Hi peeps and fellow enthusiasts!

Well I've finalised my LAN Box order last night and the order is processing as I write this.

I've had to make a few changes to the part's list that I posted initially thanks to advice from VeritronX (top bloke from OCAU forums and fellow gamer), and additional research I had conducted since my last post.

So here is the final parts list that I will be putting together around the end of this week, plenty of pics will be on the way as a build log!

• Case: BitFenix Prodigy (Black) Mini-ITX
• Mobo: ASUS P8Z77-I Deluxe Mini-ITX
• CPU: Intel i7-3770K 
• GPU: EVGA GTX670 (reference)
• Memory: G.Skill Ares F3-1866Mhz 16GB kit (2x8GB Dimms)
• SSD: Intel 520 Series 240GB SSD
• HDD: Western Digital Black 2TB 7200rpm
• CPU Cooler: Corsair Hydro Series H100
• Powersupply: Silverstone ST45SF 450W SFX 
• Fans: BitFenix Spectre Pro 230mm Black Tinted Blue LED (front intake), 3x Silverstone Air Penetrator 120mm Blue LED 
• OS: Windows Home Premium 64bit OEM

I decided the keep the colour theme to Black & Blue for this build. As the motherboard is blue, I picked out blue RAM sticks, and blue LED fans. Two of the Silverstone AP fans will be on the H100 mounted on the top of the case configured to intake air, and the third AP fan will be mounted at the back in an intake config as well. The idea is to create positive(+) air pressure in the case mainly because the side panel has holes without any dust filter attached so I don't want the case filling with dust constantly. Hence the reason for picking the 230mm front and Air Penetrators for their massive static pressure and relatively quiet performance.

If you haven't stopped reading by now I assume that I've got you interested, in that case I'd suggest you watch this space for more updates and plenty of pictures to come!

nicej

So, I learned that the Strider "Gold Evolution" will not actually fit in the case - will have to go with the Strider "Plus" series to take advantage of the short-cable kit.

Also weighing up my options for SSD/HDDs. As it stands, it's most likely going to end up with a 240gb Intel 520, and a 2tb WD Caviar Black.

Hello gamers and overclockers, nicej here. It has been 3 months since the completion of my rather large Cosmos II build, and I think an update is overdue - but boy do I have updates lined up for you!

Since its completion I have taken the beast to about 4 LANs so far;
Two complaints:

• Fan noise (should have seen that coming)
• Weight of the case

There are a total of 11 fans in this rig, and they are all 3,000rpm fans. 8 of them are speed controllable, but the 3 GT3000's on the top 360rad are not - they only have one speed and that's "go" (Charlie Sheen, 2011).

What I can do is replace the entirety of the fans to the little brother of the family GT1850s, they are a noticeable 10 or so decibels quieter (iirc), but that means dishing out over $300 for eleven more fans. Probably the least of my worries currently.

On a more serious note, the sheer weight of the thing...I have got to do something about that...but what?

I could replace the case, to a slimmer full aluminium case from say CaseLabs or Lian Li; but the Cosmos II is too good looking (imho). That would mean an additional expensive of $500-$800 depending on the brand and case (plus shipping).

Seems like a pretty unnecessary expense, for a ill-thought out initial purchase of a case which is mainly build out of steel, and which I knew would be taken to many LANs in it's lifetime. However instead of spending that kind of cash for another case, leaving the Cosmos II to be used as a kennel - I have decided to go ahead and build a completely separate machine purely for LAN purposes. 

Luckily for me, recently a brand new, phenomenal mini-ITX case has been released by BitFenix. I plan on incorporating this absolutely beautiful and diverse case into my next build. Here is a parts list which is going to be ordered next week:

• BitFenix Prodigy Mini-ITX Case
• G.Skill Ares 1866Mhz 8GB kit
• ASUS P8Z77-I Deluxe Mini ITX Motherboard
• Intel Core i7 2600K
• Corsair Hydro H100 CPU Cooler
• Silverstone Strider 850W Gold Evolution
• Silverstone ATX short cable kit for Strider series
• EVGA GeForce GTX670

At this stage I have about 4 days to decide whether or not to go with i7 2600K or bite the bullet and get an Ivy Bridge either 3570K or 3770K. The temps for an overclocked IB is just abysmal, and on the SB is just a breeze, especially with an H100. The only reason why I'd consider IB is to take advantage of PCIe3.0, which on paper gives you double the bandwidth but real world testing doesn't see any practical advantage, especially on single monitor setups. Thoughts? 

Today my last few bits arrived in the mail and I spent most of the day installing some parts, and doing all the of wiring, and "cable management".

Here are some photos of the finished product:

 Spaghetti!

 I'm quite happy about the way I sorted out the cables on the front door.

 Mmm. Individually sleeved cables!

 Once you go sleeved, you never go back.

 By far the sexiest SSDs at the moment. Such a quality finish, and they perform better than the Intel 520!

 Do you like where I've hidden the Intel 520? =P

 I just had to get a Sony Blu-Ray Writer!

