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[Build Log] Project Nemesis (CaseLabs Mercury S3)

15K views 144 replies 16 participants last post by  SortOfGrim 
#1 ·
Welcome to Project Nemesis!

I, SortOfGrim, have declared that I will be building another computer. All previous statements are out the window (Hero Magnum being the last build).
So I want a stand-alone, portable LAN computer for games that play easier/better with a (Steam) controller. And I also want to enjoy 1080p blurays movies without stutter.

Signed,


Most current state:


Main Components
Case: CaseLabs Mercury S3
MoBo: Asus Maximus VII Impact
CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K
RAM: G.Skill RipJawsX 2x 4GB 2133MHz
GPU: Asus R9 280X DCUII TOP
SSD: Samsung 840 EVO 250GB
HDD: Western Digital Caviar Green 2TB
PSU: Seasonic M12II-520Bronze EVO edition
OS: Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate

Cooling Components
CPU: EK-FB ASUS M6I - Nickel
GPU: EK-FC R9-280X DCII (Original CSQ)
Pump: EK-XTOP DDC 3.2 PWM - Acetal
Pump acc: Swiftech MCP35X Heat Sink
Pump acc: EK-UNI Holder D5 V2
Pump acc: (UN)Designs Z3 Pump Bracket
Reservoir: MCP35X res v2b
Radiator: Alphacool NexXxoS UT60 280mm
Radiator: HWL Black Ice SR-1 140mm
Fitting: Bitspower
Tubes: Acrylic
Coolant: Mayhem Crystal White
Fans: 3x Noiseblocker NB-BlackSilent Pro PK-3 140mm

Additional components
TV: LG 42LN5400 42"
Mouse: Logitech M570 Wireless Trackball
Controller: Microsoft Xbox 360 wireless controller

Thank you for viewing!

THANK YOU Case Labs for adding my build to their website!
 
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#2 ·
Links to pix

Chapter 1: The Asus Maximus VII Impact overview
Chapter 2: Test setup in the Bitfenix Prodigy (such a small case)
Chapter 3: Cooler Master V550 Semi-Modular and the EKL Alpenföhn Wing Boost 2 Snow White (What a short name!) arrived!
Chapter 4: EKWB Impact (VI) motherboard block arrived and installed
Chapter 5: Asus R9 280X DirectCUII TOP appeared to be DOA but is still alive! Stupid ASrock E350M1 couldn't handle it..a mystery till this day..
Chapter 6: The beautiful (smallest CaseLabs case (for now)) CaseLabs Mercury S3 has finally arrived. Shipped flat packed so I can screw it!
Chapter 7: Position of the radiator: top fittings or bottom? That's the question
Chapter 8: Test setup: starting with bending
Chapter 9: Problems with the screws in combination with the rubber frames of the Wing Boost
Chapter 10: Removed all connectors from the psu..the first step in sleeving the psu (frustrating procedure btw)
Chapter 11: Add some spacers, dude! And finished with the acrylic tubes?
Chapter 12: Okay, now I'm finished with bending / doing the tubes. (maybe)
Chapter 13: I'll stop repeating now(tubes related)
Chapter 14: Done with shortening & fixing the psu cables..waiting for the sleeving
Chapter 15: Sleeving arrived! just 1 pic, nothing more
Chapter 16: Leak testing with the Mayhem!
Chapter 17: New PSU arrived: Seasonic M12II-520Bronze EVO edition, cause I'm horrible at sleeving
Chapter 18: Water cooling stuff finished but the mobo bricked mad.gif RMA in progress
Chapter 19: Waiting for the pump. Installed an air cooler, tricky cause of vertical board but..
Chapter 20: a drunk post..but the new pump arrived!
Chapter 21: Installed the water cooling stuff again and..
Chapter 22: Bunch of pix. 99% done!
Chapter 23: Botch job until I can justify spending more than half on shipping costs
Chapter 24: The build continues..adding a 140mm rad!
Chapter 25: A bit more tinkering
Chapter 26: Finally done! again
 
#3 ·
Can't wait to see more ^_^
 
#4 ·
mm..tough choices

Bitspower AIZ87M6IITX Nickel Plated or EK-FB ASUS M6I - Nickel
*
 
#6 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by Pheozero View Post

I'm not sure why, but the EK block is just more visually appealing to me.
Agreed. And it performs much, much better. Better than their Supremacy which is the best performing CPU block out there, that I know of.
 
#7 ·
I like the intricacy of the ek, but also love the raw brute look the bitspower has. Bet the ek looks better wth coolant ^-^
 
#8 ·
Due to circumstances I can't afford a completely new rig..

mm.. it might be a while before I start building.
cheers.gif


Soon the i5-4670k will be mating with the impact. Or with the i7-4790k, if the Hero fails me.
 
#9 ·
upgraded the bios to the latest so it supports the new cpu
 
#10 ·
And here it is!


Also did a memory test @neurotix


So why is this here, sog? Well, the i5 will be used in the Nemesis.
edit: and maybe this memory
 
#12 ·
lol, it's not going to replace any. It's going to compete with the Hero Magnum and Primum Inflexio.
Why do I have a sneaky suspicious feeling you fishing for parts?
tongue.gif


Do you have your bike already? And how's work?
 
#13 ·
oh man, want!
 
#14 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by SortOfGrim View Post

lol, it's not going to replace any. It's going to compete with the Hero Magnum and Primum Inflexio.
Why do I have a sneaky suspicious feeling you fishing for parts?
tongue.gif


Do you have your bike already? And how's work?
no bike until November, at least November, need monies.

Also I couldn't afford spare parts even if they were there.
 
#15 ·
aww..it looks so cute


some moar pix














 
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#16 ·
The beauty and the beast (although they both are a beast)
 
#18 ·
#19 ·
#20 ·
Just the test setup. Currently I'm waiting for the ssd to arrive. One small point of critique is the I/O shield which isn't lined properly.



At first I thought it was my fault (hence the fingerprints) but nope, just misaligned. Also they should really make it in black.
 
#21 ·
Bummer, the M.2 ssd isn't showing up in the bios..I tried installing windows (7) anyway and load some drivers but no luck
frown.gif




Edit: According to Asus it only works with the PCI-E slot..not the M.2 :/
 
#23 ·
Apparently not. Or at least not right now, maybe with a bios update. The bios does recognize the wifi/bt card, so you could opt to use that slot but you loose the wifi/bt capability.

edit: It has to be a M.2 PCIe ssd
 
#24 ·
Well that's just great, I was hoping to use M.2 on the x99 platform for a boot drive. I will have to find out if this is something across manufacturers and an inherent issue.
 
#25 ·

 
#26 ·
Speeeeeed!!
 
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