WaterClocker Redux...the third revision - Overclock.net

*CyberDruid* · 06-26-07

Back when I joined this Forum there was a case mod comp. I placed fifth with a lil box I called WaterClocker. I have modded a few cases since then and still deep in my heart I get all mushy over the Lian Li PC7 series...

I've been itching to build third revision of this mod and now seems as good a time as any.

I really like the new reservoir from Performance-PCs.com the Cyclone--it does the job and looks pretty good doing it. Revision 1 had a sidepanel reservoir fabbed into the acrylic, Revision 2 had another sidepanel Reservoir with better flow characteristics and Rev 2.01 eliminated the Reservoir in favor of a L-shaped window in the original panel. This third Revision will feature the Cyclone mounted on the rear 120mm Fan.

The original WaterCLocker was LC before LC was common and I used an automotive transmission coler for the rad--it works great even today. But with the latest from HW Labs looking pretty tasty and performing very well I am using a "standard" 240 PC rad in this revision.

The signature feature of WaterClocker is the fornt fan shroud that I used to duct air through the rad in an efficient manner. The only problem this created was space constraint RE the GFX card. Todays large cards will not fit the original revisions so I am adapting the design and eliminating the shroud in favor of some incredibly powerful fans as intakes to pressurize the case and force air through a side-panel mounted Rad.

Although I do love me a window mod I am going with a Lian Li side panel with a factory insttalled window from Performance-PCs.com for a few reasons. One is to shave cost...the time it takes me to make and mount the window would be more than the cost to buy one...time is money after all. Another reason is to maintain an OEM look to this build. And third I like the wa it looks...apparently so does Lian Li becasue they offer this as a variant with a side mounted 250mm fan! Although this case is not available yet it is listed on the Lian Li site.

My beloved Storm WaterBlock is no longer offered by Swiftech--so for this revision I will go with the unbeatable D-tek FuZion Waterblock and just te keep some original WaterClocker Flavah I will use the original D-5 type 50Z pump from Cooltechnica with the lovely Blue metal body--just for old time's sake. It's powerful, cool-running and looks great.

This WaterClocker will feature HDD HeatSink mounts for the optical bays as well--but I am going internal this time--with a pair of Logisys Blue aluminum sinks. These look fantastic--and will be visible through the large side panel window.

The case and windowed side panel are on their way, I have the rest of the parts I need here.

The Rad will mount to the window on the side panel to assure a good seal that will force the air through. One of the great features of this case is a lack of mesh or other perforations to the case meaning it will pressurize rapidly with few leaks and that shoudl mean good cooling even without the shroud.

For fans I will change out the Lian Li fans with a pair of San Ace I just bought from my secret fan store. These are the fans that Vapor has put at the top of his list. Made by Sanyo Denki these fans push a tremendous amount of air --a real rated 103 cfm with an incredible 60+ pressure rating and only 39 dba at 2600 RPM. The fans undervolt well but require a stout Rheostat which I have ordered from from Sidewindercomputers.

I do not think there will be any lack of cooling with this rig--the case should be a virtual wind tunnel with a pair of 103 cfm intakes mounted front and rear.

Although at $57 a pair of the San Ace are pretty costly they should last forever and are pretty much the top of the line for restrictive rads.

The loop will be nearly identical to LAN Dream--I really found the perfect layout that time and I will replicate it in WaterClocker Redux. The only difference being the way the rad mounts--in this case I want to make the rad siwng out on it's service loop attached to the side panel--just like Revision 1--to make it a cinch to install the hardware.

With accents of blue the Brushed Aluminum should look top notch.

The only lighting will be UV: a pair of 12"AC Ryan OverBoost UV CCL tubes to make the juices glow--and a pair of 4" UV tubes to make the rear mount reservoir glow.

As parts arrive and I begin to mod the rig Iwill update this log--knowing NewEgg and PPC my stuff will arrrive in just a few days.

I am really looking forward to modding a quality case like the Lian Li--there is something truly satisfying about getting my hands up inside such a fine box...

If you liked the looks of LAN Dream I hope to really knock you out with this Lian Li PC7 mod..

*CyberDruid* · 07-01-07

Well I will get a little ways on WaterClocker Rev3 today. The case and other parts have been here--but I have been tied up in other projects.

Lian Li PC7 Plus II

Side Panel with Window (genuine Lian Li)

2 Logisys Blue Auminum HD HS

PA 160

50Z (original D-5 variant) if they ever send it out...

