Update: 2011-12-12
Well haven't been here in a while, so Might as well clean it up huh?
Current Hardware: 2011-12-12
Computer parts:
1 x GA-Z68X-UD7-B3
3 x EVGA GeForce GTX 580 3072MB Hydro Copper 2
3 x 2GB Corsair DDR3 1600
1 x OBSIDIAN 650D
1 x I7 2600K
1 x AX1200W
2 x Mushkin Chronos Delux 240Gb RAID 0
1 x ASUS Essence ST + Sennheiser PC350
3 x ASUS VE278Q Black 27"
1 x Saitek Cyborg Keyboard
1 x Saitek R.A.T. 9
1 x Saitek X65F
1 x EVGA Power boost
1 x Ergotech triple 30" monitor mount
Water cooling:
6 x Noiseblocker NB-Multiframe M12-S3HS 120mmx25mm Ultra Silent Fan
4 x Noiseblocker NB-BlackSilentPro PK-3 140mm x 25mm Ultra Quiet Fan
2 x NZXT FN-200 200mm x 30mm High Performance Case Fan
1 x Sunbeam 30W Rheosmart 6 Channel Smart Fan Controller
1 x DD UV Black 1/2IN 3/4OD tubing
1 xProlimatech PK-1
1 x Koolance INS-FM17N Coolant Flow Meter
1 x Flow Meter Fequency Adapter
1 x Koolance RP-452X2
2 x MCP655
1 x Mindchill's TEC waterblock and 12v controller
2 x VL4 (one male one female)
1 x Black Ice GT Stealth 280 Radiator - Black
1 X Black Ice GT Stealth 120 Radiator - Black
1 x 200mm Phobya Xtreme Radiator
3 x Bitspower G1/4" 90-Degree Dual Rotary 1/2" ID x 3/4" OD Compression Fitting
7 x Bitspower G1/4" 45-Degree Dual Rotary 1/2" ID x 3/4" OD Compression Fitting
7 x Bitspower G1/4" Regular Dual Rotary 1/2" ID x 3/4" OD Compression Fitting
4 x Koolance Dual VID Connector - Adjustable 1 Slot Spacing
1 x Koolance 280 Shroud
2 x Silverstone 140mm Fan Filters
1 x Lian-li 120mm fan filter
First iteration
Second iteration
Third iteration
Fourth Iteration
More to come!
Well haven't been here in a while, so Might as well clean it up huh?
Current Hardware: 2011-12-12
Computer parts:
1 x GA-Z68X-UD7-B3
3 x EVGA GeForce GTX 580 3072MB Hydro Copper 2
3 x 2GB Corsair DDR3 1600
1 x OBSIDIAN 650D
1 x I7 2600K
1 x AX1200W
2 x Mushkin Chronos Delux 240Gb RAID 0
1 x ASUS Essence ST + Sennheiser PC350
3 x ASUS VE278Q Black 27"
1 x Saitek Cyborg Keyboard
1 x Saitek R.A.T. 9
1 x Saitek X65F
1 x EVGA Power boost
1 x Ergotech triple 30" monitor mount
Water cooling:
6 x Noiseblocker NB-Multiframe M12-S3HS 120mmx25mm Ultra Silent Fan
4 x Noiseblocker NB-BlackSilentPro PK-3 140mm x 25mm Ultra Quiet Fan
2 x NZXT FN-200 200mm x 30mm High Performance Case Fan
1 x Sunbeam 30W Rheosmart 6 Channel Smart Fan Controller
1 x DD UV Black 1/2IN 3/4OD tubing
1 xProlimatech PK-1
1 x Koolance INS-FM17N Coolant Flow Meter
1 x Flow Meter Fequency Adapter
1 x Koolance RP-452X2
2 x MCP655
1 x Mindchill's TEC waterblock and 12v controller
2 x VL4 (one male one female)
1 x Black Ice GT Stealth 280 Radiator - Black
1 X Black Ice GT Stealth 120 Radiator - Black
1 x 200mm Phobya Xtreme Radiator
3 x Bitspower G1/4" 90-Degree Dual Rotary 1/2" ID x 3/4" OD Compression Fitting
7 x Bitspower G1/4" 45-Degree Dual Rotary 1/2" ID x 3/4" OD Compression Fitting
7 x Bitspower G1/4" Regular Dual Rotary 1/2" ID x 3/4" OD Compression Fitting
4 x Koolance Dual VID Connector - Adjustable 1 Slot Spacing
1 x Koolance 280 Shroud
2 x Silverstone 140mm Fan Filters
1 x Lian-li 120mm fan filter
First iteration
Boxes in the garage that had arrived during my absence.
