[Build Log] WILD BILL (Camo Switch 810 / i7-3930k / watercooled) (An Adventure)

I suppose I need to start with the basic intro. This rig has been a long time coming, and I have been eaking by on a laptop that as I am typing this pixels are green all over the screen.. its going down quick. I have always been a desktop guy, landed on this Asus, and I CANNOT WAIT to be back on a proper system. Although this is my my first build, this IS my first time dealing with water cooling, and really dealing with as nice of components as this.

Learned everything I know and will implement from this guy, recommended for anyone new to the game



COMPONENTS

CASE: NZXT Switch 810 (white)
PSU: Corsair Pro Series Gold AX850
CPU: Intel i7-3930k
MOBO: Asus Sabertooth x79
RAM: G.SKILL Sniper Gaming Series 16GB (4x4) 1600
HHD: Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB (SATA III / 6gb/s / 7200rpm)
SSD: Mushkin Enhanced Chronos Deluxe 240GB
*GPU: Not ordered yet.. you all know how the supply has been. Looking for an EVGA GTX680 /w backplate (or not i suppose)

Cooling

RADS: XSPC RX360 +RX240
PUMP/RES: XSPC D5 Pump/Res
CPU: XSPC XSPC RayStorm CPU Block
TUBING: PrimoFlex Pro LRT UV Green Tubing
FANS: 3x NZXT 140mm + 4x BitFenix Spectre 120mm + 3x Noctua NF-F12 120mm



Inspiration/Theme

I love the Switch 810, but definitely want to make it my own. I decided to try something a bit different from your standard look, I'm a combat vet so I decided to go with a Camo theme. Now before you hit the back button and race out of here thinking oh god this idiot is gonna spraypaint trace leaves on the side of his beautiful case, thats not the plan. I want to keep the case for the most part looking unique but modest, nothing super flashy, and I think I will only be using solid colors. Keeping this one classy. You'll (and I'll) see how it turns out as I go along.



Jeez.. wish me luck.
Edited by TBurk - 4/9/12 at 5:24pm

Since not even half my components have arrived yet, I decided to start with my mods and possibly paint tomorrow.




Grabbed the screwdriver and went to work on the case.. seeing what I want to toy with..



Abuse of painters tape...





A little insight into phase one of the mod, or at least what I would like to improve, nothing definite we will see what I have to work with once I get to the shop..
Edited by TBurk - 4/4/12 at 8:06pm

Knocked out a little bit today.. Cut out the slots on the top cover and a window in the from panel.

Found some steel mesh grill.. Gotta love just digging through scrap metal to see what you can find. Worked on it with pliers.. hammers.. crimps.. anything I could find. the top panel looks pretty good.. front panel was a little tougher.. working a a solution now.. Trying to create a rounded raised edge going around the perimeter to give it a more finished look than just slapping on steel hap-hazardly.

Hopefully the painters tape protected the finish on the rest of the plastic.. we will see. Tired so I decided not to paint tonight.

Few boxes showed up today.. didnt even open them. I figure I'll open everything at once like its Christmas.
Edited by TBurk - 4/6/12 at 6:27pm

Finished molding the steel at home (I am by no means a pro but it looks very good, If you are contemplating something like this.. you can do it. Just take a little time and ingenuity)

Painted the pieces and hung them up to dry. Keep in mind you need a clean, undisturbed spot to let your stuff dry to avoid getting particles of anything drying in with the paint. Hanging them up while painting lets you paint both sides at the same time to keep things consistent. Again, anyone can do it, not rocket science.

(Pics are bad.. out in the garage on a phone)

Got an order in through Amazon for an EVGA GTX 680.. hopefully that shows up next week with the rest of the WC stuff

Decided against the Superclocked version.. Im confident I can get that clock on my own lol.. Thought about the HC version but going a different direction on the water block. Might hold off for now, waiting for DD to put one out.

Anyone have thoughts on cooling the Sabertooth? There are a couple of kits out now for it.. not sure if its worth my $100 or not..

Haha we'll see how it turns out.. I wanted to work with the Switch 810 from the beginning but as I started to look around, everyone and their brother is doing new identical watercooled builds with the Switch.. so I figured I would just have fun with it and try and make it a bit different. Might not work out but I'm sure my friends over at NZXT can sell me some new plastic if I destroy this guy. I have a feeling it will work out though, test runs looked pro.

Just heard back from Performance-Pcs.. seems they are fresh out of the Alphacool VPP655 pumps that go with the XSPC pump res combos (love having money taken out of my account and then 3 days later being notified they are out of stock.. but thats neither here nor there..).. Trying to decide what direction to go then.. I liked the convinience of the combo.. anyone have a suggestion for either going for a combo or separate pump and res? And if so, recomendations for a loop of this size (CPU block, 360+240 rads, GPU block, and leaving some pump muscle for an additional GPU block)?

Thanks.. I hate complications.. at this point I just want my parts to start rolling in.. ahhh

Fixed all my ordering issues. Easter.. always getting in the way. People think they need time off or something. Inconsiderate of the PC junkie who just has to have his gear on a holiday. Still have the XSPC Raystorm Extreme (240) kit coming, pump got sorted.

Finally have a GTX 680 on the way, and ordered a new monitor and power supply.

HURRY UP UPS.

Paint is dry, had it out in the garage for a few days had to put the project on hold.

For the front panel, since it pops into the front face of the screen piece, had to keep it nice and tight, used a combination of weaving the pegs into the steel mesh and then used an epoxy to keep it tight.


99 cent clamps at Home Depot are a life saver for a million jobs around the house


Looks nice and clean, happy with how it turned out



Trying to find my rivet gun to pop the top panel together.. have it ready to go though, looks clean and tidy too