Hi-FiDelity's High End Gaming PC Rebuild/Refresh

[Hi-FiDelity]

Lets see if I can actually get some progress with a non-car related build.

I'm doing a rebuild/refresh on my current gaming rig. It was mainly gonna be just a part swap to a better version of my current case but there are a couple things that I would like to replace and decided that if I'm doing a complete tear down why not take my time and do them right now.

I'm primarily just gonna focus on the case fans (going with the NZXT Enthusiast series) I have a pair of 140mm for the top vents I just need 4 120mm for the rest of the vents. I also went on tiger direct (where I often get in trouble) and ordered one of these on steep discount.

Pics to come.

Parts that are Staying:
AMD Phenom 2 X4 (965 Black)
Asus M4A87TD/USB3
Asus DirectCUII Nvidia 560GTX
Maudio Audiophile 24/96 audio card
Western Digital Velociraptor 250GB 10000RPM HDD
x2 Western Digital Caviar Black 720GB 7200RPM HDD
Western Digital Caviar SE 320GB 7200RPM HDD
NZXT SEN-001LX Sentry LX fan controller

Discarding
CoolMax 750 watt PSU
ASUS DVD Drive
x4 CoolMaster 120mm Fans
x2 CoolMaster 140mm Fans
x2 Western Digital IDE HDD's

[Notloudenuf]

tiger direct is to computers as parts express is to audio

I'm tuning into what you have planned.

[Hi-FiDelity]

Ok Time for the pics.

This is the current case an NZXT Tempest (Gen 1) it's a good case but it's far from perfect when you look at the cable routing and internal layout.







Yeah I know it's not pretty but that is because I had to fix some cabling and it was late and I was tired and well I'm sure you can guess the rest. The final build in the new case will look tones better due to getting a modular PSU and better cable management options.

This is the NZXT Tempest EVO (Gen 2), I already stripped it down to the bare chassis and installed the 2 140mm NZXt enthusiast series fans. Right off that bat the chassis looks better by virtue of being panted all black (the gen 1's where only painted on the outside for some reason). It also has a nice large cut out behind the mobo for routing cables as well as larger oblong cutouts and a longer mobo tray. As well as a bottom vent for the PSU fan so it's not either trying to cool itself with hot air or pumping hot air into the case.





and here is what the Gen 1 chassis looks like:





And here are all the parts that I am keeping installed in the Temepest Evo. Now I just need to get the new PSU, Fans, and Blu-ray drive.

[chithead]

VERY nice sir!!!

[Serieus]

i think i like computer builds more than car audio, mine always turn out a lot nicer than my car ever did looks like a fun build. i built a new one back in april, had gone the mac route for a few years before deciding i wanted to play games again so i sold them off

[Hi-FiDelity]

i think i like computer builds more than car audio, mine always turn out a lot nicer than my car ever did looks like a fun build. i built a new one back in april, had gone the mac route for a few years before deciding i wanted to play games again so i sold them off

I'm better at PC building that I am at car audio but I enjoy a challenge and good sound. Yeah it's gonna be fun getting this thing all stitched back up with some shiny new parts so I can get back to burnout paradise.

[Hi-FiDelity]

My new PSU arrived on wed so I was able to get down to the task of wiring everything back up.





gotta love full modular PSU's, now I just need to order the new 120mm fans, red leds (to replace the blue accent lights on the front), and blu-ray drive.

PSU:

Ultra X4 850 watt Full Modular Power Supply

[chad]

My son is wanting to do a build, he has expensive tastes apparently.

[Glenn]

My new PSU arrived on wed so I was able to get down to the task of wiring everything back up.





gotta love full modular PSU's, now I just need to order the new 120mm fans, red leds (to replace the blue accent lights on the front), and blu-ray drive.

Looking good Nick. Bet that thing is gonna be wicked!

[Hi-FiDelity]

Looking good Nick. Bet that thing is gonna be wicked!

It should be decent enough to play some frogger and burger time.