Help the newbie with his build!!

[Talonman]

I am building my new gaiming rig, and have never built a system from scratch before....

This is what I recently baught so far, most of which is still in route to my house right now!! Gasp....

CASE:
(1) SilverStone TJ-09 Dream Machine Case - Black with window

Display:
(1) Gateway FPD2485W HD Display - (1,920 x 1,200 normal resolution)

PSU
(1) Thermaltake Toughpower 1000w modular PSU. (Overkill I know, but PSU's are best at 30% to 80% of their max load. I just need to make sure I use more than 300w of power.) (Should be running cool, and will have it's big 140mm fan blowing air up at the cards. Could be a wicked combo for air circulation, in the TJ09's case?)

Storage:
(2) Western Digital Raptor WD1500ADFD 150GB 10,000 RPM Serial ATA150 Hard Drive - OEM (One for OS, One for games)
(1) Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD7500AAKS 750GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM (General storage)
(2) Samsung SP2504C 250GB 7200 RPM SATA-300 interface 300 MB/s, Hard Drive - OEM (General storage) (Out of my m7690n Pavilion.

Cards:
(1) TV Tuner card harvested out of my m7690n Pavilion

Cooling:
(5) 120mm Scythe S-FLEXT Case Fan (63.7 CFM/28 dBA)
(1) ZALMAN ZM-MFC1 Fan Controller Panel (4 fan speed control, and 2 togle switches)
(3) Acousti AFM03B-8 Ultra Soft Black Noise Reducing Silicone Fan Mounts (Pack of 8)

(1) WaterKegIII Xtreme (Black with Blue CCFL light running the THERMOCHILL PA 120.3 Rad!) (Self contained unit that runs off PC's power supply)
(1) D-TEK FuZion Universal CPU Waterblock - 1/2"
(10') Tygon 1/2" ID (3/4" OD) R-3603 Laboratory-Grade tubing.

Lighting: (Want the ability to turn lights on or off using the 2 togle switches on fan controller)
(2) 12in Dual Blue Cold Cathode Kit
(1) Cold Cathode Sound Activation Module Sunbeam (Not sure if I need this, but it was only 3 bucks!)
(3) 5 Feet Blue EL Wire Kit

Cables:
(2) GENERIC 18" 2-Head Red SATA (SERIAL ATA 150) Cable Model SERIAL ATA 18 - OEM (Probably too short, but they were the longest I could find on Newegg)
(3) ORION Pro Series 18" 180 and 90-Degree-Angled, SATA (SERIAL ATA 150) Cable, 2-Head Model 700-201-05 (Might be too short again, some of the boy's with TJ09's are talking 25" and 36" for SATA length?)
(5) 36" UV Blue Single Right Angle SATA II Cable w/ Locking Latch (Found long cables at SVC.com)
(2) 24" Blue UV Reactive Single Right Angle SATA II Cable w/ Locking Latch
(2) 36" UV Blue SATA II Cable w/ Locking Latch
(1) 24" Dual Right Angle Blue UV Reactive SATA II Cable w/ Locking Latch

MISC:
(1) Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound - OEM
(1) Arctic Silver ACN-60ML (2-PC-SET) Thermal material Remover & Surface Purifier - OEM
(1) Arctic Silver CMQ-22G The high-density, ceramic-based thermal compound - Retail
(1) Vantec UV Reactive Slot Protector Kit - Blue
(2) EnzoTech Pure Forged Copper Ramsinks (Set of 8)
(20) 10cm Zip Tie - UV Blue
(30') Blue UV Reactive 18 Gauge Wire (price per foot)

Paint: (Thinking about doing the motherboard tray?)
(1) Can ClearNeon Aerosol UV Reactive Paint - Blue

My biggest worry right now is the WaterKegIII Xtreme dude (Seth) is backed up right now, so hes not taking any new orders, until he completes his existing ones first. He is a nice dude! I wanted a WaterKegIII Xtreme so bad too....
I am waiting for an e-mail telling me he is willing to take orders again...
I am not sure if I should give up on the dream, and find another all in one cooling solution. I was looking for active, and external.

The unit I really want: WaterKegIII Xtreme with it's THERMOCHILL PA 120.3 rad!
http://www.externalpccooling.net/

I wonder how much cooling performance I would be giving up getting one of these new units, rather than running the WaterKegIII Xtreme?

The ZALMAN ZM-RESERATOR-XB BLACK RESERATOR XT COMPLETE WATER COOLING KIT (Note: This one has a CPU block, but I already have the D-TEK FuZion Universal CPU Waterblock - 1/2". I cant tell if this unit has 3/8" or 1/2" lines...)

http://www.svc.com/zm-reserator-xb.html

Or this unit...

