Project "Formal Black"

So after researching quite a bit, and asking a ton of newbish questions (thanks for answering them guys) I finally just laid down a sizeable chunk of cash for my businesses new demo rig.

Parts Ordered:


2x: GIGABYTE GV-R487X2-2GH-B Radeon HD 4870 X2 2GB 512-bit (256-bit x GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail

2x: Patriot Viper 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 2000 (PC3 16000) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model PVS34G2000LLKN

ASUS Rampage Extreme LGA 775 Intel X48 ATX Intel Motherboard

SONY Black 2X Blu-ray DVD ROM SATA Model BR-5100S

Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550 Yorkfield 2.83GHz LGA 775 95W Quad-Core


Enzotech SCW-1 Sapphire CPU Water Block AM2 LGA775 1/2" Barb Fittings

3x: Swiftech MCRES-MICRO Clear HI-FLOW Water Cooling Reservoir 3/8IN & 1/2IN Barb Fittings


2x: Primochill Primoflex Pro LRT Black 1/2IN ID 3/4IN OD Tubing (10 Feet)

10x: Scythe Ultra Kaze 120MM High Static Pressure Silent Fan 38MM 2000RPM

15x: Bitspower G1/4 High Flow 1/2IN Barb Fittings for 1/2IN ID Tubing - Dark Nickel Plated (Pair)

15x: Swiftech Adjustable Black Hose Clamps for 1/2IN Inner Diameter 3/4IN Outer Diameter Tubing (2 Pack)

3x: Swiftech MCP355 High Performance 12V Industrial Water Cooling Pump 3/8IN Barbs

3x: HW Labs Black Ice GTX Xtreme 360 Triple 120MM Water Cooling Radiator Black 1/2IN Barbs

3x: Ek Water Blocks EK-DDC X-TOP Custom Pump Top for DDC or MCP350 or MCP355 Water Cooling Pump G1/4

Ultra X3 1600-Watt Energy Efficient Modular Power Supply

2x: EK-FC4870 X2 CF High Performance Water Block - Acetal

Enzotech Sapphire Northbridge Water Block Rev. A

2x: EK Asus 3a Mosfet Water Block for ASUS Motherboards LGA 775 - Acetal

EK-NB/SB ASUS 4 Chipset Block - LGA 775 ASUS Motherboards - Acetal


And to put it all in a Mountain Mods UFO:

U2-UFO CYO (Choose Your Own)

- Acrylic Color Clear

- Back Panel Fan Spacing Swiftech/Black ICE

- Back Panel Type Triple Standard

- Finish Anodize Black

- Front Panel Fan Spacing Swiftech/Black ICE

- Front Panel Type Duality

- Horizontal MB brace Yes

- Side 1 Big Window Panel

- Side 2 Big Window Panel

- Side 3 Big Window Panel

- Window Etching None


Total Cost of ordered parts: $4,800! God I hope I don't break $5,500!!! o_0 insane!



One quick question, does anybody know the thread pitch on the MM UFO screws? I want to order some brass screws for it (this whole build will be black/copper or brass)?

Very impressive. Do you mind if I ask what you will be demoing on this rig?

if correct the screws are 6-32
like these replacement screws for the standart thumbscrews

ow and looks good mate :up:

WOW!!!, That should be a sweet setup, although I would have suggested you do the Q9650 instead of the Q9550. With that much laid out, why not do the best chip you can currently get, assuming you will be overclocking this gorgeous beast. If you do not want to go to the Q9650, make sure you get a Q9550 with the EO stepping and it still should be able to overclock quite well. Also, I would swap out the BP barbs and Swiftech clamps for Koolance compression barbs, the go for $9 a pair at PPC's and will look a ton better. Plus you may want to get some 90 degree ones for the mosfet blocks. I would also order some UN brackets to mount the pumps, drop the EK tops and Swiftech Micro Res's for some XSPC Res tops, price will only be a little more, maybe $10 each and will cut down on the amount of fittings/tubing you need and perform better. What hard drives are going with? Velicoraptors are nice, I have 2 150GB in Raid 0 for my OS and then a few 320's for storage. What you have is great, these are just some suggestions. Can't wait to see some pics.

