Staff – November 5, 2019 at 10:00 AM
Every serious PC builder knows that a successful gaming setup isn’t just about the machine itself, but its surroundings, as well. In other words, a gaming PC is only as good as its battlestation.
In this segment, we talk to the creators behind some of our favorite battlestations documented across the internet. Ranging from modest, single-desk setups to larger, room-scale affairs, the battlestations we feature in every installment are intended not only to wow and amuse, but also to inspire all the other battlestation-builders out there who can appreciate the pleasures of a good gaming environment.
Interview subject: u/DefyedHD on Reddit
Who are you, and what do you do?
I’m Cole Kincy from Dallas, Texas. I’m a student and an aspiring CS:GO pro.
What was the creative vision behind this battlestation? What sort of look and feel were you going for?
I wanted to make something that would fit a vaporwave theme, something to stay firmly in that vibe.
What were the main points of inspiration for this battlestation?
I build computers for fun and wanted to make my main build something that I can show off for a very long time. I also saw this “Miami”-themed battlestation on Reddit and thought, “Hey, I can do that, but better.” I love Asian culture and wanted the battlestation to have some of my character in it, so I added the Master Ball and the “dumplings” sign.
How long did it take you to design everything and put it together?
Since I’m a student and was in the process of moving during the time I had this idea, it took me a total of three months to get everything delivered and put together the way I wanted it to be.
Walk us through a step-by-step process of designing and assembling the battlestation.
For the case, I went with the amazing NZXT* S340 Elite as I thought that white would go well with the overall theme of the setup. I wanted to go with a Kaby Lake build, so I used an Intel® Core™ i5-7600K and an ASUS® Prime Z270-A board.
After that, I knew I would need some color to make the build fit the theme, so I got four Trident Z* RGB RAM sticks (8GB at 3200mhz). For the GPU, I didn’t want to break budget but wanted something really nice, so I went with an ASUS® ROG® Strix* GeForce® RTX 1070 OC, which also added some RGB to the build.
My cooler and RGB fans are from NZXT. I decided to get the RGB fans because they looked amazing in Bitwit’s Christmas build on YouTube. For my drives, I used two SSDs from Samsung and a 1TB HDD from Seagate. For more lighting effects, I bought the NZXT* HUE 2 and linked it to my fans. The last addition I made was the Elgato* Game Capture, which I use to film high-quality videos.
For my peripherals, I used a Glorious PC Gaming Race* Extended White Mouse Pad, a MasterKeys* Pro L keyboard, a Corsair* Void (wireless), a Blue* Snowball mic (with a stand), and a Logitech* G703 wireless mouse because I love wireless mice/headsets and love the white in the setup.
For décor, I got some plants, a toy Master Ball to add some character while sticking to the theme, and an AUKEY* light in the back. I also have an LED strip around my desk and an LED lamp in the room for some more mood lighting.
What are your PC’s specs?
- Intel® Core™ i5-7600K
- ASUS ROG Strix GeForce RTX 1070 OC
- 8GB G.Skill Trident Z Royal 3200MHZ (x4)
- 500GB Samsung* 970 EVO SSD (x2)
- Seagate* 2TB HDD
- ASUS Prime Z270-A
- NZXT* Kraken x52
- NZXT HUE 2
- NZXT* Aer 2
- GPU support bracket from jmmods.com
- Elgato Game Capture
Are there any other future improvements you’d like to make?
If I were to make any further improvements, it would be to the GPU and CPU of the computer. It’s been a while since I’ve upgraded and I’d love to be able to do that!
This interview was edited for length and clarity.