Exos-2 LX, Black (Note: This one has 3/8" lines, I wish it has 1/2" to match my CPU block)
http://www.koolance.com/shop/product...roducts_id=375

I probably should just wait it out with Seth and get what I really want? ...
What do you guys think?

I am still holding off on the motherboard, CPU, and GPU until I see how things shake out in Nov with nVidia's GPU's lineup, and Penryn quad processors.

I have eaither 3,000 left to complete this build, or 2,500 if I can get Seth to take my order on the WaterKegIII Xtreme .....

[Evi]

There's no point in picking out specifics like this now, if you're going to wait for months before actually buying it. All that stuff should be built AROUND the important stuff, not the other way around. Wait until you know what you are going to do for the CPU, GPU, mobo, ram, etc, and then look around for good deals. For example, a new case might come out that you like a lot more, or a different company could launch a line of PSUs that outperform that one at the same or lesser cost.

The stuff you listed seems like a pretty solid setup, but a lot of those components just come down to personal preference.

[Talonman]

Too late for deals.. all that stuff is baught and rolling for my house right now!! (- The WaterKegIII Xtreme)

I just edited my initial post to make that more clear ... thanks.

I am going to start on painting the motherboard tray, get the PSU installed, fans installed, and fan controller wired, mount the HD's, and begin on thier wire management before I locked down on a motherboard.

The build will be completed in Nov I hope!
I have a 8600 GT to eak by on until then.
Currently on a Pavilion m7690n

As far as selecting wich 'all in one' active external cooler is best, I think I am still OK to hunt for a unit now.

Trivia:
Favorire mobo right now: Abit IP35 Pro, but keeping an eye on the Maximus Formula. (Might go well with my D-TEK FuZion!)
So far my favorite processor is: Q6600 GO (Unless Penryn turnes out to be the one to get, then quad Penryn)
GPU 8800 Ultra, or fastest card in Nov, then EVGA card with it's 90 day step up program.
(I am still living the dream, that the new nVidia Speed King GPU will be released in Nov)

Heck, I feel like I am behind in the game just having 4 weeks to start in installing everything correctly, while taking my time and trying to do it right...

Remember I am a first time builder.....

Is there any other reputable dudes out there that build external, active, cooling units like the WaterKegIII Xtreme?

I would love a link...

** UPDATE:

Wow, I just checked the price on a few items thinking I might build it myself.

1 x ThermoChill PA 120.3 Radiator
3 x 120MM Black Aluminum Fan Filter
1 x Swiftech MCP-655B (Pump)
1 x Swiftech - MCRES-MICRO (Mini high-flow acrylic reservoir)
Total - $242.94

I would still need to get buy 3 fans,1 fan controller, box, lid, fittings, and all the custom cutting to make it look good...

Seth's $500 price is fair .... I guess I'm officially getting in line for a WaterKegIII Xtreme (Black with Blue CCFL light)

I will send 1 more note to make sure Seth knows I'm searous.

I think he will do a better job of it than I would....

Stock cooling (for a while), here I come!

[Talonman]

I sent another e-mail to Seth...

I am in line!! I am in line!!

I will be the proud owner of a WaterKegIII Xtreme, and a full blown member of the the ThermoChill PA 120.3 Rad club!!

Mabey it will raise the temprature in my unfinished (built in 1917) cold Ohio basement. In the winter it get's pritty freakin nippy down here! I know, good air for the computer and the rad.

So far I will be running (5) 120mm fans in the PC's case, (3) more 120's in the WaterKegIII Xtreme, Cold Cathode kit's in both case'es, a beefey water pump, (2) fan controllers (one in PC and the WaterKeg too), (2) 10,000 RPM Raptors, (1) Western Digital Caviar 750GB HD, (1)TV Tuner card, and some Blue EL Wire, all off of the systems PSU!

The watts are going like they are free!!

Does anybody know if one of thoes cold cathode light kits would light at all on 5v's? The two toggle switches on the ZALMAN ZM-MFC1 Fan Controller will supply 5v or 12v. I am just wondering if the lights will be barley lit on 5v, (might be nice?) or would they be not lite at all...

I am counting on that the UV kits will run fine off of the 12v position.....

[Talonman]

Just ordered an Asus X38 Motherboard Maximus Formula Special Edition Chipset x38 P4 Socket 775 ATX from mobopros.

I hope it works out well for me.

[Talonman]

I am shopping for memory for my X38 Maximus SE.

It wants:
Dual channel memory architecture
4 X DIMM, supportmax 8GB, DDR2-1200*/1066/800/667 MHz, ECC, non-ECC and unbuffered memory
DDR2 1200 is O.C. speeds.