Hmmm, definitely some good food for thought there. I might be able to do it with the smaller stuff, but I doubt I'll be able to change the processor out, and the processor SHOULD be the E0 stepping model. I'll def be looking into those compression fittings and res's.

As for storage, I might be throwing in a single 120gb Velociraptor just for improved boot times and OS speed, but the main storage solution will be 4x 500gb 3gb/sec server drives from WD in a raid 5 array, and a 750gb 3gb/sec for backup

If you are going to do just a single drive for the OS, pick up the OCZ SSD drive for $100. 32GB should be plenty for your OS.

because Velociraptor sounds like its going to eat your face and your babies, and OCZ SSD sounds like a drug craze involving midget hookers and sex in unsanitary places.

For the love of god where is it written that all res's must be made with acrylic? Give me a delrin or acetal res for christ sake, I dont have to see my water, I just want it to do its job and make bleeding easier >>

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Cutless009

For the love of god where is it written that all res's must be made with acrylic? Give me a delrin or acetal res for christ sake, I dont have to see my water, I just want it to do its job and make bleeding easier >>

---

I didn't recommend it because it was acrylic, I recommended because based on Martin's testing you cannot beat the performance. It would be greatif they made one out of acetal, but they do not.

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a1...r/pichers1.jpg

WOOOO, ended up having to cancel this build and my part orders for a bit there cuz of some stuff that came up, but FINALLY got all these parts ordered today today and then some! Total cost for the ordered parts was $5,082.67!!!! ARGH!

HUGE ups to the guys over at Mountain Mods for getting my Ascension CYO Packed and out the door by the end of the day when ordered late in the evening tonight! Thanks guys!!

And since Hacks wants pictures and I dont have any parts left, I'll just leave you guys with pics of a hot chick I met about 5 months ago that Im taking on a date tomorrow night:
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z...yhair0o004.jpg


Pics of actual goodies as soon as they arrive!!

Now be nice, make sure to pay for anything she wants to buy and don't expect anything when you take her home or part ways. :D

Oh yeah hurry up with this build already or suffer some PM attacks.

Amazing eyes... shame bout the nose ring (not a big fan of piercings :p:)

Can't wait to see more... of the project that is :up:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Cutless009

because Velociraptor sounds like its going to eat your face and your babies, and OCZ SSD sounds like a drug craze involving midget hookers and sex in unsanitary places.

---

Highly sig-able ROFL



I want updates :wierd::comp10:

So do I.... damn you shipping times!


Wewt woke up to shipping arrival tracking info for my MM Ascension!!

Ship date
Nov 6, 2008
Estimated delivery
Nov 13, 2008

INCOMING!!

Mcmaster Delivery also on its way!:

Sched. Delivery: 11/10/2008


Still waiting on newegg and NCIX to ship and give me tracking numbers.

I may actually be driving down to Performance PC's to pick up my order, as they are only an hour and 20 minutes south of me, we'll see!

WEWT!!! All orders have been shipped, and all but one of them gets here on MONDAY! YES!! --StokeD--

Woot. You must take loads of photos ok :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by MomijiTMO

Woot. You must take loads of photos ok :)

---

and you must also remember to post them all here :)

*preps 32gb SD card and digital camera to photo-journal every step of the build*

Cutless, did she cut your clothes off with those laser eyes? :D

She didn't try to set you on fire did she? :ROTF:

Looks like you've got a good one going here. I too hate waiting. I'm in one of those waiting phases too now. I have my case, but can't get the hardware yet...waiting on Core i7 and the boards to be released. I can't find anything but pre-order BS and a bunch of price gouging right now.

