Armor.exe

Hi, welcome to my humble build log. This is my:

First time painting,
First time modding,
Second time computer building.

I would really like some feedbacks on what I could have don't to yield better result. Anything, anything at all feel free to comment and criticize. Mistakes are the best material to learn from:up:.

==============================

Spec:
CPU: i7-920
Motherboard: Foxconn Bloodrage X58
RAM: OCZ DDR3-1600 6GB w/ custom ramsink
GPU: [unknown]
PSU: Corsair HX1000
HDD: WD WD6401AALS Matrix RAID-0 [300GB Vista, programs and games]
HDD2: WD WD6401AALS RAID-1 [500GB Mirrored storage]
HDD3: Maxtor Diamond 10 300GB [for Win7 beta]

Case: My old TT armor :)

==============================

Water-cooling:

1 x Swiftech GTZ CPU water block with i7 mount
-1 x XSPC 4870x2 FC water block
1 x Thermochill PA 120.3
1 x XSPC RX240
2 x MCP355 DDC3.2 pumps
1 x XSPC DDC reservoir top
1 x XSPC DDC Acrylic top
1 x Swiftech Micro Res v2
-1 x Swiftech "Radbox"
? x Masterkleer 7/16ID 8/5OD clear tubes

2 x Killcoil Silver

==============================

Case in the past:
http://i334.photobucket.com/albums/m...e/DSC01519.jpg
http://i334.photobucket.com/albums/m...e/DSC01520.jpg
http://i334.photobucket.com/albums/m...e/DSC01521.jpg
http://i334.photobucket.com/albums/m...e/DSC01523.jpg

==============================

First thing first, strip the case naked and redress her.

http://i334.photobucket.com/albums/m...e/DSC01526.jpg
http://i334.photobucket.com/albums/m...e/DSC01528.jpg
http://i334.photobucket.com/albums/m...e/DSC01528.jpg
This is the original materials I used for the paint job, as I progress, I figure I need more paint than I have, so I went out and restock them.
http://i334.photobucket.com/albums/m...e/DSC01542.jpg
Primer applied
http://i334.photobucket.com/albums/m...e/DSC01543.jpg
http://i334.photobucket.com/albums/m...e/DSC01547.jpg
http://i334.photobucket.com/albums/m...e/DSC01547.jpg
http://i334.photobucket.com/albums/m...e/DSC01549.jpg

After a day of drying, I decided to move on. But later found out it takes more time to dry that 24 hours, I will put this into my notebook so I won't make the same mistake again

http://i334.photobucket.com/albums/m...e/DSC01573.jpg
http://i334.photobucket.com/albums/m...e/DSC01574.jpg

Doesn't look too good so far :rolleyes:.

http://i334.photobucket.com/albums/m...e/DSC01578.jpg
http://i334.photobucket.com/albums/m...e/DSC01580.jpg

Big mistake on my sanding part. Again I did not wait until the paint are fully dried before sanding, which the paints ending up sticking on my sand paper, with little pressure results devastation scratches :(.

http://i334.photobucket.com/albums/m...e/DSC01583.jpg

This is the final types of paints I used.

http://i334.photobucket.com/albums/m...e/DSC01588.jpg
http://i334.photobucket.com/albums/m...e/DSC01592.jpg
http://i334.photobucket.com/albums/m...e/DSC01593.jpg
http://i334.photobucket.com/albums/m...e/DSC01594.jpg
http://i334.photobucket.com/albums/m...e/DSC01595.jpg
http://i334.photobucket.com/albums/m...e/DSC01596.jpg
http://i334.photobucket.com/albums/m...e/DSC01597.jpg
http://i334.photobucket.com/albums/m...e/DSC01598.jpg
http://i334.photobucket.com/albums/m...e/DSC01611.jpg
http://i334.photobucket.com/albums/m...e/DSC01613.jpg
http://i334.photobucket.com/albums/m...e/DSC01614.jpg
http://i334.photobucket.com/albums/m...e/DSC01615.jpg

I went the safe way. Instead of completely removing the rivets and window, I decided to just mask them. Due to my limited skills I do not want to screw up the case.

http://i334.photobucket.com/albums/m...e/DSC01617.jpg
http://i334.photobucket.com/albums/m...e/DSC01618.jpg
http://i334.photobucket.com/albums/m...e/DSC01620.jpg

