msental
Description
I needed a better video card, I needed more hard drives, I needed a faster CPU ... it was time to build a new PC, but I also needed it be smaller and look batter than my last PC.
Apart from the typical everyday activities, the computer would be tasked for modern gaming, running at least one virtual machine at all times and hosting a media server .... and it needed to be small and pretty. This build fit the bill.
From the media server side, I am using a 6 HDD parity array with Plex to feed all of the TV's in my house. This PC was almost silent until I added these 6 mechanical HDD's .. now .. o well but I don't have enough $$ for 15 TB in SSD. This was the key in case selection for me, I wanted a mATX case, but it would need to hold at LEAST 7 HDD's. There aren't many out there. Not only does the Node 804 hold up to 10 HDD's but it also looks good doing it and is small. Win, win , win.
I kind of hopped on the RGB train as pretty much every component that is capable of having RGB has it on this build. Now that it's built I will probably keep them blueish white, but maybe as a gimmick, I will do holiday colors when they roll around =p On the subject of lighting, I also wanted to do something custom with my desk, I used the mobo's RGB header and instead of putting a LED strip inside the case, I bought a few adapters, and routed a LED strip to the outside, along the back edge of my desk for some cool and rather inexpensive ambient lighting that I can control at will.
VIDEO - Build Night 1 - Desk Lighting Test w/Music Mode: https://photos.google.com/photo/AF1QipONRD1ef6qXGWRXjOZZP7qc0-jXChvUJEyxpU6V
*The picture with the phone is do demonstrate size, it's a small case that fits a LOT in there. Thank god the other side is hidden. I do not want to show you what it looks like back there. I was barely able to close the panel there are so many damn wires back there!
Part Reviews
CPU
I wanted the latest and greatest, and that what this is in the price category in my opinion. I heard that it doesn't bring much new to the table as compared with the 6700k and that it had higher temps (more on that when I get to the cooler) but I wanted current gen CPU.
CPU Cooler
I expected a lot more from this cooler from all of the reviews and information on the internet. When I first tested my rig, I was getting really high idle and load temps ... idling ~50C .. gaming hit 80's a few times. Bad. After a lot of troubleshooting and reapplying thermal paste I found that the standoffs did not thread into where they should have been on the back plate. I did not detect this at first since there is supposed to be some form of slack/gap, but I finally noticed that I could see ~5 threads on the standoff screw even after fully hand tightened and there was just tooo much space. In the end, I had to use PLIERS (carefully) to force the standoffs into the back plate the rest of the way because I didn't feel like waiting for a RMA/return. After doing that I finally have what I would call acceptable temps, but I still don't think its 100% and could get better with one that didn't have QC issues.
Thermal Compound
Does what its supposed to. Free to me since I already had some lying around.
Motherboard
Beautiful mobo with all the options I was looking for. Works like a champ. I made use of the RGB header to do some nifty desk lighting too!
Memory
Most beautiful RAM I have ever laid eyes on ... but freaking expensive and the lighting control is still very buggy which is why I knocked off 1 star. Performs up to expectation.
Storage
Got it from a friend for $20, so I have literally nothing to complain about.
Storage
Had 3 of these from my previous system, added 2 more to this one to expand on media server storage array. Good sizes and the drives I have had so far have been running well.
Video Card
Great looking card, cooling is superior! I was a little disappointed in how little i was able to OC it as compared to other peoples 1070 OC results, but that's just the silicon lottery ... no room for complaint though, running 5 FPS behind my friend with almost exact system with a GTX 1080 Founders Edition OC'd. Oh and 0 RPM fans at no load is pretty great.
Case
Unique looking case which I love. What sold it for me is that it is a small case that still has room for up to 10 HDD's, can water cool and has a nice side window. Having the split chambers allows you to hide all of your wires and keep the side with the window looking pretty. The only thing I would have liked is a toolless/latch access to the side panel (had that on my last corsair case) as opposed to thumb screws for every little thing.
Power Supply
Nothing special to say here. It works and I like the eco mode.
Operating System
I actually used Education Edition here. If you have a school email address its likely you can get a free license!
Case Fan
Debated between these and the Thermaltake Riing RGB Premuim Fans. The AER RGB look amazing, but one thing I failed to notice is that the lighting is only on one side (intake side) so it will limit the fam placement /usage. Had I realized this earlier I would have went with the Riing fans, but I am still pleased none the less.
Monitor
Huge. Looks great. Got it on a really good sale (not whats listed here).
Custom
Dont know what I ever did without it!
Custom
Mobo only had 6 sata ports. My build has 7 HDD's. Worked the second I installed it, didnt even need to load drivers. A+.
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