[Build Log] Blue Steel

Hey all, so I finally got around to deciding to watercool after a year of researching and debating and waiting for deals lol. I am tired of my 570 sounding like a jet engine when I fold and can't sleep with a lot of noise. The name of this system comes from the fact that it will be using blue components and a Gunmetal Switch 810, hence the term Blue Steel. Kind of tying the case color and the component colors together. On to the good stuff!

Existing parts

Mobo: Asus P8Z68-V PRO
CPU: Intel 2500K
GPU: MSI GTX570
Memory: 2 x G.Skill Ripjaw 1333Mhz
Hard Drives: Intel 510 120GB SSD and 750Gig WD Caviar Black
Power Supply: SeaSonic X 650Watt
Sound Card: X-Fi XtremeGamer

New Parts

Case: Switch 810 in Gunmetal

Watercooling parts

Res: FrozenQ Liquid Fusion V Series 160 ml Reservoir - UV Blue (POM)
Rad: Alphacool NexXxoS UT60 Full Copper 360mm
Pump: Swiftech MCP655 Special Edition 12 VDC Pump With Speed Controller
CPU Block: XSPC Raystorm
GPU block: Watercool HEATKILLER® GPU-X³ GTX 570/580 "Hole Edition" Nickel and black
Fittings: XSPC Black Chrome compression fittings, XSPC black chrome 10mm spacer, XSPC black chrome rad plugs
Tubing: Durelene (wanted UV blue, but got it for dirt cheap and will switch when plasticizer problems are fixed)
Fans: 3 x XSPC 2000 RPM (Wanted the Corsairs, but am going to be doing push from the top, so would need them to be up top instead, kind of defeats the purpose lol)
Phobya Y-Cable 3Pin Molex to 6x 3Pin Molex 60cm - UV Blue


I still need a fan controller, any good suggestions? I'll try to borrow a digital camera so I can get good pics when everything arrives.
Edited by sticks435 - 8/3/12 at 9:53pm

Yea, I'm mulling over the Kaze Mater II or the Fc5v2. I would think touch screen would be a pain in the ass if you wanted to turn them up or down really quick. I fold part of the time and when I'm at work I would set the fans to full blast and then want to return them to a comfortable level when I got home. With knobs I could just twist and go, but touch screen seems like you would have to press and hold until it went all the way up.

Update: Got all my parts in and just finished flusing my rad. Strange thing is, there was not one piece of flux or dirty water. Maybe ACool pre flushed it. I'm prepping my case now and will be moving my parts over soon. Here's a little teaser for you all

Got the rad and fans mounted to the top and the GPU block installed. Getting ready to install the motherboard and put the Raystorm on after a dinner break.




I replaced the stock copper plugs with black chrome, since Martin said they got nasty quick. I'm glad I did, mine are already oxidized and tarnished.




This is what the stock heatsink looked like, no wonder these things run so hot.

So got the Raystorm installed and fittings on, got on a roll and forgot to make pictures with just the CPU and GPU installed. Did get some of it ready to leak test. Attempted to leak test, but getting flow restriction to the pump from the Res. I think the issue is I installed it "upside down" so the fill port was at the bottom. Issue is, the plastic nut for the UV tube is that direction and it blocks most of the "outlet". Going to check the Frozen Q thread and see if the blub can just be reversed. Hope so, otherwise I just wasted about 4 hours and $5 worth of tubing :/.