Unpacked and displayed.
Everything taken off, I just put the PSU there to see how it looked.
Front side, I drilled holes later here to fit the Phoyba rad.
Taking apart the NZXT fan to paint it black.
Fan painted black...
The work space. It got cluttered and scattered after about 3 hours into the build...
CPU installed...
As you can see those compression fittings are TIGHT!
A shot with most of the things loaded in. It was about 2 AM last night when I took this pic and went to bed...
Here we see my first leak testing on two gtx's and an ugly looking sli loop. I was proud of it none the least. And when I had only two cards, well temps were ok. But I wanted more!
Unpacked and displayed.
Everything taken off, I just put the PSU there to see how it looked.
Front side, I drilled holes later here to fit the Phoyba rad.
Taking apart the NZXT fan to paint it black.
Fan painted black...
The work space. It got cluttered and scattered after about 3 hours into the build...
CPU installed...
As you can see those compression fittings are TIGHT!
A shot with most of the things loaded in. It was about 2 AM last night when I took this pic and went to bed...
Here we see my first leak testing on two gtx's and an ugly looking sli loop. I was proud of it none the least. And when I had only two cards, well temps were ok. But I wanted more!
Second iteration
Third iteration
Now the fun stuff, though not finished...
I wanted Push Pull on EVERYTHING, and as we know the 650D is lacking in terms of space for the top rad. I also had a problem with heat as my two other rads were redundant due to the front 200mm pulling in hot air. So I devised a plan to have all the rads pull in and make myself a custom side panel with 4 exhausts. Calculate CFM and make sure I had positive air pressure to reduce dust. Get dust filters on all intakes. I also wanted to lap my CPU (I was getting courageous at that point). So without further ado here it is.
Computer stripped out almost completely.
Rear Exhaust tapped. In retrospect, I might have gotten away with just leaving the grill there. But I'll be putting a custom grill in its place. I'm hoping it'll help with noise.
Most important part tapped Top grill.
Front 200mm grill. After consideration and a couple beers, I decided not to cut it out due to structural integrety (gotta love Star Trek). I decided to keep the NZXT fan and do a push pull. The thing is NZXT in their omniscient ways decided to go with a not so bright mounting standard. So the holes needed to mount the fan and the rad would have put the holes terribly close to the edge. I decided against the cut. I also have no noise problems as other 650D users have stated...
So I contacted BitsPower for this. They have two designs for thier rotary compression fittings, and I gather the longer ones are the older models. I have two of those fittings that were sent to me brand new from FrozenCPU and the nickel plating is starting to flake off at the edge of the nozel after only 2 months of use. I'll be sending them a picture of both tonight.
Block cleaned off from TIM
CPU is full of Shin Etsu.
Cleaned!!!
Sorry, old P&S Cannon A560. But the lapping begins. This is after like 15 minutes on 400
After 30 minutes on 400 still.
20 mins on 800 did the following...
1200 for 15 mins.
Forgot to take a picture at 2000 grit. But this is 2500 grit about half an hour later.
I thought I had taken more pictures of this, but I guess I didn't. Here's the EK MB block. not a great angle...
Here's the cut out for the top grill...
A view from below.
I messed up the rear a little as it was my first time cutting with a dremel... but it works for me.
A view from outside.
The koolance shroud fits!!!
Close up with rad and fans mounted.
And what I have done so far. Still lots of work but the toughest is done I think.
I wanted Push Pull on EVERYTHING, and as we know the 650D is lacking in terms of space for the top rad. I also had a problem with heat as my two other rads were redundant due to the front 200mm pulling in hot air. So I devised a plan to have all the rads pull in and make myself a custom side panel with 4 exhausts. Calculate CFM and make sure I had positive air pressure to reduce dust. Get dust filters on all intakes. I also wanted to lap my CPU (I was getting courageous at that point). So without further ado here it is.
Computer stripped out almost completely.
Rear Exhaust tapped. In retrospect, I might have gotten away with just leaving the grill there. But I'll be putting a custom grill in its place. I'm hoping it'll help with noise.
Most important part tapped Top grill.
Front 200mm grill. After consideration and a couple beers, I decided not to cut it out due to structural integrety (gotta love Star Trek). I decided to keep the NZXT fan and do a push pull. The thing is NZXT in their omniscient ways decided to go with a not so bright mounting standard. So the holes needed to mount the fan and the rad would have put the holes terribly close to the edge. I decided against the cut. I also have no noise problems as other 650D users have stated...
