Show us your rig

[amplid]

Hey Ted,

Yes, I think I'm growing up...

As for the cosmos, I think it's a little too expensive, for the teenager I am... If I can find one in Belgium I'll go for the Thermaltake v9 (see previous posts), otherwise I'll follow xguntherc and buy a CM690 which I also like very much, but I don't like the idea that people think I'm copying them... (and my cable management will never be as good as gunther's, so when I show pics I'll be embarrassed anyway:D)



Cheers,

Amplid

 

[amplid]

@ xguntherc, what do you think of the absence of dust filters, making the HAF 932 a genuine dust-sucker... It does look great tho, I'll give you that;D

Amplid

 

[grimreaper]

Here's my stuff moved it into a new Ultra Black Aluminus case...not to hot about my Thermaltake TX Mozart anymore.
Still working on cable management

 

[Mr GRiM]

Looks good grimreaper, to help with your cable management maybe try turning those HDD's around the other way if they fit, I think that's the way most people use that type of drive bay.

 

[passnthru2]

i put it together recuperating from an amputation of my left hand..

i thought i ordered a modular PSU but got an octopus instead.. went ahead and used it, wish i hadn't. it would look neater without all the extra unused cables.

 

[Chappy]

Hi Y'all

Well, I figured (probably incorrectly..) that it's time to show my latest build, #22 actually, 4 for me and 18 for others.

This was actually built last June but since I had to put this together rather quickly because my previous MoBo went kaputski, the custom sleeving wasn't installed at that time due to time constraints. So last month I decided it was ready for a serious internal cleaning and figured I'd get some Mod work done at the same time. Also thought I'd take a few pix while I was at it and this is the result...hope it stands up to public scrutiny..

K...here we have it, don't mind the mess surrounding my work station. I live here so it looks...well, sorta "Lived in".
First, an overall look
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Ok, how did THAT sneak in there..(that's my sweety Jess at work, ugly isn't she...)

Really, here we go. Overall view of my partial workstation. I use a rather large L shaped desk setup and this area is less than half of it





View of insde, cleaned with MB removed and some wiring cut, resized, and sleeved. I'm also religiously sticking with the 1st rule of PSU's, max 2 devices per power chain no matter how many actual connectors there may be. (Read your PSU Instructions Manual) This does cause the use of more chains and a little more clutter because of this but the PSU will function properly at all times if you do this and weird little issues caused by an over stressed PSU will disappear.



3 Western Digital SATA II drives, 2 x 500G, 1 x 250G



The main parts, Hauppauge HVR 1600 HD TV Tuner card and a BFG Nvidia 8800 GTS OC (OverClocked) 340MB DDR3 RAM




Zalman 9700 CPU cooler (before removal and cleaning) and 4 x 1G sticks of Crucial Ballistix Tracer RAM (bleu LED's on base and Read, Write LED's on spine of each stick)



Asus Commando MB with everything thrown in...just because I wanted too.
SoundMax SupremeFX 5.1 HD Audio card, TV tuner card, Graphics Card, and a dual USB extender cause I needs lotsa USB'z



All put back in and hooked up. I ran out of sleeving (and patience/time) so some have to wait for the next cleaning and with 4 fans and two EL Wire light wires all needing a 4 pin Molex, there is still a bit of wire clutter to sort out....later



When I received this case, the original door/window had a scratch so NZXT sent a replacement door. Now I had 2 windowed doors, so I took off the other case side and put the other door over there. It has a fan intake but the fan would not fit with the MB tray of course, so it acts as a passive intake for more cool air directed around the tray...cool!
I have Red EL Wire tracing the window outlines on each door.




Back of computer, sound card plugs are covered by rear cable cage and picture angle



Front, 2 DVD Burners, Audio/Video inputs, 15 in 1 Card reader and floppy drive...which I haven't used since 2006 or so...hmmm
I have it sitting on a piece of cardboard so it easily pulls out without transferring any static from the carpet, I'll think of something better later.



My 2 - 22" HP w2207 Monitors on articulating arms.



