New Build - Project 7

[Sagex0]

Hey guys I don't post that much on the forums but now I have a legitimate reason to do so. I'm finally building! I decided to call my little Project....Project 7 because I intend on jumping on the Core i7 bandwagon and I'm going Windows 7(beta) as well. I haven't built since my last build in about September 2008 which was pretty much a budget build. My budget build included the following:

Asus A8V Mobo Socket 939
AMD 4400+ X2
Sapphire HD 3850 AGP
Creative X-Fi Extreme Gamer
OCZ PowerXStream 600W PSU
Gigabyte 3D Rocket Cooler
2GB OCZ DDR Ram
Antec 300 Case

This budget build was pretty hardcore because it was one of those rareties that had supported a dual core CPU and also had an AGP port so therefore I had no bottleneck from my CPU to GPU. But nevertheless I decided to tear this build down and start afresh and made the big decision to go i7. I also wanted to experience the new PCIe interface because I"VE NEVER HAD A PCIe graphic card in my life LOL. I've been on AGP since my old ATI 7200 and thus decided to embrace the new interface.


Within the last couple months I've saved the required funds and started to buy parts for Project 7. These are the following parts I've had in mind/bought to create my build:

NZXT Tempest Case
Intel Core i7 920 (thanks to Van for the CPU xD!)
Xigmatek S1283V Dark Knight
Asus P6T Deluxe V2
OCZ Gold 6GB DDR3
Tagan BZ-800W PSU
WD Raptor 150GB
WD Caviar 320GB
Samsung 226BW 22"
LG 22X Super-Multi Drive
NZXT Sentry 1 Fan Controller
Sapphire HD 48701GB
Creative X-Fi Titanium (probably by next week)

The amount of money I spent so far finding great deals and such on RFD/HWC is about $1500 for this build. Which is pretty good imo.

Here's two pictures of what I have thus far:(Please note that some things I may of stuck in this pic ARE COMPLETELY unrelated to my build because I was getting quite proud of my investments LOL):





Just last night I spent until 4AM trying to install that damn fan controller into the first bay lol. It took me nearly 2 hours of aligning and re-aligning to get it level with my dvd drive but I finally got it. I also installed my mobo to get it prepped for my i7. My i7 is due in the mail anytime soon paired with my ram and cooler. Otherwise I have all my other parts ready for the build. I'll keep you guys updated on my progress.


Here are a couple updates on how far I gotten. I installed the mobo and PSU and now im waiting for my other components. I finally was satisfied with the fan controller position:

I decided to invert my PSU for better airflow and cable management as you can see here:



















I will keep you guys updated on the new rig!

RAM and Sound Card and Cooler Finally Arrived!

[Dwayne]

Seeing a carpet in the picture scares me! The thought of electro-static discharge gives me the willies! You should build this in the kitchen where the possibility of static discharge will be minimal.

[Sagex0]

Originally Posted by Dwayne

Seeing a carpet in the picture scares me! The thought of electro-static discharge gives me the willies! You should build this in the kitchen where the possibility of static discharge will be minimal.

That very thing was on my mind before I began my build. But Im also using an ESD Wrist Band so I think everything should be fine. Perhaps lol. Unless you can tell me otherwise. There's indeed a huge risk factor involved I agree.

[Dwayne]

An ESD wristband is a good thing, but carpet :) You sound like you are careful, make sure the ground on the wristband is good and all should be fine I'm sure... I can be over caution when a lot of money is on the line.

BTW nice parts! i7, I am getting jealous of all the i7 builds I am seeing... damn daughter getting married and sucking up a whole bunch of upgrade money!

[cwestwell]

Meh carpet shmarpet.....who hasn't built on a rug before..I prefer the kitchen table but sometimes everyone needs to curl up in the the middle of the floor on there rug and get busy with their NEW pc.

[Dwayne]

Originally Posted by cwestwell

Meh carpet shmarpet.....who hasn't built on a rug before..I prefer the kitchen table but sometimes everyone needs to curl up in the the middle of the floor on there rug and get busy with their NEW pc.

I can think of body parts that would NOT be happy with plastic and electricity in an open case!

[bojangles]

Working on carpet is OKAY as long as you ground or energize yourself to the potential of your case/workstation/electrical components.

[Bomberman07]

can you post pics of your case mod? I see you have two top fans, that looks very nice to me.

[arekieh]

every time ive built a new comp or rebuilt an old one or upgrade its always been on carpet. Just be careful take off ur socks and make sure ur pants arent dragging on teh floor.

[Sagex0]

Originally Posted by Bomberman07

can you post pics of your case mod? I see you have two top fans, that looks very nice to me.

Hey man I didn't mod my case at all lol. My NZXT Tempest comes stock with top fans. It actually has 6 fans in total. 2 Top. 2 Rear and 2 Front. Yes its pretty intense eh lol.