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[Build Log] Evga Hadron "Golden Nugget" (Water Cooled Mini-ITX) FINALLY DONE!

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105K views 200 replies 60 participants last post by  ChainedHope  
#1 ·
Golden Nugget

Introduction:

Hi, welcome to my build log. I have been wanting to build a small form factor system for a while and when I saw the new EVGA Hadron my heart skipped a beat. My original plan was to build a red and black themed RoG inspired case and then I saw the MDPC #044. The MDPC #044 was the cleanest and classiest build I've ever seen in my life. The release of ASUS gold themed mother board, and EK gold cpu blocks definitely helped my decision. I took the plunge to build a mini MDPC #044 and bought all the parts needed.

Build Goal:

My main goal is to get as close as possible(looks wise) to the MDPC #044 on a SFF case.

Things I'm aware of:

I am aware that a slim 240mm is not enough to cool a GPU and CPU.
I am aware that the slim Slipstreams is not an ideal fan to cool the radiators.

Parts List:
  • i7- 4770k (might delid if the temps would be too high)
  • Asus z87i-deluxe
  • 16GB Corsair Vengeance LP
  • Mushking 250gb SSD
  • Zotac GTX 670 2gb
Pictures:

Water Cooling Parts List:

  • EK Supremacy Gold CPU Block
  • EK GTX 670 Nickel Plexi (Please make a gold one for me EK!)
  • EK X3 150mm Tube Reservoir
  • Black Ice Pro II 240mm radiator
  • Scythe Slipstream 120mm x 12mm 2000rpm case fan
  • Swiftech MCP35x pump
  • Gold Monsoon Fittings
  • Primochill Black Tubing
Update Log:

  • 10/18/2013
    Ordered parts
  • 10/29/2013
    Test the system
  • 10/31/2013
    Remove the case drive cage
    Remove the front panel sticker
    Found out that black ice pro ii x-flow wouldn't fit
  • 11/01/2013
    Ordered a regular black ice pro II 240mm.
  • 11/02/2013
    Polished the EK FC Link. SHINNEEEHHH!
    lmaosmiley.gif

  • 11/07/2013
    Fan trim mod. WOHOO! IT FITS!!
  • 11/08/2013
    Ordered my cable sleeving components!
    biggrin.gif

  • 11/16/2013
    Finished plexi glass mount to hide the cables!
  • 11/30/2013
    Sleeving components arrived!!
To do list:
 
#2 ·
Update Log with pics:

  • 10/31/2013 - I removed the drive cage by drilling through the rivets that holds the drive cage, and remove the sticker from the front panel.

    Pictures:
    Drive cage.

    3eJytxL.jpg


    Drive cage removed! That hard drive cage took a lot of space.

    8IC2jUx.jpg


    Stickers removed!

    7mxyvRc.jpg
  • 11/01/2013 - Went to home depot to buy some plexi glass and found out that they have a smoked one. What a pain in the butt to cut plexi glass with the plastic cutter! I failed a couple of times but eventually got one piece that I could use.

    Pictures:
    Some of the failed ones.

    diuUWGu.jpg


    Here's the piece I might use.

    MTgHOk8.jpg


    This is just showing how the plexi glass would be mounted on the case. I would be mounting the reservoir, and hide the sleeved cables underneath the plexi glass. (see how the cables kinda pops out)

    Yvu0Vda.jpg
  • 11/01/2013 - Just polishing the FC Link with a 2000 grit sandpaper, and polisher.

    Pictures:
    Just a picture of the FC Link.

    2oepjfL.jpg
  • 11/07/2013 - Basically cutting the fan trim to make room for the radiator and mobo.

    Pictures:
    Picture of a fan that I trimmed.

    qq0FG5l.jpg


    Picture of the fan + radiator.

    soqzeRc.jpg


    SUCCESS!!!

    AQspcQ4.jpg
  • 11/08/2013 - Nothing much in here. Just ordering the sleeving components.

    Pictures:
    Vanilla Sands/Black theme.

    8G2uVQl.png
  • 11/16/2013 - Plexi glass mount to hide the cables and cable routing.

