6. Build Photos

The following photos illustrate the innards of the two machines; each shot is from two different views. The only obvious visual difference is the CPU cooler, where the Gigabyte Volar in the quad-core build stands up a lot taller than the Thermaltake in the dual-core build.

In fact, the only really noteworthy experience we had from these builds - because they are so similar to those we did for a recent story on Quiet PCs - has to do with the coolers. We understand why cooler vendors use snap-in clips on some LGA 775 coolers instead of screw on or metal-strap type tie downs. In practice, these work well as long as you don’t have to remove and reinsert the fittings too often. But because they’re plastic, they break if they are subjected to too much fatigue. We’re not aware of any easy way to replace the bracket to which the fitting is attached, without also replacing the cooler. It seems a shame that a 10 cent part can require the re-purchase of a $30 to $45 item. You can see the plastic fitting project through a hole in the motherboard in this detailed photo right up against the copper heatsink beneath the CPU socket.

Quiet PCs

We find the same kinds of snap-in fittings used for case fronts nowadays, and have come to know and fear them from working on cars, where they’re also frequently used to join parts together without screws or nuts and bolts.

Other than this admittedly minor quibble with these systems (both the Thermaltake and Gigabyte Volar coolers used these snap-ins), the rest of the build was pretty easy. The CoolerMaster Cosmos case is great to build in, and it’s got ample ventilation with two rear and one top exhaust fans, plus an underside intake fan; all are quiet 120 mm models, as well. The following photos show how the components fit into the case with lots of room to spare. The Volar’s bright blue center spindle cover and upright position makes the quad-core easy to distinguish from the dual-core with its lower-profile, more unassuming Thermaltake cooler.

Looking out the back of the case, the Volar cooler is pointing right at the camera. Note all the room for drives in the Cosmos case.

Looking up from the bottom of the case, you can see the two exhaust fans at the top, and another exhaust fan across from the CPU socket on the rear.

Looking out the back of the case, the lower profile Thermaltake has a red logo on the fan spindle.

Looking up from the bottom of the case, note how there is plenty of room at the center for power and data cables, to maximize airflow across the motherboard and its components.