Finally...

NUCLEARWINTER · Jul 14, 2010, 02:57 AM

After many a posts complaining about my current system and threatening to build a new rig. I obtainted the funding (along with growing some cahones) and I am pleased to announce that I am awaiting my new hardware from Newegg!

I spent a small fortune, of which should probably have gone to purchasing a new vehicle seeing as I spend more a week replacing oil as I do on gasoline...but I have my priorities stright...RIGHT!?

Case: Lian Li PC-P80
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-X58A_UD9
CPU: Intel Core_i7_980X
Ram: Corsair Dominator_GT_12G(6X2G)_DDR3_1866

I am however going to reuse my PSU, graphics cards as they are still relevant(PC Power & Cooling Silencer 910 and GTX 285's respectively) along with my optical drives and storage.

The majority of my rig should arrive by UPS tomorrow. Unsure of my ram however. I ordered it tonight...and depending on how fast Newegg can process it...perhaps Fed-Ex will be delivering it tomorrow(next day air). Hopefully all will arrive and I will be able to assemble my dream rig. I do have a contingency though. I can use my dual channel DDR31600 until new ram arrives. Either way I am going to be a happier/less financially stable NUKE!!!

I'll be sure to document the build with pics and comments.

Chaos · Jul 14, 2010, 03:13 AM

nice stuff dude, enjoy

Neshi · Jul 14, 2010, 09:49 AM

very nice! jealous!!

enjoy nuclear, I'm sure you will.. building it is almost always as much fun as playing with it

Takaharu · Jul 14, 2010, 10:45 AM

Gone towards a new car? You could've bought a new car with that

BlueMak · Jul 14, 2010, 12:14 PM

Glad to see you have your priorities in the right order. Congrats on your new pc!

***Veridian3*** · Jul 14, 2010, 12:38 PM

Excellent decision by the geeky part of your brain

Tyrsonswood · Jul 14, 2010, 02:25 PM

congrats on the new build.....

sort of, I would probably done something about a better car, but that's me and I don't fit around here....

Of course, I don't fit at the car forums either....... probably says something.

NUCLEARWINTER · Jul 16, 2010, 04:51 AM

alright...it's together and running. i stayed up until 3:30am working on it. which i now find was a HUGE mistake when you have to wake up a 4:30 to work a 10 hour day in 95 degree heat. but nevertheless it's working great and i actually remembered to take pics, but busy busy busy. I'll post them this weekend along with some commentary(i know u can't wait, i'm excited myself

)

***Veridian3*** · Jul 16, 2010, 03:36 PM

Excellent, glad it went well. Looking forward to seeing the images.

BabylenTatarsky · Jul 25, 2010, 06:44 PM

Any news on the pics?

RetroJet · Jul 26, 2010, 10:52 AM

I just looove Lian Li cases. I bet it looks smooth...

NUCLEARWINTER · Jul 28, 2010, 11:02 AM

Alright...I ran into some issues with a defective motherboard. Had to RMA back to Newegg(which went very smoothly by the way). Now I'm back in business. Finished putting system together last night(just in time for Starcraft II). Now I'll share my experience.

It has been a few years since I've built a new computer so I thought I owed it to myself to do so. Originally I didn't intend on spending so much money. I was going to buy a solid motherboard and perhaps an i7 920. But "Once You Know, Your Newegg". It started with a motherboard combo that couldn't be passed up. Newegg was bundling the Gigabyte GA-X58A-UD9 with the Lian-Li PC P80 case. I'd save nearly $300 with the combo which more or less paid for the case. or a little less than half of the cost of the motherboard(however you want to look at it). The biggest surprise is the impulse buy I made thereafter whilest messaging one of DH's finest thru XBL. The Intel Core I7 980X EE. On sale for $964. Talk about ultimate buyers' remorse, but worth every penny. The ram was an after thought and I decided to go with a 12G kit of 1867 DDR3 Corsair Dominator GT's which I ordered the next day.

