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[Build Log] Caselabs SMA8 - "Serenity" Haswell-E 5960X

49K views 88 replies 40 participants last post by  mouscous 
#1 ·
Hey all,

Been lurking around and learning lots about watercooling in the many great build logs here on OCN. Decided to contribute back with a build log of my own.

The build is a Haswell-E 5960X in a Caselabs SMA8, in Gunmetal/Black two-tone and light blue accents, SLI x2 Kingpins. Full custom watercooling and no expense spared for a completely unpractical but awesome and fun build that will be a productivity beast.

Although I've built hundreds of systems over the years in my IT past, I've never tried watercooling until recently. I guess I was just too paranoid about possible leak failure. I took a bit of a gamble my last build, 4790k, using AIO's for CPU and 2xGPUs and the cooling performance gain has been incredible, with less noise too. Never a worry of leak or any problems so far. I am hooked. I decided for my next build I would go full custom watercooling and take things to the extreme. A little out of my character as I usually go for "best bang for the buck" builds, but this one will be completely overkill and just for fun.

This system will become my main development rig, where I do lots of programming, video and graphics editing, audio editing and other development-type stuff with occasional gaming and simulation. My 4790k will be used for gaming and as a software test rig, although I just may end up gaming exclusively on this new rig depending on how it performs. For monitors I run 3x27" 1440p ASUS's. I don't really get too much into surround (it's just too messy to switch to surround mode and back for my development stuff), so usually gaming is on single 1440p but I occasionally will run racing or flight simulation in full surround so I am definitely going for higher-end GPU horsepower.

I plan to post some of the major steps along the way. After it's done I'll do some basic benchmarks and OC results. I'm fairly noob when it comes to OC, but I'm hoping to get better with OCN's help
smile.gif
My goal for this build is to hit 4.2GHZ or better for 24/7 use with less than 1.3 vcore and using offset or adaptive voltage. Needless to say this is my first build log so please bear with me!

Hardware:
Case: Caselabs SMA8 two-tone gunmetal and black with 39mm extended top
CPU: Haswell-E 5960X CPU
GPUs: 780ti Classified Kingpin x2
MB: ASUS X99-E WS
RAM: Corsair Vengeance LPX 16GB (4x4GB) 2800 Black
SSD: Samsung 1TB 850 Pro
HD: WD Black 3TB
PSU: EVGA 1200 P2

Watercooling:
Rads: Alphacool UT-60 560 and Alphacool UT-60 480 all push/pull
Fans: Corsair SP120 Quiet PWM x8 (for 480), Corsair AF140 Quiet x11 (for 560 + front intake), Corsair AF120 Quiet (for rear exhaust)
Fan power: Swifttech 8-way PWM splitter for 480, NZXT Grid 10-way + motherboard CHA headers for everything else
Pumps: Alphacool VPP655 varios with HF Top x2
Res: EK X3 250 x2
Waterblocks: EK Supremacy EVO Nickel/Acrylic CPU + 2x EK FC780 Classy GPU
Fittings: Alphacool 10/16 various compression fittings Deep Black (for soft-tubing hidden section), Primochill Revolver Black Nickel 3/8x1/2 rigid acrylic (for visible)
Tubing: 3/8x1/2 Primochill clear (soft-tubing hidden section), Primochill clear 3/8x1/2 rigid acrylic (for visible)
Coolant: Mayhems Blue Berry Concentrate + Distilled

So to start things off, may I present the state of the build so far...



Well there she is, waiting patiently for her parts.

I tell you this Caselabs is incredible. I can't think of one thing I'd like different in a case. It's just perfect.

Update 9/12/14:
Serenity is finished!

Comments/help/ideas are very welcome!
 
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2
#4 ·
That case just gave me another idea for a build
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I do kinda wish I got the SMA8 instead of the SMH10, but it wasn't released at the time.

Subbed
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-Zepp
 
#6 ·
Wow that case is gorgeous in that selection of two tone!
 
#7 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by wb428 View Post

I may end up changing the accent color... Blue is so old-school. But I think it looks good. Will have to wait and see. It really all depends on the motherboard at this point.
No, no way....The blue accenting looks fantastic on that color combo. Glad I didn't see that Gunmetal/Black combo before I ordered my all white S8, might have second guessed it. What I really wanted was a White/Grey/Red tri-color. Gunmetal wasn't the shade of "grey" I wanted though for that and I didn't really want red spray paint on top of primer, I wanted a uniform powdercoat. Maybe when I get bored of all white I'll switch it up.
 
#8 ·
Yeah the blue is looking really nice on this, so I'll stick with it. For motherboards so far it looks like ASRock is my only option to match the theme. Looking at the ASRock X99 WS atm which is black MB with blue heatsinks/shroud that seems to match the blue of the fan rings and the Mayhem's blueberry pastel nicely.

According to Amazon I'll have my CPU on the 28th. Still no motherboard available for pre-order, so its looking like Sept 5th or so before I can get all this in.

As for GPUs unless nVidia announces 800 series in the next 7 days, I'm going with 2x EVGA dual classified 780ti with EK FC780 waterblocks and backplates. Kinda sucks spending boatloads of $$$ on 700 series right before its about to be replaced, but I can always do the EVGA step-up for likely a near zero-cost upgrade + new waterblocks if the 880 reference looks to be a worthy upgrade from 780ti.
 
#10 ·
Are those... Alphacool fittings?
 
#14 ·
Looks like a great start. Good luck and take lots of pics.
 
#17 ·
Well I've decided on GTX 780ti Classified Kingpins as they will be more than enough for my needs and I don't want to put the build on hold any further. Hopefully with a decent OC they will hold their own against the 880 and I'll look at upgrading later, probably 900 series, unless for some reason the 880 proves to be an absolute beast that I absolutely must have, and I'll use the EVGA step-up program.

I should have everything in within a week and the real fun can finally start
smile.gif
 
#18 ·
I love that color combo. I can't wait to see that thing get filled up.
 
#19 ·
That is an awesome case. I love your color choice as well, definitely stay with the blue.

That Asus x99 E WS would be a sweet board in that mega case and is black so would fit with color scheme.

Sub'd, can't wait to see you build it.
 
#22 ·
I'm trying to figure out how I'm going to route this watercooling and I'm a bit overwhelmed. My UT-60 560 in push-pull on the bottom eats up lots of room and there's no way to fit even 90deg fittings on the underside above the rad/fan unit. This means all my pass-throughs that I had originally planned to run nice a neat straight through (i.e. GPU blocks, CPU return) won't fit there, and instead would need to be offset by a good 2 inches towards the "right side" to clear. I don't know if making crazy bends in the acrylic will be possible, and even if it is I think it would look messy.

I'm considering using 45+45 dual rotary adapters to handle to the offsets here. That would probably look better and be much easier than crazy tight multi-angle bends.

Anyway, next week I'll be able to mock fit everything and have a better idea.
 
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