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[Vespula vulgaris] Z77 Mpower Build Log

36K views 247 replies 47 participants last post by  James Ireland 
#1 ·
Hello OCN. This is my introduction to the community! This is my first build log and this is a pursuit of my dream PC. I just received my matte black version in the mail today and I am super excited.

Finally on 11/7/12 I have an awesome name for my build. Vespula vulgaris! Much thanks to Hanoverfist for helping me with that name. It would have been called something lame like Switch Up! forever. LOL HUGE Thanks again! I have an extreme inability to be creative with names for my video game handles/alias and forum names as you can see! SO here it is Vespula vulgaris aka the wasp!



CURRENT STATE:


I am starting this build based on aesthetic obsession and OVERKILL water cooling with silence. This PC will likely be in the living room. As for hardware there will be nothing amazing over the top in here. Just a i5 3570k and a gtx 670 both overclocked. I only really game and surf with my PC with a single monitor. Maybe a 2nd 670 in the future if I get bored and NEED to tinker.
The cooling is totally overkill but I have no addictions other then this so it's ok.
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Also call me crazy but this PC will be stationed at a standing desk to simulate playing video games at an arcade machine like bACk iN thA dAY! but this time only with a mouse and keyboard. I have spent too much time sitting in my life and my gaming sessions aren't 8 hours like they used to be. Standing it shall be! I'm tired of wasting money on crappy office chairs that never last!

I have chosen to go with a black and yellow build color because I have actually never seen one in the past. I was quite happy with my blue and black current theme but it's been done a billion times. Same with the red ROG thing. I just wanted something a little more unique. Oddly enough cases have to be the one thing I have researched the most. Spending hours and hours looking at case pictures and watching review videos and reading build logs. After months and months of searching and switching my case 3 times over the past year I landed on the NZXT Switch 810. I am hoping this will be my case for years to come. It is damn near perfect. I will be updating this build log as I progress through, likely starting with the case itself. As for modifications here is a list of what is to be done.

Spraypaint all grill areas Yellow to match fans.
Spraypaint Ram heatsink tips Yellow. I'm thinkin Mushkin Blackline Enhanced and paint the tips Yellow. I think it would give a nice effect similar to the corsair Dominators. I could even go very detailed and paint only the ridge tips.
Sleeve Corsair AX 750 PSU with MDPC Shade 19 and Yellow sleeving.
3M Di-noc Carbon Fibre on front and top panels. I am toying with this idea as grey/yellow/black look quite nice together. I'm thinking the ratio of black will throw it off though and the di noc might not look good. I really have to see it first to decide however I would love to hear opinions.
Cut Drive bay so the corner cannot be seen through window. Remove portion of top of drive bay for radiator push/pull.

Hardware specs:

CPU : i5 3570k
Motherboard : MSI Z77 Mpower
Memory : Mushking Blackline Enhanced 4x4GB 1600 CL9
GPU : MSI GTX 670 OC (in current PC)
PSU : Corsair AX750 (in current PC)
Storage : Crucial m4 128gb (in current PC)

Case : NZXT Switch 810 SE Matte Black
Fans : 9x Akasa 140mm x 25mm Viper PWM Fan w/ Hydro Dynamic Bearings

Watercooling specs:

CPU Block : Swiftech Apogee HD 4-Port
GPU Block : Watercool HEATKILLER® GPU-X³ GTX 670 Ni-Bl
Radiators : Alphacool NexXxoS XT45 Full Copper 420mm , Alphacool NexXxoS UT60 Full Copper 140mm
Pump : Dazmode STORM D5 Vario
Reservoir : XSPC Dual 5.25" Reservoir for One Laing D5 , Alphacool Cape Corp Coolplex Pro 25 LT (just for show)
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Fittings : Monsoon 16/10mm (ID 3/8" OD 5/8") compression fitting straight Six Pack - Matte Black x2 , Monsoon Angled Matte Black

I will be updating this build log as I progress through, likely starting with the case itself which probably won't happen for a couple weeks. I am moving in 10 days so this will all have to wait till I get settled in. Hopefully I can catch a couple followers in the mean time and build some hype.
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What I really really really need is recommendations for something to control my fans with. I have no experience with fans and have always just let them run full blast. All my fans for this build are PWM and the radiators are for ultra low speeds. There will be 9-11 fans in here.
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So here is my first picture for you guys. My mock up of the build in paint.



The light blue is a mock up of an airbox shroud. It is mainly for looks to keep the lines the same for having the top 5.25" drive bays not look out of place.
The red is to represent the radiators.
The light green on the 5.25" drive bays is going to be cut out. The stealth optical bay above will be removed and mounted below in the PSU cover. There will also be fan controller(s) stealthily mounted into the PSU cover but I spent a long time making an essay of a thread and don't want to go back and re do it.

This is all for now. Hope it wasn't a TL;DR.

Cheers!
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To start the modding the good old fashion way! By hand! this gave me a much straighter cut then I could get with the dremel. I used the dremel on the top and sides because they aren't as superficial.






Can no longer see that ugly drive bay corner sticking out. Still very structurally sturdy and best of all cannot see the pump still.














