Show Us Your Rig [5]

[Britton30]

100% go for Robby the robot !

My thought too, I could mod a monitor into the chest cover plate I think with an optical drive underneath.

Well I have picked some out for you Gary and mate these can be customised however you like the slightly larger set does fit together like Russian dolls but handy for down sizing.

The optional inbuilt you can use while the boss is beating you about the ears while washing up

Right John, portable too.

EKwag that is an awesome system you have there.

 

[NoN]

@EKwag
The short righteous tubing combined with black matched EK Acetal Waterblocks makes it real nice looking.

 

[HILLBILLY]

New to the forum and figured I'd share.

i7 3930k
Asus R4E
32GB Corsair Dominator GT 1866
EVGA GTX680 4GB w/ HydroCopper Waterblock
EK CSQ Nickel Acetal Waterblocks
EK XTX 360 Rad
NB-BlackSilent Pro fans
Swiftech MCP655
Corsair AX1200i
Asus Essence STX
Bitspower Black Sparkle compression fittings
Cruical M4 256GB SSD
4x 2TB WD Green Drives in RAID5 for storage
1x 2TB WD Black Drive
Corsair 800d case

Awesome rig mate
Consider me inspired!

And welcome to the Seven Forums.

If you don't mind me asking Billy where did you get your gear from mate. I costed that case at PCCG in Melbourne (my regular supplier) and wow it doubled my HAF XM out even with shipping.

John

I get my gear from Umart Online. They're headquarters is in Brisbane, but they've got stores on the Gold Coast, the Sunshine Coast (where I go), Melbourne and have just opened one in Sydney. I think they're looking at setting up in north Queensland in the not too distant future as well...
I don't bother with shipping. It's an hour drive to the sunshine coast, there are WAY more, and WAY better shops down there than there in Gympie (the nearest large town to me). And when picking it up I know it won't be damaged, 'lost' or interfered with in transport, and I don't pay postage (I still pay for fuel, but going to the coast and getting things I can't get up here make it worth while)

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

That is quite the kerfuffle. Do you have another computer you can hook it up to temporarily to see if it acts the same?

More like conundrum. The only other computer I have is my notebook. The reader has to be powered by a four pin Molex so I used the cable I had temporarily hooked up to the power supply on my new rig (I've been bench testing it before going to the hassle of putting it in the machine only to have to pull it out again if things went pear shaped, which, sadly they did) to power the thing and hooked up the USB 3.0 cable to a USB 2.0 port on the notebook. Again, I got the popup saying a generic USB driver had been installed but the stupid reader just sat there and laughed at me.

I hooked the stupid thing (I have more accurate names for it but Mama told me not to use those words) back up to my new rig and finally found the driver in Devices and Printers as a generic USB hub. As I said before, the USB 3.0 ports work; it's just the *&^%$#@! card reader that is AOL, DOA, FUBAR, etc.

Koutech took their sweet time responding to my query only to ask me much of what I had already told them. By that time, I had already made arrangements to ship the thing back to NewEgg.

I ordered another card reader from Amazon, a weird little bugger from an outfit with a weird name: HooToo. Instead of working of the USB 3.0 header on the mobo, it works off a PCIe 2.0 1x slot. I just got it today and benched it by setting it on top of the computer case, running the cable from the reader to a PCIe 2.0 x4 slot (it's x16 in length but has only four lanes) since the MOBO doesn't have any x1 slots and connecting a temporary four pin Molex cable from the PSU. After I installed the driver, it worked fine. Both the USB 3.0 ports were working (I don't have a way to check the actual speed yet) as well as the SD slot in the card reader (I only have SD cards right now). I hated to give up that PCIe slot because I wanted to reserve it for a possible USB 3.0 in the future should I ever need more USB 3.0 ports on the back (the MOBO has only two back there). To compensate for that loss, I got a USB 3.0 cable that runs from the header on the MOBO to two sockets on a PCI slot cover. I seriously doubt I will ever need more than four USB 3.0 ports on the back.

After benching the card reader, I went to see a movie so I'll lug the aircraft carrier boat anchor back to the washing machine tomorrow...oops...later today to properly install the reader and the added USB cable thingie. Getting the four pin MOBO connector plugged into the back of the reader is going to be a bugger since those connectors are seriously tight and there isn't a whole lot of room for my hands. I might have to pull the GPU card to route the two cables.

 

[kbrady1979]

That is quite the kerfuffle. Do you have another computer you can hook it up to temporarily to see if it acts the same?

More like conundrum. The only other computer I have is my notebook. The reader has to be powered by a four pin Molex so I used the cable I had temporarily hooked up to the power supply on my new rig (I've been bench testing it before going to the hassle of putting it in the machine only to have to pull it out again if things went pear shaped, which, sadly they did) to power the thing and hooked up the USB 3.0 cable to a USB 2.0 port on the notebook. Again, I got the popup saying a generic USB driver had been installed but the stupid reader just sat there and laughed at me.

