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[Build Log] Project "Black Hawk" X79 -> Z77

10K views 57 replies 10 participants last post by  Gobigorgohome 
#1 ·
Black Hawk
by Gobigorgohome

Thank you Techbay.no for helping me out with 10% off on all water cooling for this build.
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Introduction

My computer-adventure took a new turn about six months ago when I finally decided to go with custom water cooling, which I probably should have done a long time ago after buying pretty much every aftermarket aircooling system for my CPU. At the time I was using a i7-3770K with a Asus Maximus V Formula and 2x GTX 660 Ti's in SLI, at one point I got 3-way GTX 660 Ti in SLI, but the performance never got me where I wanted to be, I was also rocking Nvidia Surround with 5760x1080 on some cheap Benq monitors. I decided to build a "new" rig from scratch and got the Asus Maximus VI Gene Z87 and the i7-4770K together with new RAM and that helped a bit, but that time around I was using custom water cooling, very much like the "CM Special Force 500" of Webtourist here on OCN. Things got to the point when I figured out the perfect way of upgrading my system with more watercooling for an upcoming graphic cards upgrade, so I bought 2x Alphacool Monsta 480's I was planning on having on the top of my case.
I got into heavy modifications to a Fractal Design Arc Mini R2, with nickelplated coppertubing and alot of fittings (two loops with not a single soft tube), it looked awesome and did pretty well. I had a lot of working hours on that build, but it seemed like it was pretty much the same as before and when the price of the AMD R9 295X2 got released my plans pretty much crashed. I had ruined one Asus Maximus VI Gene (I do not know how) and my i7-4770K was destroyed during de-lidding, I ordered a new Gene Z87 and a new i7-4770K only to get a poor chip and I ended up returning the motherboard and the CPU to the shop. I hooked up an old motherboard and CPU I got laing around and used that for a couple of months, until I recently got across a pretty cheap i7-3930K which I decided to bAfter picking up the i7-3930K for a great price I kind of wanted to build a quad crossfire rig for 4K gaming and do some heavy water cooling. I had used EK-water blocks before and I was quite pleased with those blocks so I thought I go that way with this build too. The first order was 4x R9 290s, but after a disappointment aircooling solution of those cards I ended up returning them to get something better. Instead I ordered 2x MSI Lightning R9 290X and a Asus Rampage IV Gene, but for that pricepoint the cards was not quite good enough so I ended up returning them too. uy used. The "White Swan" in my rig is the Fractal Design Arc Mini R2 project I was talking about earlier, you can check it out on my profile.

Goals with this build

The "Black Hawk" will be based on the Asus Rampage IV Black Edition, i7-3930K, 16 Gigabytes of Crucial Ballistix Elite 1866 Mhz RAM, four Sapphire Radeon R9 290X and two EVGA G2 1300W power supplies, the main goal with this machine is to get really good framerates together with the Samsung U28D590D. The machine have to be 24/7 stable, with custom water cooling, stealthy and quiet. The end-result will be almost all black when it comes to aesthetics, which I think will be awesome.
I overspent a bit on the water cooling, I had 2x Alphacool Monsta 480s, 2x EK-XTX240s and 2x EK-XT120s and I decided to get a WaterCool MO-RA3 420 LT to be sure of good temperatures for this setup. The MO-RA3 will be used with 9x low rpm 140 millimeter fans so the setup not will be too loud.

Hardware list (may change)

  • Asus Rampage IV Black Edition X79
  • Intel i7-3930K X79 --> Intel i7-4930K X79
  • 16 GB Crucial BallistiX Elite 1866 Mhz --> 16 GB Corsair Dominator Platinum 2400 Mhz CL9 RAM
  • 4x Sapphire Radeon R9 290X (2x BF4 edition, 2x normal)
  • 1x SanDisk Ultra Plus 256 GB
  • 3x Seagate Barracuda 3TB
  • Corsair Carbide Air 540 --> new case (of some sorts)
  • 2x EVGA G2 1300W
  • Samsung U28D590D
  • Pioneer S-DJ08
  • NAD D 1050 DAC

