Antec 3480 build (56k warning)
Posted: Fri Jan 13, 2012 6:52 pm
It's been a while since I've built a customer computer, but today I had quite an experience, so here it is, in all it's glory (and cut hands)...
It's also for my sister's friend, so I decided to take the "box" and go a little outside. I'd repeat this build for myself, but I'd never suggest this combination for a customer again.
I was told that it had to look good, run Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and anything else she needed for a web design class. I thought to myself, Antec Mini P180 in white, but it sold out during the time period I was ordering, then I saw the ncix sale, and ate crow a little, because by the time I saw the sale, the 3480 had already arrived.
Specs:
Antec NSK-3480
Intel Core i7-2600S
eVGA P67 120-SB-E672-KR
Samsung 8GB low profile, low power RAM
WD5000-AAKX
LG Blu Ray Burner
MSI 560GTX Twin Frozr
Scythe Ninja 3
Scythe Slip Stream 800RPM for exhaust
Antec HCG-520W
Windows 7 Home Premium x64
Additionally, for the monitor, I went with what I have at home, the Acer S211HL-BD. For the keyboard and mouse, I opted for the Logitech K750 wireless solar, and the Razor Death Adder.
What you'll find is that the NSK3480 was not designed to fit large power supplies. Actually, the smaller the better in this case, unless you're very thickheaded/stubborn like I am.
There it is, in silent glory. The loudest part is the power button when it clicks. I haven't gotten around to stress testing it, but that's up next, along with testing power consumption. I do not feel like 520 was necessary at all, however being a clients computer, I can't take quite the same risk I would at home with a lower wattage unit. I was tempted to go down to 400W, and in hindsight, probably should have, however I'm confident in this build.
No grills were cut, the extent of my mods stopped at making the hole by the PSU large enough to run nearly all of the power cables out to the rest of the case, and getting the larger PSU into place. That alone took over an hour. This is one seriously cramped case, however with lower power parts, and larger heatsinks with better fans ensures a quieter and better looking final product.
As far as how much room is left? I don't think you could easily get any other part inside that case. The hard drive had to go to the bottom because there was no room left at the top, and running another SATA/power cable up there would have been a disaster.
You'll notice there's a molex to SATA adapter that goes up into the PSU area, because I had to use that adapter to get a 90* right angle connector for power and data for the blu ray drive, to get it in. There is no space between the drive and the PSU. None. That doesn't even mention the struggle of getting the power cables where they are now.
A modular version of this PSU would have been even worse, and simply would not have fit.
The cables will get another look tomorrow, I'm not sure how much more I can do about them though. If this case was 1/4" longer, the installation would have been flawless. I guess by comparison, it was literally just a hair too small.
I'll be designing 4 more systems that will be more uniformly built, so when I do the demo systems, they'll be put up as well, but those most likely wont be done for another couple weeks, if not longer, as the school semester is about to begin for me on Tuesday.
-bonestonne
It's also for my sister's friend, so I decided to take the "box" and go a little outside. I'd repeat this build for myself, but I'd never suggest this combination for a customer again.
I was told that it had to look good, run Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and anything else she needed for a web design class. I thought to myself, Antec Mini P180 in white, but it sold out during the time period I was ordering, then I saw the ncix sale, and ate crow a little, because by the time I saw the sale, the 3480 had already arrived.
Specs:
Antec NSK-3480
Intel Core i7-2600S
eVGA P67 120-SB-E672-KR
Samsung 8GB low profile, low power RAM
WD5000-AAKX
LG Blu Ray Burner
MSI 560GTX Twin Frozr
Scythe Ninja 3
Scythe Slip Stream 800RPM for exhaust
Antec HCG-520W
Windows 7 Home Premium x64
Additionally, for the monitor, I went with what I have at home, the Acer S211HL-BD. For the keyboard and mouse, I opted for the Logitech K750 wireless solar, and the Razor Death Adder.
What you'll find is that the NSK3480 was not designed to fit large power supplies. Actually, the smaller the better in this case, unless you're very thickheaded/stubborn like I am.
There it is, in silent glory. The loudest part is the power button when it clicks. I haven't gotten around to stress testing it, but that's up next, along with testing power consumption. I do not feel like 520 was necessary at all, however being a clients computer, I can't take quite the same risk I would at home with a lower wattage unit. I was tempted to go down to 400W, and in hindsight, probably should have, however I'm confident in this build.
No grills were cut, the extent of my mods stopped at making the hole by the PSU large enough to run nearly all of the power cables out to the rest of the case, and getting the larger PSU into place. That alone took over an hour. This is one seriously cramped case, however with lower power parts, and larger heatsinks with better fans ensures a quieter and better looking final product.
As far as how much room is left? I don't think you could easily get any other part inside that case. The hard drive had to go to the bottom because there was no room left at the top, and running another SATA/power cable up there would have been a disaster.
You'll notice there's a molex to SATA adapter that goes up into the PSU area, because I had to use that adapter to get a 90* right angle connector for power and data for the blu ray drive, to get it in. There is no space between the drive and the PSU. None. That doesn't even mention the struggle of getting the power cables where they are now.
A modular version of this PSU would have been even worse, and simply would not have fit.
The cables will get another look tomorrow, I'm not sure how much more I can do about them though. If this case was 1/4" longer, the installation would have been flawless. I guess by comparison, it was literally just a hair too small.
I'll be designing 4 more systems that will be more uniformly built, so when I do the demo systems, they'll be put up as well, but those most likely wont be done for another couple weeks, if not longer, as the school semester is about to begin for me on Tuesday.
-bonestonne