Logitech Z5500 5.1 speakers ( only 10" subwoofer and controller shown)





Wow, lotsa work just to make this post let alone the computer!

Hope you guys like it, it's still a work in progress but it takes so long to sleevs cables that I just ran out of time. Anyone who's sleeved cables will know what I'm talking about, and I even have the proper connector removal tools...it's a major PITA!!

 

[mansrm81]

Looks nice Chappy

 

[Freelancer852]

Chappy, where are the other 5 speakers that come with that speaker system? I'm looking at getting a set to replace my old Logitech quadraphonic (4 satellites and a sub), then grab an Xbox 360 and hook it up to my monitor/speakers so everything is at my finger tips.

 

[xguntherc]

I have the Bose companion 2's and I will say that they are the best sounding Computer speakers I've EVER heard.. next to someone hooking up there two 12's in a JBL box from there home audio to there system. I love them.. If I could afford the Companion 3's. the bigger ones. I'd be really happy. but these little things kill logitech's. but I was alway a logi fan til I got em.

and amplid. I think the HAF looks like a sweet case, I've heard nothing but good things about it. and I'm actually amazed there is no dust filters. are you sure. as it's supposed to be my 690's big brother. and my CM 690 has filters on it. so the HAF should also. and if it doesn't. you can order them online anyways. thats a good investment.. filters.

Moving on, I'd love to get the Cosmo's 1000 case. It's so bad arse.. I really want it.

Next I must say. DAMNNNNN Chappy. your girl is Georgous.. are you sure thats "Your" Girl. Well done. I bet your happy. I would be 2. I can post a few of my X if you'd like. she's a keeper herself. works at hooters, but she went all waky at the end there.. so no bueno.
oh and I have to comment on your set-up I have dual 22's also. but my little desk sucks for them. I really need a better desk. not sure what though. it needs to fit dual 22's and a huge keyboard and mouse pad. and your recliner chair for the computer chair is one of the coolest things ever. I want one!

oh and sorry guys. I've been gone about a week or so. I might have to add that I've recently purchased myself a great DSLR Camera that has been consuming my time and money. I love it. soooo much better than a compact digital camera.. I got the Nikon D40. So soon I'll have some much better PC pics.

 

[amplid]

Gunther, check this out: YouTube - #1002 - Cooler Master HAF 932 Case Video Review He's a real no-life, but I like his reviews
Yeah, you're right about the filters...

I've just ordered my CM 690:D YAY!! I think it's kinda expensive actually and not very flashy, but I see why you grown-ups would like it:D Haha

Amplid

P.S.: Try not to fall asleep during the vid...

PPS: I like the way you can install PSU in the bottom and in the top Great idea from coolermaster!

 

[Everlong]

My 690 is flashy

 

[amplid]

Haha I know everlong, but I'm not gonna put that much stickers on mine Glad you have the nvidia edition though, otherwise I would've felt like a loser, copying what other people have... (Good that gunther is switcing cases as well..)

Anyone else have a cm 690?:D

Cheers,

Amplid

 

[Chappy]

Hi FreeLancer

They're spread out about the room so I can't get them into those shots.
Every review I read claimed Logitech as the (their word) "Undisputed" king of the PC speaker world, and the Z5500 system as their very best. Of course this can be subjective so I say research before you make your decision, I'm very happy with my choice tho.
Here's a couple of snaps of the satellite speakers

Center channel speaker - with & without cover





Side channel speaker (all the same)



Great sound, all the settings you need at your fingertips with the remote or the control center itself. I would very seriously look into them, I'll try to find the review links I read and post them later for you.

 

[Freelancer852]

Hi FreeLancer

They're spread out about the room so I can't get them into those shots.
Every review I read claimed Logitech as the (their word) "Undisputed" king of the PC speaker world, and the Z5500 system as their very best. Of course this can be subjective so I say research before you make your decision, I'm very happy with my choice tho.
Here's a couple of snaps of the satellite speakers

Center channel speaker - with & without cover

<snip>

<snip>

Side channel speaker (all the same)

<snip>

Great sound, all the settings you need at your fingertips with the remote or the control center itself. I would very seriously look into them, I'll try to find the review links I read and post them later for you.