    Pictures:
    24pin and 8 pin routing..

    MlKeiwS.jpg


    Just trying out the possible routing of the cables.

    8PH2cjt.jpg
  • 11/30/2013 - A sneak peek of sleeving..
    Pictures:
    XU4aGO8l.jpg
 
#7 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by subtec View Post

Have you test fit the rad+fans in the case yet? I've seen someone get a rad in, but I'm skeptical the fans will fit inside -- even those half thickness Scythes.
Click to expand...
It does fit. I tried it yesterday with a case fan(25mm like the pro ii rad) and my scythes(12mm) and it has a bit of clearance but not much.
 
#11 ·
What a day! PPC's sent me the wrong radiator. Instead of a Black Ice Pro II they sent me a Black Ice Stealth 240. I was trying to install the radiator and realized that I have the wrong one.

Nothing much today, just trying to polish the EK FC Link and that's about it.
Quote:
Originally Posted by jd2195 View Post

Looks like a pretty sweet build. Looking forward to seeing it.
Click to expand...
Thanks man!
thumb.gif
 
#13 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by note View Post

What a day! PPC's sent me the wrong radiator. Instead of a Black Ice Pro II they sent me a Black Ice Stealth 240. I was trying to install the radiator and realized that I have the wrong one.
Click to expand...
Hmm... those radiators are nearly the same dimensions though, at least according to their site: GT Stealth, Black Ice Pro.

If you were counting on the BIP being exactly 25mm thick like some sites list, I think you may be out of luck...
 
#14 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by subtec View Post

Hmm... those radiators are nearly the same dimensions though, at least according to their site: GT Stealth, Black Ice Pro.

If you were counting on the BIP being exactly 25mm thick like some sites list, I think you may be out of luck...
Click to expand...
Ohh hell.. It says 25mm on PPC's website. Even on the site on the hardware labs website, the description says its 25mm and on the dimensions its 28.6mm.

Those 25mm radiator is the only way I could mount the fans internally. It would be so sad if I can't mount everything internally.
mad.gif
 
#15 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by note View Post

Ohh hell.. It says 25mm on PPC's website. Even on the site on the description its 25mm and on the dimensions its 28.6mm.

25mm radiator is the only way I could mount the fans internally. It would be so sad if I can't mount everything internally.
mad.gif
Click to expand...
If you look at the drawing on hwlabs's site, it shows the tank as being 25mm thick, while the frame is presumably what adds the extra 3.6mm. That's probably where they get the 25mm dimension.

Might be possible to dremel the frame on the fans down a bit, so you can mount them inset into the rad. Can't think of any other options... the Black Ice rads are the thinnest around. Only the ones that come with some CLCs are thinner, and even there it's only 1 or 2mm.
 
#16 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by subtec View Post

If you look at the drawing on hwlabs's site, it shows the tank as being 25mm thick, while the frame is presumably what adds the extra 3.6mm. That's probably where they get the 25mm dimension.

Might be possible to dremel the frame on the fans down a bit, so you can mount them inset into the rad. Can't think of any other options... the Black Ice rads are the thinnest around. Only the ones that come with some CLCs are thinner, and even there it's only 1 or 2mm.
Click to expand...
Sadly, that's not possible. The clearance between mobo and the 25mm fan + 12mm is about a milimeter.

I have to make a shroud that would flow nicely with the case.
 
K
#17 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by note View Post

Sadly, that's not possible. The clearance between mobo and the 25mm fan + 12mm is about a milimeter.

I have to make a shroud that would flow nicely with the case.
Click to expand...
Quote:
Originally Posted by subtec View Post

If you look at the drawing on hwlabs's site, it shows the tank as being 25mm thick, while the frame is presumably what adds the extra 3.6mm. That's probably where they get the 25mm dimension.

Might be possible to dremel the frame on the fans down a bit, so you can mount them inset into the rad. Can't think of any other options... the Black Ice rads are the thinnest around. Only the ones that come with some CLCs are thinner, and even there it's only 1 or 2mm.
Click to expand...
It is possible though, to trim them.
It's been done before:
http://forums.bit-tech.net/showthread.php?t=228523
 
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