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CPU
CPU Cooler
Thermal Compound
Motherboard
Memory
Storage
Storage
Video Card
Case
Power Supply
Operating System
Case Fan
Case Fan
Case Fan
Case Fan
Case Fan
Monitor
Keyboard
Mouse
Headphones
Speakers
Custom
Custom
Custom
Total:
Edit; August 2017. While setting up my son's college pc, I adjusted his overclock to 4.6Ghz at 1.275v. Working great. Have him a little boost over the 4.3Ghz it was at before.
Edit; July 2016 I purchased a used GTX 970 that looked like new and replaced the old GTX 660ti. Wow what a difference. My oldest tested it and was surprised at how much of an improvement it was over the old GPU. Using my wattage meter I loaded the GPU and CPU getting a total of 324 watts. This is lower than with the old 660ti. I am relieved since i went so cheap on the PSU. Glad the new tech made last year's tech prices plummet. Now it's a proper little gaming machine. No I am not changing the little Corsair CX for a better PSU since my testing shows substantially less watts than it can sustain and due to my case modifications the psu will always have nice fresh cool air coming in from the side porthole. Besides, my son loves it and that makes me smile.
For my son. You're working so hard in college to get great grades. Here is something to relax and game with.
I needed something small enough to fit on a shelf, but still wanted performance. The smaller I got, I noticed that the dimensions just got switched around. Either longer, wider or taller than I wanted. The PSU was moved, or the cpu cooler was given lots of space, etc. I couldn't get myself to do a 90° laying over graphics card htpc build. I decided to write all the component sizes down and check them against the inside case dimensions. That's when I hit gold and chose the "incompatible with the listed components.." Rosewill Legacy V4-S mini tower. Once I received it, I verified the internal dimensions and mapped out the positions. I wanted it quiet for the dorm room, but still able to move air.
Overall I'm so pleased with this setup. I really like the look and foot print. This was the most fun design so far. I think I will build it again for myself with different design fan grilles and guts.
Ok, I built this as a modifiable gamer. Small form factor pc with water cooling added. Air cooling in this case wouldn't work with any over clocking due to the very limited space between the cpu and the psu. I flipped the PSU inlet to face the left side (as seen when facing the case) and added a porthole to the side for it to breath. I added a porthole to the top of the case to hang the CPU radiator and fans. I added two portholes and filters to the bottom of the case with two silverstone ap122 fans staggered around the hard drives cage to push air to the video card and past the video card to the cooler fan inlet. I replaced the small factory base feet with stainless steel drawer knobs to raise the bottom for more ventilation. I drilled the hard drive cage to add the mounting holes for the ssd. I had to really work inside of the case to get the wiring tied up tightly next to the access panel to make sure the cpu radiator, graphics card and fans could breath. I used my older 2GB gtx660ti graphics card for now. Now with a GTX 970 SSC as of July 2016.
This was a blast to put together. Going against recommendations of using a different case because of displacement and cooling is a thrill when it works. At one point trying to squeeze the radiator/fans and PSU in I realized my measurements were off. I had cut the four upper fan/radiator/grille holes just slightly too far to the right and forward causing the radiator tank to hit the ram cooling fins. When I turned the radiator 90°, the PSU wouldn't fit. I had to remove a small piece from the upper fan where it wasn't sitting flush. I had to reduce the height of three fins of the slot 2 ram heat sink. I over tightened one of the the fan/radiator/grille support bolts and stripped out the threads. Applying plumber's epoxy to the bolt threads and letting it sit overnight upside down after installation fixed that. Oops! I also forgot to install the main motherboard power connector before mounting the radiator and fans and using that epoxy. Double oops !! That power connector was terrible to get plugged in with all that cooler the way.
When I first started it up, my wife and I heard this obnoxious loud ticking noise. I found the front lower fan contacting a rough piece of the aluminum case floor. I had to smooth out the floor so the fan wouldn't hit. Fun fun fun.
I took it to my son at college and added an LG IPS 22" monitor and a set of speakers. He was super excited. I added a picture of the initial placement in his dorm room.
Oh man this thing is quiet. The fans and that Nepton 120xl are super quiet. I am surprised. I wish this cooler was still sold here in the USA.
I hope this inspires people to see beyond the limitations of a case, and feel free to modify one to meet their needs. Don't be afraid to get out the hole saw and cut that case up. They make a lot of great fan covers to protect fingers from getting into the spinning blades. Go for it!
Thanks for looking and voting.
Great CPU, but not as easily overclocked as the old 3570k. Got it to 4.6 GHz.
Fantastic 120mm cooler. Very quiet.
Great little motherboard. Has worked well the year and a half.
Super nice GPU. Great 1080p performance and can be picked up around $180 in great used shape as of July 2016.
Love the size and look of this case. Modifies easily to hold a 120mm AIO water cooler and fresh air in port for a flipped psu.
Good cheap psu. Beware of overclocking with this unit. Use a wattage meter to test your system to make sure you don't push past its normal limits and operating temperature. Otherwise buy another psu that has more power and is made for gaming.
It's ok. Stable. Looks nice. Had to turn off all the windows "Spyware".
Nice speakers. Sometimes on sale at bestbuy for $29.99 under another name and silver color.