Frank's 2013 upgrade.......

[The1stCAV]

are you the wife?

No he isn't "the wife", but he was a long time reader of the last thread and became a gaming friend, etc - he just knows he is safe in that assumption. To give it validity, no I will not be getting the Titans, though I would most certainly love to drop 2-3 of them in here.

I am basically banned at this point in using any of our cash flow for my builds. I have to sell items I have if I want to buy anything else. So with that said, everything I had to sell sold fast and here we are waiting on the case and water blocks to crank this build up. Both of which should be here within the next week. I have more items to sell off, just right now doesn't seem that others have recovered from xmas, so waiting to post my higher end items again.

The unfortunate truth is even if I sold what I have to sell, I would not have enough to put 2-3 Titans in Frank. Also, I just paid for custom backplates to the GTX 680 Watercool Heatkillers for these three GTX 680's, buying a Titan would render these blocks useless as its not a reference designed GTX 680. So that would be like throwing $500 out the door right there and not something I would consider atm, especially considering the buying ban I am currently under that Stat knew of, thus his comment.

 

[Filter]

i was being sarcastic with the wife comment i know i forgot to put he smiley face.

 

[The1stCAV]

i was being sarcastic with the wife comment i know i forgot to put he smiley face.

lol no worries and I thought it was sarcasim, but figured I would elaborate

 

[The1stCAV]

drool!

Thanks, I feel the same everytime I walk in the office - not being pretentious, just saying I am grateful and this isn't lost on me because its a daily experience where I work and game - there is much respect and appreciation for everything I have built in here - thanks for posting.

I just saw this thread (now I have more free time on my hands). For a second I thought the computer and the OP's name was frank and made me think of this : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Apa0nG1OfUc
.

Congrats on the build!

lol, thanks, we are just cranking up the build though - right now he is in a holding pattern. when the new case and water blocks come in, its game on!

lol, well when I game, I go under Frank N Stein, so that video is kind of appropriate. That is funny though. In Ventrillo they call me Frank, Frankie, etc - so though the PC is also named the same, it just seems to work.

Now where are those water blocks from Watercool, I mean how long does it take to get here from Germany? I cannot wait to get my hands on them and get them installed, not to mention that Mountain Mods case that should have made its final production run last week, which means potentially this week it is being shipped? Maybe? Who knows but folks we are so freaking close to getting this going again................

OK on the Crysis 3 updates..........

I played the heck out of the campaign and loved every second of it. I am not sure where I am going wrong or if the game is glitched, but some posts confirm I am not the only one going WTF on how to kill the final boss in the game. I have run through the campaign and seen some amazing graphical moments that really were lost on the action in the game. I am sure many people were so engrossed in the game itself, the environment wasn't as appreciated as it could have been, but that’s the nature of these games I suppose. The more realistic or visually appealing, the more the detail gets lost because it’s not a glaring issue or look wrong. The thing is they really did a freaking amazing job at these graphics and if anything like Crysis 2, if they release an update with higher resolution bitmaps, then this game will be even more amazing.

I wrote a review of what I thought of the game here: http://secure.mycrysis.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=65&t=59403&p=605355#p605355

For those who just like checking out the pics - here is some visual eye candy (below) that cannot really show what the environmental feel was really like. Being in a fluid environment that has many things happening, a screenshot cannot capture the true feel of the game, but does a good job at least in showing some detail. As you move, things change, shadows change, textures change, and things are dynamic. I was as engrossed in the visuals as I was the game itself, it was everything I hoped it would be and more. I think they found the right balance in textures, tones, and feel. This is a campaign I will be running again many times through.

All in all though with all eye candy maxed out, including 8x MSAA and everything on Ultra, yeah Frank said bring it on, I was built for that and will DOMINATE it - and he did. A few cut scenes he dropped in FPS dramatically, the drivers are yet to be optimized for SLI, and many other things, but overall it was smooth game play and just a lot of fun.

Now back to the topic of this thread - in case we forget - its Frank's Upgrade and here is the proposed etching placement/sizing I submitted to Mountain Mods for where I wanted to etching to be placed. Once I looked at the side view, I am thinking that its better served at the bottom on the Water Barrel 24 side windows as opposed to level with the motherboard like I originally intended. The reason is because I am getting those Watercool Heatkiller custom PCB covers with "Frank N SteinPC" printed on them and I do not want the window etchings to distract from that or compete with it. I will have 3 of those in the top section along with all the other things I am doing up there, there is enough "bling" happening that the etching would get lost in that area. Where below its more all the water cooling parts, the lights from the fans will (hopefully) make the etching pop better and not disctract at the bottom but compliment it more than anything. So that is why I chose to drop the etchings on the bottom plexi panels.

