Just looking before I leap...new PC final thoughts.

GARoss said:

I have had much time this week but I installed the i5 & CPU fan. The Big Shuriken was tough to install. Seem to take forever to get the last "click" but managed.

Here's the deal, the memory is way too tall. The heat dispersers are the problem. They crash big time into the Big Shuriken. I'm sending the RAM back in exchange for Patriot Gamer G2 Series. Everything the same except the height to the RAM. Bummer!

That is always difficult - getting the cooler to fit around motherboard parts and memory cooling fins. It is painful to have to wait for parts when you have almost everything.

GeneO said:

That is always difficult - getting the cooler to fit around motherboard parts and memory cooling fins. It is painful to have to wait for parts when you have almost everything.

I was warned that the RAM I selected might be too tall but took a chance. Live & learn. The new RAM has a HS cover but is more standard in height. If it doesn't fit nothing will. I ordered it UPS 2 day shipping so should be here tomorrow.

If it doesn't, nothing will.
The G-Skill Ripjaws' height is about 10mm higher than the Patriot's height. The Patriot may interfer slightly during install but should be OK once in place.

Did your SSD arrive?

You are over the hump if you got that cooler installed. You gotta love the genius who came up with that 4 pin mounting setup.

You should have it rocking by the weekend. Good luck.

ignatzatsonic said:

Did your SSD arrive?

You are over the hump if you got that cooler installed. You gotta love the genius who came up with that 4 pin mounting setup.

You should have it rocking by the weekend. Good luck.

SSD is to arrive today. Had a problem with the RAM being too high so new Patriot RAM is to arrive tomorrow (hopefully). Have tomorrow off & will have lots of time to get it going.

That last "click' was nearly impossible. I was concerned that something might break! Then the RAM was to tall. It was easy to send the RAM back instead of changing the CPU fan again.

Pics coming soon.

+1 for NewEgg

Sorry i just came across this thread but did you post your build spec over at Tom's hardware? Great resource for DIYers

Ski

Skibumtx said:

+1 for NewEgg

Sorry i just came across this thread but did you post your build spec over at Tom's hardware? Great resource for DIYers

Ski

I like Tom's Hardware site overall but the advice here at Windows 7 Forums has been so good I've never felt the need to go anywhere else.

I have to say the Solo case is terrific! I was surprised how heavy it was but a look inside explained why. Both sides are lined with plastic sound dampening, the tray for the SSD has rubber screw sleeves to isolate any vibration & all sheet metal is of a heavy gage. Everything is easy to get to. Very nice!

GARoss said:

I have to say the Solo case is terrific! I was surprised how heavy it was but a look inside explained why. Both sides are lined with plastic sound dampening, the tray for the SSD has rubber screw sleeves to isolate any vibration & all sheet metal is of a heavy gage. Everything is easy to get to. Very nice!

You got that suspended drive mounting thing figured out yet? I've never seen good pictures of it.

I read some comments to the effect that the elastic can weaken in a year or two and the drives will sag. Don't know if I would use them or not. I think you can bypass the suspension and use standard mounts---with those rubber grommets?

One guy said ponytail "scrunchies" were the best replacement for the elastic--5 for a dollar or something at Walmart.

I'd have been driven nuts by the lack of RAM over a weekend---probably keeping you from mounting the motherboard.