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[Intermediate] Jacobthellamer's scratch watercooled tower - The Koru

post #1 of 32
3/15/10 at 2:53am
Thread Starter 
Welcome,

This is my first scratch build to be completed and also my first plunge into water cooling. I have learnt a lot in this build from folding aluminium to using thread tape to prevent leaks on my rad. Thanks to this build I have plenty of ideas for the next, especially in regards to complex curves formed from aluminium.

Currently I am running on the following hardware (Temporary):

Asus M4A785-M
Phenom II 940
4GB DDR2 800 – OCZ
Saphire 5770
Corsair HX620
2x WD Black 640’s
Hauppauge HVR-1200
Xfi – Extreme audio

I plan to upgrade to the following over the next two months starting with the CPU:

Phenom II 1090T
Corsair DDR1600
4GB Corsair DDR3 1600 CL7
MSI 890GXM-G65
Extra 5770
INTEL X25-V 40GB

Finally, a big thanks to everyone on this site for the constant inspiration and encouragement.








^^2 pictures layered to show LED effect
Edited by jacobthellamer - 7/1/10 at 4:39pm
Koru
(13 items)
  		  
CPUMotherboardGraphicsRAM
Phenom II 1090T - @4.26 NB@3.078 Asus - Crosshair IV formula 5850 100/1200 - looking to xfire Dominator GT @ 8-9-8-24 1894 
Hard DriveOSMonitorPower
OCZ Vertex II 60GB - WD Black 640 Win 7 Ultimate 64bit AOC 23" IPS + 21.5" Benq + samsung syncmaster Corsair HX650 
CaseMouse
Hand crafted - Koru Deathadder 
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Koru
(13 items)
  		  
CPUMotherboardGraphicsRAM
Phenom II 1090T - @4.26 NB@3.078 Asus - Crosshair IV formula 5850 100/1200 - looking to xfire Dominator GT @ 8-9-8-24 1894 
Hard DriveOSMonitorPower
OCZ Vertex II 60GB - WD Black 640 Win 7 Ultimate 64bit AOC 23" IPS + 21.5" Benq + samsung syncmaster Corsair HX650 
CaseMouse
Hand crafted - Koru Deathadder 
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post #2 of 32
3/15/10 at 3:05am
Thread Starter 
After a lot of playing around in sketch up I have settled on a design and have drawn up a basic schematic.

This will be built from 1.2mm aluminium with black acrylic for the side panels.

Open View:


Expanded View:

Edited by jacobthellamer - 4/23/10 at 3:17am
Koru
(13 items)
  		  
CPUMotherboardGraphicsRAM
Phenom II 1090T - @4.26 NB@3.078 Asus - Crosshair IV formula 5850 100/1200 - looking to xfire Dominator GT @ 8-9-8-24 1894 
Hard DriveOSMonitorPower
OCZ Vertex II 60GB - WD Black 640 Win 7 Ultimate 64bit AOC 23" IPS + 21.5" Benq + samsung syncmaster Corsair HX650 
CaseMouse
Hand crafted - Koru Deathadder 
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Koru
(13 items)
  		  
CPUMotherboardGraphicsRAM
Phenom II 1090T - @4.26 NB@3.078 Asus - Crosshair IV formula 5850 100/1200 - looking to xfire Dominator GT @ 8-9-8-24 1894 
Hard DriveOSMonitorPower
OCZ Vertex II 60GB - WD Black 640 Win 7 Ultimate 64bit AOC 23" IPS + 21.5" Benq + samsung syncmaster Corsair HX650 
CaseMouse
Hand crafted - Koru Deathadder 
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post #3 of 32
4/23/10 at 3:34am
Thread Starter 
Well I have now got a full sheet(1200x2400mm) of 1.2mm aluminium to play with. I had the metal supplier cut it in two so I could fit in my car, I think i must have three cases worth here

The first parts I decided to fabricate were the top and base sections of the case. These parts were followed by the internal front piece and back section.

Here is the first piece being drawn out - note the budget scribe(multi-tool):


First cut into the sheet, this was rather unwieldy as the sheet was a little too big to deal with :


Once the first piece was separated, things got a bit easier to handle :


Here is my favourite new toy - a bending brake, this thing is so handy!


This is the base for the whole case:


Sketchup part and real part - my desk is bit facepalm





The next thing to make was the front internal piece, this is where the rad and fans are going to be mounted:


Working on the back piece of the case:


I love folding:


All folded:


Things are starting to take shape:

Edited by jacobthellamer - 6/29/10 at 1:48am
Koru
(13 items)
  		  
CPUMotherboardGraphicsRAM
Phenom II 1090T - @4.26 NB@3.078 Asus - Crosshair IV formula 5850 100/1200 - looking to xfire Dominator GT @ 8-9-8-24 1894 
Hard DriveOSMonitorPower
OCZ Vertex II 60GB - WD Black 640 Win 7 Ultimate 64bit AOC 23" IPS + 21.5" Benq + samsung syncmaster Corsair HX650 
CaseMouse
Hand crafted - Koru Deathadder 
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Koru
(13 items)
  		  
CPUMotherboardGraphicsRAM
Phenom II 1090T - @4.26 NB@3.078 Asus - Crosshair IV formula 5850 100/1200 - looking to xfire Dominator GT @ 8-9-8-24 1894 
Hard DriveOSMonitorPower
OCZ Vertex II 60GB - WD Black 640 Win 7 Ultimate 64bit AOC 23" IPS + 21.5" Benq + samsung syncmaster Corsair HX650 
CaseMouse
Hand crafted - Koru Deathadder 
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post #4 of 32
4/23/10 at 3:48am
Thread Starter 
Time to make and assemble the motherboard tray!