And this is what I ended up with...

http://i334.photobucket.com/albums/m...e/DSC01627.jpg

The motherboard tray area paints are all over the place, due to the limited amount of room to work with, I couldn't perform the full motion of swing my arm and spray evenly over the case. Anyone got suggestion how to get a good paint layer in small areas?

http://i334.photobucket.com/albums/m...e/DSC01629.jpg
http://i334.photobucket.com/albums/m...e/DSC01630.jpg

Silly mistake made by me. Since they most likely won't be visible after the build is finish, I decided to ignore it (will do a better job next time for sure).

http://i334.photobucket.com/albums/m...e/DSC01632.jpg
http://i334.photobucket.com/albums/m...e/DSC01634.jpg
http://i334.photobucket.com/albums/m...e/DSC01635.jpg
http://i334.photobucket.com/albums/m...e/DSC01636.jpg
http://i334.photobucket.com/albums/m...e/DSC01638.jpg
http://i334.photobucket.com/albums/m...e/DSC01640.jpg

=================================

I will update once all my main components arrives. Please leave some comments on what I could have done better, or anything related/unrelated.

Thanks for viewing my log.:) I hope you enjoyed it.

PS: how do you link to specific post? It would be nice to know as it would help me add links to updates, thanks!

looks like the foxconn bloodrage would be right at home in there :up:

it looks nice so far, although some of the red paint splatters makes it look less professional. great job for a first timer though :up:. did you consider taking all the rivets out so you can paint each piece individually? i also have an armor that i'll be modding once i get enough funds. but for now, i'll be watching your worklog closely. subscribed!

for a first time paint job, it's come out far far better than anything i've ever painted :P
only bit of advice is, maybe go over the drive bay again in black, there's a couple of bits, by the rail that would help support the PSU, that have taken a bit of read spray :<
i'm really not a fan of the case, but it looks better now. can you give us any hints as to what you're cooling, rads and where they're going, etc?

also, click the post number to open up the link to a specific post

Doesn't look too bad for a start. For the best paint results you always want to have multiple layers and wet sand in between each layer.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by lotek

for a first time paint job, it's come out far far better than anything i've ever painted :P
only bit of advice is, maybe go over the drive bay again in black, there's a couple of bits, by the rail that would help support the PSU, that have taken a bit of read spray :<
i'm really not a fan of the case, but it looks better now. can you give us any hints as to what you're cooling, rads and where they're going, etc?

also, click the post number to open up the link to a specific post

---

Yes, I screwed up trying to fix the red paint on the bar. It's very shameful forgetting to mask the PSU supporting rail. The paint I used for the case body is all used up, and I am kind of broke to get some more. I have another flat black can that is a bit darker I doubt it will look any better with them. Sadly I have to just leave it as it is :(:(:(. Painting the drive bay ocvers sounds like a good idea, but due to lack of budge and my paints doesn't like plastic that much, I don't think it will come out nicely.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by WhiteFireDragon

it looks nice so far, although some of the red paint splatters makes it look less professional. great job for a first timer though :up:. did you consider taking all the rivets out so you can paint each piece individually? i also have an armor that i'll be modding once i get enough funds. but for now, i'll be watching your worklog closely. subscribed!

---

Haha it seems you have hunted down every armor threads out there just like I did. Also take a look at OCN, they have some very professional armor mods also. I did not take out the rivets, I did attempt to do so using a low rpm drill, and it didn't move a bit. Thinking about how many there are, and the trouble of reassembling the case, I decided to paint it as it is, which is a very bad idea :rolleyes:. I highly suggest you to drill them all out and paint each part individually, it would save a lot of trouble in the painting part.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by The[R]eaper

looks like the foxconn bloodrage would be right at home in there :up:

---

I did notice the bloodrage board, but I am a impatient man :p:. I had very good experience with Asus boards (A8N32), and base on spec and layout P6T is superior to the bloodrage. Plus the bloodrage will cost more and comes with X-Fi card I already have (X-Fi cards comes with mobo doesn't not base on Creative X-Fi chip iirc).

Thanks for the comments :up:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by rocket733

Doesn't look too bad for a start. For the best paint results you always want to have multiple layers and wet sand in between each layer.

---

Thanks for the tip, I will keep that in mind for my next project. As for this one, I think will leave it as it is and use it as a reminder. How many grit of sand paper do you prefer on primer, paint, and clear coat? Also how many layer each?

