Darkheart Evolved

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Dreadvolt
Member since
Director of Awesomeness
Canada
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Darkheart Evolved

Significant changes have gone into Darkheart since it's inception, and I think it's (for the most part) in it's final form now.

Additions since the original build:

  • Phanteks LUX Digital Halo fan frames x 3 (can't squeeze the 4th in as it doesn't clear the CPU power cables). Acquired with 'free money' after assisting in an online focus group.

  • T-Force Delta RGB SSD (won in a Gleam contest - will likely go into a new build for my daughter at some point)

  • +1 140mm intake fan (original build only had 1 x 140mm be quiet fan in the front)

  • Anne Pro 2 60% mechanical keyboard - primarily got for work to free up desk real estate, but I find myself using this thing most of the time for both work and home. Absolutely love this thing.



Changes since the original build
:

  • Upgraded NZXT case fans (exhaust) to be quiet! SilentWings 3 fans

  • Upgraded be quiet! Dark Rock 4 to the Dark Rock Pro 4 (this thing is so thicc)

  • Upgraded Corsair Vengeance RGB Pro (2x8GB) to G.Skill Trident Z RGB (4x8GB) - same specs, but these fit under the DRP4.

  • Replaced EVGA PSU cables with CableMod ModMesh Pro cables. These were more challenging to work with than expected, but the results simply look so, so much better. I absolutely love the aesthetic.

  • Replaced SteelSeries Rival 600 mouse (will be RMAing a 2nd one shortly) with the G703. The 703 is supposed to be my work mouse, so I may get something like the Glorious Model O- in the next little bit.


Future / planned changes:

  • At some point I'm going to need additional storage, especially when I remove the 500GB T-Force Delta drive. Probably opt for something m.2, so I don't have to far around with SATA cables, so it should be a very simple upgrade when the time comes.

  • New primary mouse as mentioned above. Currently eyeballing the Razer Viper, prog wireless (if I feel rich), or the Model O-.

  • Delayed / Cancelled: For a long time I wanted to vertically mount my GPU to '*fill in*' the space at the bottom of the case. It wasn't until I tried to purchase the 2 slot bracket from EVGA that I learned that this bracket is not usable with the stock cooler as it's only intended for use with a water block. So, until I decide to change GPUs or make the jump to full custom loop cooling system, I'll just show off this thicc-boy from EVGA as is.

That's it. Aside from some additional storage, and a new mouse, I think I've reached the endgame for this machine, and I love it. Kinda wish I'd opted for some of these changes from the get-go, but this way it gives me some spare parts that I can use in my daughters rig.
Color(s): Black
RGB Lighting? Yes
Theme: none
Cooling: Air Cooling
Size: ATX
Type: General Build

Hardware

CPU
$ 275.13
Intel - Core i7 9700K
Socket: LGA 1151
Cores: 8
Integrated Graphics: Yes
Motherboard
$ 226.80
Gigabyte - Aorus Ultra
Chipset: Z390
CPU Socket: LGA 1151
Size: ATX
Memory
$ 152.99
G.Skill - Trident Z (3200MHz) (Black/RGB)
Type: DDR4
Capacity: 32 GB
Graphics
$ 480.00
EVGA - XC Ultra Gaming
Chip Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip: RTX 2070
Storage
$ 149.99
Samsung - 860 EVO
Form Factor: 2.5 Inch
Interface: SATA 6 Gb/s
Capacity: 1 TB
Storage
TeamGroup - T-Force Delta (White/RGB)
Form Factor: 2.5 Inch
Interface: M.2 (M)
Capacity: 1 TB
PSU
$ 189.80
EVGA - SuperNOVA G1+
Wattage: 850
Form Factor: ATX
Efficiency: 80+ Gold
Case
$ 119.99
NZXT - H500i, Black
Type: Mid-Tower
Side Panel: Tempered Glass
Case Fan
Case Fan
Cooling
$ 114.36
be quiet! - Dark Rock Pro 4
Type: Air Cooler
Size (WxHxD): 145 mm
CableMod
CableMod - Classic E-Series G3 / G2 / P2 / T2
Mode: Stock
Sleeve: ModMesh
Color: Black
Keyboard
$ 112.00
Obinslab - Anne Pro 2
Interface: Wireless
Key Switch Type: Kailh Brown
Type: Tenkeyless
Mouse
$ 67.50
Logitech - G703
Interface: Wireless
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