I have decided I would like a 4GB (2GBx2) kit.

I was looking at these:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...erX-_-20104001

It even has a good review:
http://techgage.com/article/mushkin_4gb_xp2-8500/1

Is this the best 4GB kit in the market, that only takes 2 memory slots?

Would this be a good match for the Maximus SE?

Can somone confirm these should work OK, or put my nose on a better/faster 4GB kit.

Note: I can't find where it is listed, that this is unbuffered memory.


Thanks for any help!

[Spawne32]

The only experience i ever had with kingston ram was not a good one, so im more inclined to recommend these instead.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145176
CORSAIR XMS2 4GB(2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail $263.00

[Talonman]

Thanks for the input, that has a few more reviews on Newegg than the Kingston did. Probably means more people are buying the corsairs.

I think the Corsairs are now the front runner....

[Talonman]

Just grabbed the CORSAIR XMS2 4GB(2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit, CMXAF1 ram cooler, and Q6600 GO.

I need 1 bad boy GPU and I'm done!!

She is comming togeather nice.....

I decided I am going to pull the CD/DVD writer, and HD DVD player out of the m7690n Pavilion, and put them in my new system.
I might have to look for some face plates, not too sure yet...

Just ordered this air brush spider web pattern:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/SPIDE...ayphotohosting
I am painting the TJ09's motherboard tray dark grey, with the invisable blue UV reactive paint on top in a spider web pattern.
When I have my UV lights off it should be invisable.
When I turn them on... Blue UV Spiderweb light up. There is a decent section of motherboard tray that does not get covered on the TJ09, when the motherboard is mounted. The right-hand edge is mostly visable through the window.

I made a wire spider, twisted blue UV EL wire around it, and have it mounted behind the grill for the HD area. He lights up too when you throw the switches!!

[Talonman]

Signature check post.....

Hay, looking good man

[Talonman]

Check out my hand made EL wire spider, in the HD cage.! (Strand 1 of 3)
He should show up pritty good through the fan cover on the front, when you throw the switch!

I lined my PSU in UV Blue EL wire. (Strand 2 of 3)

A third strand of EL wire is hooked up for future use... (Strand 3 of 3)

4 large UV CC tubes are installed, 2 on the left behind front support, 1 on the roof, and 1 on the right hand side by HD cage.

5 UV Lazer led's were installed on the shiny video fan cover, right at the hot spot in the picture near the bottom. You cant see it very well in this shot. Kinda hidden...

All lights including the 4 CC tubes, and the 3 strands of EL wire, are powered by the 2 toggle switches of the fan controller. Nothing lights up unless you throw the switches...

4 120mm Scythe S-FLEXT Case Fans are installed. (63.7 CFM/28 dBA)
2 were on top, 1 between HD cages, and yes, the trickey one for video card too...
1 more will be installed on rear, after the invisable UV blue air brush web, is sprayed onto the mobo tray!

What do you think.... ?

I put my 2 Raptor 150's in the top bay, for OS and games. (RAID 0)(The HD cage fan is pointing up at the Raptors)
My 750GB Caviar, and 500GB Samsung (soon out of my m7690n Pavilion), will be in the bottom bay, and will be used for general storage.


By Talonman at 2007-10-12

[Talonman]

Here is one quick shot of the back. I am trying my best to hide all the wires....



3 out of the 4 fans are connected to the ZALMAN ZM-MFC1 Fan Controller Panel, but I still need a few 3 pin fan extension cables. You can see where the last fan made it to. It's white connector is next to the HD fan. I have some on order.

I think it still looks pritty spartan, considering what has already been installed.

[Talonman]

Were the pictures too big?

I will make them smaller. Sorry...

The 3 black boxes controlls 1 strand of 5' UV blue EL wire each.
One for the spider, one for the PSU, and one I am still mulling over...

The 2 geen boxs, power 2 CC blue UV lights each, for a total or 4 lights.
Both green boxes are made to be plugged into the silver controller. It has off, on, sound, and flash settings.
I just keep it in the on position, running up to my toggle switch.

Black box locations - 1 behind PSU, 1 rear section of 3 1/2" drive bay, 1 under video fan cover.
Green box locations - 1 behind PSU, 1 rear section of 3 1/2" drive bay.
Silver controller - Controlls of all 4 CC light's, and both green boxes, located under video fan cover.

Here is a better shot of the 5 Lazer UV led's. Thank goodness that it dosen't have a controller box too!
I have them pointing right where there can sometimes be a dark spot, when showing off a case. I think it should light up my video card pritty well too.

