[Build Log] Hoshī

PCs & Hardware Builds
1

Introduction

Hey there! Welcome to 'Chew’s PC build log! :grin:
The OG, excessively long Build Log is o’er at LTT. This one here will be slightly condensed? :thinking:
(With the operative word being “slightly.” :derpdorp:)

What’s Old News

  • Name
  • Parts List
  • Revision History
  • Post-Hardware Installation List (Windows OS)

What’s New News

  • Future Upgrades!

Name

Names are important. A good name expresses the personality of its bearer well, and likewise, a good title-bearer should live up to its name. I built Trolley-PC in March 2020, but waited until the Fractal Design Define 7 Compact Upgrade in October 2020 before naming my PC, 'cos I couldn’t think of a suitable name for it.

What's up with "Hoshī"?

The name crossed my mind as I was listening to 星降る夜のラピス (The Starry Night’s Lapis), a song collab by TUMENECO and GET IN THE RING. It is absolutely one of my favorite songs – perhaps my favorite, period. I love everything about the song – from the arrangement, to the vocals, to the lyrics – as well as other contextual factors – like it being a collaborative effort between my two favorite Touhou doujin circles, or it having two versions sung by my two favorite Touhou vocalists みぃ (Mie) and yukina.

At the 2:01 mark, the song goes: “ねえ、星が綺麗。” That particular part of the song struck me vividly.

  • The lyrics bear an uncanny resemblance to the romantic phrase, “月が綺麗。” Translated literally, it means, “The moon is beautiful.” Figuratively, however, 月 (つき, or tsuki) sounds much like 好き (すき, or suki); the former means “Moon,” the latter means “Fondness,” “Like,” or “Love” (contexual). Hence, “月が綺麗。” could also be interpreted as “好きが綺麗。” or “Love is beautiful.” It’s a poetic way of confessing attraction to someone.
  • In the song’s case, 星 (ほし, or hoshi) sounds similar to 欲しい (ほしい, or hoshī; extended ī sound); the former means “Star,” the latter means “Want,” “Wish,” or “Desire.” Thus, “星が綺麗。” / “The stars are beautiful.” could also suggest “欲しいが綺麗。” / “Want is beautiful.” It makes a sublime sort of sense in relation to the song. (Hehe, sub-lime, ayyy…)

欲しい, or Hoshī, is very appropriate for my build. The entire purpose of my PC revolves around frivolous, unadulterated want – as opposed to, say, the need for a server, workstation, or a backup system.

  • I wanted to own my first desktop PC.
  • I wanted to experience building my own PC with parts that I picked out.
  • I wanted to use the PC to play games at graphics settings that my laptop couldn’t handle.
  • I wanted PC building bragging rights.

Also, the name’s short and sweet. Purposely understated and unassuming, and a perfect fit for my build. :smiling_face_with_three_hearts:

TLDR:

Deep breath.
I chose a weeb name because I AM A WEEB AND I’M PROUD TO BE A WEEB.
Clears throat.

Parts List

Component Selection Price
CPU AMD Ryzen 5 3600X $159.99
CPU Cooler Noctua NH-D15 chromax.black $99.95
Motherboard ASUS PRIME X570-PRO $210.00
Graphics Card SAPPHIRE NITRO+ Radeon RX 6950 XT PURE $959.99
Memory G.Skill Trident Z Neo 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR4-3600 CL16 $139.99
Storage WD_BLACK SN770 500 GB M.2 NVMe SSD
Seagate BarraCuda 1 TB 7200RPM HDD
Seagate BarraCuda 4 TB 7200RPM HDD
Inland Professional 240GB SATA SSD		 :denmode:
$10.82
:denmode:
$0.00
Power Supply EVGA SuperNOVA 1000 P6
CyberPower CP1500PFCLCD (UPS)		 $224.99
$199.49
Case Fractal Design Define 7 Compact $88.99
Case Fans 1 × Noctua NF-F12 chromax.black
4 × Noctua NF-A14 chromax.black		 :denmode:
$94.50
Operating System Windows 10 Education 64-bit $0.00
Monitor Sceptre C325B-QWD168
Sceptre E255B-1658A		 $340.97
$163.16
Keyboard K-4398 (43Studio 4398 Keyboard)
(Modded Silent POM (210g) Switches)

Eighty #391 (Mode Designs First Edition Eighty)
(Modded Silent L7 (TS-150g) Switches)

REALFORCE R2 TKL
(BKE Extreme Redux (90g) Rubber Domes)

MGK64 - Den-Fi’s GK64
(Barebones)

Den-Fi’s NIU Mini
(Kailh BOX Navy Switches)

The GMMK TKL
(Barebones)

Den-Fi’s Qisan Magicforce Numpad
(Gateron Blue Switches)		 :derpdorp:


:derpdorp:


$260.37


:denmode:


:denmode:


