First build log!
This is the first time I am doing "proper" water cooling. My previous experience has only been with AIOs, so this will be a very exiting build for me.
Doing this mostly for my own interest, but I thought I would share my experiences, as the Jonsbo/Cooltek W2 is a relatively new and "rare" case. The quality of the case is magnificent, and it has a sturdy feel. Without any components, it is incredibly light as well! The layout of the case is very good, and the fact that the top panel is attached with screws, makes the hole cutting a much safer experience.
The computer will be called Nivlheim, in accordance with my Norse naming scheme for my home setup. My domain is Valhall, and my domain controller is called Yggdrasil, my Exchange server is called Hermod, my game server is called Jotunheim and my file server is called Midgard. My middle name is Odin, so it is only suiting that I rule these worlds. Did I mention that I am Norwegian?
Theme:
The theme will be black and blue, which I don't see that often anymore. The build will be quite simplistic, and the main purpose is to have it run silently and I will try to make the look of it as clean as possible.
Components:
Case: Jonsbo W2 Black w/ window [http://www.jonsbo.eu/en/w-series/60/w2-black-window]
System:
Motherboard: MSI 990FXA-GD80
CPU: AMD FX-6350
GPU: Gigabyte Windforce R9 290X OC
RAM: 16GB (4x4GB) SuperMicro DDR3 1333MHz
Storage:
1x Samsung 840 PRO 128GB SSD
1x Samsung 840 EVO 120GB SSD
1x Crucial MX100 512GB SSD
1x Seagate Barracuda 2TB SSHD
1x DVD-RW drive
PSU: Corsair TX750 750W
Water cooling components:
Reservoir: XSPC DDC Tank Reservoir (Multiport)
Pump: Swifttech MCP350 DDC
Tubing: Primochill Advanced LRT Clear 3/8''/5/8'' (10/16mm)
CPU Block: EK Supremacy-EVO Nickel
GPU Block: EK-FC R9-290X Nickel Rev 2 w/ Backplate
Radiators: XSPC EX280, XSPC EX240, EK CoolStream XT120
Coolant: Mayhems Pastel Blue Berry
Fittings:
19x XSPC Compression Chrome
3x XSPC T-block Chrome
3x XSPC 90deg Swiwel Chrome
3x XSPC Male/Male adapter Chrome
2x Ball valves
1x Steel Filter
1x EK AF Passthrough Chrome
Fans:
2x NoiseBlocker BlackSilent PRO PK-3 140x25mm
3x NoiseBlocker BlackSilent PRO PL-2 120x25mm
1x Arctic F8 80x25mm
2x Prolimatech Ultra Sleek Vortex 120x12mm
Monitoring
4x AquaComputer Flat Temperature sensors
1x Bitspower G 1/4'' Temperature sensor
1x Aquaero 5 LT
1x AquaComputer LED
Money:
Water cooling: ~€606
Monitoring: ~€100
Fans: ~€163
Misc: ~€156
Case: ~€136
Total: ~€1161
The misc category includes shipping, crimping, sleeving and screws.
I had all of the other hardware components from before, so they are not included.
Loop flow:
Reservoir -> Pump -> 240mm rad -> GPU -> 120mm rad -> CPU -> 280mm rad -> Reservoir
Air flow:
Option 1:
Option 2:
Option 3:
I haven't quite decided on the air flow yet, but option 1 or 2 are the most likely. Option 3 just seems strange to me, and my mind does not like the idea of fighting with convection (probably negligable) and the risk of dust gathering in the case.
Description:
The case is quite small for a Full ATX case, so this will be very tight. Having a non-modular PSU does definitely not help. I would love to use acrylic tubing, but the shear cost in additional fittings and potential problems with tube bending ensured that it would have to wait.
The actual build will start next week, as I am waiting for Mayhems Blitz Pro kit to arrive, and I have to finish an exam on the 18th of May.