Good job for your first time. Keep it up! :up: I remember my first time....Let's just say I would rather forget about it...:rofl: I screwed up royally! But practice makes perfect and you have to admit, it is a very addictive hobby!

EEK! Thermaltake :eek: Just kidding. I've got an armor also (recently switched to a LiLi 343 but that's a work in progress). Be careful, there's not really any decent way to hide cables in that thing...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by FrostyPanda

Be careful, there's not really any decent way to hide cables in that thing...

---

true, and i know this very well. it took me so long to plan out the wire management. it's almost impossible to hide wires without making a few cuts. exe163, i don't want to thread jack or anything, but here's a few pics from my armor before and after some cuts just to give you an idea what i had to do for wire managements. i though you really should have made all your cuts first before you paint it so that you don't scratch the new paint job.

before cuts:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...n/DSC01878.jpg

after cuts:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...n/P1010011.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...n/P1010010.jpg

Thanks for the support guys, they mean a lot to me.

I hope I read your reply before I start dremeling. My hole positions are slightly different than yours, but the cuts where not as clean as the CPU box you got there.

Any news on the Bloodrage? The more I look at it, the better it looks!. If it will release soon I might consider sell/RMA my P6T.

Here's a small update:

http://i334.photobucket.com/albums/m...e/DSC01650.jpg
http://i334.photobucket.com/albums/m...e/DSC01651.jpg
http://i334.photobucket.com/albums/m...e/DSC01652.jpg
http://i334.photobucket.com/albums/m...e/DSC01653.jpg
http://i334.photobucket.com/albums/m...e/DSC01654.jpg
http://i334.photobucket.com/albums/m...e/DSC01655.jpg
http://i334.photobucket.com/albums/m...e/DSC01656.jpg
http://i334.photobucket.com/albums/m...e/DSC01657.jpg
http://i334.photobucket.com/albums/m...e/DSC01658.jpg
http://i334.photobucket.com/albums/m...e/DSC01659.jpg
http://i334.photobucket.com/albums/m...e/DSC01662.jpg

=======================================

http://i334.photobucket.com/albums/m...e/DSC01667.jpg

Do you think I should paint the slot covers black instead of this light red?:confused: I can also paint it the red on my case. Give me some opinions please.


=======================================

http://i334.photobucket.com/albums/m...e/DSC01668.jpg
http://i334.photobucket.com/albums/m...e/DSC01670.jpg
http://i334.photobucket.com/albums/m...e/DSC01672.jpg
http://i334.photobucket.com/albums/m...e/DSC01675.jpg
http://i334.photobucket.com/albums/m...e/DSC01676.jpg

These brown blades are jokes, I hit the case by accident when pulling the dremel out and it cracks into two :eek:.

http://i334.photobucket.com/albums/m...e/DSC01677.jpg

I did use the fat sanding wheel to smooth out the cuts, but I will add a protective layer I got from PPC. If that doesn't work I will let electric tapes do the job.

http://i334.photobucket.com/albums/m...e/DSC01679.jpg
http://i334.photobucket.com/albums/m...e/DSC01680.jpg
http://i334.photobucket.com/albums/m...e/DSC01681.jpg

Sorry about the pix quality, I was tire after cutting for an hour or so.

Hope you enjoyed them :). (I sure did :D)

an hour of cutting only? it took me about 6 hours (not in one sitting of course), but i had a weak cheesy dremel that i had to recharge every 10 min. i also wore down/broke about 8 cutting bits. yeah i know, it's a bich trying to cut through this solid steel, so i feel your pain. just a tip, when you cut through hard metal like this, take your time so you don't get those uneven edges because it can cut your wires if it rubs enough. you could probably take a nail filer and even it out a bit.

nice log... just a small advice, if u really want that red paint to "pop" out, u should lay down a layer of some light color (white, grey etc) to cover up the black... sortof what they do on cars.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by WhiteFireDragon

an hour of cutting only? it took me about 6 hours (not in one sitting of course), but i had a weak cheesy dremel that i had to recharge every 10 min. i also wore down/broke about 8 cutting bits. yeah i know, it's a bich trying to cut through this solid steel, so i feel your pain. just a tip, when you cut through hard metal like this, take your time so you don't get those uneven edges because it can cut your wires if it rubs enough. you could probably take a nail filer and even it out a bit.