$69.00


:denmode:
Mouse Logitech G703 $44.99
Headphones HIFIMAN ANANDA
Drop + HIFIMAN HE-35X
Antlion ModMic Wireless		 $550.00
$55.00
$90.00
DAC/AMP Fostex HP-A4BL DAC/AMP :denmode:
Wireless Adapter ASUS PCE-AX58BT $61.79
Grand Total
(Shipping + Taxes Excluded)
(Keyboard Expenses Excluded)		 $3,823.99
+ :truck:
+ :denmode: + :derpdorp:

Revision History

Last Updated: 01/29/2023
  • [02/19/2020]: PC Parts List
  • [03/29/2020]: Trolley-PC Build
  • [04/12/2020]: EVGA DG-75 Case Update
  • [09/29/2020]: Noctua NH-D15 CPU Cooler Update
  • [10/07/2020]: Fractal Design Define 7 Compact Case Update
  • [12/06/2020]: Carbon CableMod Extensions Update
  • [02/13/2021]: ASUS PCE-AX58BT PCI-E Wireless Adapter Update
  • [03/02/2021]: ASUS PRIME X570-PRO Motherboard Update
  • [03/03/2021]: Minor Adjustments Update
  • [06/19/2021]: Expansion n’ Extensions n’ Stuff!
  • [01/12/2022]: Desk Stuff
  • [01/28/2022]: Extra Storage
  • [08/05/2022]: vBIOS Update
  • [10/12/2022]: Performance Stuff
  • [01/29/2023]: Forced Upgrades
Trolley-PC Build


Thermaltake Case + PC Parts
My roommate generously lent me his old Thermaltake case for an indefinite amount of time.
Gotta take out his old parts first, though.


POST! :pepesaber:
Nothing was DOA, everything seemed to work fine.
Will need to check with CPU-Z and run benchmarks to be sure.
…I never ran any sorta benchmarks, lol.


Trolley-PC!
Old Thermaltake case was missing standoff screws, PCIe slot screws, and the PCIe lock thingy, so I couldn’t / didn’t use it.
Shoutout to my roommate again, whom graciously lent me his wired keyboard for first time installations.

EVGA DG-75 Case Update


EVGA DG-75 Case
'Chew’s first PC case! A total hotbox. :sweat_drops:
Build materials and quality was a’ight, tho. Especially for a “budget” / $59.99 case.
Case was sold to my co-worker earlier this year. :wink:


EVGA DG-75 Decals
Thanks, EVGA. I’m never gonna use 'em. :laughing:


EVGA DG-75 Interior
When I saw the interiors online, I thought, “Cable managing this thing is gonna be a pain in the butt.”
Also the back/side-panel was kinda difficult to remove, I had to get my roommate’s help with it.


Finished Build Interior - Side 1
UGH. The nostalgia. :rofl:
M-M-Muh first PC (in a case)! :blobooo:


Finished Build Interior - Side 2
Cable managing this thing was a pain in the butt. :test:


ESCHEW-PC - Up n’ Running!
…The first thing I do is check for WUs on Folding@home and log in to RPG MO, kek.


ESCHEW-PC - Finished
And from then on, 'Chew never, ever liked TG side panels. :rofl:

Noctua NH-D15 CPU Cooler Update


Noctua NH-D15 chromax.black + Simon
Sheep is Simon. Simon says “Hi.” He has lovely derpy eyes. :blobooo:


ESCHEW-PC
First time actually popping open the PC since it was built in April.
…I don’t recall what the wire leading off to the right was supposed to be. :joy:


CPU + CPU Cooler + Stock Thermal Paste
Thermal paste looks kinda scarce. :eyes::sweat_drops:
Sorta expected to see more thermal paste residue on the CPU and CPU cooler. Granted, I was using the stock cooler and didn’t have extra thermal paste lying around… Ehhh…


CPU + CPU Cooler - Cleaned
Cleaning off that sticky whitish residue. :eyes:
Shoutout to my roommate, whom gave me an entire bottle of isopropyl alcohol ‘cos – the newb that I was am – I flippin’ forgot to get some. :dedbodi:


RTFM
Reading the flippin’ manual… :memo:


THUNK!
Dafuq, wut just fell out.


AM4 Bracket Backplate
That day, 'Chew learned the existence of a CPU Cooler / Bracket Backplate.
…Half a year after starting her PC building hobby. :joy:


AM4 Bracket Backplate - Back in Place
OK, moving on from that embarrassment… :joy:


Mounting Bar / Bracket Installation
Would’ve been infinitely easier if I had three hands or if I bothered to get some electrical tape. :sweat_smile:


Noctua NT-H1 Thermal Paste
SQUIRT. :sweat_drops:
Sq00dle sq00t. :derpdorp:


NH-D15 - Installation
Tiny tool.
Screw with confidence. :rofl:


EVGA DG-75 + Noctua NH-D15
According to the DG-75’s specs, they aren’t supposed to fit together.
Max CPU Cooler Height: 150mm. NH-D15 Cooler Height (w/Fan): 165mm.
TG side panel closed up just fine, tho. :rofl:
WTF is that wire going to the right tho?!

Fractal Design Define 7 Compact Case Update

Fractal Design Define 7 Compact vs. EVGA DG-75 Size Comparison
Length matters, when the d**k is tiny and the case is too big.
(Desk, y’all, DESK.)