 

[HDriscoll]

You are going to have a space between the "STEIN" and "PC", right?

 

[The1stCAV]

You are going to have a space between the "STEIN" and "PC", right?

Hmm, there should have been a period as a spacer, thanks for noticing.

 

[wra18th]

.....in corner laying in fetal position , saying; When the @$)& is this case getting here!

 

[The1stCAV]

.....in corner laying in fetal position , saying; When the @$)& is this case getting here!

In the corner with you mumbling incoherently but saying the same................


So while in this state I figured WTH and felt the need to buy something to make myself feel better, so I took advantage of today when MDPC opens its "International" doors to let the rest of the world buy their amazing sleeving and stuff. So off I went because I know I will need this stuff anyway for this build, I may as well get it on order.

MDPC Sleeve-Kit Quantity = 1
Sleeve SATA - RED Quantity = 2
Sleeve SMALL - TITANIUM GREY MKII Quantity = 2
3-Pin Straight Fan-Connector Quantity = 3
SATA Crimp-Connector Quantity = 6
SATA Power-Connector THROUGH Quantity = 5
SATA Power-Connector END Quantity = 3

The sleeving kit is all black, so I knew I had to pick up some red SATA sleeve. I saw that Titanium and thought considering I have these Carbon Fiber accents going on, some grey/Titanium would be a nice accent color on the sleeving too. We shall see how it works out, but was thinking of introducing the Titanium into the cable sleeve.

There are fan pins as well. I intend on doing custom cables to the fans form the controllers, but there are some fans I will need to have connectors on. The MO-RA3 LT fans and the two 3x120mm rad fans will all have custom soldiered and sleeved home runs to the fan controllers. Which means I expect to not have connectors in the run, I will be splicing 2 fans per run into a single cable with all places sleeved so you do not see the splice, the cables will just converge into a single home run.

The rest of the items will allow me to make my own custom SATA power leads. I will need this in order to ensure that all cables are routed specifically where and how they should be, instead of having to conform to set cable lengths.

Come on MM & Watercool........................we wanna get this build going sometime this year. It is a 2013 build if I recall correctly, so it would be nice to get it done in that year.

 

[The1stCAV]

I am talking to a guy right now that is going to help me with the fan grills I need for this build. I saw one of the rad grills he did for a guy for a 3x120mm radiator and I loved it, it was all white and had 3 ROG logo's running across it with horizontal lines. It was really cool, but I like honeycomb personally - just makes me think of Crysis and anything Crysis related I like.

Whsat I have identified I need are some custom radiator/fan grills made for this new case. Here is what I will be getting custom cut:
1x 3x120mm grill for the top front of the U2-UFO.
2x 120mm to cover the 120mm fan holes in the back of the U2-UFO
1x 9x120mm array to cover the fan holes on the front of the Water Barrel 24
1x 9x120mm array for the MO-RA3 LT radiator on the back of the Water Barrel 24
1x MO-RA3 LT non-fan side grill that will allow me to mount a Bitfenix Spectre Pro 200mm fan in the center, while allowing air flow through the full fins of the MO-RA3. Basically it will be mesh or something around the 200mm, but the grill will make it so the 200mm can be mounted on it in the center. This will add light, a cool look to it inside and add more air flow push to the MO-RA3.

So I started messing around in photoshop and came up with this as an idea. I was thinking this could be the 3x120mm grill for the top of the case. I showed it to him, he said hang on, he has some radical ideas, so waiting I am in full anticipation. I think this guy is going to do Frank justice. But for now we can just look at the pretty picture because we have no case yet........

What I was thinking was doing this in black acrylic, then either having those logo's cut seperate or in the initial cut, then covering only those logos in the red 3M DiNoc carbon fiber wrap.

 

[wra18th]

That looks really cool!

 

[The1stCAV]

A quick iPhone pic, obviously not my typical photography, but I was excited and took what I had in hand.

Obviously more to follow and much better images. I just had to share the excitement that they are more than a Photoshop image of what is to come - but what is now in hand a reality! They are finally here and oh my god they are sexy! Watercool FTW!

 

[NickJames]

Oooo shiny metal, me like.

 

[The1stCAV]

OK here are some better pictures........

 

[wra18th]

I'm getting all giddy and its not even mine! Yesh!!

 

[The1stCAV]

I'm getting all giddy and its not even mine! Yesh!!

Then you can basically gather how I was unpacking these babies - I was like OH WOW, drool, wipe drool off, drool again, it was an endless cycle..........

 

[deadlift1]

Damn.........

 

[The1stCAV]

Damn.........