---

Yeah, wireless dremel is a pain to work with, I almost made the same mistake you did. I have a dremel 300. What blade did you use? My kit only came with 2 types of cutting blades: brown one and fiber glass. I'll do some refining on the edges later today, which should help smooth them out a bit.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by barfastic

nice log... just a small advice, if u really want that red paint to "pop" out, u should lay down a layer of some light color (white, grey etc) to cover up the black... sortof what they do on cars.

---

Light coat over the black or under it?




Also any news on the bloodrage? The color of P6T doesn't really fit my taste.

blood rage is due very very soon. there's already reviews of it floating around, so i'm guessing a few weeks max

Love the new paintjob.. looking good!

Nice work.
One question, the cutting behind the cpu is for easy backplate removal/mounting?

Since I will be out for vacation on christmas I think I can wait a bit :). Any link of review of Bloodrage?

Thanks Eddy and Earz. Having a hole behind the CPU does save some trouble mounting and removing back plates of block or heatsink without removing the mobo (at least I think). Since there is no reason not the have one I guess I am in.

Great work exe163, if it's not too late you should think about inverting the case. One guy did it to his Armor and it looks great. I have a pristine Armor wish I had the time to do it.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Pellepel

Great work exe163, if it's not too late you should think about inverting the case. One guy did it to his Armor and it looks great. I have a pristine Armor wish I had the time to do it.

---

I would like to do so but I lack the skills to drill out the rivets let alone putting them back in :(. Also I have some screwed up spots anyone know how I can fix them. I try sanding them, but after I couldn't get a even surface: either too much paint or too little.

Try to get some bondo from the auto store, put it over, dry it, sand, put some more if needed, sand.

there was a guide on case painting, and he said if you mess up, use putty to try and fix it

linky to bloodrage OC'ing test
linky to ddr3 WR

I've still got a TT armor. Looking good. :up:

i've been testing out my new dremel 300 lately and those brown cutting disks are fragile... borke a few just from tapping the disk on the counter when putting the dremel down. good thing i picked up a rotary tool kit from a local hw store for 20$ and it included quite a few pack of those brown cutting disk (its not dremel, but breaks just as easily :D)

Sorry for the late update, was very busy with school before the holiday season like usual.

http://i334.photobucket.com/albums/m...e/DSC01687.jpg
http://i334.photobucket.com/albums/m...e/DSC01689.jpg

Big box from Jab tech :P.

http://i334.photobucket.com/albums/m...e/DSC01690.jpg
http://i334.photobucket.com/albums/m...e/DSC01691.jpg
Tube of fans!
http://i334.photobucket.com/albums/m...e/DSC01692.jpg

http://i334.photobucket.com/albums/m...e/DSC01694.jpg
http://i334.photobucket.com/albums/m...e/DSC01696.jpg

Sexy i7-920

http://i334.photobucket.com/albums/m...e/DSC01697.jpg
http://i334.photobucket.com/albums/m...e/DSC01700.jpg
http://i334.photobucket.com/albums/m...e/DSC01701.jpg
http://i334.photobucket.com/albums/m...e/DSC01702.jpg
http://i334.photobucket.com/albums/m...e/DSC01705.jpg
WD GreenPower 1TB; Raptor 74G X2.
http://i334.photobucket.com/albums/m...e/DSC01704.jpg
Sexy RV770, ugliest card art ever.
http://i334.photobucket.com/albums/m...e/DSC01706.jpg
http://i334.photobucket.com/albums/m...e/DSC01707.jpg

These drives are jokes, they stutter like hell when trying multiple task with the same drive. Avoid at all cost.


http://i334.photobucket.com/albums/m...e/DSC01708.jpg
http://i334.photobucket.com/albums/m...e/DSC01710.jpg
http://i334.photobucket.com/albums/m...e/DSC01711.jpg
http://i334.photobucket.com/albums/m...e/DSC01713.jpg
ZOMG! I can’t believe I broke one of the RAM while stripping it. Any idea where I could get a replacement for it?

