Build Description (Click to show)
Loop Diagram and Layout (Click to show)
My Background (Click to show)
Hardware List (Click to show)
Big ups to cpachris, for the format here.
Hardware List and Status:
Here is the legend. Green means I’ve already got it. Orange means its been ordered (yellow text isn’t real legible). Red means I’m still deciding/researching the item, or waiting because I don’t yet need the part. I’ll update this Hardware Status in the OP as things change:
Case
Main Guts
Storage
Still considering options with the leftover drives. I may go with a raid 5 for a more secure data solution.
Cooling
Monitoring and Control
Misc
The goods so far (Click to show)
Delays due to equipment or shipping (Click to show)
Build Log Index with Links:
I'll update with links to significant subsections of the build
- Links are listed in chronological order
-Case-Labs Merlin SM8 Arrives!
-Fan Gap and filter Problem
-Pre-Launch (on air)
-Connectors and more!
-Watercooling shipment and initial hardware install
-Water Cooling Gallery Pics
-Link to build parts and total cost
-Benchmarked on air
-Koolance Block
-A look at the Monsta Rad (240)
-Moving wires around in a power supply
-What size cables should I order?
-Sleeving tool order
-MDPC sleeving and crimping tool
-Sleeved SLI bridge
-My first sleeved cable
-Lesson learned for rotary connections
Credits:
I started looking into watercooling less than a month ago, so this list will continue to grow.
Edited by ballnuts - 12/22/12 at 11:45pm
This will be my first water cooling build. Since I have 0 experience modding or anything of the sort, I will need some beginners luck to keep me afloat. Enjoy!
Goals
Uses
Case Layout (Click to show)Goals
- Case will be easily upgradable for future builds (long term use)
- Low Maintenance Loop, Easy fill and bleed
- High Performance with overclocking
- Reasonably Quiet
- Scientific Experiments!
Uses
- Cutting edge gaming
- Software development and 3d rendering
- Overclock testing
- General Use
- High End Audio
- Porn
- I started looking into watercooling less than a month ago. At first, I thought, no big deal, I'll have parts here in 2 days, build it over night, ready to go. Sitting here almost 3 weeks later, I now realize that I suffer from delusions of grandeur.
- This is the only other rig I have built, and it involved very little or no research on my part. Moreso throwing parts in a case and calling it good. (aircooled)
Warning! NSFL Hide yo kids, Hide yo Wife - You were warned... - I plan to use this case for many future upgrades. I decided to keep the initial build fairly simple, and only go with 2 radiators (a 480 and a 240). I wanted to do this for a couple reasons.
1. To get a feel for what kind of cooling I could achieve with a more minimal system.
2. I don't want to overwhelm myself on my first build. That being said, I can easily add a pedestal to the SM8, and go overboard with the cooling. I just wanted to start simple and work my way up from there.
Big ups to cpachris, for the format here.
Hardware List and Status:
Here is the legend. Green means I’ve already got it. Orange means its been ordered (yellow text isn’t real legible). Red means I’m still deciding/researching the item, or waiting because I don’t yet need the part. I’ll update this Hardware Status in the OP as things change:
Case
- CaseLabs Merlin SM8
Main Guts
- CPU: Intel Core i7-3930K
- Motherboard: Rampage IV Extreme
- GPU: 2x EVGA GTX 670’s Superclocked 4GB in SLI
- Memory: 16 gb, Samsung 30nm (2x4GB)x2
- PSU: Seasonic X-1250
Storage
- OS Drive: 2x 128 gb SSD Samsung 830 in Raid 0
- Extra Storage: 2x 128 gb SSD Vertex 4 Series (in my current build)
- Extra Storage: 1x 120 GB Corsair Force GT
Still considering options with the leftover drives. I may go with a raid 5 for a more secure data solution.
Cooling
- Radiators: Black Ice SR-1 480mm
- Radiators: Black Ice SR-1 240mm
- Pumps: MCP655x2 with modded tachometer wire (hopefully)
- Pump Top: Bitspower acetal dual pump top
- Reservoir: Bitspower 150 res attached to bitspower dual pump top
- Radiator Fans: Gentle Typhoon AP15 x 12
- Case Fans: Noiseblocker eloop B12 1900 RPM
- CPU Waterblock: Koolance 380l
- GPU Waterblocks: Heatkiller with backplate
- Motherboard Waterblocks: MIPS RIVE block
- TIM: Indigo Extreme
- Tubing: Tygon B-44-4X, 1/2" x 3/4"
- Fittings: Bitspower Silver Sparkle Fittings with bitspower crystal tube link
Monitoring and Control
- Aquacomputer Aquaero 5 LT
- Aquacomputer PowerAdjust 2 Std. x 2
- Aquacomputer Flow sensor, pressure sensor
Misc
- Monitor: BenqXL2420T, Dell U2311H
- Soundcard: TBD - I want an audiophile solution that doesn't sacrifice gaming performance.