Those exact words erupted from my lips the moment I pulled the first back plate out - DAMN!

 

[Chrisroman]

Wow.. That's pretty fabulous...

I'm guessing you don't need to run the central heater much

 

[The1stCAV]

Wow.. That's pretty fabulous...

I'm guessing you don't need to run the central heater much

LMAO, you know my room is the warmest in the house. Thankfully we replaced both heat and air units last fall and they had to up-size the return air vent because the original contractors didnt size it right upstairs. So I said, well if you have to drop in a second large return, I know just the place - my office. Best thing I did, sucks the heat right out of here.


The case is coming
The case is coming
The case is coming


I heard back from Mountain Mods - the parts are done, it either ships today or Monday!!!!!!!
OMG so close........

 

[wra18th]

Ooooooooooohhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[hound]

Nice, very very nice, and that carbon fiber in the background looks gooooooooood.

 

[The1stCAV]

Nice, very very nice, and that carbon fiber in the background looks gooooooooood.

TY TY, yeah I hope the CF looks even better in Frank as accents.
EDIT: I was thinking I may carbon fiber (CF) a desk just to take pictures of the various products I take in and out of Frank. Would that work for a good base for images?

OK - here is a very exciting email I just got:

Mountain Mods
------------------------------------------------------
Order Number:
Detailed Invoice:
Date Ordered: Monday 07 January, 2013

The comments for your order are

Custom parts complete and accounted for - going to shipping.

Your order has been updated to the following status.

New status: Processing

Please reply to this email if you have any questions.

 

[The1stCAV]

I couldn't wait - something had to get modded - the radiator screamed "Pick me" - so I did.

 

[The1stCAV]

GOOD NEWS - The case shipped today...........now its up to the delivery company to get it here asap!

While we wait though, I decided I did not like the way that rad turned out, so I took off all the carbon fiber wrap. While doing so I realized why its good to always good to strip the paint first or anything else on the surface that may come off. Seems the clear coating I had used to seal the radiator came off on the carbon fiber side, so it was a good thing I did this anyway because it wasn't going to stay long as it came right off with the clear coat stuck to the vinyl sticky side making it unusable. This prompted me to simply strip the entire thing, so off I went to strip it...........Some fins got hit along the way too which was sad, tried to be as careful as I could, but ended up taking some finish off a few fins, though they straightened out easily, they are missing some black coating now.

So now its back to do it again...............this time better!

Did I mention the case is coming? Hey Wra18th, almost time to quit figeting in the corner.........

 

[DRJ1014]

Subbed... Oh my

 

[The1stCAV]

Well I just checked the FedEx tracking number he sent and it loooks like it will be here Friday........


Estimated delivery :

Fri 3/08/2013


Expect pics this weekend.

 

[deadlift1]

I'm expecting pics of both the case and many empty bottles of Negra Modelo. I'm sure Frank will be drinking his fair share too so just try to keep him upright until he moves into his new body.

 

[Mehphisto]

This post makes me both jelly and ... well just jelly, this is just a beautiful setup/rig thingy.

 

[The1stCAV]

I'm expecting pics of both the case and many empty bottles of Negra Modelo. I'm sure Frank will be drinking his fair share too so just try to keep him upright until he moves into his new body.

Ahh the infamous Negra - most certainly amigo

This post makes me both jelly and ... well just jelly, this is just a beautiful setup/rig thingy.

Thanks, we have just begun - stick around, things are about to crank up on this build once the case arrives this week.


BTW: I am still selling things in the FS thread
http://hardforum.com/showthread.php?p=1039676653#post1039676653

If anyone needs any of these items, they are for sale. I have < $1,000 to go to get the rest of the fans and things I need to do this build, so really trying to move some stuff out. Reasonable offers accepted.

 

[Lames.]

Where did you get the screws/bolts that you used to mount the fans on the Rad?

I could use some of those to mount fans to my H100i..

 

[Robertmarcus]

is the red carbon fiber the di noc 3m type or a knockoff. It looked almost like wrapping paper in the photos.

 

[The1stCAV]

Where did you get the screws/bolts that you used to mount the fans on the Rad?I could use some of those to mount fans to my H100i..

I think I got those at Home Depot or Lowes, then cut them to the length I needed them to be.

is the red carbon fiber the di noc 3m type or a knockoff. It looked almost like wrapping paper in the photos.

Yes its the 3M DiNoc carbon Fiber vinyl wrap - I have some of the knock off too, but this was the real deal expensive stuff. Still cannot figure out how those guys wrap things with complex shapes and get it smooth, just defies certain things that doesnt make sense.

