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OverclockersUK's system builders have managed to build a system with adequate cable management while using a non-modular power supply. Unused PSU connectors coupled with the Shinobi's limited cable-hiding locations doesn't assist in improving the system's internal appearance.
Thankfully, as the non-windowed version of the BitFenix Shinobi has been used, the unused power cables won't be such an aesthetic issue.
Zalman's huge, dual-tower CNPS 14X CPU cooler managed to survive the journey without a scratch, thanks to the effective protection. Being kept cool by the Zalman CNPS 14X is AMD's FX-8120 Black Edition octa-core processor that has been overclocked by OcUK to 3.6GHz. We invite you to read our full, indepth review of the FX-8120 here.
Sitting beneath the CPU cooler's front 120mm fan is a pair of Samsung's Green 30nm memory modules that are renowned for their tremendous overclocking potential, as outlined in our review of the product. We had to reinstall one of these modules before testing the system, but cannot confirm whether the stick was incorrectly installed when sent, or if shipping bumps caused it to pop loose. Based on the DIMM slot locking mechanism, we would assume the former was to blame.
Sapphire's stock-clocked Radeon HD 7850 2GB graphics card is equipped with the company's twin-fan ‘Dual-X' cooler. Keep an eye out for the 1GB version's appearance in an upcoming graphics card round-up.
We noticed that the lower screw holding the card in place was absent. After searching the entire case, we found it inside the rear cable management area. We cannot see how a tightened screw can possibly come loose during shipping, so this indicates poor workmanship by the OcUK system builders.
Being forced to manually connect the rear case fan reiterates the feeling that the system has been rushed during its build phase.
The system's OCZ Vertex 2 SSD is installed in the Shinobi's 3.5″ drive bay via an adapter tray. Drive temperatures will suffer due to the omission of a front intake fan.
ASRock's 990FX Extreme 3 motherboard is used as the Titan 8350a King Cobra MK2 system's foundation. The board offers CrossFireX and SLI support with its 42 lanes of PCI-E 2.0 connectivity. Six SATA 6GB/s connections are natively offered by the board's SB950 Southbridge, but ASRock chooses to allocate one of the lanes for rear panel eSATA duties, leaving five internal ports.
A sore exclusion from the board is an internal USB 3.0 header. Given that the majority of newly-released cases utilise the connection, we are disappointed that a high-end board such as this doesn't offer compatibility.
Cables are neatly routed behind the motherboard tray to their destination. Unused cables are stored in the lower right corner of the Shinobi's rear side, adjacent to the drive mounting location.
A large CPU cooler backplate cut-out provides clear access to the motherboard's underside, allowing quick and easy heatsink changes.
Why mount the power supply with the fan upwards? it won’t be sucking in cold air from outside. Fair, very honest review Luke, id like to see more from you in future.
Not impressed with this build at all, although I like the AMD processors, good value for money.
well thats disappointing. Nice components though, but ill build it myself thanks.
I would never order a system from OCUK, their customer support is rude. I had a failed motherboard over a year ago and the hassles I had to go through for a reaplcement were incredible.
Build your own system I say, if you can’t then go to a proper system builder like PC Specialist or Cyberpower
This is rather devious of ocuk, naming it 8350. People will immediately think they are getting a fx8350 processor!
This is just terrible, first of all, what drivers did you really use with the 7850, was is the 12.11?!
Second of all, why in the world name it 8350a…Epic.
Third, i have a similar system, i5 2400 3.2(4 cores) + Asus 7850 2GB V2, guess what?!My 3dmark11 score is http://www.3dmark.com/3dm11/5473705 – 5841.
Shame on AMD…
you need a better gpu like nvidia 660Ti or amd 7950 .
you can save money replace the useless and small 60GB SSD drive with a 750GB WD BLACK.