My EVGA GeForce GTX 970 Gaming PC

    This year for Christmas my main gift was parts to build a gaming computer. So I thought I would share the steps I took when putting it together.

    The first step was to pick out all the components for the PC. This was the most time consuming task of the entire build. After hours of research, reading reviews and looking at specs sheets I had a good idea of what components I needed and what good brands are and etc. But as with anything that is piece built there is always a some uncertainty that all the parts will fit and work well together. That is where I found the help of pcpartpicker.com
this site is an incredibly helpful tool through the entire process. You can save parts lists and price them out from different stores around the internet, it even take into account sales and mail in rebates to fine you the best prices. Possibly the most helpful tool is the compatibility checker, it will alert you if any parts on your list are not compatible and it will tell you where the issue is. You can also look at builds from other people that use the same components that you are looking at using.

So you can find my parts list HERE at my build page on pcpartpicker.com



    Now after getting all my components I had to assemble the computer, which in my opinion was a lot fun. Seeing something come together that you more or less designed is pretty rewarding, even more so when it works at the end of it all.

    First thing first lets get all the cards on the table literally in this case.
Below is a list of all the components.

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor 
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 
Motherboard: ASRock Z97M Pro4 Micro ATX LGA1150
Memory: A-Data XPG V1.0 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600
Storage: PNY Optima 240GB Solid State Drive
Storage: Hitachi Ultrastar 1TB
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 970 4GB Superclocked ACX 2.0
Case: BitFenix Phenom M
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA NEX 650W
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate (64-bit) 
Monitor: Asus VN247H-P 23.6"
Mouse: Logitech G602 Wireless Optical Mouse

    Then I assembled all the important parts for an external boot test. This is just to make sure you dont have any bad parts before you do all the work of fitting it into the case. Here I used the CPU, CPU Cooler, RAM, Motherboard, Video Card and power supply.

     Next was getting the motherboard into the case which was pretty simple 6 screws I think.

    After the motherboard comes the power supply and all the wires with it. well I should say most of the wires...there is more to come.

    I then added some more wires when I connected my storage drives. Both drives get separate power and data cables.

    Then came the all important video card. To be honest I had put the video card in several times before only to take it out again to fit more wires around it.

  Almost done just mounted up the bracket with my storage drives on it into the case. After that all that is left is to do some wire management and slap the case together.

    Then here it is all put together and booted up for the first time. Now to clean up the table and move it off the kitchen table.

    Ok here it is all setup and running in the office. I all had to do to move it in here was to go shopping with my wife so that SHE could get a new desk..... I'm still trying to figure that one out.

                                               As always if you enjoyed please donate. Thank you.

                                                                    

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