ESCHEW-PC - Interior
Just over a week after the NH-D15 was installed, and I’m moving PC parts again. :weary:


Graphics Card Removal - Unscrewing PCIe Slots
…The fisting eagle in the background is getting on my nerves, a lil’ bit. :neutral_face:


ASRock Radeon RX 5600 XT Challenger D OC Graphics Card
Y’know, I thought about getting the XFX RX 5600 XT THICC? Aesthetics, right?
Apparently everyone and their mother says its performance sucks, tho. :pensive:
The ASRock RX 5600 XT Challenger D is mediocre, at least.


Motherboard Removal - Unscrewing Standoff Screws
Terribad claustrophobic pic, but the point is, 'Chew really recommends a magnetic screwdriver.


GIGABYTE B450 AORUS PRO WIFI ATX Motherboard
Also: AMD Ryzen 5 3600X, Noctua NH-D15, TEAMGROUP T-FORCE VULCAN Z 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR4-3200 RAM, Inland Premium 512 GB M.2 PCIe NVMe SSD, and… Wireless Mouse Dongle. :laughing:


PSU Removal
Down and out? :flushed:


EVGA SuperNOVA GA 650 W PSU + PITA Cables
Shameful admission: Bought the GA slightly influenced by PSU Tier List Leader’s implied authority.
Not that it was a direct recommendation, but more like, it didn’t seem like an outwardly faulty PSU?
…I still don’t know jack about PSUs. Or MOBOs. Or anything?
:derpdorp:


W0TER.MP3 Break!
Stay hydrated! :cup_with_straw:


Fractal Design Define 7 Compact Case
Not the best case for low thermals, but still better than the EVGA DG-75.
Get a Cooler Master, Phanteks, or Lian Li, if you want a generic airflow case, kek. :stuck_out_tongue:
Ah, Meshify C is also an option, I guess. But, wanted a Compact ATX case, and the Mesify C Compact wasn’t an option in late 2020, tho.


Fractal Design Define 7 Compact Case
Flushed design. No thumbscrews. :heart_eyes:


Fractal Design Define 7 Compact - Side Panel Removal
Side panels slide in and out vertically (Z Axis); I don’t need a large horizontal space (X-Y Axis) to open my case up (e.g. side panels with handles or that slide out the backside).
Probably a very niche advantage, but it’s important in my use case and I’m very grateful for it. :+1:


PSU Installation
PSU, with its modular cables connected, goes in first.
Not a fan of mashing my hand against a rat’s nest of cables, trying to figure out which connector goes into which PSU port.


Preliminary Cable Routing
Cables always give me a headache. :tired_face:
Also, would recommend putting the HDD Rack back in, before tying all those cables down. :eyes::sweat_drops:


Motherboard Installation
'nother claustrophobic pic, kek.


Define 7 Compact - Progress
Nearly there! :partyparrot:


Graphics Card Installation
The final screw!
Because muh case doesn’t use thumbscrews, heh. :wink:


Hoshī - POST + Startup!
Also, 2:30 AM, lmaooo. Apparently it was a work day and I had to wake up at 7 AM?
Well… Now my work day starts at 6 AM, lol. IDK what I was complaining about. :rofl:


Desk Setup
:blobooo:
Back when my desk was simpler!

Carbon CableMod Extensions Update



Hoshī - Standard Braided Black Cables
Dooon’t worry about the floppy USB Type-C cable.
Motherboard didn’t support USB Type-C. :derpdorp:


Motherboard 24-Pin ATX Connector - PITA #1
This cable sucks to remove.
Probably doesn’t help that chonky boi NH-D15 gets a lil’ bit in the way.
Muh fingers demand recompense for the hell they’ve been thru. :anger:


Hoshī - Top Bracket Removal
Brain decided to be smart that day and remove the top bracket before wrestling with the CPU 4+4-Pin.


CPU 4+4-Pin EPS Connector - PITA #2
:reee:


Graphics Card 6+2-Pin PCIe Connector
I like this cable. This cable is easy to remove and DOESN’T FREAKING KILL MY FINGERS.


Hoshī - Connectors Removed
The floppy cable beasts lie defeated. I am victorious. Tremble before my fearsome might. :triumph:


Motherboard 24-Pin ATX Cable Extension
Thicc!


CPU 4+4-Pin EPS Cable Extension
Smol!



Hoshī - Extensions Installed
The difference is like day and night! :pepesaber:
…You’ll be seeing these two shots a lot, from here on out. :laughing:

ASUS PCE-AX58BT PCI-E Wireless Adapter Update


Hoshī + ASUS PCE-AX58BT + Electric Duster
Might as well take the opportunity to clean 'er insides up a bit. :smiling_face_with_three_hearts:


Hoshī - Interior
There’s a thin layer of dust here n’ there. :eyes:
Ah, case fans were also on my shopping list. :memo:


Hoshī - PCIe Slots
[Squints.]
…Dat clearance for the PCIe x1 slot, lol.
Ahahaha… It is nooooooooot gonna fit under the Noctua chonky boi.