I would just like to update the parts list for this btw, it changed from the last time I posted it, and I went more for looks than performance since thats what seems to sell computers these days and this machine is intended to boost sales at my business.

2x: GIGABYTE GV-R487X2-2GH-B Radeon HD 4870 X2 2GB 512-bit (256-bit x GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail

1x: Patriot Viper 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 2000 (PC3 16000) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model PVS34G2000LLKN

ASUS Rampage Extreme LGA 775 Intel X48 ATX Intel Motherboard

SONY Black 2X Blu-ray DVD ROM SATA Model BR-5100S

Intel Core 2 Quad Q9650 Yorkfield 3GHz LGA 775 95W Quad-Core


EK Supreme Plexi LGA775 1/2" Barb Fittings

2x: XSPC DDC Pump Reservoir Tops.


2x: Primochill Primoflex Pro LRT Black 1/2IN ID 3/4IN OD Tubing (10 Feet)

10x: Scythe Ultra Kaze 120MM High Static Pressure Silent Fan 38MM 2000RPM

20x: Koolance 1/2" ID 3/8" OD compression fittings.

2x: Swiftech MCP355 High Performance 12V Industrial Water Cooling Pump 3/8IN Barbs

2x: HW Labs Black Ice GTX Xtreme 360 Triple 120MM Water Cooling Radiator Black 1/2IN Barbs

Ultra X3 1600-Watt Energy Efficient Modular Power Supply

2x: XSPC 4870x2 Full Cover water block.

2x Scythe Kaze Master fan controllers

1x LG DVD-R w/Lightscribe

Brass screws for case and other assembly

Brass fan screws

several sheets of black metal mesh

several sheets of copper woven fiber cloth for fan filter use

Enzotech Unicorn memory heatspreader

1x Delrin black vandal resistant switch, 16mm, white circle

1x Delrin black vandal resistant switch, 22mm, white circle

1x mounting plate for vandal switches

20x Danger Den Compression Fittings

2x Swiftech MCP355 pumps



Theres more random bits, like wire sleeving, heatshrink, cable management, cold cathodes (white), and other random stuff not worth mentioning.

Total so far is ~$5,200

First parts arrive tomorrow! Expecting the shipment from mcmaster, newegg, and Performance PC's in tomorrow... WOOO Christmas D: hehe.

i love it when stuff shows up for builds! it is definitely like christmas, except your money magically disappears...

Decided to make my first attempt at lapping a processor NOT be on my $550 Q9650, and instead decided to test my hand at it on my old AMD X2 4400+. Not bad for my first attempt at lapping:

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z...g/IMG_3104.jpg

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z...g/IMG_3103.jpg

I feel pretty comfortable with the process now, if I feel like it will gain me 1C I'll definitely do this to my Q9650.

So it was Christmas time today. Came home to find HUGE BOXES on my doorstep. Turned out most of it was PAPER. No really, Im not kidding, kudos to mcmaster for packing my materials in over TWO POUNDS PER BOX of effing paper.

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z...k/IMG_3106.jpg

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z...k/IMG_3110.jpg

The large upright box contained the huge roll of acoustic deadening material I ordered, while the other box contained the rest of my goodies.

Once it was all unpacked here's the materials that arrived today:

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z...k/IMG_3113.jpg

I ordered two large sheets of this copper cloth for use on various places on the case:

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z...k/IMG_3117.jpg

Also some mesh for use in various places:

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z...k/IMG_3121.jpg

My favorite thing that came today, my Enzotech Unicorn memory heatspreaders, by far the sexiest thing I have ever seen.

Here's a little walk-through of the unpacking. When I first unwrapped the box I was presented with this:

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z...k/IMG_3122.jpg

Holy crap was this thing heavy:

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z...k/IMG_3124.jpg

And no wonder, look whats inside!!!

