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[Build Log] The Chill Box - Jonsbo U2 build with full water cooling

69K views 317 replies 48 participants last post by  sojufeeler 
#1 ·
-- The Chill Box --

Time to move my main build into another case! I learned a lot making a custom case from scratch, and while it worked out mostly well, it still doesn't match the quality and finish of professionally made cases because I made changes to the design as I went along. This next build will mostly use parts I already have, but it will have its own new set of challenges.

So I'm going to use a retail SFF case again, this time the Jonsbo U2, or Rosewill U2 as I bought it from Newegg. The case is 99% the same as Jonsbo's just a lot cheaper ($67 after promo code), and there is no use paying almost twice as much just for different branding. So here it is, kinda. It's slouching down right now but I'll get more pictures in due time...



This build will be another step up from my last one, and yes I will be putting those rads in the case. I'm aiming for a quieter computer, better cooling, and best of all, awesome graphics power in a SFF case thanks to the GTX 970.

Also, did I mention it will be my first build to use hard tubing?

I want this to look a bit more flashy than my last build, with better consistency in color theme. The build will be dominated by pure aluminum and silvery parts, with blue coolant. Some of the builds that inspired me are Codename Mono and @Wanou's very own Milk (it should win MotM!).

Build specs as of August 2015

BUILD PARTS:
Motherboard: Asus Z97I-Plus
CPU: Pentium G3258 for now
Memory: 8GB Samsung Green "wonder" 1600 Mhz ram
GPU: EVGA GTX 670
SSD: Sandisk X110 m.2 128GB
HDD: 3.5" Toshiba 2TB 7200 RPM
PSU: Silverstone ST45SF-G

COOLING:
CPU block: EK Supremacy EVO nickel
GPU block: XSPC Razor GTX 670 water block w/backplate
Radiators: 1x XSPC AX 120 and 1x XSPC AX 240 in silver
Pump: Swiftech MCP35x
Pump accessories: Bitspower DDC / MCP35x Clear Plexi Top and Bitspower Silver Heatsink
Reservoir: Bitspower clear Z-Multi 50 100mm water tank
Fittings: Bitspower C47 fittings and Bitspower Angled Adapters
Tubing: Bitspower 12mm OD acrylic clear
Dye: Mayhems 15mL Blue
Fans (rear): 2x Scythe SlipStream Slim 1200 RPM
Fans (front): 2x Scythe SlipStream Slim 1600 RPM

While I know that the case will be stuffed like crazy, mods to this case will actually be kept to a minimum, if all goes as planned. I consider them more like add-ons really, since it might be possible without making any destructive changes to the case.

CURRENT STATUS(start of the build)
I have only started to test fit cooling parts inside. My other components are still running in my custom case and typing from it right now. My fittings arrived today, and have placed orders on acrylic tubing stuff as well as the GTX 970. Things should start to pick up near the end of the week.
 
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#11 ·
Thanks everyone that subbed so far! Here's the first picture update... it's mostly just the case but should give you a good idea of what I'm going to work with.

First, though, here are the C47 fittings that I received. I got a dozen of them.



They are much smaller than what I am used to! Right next to it is a XSPC fitting for a 3/4" OD 1/2" tube.



Side views of the case with the 120mm rad inside. The 240mm will go in front but I will have to make my own bracket for it.




Front vents where the front rad will sit next to



Side-back view. From this angle you can see the included hard drive bracket that is mounted in front. It's held on by four screws that I'll use for the custom bracket.



Side view inside shows how much space there is before I add the second radiator. It will take up almost the entire height of the case, so it needs to sit close enough to the front in order for the graphics card to fit.



Here is one of the little details that I like about this case. The thumb screws to hold the side panel have rubber washers to prevent the screws from scratching the metal of the case. Also, it has a small switch on the back for fans, but can be used for anything running on molex from your PSU. This would be handy for more flexible LED lighting.



Just a top rear view of the case.



Here you can see one flaw that came out of the package- a scratch on part of the top front edge of the case. It's not easy to see unless you get up close.



Now here's another package that I'm anxious to get. Looks like it will get here earlier than expected!

 
#12 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by ccRicers View Post

COOLING:
CPU block: Bitspower AIZ77ITXD
GPU block: (TBD, the 970 blocks are in limbo!)
Radiators: 1x XSPC AX 120 and 1x XSPC AX 240, both silver
Pump: Swiftech MCP35X
Reservoir: Bitspower clear Z-Multi 50mm water tank
Fittings: Bitspower C47 silver and assorted extenders
Tubing: Bitspower 12mm OD/10mm ID acrylic, 300 cm worth
Dye: Mayhems 15mL Dark Blue
Fan (rear): Gentle Typhoon AP-14
Fans (front): 2x Scythe SlipStream Slim 1600 RPM
I read that you can also use GTX 670 Blocks on the GTX 970
thumb.gif


Link: http://www.overclock.net/t/1514042/gtx-670-waterblock-on-a-gtx-970/0_50
 
#13 ·
subbed!.really curious how can you cram those hardware on that case
biggrin.gif
 
#14 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by ccRicers View Post

Now here's another package that I'm anxious to get. Looks like it will get here earlier than expected!

That Zotac GTX 970 is the most desirable card for SFF builds at the moment. So much power and only 204mm long. Do you know what length the PCB has? It seems to be even shorter without those heatpipes from the cooler.
 