ASUS PCE-AX58BT - Installed

PERFECT FIT. :ok_hand:


Hoshī - ASUS PCE-AX58BT Installed + Cleaned Up!
There was an unhealthy puff of dust when I blew the electric duster through Hoshī. :joy:


Wireless Networks
Wi-Fi is the B450’s onboard WiFi. WiFi 2 is the ASUS PCE-AX58BT.
Was worried how the PC would handle having two wireless network adapters, seems it just works seamlessly?
Awesome. :grin::+1:

ASUS PRIME X570-PRO Motherboard Update

Uhhh…

The socially-acceptable, practical reason I swapped out my GIGABYTE B450 AORUS PRO for an ASUS PRIME X570-PRO is to make use of the case’s USB Type-C front header, which the GIGABYTE B450 doooeeesn’t support.

…The more important reason was the GIGABYTE AORUS MOBO’s obnoxious gamer-y aesthetics was getting on my nerves. Performance-wise, the B450 was perfectly fine for my use case, and the X570 is prooobably overkill for a Ryzen 5 3600X, ahahaha… :derpdorp:


Hoshī + GIGABYTE B450 AORUS PRO Motherboard
…Friggin’ obnoxious angles and weird fisting eagle logo. (ಠ_ಠ)


Hoshī + ASUS PRIME X570-PRO Motherboard
Yeeey~ :pepesaber:
Now to slap the case’s opaque, metal side panels back on my baby and not see its internals for another year. :derpdorp:
I CAN FEEL Y’ALL JUDGING. I DO WHAT I MUST TO EASE MY MIND, M’KAY?!

Minor Adjustments Update

Preparing to sell Hoshī’s excess, unused parts to a coworker! Specifically, the GIGABYTE B450 AORUS PRO WIFI motherboard and the EVGA DG-75 case.

…Thank the heavens. I’ve been meaning to pawn off the case for a while, but whomst the heck would want a giant glass hotbox like the DG-75, lol? :sweat_smile:

And, since I want to be a decent human being, I’m selling both parts boxed with 99% of their original accessories. Uh, 99%, because I need the one M.2 screw that came with the GIGABYTE board; my ASUS PRIME X570-PRO was missing it’s M.2 screws + standoffs baggie. (Isok, I prodded the seller and they refunded me $10 for the inconvenience. :+1:)


NVME M.2 SSD Heat Spreader
Some dingus decided it would be a stellar idea to keep the GIGABYTE’s heat spreader stuck to Hoshī’s boot drive.
Dingus be me. 'Chew the dingus.
Miiight be a good idea to swap out the heat spreader with another one lying around, especially if I wanna sell the GIGABYTE board with it’s OG parts. :sweat_smile:


Hoshī - NVME SSD + Heat Spreader Reinstalled
[Eye twitches.]


Hoshī - Graphics Card Reinstalled
Slightly better…?
[…Eye twitches.]
FEKKIT, I’m adding M.2 standoffs to my Amazon shopping list, FRIGGITY FRECK FECK.


Hoshī - Cables (Before)
SATA cable that came with the GIGABYTE board is in the bottom-left corner.
…Don’t look at the rat’s nest. DON’T.


Hoshī - Cables (After)
Cleaned ‘er up a lil’. Left side doesn’t look as hectic as before, methinks. :eyes:


Hoshī - Antenna
Swapped out the GIGABYTE antenna with the one that came with the ASUS PCE-AX58BT.
Huh… I might like this better? Reminds me of Zero Two, lol.
…I haven’t watched Darling in the FRANXX.


GIGABYTE B450 AORUS PRO WIFI Motherboard - Box Contents
There we go. Baggies aren’t the original baggies, but almost all of the MOBO’s original accessories are in there.
Missing one M.2 screw should be fine? Coworker did tell me he only has SATA SSDs, no NVME ones. :thinking:


EVGA DG-75… Box
Heeey, my hoarding habits paid off for this one – it still has it’s OG packaging with OG form-fitting foam inside, kek.

Post-Hardware Installation List

Installation list for Future ‘Chew to have a clear-cut order of things, especially if I need to reinstall Windows. Based off JayzTwoCents’s Guide and personal preferences. ¯_(ツ)_/¯

  1. Windows 10 OS Installation Media (Offline)
    • Recommended: Enter Product Key (For Correct Windows 10 Install)
  2. Disk Management (For SDDs/HDDs)
  3. Windows Updates (Online)
  4. Preferred Browser (Chrome, Firefox, Etc.)
  5. NVIDIA / AMD Graphics Driver Update
  6. Display Preferences / Monitor Settings
  7. RAM XMP Settings
  8. Motherboard Drivers / Updates (Chipset, Ethernet/Bluetooth, Audio, Sound Card, RGB Software, Etc.)
  9. Essential Software (7Zip, Java, LibreOffice, Malwarebytes, Notepad++, Etc.)
  10. Additional Software (Discord, GIMP, Skype, Steam, VLC, Etc.)

