I get a lot of questions about my computer. So I thought I would create a tour through Area 52 and how and why it was built. The why is simple. Last summer I decided I would need something to keep me busy after I retired at the end of the year. I love golfing electronically and have for 30 years (since Leader Board Golf in 1987), so I decided it was time to expand my gaming interests. I then took a closer look at steam as a client, which I hadn't in years, and lo and behold there was a whole sub-culture within the steam distribution client. A network of gamers, WAY better than faceplant as a social medium, imho.

So anyhow, my first mission was to build a rig that would play any game for at least a few years to come. I have been building my own computers since I was a kid. Anyone remember the heath kit? A lot of hours I spent devouring how it worked lol. So I ramble, in the following sections I will discuss what went into my gaming rig, Area 52, and why it is named as it is. Thank you for taking the time to enjoy Area 52.

CHASSIS

For the chassis I decided to go with the Phanteks Enthoo Evolv ATX Tempered Glass case. I decided to spend the extra on the tempered glass because I have owned many cases that have had plastic see through windows that always end up with scratches, I hate scatches. The two other reasons this case was the choice was the build quality. It has a steel frame covered entirely with thick plate aluminum. and secondly it has no external drive bays, and as I was not interested in an optical drive in this rig, it makes for a very clean look.

MOTHERBOARD

For the motherboard I chose the ASUS ROG Strix X99 Gaming. There were MANY reasons for this decision. The board is ROG, hence it is hand made, with attention to detail next to none. The board has onboard LEDs which are software controllable. The board supports the new USB 3.1 interface, which was important for VR considerations. The board supports the ASUS fan extension card and the ASUS overclocking controller. Industry leading drive support.

CPU

The CPU was the next thing to consider and Intel was the only choice at the time. I wanted at least a 6 core but decided to go with the 8 core Intel i7 6900k mostly because of its 40 pcie lanes. The 6800k 6 core only has 28 lanes and as I was going with SLI, I needed the 40 lanes.

RAM

The RAM was a more interesting choice. I actually went with Kingston HyperX 8x8 DDR4 but found that having all the modules in such close proximity to each other was a temperature issue. So as I was shopping around for a suitable replacement I found Corsair ROG Dominator Platinum DDR4 3200 4x16. So it was ROG, it was faster and it was 4 modules, leaving space to dissipate heat more efficiently.

GPU

The computer was initially built with dual ROG Matrix Platinum GTX 980ti's. Near the end of the build ASUS finally released the ROG Strix GTX 1080OC, so I found homes for the 980's and went with the new 1080 in sli. That was the smartest thing I did, the temperature differences between the two are formidable... a full 15 degrees celcius under same loads same fan settings.

PSU

The power supply was an easy choice. I wanted at least 1000 watts, modular cabling and a fan with controllable RPM. So at the time of the build there was only one choice. The Corsair HX1000i, which also has iLink. iLink connects the power supply to the motherboard via a USB header, and with iLink software you can control the fan speed.

CPU Cooler

I really had a decision to make with the cpu cooler. I could go with the tried and true corsair, but after doing some research found that the better bet was Swiftech. Why? some would ask. There are numerous reasons. 1. the radiator has a copper core and its fins are less tightly packed allowing for better air flow. 2. the fans are custom E-Loop fans, excellent for my application. 3. even though it is an AIO, it has a sealable reservoir allowing for future loop expansion. 4. it came with a fan controller board, again fitting my plans. 5. the pump has an industry leading 1 gallon/minute throughput. A much better liquid cooler than any of the corsair products, although twice the price. You get what you pay for in this case.

Fan Extension Card

It became apparent early in the build that I would require more fan headers than the MB provided. One thing I did have to consider was whether the software I use for telemetry would be able to recognize the extended module. After some communication with the author of AIDA64, and some coding from him, this was the only choice.

ROG Overclocking Panel

This is one of the best inventions MB manufacturers ever conceived! It allows me to test overclocking methods on the fly, without the effect of operating systems.

Cablemod Modmesh Cables

I have used many cable sets to build computers and by far these are the best. They mold well and hold their shape. Pay the extra, you won't regret it!

SSD

For the main drive I chose the Samsung 850 SSD with Vnand technology, a 500 GB to run the operating system and a 1TB to install games to. The 500GB drive allowed lots of run for the development software I run as well.

HDD

For local storage I went with the seagate Ironwolf 2TB NAS hdd. The rig is connected to a network with a 70TB server, so storage size was not a concern, just a drive that will last a long time.

MONITOR

At the same time I started building Area 52 Vizio was advertising a 4K TV with an effective 120hz HDMI input designed specifically for gamers. I then seen it on sale for $799.00, and that made my decision for me. This panel replaced a 3 monitor setup I had been using for about 3 years, and the 4k is incredible with some games, especially Elite Dangerous! I love it, it is too bad they don't make them anymore.

VR GEAR

There were not too many choices when I decided to purchase the HTC Vive. It was really the only choice for Steam.

MOUSE

I have always been a logitech fan, so when I read the specifications on the G900 there could be no other choice. Rechargeable lithium ion, wired and wireless, remote dongle and the highest poling rate of any wireless mouse on the market. It has the precision needed to play any game at very high levels.

KEYBOARD

The G910, with its Romer-G mechanical keys and customizable illumination was an easy choice. When it comes to keyboards, you certainly get what you pay for!

WHEEL

I am sure there are better racing wheels then the logitech G920 on the market, but the logitech was a great choice, mainly for the stand that was available at the time.

STAND

This is the best invention since sliced bread! Fits both the G920 and my Saitek Pro X52 flight controls.

FLIGHT

The Saitek X-52 was the best choice for me. I have used many flight sticks and this one is the best feeling I have ever used. I love it.

TELEMETRY

For monitoring area 52's telemetry I chose the Samsung Galaxy Note Pro 12.2, it has a beautiful screen. Using AIDA 64 and Logitech Gaming Software, along with a custom presentation screen I am able to see, at a glance, exactly what all the components are doing in real time.

These are some pictures of Area 52. I will explain them further when I finish the guide.

https://www.3dmark.com/fs/10751273