For case modding, I will cut a hole at the top of the main compartement to fit the two Prolimatech fans. Space is very limited here, so I have to use slim fans for it to fit. I will mount the fans in a 240mm radiator grill, and I don't think they'll be visible from the main compartement. I will have to use a passthrough from the 280mm radiator to the rear compartement. I will also drill a hole for a 16mm vandal switch in the back of the case, to easily turn on and off the lightning (blue cathodes). I will either install the Aquacomputer LED in the main compartment to easily monitor the water temperature, or I will mount a plexi glass rod on the inside of the front panel, to create a glowing effect. Time will tell. Lightning of the case is the last thing to do.
Picture of the case as it is now with air cooling. The power cables to the graphics card will be individually sleeved aswell, but I had to wait until the parts I needed for crimping new connectors arrived.
Picture of the case, with the EK CoolStream XT 120mm for scale. It's small.
Picture of the cut hole for the top fans
Picture of the radiator grill, will have to drill mounting screws later when assembling.
Some measurements to verify that I have space to add another R9 290X when time comes. The EX240 + Fan will take 60mm of space, so it will be a very tight fit unless I swap motherboard/CPU.
Overclocking:
GPU: It appears that I have hit the jackpot in the silicon lottery for my R9 290X The stock clocks for the Windforce OC version is 1040/1250MHz.. I have been benching it a while using the stock cooler, and have reached stable overclocks of 1130/1470 which is a 13/17% overclock respectively, but I am now hitting the thermal limits of the cooler, with core temps reaching 92-95 deg C and VRM temps peaking at 120deg C at 100% fan speed. Needless to say, I am not using these clocks on a daily basis now. I do believe that I can push it even further once I get the water block on it.
CPU: Not quite so lucky here, but I believe my motherboard is to blame. I am reaching a stable overclock of 4500MHz. The core voltage on the 990FXA-GD80 is limited to 1.45v in the BIOS, which should be fine, except that the 990FXA-GD80 does not have a vDroop stabilizer (
), so the voltage drops quite significantly under heavy load. I will however try to reach even higher clock speeds. I should be able to get a bit more out of it if I use the MSI Control Center program, which allows me to select even higher voltage.
RAM: Haven't really looked into it, and I don't have enthusiast memory, but rather SuperMicro branded DDR3 sticks, we'll see if I am able to increase the performance a bit
Hope you will enjoy this build as much as I will.
This is the first time I am doing "proper" water cooling. My previous experience has only been with AIOs, so this will be a very exiting build for me.
Doing this mostly for my own interest, but I thought I would share my experiences, as the Jonsbo/Cooltek W2 is a relatively new and "rare" case. The quality of the case is magnificent, and it has a sturdy feel. Without any components, it is incredibly light as well! The layout of the case is very good, and the fact that the top panel is attached with screws, makes the hole cutting a much safer experience.
The computer will be called Nivlheim, in accordance with my Norse naming scheme for my home setup. My domain is Valhall, and my domain controller is called Yggdrasil, my Exchange server is called Hermod, my game server is called Jotunheim and my file server is called Midgard. My middle name is Odin, so it is only suiting that I rule these worlds. Did I mention that I am Norwegian?
Theme:
The theme will be black and blue, which I don't see that often anymore. The build will be quite simplistic, and the main purpose is to have it run silently and I will try to make the look of it as clean as possible.
