PROJECT : Xtreme Elemental Dragon ! ! !

Well I'm back after a long time of sitting doing nothing. I've been away and debating life, trying to sort it out etc. Nearly been off my anti-depressants for a month now and feeling good! Only problem is my OC'ing mod bug is back when my wallet isn't!

But anyway - found a nice little sum in my Paypal and still have some pieces to sell so I think this is going to be do-able.... plus it's Xmas and I'll have some time and money...

SO ANYWAY!!! The important stuffs.... ;)

- i7 920 D0 (been at 4.6Ghz stable - I'm pretty sure I can squeeze some more!)
- 6GB OCZ Gold 2000Mhz
- Gigabyte X58-UD4P
- Anus GTX295 Dual PCB
- OCZ 30GB Vertex SSD (I want another for RAID 0!)
- WD 300GB Velociraptor
- Windows XP 64bit (yes - I still prefer it - but it works - byte me!)
- Silverstone DA850W PSU
- Customized Lian Li V2110

http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/b.../TeaserBW1.jpg

http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/b.../TeaserBW2.jpg

What am I cooling her with you ask? :confused:

- XSPC Delta V3 (I may change - not sure yet)
- EK Gigabyte X58 waterblocks (acetal)
- EK GTX295 waterblocks (acetal if I can still find 1!)
- 2x D5 with EK Dual D5 top! (om nom nom 3000LPH POWAH! :shocked:)
- 250mm EK multi-res
- XSPC 3/8" ID 5/8" OD Black
- TFC 480
- TFC 240
- Koolance Copper 480 (still measuring to see if I can find something better)
- XSPC RS240 and might throw a 360 in there for giggles! :rofl:

http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/b...D4P-Blocks.jpg
(this board is NOT on the carpet - there is cardboard underneath!)

Just spent fricking £275 on new barbs alone.... yes... even though I has MANY silver 1s I want black *Face palm* :shakes:

Will it all even fit? Yes - yes it would... whether or not I keep it all is another question

http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/b...AZYOCBUILD.jpg

Still working on it... depends what's still available to me etc...

That's all for now until the deliveries start rolling it! Barbs arrive tomorrow and waiting on stock coming back in to order the rest for Xmas :D

~Bex

PS. Yes I think I'm still high from my cold/flu medicine

wow this will be a fun one to watch! nothing like computer mods to keep your spirits up!:up:
looks great, love that case!

Nice :up: this made me want to buy more rads :hehe:

Looking good girl, all you need now is an upgrade to W7 64bit:p:

I'm pretty sure your Anus graphic card rocks ;)

wow alot of rads hehe awesome

Quote:

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Originally Posted by josk1

I'm pretty sure your Anus graphic card rocks ;)

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i lol'd

thats ALOT of rads. cant wait to see this!

Lots of rads and also lots of brands :p

Quote:

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Originally Posted by RCG_Bex

- Windows XP 64bit (yes - I still prefer it - but it works - byte me!)

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Win 7 64 bit FTW. :p: :D

Looking forward to your progress, Bex :up:

and I lolled rather loudly at your "wtf" tag. :rofl:

Excellent to see you building Bex, and thanks Flint for bringing my attention the the tags,:ROTF:
However it was the small print and the comment from Swift_Wraith in her sig that really got my attention, not sure if someone have verified that last comment. :poke::ROTF:

http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/b...S-BPBarbs1.jpg

http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/b...S-BPBarbs2.jpg

Quote:

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Skorchio says:
sex wee secreeted

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:rofl:

http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/b...osingTest1.jpg

~Bex

PS.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by kgtiger

Excellent to see you building Bex, and thanks Flint for bringing my attention the the tags,:ROTF:
However it was the small print and the comment from Swift_Wraith in her sig that really got my attention, not sure if someone have verified that last comment. :poke::ROTF:

---

It CAN be confirmed - just the guy who can isn't on this forum :P

Ah Sweet, I will take your word as you are a true Bonnie lass with an excellent sence of humour, much like the Scottish blood that runs in my ancestry, you can count on my vote.:up:

Nice fittings there by the way, that little mix and match looks sweet with the sleeving
Looking forward to your next update Bex.:up:

Whoa, rad overkill, haha! :D
Nice looking case, will see how it works out! :up:

SHINEY!

http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/b...S-Goodies1.jpg

...

...

...