Closing Comments

I fully realize that my build is far from balanced. For $1,500 (approximate total cost, minus the UPS + peripherals), I wager others could draw up a significantly more powerful system. But note that I’m no OC’er, and I have very minimal interest in “min-maxing” my build’s price-to-performance. It works perfectly well for my current use case – primarily gaming and F@H/BOINC – and I’ve yet to encounter any detrimental hardware issues I couldn’t troubleshoot.

Would also like to send many thanks in @Den’s direction – a very significant number of Hoshī’s PC parts and peripherals were gifted by him! :smiling_face_with_three_hearts:

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It’s hereeeeeeee!!!

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Hoshī Update - Expansion n’ Extensions n’ Stuff!
Chonky!


Hoshī + Upgrades!
PC’s actually been sitting with the side panel off since… April? :joy:
Long story short, CableMod’s 24-Pin ATX Cable Extension was causing BSODs (Part 1, Part 2).
Got a replacement cable (with Den’s help! :heart:) back in early June.


Hoshī - Cable Management
Y’know when you put a lot of effort into a thing.
Only to tear it down later?
Yeah… :joy:


Hoshī - Rat’s Nest
Ugh. Cursed. :weary:
But, gotta deal with the rat’s nest to get at the HDD rack.


Hoshī - Underside
Props to Fractal Design for the rail design, much appreciated.
Lets me slide the HDD rack without fully removing its screws.
If say, I needed to get at the bottom slot (currently blocked), I give the rack a temporary slide to the right, and I can pull it out. :+1:


HDD Tray + Seagate 4 TB HDD
From Den! :smiling_face_with_three_hearts:
…I’m gonna game on it. :eyes::sweat_drops:
For the record, this is the 7200 RPM one, not the 5400 RPM.


HDD Dampener
I only noticed the shape of this thing now.
Uh, eight months after building in the Define 7 Compact case.
And… I’m fairly certain I installed it wrong the first time around. :dedbodi:


HDD Tray + HDD Dampeners
Dampeners in the same plane as the HDD tray.
Makes sense, as that way, they can make contact with both the vibrating HDD and the screws holding it to the tray.
'Chew is the biggest derp. :derpdorp:


HDD Tray + HDD Assembled
Assembled (:super:), heh.


HDD + CableMod Cable Extension Installed
I actually started with the cable extension first.
Too busy muttering colorful words under my breath to take pics of it at the time. :rofl:
Don’t look at the HDD corner. Don’t.


Hoshī - Front Panel Removed
Like the rest of the Define 7 Compact, removal of the front panel is completely tool-less.
Just, yoink! :ok_hand:



Hoshī - Back + Front
Featuring the Define 7 Compact’s default fans:
1 × Fractal Design Dynamic X2 GP-12 Case Fan
1 × Fractal Design Dynamic X2 GP-14 Case Fan


Case Fans
:pepedetect:


Hoshī - Noctua Fans Installed!
This took me waaay too much effort. :tired_face:
Ran into clearance issues between the top fans and the 4+4 pin EPS Cable Extension.
Also, please ignore the cable leading up to that fan in the front. Pls, TY.



Hoshī - Back + Front
Yaaas!
Having all the fan slots occupied makes 'Chew super happy. :grin:


Data Transfer - Media (D:) to Backup Plus (E:)
Before the hardware upgrades, I made a backup of the Media drive on my Seagate Backup Plus.
Partly 'cos I had something to restore, if I ran into issues moving all my games to the new HDD.
Also partly to get an idea how fast or how slowly data would transfer.
Ignore the Windows estimate, the copy-pasta took mebbe an hour, for 200 GB of stuff.


BIOS
HDDs detected? Check.
Fans running? Check.
(Yes, I plugged fans into the AIO and Water Pump headers. Cable lengths, yanno.)
Cable Extension, I’ll have to check over the next week. Hopefully power delivery will be stable and no BSODs. :crossed_fingers:


4 TB HDD Automatically Detected!
Didn’t have to fanagle with Disk Management and pull up YouTube tutorials!
Den is to thank. :smiling_face_with_three_hearts:


Data Transfer - Media (D:) to Local Disk (E:)
Hm… Don’t remember how long it took. I think I was cleaning up tools and leftover accessories after the hardware upgrade? Eh. ¯_(ツ)_/¯
After copy-pasta’ing my games over, went through the tedious part of “repairing” game clients and correcting game directories.

Steam is easy and painless, everything’s done automatically and in an instant.
Origin needs the user to find the game’s new folder, and can verifying files take a while, depending on how large the game is.
Ubisoft Connect is also easy and painless, seems to be automatic. Buuut I only have one Ubisoft game to test that with.

Actually did the physical fiddling around June 19. Spent the next two weeks watching out for any BSODs or funky PC issues. :eyes::sweat_drops:

Aaannnd…!

I think I’m safe…? :crossed_fingers:
UGH. Pleeeaaase, let me be safe. :tired_face:

Also, also!

Smol thankies to everyone that chimed in, in the Fractal Design Define 7 Compact - Airflow Question and the 4 TB SSD/HDD - Recommendations? threads! :heart:

Case fans and orientation, I’m pretty satisfied with. :+1:

4 TB storage space, I’m currently also satisfied with? Haven’t noticed any significant changes that affect gameplay or loading times, though keep in mind I was moving from one HDD to another HDD (low standards are low, haha), and I’ve barely grazed the surface of that chonky 4 TB capacity.