D-Tek FuZion

a pair of wicked San Ace fans

It's a super simple mod anyone could do to LC this styling Lian Li box...

I was going for the HW labs X Flow 240 (it is prettier than the PA) but after getting good results with an identical set up on the TechStation I decided to stick with what works..

Pictures soon...

*CyberDruid* · 07-02-07

I started by stripping the paint off a PA 160 with acetone and a rag.

The paint Thermochill uses is terrible..it rubs off easily.

Here are the key parts to making this PC7 into and LCC. Rad, Shroud, Fan.

Here is where I will mount the shroud.

To make room for the rad/shroud assembly I removed the HDD and external 3.5 bays.

This 103 CFM High Pressure fan can run undervolted nearly silent, yet the option remains to crank it when needed.

Here are the parts needed for the first step. The shroud and fan are going to be mounted using isolator grommets. So larger holes will be drilled in the case and shroud to fit the grommets.

Deburring is fast and fun with this countersink.

I love drilling into a brand new alumninum case.

Grommets in. You can see I need to nip off the aluminum web--this makes noise against the fan blades.

Grommets and screws in.

I use backing washers to prevent pullout when I really snug down the fasteners.

The shroud/fan assembly is nutted to the case leaving enough thread to catch the filter and thumbscrews.

The filter will dampen the noise as well as keep stuff out of the case. The thumbscrews will mean ease of maintenance later.

Same grommet treatment for the back. Fingerguards are mandatory with this powerful and sharp fan.

Here's how it will look. But the rad gets paint first...

The aluminum floor is pretty to look at but will act like a drum and amplify the noise of the fans.

Here I have applied 4mm close cell foam from Spire on the top of the case--but left room for an exhaust fan.

Same sound dampenening on the floor of the case and the side panel.

Having used this case for a build before I am aware that without sound dampening the case is quite loud.

More in a bit....

*CyberDruid* · 07-02-07

*CyberDruid* · 07-02-07

*CyberDruid* · 07-02-07

I went ahead and added the three fan controllers and two light switches to the lower panel.

This is my favorite build yet.

I am terribly conflicted: I know I should sell it ASAP but I would actually like to use this as my daily driver...

The San Ace exhaust fan blows the plants all over the place about 4 feet away on a table behind the PC lol... that last shot is with the fan at it's lowest setting..

The rig is ready for action...just going to run it in all day first and see that it is tight.

This is the exact same LC loop as the tech station so I know it will handle anything I throw on there.

This rig is No Holds Barred Overclocker deluxe...the best fans, the best Rad, the best WB...

But it is also a silent PC

Sound dampening, HD Silencers, fan controller, isolated fan monting.

The best of both worlds...just like WaterClocker V1...

It only takes two 4" CCL tubes to light all the loop evenly...gotta love an aluminum interior, I added a pair of 12" blue tubes along the top and bottom. When the Blue CCL tubes are lit the fluid appears to be clear..lol, when the UV tubes are lit it glows almost white blue Nd when they are both off the fluid is deep blue--the same color as the Rad and HDD sinks.

The front window glows like crazy...looks like the case is full of coolant lol.

The side window is super clear...

I really like this one. ANd I just may have to claim it for my self.

Not counting the drives the whole LCC case cost me about $600 so this pretty much the most expensive build yet.

I made the front window to fit the Plextor super tight--because it is only 1/8" acrylic I could make the button hole the same size and shape as the Plextor button--which looks great--the UV acrylic outlines the button and slot--making it easy to see them at night.

That Plextor cost me $180, a pair of Seagate 7200.10 250 GB HDDs add another $140 to the cost..so I ask myself..can I even afford to claim this beast?

Commonsense dictates NO! But I have this gut feeling that is my new box sitting on the table, gurgling, glowing, wating for guts

**pjlietz** · 07-02-07

Looks great Cyber! Very clean look for the Lian-Li.

*CyberDruid* · 07-02-07

Thanks...

I have been saving this for last. Aluminum is like desert

With the Wife due back in a few days I must now transform the factory back into a family home.

SO this is the last mod in the mod-athon.

Although I still have detail work on the Black Widow and AeroDream they are basically ready for assembly.

Of the 6 new cases I built in the mod-athon each one seemed to be the best lol--and this being the last for a while I guess it will be the "best" for a while too