The Motherboard and processor was shipped in a box that was too small. For a $1000 processor and $700 motherboard, they sure "screwed the pooch" on packaging. The processor box was a little beat up(you'll be able to see from forthcoming photos). The Lian-Li case was shipped with a lable directly onto manufacturer box. I doubted it was coming at all. UPS informed me that there was an exception and noted that the lable was damaged or missing and it was being reschudled. "GREAT! THEY RUINED MY CASE!" was my first thought. but it made it in the same delivery albeit, it too was was beat up a little, but luckily not damaged.

I raced home, put components together only to find that I was having issues with ram errors and overheating northbridge. Immediately RMA with Newegg. Spent my $18, shipped back the motherboard AND the processor. For this much money, I'm not taking ANY chances!!! Half expecting a denial, patiently waiting for approval(if you consider it to be frantically checking status from cell phone...then yes i was being patient) Long story short, here I am now with new, fully functional rig.

NUCLEARWINTER · Jul 28, 2010, 11:23 AM

Please pay no attention to the dirty house...I'd give you a BS excuse...but I'm just lazy. Here is everything except for the ram which arrived the next day.(IN TERRIBLE SHAPE) Notice the processor box is roughed up.

That is one Huge case! My son played inside the box like it were from a fridge or other appliance.

The motherboard packaging is very colorful and assumes that you are suffereing ADHD with the gauntlet of information being displayed. I guess they want to make sure that you know you got your money's worth.

NUCLEARWINTER · Jul 28, 2010, 11:31 AM

Here is the inside flap of motherboard packaging. Once again overstating stats and facts what I had just purchased like a car salesman would do if he/she were selling motherboards.

Now a look at what all the fuss is about. Nice color design, great layout, awesome features...perhaps the box was right all along!

NUCLEARWINTER · Jul 28, 2010, 11:46 AM

uploading images takes time :s bbl

CJLMTLCA · Jul 28, 2010, 01:25 PM

nice! i'm in a should-i-or-shouldn't-i zone right now about the 980X. Like you i was looking at 12GB of dominators but leaning towards the P6X58D-E for mobo

NUCLEARWINTER · Jul 28, 2010, 07:01 PM

Here are some shots of the board out of the box.

Northbridge water block. (I will not be water cooling just yet though)

Just look at the size of that Southbridge heatsink!

Here is a shot of the socket and power section

This is the passive cooling for the northbridge.

asedsa · Jul 28, 2010, 07:08 PM

woooow, very nice hardware.

Good luck with that beast.

NUCLEARWINTER · Jul 28, 2010, 07:20 PM

Now for the meat!

Intel's thermal solution for the i7 980X...meh...looks better than previous models. We won't be needing this!

Such power in the palm of one's hand. Even feels expensive.(yea my hands are rough and dirty..I work for a living. Gimme a break)

Welcome Home!!!!!!11<3 You were expected!

slugbug · Jul 28, 2010, 07:38 PM

Wow, that looks like it will be a killer system. My only chance of getting hardware like that is if I'm lucky enough to win it.

Speaking of cars though, I used to own a 1979 Datsun 310 with 190,000 + miles on the odometer and it burnt a quart of oil every week and a half.

procupine14 · Jul 28, 2010, 07:42 PM

Boy oh boy that is some shiny new stuff!

NUCLEARWINTER · Jul 28, 2010, 07:50 PM

Installation(abridged)

Backplate for Megahalems

Removable motherboard tray for ease of access.

Oh noes will it all fit?

Board inside. Devices and wire management to go, YAY!
I am only able to use one fan in the pull configuration becaues of forthcoming ram.

Getting closer. Sure wish my PSU was modular!!!

I love these hard drive racks! Rubber grommets attatch to your drives which push in and lock down.

HDD's Installed awaiting wiring

WOOHOO! Cable managment is what I do.(electrician)

Necrosis · Aug 1, 2010, 06:33 AM

Very nice NW, do you need my postal address? JK...I might be coming into some money myself and that processor is very tempting.

