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[Build Log] **White Metropolis** A Modular CaseLabs S5+Ped Build

50K views 319 replies 48 participants last post by  dupp 
#1 ·

(This is not sponsored, I just wanted to include some of the manufactures in the title picture)

Purpose and Main Idea:

I wanted a build that was if a small form factor, allowing easier transportation when gaming with friends without sacrificing cooling power when at home and overclocking. I also wanted to create as clean of a build visually as I could which is where the idea for this came from. I developed a quick disconnect system from S5 to pedestal allowing my to separate the two. The name "White Metropolis" started out because I was trying to brainstorm a name that wasn't too cliche with a white build and went with that with no intention of including the name into the theme. That all changed when I got inspired by city silhouettes. In this build you will find the silhouettes of major cities all across the world such as Hong Kong - China, Bangkok - Thailand and Jakarta - Indonesia because of how they looked. I've hopefully succeeded in tying all these things together in a visually appealing, high detail design. Having windows all around led for designing ideas the complement the computer no matter which side you look at it so no matter where you view it from you get a different and equally pleasing view.

.

The idea is to have the main cabin of the S5 be easily detachable with the bottom. So when home I'll be running a decent overclock through the 240 rad up top and a 360 rad in the pedestal. When I'm using it portable I will detach it from the pedestal (QDC's) and through the use of a Bitspower Valve redirect the flow.

See rough sketch of the idea here (Changed a couple things but you get the point:

So basically when attached to pedestal the valve will but shut, forcing all coolant to run down into the pedestal 360mm rad and back up into the case. When disconnected from the pedestal the valve will be open, allowing the coolant to flow freely through the case.

Theme:

I've seen love and hate comments for white builds but this is my personal rig and ultimately I gotta go with what I want so it'll be white with a little darker than sky blue accents all throughout the case.

Current Status: COMPLETE. CLICK HERE TO SEE ALL THE FINAL PICTURES
VzWzA9El.jpg


Most of the goods (Minus case of course):



Main Components:
  • Case - CaseLabs Mercury S5 w/Pedestal (White, XL left Window, Large Top Window) (Acquired)
    Specs:
    S5 (White)
    Top Chassis: No Drop -In
    Top Cover: Standard Window
    Left Door: XL Window
    Right Door: Standard Window w/Ventilation
    Flex-Bay: 120.2 Fan/Radiator Mount

    Pedestal: (White)
    Rear Chassis Option: 120mm Hex-Mesh Fan Hole
    Flex-Bay Cover: Ventilated
  • CPU - Intel i7-4790k (Acquired)
  • Motherboard - ASUS Gryphon Z87 w/Armor Kit (Acquired)
  • Memory - GSkill 16Gb 1866 (4x4GB) (Acquired)
  • GPU - EVGA GTX 970 Superclocked ACX 2.0 (Upgrading to next GTX or 390x. Dont have time to wait now)(Acquired)
  • SSD - Samsung EVO 120Gb (Acquired)
  • HDD 1: 1 TB WD Black (Acquired)
  • HDD 2: 2 TB WD Green (Acquired)
  • PSU - EVGA SuperNOVA 850w G2 (Acquired)