[Talonman]

The fan controller:



I am excited about this UV paint. I wanted to make sure I had enouigh UV light in the case to get a decent reaction from the stuff, otherwise it would just be clear.

The TJ09 has that nice wide strip of exposed mobo tray running down the right hand side. You can see it from the window with ease. Not too many other cases are set up this way. It is almost like a painters canvas, just waiting for some theme to be applied.

I was looking for air brush templetes that might work well covering the area, but would not be hurt too much by a few cables running through the picture. I spotted the spider web and thought it might work well in that reguard?

Then I wanted some snazz in the hard drive grill area, and the EL spider is going to do the trick.

My case should stand out in the end I think..

I still don't know what will happen if I put the 2 toggle switches into the 5V positions. Will anything light up, and would it hurt anything to only feed the CC kits, and EL wire 5v's insted of 12v's?

The disappearing spider and web, might be worth some extra cool points?

[BNDMOD]

Suscribed :d very nice work

[Talonman]

Thanks BND|MOD!!

I sanded the motherboard tray today. She is ready to take my primer coat.

I also finished converting my lights over 100% to double sided stickey tape. Velcro does suck.

The 2 up front were still on velcro.

Still waiting on the air brush template to arrive.

[Talonman]

Asus Maximus SE is on site!!

Ram, ram cooling fan, and fan extension cables arrived today.

A shot or two of my new baby...

No dammage that I can see!!

[zanzabar]

wow that is one shinny mb the review pics that ive seen dont do it justice

[Talonman]

Thanks zanzabar!!

Shoot, I had to pick the pictures that were the least shiny for best viewing.

It is a beauty 4 sure!

The box has this on it.....

Fusion Block System
H2O Ready: The next step in thermal solution. The Fusion block system combines the ROG's renowned heatpipe design with the ability to conduct to a water cooling system for a 47% increase in thermal performance compared to other heatpipe designs.

[Talonman]

Quad arrived, and she is a confirmed GO (SLACR) as ordered!! I hope L726B397 turnes out to be a runner!!

My memory also arrived also.



I did install the D-TEK Nozzle kit in my CPU block. I also installed the water flow correction gasget that comes with the kit. I used the nozzle for a Quad Core Processor.

For a Maximus SE, the nozzle should have a horizontal orientation, providing you mount your motherboard right side up.
This allows the water to be focused directly onto both dual cores.

Your AS should be drawn in a thin line, onto the processor, with a vertical orientation (Top to Bottom), according to their home page for best results.

You can see my Quad nozzle inside the D-TEK.

[Talonman]

Things are moving along...

Still trying to keep my wireing as neet as possible.


I think I want my LCD Poster inside the window on the PSU?


I hooked up more of the trickey wires...
I have 2 left to deal with.

I think it's audio, and firewire. I still am not sure where to hook them up yet...


Any comments are welcome...

[Talonman]

I found them a home, and believe I have all case wires hooked up now!!

The 1394 - fire wire connector went in the red port on the mobo.

The AC'97 audio plug went into the back of the mini sound card that's included, or that was my best guess. I have not found a scrap of information in this for sure.

My power wire is just waiting for a video card. It looks like it is going to the fan, but it's not.

I currently have only 1 stick of ram in, until I can install the fix for Vista Ultimate, and take er to 4GB by adding my second stick.

I had to mount the rear fan on the outside of the case, to allow for my 2 large Blue UV lights on the front left frame support.
When the fan was mounted on the inside of the case, the mobo tray would not close withought the fan hitting the lights.
I hope this is not a big deal..

Third and final 5' EL wire was used on the cable most in the upper right corner of the mobo tray. It is tight up against the tray, and should supply some UV light for my web, for a good reaction.

My top SATA connector for Raptor B looks like it is not plugged all the way in, due to the dots not looking close enouigh to the port.
This bothers me, and gave it a decent push in, but it dosent feel like it can go in any further...
I guess I'll have to keep that in mind if that drive starts to act up. I dont want to have to run a new one if I can avoid it.

I hope I wasen't too wild with the blue UV paint spraying on the spider web pattern...
Only time will tell.. It is mostly in the upper right corner of the mobo tray.

[Bobsama]

She's a beauty! Subscribed.

[Talonman]

Thanks Bobsama!

[Talonman]

I cant stop, I just installed another fan..

That brings the total up to 11. I have 5 on the case, 6 on the mobo.

I think I needed one in the CPU fan headder anyway. At least it wasent another 40mm fan. This one might have a better shot at moving some air.

She might be a little hard on the eyes, would you guys keep this fan in?



Here is a shot of all my nasty wires, trying to hide.