Project: Whopper

I started this a few weeks ago but I thought I should post the details here. My project is named because it's huge and is expected to make more than a few head turn. Also when I add in some flashing LEDs, it'd look a bit like WOPR from the old 1983 movie. Its primary function when not playing games is to crunch numbers looking for ET. Specifically Seti@home.

I have Mountain Mods U2-UFO case and I ordered a custom version of Monticle case. When I was looking through MM page, I noticed both cases used the same side panel, and lead me to believe (and confirmed with someone at MM) that I could just screw in a 9x18x18 case as a side case to the existing 18x18x18 case. I wanted to add an expansion but the pedestal model would be too limiting in term of ease of access. If I put it on the bottom, and I needed to deal with leaks or something I'd have to take quite a lot apart to reach the bottom pedestal. And I don't want it on top because if there's any leak most of the water would go right onto the mobo. Thus I was delighted when I got confirmation that Monticle can be screwed in like a side pedestal. The side pedestal will be used to house both radiators and some of the excess wiring.

The color is all brushed aluminum, I'm tired of black computer cases and MM doesn't offer other color.

Mobo: EVGA SR-2
CPU: 2x X5650
RAM: 6x2GB (3 sticks per CPU)
video: 2x GTX 470 now, will add 2x GTX 580 in a few months
drive: Corsair Force GT 120GB SSD for OS and apps, 2x Intel 40GB SSD in RAID0 for games, plus 1TB and 2TB hard drives.
PSU: Silverstone ST1500 1500w
CPU cooler: 2x Coolre Master V6GT
video card, chipset cooler: EK water blocks
pump: 2x MCP655 in redunant serial loop
reservoir: Koolance RP-452X2
radiators: 2x GTX 360
etc

I am still waiting on some parts that I ordered to finish up my new rig and waiting on replacement power supply. I ordered brand new power supply but was sent an used one with melted wires by mistake, probably a customer return that got shelved like it's a new unit.

When I get all the parts in, I'll start taking apart my current AMD rig (sig below) and moving the video cards, hard drives, and water cooling parts to the new rig.

For now, I'll provide with some pictures of my progress:

Mobo after I removed the stock chipset cooler. The mobo is frickin' huge.


One view of the mobo with 2 CPU coolers and chipset water block installed.


Close up of the CPU coolers. Looks like twin fat towers. It fits in my U2-UFO case just fine and I can slide the mobo out the rear panel with room to spare.


The 2 radiators with fans installed. Thick radiators, thick fans, should be great cooling potential.


Rest of the stuff I have, along with many more not pictured.

Still waiting for: plugs for the fan, fan bus (there are total of 15 case fans to power up), 90° fittings for the chipset coolers (close to tower cooler leaves little room for straight fitting), power supply, Monticle case, and SLi fitting. I have the sleeving stuff (Paracord) but no power supply cable to sleeve with. Also I'm going to get vinyl decals that spells out WHOPPER in the same font style as WOPR from the movie.

Later on, when I have more money I wanted to add 2x GTX 580 with 2x EK water blocks to get 4 video card power.

I'd also like to add a small display that would show clock and time elapsed since power on (instead of the movie's time elapsed and remaining till doom) but I can't find something that would work. Small graphic LCD or VFD don't quite have the required speed to make the moving cursor across the bottom like the movie. LCD TV panel would work but I'd need something to drive it as small LCD panels usually have composite or S-Video input while my video cards are DVI and HDMI which do not work with small cheap LCD panels. Plus I'd need to run something in Windows to animate the LCD panel and what I know of programming language are LOGO and old school BASIC. Any idea?

Those coolers are about $50 each new, and quality water blocks for 1366 starts at over $100 each so I'm saving a bit right now. I may change to water blocks over the summer but those coolers should be enough right now. They claim to handle up to 200w of heat which is double what X5650 puts out.

Hmmm where do you get the 1366 water blocks with free barbs? Those that I've checked (copper or nickle top) the EK's are about 80 each plus about $5 per compression fittings (x2 per block needed) plus shipping. Thus about $100 each final price. Maybe you know of someplace that is cheaper?

Anyway I got some LEDs in the mail today. I got a 5 meter reel of LED strip that is easily customizable so I can run em around the inside of the case.


And some "red" flashing LEDs. See video of the "red" LEDs flashing in action: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nb93jerMQ8w

(pretty sure they are not red... Chinese seller that are either color blind or just retarded.) with any luck the yellow flashing LEDs I got would actually be green or purple

The video? No, it's individual LEDs on a breadboard:


Blue diffused bulb, T1 3/4 size