Water cooling parts

  • 1x EK-FB ASUS R4BE Monoblock Acetal+Nickel (returned) - EK-FB ASUS R4BE Acetal+Nickel
  • 1x EK-Supremacy CLEAN CSQ - Full Nickel with Elite bracket
  • 4x EK-FC R9-290X - Acetal+Nickel
  • 4x EK-FC R9-290X, black
  • 1x EK-FC Terminal, Quad, Semi-Parallell, black
  • 2x EK-RAM Monarch X4, (Nickel CSQ), Acetal+Nickel CSQ
  • 2x EK-RAM Monarch X4, Clean CSQ, Acetal
  • 5x EK-ZMT Matte Black 3/8"ID-5/8"OD
  • 20x Bitspower Compression Fittings (Silver Shining)
  • 15x Bitspower Multi-Link Adapter 12 mm Silver Shining
  • XSPC Dual D5, 5 1/4"
  • 2x Swiftech MCP655
  • 2x Alphacool NexXxos Monsta 480 - 1x MO-RA3 420 LT (ordered 26.08.14)
  • 2x EK-XTX240 - will be replaced with the 420 LT.
  • 1x Bitspower Minivalve Silver Shining
  • 4x Phobya G-Silent 700 rpm - 9x Cooltek 140 mm 900 rpm
  • 4x Corsair SP120 High Performance - same as above.
  • 4x Noctua NF-F12 - same as above.
  • 1x WaterCool MO-RA3 420 LT
  • 9x Cooltek 140 mm

Accessories


  • 2x Swiftech PWM-fancontroller
  • 2x LD Cooling Silver Vandal Switch (one white, one blue) 19 mm
  • EK 45 degree fitting
  • EK 90 degree fitting
  • Fujipoly Ultra Extreme 0,5/1,0mm thermal pad
  • 2x Gelid GC-Extreme
  • Nickel-plated copper tubing
Total cost with everything of accessories, sound-accessories, water cooling, hardware, gaming-accessories and paint/sand paper is a little above 10 grand USD. This is approxemately 25% + of the USD-price of the exact same products.

Update 17.07.14

"Project-start" with cutting out the holes for the radiators on the acrylic plate which will hold 2x Alphacool Monsta 480, 2x EK-XTX240, 1x EK-XTX120 and 1x EK-XT120.


Case arrived together with motherboard and GPU's, the RAM already have the Monarch modules installed (from previous build) and the water cooling is just a "test setup". Running quadfire with one EVGA G2 1300W to test out that quadfire was working properly.


Closer look at the cards, these are all reference Sapphire Radeon R9 290X (2x BF4 editions and 2x "normal" editions). Stock clock on air with fans at 100% when gaming.


- Time for some modding, I did try my cracked XSPC-reservoir in the original 5 1/4" bays and it did not go in, so I threw out the original bays and replaced it with a Fractal Design Arc Mini R2 5 1/4" bay which is "slightly" modified to fit in this case. After this little mod the XSPC-reservoir went right in.
- I also planned out to use dual power supplies in this case (part of the reason I got this particular case), just used a wirecutter to get the hex mesh out of the way for the power-cable and the "on/off switch", drilled holes for the screws and threw it in.
- I did a little test fitting of a SSD-bracket and decided to just mount it above the second power supply, which went just fine. The HDD's will probably be in this position, maybe with some kind of fastening mechanisme, because loose HDD's is no good idea if the case is moved.


A quick picture of the selfmade radiator stand made of 4mm acrylic which holds 2x AC Monsta 480s, 2x XTX240s, 1x XTX120 and 1x XT120 together with 4x Corsair SP120s, 4x Noctua NF-F12, 2x Fractal Design Silent, 2x Phobya G-Silent 700 rpm fans, all painted white. All radiators exept the 120s is painted white by myself, I am no painter so the result is bad, but for my usage it is not to important.


A picture of the front of the radiator stand, I should might have painted the hole thing black before fastening all those radiators, I may do that later though.

Update 21.07.14

This was my only real plan for my day off from work, to make the acrylic cover for the exhaust fan where the tubing should enter the case. It is made like that by a very simple reason, the door (with the window) has a very weird design in the back towards the 140 mm fan in the rear, so I had to make it fit good so I was sure that I would get the side door on when all is completely mounted. It looks a lot better with the door on, it just need a good wash and some holes for the screws and tubing and it is good to go.


A "cool" picture of the RIVBE, Crucial Ballistix Elite with EK-Monarch modules and the EK-Supremacy Clean CSQ with my "test-setup configuration". It seems like my camera is much better in bright sunlight than indoor with poor lightning, it actually makes a lot of sense.