Evolution of DDC…
http://i334.photobucket.com/albums/m...e/DSC01715.jpg
http://i334.photobucket.com/albums/m...e/DSC01716.jpg
http://i334.photobucket.com/albums/m...e/DSC01717.jpg
http://i334.photobucket.com/albums/m...e/DSC01718.jpg
Side panels:
http://i334.photobucket.com/albums/m...e/DSC01719.jpg
http://i334.photobucket.com/albums/m...e/DSC01720.jpg
End product of mobo tray:
http://i334.photobucket.com/albums/m...e/DSC01722.jpg
http://i334.photobucket.com/albums/m...e/DSC01723.jpg
http://i334.photobucket.com/albums/m...e/DSC01725.jpg
http://i334.photobucket.com/albums/m...e/DSC01724.jpg

Not the most beautiful thing ever, but it get the job done.

As I trying to think of another way to place my second 3x120 rad, I decided to attempt to remove the impeccable rivets!

http://i334.photobucket.com/albums/m...e/DSC01729.jpg
http://i334.photobucket.com/albums/m...e/DSC01730.jpg
http://i334.photobucket.com/albums/m...e/DSC01733.jpg
http://i334.photobucket.com/albums/m...e/DSC01734.jpg

You thinking what I am thinking?

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you all XSers!!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by exe163

2 x Swiftech MCR320 Radiators
2 x MCP655 DDC3.2 pumps
1 x XSPC DDC reservoir top
1 x XSPC DDC top

---

a bit confused in the first time...but turn out to be DDC3.2 that you will be using...nice :D...

keep it coming .exe...nice paint combination in the case thought :up:..

Haha, sorry about the type, now fixed. I had my eyes on the D5 for a long time but ultimately settled on the smaller DDC.

The build will be on hold for a bit since I am on vacation and waiting for the bloodrage board. Also I might replace the 4870 if GTX295 and GTX285 live up to the hype.

If you're having trouble drilling out the rivets, you might not have the right drill bit. You need one designed to cut metal, which for the most part, has to do with how the tip is shaped.

Good work so far man. I saw that pic of the ram and i kinda cringed lol. As far as I know, you need to replace the ram... you can try and RMA but idk if that will fly since you removed the stock heatsink :confused:

They said removing the heatsink void the warranty (DOH!). I might as well buy a new set (poor wallet...) since the price dropped quite a bit.

As for the rivets, I used a power drill first to leave a mark on the rivet, then I use a screw driver and hammer and start hammering it. Lastly I switch back to the drill, with a little bit of pressure the rivet pops right out. I don't know if this is the best way to do this, but it got the job done. I am sure this is not the fastest way though.

Thanks for the feedbacks!

usually just drill the rivet through with a bit about 2/3 to 3/4 the size of the rivet head. once you get through if the rivet hasn't fallen apart yet just wiggle the drill around until you sever the head from the expanded column.

red and black is always a good colour scheme imo, looking good overall thou:up:

Question... why red?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by SNiiPE_DoGG

usually just drill the rivet through with a bit about 2/3 to 3/4 the size of the rivet head. once you get through if the rivet hasn't fallen apart yet just wiggle the drill around until you sever the head from the expanded column.

---

Thanks for the info, I will keep that in mind the next time I deal with those suckers.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by SGwillis

red and black is always a good colour scheme imo, looking good overall thou:up:

---

Indeed.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by moiraesfate

Question... why red?

---

I was planning to go all black, but thinking adding some red would be more fun. And the end product does look more fun that plain black which is very unforgiving to mistakes.

I admire your work man. Im planning to do almost the same thing as you!

I have a few parts for my new build but am waiting on the bloodrage and from what ive read, i wont get till january which is why my build hasnt started yet! :rolleyes:

I originally thought, CoolerMaster HAF 932 will be great, looks great imo red/black and i would of painted the interior black to go with the whole bloodrage black/red theme. But on second thoughts.... its massive im going to get another TT armor jr and paint the interior black and try and do something like you have about cable management but from your pics etc it looks like a pain in the ASS and i have no dremel :( Sooo i dont know what im going to do there but here is my specs if your interested;

Its funny the parts that perform well and are good actually fit the colour scheme im going for. (seeeeXY!)