Quick layout test.....

http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/b...osingTest2.jpg

Then we scale her up!

http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/b...osingTest3.jpg

Still need to adjust 1 or 2 of the hoses... at least the ends.... but mock ups do for now and allow me to run the system until more stuff arrives...

And yes - if you've spotted - that IS a different GPU in my case.... my BFG 8800GT *face palm*

GTX295 has red lighted on me.... not sure what's up with it... will leave it out for now though :?

~Bex

[EDIT] something wierd has happend to my CPU block when moving the hosing... didn't think I'd moved the block but I've re-mounted it and it's just not wanting to make good cooling - might be the week 10W ddc trying to run it all though...

:up: Good stuff, Bex!

(Note to self ... must ... resist ... urge ... to ... convert ... to ... black ... fittings ... ;) )

looks good..ive been really debating on sleeving the tubing..i think ill wait til next build..

Ah no! Why is it that everytime I come into this bloody section I suddenly find myself with a credit card money problem the next day!

Damn you Bex! Everytime I decide that i need to stop building big systems someone like yourself, Azza or Dingdong come along and intice me back to my evil ways!

What's worse is I never sell the damn systems, so I have pcs from 6 years back in the attic and around the place looking nice and doing nothing :(


P.S: Best of luck on this build, looking amazing already and those black fittings especially. :D :D

Very nice case. Can You show some pictures of the side panel?

Mjeeaa, I dont know about this...Are you ABOLUTELEEEY sure thos rads will be enough? Im not sure... Might have to get a couple of Monsters too! Four or five of em just to be compleatly safe ; )

Please excuse the fact that I know nothing at all, but, yes I know theres allway a but.
Anyhow, is there any chance you could rotate your CPU block 180 degrees around so the tubing is not crossing over and touching?
May need to shorten tubing after, if it works.

I feel it would just look better, cleaner.

As for the rads, I say the more the merrier :up:
Looking good Bex

Quote:

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Originally Posted by kgtiger

Please excuse the fact that I know nothing at all, but, yes I know theres allway a but.
Anyhow, is there any chance you could rotate your CPU block 180 degrees around so the tubing is not crossing over and touching?
May need to shorten tubing after, if it works.

I feel it would just look better, cleaner.

As for the rads, I say the more the merrier :up:
Looking good Bex

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Agree.

I've always wanted to do a build with sleeved tubing, looks incredible. Love your CPU block as well.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by kgtiger

Please excuse the fact that I know nothing at all, but, yes I know theres allway a but.
Anyhow, is there any chance you could rotate your CPU block 180 degrees around so the tubing is not crossing over and touching?
May need to shorten tubing after, if it works.

I feel it would just look better, cleaner.

As for the rads, I say the more the merrier :up:
Looking good Bex

---

Indeed. Shall rotate it round! It was purely because I didn't want to remount at the time. Needed the PC up and running ASAP again for revision.

Should be ordering my new pumps and res this weekend and probably a lot of fans n' 4th rad :P

And btw - running 3 rads and my CPU and mobo blocks off a 10W DDC = totaly fairlure. My temps went up on the cpu ~25-30c idle (ok so there's no fans on the 2nd 240 atm which wouldn't help but jesus - death of flow!)

Quite fancy the new EK block but I can't get 1 til next year and I don't think I'll have enough to buy 1.... Eddie! Gief freeby block to test super tight plate withd ual D5's plox?

~Bex

Wow, the sleeving looks really nice.

Did you pcie mod the mobo? 4.6ghz is a very nice result :up:

No - it's still stock. It's got a little bit more in it before modding is required but the temps were WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY too hot - hence the overkill rebuild :rofl:

~Bex

go go go go :D

Hi Bex, nice build you've got going, i'll be following it closely. I hope all the rads from the sketch will stay in the final design, would be awesome.

Anyways, if you don't mind i'd like to ask you a question:

I'm assuming that's the tube sleeving kit from MDPC (http://en.mdpc-x.com/mdpc-sleeve/sle...leeve-pack.htm) you're using, so that would mean you're using 15.9mm OD tubing yeah? I've been having trouble finding fittings/barbs in black to go with those in Europe, would you throw me a link to where you ordered yours please?

Thanks and good luck!

Braiding isn't from MDPC - braiding is from KustomPC - Techflex braiding - was 12mm if I recall with 20mm heatshrink. PSU braiding is being re-done with braiding I got from WatercoolingUK (I think it's also Techflex).