 Hmm it weighs about 50kg now lol! I hadn't tried to lift it since I put it on the table and started to build it. I literally cannot lift it now. Gotta call a friend over to help me carry it into my room. LOL

 It's a bird!.. It's a plane!..

It's a Cosmos II!..

The only pictures I will be posting here are brand new, high quality, normal and macro shots of the complete rig. So here are a few to get it started:

Oops! How did that he get in there?!

Not bad for an old 7.1MP camera!

Wednesday or Thursday, some final items are expected to arrive in the mail (optical drive, additional cabling), so I will have the machine fully built very soon. Watch this space!

That time of the decade has come where I dish out a little extra for a complete new rig. It happened in 2005, and it is happening now! Every 5-7 years I find my self throwing away copious amounts of savings for what I consider a gaming computer that will last me for the ages to come.


In '05 I had built a similar extreme build with what you would consider best available parts at that time, dual 8800GTX's etc, it had lasted me ~5years, with minor upgrade for BC2; and now I am making a similar build but minus dual GPU's, holding off for the "real" GTX680's that I've heard may be called GTX685 which are due in Q4 2012.


So for now, these are my current complete parts list inclusive of everything that is bought and installed:


Hardware:
Case: Coolermaster Cosmos II
PSU: Coolermaster Silent Pro 1300M
Mobo: ASUS Republic of Gamers Rampage 4 Extreme
CPU: Intel 3930K
GPU: Gigabyte HD7970 Overclocked @1Ghz
RAM: 32GB (4x 8GB DIMMS) Corsair Dominator 1600Mhz @10-10-10-27
SSD: Kingston HyperX 120GB (x2 in RAID0), Intel 520 60GB (boot)
HDD: Western Digital Caviar Black 2TB (x2, considering RAID5)
Sound: Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Titanium FATAL1TY Champion Edition
Optical: Sony BD5300SOB Blu-Ray 12x Writer Internal Drive


Still undecided on Monitor to be honest.


Cooling:


Water Cooling:


Pump: Alphacool VPP655 Variable Pump
Pump Mod: Bitspower Pump Mod Kit - Acetal Top, Chrome pump housing
Radiators: Black Ice GTX Xtreme 240 (Black), Black Ice GT Stealth 360 (Black)
Reservoir: Koolance TNK-501 Single 5.25" Reservoir
Mobo Block: Koolance MB-ASR4E ASUS Rampage IV Extreme
CPU Block: Koolance CPU-370
Tubing: PrimoChill PrimoFlex PRO LRT Tubing 3/8" ID 5/8" OD with 1/8" Wall
Coolant: Distilled Water 
Additive: IandH Dead-Water Copper Sulfate Concentrate


Fittings: Bitspower G1/4 Matte Black 3/8 Compression Fitting (x5), Bitspower G1/4 Matte Black Dual Rotary 45 Degree 3/8 Fitting (x6), Bitspower G1/4 Matte Black Dual Rotary Angle 3/8 Fitting (x3), Bitspower G1/4 Silver Shining 3/8 Compression Fitting (x2), Koolance Drain Valve VLV-XTSPLB, KOOLANCE VL3N-F10-16S (x2 QDC female), KOOLANCE VL3N-M10-16S (x2 QDC male)


Air Cooling:


Case Fans: 200mm Front intake BitFenix Spectre Pro Black Tinted, 120mm Side door intake Scythe Ultra Kaze (x2, blows directly onto GPUs), 120mm Rear exhaust Scythe Ultra Kaze


Radiator Fans: Scythe Ultra Kaze (x4) in push+pull configuration on bottom 240 Radiator, Scythe Gentle Typhoon 3000 (x3) in pull configuation on top 360 Radiator


Yes, there is a total of 11 very high performance, very loud fans in the machine.


Additional bits and pieces:


Cabling: BitFenix 8pin EPS 12V Extension Cable 45cm Black, BitFenix Sleeved 24pin ATX Extension Cable 30cm Black, BitFenix 4pin ATX Extension Cable 45cm Black, BitFenix Sleeved 6-Pin VGA Power Cable 45cm Black, BitFenix Sleeved 8-Pin VGA Power Cable 45cm Black, BitFenix 3pin to 3x3pin Fan Power Splitter Black


Fan Grills: ModSmart 120mm Black Wire Formed Fan Grill (x6, to make sure no potentially damaging particles get sucked through the radiators)
Internal Powerboard: Bitspower X-Station Power Extension II UV


Cables are all individually sleeved.




So as of now, the rig is 80-90% complete, last night I did a leak test for about 12 hours, and this morning I had done a boot test and everything seems to be OK. Tonight I went to my buddy's place to pick up a genuine Win7 Ultimate 64bit Install Disk. 


Once a few remaining items arrive in the mail from PCCG I will be able to start cabling and cable management (assuming this will take some time), boot up, install Windows, and start overclocking, benchmarking, and stability testing. I'm aiming for 4.8-5Ghz @≤1.45V for 24/7 use.


It may seem complete, but there is still a while until I will be comfortable to start using it 24/7.


I'm not sure if I should post a separate work log here, with the 50 pics, or if I should just link you the thread on OCAU forums...