CPU: Intel core i7 920
CPU Cooler: Coolermaster V8 (Red/Black hmmmmm) (got it today actually, MASSIVE!, compared it to width of my current armor jr and its close, covers the back 120mm almost!)
RAM: Corsair 3x1gb 1600mhz DDR3 CAL8 (black)
MOBO: Foxconn Bloodrage (you knooow it :P)
PSU: Corsair HX620w (Black/Red hmmmmm)
GFX: Current 8800gts (buuut ive just seen the new EVGA GTX260 55nm and its red/black :eek:)
Xtra: Fan controller of somesort (zalman) to turn fans down for quietness!
Red Front and Back 120mm fans
Paint interior Black
Do something about cable management
Cover/Destroy blue led next to power button (away with the BLUE!)

Question: Im guessing theres space to fit wires between the side panel and the case frame for your cable management?

But yeah, just thought id share the similar build im going for and yours has made me wanna do it even more! cant wait to see more pics of it all. Keep it up!

exe163, you still gonna RMA your asus x58 like you mentioned? bloodrage was released yesterday on newegg, and but it was out of stock a few hours later. as for the memory, there's no way that could be RMA'ed. you took off the heatsink AND one of the chips! that definitely voids it.

Dude stick the cooler back on and RMA the ram.... :banana::banana::banana::banana: did I say too much?

I will try to sell my P6T and find a way to get another stick.

As for Cheesemonkey, if you do not plan to use a dremel, I advice you not to pick the armor as you case of choice because no matter how hard I try there's no good way to hide the cables and make it look good.

Another question pops up in my mind.

Is there any right side panel on sale? I find the right side panel (flat on window side) much easier to work with than the right side, and the two are exchangeable.

Also, does this fit the MCR220?

http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/arast2xalbla.html

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by exe163

Also, does this fit the MCR220?

http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/arast2xalbla.html

---

yes it fits OK, sometimes it can be a tad off but a small enlargement of the holes with a drill fixes the problem easily.

What size rivets can be used to put everything back together? Can screws be used instead to make future modding more easy?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by shoehorned

What size rivets can be used to put everything back together? Can screws be used instead to make future modding more easy?

---

This is the same problem I have and what prevented from disassembling my case, disassembling the case makes painting a hell not easier.

While waiting the bloodrage, I finally got my case up. I haven't got time to shop for L brackets but I will be putting a 3x120 on the side, and another on the back with both fans wired to a fan controller (Yate lows are still too loud for my virgin ears:p:).

Here's a small up date on the case without the front panel on.

http://i334.photobucket.com/albums/m...e/DSC01756.jpg
http://i334.photobucket.com/albums/m...DSC01757-1.jpg
http://i334.photobucket.com/albums/m...e/DSC01761.jpg
http://i334.photobucket.com/albums/m...e/DSC01763.jpg
http://i334.photobucket.com/albums/m...e/DSC01767.jpg
http://i334.photobucket.com/albums/m...e/DSC01772.jpg

Oooooooooo coming along nicely :D

~Bex

Nice armor mod......... :D:D:D I had a TT Armor to......well, you see my mod allready dont you? :D

looking nice, especially the 2colored paint job ;) :up:

and your current HD4870 will fit the color sheme of your case very well, wouldn't upgrade yet to that nvidia sh*t, ATi all teh waaaay ^^

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Oli4v

looking nice, especially the 2colored paint job ;) :up:

and your current HD4870 will fit the color sheme of your case very well, wouldn't upgrade yet to that nvidia sh*t, ATi all teh waaaay ^^

---

I am actually thinking about switching to the green team...

Sorry for the late update, didn't have enough goods to update the thread. Due to school and Bloodrage's unavailability, the project was delayed until now.

I changed the a most of my "toys". 4870x2 is no more (RMAed it). P6T was sold. MCR320s replaced by PA 120.3 and XSPC RX240.

Here's what I got today :)


Return of OCZ GOLD 1600! Thanks to OCZ's great RMA system:
http://i334.photobucket.com/albums/m...e/DSC01823.jpg


Naughty Naughty ;)
http://i334.photobucket.com/albums/m...e/DSC01824.jpg


New year, new cloths:
http://i334.photobucket.com/albums/m...e/DSC01825.jpg


Here's a setup I will no longer use:
http://i334.photobucket.com/albums/m...e/DSC01827.jpg


What I got from petra's today :D:D:D Thanks Alex!
http://i334.photobucket.com/albums/m...e/DSC01828.jpg


Hotcakes:
http://i334.photobucket.com/albums/m...e/DSC01829.jpg


Sold my old OJ yates, replaced with these:
http://i334.photobucket.com/albums/m...e/DSC01830.jpg


