Just wanted to share my latest creation that's not automotive related..
I started this by researching and piecing together the parts for this PC build in October 2011. I believe I have purchased and installed my last component for this particular machine. I have never built a PC from scratch before this one.
I call it Echellon III, meaning I've taken my technology skill set to the "third" level. My first ever computer was a Dell Dimension I dubbed Echellon I. I replaced the RAM in it, that's it. My second computer was a Dell E520 named Echellon II. I replaced the GPU, overclocked it with supplied software, and upgraded the PSU. Echellon III was a whole new learning experience...
Processor: Intel Core i5 2500K (unlocked version) - overclocked to 4400MHz @ 1.3V daily, up to 4860MHz @ 1.43V on air during benchmarking
Ram: G.Skill 2x4GB DDR3 1333MHz 1.5V 9-9-9-24 - overclocked 1600MHz and retimed latency at 8-8-8-21 @ 1.56V
Mobo: ASRock Z68 Extreme 3 Gen 3
Graphics card #1: MSI N460GTX Hawk 1GB 256-bit - overclocked 850MHz core / 1700MHz shader / 2000MHz memory
Graphics card #2 (SLI mode): EVGA GTX460 1GB 256-bit - overclocked 820MHz core / 1640MHz shader / 1980MHz memory
Primary disk: OCZ Vertex 3 60GB SATA3 SSD - cold-boots windows 7 to desktop in 13 seconds
Storage #1: Western Digital Caviar Black 7200RPM 1TB HDD - cold-boots windows 7 to desktop in 44 seconds
Storage #2: Western Digital Caviar Blue 7200RPM 320GB HDD
Optical: LG BD/DVD-RW
Power Supply: Thermaltake Modular Black Widow TR2 RX 850W 69A@12V Bronze certified
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master V8 LGA1155 180W
Thermal Management: Various 120mm and 140mm fans in push-pull configuration
Controller: NZXT 5-fan digital touch screen monitor
Chassis: Cooler Master Storm Scout Mid-tower ATX steel case
Primary OS: Windows 7 Premium 64-bit
Secondary OS: Ubuntu Linux 11.10 64-bit
Display 1: Samsung 23" 1080P LCD
Display 2: ViewSonic 19" LCD
Keyboard: Thermaltake Ttesports Challenger Ultimate
Mouse: Logitech M570 bluetooth
Sound: Logitech X540
Battery Backup: CyberPower 1000PFCLCD 600W
I built this rig primarily as a learning experience. Now that I'm done with the hardware, I've been gaming on it mostly. Skyrim and MW3 for now. They both run ultra settings at 1080P resolution doing 60FPS like butter. I'm looking for another title that will challenge the PC more, while at the same time being an interesting game. Any suggestions?
So I'm curious to hear about other people's experiences with upgrading/building PC's. What's your dream PC??
I started this by researching and piecing together the parts for this PC build in October 2011. I believe I have purchased and installed my last component for this particular machine. I have never built a PC from scratch before this one.
I call it Echellon III, meaning I've taken my technology skill set to the "third" level. My first ever computer was a Dell Dimension I dubbed Echellon I. I replaced the RAM in it, that's it. My second computer was a Dell E520 named Echellon II. I replaced the GPU, overclocked it with supplied software, and upgraded the PSU. Echellon III was a whole new learning experience...
Processor: Intel Core i5 2500K (unlocked version) - overclocked to 4400MHz @ 1.3V daily, up to 4860MHz @ 1.43V on air during benchmarking
Ram: G.Skill 2x4GB DDR3 1333MHz 1.5V 9-9-9-24 - overclocked 1600MHz and retimed latency at 8-8-8-21 @ 1.56V
Mobo: ASRock Z68 Extreme 3 Gen 3
Graphics card #1: MSI N460GTX Hawk 1GB 256-bit - overclocked 850MHz core / 1700MHz shader / 2000MHz memory
Graphics card #2 (SLI mode): EVGA GTX460 1GB 256-bit - overclocked 820MHz core / 1640MHz shader / 1980MHz memory
Primary disk: OCZ Vertex 3 60GB SATA3 SSD - cold-boots windows 7 to desktop in 13 seconds
Storage #1: Western Digital Caviar Black 7200RPM 1TB HDD - cold-boots windows 7 to desktop in 44 seconds
Storage #2: Western Digital Caviar Blue 7200RPM 320GB HDD
Optical: LG BD/DVD-RW
Power Supply: Thermaltake Modular Black Widow TR2 RX 850W 69A@12V Bronze certified
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master V8 LGA1155 180W
Thermal Management: Various 120mm and 140mm fans in push-pull configuration
Controller: NZXT 5-fan digital touch screen monitor
Chassis: Cooler Master Storm Scout Mid-tower ATX steel case
Primary OS: Windows 7 Premium 64-bit
Secondary OS: Ubuntu Linux 11.10 64-bit
Display 1: Samsung 23" 1080P LCD
Display 2: ViewSonic 19" LCD
Keyboard: Thermaltake Ttesports Challenger Ultimate
Mouse: Logitech M570 bluetooth
Sound: Logitech X540
Battery Backup: CyberPower 1000PFCLCD 600W
I built this rig primarily as a learning experience. Now that I'm done with the hardware, I've been gaming on it mostly. Skyrim and MW3 for now. They both run ultra settings at 1080P resolution doing 60FPS like butter. I'm looking for another title that will challenge the PC more, while at the same time being an interesting game. Any suggestions?
So I'm curious to hear about other people's experiences with upgrading/building PC's. What's your dream PC??
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