Cut out tray - note the markings for the expansion slot holes:


Cut out expansion slot insert:


Nice Fit!


Does not look so good from the back, I think i might remove some metal rather than fill the spaces - note that the frayed look is from the protective plastic on the sheet:
Koru
(13 items)
  		  
CPUMotherboardGraphicsRAM
Phenom II 1090T - @4.26 NB@3.078 Asus - Crosshair IV formula 5850 100/1200 - looking to xfire Dominator GT @ 8-9-8-24 1894 
Hard DriveOSMonitorPower
OCZ Vertex II 60GB - WD Black 640 Win 7 Ultimate 64bit AOC 23" IPS + 21.5" Benq + samsung syncmaster Corsair HX650 
CaseMouse
Hand crafted - Koru Deathadder 
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Koru
(13 items)
  		  
CPUMotherboardGraphicsRAM
Phenom II 1090T - @4.26 NB@3.078 Asus - Crosshair IV formula 5850 100/1200 - looking to xfire Dominator GT @ 8-9-8-24 1894 
Hard DriveOSMonitorPower
OCZ Vertex II 60GB - WD Black 640 Win 7 Ultimate 64bit AOC 23" IPS + 21.5" Benq + samsung syncmaster Corsair HX650 
CaseMouse
Hand crafted - Koru Deathadder 
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post #5 of 32
4/23/10 at 4:01am
Thread Starter 
I have come up with a local theme for the front of the case - a Koru cut out, this will have a removable white mesh with concealed green LED's for illumination

Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koru

I have also just purchased a new swiftech 360 rad

Design waiting to be cut:



All folded up:


I have tidied the back up and tacked the case together with 3mm machine screws:


Front:

Edited by jacobthellamer - 6/29/10 at 1:51am
Koru
(13 items)
  		  
CPUMotherboardGraphicsRAM
Phenom II 1090T - @4.26 NB@3.078 Asus - Crosshair IV formula 5850 100/1200 - looking to xfire Dominator GT @ 8-9-8-24 1894 
Hard DriveOSMonitorPower
OCZ Vertex II 60GB - WD Black 640 Win 7 Ultimate 64bit AOC 23" IPS + 21.5" Benq + samsung syncmaster Corsair HX650 
CaseMouse
Hand crafted - Koru Deathadder 
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Koru
(13 items)
  		  
CPUMotherboardGraphicsRAM
Phenom II 1090T - @4.26 NB@3.078 Asus - Crosshair IV formula 5850 100/1200 - looking to xfire Dominator GT @ 8-9-8-24 1894 
Hard DriveOSMonitorPower
OCZ Vertex II 60GB - WD Black 640 Win 7 Ultimate 64bit AOC 23" IPS + 21.5" Benq + samsung syncmaster Corsair HX650 
CaseMouse
Hand crafted - Koru Deathadder 
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post #6 of 32
4/23/10 at 4:14am
Thread Starter 
Got some 3.5mm black acrylic and cut the panels to size. I also cut a PSU hole in the Back of the case. One panel has been sanded, I still have to cut the vent holes out of the other.

PSU mounting hole:


Side panel cut and sanded:

Koru
(13 items)
  		  
CPUMotherboardGraphicsRAM
Phenom II 1090T - @4.26 NB@3.078 Asus - Crosshair IV formula 5850 100/1200 - looking to xfire Dominator GT @ 8-9-8-24 1894 
Hard DriveOSMonitorPower
OCZ Vertex II 60GB - WD Black 640 Win 7 Ultimate 64bit AOC 23" IPS + 21.5" Benq + samsung syncmaster Corsair HX650 
CaseMouse
Hand crafted - Koru Deathadder 
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Koru
(13 items)
  		  
CPUMotherboardGraphicsRAM
Phenom II 1090T - @4.26 NB@3.078 Asus - Crosshair IV formula 5850 100/1200 - looking to xfire Dominator GT @ 8-9-8-24 1894 
Hard DriveOSMonitorPower
OCZ Vertex II 60GB - WD Black 640 Win 7 Ultimate 64bit AOC 23" IPS + 21.5" Benq + samsung syncmaster Corsair HX650 
CaseMouse
Hand crafted - Koru Deathadder 
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post #7 of 32
4/27/10 at 3:44am
Thread Starter 
I did a fair amount of work over the last weekend. Now I have to work out the wiring, switches, lighting and grills.

Here is the hard drive bay before being cut out.


Cut waiting to be filed and to have screw holes drilled out.