Yea, I've read 5 or so reviews about the Z5500 system and they're all saying that the speakers rock. I'm going to wait awhile until my employee discount kicks in at my new job, I can get the Z5500's for $310 with my discount.

 

[Chappy]

Gunther

Hiya Bro!

I bought articulating arm, desk clamps just for that reason too, so they don't rob desk space and I can move them as I need. I LOVE them but they're pricey, an my recliner just makes it all the more comfy
These are Neo-Flex desk clamps and while they don't have the full range of motion I would like, they're rated for the weight (minus stands the monitors are under the weight), plus anything like this is engineered with a certain degree of margin built in, and I'm sure they could handle at least 5lb's overweight easily. There are clamp stands that have more range of motion but yikes, they're really expensive and I get what I need from these. Couple of closer pix for you..





Man, my camera is getting a real workout lately
I have work to do with my cables still, I'll get to them someday...maybe.

 

[Freelancer852]

Odd that you mounted those clamps on the front of your desk instead of the back... I always attach clamps to the rear of desks/workspaces so that you can have your monitor in a more natural position, yet not take up any desk space.

 

[amplid]

Hey guys,

I've just finished installing all of my (tattered) stuff into my new CM 690 Case:D It's bigger then I expected, which is good actually. Will post pics of the job tomorrow, just wanted to post that it's done:D YAY!

Amplid

Ok guys, so just came home from school and took some pics:

First one is the case.

Second is the inside obviously...

Third is kind of where I hid my PCI and some 4-pin connectors, under one of those removable HDD brackets. I made sure they didn't impede the air flow of the front fan though. Rest of the unused and used cables are hidden at the back of my mobo tray.

Post your comments/reactions!:D

Amplid

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Hello amplid.

Congratulations to you!......(and thank you)!
















Later Ted

 

[Chappy]

Odd that you mounted those clamps on the front of your desk instead of the back... I always attach clamps to the rear of desks/workspaces so that you can have your monitor in a more natural position, yet not take up any desk space.

Hi FreeLancer

Yah but there's a reason for this placement...actually a couple of them.

First, if I mount them at the back, then with my recliner I have to have the chair up at the front of the desk and that makes it impossible to use the recliner without then being about 7' away from the monitors...too far.
Then if I mount them at the back and extend them to the front so I can now angle the chair to use it, all that desk space is now lost as the arms have to cross it.

This way I can have the monitors hanging out "in space" so to speak, and the desk behind is open. The open space is kinda hard to use well but it's good for hiding stuff behind the monitors and out of site.
I actually have great access to everything I use most often like this, and can fully recline in my chair if I'm just watching TV and a little surfing, so this configuration works just great for my needs.

Later!

 

[Freelancer852]

Odd that you mounted those clamps on the front of your desk instead of the back... I always attach clamps to the rear of desks/workspaces so that you can have your monitor in a more natural position, yet not take up any desk space.

Hi FreeLancer

Yah but there's a reason for this placement...actually a couple of them.

First, if I mount them at the back, then with my recliner I have to have the chair up at the front of the desk and that makes it impossible to use the recliner without then being about 7' away from the monitors...too far.
Then if I mount them at the back and extend them to the front so I can now angle the chair to use it, all that desk space is now lost as the arms have to cross it.

This way I can have the monitors hanging out "in space" so to speak, and the desk behind is open. The open space is kinda hard to use well but it's good for hiding stuff behind the monitors and out of site.
I actually have great access to everything I use most often like this, and can fully recline in my chair if I'm just watching TV and a little surfing, so this configuration works just great for my needs.

Later!

Oh okay that makes sense, awesome.

I'm picking up my Z-5500's tomorrow , I'm gonna grab a Monster Cable Fiber Optic audio cable (8ft) to connect them as well. I was really surprised at the price I get as an employee on Monster Cables, it's ridicules.