- Sleeving: MDCP sleeving on the way
- Headphones: Sennheiser HD 598 - these are so comfy
- Blu-Ray/DVD Reader/Writer: LiteOn 12x
Asus Rampage IV Extreme returned from Amazon due to bent pins and glued up controller.
Poor packaging on the shipping container for the 3930K (basically a flimsy cardboard sleeve with no tape or padding- don't know how the cpu box didn't just fall right out). CPU was shifted inside box on arrival. I did not plan to return this, but the problem with the Rampage IV made me a bit paranoid, so I decided to return both. Someone pointed out that I could theoretically test both CPU's before returning, therefore cherry picking the best one. Not sure if that's legal or moral, as I'm not sure what happens to the return (as it is an open box).
Lessons Learned (Click to show)Poor packaging on the shipping container for the 3930K (basically a flimsy cardboard sleeve with no tape or padding- don't know how the cpu box didn't just fall right out). CPU was shifted inside box on arrival. I did not plan to return this, but the problem with the Rampage IV made me a bit paranoid, so I decided to return both. Someone pointed out that I could theoretically test both CPU's before returning, therefore cherry picking the best one. Not sure if that's legal or moral, as I'm not sure what happens to the return (as it is an open box).
- Use teflon tape on all threaded connections. Yea, did not do this, and haven't had any problems. If you do this, you will probably end up with shredded teflon tape plugging your loop. I do not recommend this suggestion, which seemed to be a popular thing to do at some point.
- From electrocutor:Quote:-Since I'm using the SM8 drop in mount option, I shouldn't need to worry about this issue.I've discovered a caveat on the Alphacool radiators and in fact any radiator that has reverse side G1/4"
connections. Whichever side is going to be up against a radiator mount
will require washers because the plugs you need for those G1/4"
connections are 3mm tall, so you cannot mount it flush... - Don't give up. This stuff is overwhelming. Start loading up your shopping cart with stuff that you're not even sure you need. Go back through and check out build logs. Check out stuff from the pros like Singularity and West Coast Mods.
- Install IO shield before installing motherboard. RIVE mobo can be a difficult install against the padded IO shield. Stupid, I know, but I screwed this up
- You can use 16AWG gauge wire with the MDPC crimping tool, as long as it is 2.5mm diameter or less. 3mm is too large
- When wiring PCIE or ATX cables, you can switch up cable locations, given that the cable output remains the same. i.e. swapping one ground location for another ground location. If you plan on doing this, it's worth getting a psu tester to ensure you correctly wired.
- For sleeving: MEASURE or estimate what you need. I was lazy and didn't do this. Now I am paying 3x shipping from Germany because either I didn't order enough sleeving, enough crimping connectors, enough wire, etc.
- Remember that once you order from watercooling companies, it is hard to return. I have paid for about 5 way shipping at this point due to mistakes in either aesthetic or compatibility. I have had good customer service from both Performance-PC and Frozencpu. However Frozencpu has been nice enough to let me return the radiators, the aquacomputer aquaero, all the EK water blocks, and gave me full credit with no hassle. Now of course I had to pay shipping both ways because it was my mistake, but they COULD have charged me 20% restocking fees if they wanted, according to their policy. So I have enjoyed dealing with them and performance-pc so far.
- http://www.overclock.net/t/1318125/build-log-beginners-luck-x79-build/230#post_18807160 If you are using rotary connections, read this post first.
- Always OVERCLOCK and TEST your equipment on air before installing in your watercooling build You need to know if you have a bad card, so you can return early while you still can under warranty.
Build Log Index with Links:
I'll update with links to significant subsections of the build
- Links are listed in chronological order
-Case-Labs Merlin SM8 Arrives!
-Fan Gap and filter Problem
-Pre-Launch (on air)
-Connectors and more!
-Watercooling shipment and initial hardware install
-Water Cooling Gallery Pics
-Link to build parts and total cost
-Benchmarked on air
-Koolance Block
-A look at the Monsta Rad (240)
-Moving wires around in a power supply
-What size cables should I order?
-Sleeving tool order
-MDPC sleeving and crimping tool
-Sleeved SLI bridge
-My first sleeved cable
-Lesson learned for rotary connections
Credits:
I started looking into watercooling less than a month ago, so this list will continue to grow.
- The OCN Community and Forums.
- OCN members cpachris, reglar, and mandrix for their larger than life build logs. (My jaw hurts from hanging open while browsing through your builds. Mind=Blown. Also, electrocutor for giving me a lot of ideas and causing me to think a little deeper about my project. Can't wait to see the next update in your build log.
- CaseLabs Cases & Jim for helping answer all my case-specific questions.
Edited by ballnuts - 12/22/12 at 11:45pm
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