[BUILD LOG] Project Ametros: Scratch Built Carbon Fiber Case + WC - Mar 11, 2012

Hello, and welcome to the build log for Project Ametros. Ametros will be a workstation PC built from the ground up - scratch built carbon fiber case, water cooling and lots of it, and plenty of power to propel it. Ametros will unfold over a period of time, so please read on and stat tuned for more. Thank you for following!

Ametros - Behind the Name:

Ametros is the Greek word for something that is "beyond measure". I wanted a name that had some meaning too it, and considering my friends kept calling the project overkill, I decided to come up with a name around the aura of overkill. The name also fits the use of the rig: aerodynamic simulations. Some simulations are just beyond what we are capable of measuring in a real wind-tunnel with pitot tubes and other telemetry.

Build Purpose:

The purpose of this rig build is multi-faceted. I am always looking for a challenge, and wanted to build something unique. The challenge behind building a case from the ground up is one purpose. The other purposes for the build are performance based. I spend quite a bit of time running aerodynamic simulations (Computational Fluid Dynamics, or CFD) for motorsports. Hence my username on OCN, motorsportcfd. CFD requires a lot of processing power and my current rigs aren't up to the challenge.

The last of the performance purposes is my day job of developing software for digital x-ray imaging. I am currently working on 3D Radiography CT Reconstruction software that a lot like CFD, requires a lot of processing power.

Why AMD?

Time and time again I have heard, "For the money, why aren't you going with Intel/nVidia instead?" I have several Intel rigs currently, but I need an AMD developer machine for the CT Reconstruction software. The other reason is Open CL. The CFD software I use runs Open CL instead of CUDA.

But still, why not nVidia?

Dollar for dollar, the FirePro Graphics cards out perform the Quadro's by far. I have had much better performance using the FirePro's for CT Reconstruction and CFD Analysis than the Quadro's. nVidia has the Tesla cards, specifically designed for parallel computing, but they function best when the programs are developed using CUDA. Only one software package I have used uses CUDA for the reconstruction algorithms, the rest are Open CL. My software that I am developing will also be Open CL based. In the market I work in, I see Open CL having much more potential than CUDA, and with that experience, ATI/AMD has been the leader of OpenCL development.

You still haven't said why you didn't go Sandy-Bridge or Ivy Bridge?

Since I am going with AMD GPU's, I wanted to keep it all in the family. I believe that homogeneous hardware gets along better than heterogeneous hardware, but only time will tell. I am curious to see how the Thuban performs considering I've been working with Intel for so long. I don't think I will be let down!

Spec Sheet - The Build Out:
Will Be Updated as Build Progresses

Computer Power:
AMD Phenom II X6 1090T
ASUS Crosshair IV Formula Motherboard
2x AMD/ATI FirePro V7900 2GB GPU's in CrossfirePro
Corsair Vengeance RAM 16GB
2x Crucial M4 64GB SSD in RAID 0 for the OS
2x Western Digital Caviar Black 500GB in RAID 0 for Programs/Documents
1x Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB in Mirror for Programs/Documents Backup
Cooler Master SilentPro GOLD 1000W PSU
Sony Optiarc DVD-DL Burner

Cooling:
Swiftech Apogee HD AM3 CPU Waterblock
2x Swiftech MCR420XP 480mm Radiators
3x DDC-1T Laing Pumps
EK Performance Crosshair IV MB Waterblock
Custom Built Reservoir
Custom Built GPU Waterblocks for V7900's
Aquaero 5 Pro Fan Controller
3x Aqua Computer PowerAdjust II
Aquacomputer A5 Fan Amp WC Block
TEC Water Chilling - TBD
16 120mm Fans - Fans TBD, hopefully Gelid
Misc Fans
Air cooled RAM

Case:
Custom Built Carbon Fiber Case

Peripherals:
3x NEC 2470WNX Enterprise Monitors
Logitech M510 Wireless Mouse - Carbon Fiber Edition
Logitech K800 Wireless Illuminated Keyboard

Sound:
TBD

Sponsors:

Signature Detailing


Aquatuning

Latest Update Picture:


Other places to view Project Ametros:
http://factiondevelopment.com/ - Blog dedicated to the build of Ametros and a few other PC mods

http://www.facebook.com/factiondevelopment - Facebook page for instantaneous updates.

Thanks for looking!
Edited by motorsportcfd - 3/16/12 at 5:56am

Table of Contents:

1.0 Let's Get Started - Parts Pictures

2.0 It Has Begun - The First Carbon Fiber Layup - December 31, 2011

3.0 More Carbon Fiber and Design Screenshots - January 22, 2012

4.0 Carbon Panels Back From Waterjet + More Work on the Mouse - January 25, 2012

5.0 It's a box! Finally Beginning to Look Like a Case! - February 2, 2012

6.0 Mold Making + Carbon Fiber Lay Ups - February 5, 2012

7.0 Machining the Reservoir Parts - February 7, 2012

8.0 Carbon Fiber Mouse Clear Coated - February 15, 2012

9.0 Building the Balsa Core for the Pedestal

10.0 Laying up the Pedestal in Carbon Fiber and Machining the Fusion Rods

I will keep this post updated with links to the latest updates in the thread.
Edited by motorsportcfd - 2/28/12 at 7:00pm

1.0 Let's Get Started - Parts Pictures

Here are a few pics of some of the components being used in the build. I'll try to keep the product shots to a minimum and keep it mostly build shots; but for now here's a taste of what is to come!


AMD Phenom II X6 1090T Processor


Corsair Vengeance DDR3 RAM 4x4GB


AMD FirePro V7900 2GB GPU
Soon to be two of these in CrossfirePro






Four Laing DDC-1T Water Pumps. Three will be used for cooling the components, the fourth will be used for a cooling loops for the TEC's.


12yards of 60" wide Aerospace Grade 2x2 Twill Carbon Fiber Cloth


Who doesn't love carbon fiber?


Two Crucial M4 64GB Solid State Drives for a RAID 0 OS


Swiftech Apogee HD CPU Waterblock


Dual Swiftech MXR420-XP Radiators





That's all for now. Should hopefully start laying up the carbon fiber this week!