Hoshī - Open SIde Panel
Don’t close the side panel unless you’re certain it’s running properly. :weary:
Learned that lesson during BSOD month. :dedbodi:


Hoshī - Closed Up!
Define 7 Compact’s side panel makes it sooo painlessly easy to close up shop, even in compact spaces. There’s like, an 1.5 inches of space, between the UPS and the PC.
Don’t need a lotta horizontal space (X-Y Axis). Just a bit of headroom (Z Axis) to slide it in, and it closes up with a literal touch. No thumbscrews FTW! :smiling_face_with_three_hearts:

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Hoshī Update - Desk Stuff


Current Desk Setup

New Stuff Since Last Update

  • Sceptre C325B-QWD168: 32" Curved Monitor
  • WALI GSDM003: Desk-Mounted, Gas Spring Monitor Mount
  • Blank Black Deskmat: 900 × 400 mm*
    • Actually 885 × 400 mm.
  • InKEY Plushie
    • Behind Danbo. :rofl:

Ah, the monitor mount’s slightly visible in the photo, but from where I’m sitting, the vertical monitor blocks it from view.

Finally got around to fixing the stupid angled gap between the monitors, with help from roommate!

…Solo’ing monitors and monitor mounts is a giant PITA. It’s easier with hotshoe (coldshoe?) VESA mounts, but I still do not recommend. :joy:

BTW, vertical monitors?
If you don’t have a second vertical monitor now, do get one.
120% recommend.

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Hoshī Update - Extra Storage


Inland Professional 240GB SATA SSD + SATA Cables
Got the SSD a while back, but hadn’t had the motivation to use it 'til now.
Also, about two days ago, I realized I didn’t have extra SATA data cables lying around.
Managed to mooch the SATA cables from the coworker I sold the GIGABYTE MOBO to. Bless.


Hoshī - Cable Management (Before)


Hoshī - Cable Management (After)
The freaking rat’s nest is growing. :tired_face:
…Just gonna slap the side panel on and forget about it. :derpdorp:


Disk Management
It’s the F: Drive.
Yes, it’s called NSFW. Yes, it’s in plain sight in File Explorer.
…Don’t worry about it. :rofl:

Disk Management - New Volumes
Been a while since I last touched Disk Management, so I looked up Jayztwocent’s Post-Build Guide. Steps listed below for Future 'Chew’s reference, since she disdains watching video tutorials.

  1. Start Disk Management.
  2. Initialize Disk should appear for new drives.
    • Select GPT (GUID Partition Table).
    • The new drive will appear with a black bar and the Unallocated description.
  3. Right-click on the new drive and select New Simple Volume.
    • Specify Volume Size:
      • Simple Volume Size in MB: Default Value.
    • Assign a Drive Letter.
    • Format Partition:
      • File System: NTFS.
      • Allocation Unit Size: Default.
      • Volume Label: Drive Name.
      • Perform a Quick Format.
  4. Complete the New Simple Volume Wizard, and the new drive should appear in File Explorer.
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image
image4032×2268 1.47 MB

This has me :hot_face:

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She called it a nest…
Man… if my cable nests looked this good. :rofl:

Side note:

Seeing bits of Cotton Candy Threads in another system always makes me smile. I think that was my favorite build as basic as it was.

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Hoshī Update - vBIOS Update
As I understand it, when it comes to vBIOS and flashing, the mantra is, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”

[Proceeds to flash vBIOS.]

Someone: Is the graphics card broke?
'Chew: Neu*.
Someone: So, why?
'Chew: Yes. :derpdorp:

Asterisk (*)

Asterisk (*): Okay, this is not entirely truthful. There have been multiple instances that I’ve run into AMD driver timeouts, but these happen so infrequently and so randomly that I can’t pinpoint the exact cause. Could be the infamous but incredibly vague “AMD drivers” issue, could also be something else.

For the record, I have tried DDU + reinstalling fresh drivers. No dice.
Also – respectully – I’m not currently looking for help. I appreciate the thought, but please do not jump in with proposals that end up corrupting this Build Log into a troubleshooting thread.

Flashing the vBIOS
Specific for the ASRock AMD Radeon RX 5600 XT Challenger D, and written for Future 'Chew’s reference. Doubt that ASRock will pop out an updated vBIOS for this card in the future, but eh.

Resources

vBIOS Versions

  • 113-EXT900162-L05: L05 vBIOS (Stock)
  • 113-EXT900170-L07: L07 vBIOS
  • 113-EXT40650-001: L08 vBIOS
Checking the Current vBIOS Version


Windows Settings
System ⇒ Display ⇒ Advanced Display Settings


Advanced Display Settings + Adapter Properties
Display Adapter Properties ⇒ BIOS Information

vBIOS Flashing Tutorial

  1. Download and extract the latest vBIOS and AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition to their respective, separate folders.
  2. Restart the PC.
    • On startup, check that AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition is running.
  3. From the vBIOS folder, run Update.cmd to update the vBIOS.
    • Updating should take 5 - 10 min.
    • SUCCESS: Restart System To Complete VBIOS Update. should appear with a successful update.