Jul 14, 2010, 02:57 AM	#1
NUCLEARWINTER Reap What You Sow. Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Louisville, Kentucky Posts: 1,135 Rep Power: 65 System Specs	Finally... After many a posts complaining about my current system and threatening to build a new rig. I obtainted the funding (along with growing some cahones) and I am pleased to announce that I am awaiting my new hardware from Newegg! I spent a small fortune, of which should probably have gone to purchasing a new vehicle seeing as I spend more a week replacing oil as I do on gasoline...but I have my priorities stright...RIGHT!? Case: Lian Li PC-P80 Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-X58A_UD9 CPU: Intel Core_i7_980X Ram: Corsair Dominator_GT_12G(6X2G)_DDR3_1866 I am however going to reuse my PSU, graphics cards as they are still relevant(PC Power & Cooling Silencer 910 and GTX 285's respectively) along with my optical drives and storage. The majority of my rig should arrive by UPS tomorrow. Unsure of my ram however. I ordered it tonight...and depending on how fast Newegg can process it...perhaps Fed-Ex will be delivering it tomorrow(next day air). Hopefully all will arrive and I will be able to assemble my dream rig. I do have a contingency though. I can use my dual channel DDR31600 until new ram arrives. Either way I am going to be a happier/less financially stable NUKE!!! I'll be sure to document the build with pics and comments. __________________ insert witty comment here!

Jul 14, 2010, 03:13 AM	#2
Chaos Number Nine Join Date: May 2002 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 5,268 Rep Power: 167 System Specs	Re: Finally... nice stuff dude, enjoy __________________

Jul 14, 2010, 09:49 AM	#3
Neshi S.N.A.F.U. Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Wellington, NZ Posts: 3,378 Rep Power: 177 System Specs	Re: Finally... very nice! jealous!! enjoy nuclear, I'm sure you will.. building it is almost always as much fun as playing with it __________________ If one does not attach himself to people and desire, never shall his heart be broken. But then, does he ever truly live? Life is just too damn short for if's and maybe's

Jul 14, 2010, 10:45 AM	#4
Takaharu I can fart in 7 languages Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: England, UK Posts: 1,847 Rep Power: 110 System Specs	Re: Finally... Gone towards a new car? You could've bought a new car with that __________________ I don't get paid to know the answer, therefore I'm far more likely to give you a straight and honest answer. Mods Rig, Box Mods Rig, Folding details

Jul 14, 2010, 12:14 PM	#5
BlueMak HH's Asteroids' Dominator Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Hellas->Macedonia->Thessaloniki Posts: 13,465 Rep Power: 349 System Specs	Re: Finally... Glad to see you have your priorities in the right order. Congrats on your new pc! __________________ The people who are regarded as moral luminaries are those who forego ordinary pleasures themselves and find compensation in interfering with the pleasures of others(Bertrand Russell)"You go into Afghanistan, you got guys who slap women around for five years because they didn't wear a veil,You know, guys like that ain't got no manhood left anyway. So it's a hell of a lot of fun to shoot them." - Lt. Gen. James N. Mattis This is slavery, not to speak one's thought. [Euripides-The Phoenician Women (c.411-409 B.C.)] http://www.macedonia.info/FALLACIESANDFACTS.htm *Sic semper tyrannis.*

Jul 14, 2010, 12:38 PM	#6
*Veridian3* Administrator Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Cloaked Posts: 5,028 Rep Power: 181	Re: Finally... Excellent decision by the geeky part of your brain

Jul 16, 2010, 04:51 AM	Thread Starter #8
NUCLEARWINTER Reap What You Sow. Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Louisville, Kentucky Posts: 1,135 Rep Power: 65 System Specs	Re: Finally... alright...it's together and running. i stayed up until 3:30am working on it. which i now find was a HUGE mistake when you have to wake up a 4:30 to work a 10 hour day in 95 degree heat. but nevertheless it's working great and i actually remembered to take pics, but busy busy busy. I'll post them this weekend along with some commentary(i know u can't wait, i'm excited myself) __________________ insert witty comment here!

Jul 16, 2010, 03:36 PM	#9
*Veridian3* Administrator Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Cloaked Posts: 5,028 Rep Power: 181	Re: Finally... Excellent, glad it went well. Looking forward to seeing the images.