I was trying to decide if I wanted to bring back a couple fan controllers I had used a couple years ago, but wasn't sure they could handle what I was wanting to do. LMAO - I should know myself better I think. Come to find out these fan controllers I have can handle 60W per switch, where I was thinking 30W per was pretty awesome. Now that I know I can run 60W per switch, this means I can control radiator fans in groups easier. My fans pull around 1.75w each max. So on a 9x120mm rad, I can run alll fans on one switch - now me likey these even more.

So these are making their comeback in this build.

 

[ekuest]

I think I got those at Home Depot or Lowes, then cut them to the length I needed them to be.

Yes its the 3M DiNoc carbon Fiber vinyl wrap - I have some of the knock off too, but this was the real deal expensive stuff. Still cannot figure out how those guys wrap things with complex shapes and get it smooth, just defies certain things that doesnt make sense.

I was trying to decide if I wanted to bring back a couple fan controllers I had used a couple years ago, but wasn't sure they could handle what I was wanting to do. LMAO - I should know myself better I think. Come to find out these fan controllers I have can handle 60W per switch, where I was thinking 30W per was pretty awesome. Now that I know I can run 60W per switch, this means I can control radiator fans in groups easier. My fans pull around 1.75w each max. So on a 9x120mm rad, I can run alll fans on one switch - now me likey these even more.

So these are making their comeback in this build.

snip

that is an awesome fan controller! are you switching out the LEDs for red?

 

[deadlift1]

I think I got those at Home Depot or Lowes, then cut them to the length I needed them to be.

Yes its the 3M DiNoc carbon Fiber vinyl wrap - I have some of the knock off too, but this was the real deal expensive stuff. Still cannot figure out how those guys wrap things with complex shapes and get it smooth, just defies certain things that doesnt make sense.

I was trying to decide if I wanted to bring back a couple fan controllers I had used a couple years ago, but wasn't sure they could handle what I was wanting to do. LMAO - I should know myself better I think. Come to find out these fan controllers I have can handle 60W per switch, where I was thinking 30W per was pretty awesome. Now that I know I can run 60W per switch, this means I can control radiator fans in groups easier. My fans pull around 1.75w each max. So on a 9x120mm rad, I can run alll fans on one switch - now me likey these even more.

So these are making their comeback in this build.

Great switch. I've got one lying around that I used in my old build. My kids loved to flick the switches up and down (with my approval of course).

 

[The1stCAV]

that is an awesome fan controller! are you switching out the LEDs for red?

Actually they have Red LED's in them. Blue for 5v and red for 12v and none for off. Basically you flip them up for full speed, down for 1/2 speed, keep em in the middle for no speed. But the LED's change to let you know what speed your on.

Great switch. I've got one lying around that I used in my old build. My kids loved to flick the switches up and down (with my approval of course).

These actually were in the 2011 build until I took them out, but I think they are going to work great side by side in the dual 5.25 bays as a top row of switches to control everything. I thought of running the pumps to this as well but then decided not - will run all four full out.

Working on the potential or estimated loops I will be doing and carbon fibering those radiators and the extra PSU atm as well. Will be providing pics soon. I should get my MDPC sleeving kit today as well, so fingers crossed.

I also thought I was going to buy more fans. Then I got to thinking, those gold ones were like almost $200+ or something to drop those 9 fans on that Radiator for VAMPI and they never got used. They have simply sat there. So I think a can of black spray paint may be coming to meet them. They are <19dba fans at 96CFM, I drop them on 1/2 speed and they are virtually quiet. So I may as well keep them and use them. Use all the Xigmatech red LED fans for inside the case for case lighting, keep non-LED fans as the fans between case and the radiators and I think I have enough to run Frank without having to buy more - fingers crossed. Besides I should not have to run push/pull on all 3 - 360 radiators

 

[sobe88]

Looks good so far, can't wait to see what you decide to do with the carbon fiber

 

[The1stCAV]

Looks good so far, can't wait to see what you decide to do with the carbon fiber

Carbon fiber atm is slated black for both PSU's so they match. This build will be done with a Silverstone 850W Modular and a LEPA G1600 Modular PSU. So I will be wrapping them both in black carbon fiber vinyl.

The Radiators, mainly the three 3x120mm radiators are going to receive the red Carbon Fiber vinyl wrap. The MO-RA3 LT will as well, however I will be using one side of the MO-RA3 LT that is the non-fan side and putting the diamond grill cover on it, that will remain powder coat black as it is now. So the "red" will be in the middle. The other side of the rad will house the 9x120mm fans as "Pull" to pull the air out. Those currently are gold colored plastic SilenX fans. After a nice hit of black paint, they will blend in just fine I think.