The hosing is XSPC 3/8" ID 5/8" OD stretched over BP 7/16" ID 5/8" OD comps so it's pretty tight - but I love the flexibility of the hosing :D

Not sure the 360 will be staying but we shall see... Having issues getting fans... not a happy bunny.... my few remaining Zalman F3's will do for now though... Picked up a TFC240 for the bottom compartment so matching rads there :)

~Bex

Quote:

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Originally Posted by RCG_Bex

Quote:

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Originally Posted by kgtiger

Excellent to see you building Bex, and thanks Flint for bringing my attention the the tags,:ROTF:
However it was the small print and the comment from Swift_Wraith in her sig that really got my attention, not sure if someone have verified that last comment. :poke::ROTF:

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PS.


It CAN be confirmed - just the guy who can isn't on this forum :P

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*unlurk*
It can be confirmed that Bex doesn't have a penis

That said she does rather put my (currently) stock TJ07 and aircooled 920/Gigabyte Extreme to shame ... Ah well have to see what we can do about that

Keep up the good work Bex, having seen your case in person it is well worth the effort and attention to detail.

*goes back to lurking*

Sounds like thats not all you'v seen whilst lurking. :rofl: :rofl:

Welcome to XS GarethS

Looking forward to your work log when you WC your stock TJ07.:yepp:

:welcome:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by kgtiger

Sounds like thats not all you'v seen whilst lurking. :rofl: :rofl:

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LOL indeed it is not :rofl:

God I want to make some sort of plumbing joke but I just can't think of any... fail... :shakes:

~Bex

*Whips Gareth* Isn't this place a bit big for you?

Anyways, looking great Bex :).

!!! UPDATE !!!

Finally home in Scotland after being stuck in snow over the weekend. Greeted by more snow and extreme ice. It's -10c outside *cry*

But I has goodies!!!

http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/b...S-FanTest1.jpg

Couldn't decide what to get so I bought all 3 for some trials...

http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/b...S-FanTest2.jpg

Except this 1 looks second hand.... has dirty marks... used looks... connector is poor quality... it buzzes... need I say more?

http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/b...S-FanTest3.jpg

All fun and games until you catch your nail on a kaze 3000RPM... even at 5v these things are nasty!!!

http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/b...S-FanTest4.jpg

Shifting heat and being tested at different voltages :P

And what's this...

http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/b...S-Package1.jpg

ANOTHER PACKAGE!?

http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/b...S-Goodies2.jpg

OM NOM NOM GOODIES!!! SHINIES!!!

http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/b...DXS-Pumps1.jpg

Can't have em' looking like that can I?

http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/b...DXS-Pumps2.jpg

Lets use 1 of these! :rofl:

http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/b...DXS-Pumps3.jpg

http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/b...DXS-Pumps4.jpg

Beautifully made dual top! Tis very smexy!

Wonder how Xtreme this little setup is...

http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/b...PumpsTest1.jpg

Mini test setup....

http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/b...PumpsTest2.jpg

....oh jesus

http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/b...PumpsTest3.jpg

...

...

...yeah ....this could be fun...effect is pretty much the same even on lowest... think I might need more than a bloody anti-cyclone plate!!!

*face palm* I hope it slows down a little with some stuff added to it... EDDIE WHAT HAVE YOU CREATED!? You sick SICK man!

Will hopefully get some braiding done and the loop setup again on test until my new water arrives and decide whether or not it's worth doing my GPU if it's still alive...

You guys think I should daisy chain the D5's or leave them separate?

~Bex

maybe u need a rising pipe ?!

try a piece af ure tube and look whats happen.

Two such pomps?? What for??

Quote:

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Originally Posted by mib

Two such pomps?? What for??

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POWER!

Really nice setup you have there. Just be careful with those UKs. I am now missing part of my index finger thanks to them. Took over a week to heal too.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by faster3200

POWER!

Really nice setup you have there. Just be careful with those UKs. I am now missing part of my index finger thanks to them. Took over a week to heal too.

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Power or bubbles all over.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by mib

Power or bubbles all over.

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I swear this thing has more power than my shower does! :rofl:

I can't help but laugh every time I look at those pics of mine... makes me want to turn the D5's back on as they are!

~Bex

Nice project im liking what your doing in it !