Watercooling Components:
  • CPU Block - EK Supremacy EVO (Nickel/Plexi) (Acquired)
  • GPU Block - Bitspower VG-NGTX970ESACX (Nickel/Plexi) (Acquired)
  • Radiators - XSPC ex360 and Black Ice Nemesis 240 GTS (Acquired)
  • Ram Block - EK Monarch x4 (Acquired)
  • Pump - Swiftech M CP35X (Acquired)
  • Pump Housing - EK DDC Hea tsink (Acquired)
  • Pump Top - EK-D5 X-TO P Pump Top CSQ (P lexi) (Acquired)
  • Reservoir - Bitspower Tank Z-Multi 150 (Acrylic top/bottom) (Acquired)
  • Fittings - Bitspower Deluxe White, EK-ACF (White), Koolance QDC's, (Acquired)
  • Tubing - E22 12mm OD acrylic tube (S5), PrimoFlex Advanced LRT 3/8in. ID X 1/2in (Pedestal) (Acquired)
  • Coolant - Mayhems Blue Berry (With Ocean Blue) (Acquired)
Miscellaneous:
  • Ensourced custom cables (Acquired)
    MfS0kDul.jpg
  • Darkside lighting (Acquired)
  • Fans - Bitfenix Spectre 120 (Acquired)
Planned Mods:
  • Paint - Many, Many Parts White with Blue accents (Armor Kit, Monarch Modules, Supremacy Bracket, Radiator, Pump Housing, EK-UNI Holder, SSD, GPU Backplate, etc)
  • Custom Acrylic:
  • ---Laser CutBackplate for GPU (2 layer, metal with acrylic behind)
  • ---Laser Cut Midplate
  • ---Laser Cut PSU Cover
  • ---Mounting Plate
  • ---MOBO tray cover
  • Polished Acrylic Blocks
  • Bitspower Pass-throughs
  • Quick Disconnect System (Thumb Screws?)
  • Pump in unique spot to be shown off
  • Stealth-mount HDD's instead of SSD
  • Cables
  • Possible Custom LED logo
  • Possible Laser Engraving
  • Cutting the case
  • Custom Res mounting
  • Custom pump mounting
Expect many progress photos, videos, and other fun things. I plan to make any videos I do of progress be on the interesting/comical side but we will see how it goes. I'll do my best to provide quality pictures and I will ask for feedback along the way on design choices. I have waited for a while to start the build log because I'm not one who wants a 4 month build log to keep people waiting.

Progress:

Video Catalog:
  1. EK Polishing
  2. Trip to Microcenter
  3. Laser Cutting + Backplate
  4. Day Off = Guitar
  5. Hardline Tubing Preview
  6. Quick Disconnect Case Preview
    http://www.overclock.net/t/1548082/...dular-caselabs-s5-ped-build/240#post_23879260
  7. Quick Disconnect Final Overview (Build Complete)
 
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8
#2 ·
First progress:
I used a lighter to remove the EK badge from 2 of my 4 monarch modules to test out some colors and see what you guys like.

Here they are in a nice soap and water bath to get some of the gunk off where the badges were.



Now, here is where I ask your advice. 3 options here.

1: All white


2: White monarch module with blue EK badge (ignore the messy plastidip, I will redo, just focus on color)


3: All white with just the EK logo inside the badge blue and blue text (photoshopped for now)


Extra Pictures:


 
#3 ·
I'm in!

As for the memory modules I would go with this one, white modules, white badge and blue EK logo on the badge. I would probably leave the blue text off though. I'm usually not a fan of builds where the accent color has been taken "overboard" if you will. In my opinion the accent color really should be an accent and only in a few, carefully selected spots. I think that makes it look a lot cleaner and more professional.

 
#4 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by CasP3r View Post

I'm in!

As for the memory modules I would go with this one, white modules, white badge and blue EK logo on the badge. I would probably leave the blue text off though. I'm usually not a fan of builds where the accent color has been taken "overboard" if you will. In my opinion the accent color really should be an accent and only in a few, carefully selected spots. I think that makes it look a lot cleaner and more professional.
Will certainly make it easier
thumb.gif
 
#8 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by USMC Modder View Post

I'm here!!! You convinced me in the Mayhem thread.
biggrin.gif
Haha ill post those blues when i get home from work and im plsnning to work as fast as possible once my case arrives so you can see the shade With mayhems
 
#9 ·
I'm ordering the stuff for my loop now. I will do the custom cables after that. I ordered the white pastel with blue dye and will add some drops until I get the color I want. I think the new Corsair LPX DDR4 modules are a little darker than the blue berry.


 
#10 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by USMC Modder View Post

I'm ordering the stuff for my loop now. I will do the custom cables after that. I ordered the white pastel with blue dye and will add some drops until I get the color I want. I think the new Corsair LPX DDR4 modules are a little darker than the blue berry.

That's a beauty Sir.

Got back to work from the gym during lunch (who needs to eat right?) to find a present.


3ForD6Vh.jpg


I think I'm going to try out some polishing tonight...
 
#11 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by USMC Modder View Post

I'm ordering the stuff for my loop now. I will do the custom cables after that. I ordered the white pastel with blue dye and will add some drops until I get the color I want. I think the new Corsair LPX DDR4 modules are a little darker than the blue berry.

