The simple build; a Prodigy for the Everyman!

[sammy_b0i]

... It's Everyman. From the Simpsons...? Get it?

Okay, so I'm finally getting on board the Prodigy wave. The plan is to make a build in contrast to many of the amazing Prodigy builds that I am seeing not only on our forums, but in several places around the web. These many talented people, such as Phill with his iProdigy really make this case shine.

Now, I hope that you're not getting the impression that I'm going to be doing a half-assed job with the case. On the contrary, what I am looking to do, in specifics, is utilise the features of the case, as is, with off-the-shelf parts. I don't have the skills or tools available to sleeve cables, use custom watercooling with interconnects, filling, QDC, etc. Nor will I be structurally modding the case in any way. I just don't have the experience. So the build will be simple, effective and fun.

Now, a word on the platform. I know it's not the latest and the greatest, but I really love the 1156 platform. The i7's with HT aren't a great deal far from the SB i5 2500k (~10% slower in most cases, though this is likely heavily attributed to the 500Mhz clock speed difference), and I'd be looking at a reasonable price increase in locating one.

Components that will be featuring in the build are as follows:

CPU: Intel i7-860
M/B: Gigabyte GA-H55N-USB3
RAM: Samsung Eco Green Very Low Profile 2x4GB DDR3-1600
GFX: MSI GTX580 Twin Frozr II/OC 1.5GB
PSU: Seasonic X-Gold 650W Fully Modular
SSD: Crucial m4 256GB
CASE: Bitfenix Prodigy in Midnight Black

Cooling will be done as follows:

- Corsair H100 + 4 x Swiftech Helix 120mm mounted push/pull as exhaust in the top of the Prodigy
- Bitfenix Spectre Pro 230mm Black non-LED mounted as intake in the front
- Bitfenix Spectre Pro 140mm Black non-LED mounted as exhaust at the rear

Now, I took a while to decide on what fans I wanted for the H100. Originally I wanted to stick with the BitFenix theme, and get four of the 120mm Spectre Pro's, but their static pressure was pretty low (1.24). I then looked at a large number of other fan options. I didn't want to jump straight on the GT's as they are an expensive piece of kit, so I explored the Cougar Vortex option, but didn't like the orange pads (and the price, being the same as the GT's). So I did some research and settled on the new Swiftech Helix 120mm's. They seem to be a bit of a GT ripoff, but according to reviews they aren't too much louder and push a similar (albeit lower) amount of air, while maintaining good static pressure levels.

The fans came through PCCG. Pretty expensive order for a hand full of fans!



Now, I can't go into the thread without making a mention of Phill (well, second mention if you count the build intro ). I wouldn't have been able to even start this project without him. His generosity enabled me to find a local Prodigy and get everything organised. This little project wouldn't have gotten off the ground without him. So cheers to Phill for his very much appreciated help.

[sammy_b0i]

Okay. All build threads have questions. Here is my first one.

The motherboard lacks MOSFET cooling. I've read some reports of them getting pretty hot without any additional cooling. Now, there will be plenty of airflow due to the massive intake fan, but I'm looking to get little sinks put on them.

So I've followed suit on a couple of other people and chosen the Enzotech MOS-C1 to go on the MOSFET's but I'm unsure as to how many I will need. Below is a link to a closeup of the board. I've put red squares around what I think could benefit from having a heatsink on it. But some probably aren't the kind of chips to get hot. I'm not sure, so I was wondering if someone could take a look for me



I found 20 (which works out well as there are ten sinks in each pack). You can click the image for a bigger view.

I've got to head off to work soon, but I will snap a few pics of components so far and the unboxing process for the Prodigy tonight if I get the chance

[sammy_b0i]

Okay, here are just some introductory pics. Nothing everyone hasn't seen before, I'm sure. All pictures are large thumbnails, you can click to see bigger if anything takes your fancy.

Box.



Obligatory techno-cat picture. Also, this case comes with a proper manual. It's awesome too.



Standard Prodigy pose.



Now, the 5.25" panel here was quite loose when I took it out of the box. It seemed to be pushed in and wiggled around when I poked at it. Upon taking the front cover off, it just fell out onto the floor. I tried putting it back in, but it still fell out when clipping the front cover back on. Managed to get the timing and an equal force between both sides when putting it back on, and it stayed put in the end. Strange.



A fair few loose ends around the case need snipping off



From the side.



The bottom left-corner of the removable drive bay looked a bit warped, so I took a picture. It still removed and re-inserted as expected, but it just looked a little off.



Speaking of looking a little off. Looks like someone was a little rough putting it together. The paint has been scratched off in the below picture, and someone really gave it to that screw





Everything out, and looking much better already.





A collection of things to go in.



Camera is playing up a bit. It's just a cheap P+S but it's having trouble charging. There won't be much to update until all the cooling arrives. But I'm still after input on the post above this one about the MOSFET locations.

[sammy_b0i]

Alright. Well, I went ahead and ordered two packs of the MOS-C1's and I'll just do them all I guess. Also grabbed some clear washers at the same time from The Kool Room, as the H-series cooler backplate fouls on a chip on the back of the H55N-USB3 and it works well to install it without it just by using plastic washers on each bolt individually.

Will update again when something happens.

[zero_velocity]

Looks good man keep the pics coming

[mrbean_phillip]

Now, I can't go into the thread without making a mention of Phill (well, second mention if you count the build intro ). I wouldn't have been able to even start this project without him. His generosity enabled me to find a local Prodigy and get everything organised. This little project wouldn't have gotten off the ground without him. So cheers to Phill for his very much appreciated help.

Hey Sam,
No worries Mate, you're very welcome I know you're going to do the Prodigy proud, enjoy the build! Going to be a good one by the looks of it - keep up the good stuff, will be checking back to see what mishief you're up to

[Dingostolemyghz]

Originally Posted by sammy_b0i

But I'm still after input on the post above this one about the MOSFET locations.

fire it up, anything too hot to touch whack a heatsink on it

[asho444]

those swiftech fans are exactly the same as the xspc fans at gammods for about $5 each if I remember.

scrap that had a retard moment, build looks good tho these make amazing lan boxes

[sammy_b0i]

Originally Posted by Dingostolemyghz

fire it up, anything too hot to touch whack a heatsink on it

Heh. Well I've already ordered two sets (and a third coming through OCAU as spares) so I'll probably just do them all. Can't hurt to have them oversinked, I'm sure!

[sammy_b0i]

Lookee what arrived today



Thanks to PCCG and Stellios @ The Kool Room for these goodies.

Don't have any time to get anything in tonight, but maybe soon

All we're waiting on now is the H100. It was shipped today by Amazon, but the expected delivery date is 2-3 weeks from now

[zero_velocity]

Originally Posted by sammy_b0i

Lookee what arrived today

Nice little collection there cant wait to see pickies of it in the prod

[Keggyo]

Nice 1 mate...Im looking to do a similar build in the near future

[sammy_b0i]

Cheers guys. Real life commitments are getting in the way pretty heavily at the moment. Not sure when I'll even get the ten minutes spare to un-box again and install those fans. I'm working towards it though

[sammy_b0i]

Very quick late night update! Snagged some free time and put the MOSFET sinks onto the board. Camera is still acting up, so had to take with phone. So apologies for the average quality pictures, but the board looks great with the sinks!





Again, click for larger image!

[zero_velocity]

Ah cool you got all ur heatsinks on good work.

Are you going to have any fans directed at the mobo to cool them?