Compy 2016 - Rifter.

It's been five and a half years since I last built a PC for myself, constructing "CORVETTE" on Bloomfield-generation technology. Now, motivated by an overwhelming need to embrace virtual reality, I've built myself a new PC. I've named it "RIFTER", an homage to my favorite Minmatar frigate in EVE, plus a reference to the Oculus Rift headset I hope to own soon.

Specs are:

• Intel Core I5-6600K + Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO
• G.SKILL Ripjaws V Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) 288-Pin SDRAM DDR4 3000 (PC4 24000)
• EVGA GeForce GTX 1070 SC GAMING ACX 3.0, 8GB GDDR5
• Gigabyte LGA1151 Intel Z170 ATX DDR4 Motherboards GA-Z170X-Gaming 3
• Samsung 950 PRO Series - 512GB PCIe NVMe - M.2 Internal SSD  
• WD Black 1TB Performance Desktop Hard Disk Drive - 7200 RPM SATA 6 Gb/s 64MB Cache 3.5 Inch
• EVGA SuperNOVA 650 GS, 80+ GOLD 650W
• NZXT Phantom 410 Mid Tower USB 3.0 Gaming Case - Gunmetal with Black Trim

So far I'm thrilled with everything in this build, except maybe the case. The Phantom 410 is great, but has some quirks.

• Middle drive bays are fully removable, increasing airflow and space for the video card, while still leaving a few full drive bays available.
• The 3.5" mounting brackets are hokey trash. Cheap plastic with some cheaper tool-free mounting bolts. I got it in, but it was frustrating.
• Some grommeted paths to backside of the case was a clever addition. However, they're not attached well. And all the inbox cables are zapped to the middle grommet.
• A pet peeve of mine - the thumbscrews to remove the case sides don't thread all that well.
• Occasionally a buzzing sound, not sure from where. But you can Fonz

Everything worked perfectly the first time, except for network, which required a special driver. Also there was only one DVI port (vs. three DisplayPort) so I had to pick up some special adaptors for my 10 year old monitors.

As installed, 100MHz x 36 --> 3600MHz on CPU, maxes CPU at about 52'C on a Prime95 Torture Test. RAM at 1066 MHZ.

3DMark:

Also, some good news.

This is in stock configuration on a cleared CMOS. This system, it is not made for stock. I haven't enabled the XMP profile in my RAM. I haven't touched the CPU multiplier. Vcore is untouched. This system is designed to go faster, and with some very simple tweaks in the BIOS, this thing is going to fly. But that is for the next post...

In the meantime, some build pictures.

Preparing motherboard; CPU, cooler, RAM.

It runs! Note the red highlights throughout the case. The GPU glows too.

My case. Looks a bit like a Cylon.