MMMM Gummies!









































 
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#2 ·
Now that looks great can't wait to start seeing some pic's.
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#4 ·
Subbed! Also, I don't actually think that watercooling is overkill, unless you only intend on playing games from two or more years ago. Although one think if you have the funds, go for a 3770K.

Also, what exactly are you planning on installing besides the OS, because 128GB seems rather small.
 
#5 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by ch3co View Post

Subbed! Also, I don't actually think that watercooling is overkill, unless you only intend on playing games from two or more years ago. Although one think if you have the funds, go for a 3770K.

Also, what exactly are you planning on installing besides the OS, because 128GB seems rather small.
Thanks for the subs guys I move in 2 days and after I move I am going to start putting orders in
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.

I am planning on having Starcraft 2, XCOM Enemy Unknown, SimCity (the new one) and possibly Torchlight II. Fortunately only 1 of these games currently exist. Aside from that a couple OC utilities you know prime95, realtemp, afterburner, precision x. Maybe unigine heaven. If I really need to I will simply purchase a 2nd SSD as they are getting quite cheap now at under $1 per GB in Canada.
 
#7 ·
Ok I just finished my move and am getting all settled in. Just got my PC up and running and oh my god does it ever feel good to be connected to the internetz again. Going to be putting in my first order either tomorrow or the next day. I have to load my prepaid card because the miss' doesn't need to know about all this HAHAHAHAHAHA but I am pooped from the move and I don't feel like it today.
Quote:
Originally Posted by fbi418 View Post

subscribed!
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i want to go wc for my switch too, i am looking forward how it will work for you with the Alphacool NexXxoS UT60 Full Copper 420mm around the mobo and the rear of the case
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Actually after doing lots of research I changed my mind and decided to step the UT60 down to an XT45. The 45 actually performs better at low RPM speeds which is what I am after.
 
#10 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lisjak View Post

I can't say no to a Switch 810 build
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subbed
Thanks for the support.
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Alright I put in my 2nd order with Aquatuning after receiving my first order. I have to say I am extremely impressed. The custom/duty fee's are included in the shipping cost and it made it's way from Germany to Edmonton, Alberta in 3 days! For only 16 dollars extra!!!! Amazing. Every time I order from USA and pay extra it still takes FOREVER. Plus heavy custom fees.

I want to post pics but it is very gloomy and dreary grey sky right now and I have absolutely horrible lighting in here. I would like to at least take decent pics for you guys. Either tomorrow or Friday when the rest of my order shows up. Now all I need is fans and fittings. I'm holding out until either FrozenCPU or Aquatuning will carry the monsoon angled and I will order the rest.
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Cheers



here's a pic of this ultra smexy block



I can't wait to touch it.
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#12 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by protzman View Post

all of the pics dont show up on my comp
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still subb'd tho!
Hrmm strange. I have them hosted through photobucket. Maybe I should just host them through the OCN website?
 
#17 ·
Because our Canadian retailer imo has serious stock issues and they were the last 3 in Canada. I couldn't find it at any other convenient place for me to order so I decided to grab them all for coolant changes in the future.
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Also I ordered a 250mm tube style reservoir just for show to show off that coolant.
 
#18 ·
Subbed. I'm really looking forward to the color scheme. Those parts looks so familiar. Lol. Are you going for a more gold yellow or a bright yellow? I think the gold would look really cool and blend well with your coolant and MB.

Also, know that you will have to drill new screw holes in the top of your case for the 420 rad to fit. Feel free to use my thread as a reference and to ask what things did and didn't fit.
 
#19 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by RichieSams View Post

Subbed. I'm really looking forward to the color scheme. Those parts looks so familiar. Lol. Are you going for a more gold yellow or a bright yellow? I think the gold would look really cool and blend well with your coolant and MB.
Also, know that you will have to drill new screw holes in the top of your case for the 420 rad to fit. Feel free to use my thread as a reference and to ask what things did and didn't fit.
Thanks a bunch.
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. I am well prepared to have to drill some holes and makes some cuts
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. Should be fairly straightforward.
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I really want to run my fans as low speed as I can so I decided with the NexXxoS series anyways. I am going to be going with just straight up yellow. No gold although gold would look great with an asrock board and some different components.
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I am also toying with a small bit of carbon fibre or dark grey in there possibly in the sleeving. Not too sure we'll have to see how it all turns out.
 
#22 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hatefly View Post

** Subbed **
Good stuff man. Is it just me, or was taking the top off the Switch a PITA?
Thanks man.
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It was kind of a pita but definitely easier then any other case.
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#24 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hatefly View Post

** Subbed **
Good stuff man. Is it just me, or was taking the top off the Switch a PITA?
It was a lot of screws, but other than that, it wasn't too bad. I kinda wish you didn't have to take off the front IO to do it though. IMO aligning it when putting it back on (especially with the weight of a full rad and fans) WAS a little annoying, but overall wasn't too bad.
 
#26 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by GoodInk View Post

What is your impression of that GPU block? Plus I want pics, I'll looking to WC mine too.
I'm confused as your question. What do I think of the block? I think it is sexy as hell! I haven't installed it yet. I still need my fans and fittings and that will take at least 3 weeks ordering from FrozenCPU.
 
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