Then there are the various places that will get hit with some Carbon Fiber wrap as well, just waiting for those moments of inspiration to hit me so I know where. Right now I am considering doing black on all 5.25 bay devices as well and making it so they are all flush with the front. Do those "stealth" kind of fronts.

 

[The1stCAV]

Well the postman only rang once (not twice) but the end result was the delivery of my MDPC goodies.

NOTE: I will have an LGA 1366 Core i7 975 Extreme CPU in hand this weekend. I will be posting it for sale on eBay, unless someone here wants it. Just throwing it out to you all first if you all need a 975 Extreme CPU, else I am sure it will move quickly on eBay. The 990X I dropped on there went fast! Also, a EVGA GTX 580 3GB RMA'd GPU will be in my hands tomorrow as well, so offers welcome on that as well if you need one.

 

[The1stCAV]

I was sitting here the other day and I asked myself the following question - Why do I build Frank? What do I get out of building a massive rig with visual eye candy when that eye candy lends nothing to performance? Why do I take months to perfect a build? What do I get out of modding?

So I felt compelled to answer them……..

• A sense of self satisfaction that my visions can become a reality
• I use this time to reflect while I build. While others may meditate, or do whatever to find that inner calm, this is where I find myself when I am into a build, I find my own internal peace and I like that time to just get into the build and see what happens.
• I prove to myself that I can – I get an idea, an inspiration, then I just go for it, trying to find ways to make it happen, then when I do, it just makes it that much better because I was able to prove to myself I could
• I get the creative juices flowing, I am thinking “outside” the box (case) and finding ways to do things differently, expanding my awareness to higher levels as I push myself to my current limitations to find better ways to do things – this increases my problem solving skills which helps with my daily life and in business. Always keeps me thinking, looking, and considering “outside the box”.
• It is a proven fact that those who exercise their creative sides are better problem solvers, this is just my annual exercise to keep that part of my mind active, healthy, and engaged.
• I learn – I learn to do things I have never done before. I push myself to learn new things each and every build, expand my current experience tool set to that of something new to build off of next time. I learn and keep the mind engaged to work those synapses and keep the mind active. This helps me in all areas of life and is my exercise for the brain
• I get a lot pride out of what I build, it is my escape and my creative side coming to life, and shows me what I am capable of doing. What the mind can conceive – the body can achieve. These builds just reiterate that in my own mind and prove to myself that I can carry this view point and understanding to the rest of the areas of my life.
• I build a massive rig that actually helps me be more productive and get things done in ½ the time most people take. This is more than a gaming rig and a beauty piece that sits in a corner, it is my money maker. I build Frank to not only handle things like Crysis 3 maxed out, but to be able to handle all the work I do daily. Multiple screens to be efficient and quick at building the solutions I do. This multi-screen monster I refer to as Frank N Stein is my work machine first and foremost and why do I keep building something this massive? So I can make money easier and faster letting technology work for me.
• I can game in style and detail – I love gaming. I love FPS games specifically. If I don’t have weapon in hand and it’s a First Person view, then it’s not a game I really care to entertain. The rigs I build are for this purpose, to allow me to play First Person Shooter games full out with eye candy maxed while never sacrificing performance in game play. That’s why I build Frank like I do – he is a monster for a reason.
• I build something truly one of a kind – its mine, my creation, my efforts, my vision of combining OEM with custom things to blend them all into one visual useful work of art. It is my artistic expression coming alive in my builds and representing a part of me visually.
• As weird as it sounds, there is also a correlation between positive business activities that seem to always coincide with my builds. When not modding “Frank” business seems to be somewhat flat lined, I start to build and momentum in my business seems to follow as well. It’s happened too many times to be discounted, so for my business and future, I build to keep that going too.
• “Frank” is a discussion piece w/my customers. When I go do presentations or talk to them, once they have seen “Frank”, its typically a question that comes up from time to time – “How’s Frank?” or “What are you doing to Frank this time?”, it’s a great conversation piece when talking to customers.
• One customer even told me – you built that? Well that shows me your attention to detail, your creative design and that makes me believe I have the right guy on the job then. He said that the last “Frank N Stein” build was a visual indicator on how I build my solutions I do for his company. The build itself apparently lends to assuring my customers that eye to detail, the desire for beauty and perfection, which I put into my builds also translates to the workflow solutions I create or solve for them. Frank is my calling card that has nothing to do specifically with my business, but represents who I am and what I do to the level of detail I am willing to go to make it happen.

 

[The1stCAV]

Wra18th - get out of the corner, fidgeting time is now officially over - the build is on!!!!!!!!

More pics to follow - imagine that ;-) ................