STH10 Build log_ A Water Cooling Noob's diary

So this is my first water cooled build project. In fact I've never built a PC before, just swapped bits out and upgraded. So it's a daunting task but one I hope will be interesting. Build logs are usually people uploading pics and saying what they're doing etc, but since I am a total noob at building pcs, let alone water cooled ones, I'm kind of hoping people here will add their ideas and point out any issues they can see or anticipate. Would be much appreciated.

The build centres around the STH10, so day one is all about assembling the thing. Here are some images...

A big box



And very well packaged at that




Every single item, big or small, was packaged like this. Pretty impressive.



An overwhelming amount of stuff was in the box. Didn't know where to start. Instructions helped a lot.



Another angle



I started by joining the chassis compartment with upper and lower mid plates



This is what it looked like once both were attached. Couldn't work out how to join the pieces, and then realised the screws were countersunk for a reason...I'm an idiot.




Next up was to attach the rear chassis



And then the top and bottom chassis





Front chassis and cover was next, followed by I/0 panel.



Lovely design for SSD, HDD bays



Now the motherboard backplate. It was a little tricky since it slides out and I had to make sure it was all level. Nothing too stressy, just fiddly.

Closed...



And open



Top cover goes on



All covers



Front door goes on





And protective film comes off (sorry about the focus)



Well, that's it for now. Tomorrow I start on the rad mounts, rads and fans and case fans. Monday the hardware arrives.

Regards.

It is certainly big - I guess it depends what you are going to fill it with. The stuff I have bought is nowhere near enough to justify the case at this moment in time, and I'll probably get flamed for buying it and not immediately fill it to brimming point, but I can't afford to run a million things in it at the moment. What I wanted was a case that was good for anything, so I didn't have to buy a new one two years down the line if my spec changed. The build quality is very good and looks like it will last. No plastic involved - all steel. Good luck - do you have a place to actually keep the thing? I have a little shed - well, more a 'summer house' sort of thing, which is where this is going. I couldn't really see it being put in a bedroom! Bigger than the bed.

@ArkAngel. Thank you - people like you are what makes this site so great. Always people here wanting to help and input. I'll keep you posted!

Hi chaps. Need a bit of help. Never installed rad mounts before - does this look right to you? Can't work out if they go on the inside or outside of the chassis. Fits both ways.

On a side note, I managed to damage one of the fins on the rad with a screw that was too long. Is that the end of the rad, or will it be OK? Is there a way of leak testing the rad only?

Many thanks

Thanks

Just a bit annoyed about damge to the rad...might have to get another one for piece of mind.

I can see the fin is bent - actually the screw went through the damn fin. Do they place water channels directly behind the screw hole? For idiots like me it would be a great idea if they could find another way...I'll hook up to pump and res and see of there is leakage..

Yes, caselabs offer to send either like mine or fully assembled (the more expensive option). Have to pax the UK government import tax on this too, so they can pump a few more pounds into our failing banks.