The backside of the case (I love the 8x DVI-ports of the four GPU's and the rear of 2x EVGA G2 1300W PSU's in the same case. There became a few fat fingerprints on the case though, sweaty in the summer. If you are a perfectionist (kind of like me) you notice a few holes over the bottom hole for the second PSU, this is holes I thought would fit to the screw, but it did not. So I kind of hope you guys do not take that all to badly, my mistake. The white "thing" over the second PSU is the SSD-mount with a slightly brushed finish (I should definitively brush that all the way down to metallic and add some frost-like acrylic to the back or something ...).


More cable-mess with the test-setup, the loop is just something I threw together in 10 minutes. But a little "overview picture" before the "teardown" of the test-setup.


A closer picture of the EK-Supremacy with a silver painted bracket (hot temperature paint actually with very poor finish), but it is perfect as a test-setup.


Just a little picture of my white EK-XTX240 (I have actually painted the X-Res, XTX240 and the fans myself and the result became pretty good, the XTX240s had the best result of all the parts I painted actually. Some nature in the background too.


More cable-mess, I have a job to do with my cable management for these many cables, it will be exciting.


The idea with the acrylic panel.


This could work, right?
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Aaaaaaaaaaaand ... cut out to fit the top, I still do not know if I should cut out the rest of the "radiator holes" which I do not think I ever will use with this case, pretty much because I do not own any radiator that is thin enough to fit in there with fans.

This was all for now, will upload a few more pictures when I got some more done.
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Update 22.07.14
FINALLY, time for some modding! (This was not the plans with this build though). Anyways, let the fun begin!
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Started out with a picture of the "before" of the case, a pretty normal Corsair Carbide Air 540 completely stripped for all plastic and other accessories. The case is placed on my "workbench" outside in the sun!
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Wow, look at that some of all that metal is gone, is it for water cooling?


Cut-out in the bottom


Cut-out on the top


Cut-out in the front (both sides)


Testfitted some acrylic panels (just red tape, the glass is shiny)


Dual-panels in the top, there will also be a acrylic piece on the inside for the right look


Some of the pieces I cut out


The rest of the pieces I cut out


The most of the acrylic pieces in one shot.

The measurement, cutting and finish work took me nearly four hours with an angle cutter and some patient.
Tomorrow there will probably be some final work like drilling holes and fit the acrylic panels so they are a perfect fit.

Update 23.07.14

Started the day out with some finishing touches of the top-panels so they would fit a little better, on this picture I am pretty much done with the top of the case when it comes to drilling holes in the acrylic panels.


One shot from the inside of the case (this is the third panel (in thickness) in the top of the case).


This picture give a "feeling" of how this will look when it is done, still have some work left to do.

Second, I got the thermal pads, the vandal switches and the most of the water cooling today. Only missing 9x Cooltek fans and the second PSU connector.

Update 24.07.14

I pretty much started the day with cutting out new bottom for the case (acrylic), because the last cut was too bad and it looked very bad. It took very long time, but it got perfect too.


Just a shot of the front with M6-screws with washers and lock nuts, I think it is dual front plates in that shot.


A little picture of top/front and the "gap" between the two, I have to find out something clever for this to make it look a little better.


A bad shot from inside the case (I had worked at the case for hours when I took these pictures so I might have been a little unstable).


Preview of "kind of" how it will look when it is done.


Just another shot from the front


A shot from the back, I mounted the plate for the hex-mesh x2 and the exhaust fan cover after I took these pictures, but I forgot to photograph it.


A little "fun-job" too, my back was sore after sitting on a bench in seven hours and worked on the case, so I figured I would give one GPU a try. Here pretty much "half-done".


The last picture today, this is just a shot of the waterblock installed (with backplate), I will have to get back with more.

Update 26.07.14

Okay, I actually did this late last knight, but it was after the update here so I figured I take it today instead. It is the EK-FB Asus R4BE Monoblock Acetal+Nickel installed (black washers and the original screws on the top as you can see), I also had to drill up four M4-washers because these was not included in the pack I got. Will e-mail EKWB about this and get the right length of the screws. Second, 2x EK-Dominator X4 Nickel with clean Acetal tops.


A picture of the "original" cards (not the BF4 editions which have Elpida), while these two cards has Hynix apparently. It seemed like the "original" cards had better thermal pads and thermal paste than the BF4 editions.


Then a little picture of my workbench outside, it was so hot that I had to move the hole thing outside.


Done with three cards with Acetal+Nickel blocks (of course).
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Just another angle of the cards, looking very good in my eyes.


Took a picture of one of the cards without the single Ek-bridge.


