PC BUILD 2011 - ICENFLAME

[Stu]

So as many of you may know and if not you guys will after this short article the [grrr] family insisted that I come back to the fold of gaming. I for one have no idea why they would want me lurking around on the servers TK'ing everyone as they run directly into my line of fire! :gah:

But a number of incredibly generous and caring people have donated not only their time but physical hardware and resources into building me a new rig to so that I could play BFBC2 once more. I cannot begin to express my gratitude and every time I looked at my box a lump in my throat starts rear its emotional tendency.

So now too the build! I must admit I felt rather out of place as Jarrod was wizzing about left right and centre pulling components out of the boxes as he began to assemble my box.

We started the project at roughly 14:30PM on Saturday with the footie on the T.V. in the background Jarrod began his work. Now before I start this write up I need you all to be aware that the last time I kept up too date with Hardware specifications was the last time I upgraded my PC and that was in 2008 I believe so I'm about 3 years x 20 years behind in terms of advancements.

In fact, I'd go as far as saying I am turning into j0nny with respect to my hardware knowledge shocking I know :whistle:

Lets start with the info

Chase: Cooler Master CM 690 (Standard)
PSU: Cooler Master GX 750W
Mother Board: Rampage (TBD)
CPU: Intel Quad Core 2.4 Processor (Me thinks)
RAM: OCz 8500 2 x 2GB
GPU: GTX 280
HDD: 1.5 Terra + 500GB + 160 GB (OS) SATA


http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc238/Icenflame/PC%20Build/Chase_002.jpg

This is the Chase, very neat box if I say so myself. I am rather happy that Jarrod forced me to get this box rather than my original choice, I guess it boils down to years more of experience.

And he was right! Although I now have to build a new desk unit...


http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc238/Icenflame/PC%20Build/Chase_001.jpg


Ready for the install! At this point I was eager and excited to get stuck in... But it seemed that J was extremely happy at the helm so why should I upset the apple cart and attempt to help :p


I have images of most of the components they are below.

The Chip

http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc238/Icenflame/PC%20Build/Chip.jpg

http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc238/Icenflame/PC%20Build/chip_002.jpg

The Board

http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc238/Icenflame/PC%20Build/Board_1.jpg

The RAM

http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc238/Icenflame/PC%20Build/RAM.jpg

Once Jarrod had completed a couple of checks he got stuck right in. I did mention above that I felt absolutely useless and could only offer to pack-away and dispose of anything that was required to be disposed of.


The Processes

http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc238/Icenflame/PC%20Build/board-mounts.jpg

Placing the Motherboard mounting pins

http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc238/Icenflame/PC%20Build/chip_mounted.jpg

Mounting the CPU

http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc238/Icenflame/PC%20Build/RAM_Mounting.jpg

RAM being mounted

http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc238/Icenflame/PC%20Build/chip_Ram_mounted.jpg

Chip and RAM

http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc238/Icenflame/PC%20Build/GFX-Card.jpg

The GPU mount

The cables where correctly laid out which reminds me, Skoup is apparently a genius when it comes to assembly and cable management. Now that I have a actual working PC (by working I mean Gaming) I think we have a CPT grrr LAN. But I will discuss the possibility later.

http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc238/Icenflame/PC%20Build/happy_J.jpg

It seems that throughout the install Jarrod was very chipper. This is noted in a number of expressions on his face during the installation.


http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc238/Icenflame/PC%20Build/Phone-a-friend.jpg

Phone a friend, when in need there is always a [grrr] aficionado on call to assist with any hardware troubleshooting. In this case thanks for the time LEPnSHADY

http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc238/Icenflame/PC%20Build/1000words.jpg

I'm sure everything is plugged in?

http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc238/Icenflame/PC%20Build/All-Components.jpg

All the components added in.

http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc238/Icenflame/PC%20Build/all_done.jpg

What a happy face, all done and dusted! Jarrod was extremely happy have finished and to get me out of his hair. It's hard enough having two kid's try two kids and a [grrr] recipe for disaster.


Once again thank you to all [grrr] members for the contributions in this project, words simply cannot convey the gratitude.

I just think that I will have to offer my knife in your back as I run past while playing at a frame rate under 30fps previously 60. Although we all know I'll be on the receiving end of all the Pig sticking's!

It was fantastic being able to login yesterday jump on the TS channel and have my ass handed to me for three hours. I look forward to spending a lot more time on the servers with ya'll.

If this was feudal Japan I would gladly give my life to [grrr] for her name and glory!

[Paul]

Nice Stu you are less of a noob today than you were on Friday.

Just one question, isn't a 750w PSU over kill? OR is that in case you want to SLi in the future. I just replaced my PSU because the previous one blew and I onlu got a 550w.

Is 550w no longer acceptable?

[Phatso]

Looks slick Stu. Congrats on the new build and enjoy it! :)

(looking good there Jarrod, kief haircut bruuu :P )

[J_Th4ng]

Nice Stu, glad to have you back online again. Thanks for offering up your tags in homage on Saturday night ;)

@Phats - Had my monthly shearing on Saturday morning, so that haircut is as fresh as it comes.

@Paul - Lee suggested a 750W PSU for the build. I think that there is plenty of headroom, but apparently the GTX280 is a bit of a power leech. Regardless, the PSU has 4xPCI-E power connections, so SLI in the future wouldn't be a problem (except for the fact that the Rampage Formula motherboard is an X48 chipset that doesn't support SLI (CrossFire only).

As for the parts, thanks to Sheri and Dirk for the discounted pricing on the Mobo, Ram and CPU and to Lee for the very generous donation of his old graphics card. And of course to the slush fund contributors for permission to use some for this project. It's awesome to see how the clan can pull together to get a brother back online again. One of teh things that makes [grrr] the clan that it is.

[SlipperyDuck]

mmm, I had a 630W power supply that could not cope with teh same build: Q9450 Quad core and GTX280

It was a strange problem, would work fine and I could game for 10 minutes until suddenly it would just switch off - full power-off

As soon as I upgraded mine from 630W to 750W everything suddenly worked well.

[NiteShade]

Glad to have you back gaming, Stu!!! Sorry I wasn't around this weekend to share in your come-back debut.

Also, sorry 'bout that sound card!!! Was Jarrod able to get you another one? Just let Lep know da price and he'll pay whomever back.
We don't use the on board sound and thought it was the correct card!

[Megageth]

Once again thank you to all [grrr] members for the contributions in this project, words simply cannot convey the gratitude.

Yeah, I said "Fuck him, lets get someone new in the clan with actual talent", but sentimentality won out on some of the more caring members.

In truth I had nothing to do with it but glad to see you are ready for pc action dude, its been too long.

[J_Th4ng]

@Shei - I picked up a cheapo SB card for R200. Don't worry about the cost, I got it covered.

[KakHard]

So when is the LAN...? ;)

[Stu]

So when is the LAN...? ;)


Good question... Skoup?

[KakHard]

I'll even come through on the Friday this time! :)

[Skouperd]

Nice built guys, the cable management looks good as well Jarrod, well done. Regarding next LAN, working on it... working on it....