Description

This has been an ongoing project for me for awhile and most of these components have migrated across three different cases and configurations as I've locked down exactly what I wanted. I have always liked the idea of a two system setup for streaming and when I saw this case I knew it would be the perfect fit for me.

I use my PC both for work and play. Gaming, photo and video editing, DJ software, remote support work and I occasionally host VM's for dev testing projects. I also enjoy streaming and creating content and my next project is completing a studio in my garage for just that.

The primary build (mATX w/ 6700k, 32Gb ram and 980 FTW) uses the 500Gb SSD for boot. The secondary machine (mITX 6700, 16Gb and capture card) has a 120Gb SSD for boot, dual 3TB drives in RAID 1 for archiving projects and dual 1TB drives in RAID 0 for active projects. This was originally going to be a Windows Server 2012 R2 installation with 3 - 3TB drives in RAID 5 but I kept running into various compatibility issues with the software/hardware I was running and abandoned that. Hyper-V installs just fine on 8.1 Pro so not too bad a sacrifice. I also originally purchased a KVM switch for the secondary machine but I again ran into compatibility issues with the KVM switch and my hardware. I use RDP to connect to the secondary machine.

I will have some more/better pictures and proper benchmarks added soon.

Part Reviews

CPU Cooler

Corsair H100i GTX 70.69 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler

I always use Corsair H series coolers when I am not doing a custom loop. Great performance, breeze to install and they look great.

Motherboard

Asus MAXIMUS VIII GENE Micro ATX LGA1151 Motherboard

Lots of granular overclocking features. Really stable - no complaints. The accessories included with this board was also very nice. The included adapter really cleans up those front I/O wires.

Memory

Corsair Vengeance LPX 32 GB (4 x 8 GB) DDR4-2666 CL16 Memory

XMP profile worked as expected and handled OC to 3k just as easy.

Memory

Corsair Vengeance LPX 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3000 CL15 Memory

XMP profile worked as expected. Did not try overclocking these modules - I chose Corsair for the reliability I come to expect from their brand.

Storage

Samsung 840 EVO 120 GB 2.5" Solid State Drive

I primarily only purchase Samsung SSD's. The 120's don't get nearly as fast as the larger capacity drives but it does the job.

Storage

Samsung 840 EVO 500 GB 2.5" Solid State Drive

Over 9000 Mb/s in Samsung Magician with rapid mode enabled.

Video Card

EVGA GeForce GTX 980 4 GB FTW ACX 2.0 Video Card

Overclocks very well and great temps. Only downside is that it is a custom PCB so there are not any full cover water blocks for this card.

Mouse

Asus ROG Gladius Wired Optical Mouse

Best mouse I have ever used. It has held up to the beatings and comes with a lot of accessories. Two cords, replacement switches, carrying pouch, teflon pads ect. I haven't had to replace anything yet but its nice to know you have them.

Headphones

Logitech G230 Headset

They make sound. Fair quality and low price.

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Comments

  • 50 months ago
  • 5 points

Builds computer to edit photos; doesn't edit photos.

  • 50 months ago
  • 1 point

hahahaha this comment is perfect

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  • 50 months ago
  • 2 points

Awesome build +1, however I do have one question, what case is that?

  • 50 months ago
  • 3 points

Phanteks Enthoo Mini XL DS, with the dual mobo add-on kit (I presume).

  • 50 months ago
  • 2 points

Yes, the link in my parts description is for the version with the dual motherboard add-on pre-installed which includes the power supply hub and the mITX mounting bracket.

  • 50 months ago
  • 2 points

I didn't know the enthoo itx came that way, but awesome

  • 50 months ago
  • 1 point

Nice build and a nice description +1 !

  • 50 months ago
  • 1 point

too expensive for a 980

  • 50 months ago
  • 1 point

I had it from a previous build - most likely looking at some Pascal once it becomes available.

  • 50 months ago
  • 1 point

How is $447 expensive for a 980?

  • 50 months ago
  • 1 point

He meant that the 980 doesn't live up to the overall build cost. When you spend nearly 5,000 on a PC, he was saying that you should spend more than 500 on a GPU.

EDIT: That being said, I disagree given what this PC (these PCs?) are being used for and its everyone's personal preference on how to spend their money.

  • 50 months ago
  • 1 point

Ahh right. I thought he ment the price

  • 50 months ago
  • 1 point

pretty decent actually

  • 50 months ago
  • 1 point

Unique build, good work

  • 50 months ago
  • 1 point

Great build. Nice choice of red cables you got to fit the theme

+1 for sure

  • 30 months ago
  • 1 point

How did you spend less than $200 on a 32GB set of Corsair RAM?

  • 30 months ago
  • 1 point

Check his build date.

  • 30 months ago
  • 1 point

Look at the part history. DDR4 has been skyrocketing in price, it has almost doubled in the past 12 months.

  • 30 months ago
  • 1 point

any idea when prices will start dropping?

  • 30 months ago
  • 1 point

Now that both AMD and Intel have DDR4 as the standard the demand is high and DDR5 isn't going to hit consumer boards until 2019ish according to most tech news sites and even then I would suspect it would only be on the enthusiast boards. (Threadripper or Broadwell / X type product lines) I would just watch for deals and always bundle. I typically go to microcenter since there is one nearby. I can guarantee I always get $30-40 off the motherboard with processor purchase, an extra $10 off ram and usually 2-3 mfr rebates from a build.

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