The following is pretty self explanatory:
http://i334.photobucket.com/albums/m...e/DSC01831.jpg
http://i334.photobucket.com/albums/m...e/DSC01832.jpg
http://i334.photobucket.com/albums/m...e/DSC01834.jpg
http://i334.photobucket.com/albums/m...e/DSC01835.jpg
http://i334.photobucket.com/albums/m...e/DSC01836.jpg
http://i334.photobucket.com/albums/m...e/DSC01837.jpg
http://i334.photobucket.com/albums/m...e/DSC01838.jpg


Yup, it fits:
http://i334.photobucket.com/albums/m...e/DSC01844.jpg

Bloodrage should be here in a day or two, video card still deciding. HDD will be 640 black.

I need help on picking video card. My monitor only supports 1920x1200. I want a card that will last me at least until the end of the year at max res and maybe some AA (I can't tell difference pass 4x anyways). Here are the nominees:

4870x2 ~$375 - cheapest of the bunch, also due to I already have the waterblock already.

GTX 260 SLI ~$650 - Slightly faster than 4870x2, but require 2 waterblocks for minor performance increase over Ati counterpart.

GTX 280 SLI~ ~$750 - Great card but overkill?

I will most likely upgrade with release of Windows 7 and 40nm DX11 supported family. Of course wants to spend as little as possible. ATi offer is good but it's driver pretty much ruins the party. Since all the cards above can max just about every game over 60fps with crysis as only exception, which Nv cards scales a lot better due to the very nature of game partnership.

Also there is a voltage unlocker coming very soon by evga, 1 up for Nvidia.

Help me pick the right card for me :).

why not dual 4870x2's?? specialy if u already have the block for 1. :D

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Pedalmonkey

why not dual 4870x2's?? specialy if u already have the block for 1. :D

---

Yikes, I am not rich by any mean (look at my case and everything ><), and I don't have a monitor big enough to utilize all the power.

Also I figure the most affordable upgrade path is to sell everything before they are outdated to make sure the full size block can find a new home. I expect we will have something so powerful that makes 4870x2 CF looks like child play by the end of the year :up:.

You should've stick with the 4870X2 and wait for next gen cards, as you said, the 4870X2 is still very powerfull, well maybe except the 295 and SLI'd 280/285 and 260's. IMO ofc ;) If you'd have had card like 6600GT or smth like that, we could speak about changing card, but right now IMO it'll be senseless.

I would stick with the ATI for now like R0bert said wait till next gen. Plus it will go with your build with the red and black I think. Though a 295 wouldn't look bad in there either lol

I think I am going with 4870x2. I am not changing card actually. I got it on Nov 08, and returned to Amazon right before I left for vacation. And a month later, it dropped $100. Power of capitalism!

But having a X58 and not going multi cards makes me feel like wasting resource.

4870x2 will cost me roughly $375, definitely the best performance, but the driver might be a problem. Also the Nvidia cards are more OCable.

I will have to wait a little to see which card brings up the best deal. :)

yup you should stick with 4870X2, i guess that card can hold about 1 or 2 years (if your not gamer enthusiast)...besides you already have the block for it...nice price you have there for 4870X2...the cheapest 4870X2 here is about 500+....expensive...yes it is, i do live in very very expensive country :rofl:

nice changement so far, i also have a armor like you have with a 360 & 240 rad in it. They are kinda small to work in don't you think? luckey i got my mountainmods case waiting :)

good luck

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by anubis_is_evil

yup you should stick with 4870X2, i guess that card can hold about 1 or 2 years (if your not gamer enthusiast)...besides you already have the block for it...nice price you have there for 4870X2...the cheapest 4870X2 here is about 500+....expensive...yes it is, i do live in very very expensive country :rofl:

---

Considering how poor US is now, I can't disagree.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ward0

nice changement so far, i also have a armor like you have with a 360 & 240 rad in it. They are kinda small to work in don't you think? luckey i got my mountainmods case waiting :)

good luck

---

Armor is actually a very roomy case if you stretch your imagination :). MM on the other hand is just humongous.