A bad picture of some loop-setup (I might have to change it because the right side inlet on the monoblock is supposedly the inlet and not the outlet, just fun to find a new route then. As you can see there will be used a little copper-tubing in this build.


A little picture of the motherboard inside the case (modded slightly with acrylic glass with windows here and there for better viewing of the hardware and water cooling inside).


Quad-setup R9 290X.


Quad R9 290X's in the case, with the Rampage IV Black Edition "thingy" which looks so good over the IO place or whatever it is called.


The front-view.


The top-view (I will use the original side window for this side of the case).


Bottom-view.


Better picture of the front-view with my fittings-box in front of the case (much goodies in that box).

I need to drill holes for the tubing in the exhaust-fan cover and drill holes for the LD Cooling 19 mm Vandal Switches on the front-panel, then it is the connection of the power supplies and setting up the radiators and reservoir and stuff. Hope you enjoyed this. More to come.

Update 05.08.14

This shot was taken after the first/second round with the painting (freestyle by the way)
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I just mounted the rubber grommets, IO and motherboard stand-offs.


Inside the case with rubber grommets installed.


Rear with IO-panel installed.


Behind motherboard-tray with some details.


Star on the front of the case.


Case with the side windowed panel (not mounted).

Update 06.08.14

EK-FB ASUS R4BE Acetal+Nickel and EK-Supremacy Clean CSQ Full Nickel with Elite bracket installed


Some loop-building, could not use copper tubing because many of holes was to near each other.


Another angle.


Close.


I thought this approach was a little cool.


Chipset to GPU's.


From the top.


From the front.


Another picture.

Update 07.08.14

Started out with rough bends and some fittings.


3x EK-PSC 45 degree down low.


Measurement with both RAM --> out and GPU's --> out.


Little bit more detailed picture.


Drilled holes for the bushings with Multi-Link adapters in the "end".


Hard tubing on.


Fitted.


The loop mounted inside the case with the QD3 bushings.


Corsair Carbide Air 540.


Top view (you can see how the paint is visible through the acrylic).


I am very pleased with this, make it worth the while.
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Update 10.08.14

Got a good ten and a half hours with leak/bleed testing done tonight, re-filled the loop when I got up this morning. No leaks the first hour and a half, and none leaks after ten hours. Seems like I have done a very good job with my measurements and cuts of the hard tubing.

Today I started out drilling the holes for the HDD-bracket and wire up the rest of the cables inside the computer. Then I just tried to start the computer with the LD-Cooling buttons which did not work (big surprise
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), so I guess I have to re-do that (if anyone have a "guide" or whatever how to do that I would like to see it, came with no manual or anything really). I guess red = positive and black = negative, but what is positive and negative on the RIVBE can't be nowhere to find it seems like.

At least the computer started up with the "Start"-button on the motherboard and everything is working properly.

Then I upload a few shots of my system.

One of the shots from before I started on the tubing.


MO-RA3 420 LT and radiator stand.


I started the day out with drilling holes for the HDD-bracket which turned out like this.


Another shot the HDD-bracket, it did not become all too straight, but it is good enough (and it will not be visible).


Hooked up with side windowed door.


My "Black Hawk" is alive.


My gaming table, Samsung U28D590D, NAD D 1050 and my two lovely Pioneer S-DJ08s with studio monitor stands. The perfect system for me!
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One shot with the computer turned on.


Radiator stand hooked up to the rest of the system.


MO-RA3 420 LT hooked up to the rest of the system.
 
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#2 ·
Progress 05.07.14

Got the machine up and running yesterday and because my internet have been gone a couple of days I have had to postpone the installing of some software.

The hole deal started with the bios on the RIVBE:
CPU-current: 180%
X.M.P mode for my memory (mismatched Crucial BallistiX Elite 1866 Mhz), running 9-9-9-27 at 1,5 votls.
Vcore voltage: 1,20 volts (seemed to be a bit unstable so it is set to 1,23 volts now)

In windows I had a little problem with the voltage, and every time I started Intel Burn Test or Prime95 the computer crashed (no BSOD), just crashed. This seemed to be sorted out when I installed the Chipset Driver off the Asus RIVBE-disc.