And even better your a girl , i wish i had a girl that liked computers but i guess theres not many , oh well he cant have it all:D


Keep up the good work Bex il be folowing this !

Wow the pumps are sooooooooo nice. Blaz likey.

I can´t help but laugh out loud looking at the pictures. (literally)
That is insane.. I would be worried about my tubing disconnecting itself with all that power...

/ Santzia

Anus GPU is working again after some fidgeting... but my Silverstone DA850W isn't... I think it might be why the GPU stopped... now sure... Going to investigate the cables. I think there's something wrong about my 24pin cable (had been adjust the braiding). Running it off my Enermax 650W at the moment...

PC guzzled up 2L of water with the dual D5's, 250 EK res and TFC 240 added...

~Bex

intresting :)

going to follow this :D
and love your stuf :D

Small update...

http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/b...mparision1.jpg

http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/b...mparision2.jpg

You can see the little DDC looks quite outsized....

Did some sleeving - haven't done the PSU yet - not enough braidin g- but to give you an idea of my current braiding throughout the case...

http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/b...raidingOLD.jpg

Replaced and should all look like this :D

http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/b...raidingNEW.jpg

Some more pics of the hosing now adjusted...

http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/b...XS-Hosing1.jpg

http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/b...XS-Hosing2.jpg

The braid it movable so I can get the comps on so they slide all the way down - the gaps aren't there now...

~Bex

just read the whole way thru-excellent work and fine use of dual d5 top. looking forward to seeing temps w/ better flow.

i'm guessing blocks in line, an anti cyclone, and more water in the loop will help out the water issue you're having.

just bought a pair of iwaki md-30 rzt's (rd-30 + a couple more feet of head pressure) and have been reading about pumps...i wonder if one cavitates at all w/ an EK dual top...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by RCG_Bex

Couldn't decide what to get so I bought all 3 for some trials...

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lol... you have that problem too?

Nice work so far :).

Nice work Bex, I like the dual EK top, looks sweet. :up:
When your not running your PC you can use the D5 pumps to run your bubble bath. :rofl:

Well I've lost my tube of MX-2 which I'm not happy about. I swear I've moved it somewhere daft after the many bottles of lager I had last night.... So amusing as it is - I've used a liquid metal tab for a GPU on my CPU - yes the tab is too small - BUT - my delta is stepped and it's not too much smaller than the stepping on it so it'll make do for now. Been using lquid metal tabs for a while now, saves the hastle of spreading etc. Nice results too.

Through it all back in the case last night to get her up and running over Xmas / New Year so I'm not bored to death. And holy smokes... 10c drop without really doing anything except a new pump and passive 240 rad thrown in.... The water in res is still amusing - especially when I first filled it up. Not so bad now but my water is over used and a bit cloudy these days so you can see the flow in there :rofl:

New water in the new year though :D

~Bex

Great stuff! Really liking the sleeving and sleeved tubing.

Good thing about the drop in temps with the extra pump. Maybe add another DDC?

It can only really help :D

!!! UPDATE !!!

Well my 850W PSU seems to be playing up. It's not a happy bunny. I think it's actually a short in the 24pin cable which I suppose I could buy a cablepack from silverstone and replace it but meh.... I was going to be needing a new PSU at some point...

So after many beers...

http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/b...DsDrunkNY2.jpg

... I decided I had 3 minutes before the bells and VAT increase!!! Ordered my PSU with Scan's "TODAY ONLY" discount, with my free delivery Scan account and before the VAT increase - HURRAY!!!

So a little package managed to make it's way to my door today...

http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/b...S-Package2.jpg

Wait... what? All that box for my PSU? Naaaah.... this is Scan.... most of that is going to be packaging!!! :rofl:

http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/b...XS-NewPSU1.jpg

...

...

:|

http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/b...XS-NewPSU2.jpg

...

WTF!?!?!?!?!?

http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/b...XS-NewPSU3.jpg

Well packed by Xigmatek.... but PSU still managed to arrive with condensation from it being so fricking cold outside!!! First day we've had snow but it's been -10c most nights or near enough!!!

http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/b...XS-NewPSU4.jpg

Isn't she pretty though?

http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/b...-PSUTower1.jpg

..... isn't she big....

http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/b...-PSUTower2.jpg

Yeah.... that top PSU is a LARGE ATX PSU - so slightly longer than "standard" case size. Bottom PSU is like 200mm long...