  1. Restart the PC.
  2. From the AMD folder, run Setup.exe to reinstall AMD drivers.
    • PC should undergo two restarts before drivers have been successfully reinstalled.

Successful Flashing


AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition
Apparently the L08 vBIOS brings with it an upgraded a 14 Gbps memory clock / bit rate (stock was 12 Gbps). Also higher power limit and GPU adjustment range?

Awesome.
I have no idea what that means or how that applies to my use case. :rofl:
But I’m happy the flashing worked and didn’t brick my card? :derpdorp:
Not my first time flashing the card, but I didn’t realize I hadn’t written anything about it up 'til now.

If vBIOS flashing solves the sporadic and unpredictable driver timeouts I’ve been getting (doubt it), all the better. If it doesn’t… Well, those graphics cards I’ve been window shopping are looking mighty enticing.

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Hoshī Update - Performance Stuff


EVGA SuperNOVA 1000 P6 + SAPPHIRE NITRO+ RX 6950 XT PURE + APC BE670M1
Performance, baaabyyy!!!
APC UPS is for the modem and router at muh place.


Hoshī - Interior (Before)
So I don’t think I’ve opened 'er up since erm…
Jan 28.
Uh, this is a PSA-reminder to please clean your PCs. Repeat, please clean your PCs. :mega:
There was a groooss amount of dust in there. :joy:


Hoshī - Cable Management (Before)
TBH, I lowkey dread getting new hardware.
Because CABLE MANAGEMENT.
Okay, so listen, I’ve been dealing with cable management at work – twice, because we got new tables in - and now I come back home, not to relax, but to deal with more cable management. :weary: /rant over


Hoshī - Interior (After)

CHONKAY.
Erm, totally forgot to check whether the Define 7 Compact case had enough clearance for the card before buying it. Ah hah hah ha… :derpdorp:
Minor oh shid! moment, but it worked out, lucky me. :sweat_smile:
Hopefully that Graphics Card Supporter does it’s job.


Hoshī - Cable Management (After)
Off-Screen: Aching Back, Sore Fingers, Intermittent Cursing, Bruises (Following Morning), Chaotic Mess of Open Boxes and Parts, Hiccups

Post-Hardware Swap
DDU’d it after I got Hoshī POSTing. :pepesaber:

Resources

Condensed Step-by-Step

  1. Download and extract the latest DDU and AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition to thier respective, separate folders.
  2. Restart the PC in Safe Mode (without Networking).
    • Shift-Click on Restart.
    • Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Startup Settings > Restart.
  3. From the DDU folder, run Display Driver Uninstaller.exe.
    • Options: See below.
    • Select Device Type: GPU
    • Select Device: AMD
    • Clean and Restart / Clean and Do Not Restart > Shut Down.

  1. After the PC restarts, from the AMD folder, run Setup.exe to reinstall AMD drivers.
    • PC should undergo two restarts before drivers have been successfully reinstalled.


HWiNFO64 System Summary
Medium Potato CPU with Beeg Potato GPU. :derpdorp:


Folding@Home Client
Let’s goooooooooo 2 mil PPD! :pepesaber:
(But am gonna be playing games so actual PPD’ll be lower.)
Was getting approximately 900K PPD with the RX 5600 XT.
Psst, Team ID: 1062631.

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Hoshī Update - Forced Upgrades
So, 'Chew actually hasn’t touched her desktop PC in over a month, being preoccupied with RimWorld and cozy laptop-in-bed times.

PC silently borked on 1/16. The PC sat downstairs with it’s monitors dark, it’s fans were audible, and it’s RGB was still rainbow’ing. The only way I knew about it was thanks to XOC’s F@H charts:


EXTREME Overclocking Folding@home Stats - Eschew
The huge dip on 1/16 is when my main pointsgetter (Hoshī) borked.
The tiny blips that continue after 1/16 is 'cos I installed F@H on my work’s office PC, lol.

It’s shown similar symptoms before, and usually I interpret it as my PC needing to update it’s AMD drivers. Though, this time, I got constant BSODs immediately after startup, even when I tried booting into Safe Mode. Stop Code: CRITICAL_PROCESS_DIED wasn’t very informative, so I brute forced it until I got a successful DDU through, and just as I started installing AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition, the install process tells me it failed.

After that, more BSODs. And restarts. And BSODs again.

Next step for me was to nuke the OS and reinstall Windows 10… Except I couldn’t even get past the install process. Either the PC BSOD’d again, or Windows 10 simply refused to install to the wiped drive.


Windows 10 Setup - Error Message
I think I had a different Error Code, but the general message was identical.

At this point, I’d concluded the issue was the physical drive itself. “I’m through with Inland Premium’s NVMe drives,” I said, “2/2 drives failed on me.” But before I could place an order for another NVMe SSD, Den sent one of his over – Priority Shipping, too. :sob:


WD_BLACK SN770 NVMe SSD Installed (Black Heatsink)

Turns out, the issue still persisted, even with the new SSD.
God, FML.

