[Build Log] Node Project

Hey guys, clearly I'm not a big member here, do the occasional lurking and such. You guys got a very good knowledge base

As the Title says, First time attempting water cooling, and tbh, I haven't set out an overly easy task. I wish to do a CPU only loop in the Fractal Design Node 304 case (when released).

My original thoughts were to use a 140mm Rad, but alas, would not fit. Moved onto a 120mm Rad, promising, but still no cigar. I've now boiled it down to a 184mm Rad.

Anyway, here is a list of parts for the build.


Case - Fractal Design Node 304 - http://www.fractal-design.com/?view=product&prod=94 // (more pics) http://www.anandtech.com/Gallery/Album/2033#1

Motherboard - Asus P8Z77-I Deluxe - http://www.asus.com/Motherboards/Intel_Socket_1155/P8Z77I_DELUXE/

CPU - Intel i5 3570K - http://ark.intel.com/products/65520/Intel-Core-i5-3570K-Processor-(6M-Cache-up-to-3_80-GHz)?wapkw=3570k

RAM - G.Skill Ares F3-1866C10D-16GAB 16GB - http://gskill.com/products.php?index=486

GPU - EVGA 670 - http://www.evga.com.au/products/moreInfo.asp?pn=02G-P4-2670-KR&family=GeForce%20600%20Series%20Family&sw=

HDD/SSD - 2x Intel 520 120GB (already own) - http://ark.intel.com/products/66248/Intel-SSD-520-Series-(120GB-2_5in-SATA-6Gbs-25nm-MLC)

PSU - Silverstone Strider 450W Modular SFX (ST45SF-G) - http://www.silverstonetek.com/product.php?pid=342


Water cooling components:
Pump/Block - Swiftech Apogee Drive II (ADII) - http://www.swiftech.com/apogeedrive2.aspx

GPU Block - XSPC Razor GTX 670 - http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=21062

Reservoir - Swiftech MCRES Micro Rev2 - http://www.swiftech.com/mcresmicrorev2reservoir.aspx

Radiator 1 - Hardware Labs Black Ice GTX M184 - http://www.hwlabs.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=23&Itemid=20

Radiator 2 - XSPC AX120 - http://www.xs-pc.com/products/radiators/ax-120mm-series-radiators/ax120-single-fan-radiator-black/

Tubing - PrimoChill PrimoFlex Pro LRT Tubing White 3/8ID 5/8OD - http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=19301

I will also be getting both:
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=19311
and
https://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=21444
Because I want to be extra paranoid.

Fans - 2x Arctic Cooling F9 PWM - http://www.arctic.ac/en/p/cooling/case-fans/73/arctic-f-pwm.html

Fittings:
Monsoon Compression - http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=21469
Bitspower 45 degree - http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=13793
Bitspower 90 degree - http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=19381

I'm still to work out how many fittings of each I will require.

I'll draw up a designed layout and upload when I'm at home.

Here are some dodgy paint layouts (not to scale)


Earlier drawings! (Click to show)

My current idea is to remove the HDD cages (need to to mount the radiator) and mount the SSDs on the side of the PSU and/or case. The reservoir in the rear top corner above the power plug (may require a 120mm fan instead of the 140mm, that is not an issue... working out how to mount the res is )

Anyway! the whole purpose of this post is for advice, and foreseeable problems? Don't worry, I realise it'll be tight.

Any concerns or thoughts?

FYI, my current build is in my sig (with pics).

This was all typed up rather quickly so expect edits and my apologies for any mistakes. (I'll fix when I see them).

Cheers
Edited by Nuzart - 10/18/12 at 7:23pm

Well, I'm currently using a 2600k @ 4.5Ghz (was using 4ghz for ages on auto volts, simply because I lost interest in overclocking it because 4ghz is more than enough for me and going higher is too easy with Sandy Bridge). I will most likely have it sitting on 4ghz as well. So really not planning on pushing it. Its more of a learning curve for me. I don't really push the computer too much, custom challenging builds are more my thing these days.

How would you think that radiator would compare to, say a H70/Intel LC. As long as its on par with these.. I'm not worried. I was considering 2 meters of tubing, doesn't hurt to have excess.

And I will most likely be making this thread build log.

Cheers
Edited by Nuzart - 7/23/12 at 7:00pm

Layout added. Its definitely not to scale, but gives you some idea.

I'm trying to find more pictures inside the case (preferably without HDD cages) to see how much room I have for the radiator.

Thanks for the input, That build is cramped!!

I thought I read somewhere that the little fella could dissipate 400w, which my whole system wouldn't be using half that for majority of the time. I would also only be doing CPU on the loop. However, I don't know how much I can trust (wherever I saw it) that it can handle 400w.

After a quick search, I came across this http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?225268-Testing-the-HW-Labs-Micro-184-GTX-Rad (is cross forum linking allowed?), It seems to hold its own pretty well there.

If worse comes to worse, I might start making a plan B aka a passive thin rad on the back in conjunction with the M184. Though, I do think that'd be rather overkill in regards for the build. Originally, I was just going to go the Xigmatek Dark Knight air cooler, which wont fit with that motherboard.

Time to work But shall go back to the drawing board to see what else I can come up with. I assume, going with another rad on the back of the case I could surely put the GPU under as well. (I don't want to do that though).

And, that was just what was going through my head at the time of typing this up. Off to work

I haven't got it, this is all just pre planning for when I do get it.