Jul 25, 2010, 06:44 PM	#10
BabylenTatarsky Rocks Your Socks Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: St. Helens [UK] Posts: 1,656 Rep Power: 63 System Specs	Re: Finally... Any news on the pics? __________________

Jul 26, 2010, 10:52 AM	#11
RetroJet HardwareHeaven Newbie Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 4 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	Re: Finally... I just looove Lian Li cases. I bet it looks smooth... __________________ ----Somewhere Along The Line, All The Decades Align----

Jul 28, 2010, 11:02 AM	Thread Starter #12
NUCLEARWINTER Reap What You Sow. Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Louisville, Kentucky Posts: 1,135 Rep Power: 65 System Specs	Re: Finally... Alright...I ran into some issues with a defective motherboard. Had to RMA back to Newegg(which went very smoothly by the way). Now I'm back in business. Finished putting system together last night(just in time for Starcraft II). Now I'll share my experience. It has been a few years since I've built a new computer so I thought I owed it to myself to do so. Originally I didn't intend on spending so much money. I was going to buy a solid motherboard and perhaps an i7 920. But "Once You Know, Your Newegg". It started with a motherboard combo that couldn't be passed up. Newegg was bundling the Gigabyte GA-X58A-UD9 with the Lian-Li PC P80 case. I'd save nearly $300 with the combo which more or less paid for the case. or a little less than half of the cost of the motherboard(however you want to look at it). The biggest surprise is the impulse buy I made thereafter whilest messaging one of DH's finest thru XBL. The Intel Core I7 980X EE. On sale for $964. Talk about ultimate buyers' remorse, but worth every penny. The ram was an after thought and I decided to go with a 12G kit of 1867 DDR3 Corsair Dominator GT's which I ordered the next day. The Motherboard and processor was shipped in a box that was too small. For a $1000 processor and $700 motherboard, they sure "screwed the pooch" on packaging. The processor box was a little beat up(you'll be able to see from forthcoming photos). The Lian-Li case was shipped with a lable directly onto manufacturer box. I doubted it was coming at all. UPS informed me that there was an exception and noted that the lable was damaged or missing and it was being reschudled. "GREAT! THEY RUINED MY CASE!" was my first thought. but it made it in the same delivery albeit, it too was was beat up a little, but luckily not damaged. I raced home, put components together only to find that I was having issues with ram errors and overheating northbridge. Immediately RMA with Newegg. Spent my $18, shipped back the motherboard AND the processor. For this much money, I'm not taking ANY chances!!! Half expecting a denial, patiently waiting for approval(if you consider it to be frantically checking status from cell phone...then yes i was being patient) Long story short, here I am now with new, fully functional rig. __________________ insert witty comment here!

Jul 28, 2010, 11:23 AM	Thread Starter #13
NUCLEARWINTER Reap What You Sow. Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Louisville, Kentucky Posts: 1,135 Rep Power: 65 System Specs	Re: Finally... Please pay no attention to the dirty house...I'd give you a BS excuse...but I'm just lazy. Here is everything except for the ram which arrived the next day.(IN TERRIBLE SHAPE) Notice the processor box is roughed up. That is one Huge case! My son played inside the box like it were from a fridge or other appliance. The motherboard packaging is very colorful and assumes that you are suffereing ADHD with the gauntlet of information being displayed. I guess they want to make sure that you know you got your money's worth. __________________ insert witty comment here!

Jul 28, 2010, 11:31 AM	Thread Starter #14
NUCLEARWINTER Reap What You Sow. Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Louisville, Kentucky Posts: 1,135 Rep Power: 65 System Specs	Re: Finally... Here is the inside flap of motherboard packaging. Once again overstating stats and facts what I had just purchased like a car salesman would do if he/she were selling motherboards. Now a look at what all the fuss is about. Nice color design, great layout, awesome features...perhaps the box was right all along! __________________ insert witty comment here!

Jul 28, 2010, 11:46 AM	Thread Starter #15
NUCLEARWINTER Reap What You Sow. Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Louisville, Kentucky Posts: 1,135 Rep Power: 65 System Specs	Re: Finally... uploading images takes time :s bbl __________________ insert witty comment here!

