Building a new system...

[GTP]

I'm just in the process of building a new system. I think this will be the last computer I will ever use.
It's going to run Linux Mint 22.1 "Xia" and whatever Linux Mint comes after. I plan on running 4 VM's all with WattOS and BOINC.
The only game I play now is Left 4 Dead 2, and that runs quite happily on Linux.

This PC will never have Windows on it! I'm done with Microsoft now!

Components:

AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D AM5 CPU 3D V-Cache. (12 cores for gaming and running Linux VM's to crunch BOINC projects.)

Asus PRIME B650M-A WIFI II-CSM-SI AM5 motherboard. (Can take advantage of the EXPO ram).

2 x 2TB Lexar LNQ790X002T NVMe's Gen 4 7000/6000 MB/s

AMD Radeon RX 7800 XT (16GB) Video Card. (Great all rounder for gaming, BOINC, and general computing with better performance than nvidia 4070.)

Cougar MX330-G PRO BLACK TG ATX Case USB-C, 5.25", 385mm.

Corsair CMK32GX5M2E6000Z36 32G 2x16G D5-6000 Memory AMD "Expo" compatible.

Cougar Poseidon Elite ARGB 360 BLACK AIO water cooling.

Cougar GEX PRO 850 850W 80+ Gold ATX3.1 PCIe 5.1 fully modular power supply with 10 year warranty.

I'll reformat my present "gamer" and install Mint on it as well.
It's an i7 8700, 16 GB ram, and a 1 TB NVMe with an MSI B360M Motherboard. It'll repurpose well with some VM's to crunch BOINC projects.

 

[frase]

I am still on Virginia, though do not use it often. I have never heard of the Cougar brand before, what is the cable management like on those- the case?

 

[GTP]

I am still on Virginia, though do not use it often. I have never heard of the Cougar brand before, what is the cable management like on those- the case?

Cable management is excellent. The case is quite large, heavy and has plenty of room inside.
Has a cute little fold down/up table for SSD's. When fitted they fold flat against the back of the case.

 

[GTP]

Some blurry progress pics.

 

[GTP]

I started fitting the AIO cooler but one of the standoffs for the water pump is damaged. Looks like the threading tool in the factory got misaligned?



Disappointing to say the least! I have to wait till Monday to call the supplier.

 

[GTP]

Power cables from the PSU are a soft, pliable rubber coated material. Nice to work with.
All cable ends clearly marked so you don't get confused.

 

[frase]

How is the construction not flimsy like other cases? That hex front air grill looks easy to snap. It is good that it has the PSU Cover or whatever one calls it.

 

[GTP]

How is the construction not flimsy like other cases? That hex front air grill looks easy to snap. It is good that it has the PSU Cover or whatever one calls it.

It's surprisingly good for an $80 case. And no, it's not "flimsy" like other cases I've used. Some of them were so flimsy I felt embarrassed to sell them to the client!
Good luck trying to snap that front grill! Looks can be deciding. It's fairly solid and feels robust. (I'm not sure what you'd be doing to actually break it anyway?)
Overall the case is quite heavy and there's no way you could twist it like some cases. The Tempered glass panel is really heavy too.

 

[frase]

It's fairly solid and feels robust. (I'm not sure what you'd be doing to actually break it anyway?)

I am capable of many things lol.