On the other hand I have been working on the water cooling-setup for my radiators which will be outside of the case. I bent some acrylic I cut out with a angle grinder (think it was 95x60 centimetres (60 cm be the height). I bent it so the "legs" became about 15 centimetres each and it was some pretty good bends. (I have worked a little with acrylic before), in this plate I used a hole cutter to cut holes for 2x 480s, 2x 240s and 2x 120s with an okay result (I do not really care how this looks beside it will work good), I also drilled holes for every fanhole in the radiators. A little pita work, but it is done now. After a little discussion with my father I figured out I may change the layout of the "stand" a bit, so I will mount every radiator horizontal instead of vertically (to make the radiators most efficient, with the fans on the buttom or backside of the radiator pushing air through the radiator). I have left to make some supporting legs to have under the middle of the stand (to make it more solid, because the radiators will be heavy with water and fans mounted on to it). , I have cut out these acrylic plates, but I need to bend them. I also bought screws for the mounting of the radiator (I already have fan-screws).

I will probably use the radiator stand directly on the ground and set the case on top of it (it it is not too heavy).

Originally I was going to buy the Corsair 750D, but then I came across a little cheaper Corsair Carbide Air 540 which made install of a second PSU a little easier so I went for that case instead. I am so happy that I did that because I can easyli see that happening inside this case. It also support 4x GPU's and E-ATX boards so then I was sold. I have starting plucking it down a bit, just so I can get in the water cooling gear I am going to order soon.

I will modify the 5 1/4" bays in the front, fan grill on the back has to go (because it is ugly and same with the fans). HDD-hotswaps will be used for 2x HDD's and hopefully I can fit the last HDD in the back together with 2x SSD's.

Ordered this from my local water cooling supplier:

4x EK-FC R9 290X Acetal+Nickel
4x EK-FC R9 290X black backplates
1x EK-FC Terminal Quad, Semi-Parallell
1x Dual PSU-connector
1x Koolance RP-452X2

The only order I have left is the second PSU, then the building starts
 
#3 ·
Progress 07.07.14

I have been in contact with the seller of the water cooling gear and it seems like he will have everything next week.

I also ordered 1x EK-DOMINATOR X4, acetal+nickel and 2x EK-DOMINATOR X4 acetal clean top together with 2 metres more of tubing.

The second EVGA G2 1300W will probably be ordered this friday.

Progress 09.07.14

Today I got around and bent the acrylic stands that will support the radiator stand made by acrylic. The job was pretty quick so I decided to start mounting some of the radiators, but it seems like my hole-drilling missed with a couple of millimeters by some of the holes, will redrill those holes tomorrow and hopefully install the rest of the radiators (beside the one I am using with the 3930K at the moment).

I would really like to have the radiator stand done by the arrival of the rest of the water cooling gear so that I could just install all the water cooling blocks and everything as soon as they arrive. Will do the "mods" on the Corsair Carbide Air 540 too, I have probably already written a little about it, but I need to drill holes for a second PSU, that means cut out some of the backpanel and drill holes for the screws (it should be an easy task). Second I need to modify the Fractal Desgin Arc Mini R2 5 1/4" bays so they will fit the screws and holes on the case, this should also be an easy task.

As you guys would know (depending you have read the above) this build will be an "all black theme" build, with just acetal-blocks, black tubing and black case, therefore the name "Black Hawk" and beside black hawk is a really cool military helicopter or the bird (which also are awesome).
The cables will be black beside the PCI-E cables that will be red (from the EVGA G2 1300W PSU's). I will come back with photos next week, if I have the time.

Progress 12.07.14

Today I got around and drilled new holes for the last 480 Monsta radiator in the radiator stand (which will be setup vertically instead of horizontally) because of cracks in the acrylic panel (sadly). I will fasten the last 240 mm radiator as soon as my water cooling gear is sent from the shop (I hope that is this monday).
I also ordered the second EVGA G2 1300W, so I hope I get it next week.

Progress 13.07.14

I just ordered a Watercool MO-RA3 1260 and 9x Cooltek fans, together with a fan controller and some adapters for the fans.
 
#4 ·
Progress 14.07.14

It seems like there will be a little delay on the water cooling parts, got a message today saying that the last GPU waterblock would not be shipped before late this week (that means it comes next week).

The good thing is that the second EVGA G2 1300W got shipped today, I only need to modify the back of the case (when the PSU get here) so I can fit it in there, and maybe re-install the SSD-mounting bracket (if there is enough space left though). If it goes in before the water blocks are here I will most likely overclock the CPU to see what I have to work with.

Second I have to finish the radiator stand, with fans and tube routing (which is the easy part of the radiator stand).

Third I have to modify the 5 1/4" bays to fit the Koolance RP-452X2.

Will come back with pictures when the parts arrive.

