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Wow Factor Build Suggestions

C

chronox12

Weaksauce
Joined
Dec 18, 2008
Messages
127
Hey all. In 2 days time, a friend of mine is giving me $2200 to build him a new gaming rig. What I would like are some suggestions on computer parts or peripherals that can add a wow factor. Anything from a unique lighting kit to devices like the Novint Falcon would be welcomed ideas. I want this build to look and feel unique :)

Thanks in advance for the suggestions.
 
I would hook him up with a water cooled rig. It is very easy to bling your system with the right tubing and some shiny back plates, and he can modify the colors and build to it on his own later. Also, find a case that has a window, and also has good cable management in mind so you can hide all the ugly wires which will really make the water cooling components pop. If you have some extra cash left over, a good fan controller with a slick screen looks high speed in my opinion, www.dazmode.com has some cool new stuff in that department. Also, I would also check out www.xoxide.com, they have some pretty nice mods and you might run across some new ideas there.
 
Basically, a windowed case, some in-case lighting, and a water cooling kit are the best ways to add a wow factor to his build.

But for the case and the rest of its internals, please answer these questions if you need some help. You should also post your build list here so a fresh set of eyes can see whether or not you're overspending where you shouldn't.
 
tiraides said:
You should also post your build list here so a fresh set of eyes can see whether or not you're overspending where you shouldn't.
Click to expand...

The cost of the parts aren't much of an issue really, just more or less the suggestions of unique/very cool looking peripherals and parts. All the same I'm still finalizing the parts for him. He doesn't want water cooling whatesoever. He doesn't trust that those things won't leak at some point.

I have TrackIR and Novint Falcon on the list so far. Just for reference though the case will be the Antec Lanboy Air.
 
He's not new to PCs but he's not too adept in terms of understanding the differences in hardware, which is why I was given the money to spend on it.
 
Depending on what they like, you could go the opposite direction:
Fractal R3
Silverstone FT03

Sometimes simplicity sells :) Then wow them with an SSD and a large monitor, or tri monitor eyefinity setup.
 
I agree with the above posts:
Windowed Case with some custom painting...
Watercooled cpu/gpu...
Lighting...
 
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He wants the Antec Lanboy air so I can't change the case. The PC parts have already been settled. I am looking for suggestions on cool accessories.
 
removing WC'ing is losing a big chunk of 'WOW'. seriously you'd have to be mentally challenged to fuckup a WC rig. as long as you leak test there really isn't anything to fear.

as the others have said, nice paint, some plexi glass, CCL or LEDs are fairly standard. it also depends on how far out on 'wanky BLING' your mate is prepared to go.

maybe slap on a car badge from a premium brand...

Ferrari-Logo-1.gif
Porsche_logo-1.gif
audi-logo-1.jpg
Lamborghini-logos.jpg
benz-logo-1.jpg
jaguar-logo-1.jpg
bmw-logos-1.jpg

bugatti-veyron-logo-1.jpg
alfa-logo-1.jpg
bentley-logo-1.jpg
Rolls-royce-logo-5.jpg
Maserati-logo-8.jpg
koenigsegg-logo-1.jpg


or get some big arsed gold spinners for the caster wheels...
omega-jab-judah-1-gold.jpg


in all seriousness, when it comes to comes "WOW" sometimes less IS more.
 
chronox12 said:
He wants the Antec Lanboy air so I can't change the case. The PC parts have already been settled. I am looking for suggestions on cool accessories.
Click to expand...

As someone who actually owns the Antec Lanboy Air, I do not recommend getting that case at all unless you can get it for $120 shipped. There are simply too many better quality cases out there at that price point. I understand that you're going for a "WOW, Look at that!" but this is one situation where it's simply just a bad buy overall.
 
aphasia said:
removing WC'ing is losing a big chunk of 'WOW'. seriously you'd have to be mentally challenged to fuckup a WC rig. as long as you leak test there really isn't anything to fear.
Click to expand...

I agree with this. I know you said the guy doesn't like WC because he's afraid of leaks, but you also said he isn't new to PC's. That's kind of a contradiction. If he plays it off like he's an enthusiast (and perhaps he is) the best thing you can do for him now is to get him over his fear of WC. Right now I can tell you from my own perspective that a rig with a bunch of lit up fans blasting dust into a case with an acrylic window is not very wowish. Help him get the respect he deserves for his investment and educate him more.
 
I saw a few mods back in the day - put a coffee maker on the front of their case... always had fresh brewed texas tea.
 
Tooterfish said:
I agree with this. I know you said the guy doesn't like WC because he's afraid of leaks, but you also said he isn't new to PC's. That's kind of a contradiction.
Click to expand...
Actually not big of a contradiction: I don't like WC due the chance of leaks and the absurdly high price. And I'm certainly not new to PCs at all if you read my past posts :D
 
Sorry danny, I didn't mean to come off condescending, however, with the right clamps and the necessary precaution, I believe you have a higher risk or dust and heat damage to your high end parts than you do with water cooling. I suppose that is debatable though, but that is where I stand.
 
Tooterfish said:
Sorry danny, I didn't mean to come off condescending, however, with the right clamps and the necessary precaution, I believe you have a higher risk or dust and heat damage to your high end parts than you do with water cooling. I suppose that is debatable though, but that is where I stand.
Click to expand...

Actually, damage due to water leaks is far more expensive than damage from dust. In fact, if a WC loop leaks, you run the risk of completely totalling the entire PC, which can cost thousands of dollars to replace.
 
There's always that fear of a leak but honestly its just something you get over fairly quick. I've had a loop running for a year with no maintenance until I recently switched platforms (mobo/cpu) - no leaks no issues. Just cut off 3/4 an inch on the hose that I removed from barbs and reattached with a good seal.
 
well since you said HIM, i guess i'll suggest

41INJwZQbvL._SL500_AA300_.jpg


hope it's wow enough for him.

you can always go with LCLC system, they do work greatly, not best but better than stock. the best part of getting is case, get some case and get some modding done if you r into it if not find cool painted case i'm sure you can get some on ebay for cheap.

i do agree with Apasia, for my friends after building about 8 full tower, only wow factor came was when i went back to mid tower on wow, you can go mini tower on him and tricked it out with good logo and drill good fan opening and you are good to go with lighted fan.
 
I think the best way to achieve that wow factor is to keep it relatively simple with the aesthetics and get more monitors.
 
not going to argue the pro's and con's of wc'ing. if wc is a little too far over you're mates 'comfort threshold' and can't be convinced otherwise then that's fine.

a nice simple well constructed aluminium (lian li et al) case with a window, tidy cable management and some subtle lighting says a lot more than a case that shouts 'look at me!' crammed to the gills with carnival lights and usb toys (tho scbjmshpv 'pole dancer' was pretty funny).

but each to their own.
 
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