Here you go Sir




Progress Update:

Did some polishing work for the first time ever. Hopefully I get no lower than a B+ from @lowfat

Also will post a video update on the progress to get to this soon.



 
#13 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by lowfat View Post

Could use some more sanding.
tongue.gif


But still looks good.
thumb.gif
GAH! haha. With 2,000 you think? I'll go back over it when I do the RAM and CPU. I'm all polished out for today. Feel like I need a little more nurturing on the inner circle where coolant goes where it's close to the edges.

Edit:

Just received the dreaded news I was hoping wouldn't happen.

"Hello Travis,

Unfortunately there may be a delay associated with the processing time of your order. We have had a large increase in orders in a short period of time which has extended the current lead times. We will have your order shipped as close to the original scheduled shipping date as possible.

I sincerely apologize for the inconvenience and thank you for your continued patience.

Best Regards"
 
#16 ·
DUDE, really love the concept of a modular pedestal. I never even thought of something like that. It seems completely solid as far as design goes. You might get some decent resistance through the QDCs but I don't think that will be too problematic if you have a strong enough pump. The color scheme has got me subbed as well as the super legit water cooling design. Looking forward to more updates.

-Joe
 
#17 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by AngryMarine View Post

DUDE, really love the concept of a modular pedestal. I never even thought of something like that. It seems completely solid as far as design goes. You might get some decent resistance through the QDCs but I don't think that will be too problematic if you have a strong enough pump. The color scheme has got me subbed as well as the super legit water cooling design. Looking forward to more updates.

-Joe
Thanks Joe, I guess we will find out what happens which unfortunately is once it's almost done haha. I just hope the QDC's fit just fine underneath the case when it has the caster wheels on it!

I don't know if people prefer lots of smaller updates or a decent amount of medium sized updates (I don't want to do very few large updates so I'll probably stick to medium ones) where I can deliver higher quality content such as video clips as well as quality pictures.

Since the last update I've dont LOTS of painting and also polished the CPU and RAM blocks,

Painted/painting: Rads, Pump mount Bracket, Pump heatsink, all RAM Monarch Models, the RAM bracket, the CPU bracket and screw attachments, and various screws.

Will probably give this update in a day or two. Will also post a video update of my first pilgrimage to Microcenter for my CPU!
 
#21 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gabrielzm View Post

Following this. It will be interesting
thumb.gif
Quote:
Originally Posted by Pheozero View Post

Love me some S5 build logs. Subbed
thumb.gif
Thanks guys,

PPCs finally got the GPU block back in stock and trust me, I was refreshing that page all day yesterday, bought it as soon as it was back in stock. Took the liberty of sucking it up and ordering some LED lighting to clearly show off the inside of this case. This stuff is a bit on the expensive side but so be it I guess, we will see how well it works, hopefully I ordered the right connectors for my needs, I find it odd you cannot add an LED strip to your cart UNLESS you also add a connector because what if you have connectors already or something?



Because the case has been delayed I'm expected it to ship out either today or tomorrow hopefully but depending on how long it takes to cross the US I might not be here to get the package at work, I'll be in DC from the 2nd to the 5th! But I'll be here to get it if it arrived on the 2nd (fingers crossed)

I'll be updating the build tonight with some of the painting I've been doing, got a lot done.
 
#23 ·
Update:
ki60Xd7.png


Painting +Polishing update time!

I've been slaving away with the plastidip.

The Good:
I can remove it if I mess up
I can remove it when I sell parts for a new rig (if I ever do)
Easily available at auto store

The Bad:
It gets cold in my house so I have to run it under warm water or it comes out a little thick
If you accidentally rub into it too hard it will peel off (found this out the hard way)
Had to use like....9+ coats on everything to get it purely white
Doing the above makes it thick (lose a little detail)

Anyway. TO THE PICS.

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And....

The most important update is....

yBnPueil.png


wheee.gif
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Unfortunately the fact that it was delayed means it probably won't get here until after I have left for DC (Thursday night). If they try to deliver on Saturday it might be a problem because I sent it to my office where I work and noone is there then...anyone wanna wait and get it for me?
smile.gif


I'm hitting up Microcenter in DC and going to make a video VLOG of the mecca to Microcenter haha.
 
#24 ·
I've never been one for white cases, but this one looks intriguing... Subbed!
 
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