Progress 17.07.14

I got the second EVGA G2 1300W today, and since it was a thunderstorm in the area I live I just decided to do the modding this evening (since computers is worthless in such weather).

I started out with the 5 1/4" bays, which turned out to be a totally PITA, I had to cut my Fractal Design Arc Mini 5 1/4" bay four times before it would fit inside the Air 540, then I had to break of the two fastening "brackets" in top and bottom (metal). Then I started drilling some holes in the 5 1/4" bays so that I could use M3x5mm screws with a nut on the "backside" (inside the case). Which went pretty good and I got the dual buy inside with not much hassle, I try fitted the XSPC dual 5 1/4" reservoir I had laying around and it fitted with 90 percentage, it is not perfect, but I think it will work okay.

Second I started out on modifying the back of the case to fit the second power supply (which turned out to be a lot easier than first feared), I started using a wirecutter to cut the hex mesh in the back, then I just drilled holes for the screws and mounted it. I even mounted a SSD-bracket with a SSD over the second PSU, and still I will be able to place my HDD's on top of the second PSU.

From what I can remember now I just need to make a "cover-plate" for the rear exhaust in the case, where I also plan to route the tubing through from the external radiators.

To sum it up, now I have 2600 wattage of power in the Corsair Carbide Air 540, so now I just need the water cooling which got another delay (because the fans I had ordered to the MO-RA3 was expired and the seller got in new models late next week), so I guess I get the parts in 1 week and a few days.

I also ordered Fujipoly Ultra Extreme 1mm and 0,5mm pads from FrozenCPU to go on the EK-FC R9 290X Acetal+Nickel blocks together with the EK-FC R4BE Monoblock, I think I also will order some Gelid Extreme thermal paste together with a few matte black compression fittings. Then I should be covered for a while.

Progress 21.07.14

Today I got a little bored and found out that I had A LOT of acrylic panel just dusting down in my room, so I decided to try to cut out panels for the top and front of the case (in the desperate moment of trying to figure out how to move the power/reset button on to the acrylic panels I just ordered 2x LD Cooling Silver Vandal Switches, 19 mm with white and blue LED's). I also made the acrylic cover for the exhaust fan (where my tubing will go through) and I also cut out some pieces to cover the hex mesh in the back. Then I figured I might just brush down the acrylic panels with very fine-grained sandpaper and get this "icy-look" of it which really agrees with me. I figured I could do the same with the rest of the acrylic panels too, and try to make a "window" in the front and on the top of the case, I don't know yet if I should cut of some of the case at the top and front to get a bigger window or not. Because that will kind of ruin the case if I figure out I will use it with the stock panels for later, but I will see.

I called Techbay today and got to change my order so I cancelled the Koolance RP-452X2 because it apparently is a real PITA to get the air out of and I kind of figured out that I could just forget to have the reservoir inside the case, so that is also going externally now. The price-difference was also noticeable so instead of getting some of my money back I told them that I rather wanted 2x Gelid GC-Extreme and as many EK CSQ 3/8"-5/8" black compression fittings as I could get for the difference, which was five. I also got told that my order would be sent later today (and it did). The only downside was that he had not got his hands on the "second PSU starter wire", so technically I will still be using just one PSU even if I have two PSU's inside my case, but he was going to get it asap and send it asap when he got it. The Fujipoly Ultra Extreme is still in the Norwegian customs, so I hope they are ready to forward it as soon as possible (it was supposed to be cleared yesterday so I guess it is under it's way).

The only thing left to do now is bending some acrylic glass, drill holes for the mounting of the acrylic and figure out a loop and build it. And of course I need to get the waterblocks onto the hardware, but all this is just fun.
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#5 ·
Update 22.07.14
FINALLY, time for some modding! (This was not the plans with this build though). Anyways, let the fun begin!
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Started out with a picture of the "before" of the case, a pretty normal Corsair Carbide Air 540 completely stripped for all plastic and other accessories. The case is placed on my "workbench" outside in the sun!
smile.gif



Wow, look at that some of all that metal is gone, is it for water cooling?


Cut-out in the bottom


Cut-out on the top


Cut-out in the front (both sides)


Testfitted some acrylic panels (just red tape, the glass is shiny)


Dual-panels in the top, there will also be a acrylic piece on the inside for the right look


Some of the pieces I cut out


The rest of the pieces I cut out


The most of the acrylic pieces in one shot.

The measurement, cutting and finish work took me nearly four hours with an angle cutter and some patient.
Tomorrow there will probably be some final work like drilling holes and fit the acrylic panels so they are a perfect fit.
 