Jul 28, 2010, 01:25 PM	#16
CJLMTLCA 14X Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Montreal, Canada Posts: 633 Rep Power: 63 System Specs	Re: Finally... nice! i'm in a should-i-or-shouldn't-i zone right now about the 980X. Like you i was looking at 12GB of dominators but leaning towards the P6X58D-E for mobo __________________

Jul 28, 2010, 07:42 PM	#21
procupine14 Why is it Beeping!?!?! Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: USA, Missouri Posts: 1,400 Rep Power: 58 System Specs	Re: Finally... Boy oh boy that is some shiny new stuff! __________________ HTPC/file server: Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit - AMD Phenom x4 9850 - 4GB OCZ DDR2 800 (2x2GB) - 1TB WD Black - 4 x 1TB Hitachi DeskStar in RAID 5 - ATi TV Wonder Digital Cable Tuner - HIS Raedon 4850 512MB - ASRock N68C-S UCC mobo - OCZ ModExtreme Pro 500W PSU GF's Gaming PC: Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit - AMD Phenom 9850 - 4GB OCZ DDR2 1066 - 500GB Western Digital GP - HIS Raedon 5770 1GB - ASUS M3A78-EM - Zalman 650W PSU Media Streamer: Win 7 Pro 64-bit - AMD Athlon x2 3200+ - 4GB SuperTalent DDR2 800 - 250GB SeaGate Barracuda - MSI K9N6PGM2-V2 - ASUS Raedon 5450 SILENT - FSP group 250W PSU

Jul 28, 2010, 07:01 PM	Thread Starter #17
NUCLEARWINTER Reap What You Sow. Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Louisville, Kentucky Posts: 1,135 Rep Power: 65 System Specs	Re: Finally... Here are some shots of the board out of the box. Northbridge water block. (I will not be water cooling just yet though) Just look at the size of that Southbridge heatsink! Here is a shot of the socket and power section This is the passive cooling for the northbridge. __________________ insert witty comment here!

Jul 28, 2010, 07:08 PM	#18
asedsa HardwareHeaven Lover Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Bosnia and Herzegovina Posts: 245 Rep Power: 58 System Specs	Re: Finally... woooow, very nice hardware. Good luck with that beast.

Jul 28, 2010, 07:20 PM	Thread Starter #19
NUCLEARWINTER Reap What You Sow. Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Louisville, Kentucky Posts: 1,135 Rep Power: 65 System Specs	Re: Finally... Now for the meat! Intel's thermal solution for the i7 980X...meh...looks better than previous models. We won't be needing this! Such power in the palm of one's hand. Even feels expensive.(yea my hands are rough and dirty..I work for a living. Gimme a break) Welcome Home!!!!!!11<3 You were expected! __________________ insert witty comment here!

Jul 28, 2010, 07:38 PM	#20
slugbug Going Broke Saving Money Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 571 Rep Power: 70 System Specs	Re: Finally... Wow, that looks like it will be a killer system. My only chance of getting hardware like that is if I'm lucky enough to win it. Speaking of cars though, I used to own a 1979 Datsun 310 with 190,000 + miles on the odometer and it burnt a quart of oil every week and a half.

Jul 28, 2010, 07:50 PM	Thread Starter #22
NUCLEARWINTER Reap What You Sow. Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Louisville, Kentucky Posts: 1,135 Rep Power: 65 System Specs	Re: Finally... Installation(abridged) Backplate for Megahalems Removable motherboard tray for ease of access. Oh noes will it all fit? Board inside. Devices and wire management to go, YAY! I am only able to use one fan in the pull configuration becaues of forthcoming ram. Getting closer. Sure wish my PSU was modular!!! I love these hard drive racks! Rubber grommets attatch to your drives which push in and lock down. HDD's Installed awaiting wiring WOOHOO! Cable managment is what I do.(electrician) __________________ insert witty comment here!

Aug 1, 2010, 06:33 AM	#23
Necrosis HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Ohio Posts: 8,838 Rep Power: 131 System Specs	Re: Finally... Very nice NW, do you need my postal address? JK...I might be coming into some money myself and that processor is very tempting.