The parts list for our practical build are listed in the table below. It was a pretty high end build but housed in a quiet case with a quiet GPU solution. Knowing that a large 140mm heat sink is problematic with our M-ATX ASUS Maximus VI Gene motherboard, this is more a more likely cooling scenario for mini ITX or micro ATX systems.
| Define R5 System | |
 |
|
| CPU |
i5-4670K |
| Motherboard | ASUS Maximus VI Gene |
| CPU Cooler | Cooler Master Nepton 120XL |
| Memory | 16GB Corsair Vengeance Low Profile – Black (4x4GB) |
| Case | Define R5 |
| Hard Drive |
Seagate Barracuda 750GB & Samsung EVO 250GB SSD |
| Power Supply |
Fractal Design Integra M 750W |
| Graphics Cards |
MSI GTX 980 Gaming 4G |
| Audio | Mionix Nash 20 Gaming Headset |
| Network | Direct connection to the cable modem & Shared Gigabit connection via Netgear WNDR3700 |
| Optical | Samsung USB DVD drive |
Define R5 build
The Define R5 build came together really well. Installation was a breeze, cable routing and tuning the fans/pump via ASUS Fan Xpert 2 went off without a hitch and the end result looked good aesthetically thanks to some co-incidental component matching. The white lighting on the Nepton 120XL pump went with the MSI white LED logo on the GTX 980 while the red and black of the GTX980 matched the ASUS Maximus VI Gene theme. The Nepton just blended in with its all black fans, radiator and hoses. The hoses sat up nice and high, out of the way and unobstructed.
We tested this with the side panel on and off, noting that it didn’t make a lot of difference for the noise coming from the Nepton unit. The Fractal Design Define R5 case is made to keep the system quiet and ours had the solid side panel instead of the window. I’d be happy to have the Nepton 120XL on display via a window because it is a simple design and looks good in a darker room with the white LED. The gallery below isn’t the best but it gives you an idea of the lighting.
We didn’t have any complaints after completing our practical build and using it for about 2 weeks of gaming and general use.
