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CPU
Motherboard
Memory
Storage
Case
Power Supply
Optical Drive
Case Fan
Total:
This is my first build. Glad we got that out of the way. This is something that I have been desiring to do for years, and the means finally became present, so I jumped on it.
My goal I had in mind for this build was simple. Make a working computer, don't break things, and be cheap. I achieved all three. I wanted to see this thing do some simple web tasks for the wife, and take on my gaming needs (World of Warships, TOR, War Thunder) So far, it does excellent with both. NOTE: in the future I fully intend to add a graphics card into this. For now, budget won out. I'm thinking either a GTX 950, or whatever the Pascal equivalent will be.
Everything went pretty smoothly I dare say. When the opportunity to build arose, I literally spent months watching videos, researching, browsing part picker here, and various other medias just absorbing info on what is "good", and what in the world to do. The building process was pretty easy and straight forward, and when my fears started to calm a little bit of frying everything with static, it moved right along. It was, for the most part, hassle free. The biggest issue I ran into was dropping a mount screw into the abyss of my case and having to remove my PSU (with board and everything already installed) just to retrieve the screw. People with a MicroATX Rosewill case probably know that the struggle is real. My hard drive was a fun story. The screws I got with my case weren't the right size, and there weren't any screws that came with the drive. I ended up using the right size thread, but the screw was too long. So my drive is hanging by two screws and can slide wherever it pleases, for the most part.
Booting Windows and everything was pretty seamless. I had an old copy of Windows 7 laying around that I had dual booted onto my MacBook, and figured it was time to let the Mac be a Mac. From there I upgraded to Windows 10. I only needed one driver update to get all the graphic settings, otherwise that was about it. The only issue I did run into was when mobo stuff was updating and installing, all USB peripherals decided that working was overrated. After a restart, all was well.
Initially, I'm sure I'll get an ear full about cable management on some of the first pics, I had the 120mm fan connected straight to a power line and that thing was running full speed all the time. This is because mobo only has one fan header apart from the cpu fan. A week or so ago, I went in and cleaned up the wires and put the 120mm into the mobo header, and plugged the stock Rosewill 80mm into the power line. Best. Decision. Ever. In regards to this computer. It went from sounding like a soul sucking power machine, to a mild-mannered servant.
All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed this process. It was like a big ole' puzzle. An electrical, circuity puzzle. This makes me want to build more and more computers. This feels like a potential problem brewing. I enjoy that my Windows games are now MUCH more readily and easily accessible, rather than having to boot back and fourth. One of these days I'm going to reinstall my old Command and Conquer games, get some Red Alert action going, Pharaoh, and Roller Coaster Tycoon.
I apologize that I don't have benchmarks, stress tests, etc. to share with you all. Being my first build, as I mentioned, there were somethings I was quite unsure of. I would like to check all that info, any pointers/info would be greatly appreciated.
Please feel free to comment and provide constructive criticism. I want to improve this guy as much as possible. Well, reasonably speaking.
I deleted my own comment and folded it into the description.
Awesome little CPU. Does everything I expect of it without an issue. Tasks range from Facebook and simple documents, to gaming and opening millions of tabs (not literally millions). This has handled everything I have thrown at it thus far and I don't foresee that changing anytime soon.
Very simple to use mobo. Does and has everything that I expect of it. I only have two complaints. 1) The instructions of where all the front panel connectors went to were non existent. I had to dig on the internet to figure out where they all went. 2) Only one fan header (not including CPU fan header). If you want 2 or more fans, either get a splitter, or be ready to connect everything straight to your PSU. All in all, I am pleased and it was very user friendly on physical installation, and booting windows.
RAM is RAM right? Reliable name and all that good stuff.
This actually isn't the drive that I got, but the closest I could get on Part Picker here. I got the newest one of the same model, pretty much. Anyways, a hard drive is a hard drive right? Nice slim, little drive that I wanted. It was exactly what I needed and was looking for. My only complaint was the complete lack of screws and anything useful. Probably because it was OEM. No where was it specified that it was OEM on purchase, but oh well. Not sure what the deal is, but the boot time is INSANE! I haven't actually timed it, but it can't be more than 20 seconds.
Nice little case. Only faults are the lack of proper screws for my hard drive, and the lack of space for cables to run with a disc drive installed. Other than that, loving this case. Nice, simple, and very aesthetically pleasing. Temps while gaming are holding around 50-55, not too shabby. All in all, I am very pleased with this purchase. I like seeing this everyday when I come home. The case that is.
Gotta love rebates and promo codes. A very awesome PSU for rock bottom price. Most other review I've seen have sung this PSU's praises. I guess I'll join in the chorus. This thing is definitely a brick, meaning heavy, telling me that there's lots of goodies internally and the manufacturer didn't skimp on it. Also, EVGA is a trusted brand I'm told, so wonderful purchase.
Again, gotta love promo codes. A disc drive is a disc drive right? How many times will I say that? It does what it needs to do and I'm happy with it. Only complaint is the thing sounds like its going to lift off and fly away when it's turning a disc. Good thing I don't use it that often.
My biggest complaint rests with this piece here. Thank you Cooler Master for including screws with your product, but it would be wonderful if your product was threaded for the screws you included. Oh man, this was probably one of the most frustrating parts until one of my students gave me the brilliant idea to hold the fan still on one side, and just screw in from the other. All that to say, you more or less, have one shot at installing this thing. It runs silent at least, when it's not blowing full RPM. When it's running full, sounds like a leaf blower.