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  1. Hardware
  2. PC Cases

Build of the week: Project XnineNINE

Features
By James Davenport published 16 May 2016

Da ba dee, da ba dye, da ba dee, da ba dye.

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James Davenport
James Davenport
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James is stuck in an endless loop, playing the Dark Souls games on repeat until Elden Ring and Silksong set him free. He's a truffle pig for indie horror and weird FPS games too, seeking out games that actively hurt to play. Otherwise he's wandering Austin, identifying mushrooms and doodling grackles. 

Every Monday, Build of the week highlights a unique rig from the web's most dedicated PC building communities.

Blue. It’s a color. Air. It’s that good breathing stuff. Computers. They’re computers. Combine the three and you get Project XnineNINE, a custom build from Malik Customs that maximizes minimalism. It’s an open face build harboring some serious components in a clean utilitarian pose. Were the XnineNINE mounted on a wall, I’d be looking for an artist’s statement.

No open face build gets away without looking a little chunky—bearing it all has that effect, but thanks to the smart use of color, the blues distract from the components’ visual noise and provide a stark contrast to the black framing. It’s a lovely combo that draws the eye towards the build’s best features. That is some beautiful cooling work. Doesn't it just make you want to sing?

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  • A three screen setup is seen on a desk. These screens are encased in an off-white shell designed to look retro and bring to mind classic CRT housing. Redditor handcrafts retrofuturistic set up that wouldn't look out of place on the set of Alien, with precisely zero 3D printing involved

For more pictures and information on XnineNINE, head over to Malik Customs website or their Facebook page. 

 Project XnineNINE components: 

  • CPU: Intel 5960X
  • Mobo: Asus X99-A/3.1 USB
  • Sound: Asus Xonar Essence STX II 7.1
  • RAM: HyperX Savage 64GB DDR4 2800Mhz
  • SSD: HyperX Predator 240GB
  • HDD: WD RED WD60EFRX 6 TB
  • GPU: Inno3D GTX 980 Ti
  • Chassis: Thermaltake Core P5
  • Cables: Cablemod Custom Set Silver/Blue

Cooling components:

  • EK-Vardar F2-120
  • EK-CoolStream PE 480
  • EK-FB ASUS X99 Monoblock - Nickel
  • EK-FC Titan X - Nickel
  • EK-FC Titan X Backplate - Nickel
  • EK-XRES 140 Revo D5 PWM (incl. pump)
  • EK-RES X3 - TUBE 250
  • EK-Ekoolant EVO UV BLUE
  • EK-ACF Fitting 12/16mm - Blue
  •  EK-ACF Fitting 12/16mm - Silver
  • TUBE PrimoChill PrimoFlex™ Advanced
Read more
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