[Build Log] curlyp – The Red Dragon (i7 3770K, dual-Crossfire MSI Lightning 7970, Water Cooled)

Background

First off, I know I should have created this build log prior to starting the build. Opps, my mistake! My build is almost complete; however, I would like to share it with the community.

Project Name: The Red Dragon
I cannot say right now why I chose the name, but within the next week or so, you will know!
So...the reason! The project name The Red Dragon, was chosen after the Guild Wars 2 (Logo). One of the reason why I built this PC was for the upcoming MMO Guild Wars 2. As, you can see, my case is covered in Red Dragons!

Theme: Red and Black
The color theme is predominantly black and red. I chose these colors for two reasons. 1. My wife and I are OSU Buckeye fans (Yes, I know they their colors are Scarlet and Gray! However, black looks better than gray on computers, in my opinion!). 2. I cannot say right now, as it has to do with the project. You will find our shortly – which I will update this reason.



Hardware List and Status

I will update the status as they change. All future updates on this build will be annotated in the Main Components sections and in the Updates Section.

Legend:
This is the legend of all my components.

• Blue: I have already received it.
• Green: Item has been ordered.
• Purple: I am still deciding/researching the item, or not sure if I should purchase it.
• Orange: Updates.

Main Components

Case:

• Mountain Mods Extended Ascension with side windows, tri-front fans, and quad-top fans.
  • Status: -Delivered-

CPU:

• Intel Core i7-3770K Ivy Bridge 3.5 GHz
  • Status: -Delivered-

Motherboard:

• EVGA Z77 FTW
  • Status: -Delivered-

RAM:

• G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 16GB (4 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM (PC3 12800)
  • Status: -Delivered-

Media Drive:

• Samsung 22X DVD Burner
  • Status: -Delivered-

Graphics Card: [*] EVGA GeForce GTX 690

• Status: -Delivered-
• Update: Well, it turns out the GTX 690, will not fully function with my three monitors, nor if I plan to run 3x 120Hz. Since this is a dual GPU card, the RAM is split between each GPU 2GB each. I am actually bottleneck myself, as I will cap out in games. So, after more research and talking with a few OCN members, the MSI Lightning 7970's is my best option as it is the best card for multiple monitors. I have purchased 2 MSI 7970 Lightnings.

Power Supply:

• Corsair Professional Series Gold 1200 Watt High Performance Fully Modular ATX Power Supply
  • Status: -Delivered-
• Corsair Professional Series Gold 1000 Watt High Performance Fully Modular ATX Power Supply – Will use this one for the main components except for the video cards.
  • Status: -Waiting to order-

Storage:

• OS Drive: Kingston HyperX 3K SH103S3/120G 2.5" 120GB SATA III MLC
• Game Drive: Kingston HyperX 3K SH103S3/120G 2.5" 120GB SATA III MLC
• Data Drive: Seagate Barracuda 7200RPM 1 TB SATA
  • Status: -Delivered-

Water Cooling Components

Radiators: [*] 2x Black Ice GTX Xtreme 360 Radiator – Black

• Status: -Delivered-
• Update: I thought I had punctured the radiators. There was what I thought to be water spots on the radiator fans, but it turns out it was oil from the bearings. Right now, I am using 2x XSPC RX360 - Triple 120mm high performance radiator. From the research I have done, there seems to be minimal difference between the GTX 360 and the RX 360.

Pumps:

• 2x Alphacool VPP655 Variable Speed Pump
  • Status: -Delivered-

Reservoir:

• RP-452X2 Dual 5.25" Reservoir Rev 2.0
  • Status: -Delivered-

CPU Water Block:

• Koolance CPU-370SI Intel Liquid Cooling CPU Block
  • Status: -Delivered-

GPU Water Block: [*] Koolance VID-NX690 GeForce VGA Liquid Cooling Block

• Status: -Delivered-
• Update: I am no longer using the GTX 690. I purchased 2x EKWB MSI 7970 Lightning water blocks and 1x EKWB Bridge.