Components:
Case: Jonsbo W2 Black w/ window [http://www.jonsbo.eu/en/w-series/60/w2-black-window]
System:
Motherboard: MSI 990FXA-GD80
CPU: AMD FX-6350
GPU: Gigabyte Windforce R9 290X OC
RAM: 16GB (4x4GB) SuperMicro DDR3 1333MHz
Storage:
1x Samsung 840 PRO 128GB SSD
1x Samsung 840 EVO 120GB SSD
1x Crucial MX100 512GB SSD
1x Seagate Barracuda 2TB SSHD
1x DVD-RW drive
PSU: Corsair TX750 750W
Water cooling components:
Reservoir: XSPC DDC Tank Reservoir (Multiport)
Pump: Swifttech MCP350 DDC
Tubing: Primochill Advanced LRT Clear 3/8''/5/8'' (10/16mm)
CPU Block: EK Supremacy-EVO Nickel
GPU Block: EK-FC R9-290X Nickel Rev 2 w/ Backplate
Radiators: XSPC EX280, XSPC EX240, EK CoolStream XT120
Coolant: Mayhems Pastel Blue Berry
Fittings:
19x XSPC Compression Chrome
3x XSPC T-block Chrome
3x XSPC 90deg Swiwel Chrome
3x XSPC Male/Male adapter Chrome
2x Ball valves
1x Steel Filter
1x EK AF Passthrough Chrome
Fans:
2x NoiseBlocker BlackSilent PRO PK-3 140x25mm
3x NoiseBlocker BlackSilent PRO PL-2 120x25mm
1x Arctic F8 80x25mm
2x Prolimatech Ultra Sleek Vortex 120x12mm
Monitoring
4x AquaComputer Flat Temperature sensors
1x Bitspower G 1/4'' Temperature sensor
1x Aquaero 5 LT
1x AquaComputer LED
Money:
Water cooling: ~€606
Monitoring: ~€100
Fans: ~€163
Misc: ~€156
Case: ~€136
Total: ~€1161
The misc category includes shipping, crimping, sleeving and screws.
I had all of the other hardware components from before, so they are not included.
Loop flow:
Reservoir -> Pump -> 240mm rad -> GPU -> 120mm rad -> CPU -> 280mm rad -> Reservoir
Air flow:
Option 1:
Option 2:
Option 3:
I haven't quite decided on the air flow yet, but option 1 or 2 are the most likely. Option 3 just seems strange to me, and my mind does not like the idea of fighting with convection (probably negligable) and the risk of dust gathering in the case.
Description:
The case is quite small for a Full ATX case, so this will be very tight. Having a non-modular PSU does definitely not help. I would love to use acrylic tubing, but the shear cost in additional fittings and potential problems with tube bending ensured that it would have to wait.
The actual build will start next week, as I am waiting for Mayhems Blitz Pro kit to arrive, and I have to finish an exam on the 18th of May.
For case modding, I will cut a hole at the top of the main compartement to fit the two Prolimatech fans. Space is very limited here, so I have to use slim fans for it to fit. I will mount the fans in a 240mm radiator grill, and I don't think they'll be visible from the main compartement. I will have to use a passthrough from the 280mm radiator to the rear compartement. I will also drill a hole for a 16mm vandal switch in the back of the case, to easily turn on and off the lightning (blue cathodes). I will either install the Aquacomputer LED in the main compartment to easily monitor the water temperature, or I will mount a plexi glass rod on the inside of the front panel, to create a glowing effect. Time will tell. Lightning of the case is the last thing to do.
Picture of the case as it is now with air cooling. The power cables to the graphics card will be individually sleeved aswell, but I had to wait until the parts I needed for crimping new connectors arrived.
Picture of the case, with the EK CoolStream XT 120mm for scale. It's small.
Picture of the cut hole for the top fans
Picture of the radiator grill, will have to drill mounting screws later when assembling.
Some measurements to verify that I have space to add another R9 290X when time comes. The EX240 + Fan will take 60mm of space, so it will be a very tight fit unless I swap motherboard/CPU.
Overclocking:
GPU: It appears that I have hit the jackpot in the silicon lottery for my R9 290X The stock clocks for the Windforce OC version is 1040/1250MHz.. I have been benching it a while using the stock cooler, and have reached stable overclocks of 1130/1470 which is a 13/17% overclock respectively, but I am now hitting the thermal limits of the cooler, with core temps reaching 92-95 deg C and VRM temps peaking at 120deg C at 100% fan speed. Needless to say, I am not using these clocks on a daily basis now. I do believe that I can push it even further once I get the water block on it.
CPU: Not quite so lucky here, but I believe my motherboard is to blame. I am reaching a stable overclock of 4500MHz. The core voltage on the 990FXA-GD80 is limited to 1.45v in the BIOS, which should be fine, except that the 990FXA-GD80 does not have a vDroop stabilizer (
RAM: Haven't really looked into it, and I don't have enthusiast memory, but rather SuperMicro branded DDR3 sticks, we'll see if I am able to increase the performance a bit
Hope you will enjoy this build as much as I will.