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z...k/IMG_3126.jpg

In case you didnt catch that entirely, here's a close-up of how sexy these things are:

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z...k/IMG_3128.jpg

Here's how the largest one looks when pulled out:

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z...k/IMG_3129.jpg

And when you take it apart:

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z...k/IMG_3130.jpg

And of course the cpu block which I didnt take too many pics of, as Im sure we all know what an EK Supreme looks like:

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z...k/IMG_3132.jpg

The base of mine is kind of corroded or something, and not very flat.... any opinions on lapping this thing? I seem to remember somewhere that some1 said not to, like REALLY DONT DO IT, but I'd like to confirm that:

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z...k/IMG_3134.jpg

With a couple bitspower compression fittings attached:

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z...k/IMG_3142.jpg

And of course the most awesome thing that came today, I dont think it needs anything but pictures:

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z...k/IMG_3145.jpg

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z...k/IMG_3146.jpg

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z...k/IMG_3147.jpg

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z...k/IMG_3149.jpg

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z...k/IMG_3150.jpg

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z...k/IMG_3152.jpg

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z...k/IMG_3156.jpg

Seriously though, this thing is QUALITY. Plain and simple. I know its been said over and over and over again, but really, this thing is TOP OF THE LINE.

The last item of note today was the XSPC 4870x2 FC Water Blocks. I havnt ben able to find a lot of info on these, but at nearly half the cost of an EK I decided to give them a shot.

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z...k/IMG_3158.jpg

yup sexy so far

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z...k/IMG_3159.jpg

Mmmm, here comes the copper:

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z...k/IMG_3160.jpg

what a big beautiful solid hunk of beautiful copper.

And of course what all the hardcore people want to see, internal shots:

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z...k/IMG_3162.jpg

and the top:

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z...k/IMG_3166.jpg

I wish I knew what to think of these, but as a noob this really doesnt mean much to me other than "woooo COPPPER!!!!"


Also not pictured, 4x 12" white cold cathode tubes, 2x Kaze Master fan controllers, 100 brass flat-head screws and 100 mini thumb-screws, 20 feet of 1/8th" black sleeving, 10 feet of 3/4" black sleeving, and 5 feet of heatshrink for both.

Slightly pictured were the 20 BP Comp fittings I ordered.

Tomorrow arrives the hardware!

Nice stuff :)

Quick question, does anyone know if here is a way to rig momentary switches up to cold cathode power inverters? I want to add switches for the lights but I dont want like a military switch sticking out of the top. Thanks to anyone who can point me in the right direction this.

Found a solution for the momentary switches, just picked up a couple 9v latching relays at radio shack for 50c each. Woot.

Could you post some pictures of comp. fittings on the 4870x2 blocks? I really like the EK stuff, but that XSPC thing looks like da bomb, only part I don't know if I'll like is how comp fittings would look with those nubby thread holes...

BTW....subscribed!

Sure let me finish up this wire Im sleeving and Ill set of the tripod and snap a couple shots for you.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Cutless009

Sure let me finish up this wire Im sleeving and Ill set of the tripod and snap a couple shots for you.

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Schweet! Can't wait!

Pardon my mess, Im under construction lol.

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z...k/IMG_3170.jpg

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z...k/IMG_3171.jpg

there u go man :)

Grrrrr its gonna be so hard to choose between this and EK :help:. Thanks a bunch for the pix's! Looking awesome :woot:

make sure to paint a bowtie on this computer to make it really formal:D

If it makes any difference to your choice, these blocks are only $99 and the EK blocks are like ~155-165. If they perform as well I'd rather go with the one thats $60usd cheaper lol ^_^

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Cutless009

If it makes any difference to your choice, these blocks are only $99 and the EK blocks are like ~155-165. If they perform as well I'd rather go with the one thats $60usd cheaper lol ^_^

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Yeah I saw that. The only thing I like better about the EK's is the fitting holes. I'm not sure If I like the little part that sticks out :shrug:. I think I'm just being overly picky but the little things really bug my OCD :hitself:. I guess I'll wait a while (gonna have to anyways as its kinda hard for a 15 (almost 16:D) yr. old to come up with the moolah to pay for a lot of this stuff :mad:) until you post pix's of them in Xfire when you finish your build. Great stuff :up:

I love those RAM heatspreaders.... excellent touch to add in spreaders with different height fins/pins. :up:

1600 watts!