#6 ·
First off, the project has officially started (actually yesterday), but now it will be done very much in a short time. Stay tuned!
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Update 24.07.14

I pretty much started the day with cutting out new bottom for the case (acrylic), because the last cut was too bad and it looked very bad. It took very long time, but it got perfect too.


Just a shot of the front with M6-screws with washers and lock nuts, I think it is dual front plates in that shot.


A little picture of top/front and the "gap" between the two, I have to find out something clever for this to make it look a little better.


A bad shot from inside the case (I had worked at the case for hours when I took these pictures so I might have been a little unstable).


Preview of "kind of" how it will look when it is done.


Just another shot from the front


A shot from the back, I mounted the plate for the hex-mesh x2 and the exhaust fan cover after I took these pictures, but I forgot to photograph it.


A little "fun-job" too, my back was sore after sitting on a bench in seven hours and worked on the case, so I figured I would give one GPU a try. Here pretty much "half-done".


The last picture today, this is just a shot of the waterblock installed (with backplate), I will have to get back with more.
 
#8 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by aaroc View Post

Very looking! The red PCIe cables hat you have on your temporal test build came with the EVGA PSU or did you order them separately?
The red pci-e cables followed the evga g2 psu, looking for some individual black sleeved cables.
 
#9 ·
#11 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by WhiteWulfe View Post

EVGA does sell individually sleeve cable sets: http://www.evga.com/Products/Product.aspx?pn=100-CK-1300-B9 No idea how shipping would be to Norway, or if european distributors carry such.
90 bucks?!?!?!? Wow, that is a steal, hope I can get my hands on two pairs of those.
Quote:
Originally Posted by aaroc View Post

The EVGA sleeved cables a a lot cheaper than the Corsair ones.
rolleyes.gif
Yes, I can see that, wow, I will check it out.

Ordered two packs just now, the EU-site had reduction for Norwegian customs, awesome!
biggrin.gif
 
#12 ·
Okay, a mild bump in the road to Rome. I looked a little further on the Monoblock and I saw that the water is actually passing over the screws which I have problems with (three screws on the Mosfet that goes down on the batteries on the motherboard, if it did not have the after-mounted washers). I read somewhere on OCN a while back that there was a problem with too long screws on the monoblock, guess I was unlucky and got one of those examples. I have filed for RMA to the shop where I bought it, then I want the "classic" instead, got a bit worried.

Then it will be EK-Supremacy Full Nickel + EK-FB ASUS R4BE Acetal+Nickel.
 
#13 ·
In the past five days I have pretty much just had a lot to do at work so there is not done too much with the project.

I got around and drilled the holes for the LD Cooling 19 mm Vandal switches (and mounted them), then I got a bit of a problem when it got to HDD-placement, but I figured out a way around that too. It ended up with a acrylic plate which I bended (will attach it to the motherboard) and use the side mounting holes on the HDD's to attach the HDD's to the bracket, it will be neat. 8-pin CPU-cable will go behind the HDD's so I think it could be very interesting.

I also talked to the owner of Techbay.no (where I get my water cooling gear mostly) and I ordered 2x bushing QD3's so I could mount them on the acrylic wall where I planned on running the hard tubing through. I just have to buy some 12 mm nickel-plated copper tubing now and wait for the blocks to arrive (probably Wednesday next week). I also got the home-made radiator stand finished (tubed up and everything), so there is not too much work left before the computer can be tested with the water cooling, I am really excited.
 
#15 ·
#16 ·
I have a few Koolance QD4 with compression fitting and they work very good. I swapped the orientation of the flow reconnecting to get rid of some bubbles on the CPU waterblock and to let some big bubbles get out and refill with a QDC and an open hose on the other side. The QD4 are bigger and in theory offer less restriction, but they are big. After using them, I really cant think of a loop without QDC. I only have WC on the CPU+RAM sector, in hte near future I will WC the GPUs.
 
#17 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by aaroc View Post

I have a few Koolance QD4 with compression fitting and they work very good. I swapped the orientation of the flow reconnecting to get rid of some bubbles on the CPU waterblock and to let some big bubbles get out and refill with a QDC and an open hose on the other side. The QD4 are bigger and in theory offer less restriction, but they are big. After using them, I really cant think of a loop without QDC. I only have WC on the CPU+RAM sector, in hte near future I will WC the GPUs.
Okay I see, this is the first time I ever use any kind of quick-disconnects (did not really need it before either). The only thing I am worried about is the restricted flow, other than that I guess they will work fine.