Nice job! Waaaaay better paint skills than mine ;) and related to the holes in the mb tray ... you could use something like this: http://www.pilana.com/img/pp/225269.jpg way more control than with the dremel ;)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by tgm_of_xxl

Nice job! Waaaaay better paint skills than mine ;) and related to the holes in the mb tray ... you could use something like this: [IMG]http://www.pilana.com/img/pp/225269.jpg[IMG] way more control than with the dremel ;)

---

What is this? Some kind of cutting guide?

I just got the long waited bloodrage, sadly it's broken have to ship it back for replacement. I got to say this is the best looking board that I ever seen.

The pictures speak louder than words :).


http://i334.photobucket.com/albums/m...e/DSC01858.jpg
http://i334.photobucket.com/albums/m...e/DSC01859.jpg
http://i334.photobucket.com/albums/m...e/DSC01860.jpg
http://i334.photobucket.com/albums/m...e/DSC01861.jpg
http://i334.photobucket.com/albums/m...e/DSC01863.jpg
http://i334.photobucket.com/albums/m...e/DSC01864.jpg
http://i334.photobucket.com/albums/m...e/DSC01865.jpg
http://i334.photobucket.com/albums/m...e/DSC01866.jpg
http://i334.photobucket.com/albums/m...e/DSC01867.jpg
http://i334.photobucket.com/albums/m...e/DSC01868.jpg
http://i334.photobucket.com/albums/m...e/DSC01869.jpg
http://i334.photobucket.com/albums/m...e/DSC01872.jpg
http://i334.photobucket.com/albums/m...e/DSC01873.jpg
http://i334.photobucket.com/albums/m...e/DSC01876.jpg
http://i334.photobucket.com/albums/m...e/DSC01877.jpg
http://i334.photobucket.com/albums/m...e/DSC01878.jpg
http://i334.photobucket.com/albums/m...e/DSC01879.jpg
http://i334.photobucket.com/albums/m...e/DSC01880.jpg
http://i334.photobucket.com/albums/m...e/DSC01881.jpg
http://i334.photobucket.com/albums/m...e/DSC01882.jpg
http://i334.photobucket.com/albums/m...e/DSC01888.jpg
http://i334.photobucket.com/albums/m...e/DSC01889.jpg
http://i334.photobucket.com/albums/m...e/DSC01890.jpg
http://i334.photobucket.com/albums/m...e/DSC01891.jpg
http://i334.photobucket.com/albums/m...e/DSC01892.jpg
http://i334.photobucket.com/albums/m...e/DSC01893.jpg
http://i334.photobucket.com/albums/m...e/DSC01894.jpg
http://i334.photobucket.com/albums/m...e/DSC01898.jpg

It's called hand scroll saw.

whats happened with the bloodrage? why you have to send it back?? and that mobo was made for your build :p it just blends right into the case :p PERFECT choice and personally the only board I would buy IF i went i7 would be this one its sooo sexy :p congrats :up:

haha seeing a stock heatsink on XS looks very awkward :P

yeah i'm curious what happened to the mobo as well

SPDIF socket broken during shipping most likely.

http://i334.photobucket.com/albums/m...3/DSC01899.jpg

Not that I will ever use it but I still like to get the everything I paid for ;).

Any info on when Newegg will have new stock?

please tell me you didn't use the stock thermal paste on the intel HSF....

What's wrong with stock paste for testing the board :rolleyes:?

Actually I used the cleaner 1 + 2 (made by artic, forgot name) to wipe it off and applied MX2 under it. How's the Auzentech Forte btw snipe? I am picking between that and Asus essence. Essence seems like a more complete package.

the forte is amazing, completely top of the line and makes me want to toss my ipod out the window :) and you should definitely research before you go with the asus card, all I hear about the asus sound line is problems

i'm just going to necropost right now. exe163, any updates to your project? i've been following this to see the end results of the armor, but this projects seems frozen. i'm about to start my armor project hopefully soon.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by exe163

SPDIF socket broken during shipping most likely.

http://i334.photobucket.com/albums/m...3/DSC01899.jpg

Not that I will ever use it but I still like to get the everything I paid for ;).

Any info on when Newegg will have new stock?

---

Actually, every review I have seen online has had their board came out of the box with a broken spdif....I think Foxconn designed the packaging incorrectly:(

*Casts resurrection spell*

I would very much like know how this project ended up? So nice a thread:clap:

Really nice. Love the Bloodrage!

OMG!!!!!! Nice very nice dude :D:D:D I just love it :D