jojo69
[H]F Junkie
- Joined
- Sep 13, 2009
- Messages
- 11,267
Project parameters are to build maximum FLOPS in minimum CC on a budget.
More specifically, My intention is to build a full performance modern desktop in a 4U 19” RS 310 form factor chassis. I have a lot of audio, test, and RF gear in rackmount format so I was interested in integrating the PC into the rack. This has turned out to be something of a challenge. As you will see, I am hard against all three physical axes in my chosen form factor.
Many [H]ers will, I am sure, question the wisdom of building an X58 based system at this time. All I can say is that while “disposable” income does exist here, I am not made out of money. I have been acquiring parts slowly as deals appeared and as funds allowed. It is my hope that with SB coming on the scene X58 MOBOs will soon drop in price. In short, at first boot this system will be one generation back from bleeding edge...such are the financial realities.
I tend to build systems for the long haul...this project is intended to replace a thoroughly upgraded PIII...lol, so I have invested heavily in power delivery and thermal management. It is my hope that this chassis will support future generations of silicon.
As of this post (mid Jan 11) the parts on hand are as follows;
PSU- Corsair AX 1200..wow, sort of the crown jewel so far, was a [H]ot deal at the time.
Cooling- mostly from Sidewinder, some JAB if they beat the price
Rads- XSPC 240 + EKWB 120
Pump- Jingway DP1200 (EK-DCP 4.0 branded)
Res- EKWB on pump type
CPU block- EKWB HF supreme
6@ Nidec Servo (Scythe branded) Gentle Typhoon 120/1850
1/2id 3/4od Tygon and Bitspower compressions
CPU i7 950 purchased off an [H]er for nominal markup over Microcenter $199 deal
RAM 3@4Gb Corsair Vengeance, recent [H]ot deal
and an IcyDock 3 in 2 HDD backplane
So, I still need
MOBO
VGA, ok ok, I know its not actually VGA anymore, video cards right?
SSD
HDD
DVD
OS
monitor(s) can hardly believe I added the parenthetical plural...yes, I am contemplating a triple setup if I can catch a deal.
MOBO, I can fit either the ASUS extreme or formula, or the EVGA 3xSLI, hoping for prices to come down with SB breaking now
VGA, been leaning NVIDIA, watching the GF110 prices, liking the lower TDP over GF 100, though ATI could still win me over with a good deal on a decent Xfire setup.
SSD, probably current gen after the next gen breaks.
HDD, watching for deals on 2TB WD blacks, setting up my first redundant RAID will be a learning experience.
DVD, BluRay pisses me off, be dammed if I am going to pay more to buy the software to have the right to use my hardware /rant, probably just some DVD...have to be new though as there is nothing SATA in the house yet...lol
OS, sigh, will be dual boot for sure, which drives up the price of the SSD I know, but I guess I will have to swallow my pride and, gawd I can hardly type it...purchase a Windows 7 license...if I really want to game on this thing.
OK, long post already. Please feel free to challenge me on any of the parts that are not here yet!! I am deeply indebted to the [H] community for feedback on previous threads and am very much open to discussion.
Time for some pics.
More specifically, My intention is to build a full performance modern desktop in a 4U 19” RS 310 form factor chassis. I have a lot of audio, test, and RF gear in rackmount format so I was interested in integrating the PC into the rack. This has turned out to be something of a challenge. As you will see, I am hard against all three physical axes in my chosen form factor.
Many [H]ers will, I am sure, question the wisdom of building an X58 based system at this time. All I can say is that while “disposable” income does exist here, I am not made out of money. I have been acquiring parts slowly as deals appeared and as funds allowed. It is my hope that with SB coming on the scene X58 MOBOs will soon drop in price. In short, at first boot this system will be one generation back from bleeding edge...such are the financial realities.
I tend to build systems for the long haul...this project is intended to replace a thoroughly upgraded PIII...lol, so I have invested heavily in power delivery and thermal management. It is my hope that this chassis will support future generations of silicon.
As of this post (mid Jan 11) the parts on hand are as follows;
PSU- Corsair AX 1200..wow, sort of the crown jewel so far, was a [H]ot deal at the time.
Cooling- mostly from Sidewinder, some JAB if they beat the price
Rads- XSPC 240 + EKWB 120
Pump- Jingway DP1200 (EK-DCP 4.0 branded)
Res- EKWB on pump type
CPU block- EKWB HF supreme
6@ Nidec Servo (Scythe branded) Gentle Typhoon 120/1850
1/2id 3/4od Tygon and Bitspower compressions
CPU i7 950 purchased off an [H]er for nominal markup over Microcenter $199 deal
RAM 3@4Gb Corsair Vengeance, recent [H]ot deal
and an IcyDock 3 in 2 HDD backplane
So, I still need
MOBO
VGA, ok ok, I know its not actually VGA anymore, video cards right?
SSD
HDD
DVD
OS
monitor(s) can hardly believe I added the parenthetical plural...yes, I am contemplating a triple setup if I can catch a deal.
MOBO, I can fit either the ASUS extreme or formula, or the EVGA 3xSLI, hoping for prices to come down with SB breaking now
VGA, been leaning NVIDIA, watching the GF110 prices, liking the lower TDP over GF 100, though ATI could still win me over with a good deal on a decent Xfire setup.
SSD, probably current gen after the next gen breaks.
HDD, watching for deals on 2TB WD blacks, setting up my first redundant RAID will be a learning experience.
DVD, BluRay pisses me off, be dammed if I am going to pay more to buy the software to have the right to use my hardware /rant, probably just some DVD...have to be new though as there is nothing SATA in the house yet...lol
OS, sigh, will be dual boot for sure, which drives up the price of the SSD I know, but I guess I will have to swallow my pride and, gawd I can hardly type it...purchase a Windows 7 license...if I really want to game on this thing.
OK, long post already. Please feel free to challenge me on any of the parts that are not here yet!! I am deeply indebted to the [H] community for feedback on previous threads and am very much open to discussion.
Time for some pics.
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