Finishing What we Started Seven Years Ago

Linus Tech Tips

2,011,201 views • 19 days ago Save 27 min 4 min read

Video Summary

Seven years after a failed promise to "rice out" a 2004 PC, a high school crush build is finally completed with the help of original collaborator Alex from Zip-Tie Tuning. The project, plagued by a dead motherboard, missing parts, and the departure of a key team member, saw a triumphant return as EKWB provided custom water blocks and Alex rejoined the effort. The resurrected build features a drool-worthy Intel 875 chipset motherboard, a Northwood C 2.4GHz CPU, and a custom water-cooling solution, transforming the vintage hardware into a surprisingly capable machine.

Despite numerous setbacks, including a bowed motherboard from the weight of a massive GPU and challenges with a vertical riser, the team persevered. The "riced out" aesthetic was achieved with M3 badges, a cardboard spoiler, and even a hanging air freshener, culminating in a functional, albeit slow, PC that dwarfs the capabilities of contemporary consoles like the PS2. The project's success is a testament to overcoming obstacles and fulfilling a long-overdue promise.

Short Highlights

A seven-year-old promise to "rice out" a 2004 PC is fulfilled.
The build features a high-end Intel 875 chipset motherboard and a Northwood C 2.4GHz CPU.
Custom water blocks from EKWB were created for the project.
The PC received a "riced out" aesthetic with M3 badges and a cardboard spoiler.
The completed build, despite its age, significantly outperforms the PS2.
Challenges included a bowed motherboard and a failed vertical GPU mount attempt.
The project was a collaboration with Alex from Zip-Tie Tuning.

Key Details

The Promise and the Setback [0:00]

A seven-year-old promise to "rice out" a top-of-the-line PC from 2004 is revisited.
Original plans were derailed by a dead motherboard, missing parts, and the departure of a key collaborator.
"Seven years ago, I made a promise to you guys that I failed to deliver."

Rekindling the Project [1:00]

Months were spent sourcing replacement parts, and EKWB produced custom water blocks.
Alex from Zip-Tie Tuning, the original collaborator, returns to help finish the build.
"When something's important enough, you overcome obstacles."

Unboxing the Core Components [2:00]

The "old school cool" motherboard, an Intel 875 chipset model, is unboxed.
Features include AI overclocking, Northwood CPUs, and DDR 400 RAM support.
"This was like the drool-worthy motherboard."

CPU and RAM Installation [3:30]

A C-Revision Northwood 2.4 gigahertz CPU is installed.
Kingston value RAM is used, with the understanding that DDR1 was overclockable.
"Northwood C's claim to fame was an 800 megahertz front side bus."

Custom Water Cooling Begins [5:00]

A custom water block from EKWB is installed on the motherboard.
The installation process highlights the unique mounting methods of older hardware.
"What a hilarious mounting method."

GPU and Southbridge Cooling [7:30]

The GPU receives a large cooler from Arctic Cooling, noted for its overclocking potential.
EKWB provides a custom heat sink for the Southbridge, purely for aesthetic reasons.
"This was back when Arctic cooling really got on the radar with their silencer series of GPU coolers."

The "Ricer" Aesthetic and Challenges [10:00]

The team attempts a vertical GPU mount using an AGP riser, facing "no worky challenges."
"Ricer" modifications include M3 badges, a cardboard spoiler, and a hanging air freshener.
"We're going to try and mount it vertically, but spoiler, we did have some challenges with it."

Plumbing and Test Post [14:00]

The PC is plumbed with custom green and pink/purple coolant.
A test post is attempted to see if the system posts and outputs display.
"This is going to sound crazy, but I would like to do just a quick sanity check, throw this in and see if it even posts and outputs anything with the GPU and the riser."

Final Assembly and Testing [18:00]

The build is completed with fans, power supply, and IDE cables.
Despite initial concerns, the PC successfully posts, displaying an OLED boot screen.
"It's posting. Dude, that's the best I've ever seen that post screen look."

Performance and Conclusion [22:00]

The PC's performance is tested, showing CPU temps at 23 degrees and GPU at 50 degrees.
The completed build is praised for its aesthetic, despite its slow performance.
"We freaking did it. It's so cool."