So I contacted BitsPower for this. They have two designs for thier rotary compression fittings, and I gather the longer ones are the older models. I have two of those fittings that were sent to me brand new from FrozenCPU and the nickel plating is starting to flake off at the edge of the nozel after only 2 months of use. I'll be sending them a picture of both tonight.
Block cleaned off from TIM
CPU is full of Shin Etsu.
Cleaned!!!
Sorry, old P&S Cannon A560. But the lapping begins. This is after like 15 minutes on 400
After 30 minutes on 400 still.
20 mins on 800 did the following...
1200 for 15 mins.
Forgot to take a picture at 2000 grit. But this is 2500 grit about half an hour later.
I thought I had taken more pictures of this, but I guess I didn't. Here's the EK MB block. not a great angle...
Here's the cut out for the top grill...
A view from below.
I messed up the rear a little as it was my first time cutting with a dremel... but it works for me.
A view from outside.
The koolance shroud fits!!!
Close up with rad and fans mounted.
And what I have done so far. Still lots of work but the toughest is done I think.
AND NOW, FOR ANOTHER ITERATION IF NOOBNESS AND MODDING!
What follows is rated PG. These pictures contain some scenes of metal brutality and little to no awesomeness. Viewer discretion is advised.
So I started the side panel after I got someone with a press drill to get me the holes, makes for a cleaner job. Also prepping to cut the panel.
Four hours later. After reading the instructions, re cutting to actually fit, finding out I couldn't get the molding to fit on the panel in one piece. To compound the whole thing I screwed up the modling cuts. I'll be getting some black silicone to fill in the gaps in the corners to cover it up and make a little more tidy. My thumbs are killin' me. Seriously, I thought the worst was over by screwing in those compression fittings. They should send a red warning card in the bag with a bulging thumb. Uhhg!
What follows is rated PG. These pictures contain some scenes of metal brutality and little to no awesomeness. Viewer discretion is advised.
So I started the side panel after I got someone with a press drill to get me the holes, makes for a cleaner job. Also prepping to cut the panel.
Four hours later. After reading the instructions, re cutting to actually fit, finding out I couldn't get the molding to fit on the panel in one piece. To compound the whole thing I screwed up the modling cuts. I'll be getting some black silicone to fill in the gaps in the corners to cover it up and make a little more tidy. My thumbs are killin' me. Seriously, I thought the worst was over by screwing in those compression fittings. They should send a red warning card in the bag with a bulging thumb. Uhhg!
Here's a pic of the 5.25 and a dremel. The little plastic lip made putting in the rheobus a pain. But it made it impossible to fit the lian li slim DVD bracket in. So bye bye plastic (it doesn't show when the drives are in).
Here's a pic before the spill, with the UV CCFL's.
Did my very first sleeving job.
I messed up a little, but it was my first try. I'm happy with the results.
Here's a pic before the spill, with the UV CCFL's.
Did my very first sleeving job.
I messed up a little, but it was my first try. I'm happy with the results.
Here are some pics I took tonight of what the rig currently looks like with UV.
Door On with CCFL's on
Top view
Top view with door off
Another angle
I bought two invertless CCFL's to have a stealth mode. That way I could turn off the inverter and only have two UV CCFL's and get less light within the case.
Stealth mode
And another pic
Door On with CCFL's on
Top view
Top view with door off
Another angle
I bought two invertless CCFL's to have a stealth mode. That way I could turn off the inverter and only have two UV CCFL's and get less light within the case.
Stealth mode
And another pic
Got a new water block.
This has a custom display, and a custom blue LCD AND a custom blue top for the block.
The display has a Humidity sensor (H), Ambient temperature sensor (A), Block temperature sensor (B), Duty Cycle (C) (how much it's working in %), dew point calculator (D) (That's my favorite) and Target temperature which is controlled by the knob.
This has a custom display, and a custom blue LCD AND a custom blue top for the block.
The display has a Humidity sensor (H), Ambient temperature sensor (A), Block temperature sensor (B), Duty Cycle (C) (how much it's working in %), dew point calculator (D) (That's my favorite) and Target temperature which is controlled by the knob.
Fourth Iteration
What it looks like outside when you live close to the 53rd on a November afternoon.
Pick of the acrylic plate installation for the controller.
LCD screen...
Pic of the leak testing with new tubing and CPU block.
Full view pick at 800 ISO, I drank too much coffe and didn't take time to setup a proper pick with the tripod. But it gives you a good idea.
Pick of the acrylic plate installation for the controller.
LCD screen...
Pic of the leak testing with new tubing and CPU block.
Full view pick at 800 ISO, I drank too much coffe and didn't take time to setup a proper pick with the tripod. But it gives you a good idea.
More to come!