I hooked the stupid thing (I have more accurate names for it but Mama told me not to use those words) back up to my new rig and finally found the driver in Devices and Printers as a generic USB hub. As I said before, the USB 3.0 ports work; it's just the *&^%$#@! card reader that is AOL, DOA, FUBAR, etc.

Koutech took their sweet time responding to my query only to ask me much of what I had already told them. By that time, I had already made arrangements to ship the thing back to NewEgg.

I ordered another card reader from Amazon, a weird little bugger from an outfit with a weird name: HooToo. Instead of working of the USB 3.0 header on the mobo, it works off a PCIe 2.0 1x slot. I just got it today and benched it by setting it on top of the computer case, running the cable from the reader to a PCIe 2.0 x4 slot (it's x16 in length but has only four lanes) since the MOBO doesn't have any x1 slots and connecting a temporary four pin Molex cable from the PSU. After I installed the driver, it worked fine. Both the USB 3.0 ports were working (I don't have a way to check the actual speed yet) as well as the SD slot in the card reader (I only have SD cards right now). I hated to give up that PCIe slot because I wanted to reserve it for a possible USB 3.0 in the future should I ever need more USB 3.0 ports on the back (the MOBO has only two back there). To compensate for that loss, I got a USB 3.0 cable that runs from the header on the MOBO to two sockets on a PCI slot cover. I seriously doubt I will ever need more than four USB 3.0 ports on the back.

After benching the card reader, I went to see a movie so I'll lug the aircraft carrier boat anchor back to the washing machine tomorrow...oops...later today to properly install the reader and the added USB cable thingie. Getting the four pin MOBO connector plugged into the back of the reader is going to be a bugger since those connectors are seriously tight and there isn't a whole lot of room for my hands. I might have to pull the GPU card to route the two cables.

How many USB 3.0 ports do you currently have? Surely with the USB 2.0 + 3.0 ports you'll have enough, right?

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

...How many USB 3.0 ports do you currently have? Surely with the USB 2.0 + 3.0 ports you'll have enough, right?

I have ten USB 2.0 and two USB 3.0 ports on the rear and two USB 2.0 ports on the front. The card reader will give me three USB 3.0 ports on the front so I will have plenty there (eventually, as I replace my USB 2.0 thumb drives with USB 3.0 thumb drives, I won't be using the 2.0 ports anymore).

I'll also be adding two USB 3.0 ports on the rear for a total of four on the back. Right now, all I have connected to USB ports in the back are the UPS, two scanners, and my keyboard (which also has the mouse receiver connected to it; I might need to move the mouse receiver to a port on the rear of the case in the future). All use USB 2.0. I might add a USB sound card in the future. I seriously doubt I will ever have any external HDDs since I have room for five or six HDDs inside the case and use internal type HDDs for backups using the two swap bays. It will be a long time before I will need those USB 3.0 ports in the rear but I like being future proofed as much as is reasonably possible.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Awesome rig mate
Consider me inspired!

And welcome to the Seven Forums.

If you don't mind me asking Billy where did you get your gear from mate. I costed that case at PCCG in Melbourne (my regular supplier) and wow it doubled my HAF XM out even with shipping.

John

I get my gear from Umart Online. They're headquarters is in Brisbane, but they've got stores on the Gold Coast, the Sunshine Coast (where I go), Melbourne and have just opened one in Sydney. I think they're looking at setting up in north Queensland in the not too distant future as well...
I don't bother with shipping. It's an hour drive to the sunshine coast, there are WAY more, and WAY better shops down there than there in Gympie (the nearest large town to me). And when picking it up I know it won't be damaged, 'lost' or interfered with in transport, and I don't pay postage (I still pay for fuel, but going to the coast and getting things I can't get up here make it worth while)

Yep mate I think it is at Parramatta and I have seen it once but being a creature of habit and living way out in the country (near Orange ) impossible to get gear nearer than Penrith or Sydney about three hours for me me. Actually PCCG is quite good with their shipping prices and the pack REAL well. Plus they know me well enough to ship before they get payment which is a plus.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

...How many USB 3.0 ports do you currently have? Surely with the USB 2.0 + 3.0 ports you'll have enough, right?

I have ten USB 2.0 and two USB 3.0 ports on the rear and two USB 2.0 ports on the front. The card reader will give me three USB 3.0 ports on the front so I will have plenty there (eventually, as I replace my USB 2.0 thumb drives with USB 3.0 thumb drives, I won't be using the 2.0 ports anymore).

I'll also be adding two USB 3.0 ports on the rear for a total of four on the back. Right now, all I have connected to USB ports in the back are the UPS, two scanners, and my keyboard (which also has the mouse receiver connected to it; I might need to move the mouse receiver to a port on the rear of the case in the future). All use USB 2.0. I might add a USB sound card in the future. I seriously doubt I will ever have any external HDDs since I have room for five or six HDDs inside the case and use internal type HDDs for backups using the two swap bays. It will be a long time before I will need those USB 3.0 ports in the rear but I like being future proofed as much as is reasonably possible.