Very nice looking, Subscribed :D
The pictures look nice, makes that acetal cover look nice and smooth :)

I love that Power supply! If it wasn't close to 400$ and another 88 for shipping I would snapped it up!

Those cables on it look perfect for sleeving also!

I need one now! Also I need your budget :P

Looking good cutless, great pictures! :)

Update for today: Hardware arrived. Finished sleeving the first Kaze Master, swapped the heat spreaders on the ram over to the enzotech's, mounted the water blocks for the video cards, and mounted the EK Supreme on the Motherboard.

Sorry for not taking more pictures, was just trying to get the work in tonight since I have school tomorrow and wont be able to work on it (I have a deadline to finish this project unfortunately).

Laying it all out:
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z...k/IMG_3175.jpg

Skip forward a lot, again, sorry for lack of pictures. This is what I like to see!!

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z...k/IMG_3178.jpg

I think its smiling at me!

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z...k/IMG_3179.jpg

yup Im smiling now.

Mmmmm, dual processors......

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z...k/IMG_3183.jpg

Testing fitting:

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z...k/IMG_3184.jpg

Yep thats sexy, a closer look?

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z...k/IMG_3185.jpg

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z...k/IMG_3186.jpg

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z...k/IMG_3187.jpg

Yup, lookin good. Need to order a few bits and bops to really finish it off later on, but other than that, ROCK ON :up:

Looks great!! Although the screws for the cpu block look extra long. Are those stock?

Green ram! ;) I can see why you replaced the heat spreaders.

Great Work Cutless! Looking good! Let us know how the XSPC X2 blocks perform. :up:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by switch8

Great Work Cutless! Looking good! Let us know how the XSPC X2 blocks perform. :up:

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+1:up: I'm drooling... Better stop before I fry my keyboard :rofl:

Will you be watercooling the motherboard?

2x 4870 x2's........ /drooooolll

dammnnnn, this will be an intense build

Quote:

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Originally Posted by FrostyPanda

+1:up: I'm drooling... Better stop before I fry my keyboard :rofl:

Will you be watercooling the motherboard?

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At the moment no since its a bit cost-restrictive and BP hasnt released the RE nb/sb block yet, if they get it out before the build is done I'll water cool the nb/sb in the cpu loop and get some enzotech sinks for the mosfets.

Are you going to keep the dual-slot cooling expansion slot covers on the back of your cards or swap them out for single slot covers?

damn! :up:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by sniperbob

Are you going to keep the dual-slot cooling expansion slot covers on the back of your cards or swap them out for single slot covers?

---

Just ordered the single slot plates, SLI fitting, and more cable sleeving :)

AWESOME!! :up:

Just double checked my processors S-Spec code, and confirmed that it is indeed E0 stepped. WOOT:dj:

I would just like to state for the record that having a $600 custom ordered case be lost by fedex, is complete and utter fail. I noticed they hadnt updated the tracking since the 8th (it was shipped on the 6th via 3-day), and its now the 13th so I called them and asked what was going on and all of them were like:shrug: o.o :eek:

*sigh* sitting around waiting on parts and having your case lost in the mail, BLOWS.:down:

that has happened to me with fedex occasionally also. I had to return my laptop to HP for warrantee work, so they were supposed to send me a box so that i could send the laptop back. The exmpty box dissapeared via fedex... Ended up having to call a 1-800 number and get a Fedex investegator on the case to solve the case of the missing box. things like that are frustrating, but i can imagine how unnerving it must be to "lose" a 600$ case... wow. Hope it turns up :shrugs:

Can we have some more shots of those sexy sexy sexy Enzo ram coolers please, those looks sick.. And so does your whole build this far :P

Subd.

