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Will you ever splurge and go all out on a Case labs?

  • Yes!

    Votes: 114 61.3%
  • No :(

    Votes: 30 16.1%
  • Heck yes! I have mulitple CL

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  • Whats this caselabs thing?

    Votes: 3 1.6%
  • Are you talking to me?

    Votes: 10 5.4%

[Build Log] Caselabs SMA8 -- AQUITY

54K views 931 replies 58 participants last post by  SteezyTN 
#1 · (Edited)
Welcome to my second build log. I'm still new to this, so please be gentle


I recently just finished my first ever hard tubing WC project, and ever since I laid my eyes on a Case Labs case, I want more... I will be using mostly everything from my current build, except ill be using a different pump/reservoir, and ill be adding an additional two radiators (560 and 480). Going with a Case Labs, its very hard to do a build that looks nice when almost everyone's looks the same. Trying to make this case look good, I'm 100% positive that ill be "inspired" by someone else's build, and do what they do. Ill try my best to do my own... I mean I look at ones build, and it looks identical to the one before.

This build log will go slow in terms of me completing it, as well as updating it everyday. I ordered the case today, June 24, 2015, so the case wont actually arrive for at least another 1 or 2 months give or take. Aside from that, I'm currently a pre-nursing major, so all in all, it was kind of pointless for me to purchase a Case Labs when school is my main priority. Oh well... I need some enjoyment in my life


Oh! and the name "Aquity"; I don't know. I kind of like it. So for now, the name of this build is going to be AQUITY


This was an extremely expensive case, so I plan to get all my use out of it by cramming in a total of 4 radiators, without destroying the looks of it. When I build, I will compromise performance over aesthetics.

CASE LABS SMA8 Acquiredâś”
Case Features:


  • Case Color: Black (interior and flexbays) and Gunmetal (exterior)
  • Form Factor: ATX,
  • ATX Layout: Standard,
  • Bottom Chassis Section: Cut-out with cover plate,
  • Chassis mid-plate: Solid ,
  • Motherboard Side Door: XXL Window CLEAR,
  • Top Cover: 39mm Ventilated,
  • Lower Chamber Covers: Ventilated,
  • Flex-Bay Configuration: 120.2 (240) Mount with Solid Bay Covers,
  • Power and Reset Switch: Standard Power/Reset Switches with Sleeved Cables

Hardware:

  • CPU: Intel Core i7-4770K Acquiredâś”
  • Motherboard: ASUS Maximus VI Hero Acquiredâś”
  • GPU: EVGA GTX Titan X SC Acquiredâś”
  • GPU: EVGA GTX Titan X Acquiredâś”
  • RAM: Corsair Vengeance Pro 16GB 1866 Acquiredâś”
  • PSU: EVGA 1300 G2 Acquiredâś”
  • PSU: EVGA 850 P2 Acquiredâś”
  • SSD: Crucial M4 512GB Acquiredâś”

Watercooling:

  • Rad: XSPC RX480 (top) Acquiredâś”
  • Rad: XSPC RX360 (bottom PSU side) Acquiredâś”
  • Rad: XSPC RX240 (front) Acquiredâś”
  • Rad: Black Ice Nemesis 560GTS (bottom main side) Acquiredâś”
  • CPU Block: XSPC Raystorm Intel Acquiredâś”
  • GPU Blocks: EK-FCTitan X Nickel - Acetal (2) Acquiredâś”
  • Pump/Res: XSPC Photon 270 (XSPC D5 PWM) w/Bitspower D5 mod kit Acquiredâś”
  • Pump/Res: XSPC Photon 270 (Swiftech MCP655 D5 PWM) w/Bitspower D5 mod kit Acquiredâś”
  • Fittings: 28x Primochill Revolver Acquiredâś”
  • Fittings: XSPC 7/16 x 5/8 Acquiredâś”
  • Fittings: 10x Bitspower Pass Throughs silver Acquiredâś”
  • Tubing hard: Primochill PETG (top compartment) Acquiredâś”
  • Tubing soft: Mayhems Ultra Clear Tubing 3/8 x 5/8 (bottom compartment) Acquiredâś”
  • Fans: 12x Corsair SP120 QE 3 Pin (RX480/RX240) w/ Sentry Mix 2 Acquiredâś”
  • Fans: 3x EK Vardar PWM F4-120ER (2200 RPM) w/ Corsair Link Commander Mini Acquiredâś”
  • Fans: 4x EK Vardar PWM F3-140ER (2000 RPM) w/ Corsair Link Commander Mini Acquiredâś”
 
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#7 ·
Quote:
I will not be touching, modifying, building another PC, or even upgrading parts for at least 4+ years.
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am sure you will
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.... it is like addiction once you build you always wana build ..... again and again .... and again.
wheee.gif
 
#12 ·
I think I'll pop a tent here.

