Description

This isn't exactly a new build but a upgrade of my first build that I did 5 months ago. Mostly what I did was do a better cable management and replace my EVGA 960 4gb SC, for EVGA 1070 ACX.3 (is not a SSC just the normal one with EVGA aftermarket cooler which looks fantastic. I also add RGB strips (thou they connect using USB so the cable comes out from on of the pci brackets that is cover with the PCI fans I add for better airflow. Cheap RGB but they look nice. Even the Picture look better than first time I post here. and is more sightly.

Benchmarks are the last Pictures

My first build look like. This

leave a comment, want to know what should I change, or what could be improve. I'll appreciate your Honesty.

10/09/2016 Add small chess pieces for added personality. (also that the king hold up my PCI fans to a more balance look)

Part Reviews

CPU

Intel Core i7-6700K 4 GHz Quad-Core Processor

Great CPU, haven't jet OC it, but it pretty fast and responsive

CPU Cooler

Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler

Keep my temps below 65 C which is nice. Seems that would allow me to OC it later at least to 4.5Ghz hoppully

Motherboard

Gigabyte GA-Z170-HD3P ATX LGA1151 Motherboard

Nice MOBO, came with the i7 so I can complain much. it has been working fine for me so far. I would just prefer to be a bit wider.

Memory

Kingston FURY 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-2133 CL14 Memory

16Gb kind off becoming the standard now. really quick and responsive in my opinion.

Storage

Crucial BX200 240 GB 2.5" Solid State Drive

First SSD I had so it is for me quick but I would prefer a better one. but this does the job fine.

Storage

Western Digital Caviar Blue 1 TB 3.5" 7200 RPM Internal Hard Drive

Regular 7200rpm HDD. no to expensive and lot of storage.

Video Card

EVGA ACX 3.0 GeForce GTX 1070 8 GB Video Card

Ok, so I first pick up a EVGA 960 4gb, like about a month till they release, and it was doing a good job for me that was coming for IGPU (intel HD4000). But the performance increment of the 1070 was amazing and I was going to wait till blackFriday to see if I upgrade but I found the EVGA 1070 ACX.3.0+ for >$11 their MSRP cost, so I couldn't let that deal slip. The EVGA 1070 OC really good getting +235 Core (getting around 2114mhz but dropping effectively to 2050-2084 around that) +560 memory and the Max temp I get (even without the PCI fans I have was 68 C.) without any problem (Firestrike when smoothly and left if for 1hr loop on Heaven) Would have wanted FTW but for like >$80 less this was good

Really like this Card

Case

Zalman Z9 NEO ATX Mid Tower Case

Good case, only thing I regret is not picking up the white version of this case. (but the black one had $20 mail and rebate didn't thought it through)

Power Supply

EVGA SuperNOVA 650 G1 650 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply

PSU hasn't gave me any problem so far so Im happy. (have read different reviews about it like 65-70% positive and 5-10% neutral and 20-25% negative. it had a lot off different review. but so far it has been working fine. Fully modular which it helps a lot.

Wireless Network Adapter

TP-Link TL-WN881ND 802.11a/b/g/n PCIe x1 Wi-Fi Adapter

Was good while I use it. Move to Ethernet now. Left it there since I was a bit lazy to remove it, I just turn it off.

Case Fan

Fractal Design Venturi HF-14 118.2 CFM 140 mm Fan

Really good fans, sound like a plane turbine when full but either controlling them or using the voltage regulator that comes with them decrease the sound a lot and still provide a good air flow to the case.

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Comments

gfunk62984
  • 8 years 6 months ago

Really solid build, aesthetically pleasing, good cable management, really nothing more you can do besides over clocking the cpu. I guess there's always room for hardware improvements, but if it's not necessary then I think it's pretty much throwing money out the window. Tinker around with the over clock and see how lucky you got with the silicon lottery.

Gian07
  • 8 years 6 months ago

Great that you like it, and yeah but after this, what is left is just expand memory and see how much I can OC the CPU using the Hyper 212 EVO. I just need to learn well how should I do it. is my first PC so I'm bit careful with what I do. Thanks for you opinion and the advise

gfunk62984
  • 8 years 6 months ago

Theres more you can do than just add more ram, if you've got the extra cash lying around you could switch to the x99 platform and drop in an i7 6950x, slap in sli 1080's and water-cool everything. But, like I said, if it's not necessary than you're just throwing money at it. Keep us posted on how far you push your cpu. Happy over clocking.

Gian07
  • 8 years 6 months ago

If I had the extra cash I would be a happy man, but for now this build will do. I'm actually pretty happy with it since I was using a laptop with and I5-3210m and Intel HD 4000 graphics and to jump to I7 6700k (first wast 960) and 1070. For me this is ridiculous fast, but I also know I can push it more. With OC the CPU, I'm still looking at videos on how to do it well to make sure I don't mess it out, and see how much I can with air cooler.

gfunk62984
  • 8 years 6 months ago

I didn't mean any disrespect towards your build, it's a solid build and sounds like it's quite a step up from that laptop. I just mean there's always more you can do, hardware wise, unless you're at the tippy top of the enthusiast ladder. As long as it suits your needs and you're happy, that's all that matters. Most of the time the top tier enthusiast parts are just for bragging rights anyway. Right now I can only drool over your build, the fastest PC in my house at the moment has an am3 x2 245 dual core processor, 4 GB of RAM and integrated graphics lol ( it has a hard time running civ 5 late in the game, so that gives you an idea lmao). Make sure to keep us posted on how far you're able to push that i7, happy overclocking bro.