#15 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by iFreilicht View Post

That Zotac GTX 970 is the most desirable card for SFF builds at the moment. So much power and only 204mm long. Do you know what length the PCB has? It seems to be even shorter without those heatpipes from the cooler.
The PCB of the short 970s is (mostly) the same as the 660ti, 670 and 760.



(Left: Zotac GTX 970 4GB GDDR5 ZT-90101-10P)
(Right: Zotac GTX 670 2GB GDDR5 ZT-60301-10P)
 
#17 ·
I'm almost sure it's exactly the same length as a ITX board, so the same as the MSI 760 Gaming ITX. But I'll also take pictures of the card inside the case when I get it.

The performance numbers I've seen with this 970 is insane, it's almost hard to believe something this good exists in this size. It almost makes me wish I had gotten the U3 case so I can get SLI support, for a setup that would really tear through anything. But that would set back my budget some more
tongue.gif
 
#19 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by ccRicers View Post

I'm almost sure it's exactly the same length as a ITX board, so the same as the MSI 760 Gaming ITX. But I'll also take pictures of the card inside the case when I get it.

The performance numbers I've seen with this 970 is insane, it's almost hard to believe something this good exists in this size. It almost makes me wish I had gotten the U3 case so I can get SLI support, for a setup that would really tear through anything. But that would set back my budget some more
tongue.gif
Yeah I'll be looking forward to those pictures, if it really is only 17cm long, it could be perfect for uSFF builds where the card is lying flat on or under the MB, if you use a custom cooler, that is.

Not only at this size, but at this price and this TDP, too! About 300 bucks for something a little less capable than a GTX 780 Ti (which costs about 400), with a TDP as little as 145W as opposed to 250W of the Ti!
blinksmiley.gif
 
#20 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by iFreilicht View Post

Yeah I'll be looking forward to those pictures, if it really is only 17cm long, it could be perfect for uSFF builds where the card is lying flat on or under the MB, if you use a custom cooler, that is.

Not only at this size, but at this price and this TDP, too! About 300 bucks for something a little less capable than a GTX 780 Ti (which costs about 400), with a TDP as little as 145W as opposed to 250W of the Ti!
blinksmiley.gif
The total power draw is most likely to be a lot less like you stated, but don't get TDP (Thermal Design Power) and TPD (Total Power Draw) mixed, they are not the same. For example, a highly overclocked vishera (let's say FX-8350), has a TDP of 125W, but can draw more than 200W! You can usually base yourself on the numbers to know which will consume more, but it's not always the case
wink.gif


Anyways, subbed!
 
#21 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by Duality92 View Post

The total power draw is most likely to be a lot less like you stated, but don't get TDP (Thermal Design Power) and TPD (Total Power Draw) mixed, they are not the same.
I know that, and the TDP is what I am so excited about because with less excess heat, you can make your builds more compact. TBH, this is the first time I heard the term TPD
tongue.gif
 
#22 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by iFreilicht View Post

I know that, and the TDP is what I am so excited about because with less excess heat, you can make your builds more compact. TBH, this is the first time I heard the term TPD
tongue.gif
The TDP isn't the heat output at all, the heat output is the TPD, power drawn is converted to heat. What you're actually excited about is the total power draw of that card, which will in turn output less heat. TDP is only the heat output that the core (or processor usually) will output at stock settings under normal load, but with higher loads and possible overclocking, it will exceed the TDP by up to 1.5 times.

Anyways, tl;dr, they will output less heat than a 780 Ti with less heat output and less power drawn from the PSU, which is why I'm excited too!
 
#23 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by Duality92 View Post

TDP is only the heat output that the core (or processor usually) will output at stock settings under normal load, but with higher loads and possible overclocking, it will exceed the TDP by up to 1.5 times
Sorry, pet hate, have to react. That 1.5 number is from the wiki page on TDP, which cites a book where the authors just randomly mention that "peak power ... is often 1.5 times higher (than TDP)". But there is no written justification for this number in their book. People quote it because it's on wikipedia...

Modern NVidia GPUs, when running Furmark draw approx. their TDP from the PSU, or approx 1.1 if you measure from the wall. Try it
smile.gif


Also, TPD is not a term. Total power draw would imply an aggregate wattage used by multiple systems. Just one card here
wink.gif


Carry on!
smile.gif
 
#24 ·
Subbed!!
I love seeing builds like this ..
 
#25 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by WiSK View Post

Sorry, pet hate, have to react. That 1.5 number is from the wiki page on TDP, which cites a book where the authors just randomly mention that "peak power ... is often 1.5 times higher (than TDP)". But there is no written justification for this number in their book. People quote it because it's on wikipedia...

Modern NVidia GPUs, when running Furmark draw approx. their TDP from the PSU, or approx 1.1 if you measure from the wall. Try it
smile.gif


Also, TPD is not a term. Total power draw would imply an aggregate wattage used by multiple systems. Just one card here
wink.gif


Carry on!
smile.gif
This is true with overclocked processors though, I'm saying it could and saying by up to, not saying it will reach that point. TPD is just an acronymn like any other, even if it's not used regularly and can be used for single components. My 1.5 statements comes from my experience with overclocking (processors and some video cards, mainly all AMD though), not from the wiki page.

Also, what I bolded is what I'm saying, it will be close, but it they won't be the same. Furmark is a overly demanding benchmark anyways.
 
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