Case Fans:

• 20x YATE LOON 120mm Case Fan - D12SH-12 – Direct form Yate Loon
  • Status: -Delivered-

Radiator fans:

• 12x Scythe DFS123812-3000 "ULTRA KAZE" 120 x 38 mm Case Fan
  • Status: -Delivered-

Silver Coil:

• 2x Danger Den Silver Coil Strip
  • Status: -Delivered-

TIM:

• Gelid Solutions GC-3 Extreme Thermal Compound
  • Status: -Delivered-

Cleaner:

• ArctiClean 1 & 2 (Thermal Material Remover and Surface Purifier) - 60ml Kit
  • Status: -Delivered-

Tubing:

• 2x PrimoChill PrimoFlex PRO LRT 10ft Tubing 1/2"ID 3/4"OD with 1/8" Wall
  • Status: -Delivered-

Fittings:

• 14 x XSPC G1/4" Thread 1/2" ID x 3/4" OD Low Profile Compression Fitting
• 2 x Enzotech G1/4" Thread 90-Degree Rotary 1/2" ID x 3/4" OD Compression Fitting
  • Status: -Delivered-

Cutter:

• Danger Den Premium Tube Cutter - Designed For 3/4" OD
  • Status: -Delivered-

Distilled:

• 2x 1 Gallon Distilled Water
  • Status: -Delivered-

Monitoring and Control Components

Fan Controller:

• NZXT Sentry Mix - LED Illuminated Fan Controller With Six 50W Channels
  • Status: -Delivered-

Miscellaneous Components:

Power Light:

• Lamptron Red/Black tailed LED
  • Status: -Waiting to order-

HDD Activity Light:

• Lamptron Red/Black tailed LED
  • Status: -Waiting to order-

Power Switch:

• Lamptron Illuminated Anti-Vandal Switch - Red/Black (Momentary)
• Illimunated Switch Connection Cable (1000mm)
  • Status: -Waiting to order-

Reset Switch:

• Lamptron Illuminated Anti-Vandal Switch - Red/Black (Momentary)
• Illuminated Switch Connection Cable (1000mm)
  • Status: -Waiting to order-

Monitor:

• 3x Yamakasi Catleap 27 inch IPS
  • Status: -Delivered-

Triple Mount:

• Deluxe Triple Monitor Stand Free Standing up to 28"
  • Status: -Ordered-

DVI Converters:

• 3x Accell B087B-007B DisplayPort/Mini DisplayPort to DVI-D Dual-Link Adapter with 3D Support
  • These are used to convert the Catleaps form DVI-D to Singe DVI - Mini DP for the MSI Lighting 7970; as they do not have a dual link DVI port.
  • Status: -Delivered-

USB Hub:

• 4 Port High Speed USB 1.1 2.0 Octopus Hub Adapter Black
  • Used to connect the DVI converters for Catleap
  • Status: -Delivered-

Sleeving:

• Mod/smart High Density Kobra Sleeve – 3/8in. Mini-Spool (50 feet) – Red
  • Status: -Delivered-

Heat shrink

• 48 pc Heat shrink tubing wrap sleeves Assorted Sizes
  • Status: -Delivered-

Funnel

• Plews 75-068 Plastic Super Funnel
  • Status: -Delivered-

Case Fan Grills:

• Custom ordered
  • Status: -Ordered-

Conclusion

First off, thank you to OCN and everyone that has contributed in my influence to build a new PC with water cooling!
I enjoy building computers and have done so for years now, but this is my first water cooling build. I have learned quite a bit from my research and from the community. I have been following OCN since the beginning of this year and signed up because of several DIY projects, as well as, water cooling builds. I am extremely excited and this build!

Also, a special thanks to Dwood for creating my customized Guild Wars 2 fan grills. Check his work out at:
http://www.overclock.net/t/1237219/tript-cc-620-920-h50-h70-gpu-brackets-fan-grills-custom-case-badges/1510#post_17963259

Subscribe and adventure with me through the building of The Red Dragon.

Please feel free to comment.

Here is the link to my original thread.


Updates

07/16/2012 - Purchased 2x XSPC RX360 - Triple 120mm high performance radiator
08/03/2012 - Purchased 2x MSI Lightning 7970
08/02/2012 - Purchased 2x EKWB MSI Lightning 7970 water block
08/02/2012 - Purchased 1x EKWB Bridge
08/08/2012 - RMA 1x MSI Lightning 7970 - Deffective
08/08/2012 - Issued replacement MSI Lightning 7970
08/13/2012 - Received replacement MSI Lightning 7970
08/13/2012 - RMA 1x MSI Lightning 7970 - DOA
08/14/2012 - Received replacement MSI Lightning 7970
08/17/2012 - Received Triple Monitor Mount
08/22/2012 - Installed Fan Grills, configured wire management, and closed the case
08/23/2012 - De-bezeled monitors
Edited by curlyp - 8/23/12 at 9:33pm

Assembling components







Rotated the front 180 degrees. Did not like how it looked. I may go back to it in the future.








lol, this was an idea I had to block as much dust as possible going into the PC from the intake fans using women's leggings! It did not work out the way I projected!

Edited by curlyp - 8/16/12 at 10:55am