~Bex

I had the same reaction when my enermax arrived, "good god theres no way..." managed to shove it in my mid-tower though.

Nice PSU, is that a 140mm fan in it?

Oh and do I spy a 10 pin bowling trophy there Bex?
Or is he just reaching for the phone?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by pb300

"good god theres no way..."

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That's what she said when she saw his penis.... :rofl:

Sorry - I couldn't resist!

Yes it's a 140mm fan in it - not as loud as the review say - at least - not yet anyway...

I was good when I was younger, but I haven't bowled for years :(

~Bex

Bex, can I ask you a favor? I know my english isn't good, but I'm having trouble connecting a hose between chipset block and cpu block. The distance between those 2 is about 8 centimeters. I see that you have used XSPC hose, but can you tell me the distance you have at the same point?

Thanks in advance!

What is that Xigmatek psu model?

Very good

OMG! That's awesome! Huge project for a lady. Love those pumps! :up:

Ooooohyeeeeeee...Massive pump pooowaaa!

!!! - UPDATE - !!!
Finally got round to getting my Kaze 3000's in! Got 10 of them today along with a little bit of braid and heatshrink to tidy them up.

http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/b...d/DSCF0547.jpg

Had to remove the old fans (Zalman F3's) and clean the rad...

http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/b...d/DSCF0548.jpg

Twas very manky!

http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/b...d/DSCF0549.jpg

Chained the fans together and braided them. Extremely disapointed with the braid. It was sold as Techflex and clearly this is NOT Techflex. I have Techflex left overs and it's no where near as bad as this!

http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/b...d/DSCF0550.jpg

http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/b...d/DSCF0551.jpg

More updates soon - need to chain up the other Kaze's and get some new braid and tidy up the case some more in time for my motherboard RMA to go through...

~Bex

Nice sleevinh job on the tubes.

Execution is great, Bex. Not feeling the see through sleeving situation though. However, I do like your PJs if that helps any. lol

cool fans dude

Quote:

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Originally Posted by CptDreadFlint

Execution is great, Bex. Not feeling the see through sleeving situation though. However, I do like your PJs if that helps any. lol

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No joke. Luckily you won't see the braiding on those fans. I'm still pissed off about it though. You can see the difference between braid quality with the other braid I've used in my build.

Quote:

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http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/b...raidingNEW.jpg

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And thank you. Makes a change from boxers /shorts and t-shirt.

~Bex

You've now got fan power for a true hovercraft. :up:

Hmm I dunno, 10 of those puppies on full just might not be enough...

~Bex

Quote:

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Originally Posted by RCG_Bex

Hmm I dunno, 10 of those puppies on full just might not be enough...

~Bex

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it might not be? That means you need moar fans. And more fans in this section == more rads.

And good luck cleaning that radiotor. That's one filthy bastard :ROTF:.

Ok, I need 2 more KAze 3000's because somehow I managed to squeeze both TFC rads in the bottom with 38mm's on them :rofl:

Maybe this thing really will take off!

~Bex

some updates bex ?! :)

.. those dusty rad pics .. and people still say that dust filters are irrelevant, and all that anyone needs is unrestricted airflow. :/
imho better airflow restricted by easy to clean dust filter then by accumulated dust. Especially with major PITA to clean it, by having to disassemble everything first to actually get to dust bunnies. I'm guessing that for lot of project worklogs on XS it makes sense to take pics only in first week after completion .. after that shiny blingy projects probably become a bit less photogenic because of dust :) - and cute dogs/cats shown in some pics with their fur probably makes that time even shorter.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by RCG_Bex

Ok, I need 2 more KAze 3000's because somehow I managed to squeeze both TFC rads in the bottom with 38mm's on them :rofl:

Maybe this thing really will take off!

~Bex

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Yes, we need an update - can't wait to see / hear how this Kaze Kraziness works out :eek:

maybe she is blown away by the 30 000 RPM kaze power :D

One thing to say in my mind for this build... "POWER...Unlimited Power..!!!" from SW episode 3 shoted by Palpatine ;>
Power of fans and pumps impresive, Not to mutch of it in one case ?
I Kaze's on full blow power ? What about noise ?

Well my mobo died, got it replaced, and it didn't OC so well... HUGE V-droop. So it's being replaced...

But I got hit by a car recently and ran out on money, so not much has been happening. Hoping some updates soon. Hopefully got some money and new parts coming in soon!

