Sense and Sensibility [A Build Log]

[twwen2]

PART 2: Aims and Objectives

I’d just like to begin by saying that this build is full of compromises, so please do not think me a hypocrite. Let me explain…

Sense and Sensibility. I find that by spending so much time on XtremeSystems I get can a bit carried away by the hardware I see others working with. For instance, person X (aka Naekuh, but he’s just the first of many that spring to mind) builds a rig with a $1000+ quadcore, Tri-SLi (or quad X-Fire), six raptors in RAID 0 and a 1200W PSU (don’t even mention skulltrail), and I start thinking “I have to have that. Anything less will not be sufficient” when all I really use my PC for is Uni work, movies, photos and the occasional game. Having said that I do run a 20” Widescreen at 1680x1050 and play some taxing games like WiC and CoH, so I do need some reasonable processing power. But the key word there is reasonable. Sense and Sensibility.

So; in this build will attempt to buy hardware that meets my needs, with some reasonable headroom and future-proofing of course!

Here are my aims for the project:

• Must be quiet, near silent if possible. I currently run a CM 650W Extreme PSU with the fan stuck at 100% rpm. Before I went WC, I used to have a Zalman 9500 on the CPU, sounded like a jet sometimes. The HD4870 sounds like a hair-dryer!
• Must be stable. I’ve had some nightmares with my current rig, most of which can be traced back to the nVidia 650i chipset . Stupid thing won’t run two dimms of RAM, so I’m stuck with 1GB. It doesn’t play nice with ATi cards either…
• Must be cool. It can get warm down here in OZ, especially in the summer where it can get to the mid 30’s indoors (no AC for me ). The WC will help here.
• Will have watercooling: But of course . This is where I depart completely from the build theme, but I couldn’t care less, after all this is XS isn’t it!

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In my next post I will outline the details of the rig with regards to

• Parts/specs and purchases
• WC loop configuration

And i promise i'll put some pictures up, cos i know your all about to lynch me for making you read all this text!

Edit: Here's a sneak peak!



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