 
#18 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by deadwidesmile View Post

Really? I haven't heard mine and that was even while it was the only thing on bleeding my wc setup
I concur and agree. I don't even know I have a PSU in my SMA8. I hear the Bitfenix Fans more than anything.
rolleyes.gif


TCO
 
#20 ·
Thanks for all the subs
thumb.gif
I feel kind of special now haha

What do you guys think about the Black Ice 560 GTS? I kept on contemplating about putting a second RX480 in my loop, but since the SMA8 can fit a 560, I said why not. However, the 560 can only be around 30mm thick. This is due to the restrictions of how I want to have my GPU blocks lead the tubing right underneath. Since EK hasn't released the 140 fans, I might use corsair AF140's or SP140 leds.
 
#21 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by TheCautiousOne View Post

I concur and agree. I don't even know I have a PSU in my SMA8. I hear the Bitfenix Fans more than anything.
rolleyes.gif


TCO
I love my SP's but I really like the looks of the BF's. They that much louder?

Quote:
Originally Posted by SteezyTN View Post

Thanks for all the subs
thumb.gif
I feel kind of special now haha

What do you guys think about the Black Ice 560 GTS? I kept on contemplating about putting a second RX480 in my loop, but since the SMA8 can fit a 560, I said why not. However, the 560 can only be around 30mm thick. This is due to the restrictions of how I want to have my GPU blocks lead the tubing right underneath. Since EK hasn't released the 140 fans, I might use corsair AF140's or SP140 leds.
Because I haven't seen a build with the 560 yet I vote YES!
thumb.gif
 
#22 ·
So I may be making changes to the WC parts. Because I just finished my other build, I'm going to try and save as much money as I can. Instead of purchasing all brand new pumps and such, I'm going to stick with my XSPC D5 Photon 170 vario pump/res. I was originally going to go with two EK-XRES 140 PWM and add the 250 tube, but that was almost $400 just in pumps.

For now, I'm going to be using the XSPC pump/res and I recently saw someone use the Bitspower D5cover mod to it. I may do that. Then later I will purchase a second XSPC pump/combo for dual pumps in a single loop. I want something "different" and everyone almost used the EK-XRES pumps/res.

As for radiators, I will be going with the ones I listed in my OP. RX480 and 560GTS.

So here's an update:

Pumps: XSPC D5 170 pump/res (maybe 2) with Bitspower D5 mod
Rads: RX480 and 560GTS (RX360 and RX240)
 
#23 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by jdstock76 View Post

I love my SP's but I really like the looks of the BF's. They that much louder?
I can't compare how sounds are with 15+ Bitfenix and the 5 Sp120's I have in the 750D at the moment. I just know that at night when everything is off I can hear them. (Bitfenix Spectre Pro 120mm)

TCO
 
#24 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by TheCautiousOne View Post

I can't compare how sounds are with 15+ Bitfenix and the 5 Sp120's I have in the 750D at the moment. I just know that at night when everything is off I can hear them. (Bitfenix Spectre Pro 120mm)

TCO
I nave a Bitfenix Spectre Pro 120mm for my rear and only exhaust fan...

I can hear it through all 10 of my Noctua NF-F12's!!
 
#25 ·
I just purchased my last two radiators. I still need to order the 560 radiator bracket though. I won't be purchasing anything else until I get the SMA8. I need to work some more to get the money back I just spent. Like I said, I'll be reusing my XSPC photon D5 pump, and when I get the case, I may get a second, along with the pass throughs and extra fittings and Bitspower D5 mod kits. I believe I'll be using Mayhems Pastel Ice white as well

 
#26 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by JourneymanMike View Post

I nave a Bitfenix Spectre Pro 120mm for my rear and only exhaust fan...

I can hear it through all 10 of my Noctua NF-F12's!!
Yea with all 15 or so of them running, it is quite the Hummmmm.

TCO
 
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