How To Build A Computer System Assembly 101

We just recently ran a contest on HotHardware in which we planned to give away a high-end, custom-built gaming system (built by yours truly), to one lucky reader who came up with a creative name for our weekly video podcast. The parts for the system were as follows...

CPU: AMD Phenom II X4 970 Black Edition

Cooler: Xigmatek Dark Knight

Motherboard: Asus CrossHair IV Formula

Graphics: Asus EAH6870

Sound: Asus Xonar D2X

RAM: 4GB OCZ DDR-1333

SSD: WD Silicon Edge Blue 64GB

HD: WD Caviar Black 2TB

PSU: OCZ 850W Z-Series

Optical: Asus Blu-Ray Drive

Case: CoolerMaster HAF 912

Audio: Psyko 5.1 PC Gaming Headset




We got a few requests to document the build process on video, so that's exactly what we did. We didn't go too in-depth, but did explain the approach we like to take to systems and talked about a few of the build decisions and tweaks we made along the way. Regulars around here will know that I'm a stickler for good cable management and constantly extoll the virtues of having a neat and tidy system to ensure good air-flow throughout the case, so we also talk a bit about cable management and explain what we did in this particular build.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• defenceAMD
• Phenom
• XBlack
• edition
• computer
• gamer
• syste
• how
• to
• build
• pc

[THEKINGBG1]

GREAT JOB FUCK THE HATERS

[FPapiSalOC]

AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[lagginswag]

wow that zigmatek is beasty



[goodride2004]

@bubbleheadft its all good, its kinda like a car, you know its there but you dont want other people to see it, kinda like, "how did you do that" or "how dose that work". theres no problem seeing wires with the inside of the case black unless you got the lights out and its night time, if thats the case you have bigger problems lol. my next computer is going to be matte black with brushed aluminum finish and if there is color, its going to be red.

[bubbleheadft]

@goodride2004 I meant like if you have to open it up to work on it or something. I can see how that would have been misunderstood though.

Quick reply bro...

[goodride2004]

@bubbleheadft you dont want to see them!! thats the trick!!! unless ther really cool like colored braided or something but even then you want then somewhat tucked out of sight, braided is for incase you see them it dosent look to bad lol.

[bubbleheadft]

@goodride2004 Never built a computer, but planning to (that's actually why I'm here,) but it seems to me that a light interior would make all of your cables and thins easier to see. I don't know though.

[MaxAmaSity]

i need some help. just bought a Psyko 5.1 gaming headset and comes with all the cables but i know im suppose to plug the other ones in my computer but i have a full sourround system in my room and there occupying the sound ports. gotta keep the sound to a minium sometimes. but would i plug the headphone cables in the sound card or take the other ones out and replace them?

[einarknutsen]

is this another stolen video? god.

[gbonesrider]

how come you dont run any liquid cooling, just wondering planing to build my own trying to get opinions, also i forgot to ask what does an sd drive do