Description

I've built 4 other PCs in the past year, but they've either been super-budget boxes for family or purpose-driven PCs (unRaid NAS & HTPC). This is my first shot at a performance/gaming build for myself.

The case was amazingly easy to work with, so the whole process went super smooth. The only caveat was the 212 Evo cooler. It was touchy, but seems in the end worked out. Next time it will be easier.

I've left the stock sound-dampening in place, and it is ultra quiet to my ears. The ceiling fan needs to be fixed next, 'cause that's all I can hear now! I used the two new BladeMaster fans in push/pull on the cooler, and my temps seem pretty good thus far. When gaming, the fans pick up to ~50% using the Asus FanExpert "Performance" preset, and temps only increase ~ 10-15 above idle. No need to overclock ATM, but it seems I have plenty of thermal and dB headroom.

So far, I've played Bioshock Infinite on Ultra and Crysis 3 on Very High with SMAAx4 and am loving it! I'm downloading GPUTemp & 3dMark right now, and will post those results soon.

Comments

  • 80 months ago
  • 2 points

Solid, well balanced build. Thanks for sharing the pictures!

  • 80 months ago
  • 2 points

I love that case, it's just so simplistic and clean!

  • 80 months ago
  • 1 point

That's what drew me to it. Plus, the top-mounted inputs and power really suit my location. The door is really much better than I had anticipated.

  • 80 months ago
  • 1 point

I was going to get that case for my next computer, but the top mounted inputs and power really wouldn't suit my location (under a desk)

  • 80 months ago
  • 1 point

Looking back at your pictures, for the 24 pin power connector, you could route it through the hole below it, rather than on top, but I don't know, I think it would look cleaner but you may not.

  • 80 months ago
  • 1 point

Solid Build

  • 80 months ago
  • 1 point

Really nice, clean build with good cable management. All high quality components. Nice job removing your unused HDD cages. +Upvote

  • 80 months ago
  • 1 point

After seeing so many unbalanced builds I'm very pleased to start seeing some balance and quality parts selected. Great build!!

  • 80 months ago
  • 1 point

I've seen better SSD's at better prices then the samsung ones but good solid build overall

  • 80 months ago
  • 1 point

How, Long did it take ?

  • 80 months ago
  • 1 point

~4 hours until I had Windows 8 installed. Most time-consuming was the cooler.

  • 80 months ago
  • 1 point

Great build, and the CPU cooler looks awesome with those fans, but they have seriously high static pressure for a Hyper 212. Couldn't you have just gotten a better heatsink?

  • 80 months ago
  • 1 point

Probably. As this is my first non-budget build, I am pretty clueless about aftermarket fans and heatsinks. Honestly bought the 212 simply because it is so highly recommended on BuildaPC. Will the excessive static air pressure cause any cooling issues, or is it simply inefficient?

  • 80 months ago
  • 2 points

Static pressure is perfect for tight spaces (radiators, heatsinks, hard drive cages), so it's actually good, it's just that it is excessive for a Hyper 212. The reason the 212 is recommended is because it has great performance for the money, but spending an extra $20 on fans kind of negates that, since there are excellent $50 heatsinks (Xigmatek Dark Knight for example). That's alright though, you'll have the best cooling you can get with your heatsink, and you'll know next time :) Sorry if I typed a lot, but cooling is one of my favorite aspects of computer tech at the moment.

  • 79 months ago
  • 1 point

@Pirate, I really like your build and I want to expand on this. @Testbuilds can you recommend the best cooling using this framework and anything else you think needs to be adjusted. Thanks!

  • 79 months ago
  • 1 point

I'm sorry, but I don't quite understand your question. By framework, do you mean the Hyper 212 heatsink he got, or just my recommendation for a balanced cooling solution?

  • 79 months ago
  • 1 point

Balanced cooling solution. I ended up going with a dark knight II

Continue this thread
  • 80 months ago
  • 0 points

Really nice build. I have the same GPU, it's great.

  • 80 months ago
  • 1 point

Having been away from PC gaming for nearly a decade (aside from Terraria and emulators), I'm so glad I was advised to go with the 7950 on BuildApc. I'm going crazy installing games this week!! My Xbox will be collecting some dust for a bit...

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  • 80 months ago
  • 1 point

Some people just like fractal design better. I think the define r4 looks great.

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  • 80 months ago
  • -1 points

Case is personal preference, but not only that, but the R4 is a far better case. The positioning of the drive trays is better, the case has sound dampening pre-installed, better cable-management, even a window.

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  • 80 months ago
  • -1 points

He also could have gotten a pentium or a hd5450 because they were cheaper too. Just because it was cheaper doesn't mean OP should have bought any other case.

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