'm uncertain. Anyway what does everyone think?

[Torvach]

Here is a pic of the current progress.

[Moondrelor]

The fans kind of throw off your scheme..

[Torvach]

The fans kind of throw off your scheme..

Yea I knew they would and at the time of ordering them I didn't really care to much about color scheme. But I will be painting them myself at some point down the road for a more asthetically pleasing look.

[Agent181]

looks like a solid build for now just a little empty without the gpu(s)

[Torvach]

looks like a solid build for now just a little empty without the gpu(s)

I know lol. I'm just waiting for Radeon to release the furyx2 so I can get a good idea of how it will be. They need to hurry up so I can order a GPU already lol

[Agent181]

I know lol. I'm just waiting for Radeon to release the furyx2 so I can get a good idea of how it will be. They need to hurry up so I can order a GPU already lol

you might be waiting a while  :mellow:

[Torvach]

you might be waiting a while  :mellow:

Supposed to be released this month. If not I'll just grab the Maximus gtx 980ti that comes out on the 16th lol

[Agent181]

Supposed to be released this month. If not I'll just grab the Maximus gtx 980ti that comes out on the 16th lol

released this month but not in stock until the 5th usually 

[Torvach]

released this month but not in stock until the 5th usually

That's not to bad of a wait. I can manage lol.

[EmeraldKiwi]

3500$... And you got a 350D? I can't say that I agree with the case choice, but I guess it's function over fashion. And personal preference.

[GeekJump]

The fans kind of throw off your scheme..

 

Those fans give it a unique ting, like a beauty mark lol

[Torvach]

3500$... And you got a 350D? I can't say that I agree with the case choice, but I guess it's function over fashion. And personal preference.

i actually went with the 350D because of size restraints and the fact its really easy to build in. But i personally like the minimalistic look over flashy lights and jagged edges. Plus build quality is great.

[mikat]

Supposed to be released this month. If not I'll just grab the Maximus gtx 980ti that comes out on the 16th lol

Q1 2016 right?

[Torvach]

Q1 2016 right?

Every thing ive read from multiple websites say December.

[mikat]

Every thing ive read from multiple websites say December.

its amd, just wait for 31th of january

[Torvach]

Also just thought I would mention a couple of things that I personally experienced while building this computer thus far and the components I used.

 

        The Cooler Master Glacial 240L has been reviewed by a lot of people as being one of the better AIO Liquid Cooling solutions out there. But some of the things that really bothered me are for one, the tubing. The tubing is great for not kinking because of how thick it is. But it also makes it very difficult to reshape the tubing in a way that looks presentable in your case. As it tends to want to stay formed the way it was stored in the box and is very reluctant to accepting different bends.

        Secondly the tubing is fairly long in most "Cases" this wouldn't be an issue, but in an mATX case it makes it that much harder to get the large stiff tubing to take a more desirable bend.

 

        I've used the Corsair 350D in the past for previous builds. But I experienced some new problems with the case this time around that I didn't really notice before. First is the front bezel. It is not removable like a typical case. Normally you can just grab the bottom and lift up and it will snap off. Not the "case" here. I ended up ripping out 3 of the tabs on the bottom right of the case with little force. Thankfully super glue is a thing. You may be able to force the tabs through from the inside of the case with pliers clamping them shut to fit threw the holes. But I didn't bother with it any more after that out of frustration.

        Also make sure that you do not lose any of the rubber grommets on the top of the case that are used as anti vibration mounting points for the fans. If you do then more than likely you will need to find some washers to be able to attach your fans to the top of the case as the holes are extremely large without the rubber anti vibration grommets in them, and most screws will just fall straight threw.

        I originally intended on Mounting the radiator in the front of the case as the dual 8 pin CPU power connectors right in the top center of the Motherboard made it difficult to squeeze the radiator into place. But found that it will not fit because the 5.25" Drive Bay gets in the way of the Tubing that comes out the end of the Radiator. And the Drive Bay is not removable without modification.

       And my last complaint with the case would have to be the Rubber Grommets for the cable management holes. They are nice quality. But I found when pushing cables through them from my PSU they would very easily slip out and then have to be put back into place.

 

       But as for everything else I cant really comment on as it would require me to be able to boot the computer up and have it running. But a small gripe on the Motherboard would be the Dual 8pin CPU power connectors. They are in the dead center at the top of the board making it a little odd and difficult for mounting radiators in the top of smaller cases like this.