Okay, so the SSD isn’t the issue.
Not any of my other drives either, 'cos I’d disconnected all of those.
Not the graphics card either, or else I’d be seeing weird graphical stuff.
And probably not the PSU, these don’t seem to be voltage-related issues I’m running into.

Earlier in the day, Den suggested I run MemTest86 to see if RAM was the issue. I tried it, and…

  • Attempt 1 (Both RAM Sticks): Test froze at Pass 33%, Test 50%.
  • Attempt 2 (Both RAM Sticks, XMP Disabled): Test froze at Pass 33%, Test 50%.
  • Attempt 3 (One RAM Stick): Test froze at Pass 33%, Test 50%.
  • Attempt 4 (Other RAM Stick): Test FAIL. Test aborted due to too many errors.

Did a quick search regarding MemTest86 – specifically what it means if the test froze (MemTest86: Freezing and Lockups), and whether a FAIL definitively meant faulty RAM (MemTest86: Troubleshooting Memory Errors).

Please be aware that not all errors reported by MemTest86 are due to bad memory. The test implicitly tests the CPU, L1 and L2 caches as well as the motherboard. It is impossible for the test to determine what causes the failure to occur. However, most failures will be due to a problem with memory module. When it is not, the only option is to replace parts until the failure is corrected.

Well, great.
Though, the pattern of errors above led me to believe that at least one – but most probably both – of my RAM sticks were faulty. In the event I was off the mark again, I was going to replace the motherboard and CPU and commit crimes.

“If it came to that,” I thought to myself in the shower, “I’d have replaced every part of my original PC build.”

Saturday: Tustin

> 5:00 AM: Wake up.
> 5:30 AM - 6:20 AM: Break all the speed limits.
> 6:30 AM - 9:00 AM: Hike at Peters Canyon Regional Park.
> 9:15 AM: Eat gyros and chicken souvlaki – nevermind, they aren’t ready yet. BRB.
> 9:20 AM - 10:00 AM: Kill idle time in Micro Center’s parking lot.
> 10:00 AM: Purchase RAM and – “Will that be all?”, “Yes, thank you.”, “Did you find everything–”, “Yes, thank you.” – let me go, I have places to do and things to be. Please and thank you.
> 10:30 AM - 10:50 AM: Get gyros and chicken souvlaki to go. Damn, they smell nice.
> 10:50 AM - 11:30 PM: Break all the speed limits, except when idiot drivers stop and slow on the highway for no god damn reason. There weren’t even any roadside accidents, whaddafuq.
> 11:40 PM - 12:00 PM: God damn it, I have to buy groceries. Been running out.

Actually my Saturday morning was awesome. Hike was pleasantly exhausting, Micro Center people were friendly and no-nonsense, gyros people were great, and the gyros and souvlaki were hella bomb.

Could things finally be looking up?! After an entire week of nausea and low morale induced by PC troubleshooting?


MemTest86 - PASS (One RAM Stick)
Yes.

Alright, but we’re not out of the woods just yet. Let’s do it with both sticks–


MemTest86 - PASS (Both RAM Sticks)
Double yes.

Sunday: Reinstall… Everything
This is the boring part where I spend hours waiting for the progress bars on installations and game verifications to run across the screen.

Here’s some success pics, instead.


Hoshī - Interior
My pride, my heart, my child.
Had to relocate the NH-D15’s fans 'cos of clearance issues. If I put the fan over the RAM, the side panel won’t close up.
…I took an admittedly hilariously long time to re-figure out how those metal wires / fan hooks work. :joy:


RGB
Stupid shiny RAM.
The RGB isn’t sync’d, and one of the few instances I really do not care to change it due to an intense aversion towards RGB mal-bloatware. OpenRGB doesn’t seem to detect / support the SAPPHIRE 6950 XTs.


HWiNFO64 System Summary
Let’s see… 32GB (2 x 16GB), DDR4-3600, CL16-19-19-39, 1.35V, check. :+1:


CrystalDiskInfo - WD_BLACK SN770 NVMe SSD
Healthy 100% SSD. :pray:
Thank you again, Den! :sob:


EXTREME Overclocking Folding@home Stats - Eschew
WE ARE.
Back in business, babyyy!

Also I guess I owe AMD, Lisa Su, and Inland Premium / Micro Center an apology, lol. Not that they care?
In my technical inexperience and hot-bloodedness, I was unfairly blaming them and their products for this catastrophe.

No, I should really be saying FucThank You to Newegg and TEAMGROUP.
Thank you for selling me faulty RAM listed as new, Newegg!
And if Newegg actually received faulty RAM to sell as new, thank you for manufacturing it TEAMGROUP!
Really, capital F and capital U, Newegg and TEAMGROUP.

I’m just happy that Hoshī’s back up and running, now. :crossed_fingers:
Good freaking Lord, what a week.
(It’s not just me, seems like other folks have been having a tough week as well.)

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