Ready for folding


Side panel waiting to be cut:


Holes drilled:


All cut out:


From the front:


From the back:


On its side:


Aligning holes to be drilled and tapped:


Case so far:


Motherboard mounted to test:


Stainless screws and bolts:

Edited by jacobthellamer - 6/29/10 at 1:53am
Koru
(13 items)
  		  
CPUMotherboardGraphicsRAM
Phenom II 1090T - @4.26 NB@3.078 Asus - Crosshair IV formula 5850 100/1200 - looking to xfire Dominator GT @ 8-9-8-24 1894 
Hard DriveOSMonitorPower
OCZ Vertex II 60GB - WD Black 640 Win 7 Ultimate 64bit AOC 23" IPS + 21.5" Benq + samsung syncmaster Corsair HX650 
CaseMouse
Hand crafted - Koru Deathadder 
View all
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Koru
(13 items)
  		  
CPUMotherboardGraphicsRAM
Phenom II 1090T - @4.26 NB@3.078 Asus - Crosshair IV formula 5850 100/1200 - looking to xfire Dominator GT @ 8-9-8-24 1894 
Hard DriveOSMonitorPower
OCZ Vertex II 60GB - WD Black 640 Win 7 Ultimate 64bit AOC 23" IPS + 21.5" Benq + samsung syncmaster Corsair HX650 
CaseMouse
Hand crafted - Koru Deathadder 
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post #8 of 32
5/8/10 at 8:16pm
Thread Starter 
Worked on the front panel today. I started with the power/reset switch assembly and then moved on to the grill and lights.


















Edited by jacobthellamer - 5/28/10 at 4:01am
Koru
(13 items)
  		  
CPUMotherboardGraphicsRAM
Phenom II 1090T - @4.26 NB@3.078 Asus - Crosshair IV formula 5850 100/1200 - looking to xfire Dominator GT @ 8-9-8-24 1894 
Hard DriveOSMonitorPower
OCZ Vertex II 60GB - WD Black 640 Win 7 Ultimate 64bit AOC 23" IPS + 21.5" Benq + samsung syncmaster Corsair HX650 
CaseMouse
Hand crafted - Koru Deathadder 
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Koru
(13 items)
  		  
CPUMotherboardGraphicsRAM
Phenom II 1090T - @4.26 NB@3.078 Asus - Crosshair IV formula 5850 100/1200 - looking to xfire Dominator GT @ 8-9-8-24 1894 
Hard DriveOSMonitorPower
OCZ Vertex II 60GB - WD Black 640 Win 7 Ultimate 64bit AOC 23" IPS + 21.5" Benq + samsung syncmaster Corsair HX650 
CaseMouse
Hand crafted - Koru Deathadder 
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post #9 of 32
5/20/10 at 3:26am
Thread Starter 
Playing with cable management and am thinking how to arrange the pipes

Koru
(13 items)
  		  
CPUMotherboardGraphicsRAM
Phenom II 1090T - @4.26 NB@3.078 Asus - Crosshair IV formula 5850 100/1200 - looking to xfire Dominator GT @ 8-9-8-24 1894 
Hard DriveOSMonitorPower
OCZ Vertex II 60GB - WD Black 640 Win 7 Ultimate 64bit AOC 23" IPS + 21.5" Benq + samsung syncmaster Corsair HX650 
CaseMouse
Hand crafted - Koru Deathadder 
View all
  hide details  
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Koru
(13 items)
  		  
CPUMotherboardGraphicsRAM
Phenom II 1090T - @4.26 NB@3.078 Asus - Crosshair IV formula 5850 100/1200 - looking to xfire Dominator GT @ 8-9-8-24 1894 
Hard DriveOSMonitorPower
OCZ Vertex II 60GB - WD Black 640 Win 7 Ultimate 64bit AOC 23" IPS + 21.5" Benq + samsung syncmaster Corsair HX650 
CaseMouse
Hand crafted - Koru Deathadder 
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post #10 of 32
5/24/10 at 3:53am
Thread Starter 
Made an order with EK today, helpfully it arrives in time!

Koru
(13 items)
  		  
CPUMotherboardGraphicsRAM
Phenom II 1090T - @4.26 NB@3.078 Asus - Crosshair IV formula 5850 100/1200 - looking to xfire Dominator GT @ 8-9-8-24 1894 
Hard DriveOSMonitorPower
OCZ Vertex II 60GB - WD Black 640 Win 7 Ultimate 64bit AOC 23" IPS + 21.5" Benq + samsung syncmaster Corsair HX650 
CaseMouse
Hand crafted - Koru Deathadder 
View all
  hide details  
Reply
Koru
(13 items)
  		  
CPUMotherboardGraphicsRAM
Phenom II 1090T - @4.26 NB@3.078 Asus - Crosshair IV formula 5850 100/1200 - looking to xfire Dominator GT @ 8-9-8-24 1894 
Hard DriveOSMonitorPower
OCZ Vertex II 60GB - WD Black 640 Win 7 Ultimate 64bit AOC 23" IPS + 21.5" Benq + samsung syncmaster Corsair HX650 
CaseMouse
Hand crafted - Koru Deathadder 
View all
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