First negative thing to say about the XSPC blocks for the X2's:

That little nub that was an aesthetic issue to someone before, that extra nub is actual extra length theyve added, and standard SLI water fittings do NOT fit (they push the cards apart at the fitting the same amount of the height of that nub), so if you are going to order these blocks, make sure you take note that you will need something adjustable and not a solid fitting.

What did you use to link the cards? The Koolance SLI connector?

Gonna be a great setup but that hedgehogs aka Enzo Ram Cooler seems funny :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by zlojack

What did you use to link the cards? The Koolance SLI connector?

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Yep, koolance 2-slot spaced SLI connector, 1-slot is too short, just ordered the adjustable one from Chilled PC, was actually cheaper to have it express airmailed from the UK than it was to buy my original koolance connector >>

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Cutless009

Yep, koolance 2-slot spaced SLI connector, 1-slot is too short, just ordered the adjustable one from Chilled PC, was actually cheaper to have it express airmailed from the UK than it was to buy my original koolance connector >>

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Hmm...can you please link me to that connector as I plan to do a similar setup and was going to order the Koolance one.

Good catch :up:

here you go man: http://www.chilledpc.co.uk/shop/prod...roducts_id=584

was $17 shipped with their fastest international shipping.

Great! Thanks!

no problem, if you need resources for anything else let me know, Ive found a lot of great resources for switches (including latching type SPST pushbutton switches for on/off use so they can flush mount), and a ton of other stuff in my quest for this build.

Since all my packages were delayed until tomorrow at the soonest, buckled down today and finished up the sleeving on the kaze's

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z...k/IMG_3194.jpg

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z...k/IMG_3198.jpg

wewt

*edit* forgot the pic of the ends:

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z...k/IMG_3200.jpg

not bad for my first sleeving job ^_^

wow nice setup man..

but how are you supposed to run 4 sticks of ram with those heat spreaders?

Set them up differently, with the two side with the longest pins facing outward on each side and the next longest ones facing inward into the small gap between the slots and the other shortest ones in the middle. However I only have 2 sticks of ram, so thats how I set it up for best cooling effect.

Confirmed delivery today of MM Ascension and my water cooling gear (pumps, tubing, rads, res tops, etc). WOOT.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Cutless009

Confirmed delivery today of MM Ascension and my water cooling gear (pumps, tubing, rads, res tops, etc). WOOT.

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Wooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooot. Yup I said it :D

So many parts, so little time, here's a little teaser shot:

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z...k/IMG_3205.jpg

I like!

Alright folks some more teaser pics, too far from "finished" with the outside to take any wholesome pictures, and I wont be getting the parts I need until about friday of next week! so till then, hold your breath you fiends!

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z...k/IMG_3210.jpg

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z...k/IMG_3212.jpg

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z...k/IMG_3219.jpg

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z...k/IMG_3215.jpg

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z...k/IMG_3216.jpg

Man those brass screws look awesome up against that black finish.

Sexy

wow! at first I thought the enzo ram heatsinks were ugly...now I REALLY want them!

Aww, are you really going to let us all wai for a WEEK before next update..:D The size of the Ascensions shocks me everytime..

Nah Ill have some minor updates on some of the stuff, but no major ones till friday at the soonest most likely.

One interesting update for anyone following this thread, I ordered the wrong compression fittings from bitspower, I go the 1/2 ID 5/8 OD instead of the 3/4 OD, so im selling them off, I put them up in the for sale section for $7.50 per shipped, but for the awesome LC guys that are following my thread I'll sell them off to you guys for $6.75 per INCLUDING shipping, they are BRAND NEW and have never been used AT ALL, and are spotless:

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z...g/IMG_3229.jpg

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z...g/IMG_3232.jpg

Just had to order the right ones to the tune of $224! >.<

Wow!:eek2::eek2::eek2:

I wish I had your budget :(

Quote:

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Originally Posted by N19h7m4r3

I wish I had your budget :(

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says he who has murder and mod in his sig..................