On the project-side I guess I will take some more time rubbing the acrylic glass with 1500/2000 grit sandpaper ... it got a bit rough with just 800 grit and I have to file down the deep cuts, it does not look too good now.
 
#18 ·
Okay, I came around and did some grinding of the acrylic today, I did one more pass with 800 grit sandpaper first then another pass with 1500 grit sandpaper. I tried 2500 grit sandpaper too, but then the acrylic got shiny again so I had to go over with 1500 again. I have 2000 grit sandpaper lying around too, but I think I call it a day at 1500 (it seems to be more and more clear when the sandpaper get more fine-grinded).

I got the "second PSU-starter cable" today, and the sleeved cables from EVGA got shipped sometime last week so they should be right around the corner.

I have to drill the holes for the HDD's, which I have not got around to do yet, this will probably be done tomorrow when I have a day off of work. The water blocks for the CPU and MB finally got sent today, that was about time so I probably have them on Wednesday (I hope to put the rig together then).

Checklist for what I have to do before/during mounting:

- Drill holes for the QD3 bushings
- Cut holes for the power/reset-button wires
- Mount the EK-FB ASUS R4BE Acetal+Nickel
- Mount the EK-Supremacy Full Nickel Clean CSQ
- Get all the hardware into the case
- Bend and cut nickel-plated copper tubing
- Mount fans on MO-RA3
- Mount the legs on the MO-RA3 and connect it to the radiator stand (using EK-ZMT tube with EK-CSQ fittings)
- Handle all the fans on the radiator stand and the MO-RA3 (mount to fan-controller and so on)
- Clean my desk and find placement for radiator stand, MO-RA3 and case
- Fill the loop, leak-test and ready to go!
 
#19 ·
Okay, back again with some more work done. I figured out that stock black "case" was a bit boring so I went ahead and grinding it down with 800 grit sandpaper, I went to the store and got some green paint (they did not have brown paint
frown.gif
) so I just went ahead with green. I primed the case and both doors with some zink-coldgalvanizing I had laying around since last project, then it was time for some paint, I ended up using green and white (because the shop did not have the frost glass paint which would have been perfect for the MB-tray). I just improvised a bit and I was trying to get the "theme" go after military paint because the "Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk" is the inspiration for this build. Therefor "Black Hawk". If I am going to do more "graphics" I think I will do stickers, because it should be outside on the acrylic.

I am throwing a picture in just for a taste of the paint-job I did on the case (I am very happy with it this far), just need some more work with the "graphics" to do it justice. I added a few more shots.

Update 05.08.14


This shot was taken after the first/second round with the painting (freestyle by the way)
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I just mounted the rubber grommets, IO and motherboard stand-offs.










Let me know what you guys think, the acrylic panels will go on the outside of this paint so it will not be this visible when it is done.
 
#20 ·
Update 06.08.14


EK-FB ASUS R4BE Acetal+Nickel and EK-Supremacy Clean CSQ Full Nickel with Elite bracket installed


Some loop-building, could not use copper tubing because many of holes was to near each other.


Another angle.


Close.




Chipset to GPU's.


From the top.




Tell me what you guys think!
smile.gif
 
#22 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by aaroc View Post

The acrilic will have a camouflage theme too?
No, the acrylic is brushed with 1500 grit sandpaper to get the "frost-look", I will add some stickers with the name of the project and so on, the paint is visible through the acrylic panels though so it gets a little different approach than just "military theme". Will get pictures of this soon, but I have done so much work on the project today, I miss two pipes to be "done" with the internally loop.


This is the top of the case (even on the edges the paint is visible through the acrylic), where it actually is two acrylic panels. No problem to see in normal daylight.


The front of the case (down below the power/reset-buttons), you can see the white star together with some other effects. My camera did not catch the effect too good though.
 
#24 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by iBored View Post

Are those stainless steel pipes?
Nickel-plated copper tubing 12/10 mm
 
#25 ·
Update 07.08.14


Started out with rough bends and some fittings.


3x EK-PSC 45 degree down low.


Measurement with both RAM --> out and GPU's --> out.


Little bit more detailed picture.


Drilled holes for the bushings with Multi-Link adapters in the "end".


Hard tubing on.


Fitted.


The loop mounted inside the case with the QD3 bushings.


Corsair Carbide Air 540.


Top view (you can see how the paint is visible through the acrylic).


I am very pleased with this, make it worth the while.
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