BB wants a new computer - PC this time

[Barrister]

First step: Unboxing the case.

First impression is that it's big.  Very big.  It's about the same height as my Mac Pro (itself not a small computer), but is even wider.  And freaking heavy.

I start digging into the case though and start seeing why.  It's very sturdily build, with some good, stiff soundproofing on the walls.  Tons of space of course to put everything, so the build itself should go easily.

I still don't have a cooler or PSU so there's not much I can do, but I had bought an extra case fan so I decide to put that in.  I had even bought a Fractal Design fan so it would match the existing case fans, and that it would make the install that much easier, but... no luck.  It needs longer screws than what they supplied.   Aw well, off to the hardware store I guess.

The case manual is... odd.  They make a big deal about how the case was designed in Sweden and follows "Scandinavian design".  Umm, it's just a big black box.  But I think they took their Scandinavian design philosophy a bit too far when they apparently took their instruction book's inspiration from IKEA instructions.  It's all multilingual with pictograms to show what's happening.  Unfortunately, building a computer is just a bit more complicated than putting together a Billy book case.

[Liep]

I build my own computer after advise from viper som years ago and was surprised at how easy it was. Of course I didn't install extra fans. The only worry I had was the chip and the cpu cooler (but that was mostly because of counter intuitive design on the cooler).

I'm sure you'll be fine. But with that said I also look forward to the AAR.

[Barrister]

I build my own computer after advise from viper som years ago and was surprised at how easy it was. Of course I didn't install extra fans. The only worry I had was the chip and the cpu cooler (but that was mostly because of counter intuitive design on the cooler).

I'm sure you'll be fine. But with that said I also look forward to the AAR.

Installing an extra fan (if you have the right size screws) is dead easy - you just screw it in and plug it into the appropriate slot on the motherboard.

[Monoriu]

I broke the computer when I tried to install a new video card.  Couldn't even get the old card out 

[Barrister]

The hardware store did not have the right size crews.     I will go to the computer store (Memory Express) and see what they might have tomorrow.

The Power Supply was delivered today - except Mrs B had taken the boys to her parents, so it wasn't, and now I have to go pick it up from the Purolator distribution centre.  No huge loss since the CPU cooler is still awaiting delivery.  ETA on the shipping email (which are always very, very conservative) was September 10th.

[crazy canuck]

Based on the early setbacks in this campaign I think I will get mine assembled by others.  It will likely be quicker.

[Grey Fox]

I'll assemble it free of charge. That's true for all Languishite computers.

[Barrister]

Based on the early setbacks in this campaign I think I will get mine assembled by others.  It will likely be quicker.

Meh.  I'm assembling my computer because I want to do it - the challenge of it sounds like fun to me.

If you don't feel the same I think it would definitely be worth it to pay some shop to build for your (or buy a pre-made system).

But really, the only obstacles so far has been waiting for parts to arrive.

[Barrister]

So the power supply was delivered yesterday, but no one was home.  Picked up today.

Now I'm back to waiting on the CPU cooler.

Realized the problem with the extra case fan.  It does in fact need longer screws than are usual.  But I forgot to check the screws that came with the case itself.  Sure enough - 4 extra-long fan screws.   

So until my CPU cooler arrives, you can satisfy yourself by looking at my collection of really expensive computer part boxes.


New computer boxes by Barrister, on Flickr

[Grey Fox]

Oh, cable management solution!

[Barrister]

Oh, cable management solution!

Anyways, CC, Intel announced the rest of their desktop lineup the other day.  All should be out by the end of the year.

[crazy canuck]

It is really just the i7s I am waiting to arrive.  NCIX is filling orders slowly for the people who preordered just the CPU.  It will likely be a few more weeks before they are actually "in stock". I can wait till then.  I have a bunch of work and a conference in the next few weeks so I even if I had the computer today I wouldn't really have a chance to turn it on.

[Norgy]

So the power supply was delivered yesterday, but no one was home.  Picked up today.

Now I'm back to waiting on the CPU cooler.

Realized the problem with the extra case fan.  It does in fact need longer screws than are usual.  But I forgot to check the screws that came with the case itself.  Sure enough - 4 extra-long fan screws.   

So until my CPU cooler arrives, you can satisfy yourself by looking at my collection of really expensive computer part boxes.


New computer boxes by Barrister, on Flickr

Nice. The Fractal Design cases are rather heavy. My Fractal Design XL is close to 25 kgs with all the stuff inside. But they're very stylish.

[Barrister]

Nice. The Fractal Design cases are rather heavy. My Fractal Design XL is close to 25 kgs with all the stuff inside. But they're very stylish.

Man - the R5 case seems huge to me.  I can't imagine using the XL.

But it is very solid and pretty in its own way too.

Hey since you have one - what did you do for case fans?  I had read somewhere that the 2 stock fans weren't quite sufficient, which explains the two fan boxes in the lower right.

[Norgy]

I changed them.
The Noctua fans (they're Austrian, don't know if they sell them in NA?) are very quiet and push a lot of air.
I went for a closed-loop cooler for the CPU, so I have used the space in the ceiling of the case for the radiator. Do you have fans in the floor of the case on the R5? I did not change those, and they work well.

What struck me as very good with the Fractal Design case is the solid build quality and the ease of use when building. It doesn't have the hot-swap bays and stuff like my old CM case, but it's probably the better case.