Computer Builds

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Desktop computers

While it's not my main line of work and I focus more on the software side of things, I enjoy working on custom desktop builds and desktop or laptop repairs as a fun side-project when friends, family, or I need some work done. The below is a collection of some of the major builds I have worked on. This is not a complete list, but it's a good representation of some of the best work I have done.

Custom desktops Laptop repair Friends & family
The builds

Click to jump to the full story about each build!

Project ANDROMEDA-2021
ANDROMEDA

2021 · Personal
Project AD-2020
AD

2020 · Client
Project AH-2018
AH

2018 · Client
Project SOL-2015
SOL

2015 · Personal
2021 Personal

Project ANDROMEDA-2021

Full personal upgrade - RTX 3080 Ti, RGB, and 4K Blu-ray playback

i9-9900KRTX 3080 Ti128 GB RAMFull RGB

My latest project is a new computer for myself, which was a full upgrade. I got a new motherboard, processor, everything. This build was actually completed in two phases, the first part was everything except the graphics card which I built in March of 2021. The rest however was finished in August of 2021 when I was finally able to get my hands on an NVIDIA RTX-3080 Ti. It took me almost 6 months to get it and although it was not at MSRP, it was pretty close so I made a bit of a compromise there. This build was made with the intent of replacing my old build (SOL). I chose this specific motherboard and processor combination however because while I wanted an upgrade generally, one of the things that I knew going into it was that I wanted to be able to play my 4K Blu-ray discs on my PC, which in order to do so requires an Intel CPU with SGX (Software Guard Extensions). My last build did not have this so I couldn't play my 4K Blu-ray discs on my computer. I was lucky enough to come across the right combination though and got that working. I also went full RGB with this build, though I like to switch up the colors from time to time. I also did a nice cable management job in this build if I do say so myself...

System specs
  • Case
    • Phanteks Ethoo Pro Tempered Glass
  • Motherboard
    • ASRock Z390 PHANTOM GAMING 7
  • CPU
    • Intel Core i9-9900K 8-Core @3.60GHz
  • Graphics Card
    • MSI GeForce RTX 3080 Ti (12 GB GDDR6X)
  • RAM
    • 4x Corsair Vengeance LPX DDR4 3200MHz 32GB (128 GB Total)
  • Storage
    • 1x 2TB Samsung 970 EVO Plus SSD (M.2 NVMe)
    • 1x 4TB Samsung 860 EVO SSD (SATA)
    • 1x 2TB Samsung 870 QVO SSD (SATA)
    • 1x 1TB Toshiba SSHD (hybrid, SATA)
  • PSU
    • EVGA SuperNOVA 850W G3
2020 Client

Project AD-2020

Cousin's first gaming PC - built together during the pandemic

i5-9600KGTX 1080 Ti64 GB RAMPetrol blue case

Between the years 2018 and 2020 I worked on a few smaller projects that I didn't document. However, I had a major project come up in 2020, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. My cousin wanted to build a gaming computer, so he saved up some money and worked hard over the course of many months, and eventually had enough to pay for the parts to build a computer. So he paid me to find the parts, which this was right before the graphics card shortage hit, so I was able to source a graphics card relatively cheap and some other parts, then I went over to his house one Saturday and we started on his PC build together. Not only was this a fun build for myself, but I was able to help teach my cousin about desktop computers and he was able to learn about them more. Here are a few photos of this project, including one of the completed build, monitor and all. I love the blue case he picked out, and the white fans on the front were a nice aesthetic touch!

System specs
  • Case
    • Fractal Design Focus G Petrol Blue
  • Motherboard
    • ASRock B365 Pro4 LGA 1151
  • CPU
    • Intel Core i5-9600K 6-Core @3.70GHz
  • Graphics Card
    • MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Ti
  • RAM
    • 4x Corsair Vengeance DDR4 3600MHz 16GB (64 GB Total)
  • Storage
    • 1x 2TB WD Blue M.2 NVMe SSD
    • 1x 2TB Seagate Barracuda HDD x7200RPM
  • PSU
    • EVGA Super Nova 750W G5
2018 Client

Project AH-2018

Holiday-season custom build for a co-worker's son

i5-9600KGTX 1050 Ti16 GB RAMRed lighting

Between the years 2015 and 2018 I worked on a couple smaller projects that I didn't document. However, in 2018 I worked on another major project. This one I worked on for a former co-worker who hired me to build his son a computer. At the time, prices for pre-builts were pretty expensive (it was the holiday season) and I was able to source some parts for a great price and save him a lot of money. I only have a couple photos of this project, but overall this one turned out great. Red is my favorite color, so I definitely like the lighting in this one!

System specs
  • Case
    • Corsair Carbide Series 100R
  • Motherboard
    • ASRock Z390 PHANTOM GAMING
  • CPU
    • Intel Core i5-9600K 6-Core @3.70GHz
  • Graphics Card
    • MSI GTX 1050 Ti - GAMING X 4GB
  • RAM
    • 4x Corsair Vengeance DDR4 2400MHz 4GB (16 GB Total)
  • Storage
    • 1x 2TB Seagate Barracuda HDD x7200RPM
  • PSU
    • EVGA SuperNOVA 650W G3
2015 Personal

Project SOL-2015

My first official desktop gaming PC

i7-5820KGTX 1080 Ti128 GB RAMFirst build

My first official desktop gaming computer was built in 2015. This one was one I built for myself, as at the time I was just starting to get into building computers and more graphic-intensive gaming. I wasn't doing computer repairs on the side yet at the time. I don't have a lot of pictures of this one, but here are a couple pictures of the completed build internals, one with the LED lights on and one without. The cable management in this build could have been a bit better, but for my first build it wasn't too bad.

System specs
  • Case
    • CFI Borealight
  • Motherboard
    • ASRock X99 Killer ATX
  • CPU
    • Intel Core i7-5820K 6-Core @3.30GHz
  • Graphics Card
    • ASUS ROG-STRIX GTX 1080 Ti (11 GB OC)
  • RAM
    • 8x HyperX DDR4 2400MHz 16GB (128 GB Total)
  • Storage
    • 2x 2TB Seagate HDD x7200RPM
    • 1x 4TB Samsung 860 EVO SSD
  • PSU
    • Thermaltake Toughpower 750W