Pity you cannot get this in the US it is a really handy tool ICY BOX 5.25in Multiport Panel with Card Reader [IB-863-B] - $39.00 : PC Case Gear and no scrambling around the back either

 

[mjf]

@ICit2lol
I've thought of buying on of these ICY... from PC Case Gear. Do you find it good?

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

...

Pity you cannot get this in the US it is a really handy tool ICY BOX 5.25in Multiport Panel with Card Reader [IB-863-B] - $39.00 : PC Case Gear and no scrambling around the back either [/QUOTE]

The way you keep pushing that puppy, I'm beginning to believe you own stock in it. All seriousness aside, it seems like a nice reader (there are several similar readers available her in the US) but it's overkill for me since I have no headers to plug in the USB 2.0 and audio ports (non-functioning ports, especially ones on the front panel, are anathema for someone as anal as I am) and I already have a front e-SATA port. Also, the description doesn't say if the card reader works off USB 2.0 or USB 3.0. We've been through this already.

The rear USB ports on my rig are for use on permanently connected devices, such as my scanners, keyboard, and UPS since permanent cables hanging off the front are also anathema. The front ports are for temporary connections, such as camera cards and USB thumb drives; no scrambling around involved.

 

[Roadking01]

Latest upgrade: added second radiator and two new fans and changed the tubing from clear to red and finished the clear acrylic door

 

[Britton30]

Nice rig there Roadking01.

Anathema | What is the Definition of Anathema? | Dictionary.com Had to look it up. I may be wrong but I don't thing there is a USB3.0-powered card reader. I've never seen and USB3.0 SDHC, MemStick, etc that are either. I'd be interested if there are.

 

[A Guy]

Latest upgrade: added second radiator and two new fans and changed the tubing from clear to red and finished the clear acrylic door

Very nice Roadking01

A Guy

 

[Dude]

Nice Build Roadking01, I like the red and blue.

 

[linnemeyerhere]

Roadking01,
Welcome to SF. That's an impressive side window and really shows off the rig well !

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

I finally got the card reader and the extra two USB 3.0 rear ports installed. The ports and cable were fairly easy to install; it only took about 10-15 minutes. The card reader was a total, misbegotten bugger that took over an hour and a half, a bucket of sweat (in an air conditioned house, even), a rich vocabulary, and some blood and bits of skin to install. The hardest and most time consuming part was getting the four pin Molex connector plugged into the back of the reader. The pins in the socket were a bit on the fat side and I didn't have a whole lot of room to put my hand. I tried loosing things up by repeated plugging cables into the reader's socket before trying it inside the case. I eventually got lucky and got the miserable POS in. The fingers in my left hand are still cramping from struggling with it. I was afraid it would decide not to work after all that but that was just fatigue induced paranoia at work. It works just great. It's going to be so nice to be able to read cards without an external reader sticking out just begging to get knocked off and broken.

Well, now that is off my chest, here are some photos. These two show where the added USB 3.0 ports and the PCIe connector for the card reader are installed.

The added USB ports block the black PCIe socket but I can't use that one anyway because a card in there would block some air for the GPU card as well as causing the GPU card to run at only eight lanes. I snuck the two cables up behind the GPU card.

I was going to show a shot that shows where the cables run alongside the PCIe power cable for the GPU card but the idiot forum software kept rotating it 90° (mutter, mutter, mumble, mumble). You can see them in the upper right hand corner of the first photo if you look closely

These shots show what the reader looks like from the front.

That gap above the reader is from the optical drive. I have a BD drive on order that will hopefully fill that gap (but, then again, it's the same brand as the existing drive).

 

[ICIT2LOL]

@ICit2lol
I've thought of buying on of these ICY... from PC Case Gear. Do you find it good?

Absolutely I use it all the time and I set one in the machine I sent to my brother.
Now if you get one it is a bit of a fiddle to fit as the sides that fit into the bay as you can see in pic are not that deep but it wouldn't be hard to make up some extension brackets but after fitting five I have never run into any probs. For the money a real nice bit of kit.
ICY BOX 5.25in Multiport Panel with Card Reader [IB-863-B] - $39.00 : PC Case Gear


Lady Fitz if you look the reader has two 3.0's to the right of the 4 x 2.0 and audio jacks and come through form the back - no horrible scrambling around. Plus I have two front SATA docks so this case is seventh heaven

 

[DocBrown]

I wonder why the Icy Box unit is not available in the USA ? I found it on eBay, but it ships from England for $51.50 plus $ 6.00 shipping to USA.

Nice looking unit

 

[ICIT2LOL]

I wonder why the Icy Box unit is not available in the USA ? I found it on eBay, but it ships from England for $51.50 plus $ 6.00 shipping to USA.

Nice looking unit

Yep Doc it is actually made in Germany and ships to Europe and out here but why not to the US - real strange.

Like I said to MJF the best piece of gear I have to be honest am actually in danger of wearing it out it just gets that much use.

 

[kbrady1979]

You all have a slew of USB ports......counting my Keyboard and Mouse, I never use more than 3 or 4 lol.