Gian07
  • 8 years 6 months ago

thanks for the comment, and I apologize if I sounded like you disrespect me. It is comprehensible, as like you said getting anything higher that this build for what I do, it is not necessary. I can upgrade it later down the line if necessary. Having this PC is like a dream to me to be honest (although haven't push it more since school is taking a lot of my time). been into PC's for more than 3 years but till this year I was able to build my own. It is not the King of the PCs but is something that with some effort I was able to get (just would love to enjoy it more. I really want winter vacation to come now at this point). Well wish you the best, hope you get yourself a PC you feel comfortable. And with OC my 6700k I may try it next week since Im kind off busy lately. I'll try to keep post (just hope dont rise the V. to much as mistake and fry my CPU. that in a way be hilarious and sad).

Continue this thread
jk184
  • 8 years 6 months ago

How do you have the fans beneath the graphics cards mounted? Is that a bracket that uses an expansion slot? Do they seem to make a difference in that orientation? I know your Fractal fans are non PWM fans but have you tried plugging them into a fan header on the motherboard? Some motherboards allow you to still control the speed. I'm sort of a fan guy. Anyways, nice looking build. +1

Gian07
  • 8 years 6 months ago

Thanks for the comment. For the fans beneath the GPU Im using GELID Solutions SL-PCI-02 120mm PCI Slot Fan Holder. At first I bought them for my GTX960 I had that was getting temp close to 80 C and it actually help taking like 6C (my 1070 only seems to decrease 1C when is at full load, only on idle form 40C to 35C), and surprisingly it also decrease the temps on my CPU like 2-3C (is something). You are right with the Fractal I later found out that they are not 4 pins, but I did had one in a pmw control that help me regulate the noise of one (for the other one I use the voltage regulator, only had 2 pmw fan headers.) I bought a fan splitter and connect both fans to it. now I can control the speed of both through the motherboard pmw fan header.

LastRaven17
  • 8 years 6 months ago

If you are able to buy one, look into a M.2 drive, your board has the slot and I can tell you right now, they are worth it.

Also, if you ever feel the desire to replace the cheaper RGB LED, the NZZXT Hue+ is amazing; powered via molex and runs through a USB header.

Gian07
  • 8 years 6 months ago

Thanks for the advise, I'll be checking on that, but for now the SSD I have will do. With the LED, I'll see if in blackFriday see if the NZXT Hue+ goes any cheaper. The LED RGB I have were pick from Ebay for about $8 so I can complain about them. (Use to no like the Open PCI I had to leave for the USB cable to pass to but, I use the PCI bracket of the fans to cover it pushing it when I was putting the fans.) and The LED RGB does actually make my PC stand more I really like it. I have hear really good thinks about the Hue+, so I'll see. Thanks for the advises again.

LastRaven17
  • 8 years 6 months ago

If you do consider buying the M.2 drive, if you can swing it, the Samsung 950 Pro I have in my build has been nothing but phenomenal. I found mine for like $180 for the 256GB.

I was someone who avoided lighting until my recent build, I saw it as a waste of money but since RGB lighting kits are becoming the norm, they do offer more options and also it is rewarding making a system yours.

Gian07
  • 8 years 6 months ago

I saw a video form NCIX tech tips and Techquickie about the m.2 and now I'm more interested on that. But for the moment this SSD I have will have to due (kind off broke since I bought the 1070 for relatively low price but still) I'll wait to save some money and find a good m.2 for a good price. I saw your built and the Hue+ looks really good with your build. I'll be seeing it during the sales as well as the m.2. Thanks for sharing your opinions and advises.

LastRaven17
  • 8 years 6 months ago

Yeah, totally understandable, I am an IT Specialist who is learning programming, so I work with computers full time, so to me an M.2 drive was something I had to learn more about and see in action.

Gian07
  • 8 years 6 months ago

Yeah, in a way I would like to try it out, and test it to compare see which is the best, just for curiosity. Well thanks for the suggestions.

Continue this thread
Bubi
  • 8 years 3 months ago

Very nice RIG, love the color matching with leds and GPU... i would say "harmonic" ! Love it!

stino2004
  • 8 years 2 months ago

what bracket did you use to add fans to the expansion slot below your GPU?

Gian07
  • 8 years 2 months ago

The brackets I use came with the Gelid PCI fans That I bought on Ebay for about $22. The bracket and holder for fans come with them. if you want you can try and find only the holders and use other fans.

The_Boom_Boy
  • 8 years 6 months ago

I really like you expansion fan card thing it's sweat +1

Gian07
  • 8 years 6 months ago

Thanks is from GELID Solutions SL-PCI-02 120mm PCI Slot Fan Holder used it when I had my 960 to decrease temps, but my 1070 doesn't seem to benefit of it when is a load. but when idle use to be 40C now it 35C.

Lyrix
  • 8 years 6 months ago

what monitor do you have?

Gian07
  • 8 years 6 months ago

Using the Acer R240HY bidx 23.8 60hz

I OC it to 75hz and it looks better than 60hz (was able to go to 78hz but when try 79 it didn't work so left it to 75hz)

Lyrix
  • 8 years 6 months ago

oh thanks for the answer:)

Gian07
  • 8 years 6 months ago

No problem.

mikey6p
  • 8 years 6 months ago

Great build, that LED strip really makes it all pop.

Gian07
  • 8 years 6 months ago

Thanks for the comment, and yeah it does, is a cheap LED RGB strip that connect via USB but it make my PC looks better. (had to auto-correct myself)

TheSilverSaiyan
  • 8 years 6 months ago

Does this run minecraft well

Gian07
  • 8 years 6 months ago

You wont even notice when you reach far lands. (To be honest I don't play minecraft but a friend was able to played smoothly on a Intel HD4000 So I bet my king that is holding my PCI fans straight [Pic 8-10] that it will run well).