Custom PC - UK (2020-05)

Corsair K70 RGB MK.2 SE

• Cherry MX Speed

The Corsair K70 RGB MK.2

SE is a premium mechanical

gaming keyboard that’s built

to last. It has a silver anodised

brushed aluminium frame,

as well as stunning white

precision-moulded, double-

shot keycaps. It’s built to turn

heads and withstand a

lifetime of gaming. There’s a

detachable, soft-touch wrist

rest too.

Meanwhile, its Cherry

MX Speed mechanical

keyswitches provide the

reliability and accuracy you

demand, with blisteringly fast

1.2mm actuation. There’s

also stunning per-key RGB

dynamic backlighting, 100

per cent anti-ghosting with

full-key rollover, 8MB of

on-board memory, plus

dedicated media controls.

To enter your machine for possible inclusion in Readers’

Drives, your build needs to be fully working and, ideally,

based in the UK. Simply send us a couple of photos on

Twitter (@CustomPCMag) or Facebook (CPCMagazine),

or email low-res ones to [email protected].

Fame isn’t the only prize; you’ll also get your hands on

some fabulous prizes.

Alphacool

water-cooling gear

Water-cooling hardware

manufacturer Alphacool is

offering a choice of £150

worth of gear to every

featured Readers’ Drives

winner. For your prize, you

can select from DIY water-

cooling kits, the Eiswolf and

Eisbaer all-in-one CPU and

GPU liquid coolers, as well

as a vast range of individual

components, including

waterblocks (pictured),

fittings, reservoirs, pumps

and radiators. Alphacool

also makes coolant, tubing

and fans, as well as

modding and water

cooling-related tools.

BE A WINNER

WORTH

£170

WORTH

£150

Painting the frame was tough as

well. I was really happy at the prep

and priming stages, but putting on

the top coat didn’t go as planned. The

weather was very much against me

for a start, as it was too warm for the

paint to adhere to the metal properly.

I had to sand back the problem areas

and try again. At this point, the only

thing that helped was patience.

The final problem was that I

misjudged the clearance for USB

plugs going into the motherboard’s

rear I/O panel. The plugs clashed

with the desk when the computer

was put in place, so I had to order

some 90-degree USB adaptors,

which improved the look of the case

anyway, as it all looked neater.

How are you planning to keep

dust out of your components?

Michael: There’s actually been

very little dust building up since

completing the build, but if I do notice

any dust, I find that an unused makeup

brush is great for removing it, as the

soft bristles get into all the crevices.

How long did it take you to

complete this build?

Michael: Projects such as this one

take a lot longer than they should if

you’re a working dad. I had the chassis

crafted in February last year, and I did

little bits here and there throughout

the year, but the bulk of the work was

done during October. I finally finished

it in late November last year, so it took

ten months in total.

Are you completely happy

with the end result, or do you wish

you’d done some of it differently

in retrospect?

Michael: I’m really proud of

the end result, especially the

cables. As a beginner with water

cooling, I didn’t want to create the

outlandish runs that I’ve seen on

other mods, but I’m really happy

that I give it a go and I’ll never look

back – I urge everyone to give it a

try! The only aspect I was a little

dubious about was the paintwork

on the frame, but it worked out in

the end. I wish I could change the

position of the SSD, though, as I

would like it to be on show.

Corsair K70 RGB MK.2SE

• CherryMXSpeed

The Corsair K70 RGB MK.2

SE is a premium mechanical

gaming keyboard that’s built

to last. It has a silver anodised

brushed aluminium frame,

as well as stunning white

precision-moulded, double-

shot keycaps. It’s built to turn

heads and withstand a

lifetime of gaming. There’s a

detachable, soft-touch wrist

rest too.

Meanwhile, its Cherry

MX Speed mechanical

keyswitches provide the

reliability and accuracy you

demand, with blisteringly fast

1.2mm actuation. There’s

also stunning per-key RGB

dynamic backlighting, 100

per cent anti-ghosting with

full-key rollover, 8MB of

on-board memory, plus

dedicated media controls.

Toenteryourmachineforpossibleinclusion in Readers’

Drives, your build needs to be fully working and, ideally,

based in the UK. Simply send us a couple of photos on

Twitter (@CustomPCMag) or Facebook (CPCMagazine),

or email low-res ones to [email protected].

Fame isn’t the only prize; you’ll also get your hands on

some fabulous prizes.

Alphacool

water-cooling gear

Water-cooling hardware

manufacturer Alphacool is

offering a choice of £150

worth of gear to every

featured Readers’ Drives

winner. For your prize, you

can select from DIY water-

cooling kits, the Eiswolf and

Eisbaer all-in-one CPU and

GPU liquid coolers, as well

as a vast range of individual

components, including

waterblocks (pictured),

fittings, reservoirs, pumps

and radiators. Alphacool

also makes coolant, tubing

and fans, as well as

modding and water

cooling-related tools.

BE A WINNER

WORTH

£170

WORTH

£150

Painting the frame was tough as
well. I was really happy at the prep
and priming stages, but putting on
the top coat didn’t go as planned. The
weather was very much against me
for a start, as it was too warm for the
paint to adhere to the metal properly.
I had to sand back the problem areas
and try again. At this point, the only
thing that helped was patience.
The final problem was that I
misjudged the clearance for USB
plugs going into the motherboard’s
rear I/O panel. The plugs clashed
with the desk when the computer
was put in place, so I had to order
some 90-degree USB adaptors,
which improved the look of the case
anyway,asit alllookedneater.

How are you planning to keep
dust out of your components?
Michael: There’s actually been
very little dust building up since
completing the build, but if I do notice
any dust, I find that an unused makeup
brush is great for removing it, as the
softbristlesgetintoallthecrevices.

How long did it take you to
complete this build?
Michael: Projects such as this one
take a lot longer than they should if
you’re a working dad. I had the chassis
crafted in February last year, and I did
little bits here and there throughout
the year, but the bulk of the work was
done during October. I finally finished
it in late November last year, so it took
ten months in total.

Are you completely happy

with the end result, or do you wish

you’d done some of it differently

in retrospect?

Michael: I’m really proud of

the end result, especially the

cables. As a beginner with water

cooling, I didn’t want to create the

outlandish runs that I’ve seen on

other mods, but I’m really happy

that I give it a go and I’ll never look

back – I urge everyone to give it a

try! The only aspect I was a little

dubious about was the paintwork

on the frame, but it worked out in

the end. I wish I could change the

position of the SSD, though, as I

would like it to be on show.