~Bex

no money, accident and a dead mobo that are big problems :(
bad news to hear. hope you recover well

Hit by a car? Holy poopoo hope you're alright.

What are the increasing VAT to in the UK? It was already at 17.5% right? Wow.

lol, love how you so nonchalantly say you've been hit by a car.

Yeah my left side and back still hurts - mainly my hips / thigh though - dumb cow drove through a red light - she wasn't paying attention and I was crossing at the lights, was green for pedestrians and a few of us were crossing and I was the furthest out. Looked to my left, realized she wasn't stopping but it was too late - WHACK! She didn't even realize she'd hit me and kept driving on. I just sorta lay in the road stunned whilst people ran over to help and such.

Yeah UK VAT sucks! 17.5% plus markups which average ~30%

Hoping to be back into work soon, and attending the GOOC 2010 in the UK so maybe a new board from there. Though I might not last that long... I know someone has a Classy going for the equiv of £200 but I'm still in love with my Gigabyte stuff... Could get a new Gigabyte X58A-UD3R for £150 - just not sure if it'll clock as high as UD7 or Classy... Plus there isn't any full board blocks for the UD3R which sort of puts me off... No idea of the UD5 is the same as the UD7

*sigh* I don't know what to do tbh.. A cheap clocker would be nice but I'd like to get as near to 240BCLK as I can... :(

~Bex

Ouch.

I was in agreement with Liderc when I first read your post.
I was all, "Man. She's hardcore!"
"I got hit by a mad cow driving a car but wheres that mobo I'm overclocking, people?"

Not to make light of the situation (ok I am), but I couldn't help burst out in laughter because I literally pictured a real cow behind the wheel of an old VW bug, driving recklessly through the streets of Scotland mooing as it's hitting pedestrians left, right and center while wearing a kilt. Sorry.

Speedy recovery to you, Bex. It does sound like you're doing well. Good luck in getting a replacement board at the right price. :up:

Keep us posted.

get well! have a speedy and full recovery Bex.

Same reaction to Bex casually mentioned being mowed down by a car - tough gal! So glad you weren't badly hurt, Bex - but I'm sure it's not been pleasant. Seems the outside world has not been kind to our members - Whuzabi also got whacked, but in his car I believe.

Good Luck with the new board.

Nice build you have here :up:. Sorry to hear about your misfortunes, I hope you recover quickly :)

Glad to read you're ok... All the best wishes, and recover quickly.

ROFL - I didn't think of it like that... Well it was mum and her mother in the car... 1 of those naff small "family" cars... I wasn't in my kilt sadly as it was a brisk, drich day so scruffy jeans!

I see to have avoided broken bones - they reckon I cracked some ribs but I was damn right bruised to hell. Perhaps I should post some of those pics instead? Maybe not - underwear shots might cause havok on the forums :P

But yeah - need a board choice! And I need some new RAM! Heck, I need a new monitor - 17" 1024x768 just isn't cool :(

~Bex

[edit] Damn... missed the classy deal @ £200 :(

17" 1024x768?! o_O
And you have such powerful overclocked rigs with that? :)
imho used 21" crt with 1600x1200@75Hz or used 22+" LCD with full hd or 1920x1200 support (i don't see much sense with buying less or more currently) shouldn't cost too much these days. Prices fallen greatily compared to 2 years ago. Only pitty with big res displays - humans adapt to good things very fast, and even after one week with better monitor it's painful when you ocasionally have to use something worse :)
As for why i see 1920x1200 current optimum - with it you can watch full hd movies without any up/down scaling - lcd-s display best at native res or at resolutions divided by even numbers, also using displays with big resolutions bring some extra difficulties with some less common hardware, eg. some kvm switches, or output capabilities of older videocards (eg. my laptop). + you need very _expensive_ gpu-s to be able to game at something like 2048x1535/2560x1600/2560x2048 (remember point of best pic on lcd-s @ native res)
I myself try to use whatever highest res i can at acceptable refresh rate. Eg. years ago it was 1600x1200@75Hz on 17" crt

Well I used to have a Dell 2407... I had to let my aunt have it as payment cause I couldn't afford to pay her rent when I was homeless and made redundant :cry:

~Bex

Hmm. Shouldn't used 21" crt cost less then 1/5 of what good X58 motherboard costs?

But if I have no motherboard then I have no need for a monitor as I'll have no computer good enough to use on it?

~Bex