Haha, I resemble that remark. But I'd still love Cutless's budget. It's more than 10x mine :P

My budget for this build was $5,500, and Im just under that atm at around $5,350 so far.

Bloody hell!
With 1000 I'd finish of the build I'm planning and get some upgrades in.

Lol the scary part is, I had to "settle" for two loops instead of three and a single 1tb drive instead of a 4tb raid array just to keep costs down D:

such is life when ur running the worlds fastest processor and two of the world fastest graphics cards ^_^

Very nice build. But may I ask, why not x58 and i7?

Dunno, force of habit over a decade of building systems, I've always bought right when there was a change and one version back from the most current simply because its not brand new and the market has been established so it's easy to find parts and solutions to common problems, I'm really not very good with computers, not when you dig really deep into voltages/troubleshooting etc etc, so I prefer to remain in my comfort zone of well-established hardware :)

I am with Cutless on this, I prefer a try and tested platform to one with loads of problems.

I felt like a king when I got my first edition Athlon 64 3200+ and socket 754 mobo and system.
Was buggy as hell and couldn't OC for cack! To make matters worse, AMD left 754 shortly after for socket 939.

So until now I wait for the market to settle and prices to drop. By then all the problems could be solved :)

Some of the custom painted pieces going on on the back. I'd love to show you guys what it looks like through the top window, however ben sent me the wrong top to my case D:

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z...k/IMG_3240.jpg

Really amazing work:up: also a lot of money involve, keep up the good work!:shocked:

Short

OMG, updates soon guys, still no parts in that I ordered, but the PSU is in and all the power wires for the motherboard and graphics cards are run, the first radiator is mounted (still waiting on NCIX to get stock in and ship me the 2nd one), and most of the fans are in, waiting on some fan bolts from MM before I can mount fans to the rads, and Im also waiting on some parts from MM to custom fab up a lot of the copper pieces. So much work! not really much to show since its all been the tiny minute stuff so far, but updates soon! promise! most likely tomorrow :)

This probably doesnt seem like much of an update, but its actually quite large. Everything is in its final seated position, power is run to everything thats in the case so far, the four white CCFL tubes are mounted along with all of their wiring and switches, the correct fittings are now in the case, and the Swiftech NB Rampage Extreme block has been added in place of the stock cooling solution.

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z...k/IMG_3280.jpg

I ran into huge problems trying to route all the power cables because for some reason all of the cables that come with the Ultra are very short! So I did my best and I think it came out quite well. My custom switches came in today so Ive got those mounted in the front of the case now, and Im waiting on more shipments to come in.

Still to come: XSPC Bay Res's (one for each loop), drain and fill ports (one of each for each loop), my sheet metal stepped drill bit for drilling the holes for the drain and fill ports, fan extension cables, more fittings including some 90 degree fittings for the graphics loop, still waiting on my 2nd rad to come in, more fans, another 40 feet of sleeving, fill cap adapters for the res's so I can run the fillports down to them, fan filters for me to customize with copper cloth instead of wire mesh, fan-bolts from MM, silver kill coils (one for each loop) from petra, and more!

Nice looking set up so far! I like the way the Enzotech ram heatsinks look.

Hard to take pictures of the updates at this point, so here's a short vid of it:

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z...h_MVI_3296.jpg

the idea of posting a video is just brilliant; people should do that more @XS :up:

Yap video is soo cool :)

A better video since the last one sucked balls:

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z...h_MVI_3297.jpg

Great video... keep us posted.. !!!

Looks good man I can only dream of having a comp that nice one day...

After placing multiple orders with the following vendors, I'd like to write a very short review for each so other builders can know what to expect when ordering from these companies:

NCIX: Save a few bucks usually, but not good if you're in a hurry, expect 5-10 business days for PROCESSING, and another 5-10 to actually get your item. Ive never had an item arrive in less than 2 weeks from the time I ordered it from these guys. They are slow to ship.

