Project-ARK is my main computer, my dream project that I used to dream of owning! Back in 2004 I remember flipping through PC magazines seeing ridiculous builds and I've always wanted to put one together. This project made that dream come true. This is a build that is truly starting to show it's age, as it was completed in 2013-2014. If you enjoy this one, Project-ARK v2.0 will be coming soon!

Part Selection:

CPU:

The i7-4930K was the perfect processor for ARK. I do lots of gaming, video editing, photography, and occasionally mess with 3D models. I work with some encrypted files too. I do tons of multi-tasking, so this processor couldn't be anymore perfect. It's an upgrade from the i7-920 that I was previously using. With it being an Intel CPU, I expect this processor to last me quite some time.

CPU Cooler:

I got the Prolimatech Megahalems as a gift! It is seriously the best looking air cooler on the market IMO. It does an excellent job of keeping the 4930K nice and cool. I have two GELID Wing Fans on it in push-pull, very quiet fans. The only issue I have is with push-pull there is an audible whistling sound at higher RPMs. I'm used to it now but it was bothersome at first.

Motherboard:

I picked this board because it not only looks great, but it's higher end without breaking the budget with the ROG line. It has all the knick knacks for overclocking, and lots of features to help stabilize overclocking. My disappointment with this board comes from the crappy Marvell controllers. My operating system had randomly stopped working every now and then until I switched to the Intel controllers. The spacing of the PCi-E slots was also perfect for SLI. I wish it had the ability to carry a TPM module though.

Memory:

I know, I know. My motherboard has quad-channel capability on the RAM, but is it really necessary? I got this kit because the two GELID fans block the RAM slots closest to the CPU. 24GB is perfect for After Effects and Photoshop. (I know, the listing below says 8GB, but I couldn't find a listing for 24GB) Those programs can get very RAM hungry on larger-scale projects. I've actually run out a few times stitching panoramas together :(

Storage:

I wanted a 1TB SSD for all the games and software that I run. It makes everything snappier now, not just the OS. Both games and programs alike boot up much quicker.

I used to have a bunch of hard drives but I wanted to cut down on the SATA power/data cables. It was getting ridiculous, so I consolidated everything into one 3TB HDD. I know, it's a bad idea to keep all your eggs in one basket but I regularly backup this drive to the other hard drives that are now serving as backups.

Video Card:

The horsepower the two 970s bring is incredible. Absolutely none of my games can make these cards break a sweat. I game on 1080p so this is way overkill, but the overhead is nice for the games that support it. The CUDA core acceleration on my video editing/photo programs is also very nice. Not only are they fast, but they are fairly quiet and efficient.

Case:

What a beautiful tower! I have gone through so many cases. Rosewill TU-155, Sunbeam Transformer, NZXT M59, NZXT Phantom, and now this. This case has been the home for Project-ARK since 2012. I absolutely love this case. The design is subtle, yet sharp. The inverted design is magnificent. It makes accessing peripherals much easier than traditional cases. The inversion also allows for principle of heat rising to work - heat exhaust at the top, while pulling in cold air from the bottom. The concept of positive pressure with the 3 x 180MM on fans works, and it works well - I hardly have to dust this computer. I really love this case. It has been a joy to work with and I plan on keeping it for a very long time. Solid construction too!

Power Supply:

Thinking about it now, 1000W was probably a little overkill. Better safe than sorry though right? I love the new HX line! Zero RPM fan mode is fantastic. It reduces noise and dust with this design. I can monitor the PSU draw, load, fan speed, etc with Corsair LINK too. It is rock solid stable and has given an excellent source of clean, stable power. It looks great too!

If you guys have any questions, let me know! I’ll do my best to answer them. Thanks for visiting my page! Be sure to check out my other builds if you liked this one.