My original FX8150 8-Core CPU computer 'Mathmos Madness' build from 2011 has seen better days. It had been relocated to a spot under my workbench where it was connected to a monitor and the Internet but I didn't power it up too often because it was so darn slow! Windows updates took forever. It wasn't much use as a gaming machine anymore since I have over 10 other machines that would be selected before this one, so I knew it's time was limited. But wait! There is no reason you cannot rebuild a machine and improve it's performance in all areas! It was time.
I recently purchased a combo deal at MicroCenter for a new AMD 5600X3D CPU and 16 GB of DDR4 RAM along with a nice Asus B550 motherboard. I could not help myself. Yes, even though I just built Wine-Time less than a month ago, here I am starting another project. Somebody help me. But before they do, here I shall document the upgrade process of the Mathmos Madness rebuild. In fact, I'm removing the Mathmos light from the top and it really needs a new name when I'm done.
To start this project, I needed to pull it out of its home under the workbench at Big Al's Computers and start removing some of the parts. I noticed a 1200 W PSU in there and that will certainly be the PSU I use for the rebuild. I ordered a few 120mm RGB fans to go along with some 140mm RGB fans I already had on hand, and this rebuild will have more RGB fans than you can throw a stick at when I'm done.
I'm ordering some fans and pulling some old parts out, such as the FX8150 motherboard. I will be doing some modding on the top of this case to accommodate two 140mm RGB fans. At least, that's the plan!
My plan is taking shape today. I spent a few hours at my workbench (where all my Big Al Computers are built), cutting the second hole for the other 140mm RGB fan. Then I sized up some window screen to act as a dust filter. Below you can see the whole process, from getting the hole cut to mounting the fans. I had to think for a few minutes on how to mark the holes for the fan screws. A scratch awl just wasn't doing it. Then I decided to dip one of the dust filter nozzles into a can of white paint to mark the holes. This worked great! Now I could center punch the marks and drill the holes. I even countersunk the holes so the screws would be flush with the top.
I plan to remove most of those bay devices, leaving the two optical drives. However, I must find the cover plates in one of my storage boxes - and I don't know which box they are in! That's going to be a pain.
I did some more modding this morning, after spending another 2 hours going through my boxes - looking for cover plates to this case. I found the large bay device covers (I only needed one though) and only 1 of the 2 smaller bay covers. I found a workaround with another cases small bay cover, so it worked out.
I also found a bit of 'Modder Mesh' that I had saved from my old 'Printer-to-Computer-Deja-Vu' build that I decommissioned a few years ago. I used that with a 120mm Asus RGB fan in the front bay area because this case really needed more airflow. I'm happy with the results too.
Even though I'm still waiting on the M.2 system drive to arrive, along with some RGB fans, I had enough of the parts on hand to attempt a boot of this computer (which still needs a new name). This morning I installed the CPU onto the motherboard and then installed the motherboard into the case. Back in went the PSU, which I noticed had a few cables that were kind of short (like the CPU power cable); since there is no room behind the motherboard to stuff cables and such, this build will be showing many PSU cables that really cannot be hidden. My only option would be to buy PSU cable extenders and that's not worth it to me (note that most of them are directly wired to the PSU, so it's only semi-modular).
Anyway, I got everything hooked up that I could connect (a few fans are awaiting the new parts) and it successfully booted into the BIOS. I didn't have to mess with the FTM settings at all on this build, and I will await the RBAR setting change until I acquire a decent video card. I will also need a decent monitor too, but I need to wait a while until burning through more money. Maybe I'll wait until August 2023.
Yesterday my 2 TB M.2 drive arrived, but it came in the US Mail and didn't show up until dinner time. I was busy with dinner and then yoga after that, and something to do with testing in this forum. So I did get it installed, but today after my Cat Tuesday activities, I installed Windows 11. This time I bought the Windows 11 Home key from a site recommended by Tom's Hardware, and it was about $39 after fees and taxes. But it worked, saving me around $80-$90 USD off the retail price of the Windows OS. I'm happy the authentication key worked without any issues.
Now I have all the updates done and a few games installed via Steam. This is still a 1080p gaming machine until I can find the money for a new monitor and a new video card. I want to get those before my upcoming Labor Day LAN party(ies). More on that later when things get finalized.
Ok, I got my Asus RGB fans installed, using the Asus controller and now I have a total of seven RGB fans running in this case. It's pretty quiet too, so I think I can handle a high power video card when some money becomes available. I also want to get a 32" or 34" 1440p gaming monitor to replace the old 1080p 60 Hz monitor I have right now. I did some gaming tonight with World of Tanks and the AMD graphics software said I am getting an average of 55 FPS - not bad considering the monitor is limiting me. It does look pretty nice though, even at 1080p.
This afternoon, after a 2-hour massage in the morning I might add, I added some RGB lights to the interior of Osborne-Again-2, even though it's not connected to anything. These lights come on when Through the Looking Glass is powered up. It looks pretty nice actually.
I also received my USB-3 hub and extended cable for the Lian-Li-X3D machine, so now all my USB cables reach without having to stretch across the back of the bar area. Small things, but it's an improvement.
So much for waiting for suggestions - I just ordered the LG UltraGear QHD 34" curved VA gaming monitor 34GP63A-B with HDR 10 compatibility, AMD FreeSync premium, 160 Hz from Amazon for $334. Please note that I asked my wife Sandra permission first! She sent me a gif of money flying, but said, "Sure, why not?". She's a keeper.
I need to wait until August before considering an upgrade to the video card. I know my RX580 will struggle to run the new monitor when it arrives next week. I need suggestions on an AMD video card that's a good fit for this setup of the 56003XD and the 34" 2K, 160 Hz, 1440p monitor.
I move fast. I was researching video cards this morning and I found a good deal on the PowerColor 7900XT; same price at Newegg, Amazon and MicroCenter. But at Microcenter, when you add it to your cart, suddenly its $50 off, meaning $699! Not so with Newegg and Amazon, and I live 25 minutes away from MicroCenter in Fairfax, Virginia. So I asked my wife about me buying it now, rather than waiting until August. She said go for it. Now I'm becoming suspicious. Is she planning to buy something herself soon? Anyway, when I paid for the video card with my Microcenter credit card, I got another 5% discount. This card, with state tax, cost me $706. That's a good deal I do believe. Now I will be ready for that 34" gaming monitor when it arrives later this coming week.
My 34" monitor arrived this afternoon. Yes, it's a good day! I have it hooked up with a 10' DP cable to the 7900XT video card and it looks very nice. I tried World of Tanks - Blitz for a few minutes and I got the same average frame rate (55 FPS) as before with the old video card (RX580). I could use some help in getting this thing properly configured with the AMD Adrenalin drivers. The monitor is supposed to support AMD Freesync, but the driver won't let me enable that setting.
I figured out my problem with World of Tanks - Blitz. The game settings I had were limiting the frame rate to 60 Hz. The next toggle up is 120 Hz. Well, duh. That's the highest setting in the game. So I selected that and upped the image quality settings for other things and played a round. Much better. Now it's running at 111 FPS. Makes my day!
Can't you just enable free sync from this page in AMD adrenaline software. Just to let you know, I have never used a free sync monitor so be very careful trusting anything I tell you.