Performance PC's: Great customer service, quick to respond to emails. They keep you up to date via email on the status of your order, and processing is never more than 1-2 business days. They've been great in regards to a stocking error and exchanging parts for other parts. Highly recommend this vendor.

Petra: Yah, nothing really needs to be said here. If they have what you need, order from them, they have great prices and fast shipping, as well as great customer service.

Chilled PC: Fast processesing, decent prices, have parts that I couldn't find for sale in the US and needed for my build. Don't expect fast shipping from the UK lol.

Mountain Mods: No disses on Ben, he's an awesome guy, and his products are nothing but absolute top notch, however I do get the feeling he's a bit overwhelmed in running his business. The case I ordered came with the wrong top (it was finished in black gloss powder coat instead of anodized black), however Im getting that sorted and they've been decent about it. Great guys with a great product, I get the feeling this error was an anomaly that doesn't occur very often with this shop.

The Egg: Do I really need to put this here? Not really, but just to say it, newegg is awesome, fast processing, fast shipping, great products. Beware of the shipping cost of small items, as they often add up to very great amounts (i.e. 10 120mm fan filters at $1.50 a piece, with shipping came to $46 shipped).


In short, Id rather pay a little extra and get my stuff from PPC's than order from NCIX, and Petra is God. No better cases than Ben's anywhere on the market.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Cutless009

After placing multiple orders with the following vendors, I'd like to write a very short review for each so other builders can know what to expect when ordering from these companies:

NCIX: Save a few bucks usually, but not good if you're in a hurry, expect 5-10 business days for PROCESSING, and another 5-10 to actually get your item. Ive never had an item arrive in less than 2 weeks from the time I ordered it from these guys. They are slow to ship.

Performance PC's: Great customer service, quick to respond to emails. They keep you up to date via email on the status of your order, and processing is never more than 1-2 business days. They've been great in regards to a stocking error and exchanging parts for other parts. Highly recommend this vendor.

Petra: Yah, nothing really needs to be said here. If they have what you need, order from them, they have great prices and fast shipping, as well as great customer service.

Chilled PC: Fast processesing, decent prices, have parts that I couldn't find for sale in the US and needed for my build. Don't expect fast shipping from the UK lol.

Mountain Mods: No disses on Ben, he's an awesome guy, and his products are nothing but absolute top notch, however I do get the feeling he's a bit overwhelmed in running his business. The case I ordered came with the wrong top (it was finished in black gloss powder coat instead of anodized black), however Im getting that sorted and they've been decent about it. Great guys with a great product, I get the feeling this error was an anomaly that doesn't occur very often with this shop.

The Egg: Do I really need to put this here? Not really, but just to say it, newegg is awesome, fast processing, fast shipping, great products. Beware of the shipping cost of small items, as they often add up to very great amounts (i.e. 10 120mm fan filters at $1.50 a piece, with shipping came to $46 shipped).


In short, Id rather pay a little extra and get my stuff from PPC's than order from NCIX, and Petra is God. No better cases than Ben's anywhere on the market.

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Thanks for this dude.

Out of those I have ordered from Performance PCS, and Newegg.

Performance PCS is about 4 hours away from me so shipping is quick and their service is great.

Newegg of course is 2nd to none.

lol thats funny, they are right at 2 hours away from me :P Still, $20 shipping < the cost of gas + time to drive there >>



oh yah and I forgot to add, kudos to XSPC for OVERNIGHTING the screws for my DDC tops from CHINA. Yah. They get my vote.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Cutless009

lol thats funny, they are right at 2 hours away from me :P Still, $20 shipping < the cost of gas + time to drive there >>



oh yah and I forgot to add, kudos to XSPC for OVERNIGHTING the screws for my DDC tops from CHINA. Yah. They get my vote.

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nice, what area you stay in??

I'm down in Miami