{Build Log} Upside Down S8 project.

[Intro]
Hey fellow builders!

1st time making a legit custom loop (non AIO).

I've used a lot of AIO before, but that's not real water cooling, I finally found AIO to be too restrictive and it was no longer cutting it for me when I wanted to expand the loop to include additional components.

While newer types of AIO can be expanded, they are still far from being truly customizable as a real custom loop can be, and that's including the new AIO from EK and Swiftech, in the end it's still an AIO with limited expandability and customization.

Which is why I finally gave up on AIO, and Started to create my own Custom Loop that can satisfy my needs, and my own sense of Aesthetics

This is going to be a master piece... or so I hope

[Goal]
To build a Quiet water loop to handle CPU + VRM + SLI video cards.
Hoping to keep temps under 50°C even under load/gaming... and If possible to build this whole thing Upside Down

New expanded goal to bring Temp below ambient, keeping it above frost and condensation build up.


[Color Theme]
- White
- Red
- Black

[Index]

• Parts List
• Must Know
• Memo Pad
• CaseLab case Mercury S8 setup
• Monsoon MMRS parts size reference
• Monsoon MMRS vertical stand size reference
• Plan A single Pedestal
• Plan B with 2 Pedestals
• Lets Chill
• Peltier Loop rough sketch
• TT riing fans quick review
• Koolance QD3 specs
• Koolance QD3 specs (part 2)
• Triple Loop Build! (2 Pedestal)
• Arozzi MONZA-OR chair
• EK-XRES 100 Revo D5 PWM (incl. pump) height

[Parts List]
Mostly EK everything, except the fittings, which will be a mix of Koolance QDC, and probably a mix of Bitspower / Monsoon for the extra features like LED / Temp / Flow Sensor.

From EK web: Total = $ 61.55

• 5x EK-AF T-Splitter 3F G1/4 - Black https://www.ekwb.com/shop/ek-af-t-splitter-3f-g1-4-black $ 8.99 $ 44.95

From elsewhere:

• Add2PSU $12.99
• Peltier TEC1-12726 50mm x 50mm $19.09
• Digital Temperature Controller 30A 12V $11.91

From Koolance web: Total = $697.38 (part 1)

• 28x QD3 Male Quick Disconnect No-Spill Coupling, Male Threaded G 1/4 BSPP *Black* QD3-MSG4-BK $11.23 $314.44
• 27x QD3 Female Quick Disconnect No-Spill Coupling, Male Threaded G 1/4 BSPP *Black* QD3-FSG4-BK $12.40 $334.80

From Koolance web: Total = $504.41 (part 2)

• 17x QD3 Female Quick Disconnect No-Spill Coupling, Compression for 10mm x 16mm (3/8in x 5/8in) *Black* QD3-FS10X16-BK $14.04 $238.68
• 13x QD3 Male Quick Disconnect No-Spill Coupling, Male Threaded G 1/4 BSPP *Black* QD3-MSG4-BK $11.42 $148.46
• 6x QD3 Male Quick Disconnect No-Spill Coupling, Panel Female Threaded G 1/4 BSPP *Black* QD3-MSFG4-P-BK $11.99 $71.94

From TT store:

• 4x Pacific RGB G1/4 PETG Tube 16mm OD 12mm ID http://www.thermaltakeusa.com/products-model.aspx?id=C_00002940
  CL-W133-CU00BL-A
  $80 ( $479.94)
  (6 per box)
• 2x V-Tubler PETG Tube 1000mm (4 pack) http://ttpremium.com/product/v-tubler-petg-tube-1000mm-4-pack/
  $18.99 ($37.98)
• 10x Riing 12 RGB LED 120mm Fan http://www.thermaltake.com/products-model.aspx?id=C_00002731&o=1
  CL-F042-PL12SW-B (part 1)
  $75 ( $750)
  (3 per box)
• 5x Riing 12 RGB LED 120mm Fan http://www.thermaltake.com/products-model.aspx?id=C_00002731&o=1
  CL-F042-PL12SW-B (part 2)
  $75 ( $375)
  (3 per box)
• Pacific Hard Tube Bending Kit http://www.thermaltake.com/products-model.aspx?id=C_00002828
  CL-W093-AL00BL-A
  $69.99

From PPC store: Total = $3,182.96

• 3x AQ-53129 Aquacomputer Flow Rate Sensor "High Flow USB" G1/4 $69.95 $209.85
• 2x BP-004-E2 E22 Cable Comb Bumper Pack (Small) - Black $29.95 $59.90
• 12x BP-DBRWP-C03 Bitspower Multi-Transfer Base (Coupler) - Deep Blood Red $6.95 $83.40
• 2x BP-DW90R Bitspower G 1/4" Deluxe White Rotary 90 Degree IG 1/4" Adapter $14.95 $29.90
• 12x BP-DWWP-C03 Bitspower Multi-Transfer Base (Coupler) - Deluxe White $6.95 $83.40
• 4x BP-DWWP-CT Bitspower G 1/4" Deluxe White Temperature Sensor Stop Fitting $9.99 $39.96
• 4x BP-MVV-DBRBK Bitspower BP-MVV-DBRBK Mini-Valve - Deep Bold Red With Black Handle $25.99 $103.96
• 4x BP-MVV-DWBK Bitspower BP-MVV-DWBK Mini-Valve - Deluxe White With Black Handle $28.50 $114
• 2x EK-ACF1016-BK EK-ACF Compression Fitting 10/16mm (3/8 x 5/8") - Black $7.49 $14.98
• 9x EK-ACF1016-RD EK-ACF Compression Fitting 10/16mm (3/8 x 5/8") - Red $7.99 $71.91
• 9x EK-ACF1016-WH EK-ACF Compression Fitting 10/16mm (3/8 x 5/8") - White $7.99 $71.91
• 1x EK-AF-90-G14-BK EK-AF Angled 90 G1/4 Fitting - Black $6.99 $6.99
• 1x EK-AF-BV-10-G14-BK EK-AF Ball Valve (10mm) G1/4 - Black $19.99 $19.99
• 2x EK-AF-EXT-12-FF-G14-BK EK-AF Extender 12mm F-F G1/4 - Black $2.99 $5.98
• 17x EK-AF-EXT-R-MM-G14-BK EK-AF Extender Rotary M-M G1/4 - Black $5.99 $101.83
• 6x EK-AF-X-4F-G14-MB EK-AF X-Splitter 4F G1/4 - Black $8.99 $53.94
• 2x EK-D5-PWM-G2 EK-D5 PWM G2 Motor (12V DC PWM Pump Motor) $89.99 $179.98
• 2x EK-D5-XTOP-REVO-PX-PWM EK-XTOP Revo D5 PWM - Plexi (incl. pump) $119.99 $239.98
• 1x EK-FC-TERMINAL-BLANK-PAR EK-FC Terminal Blank Parallel $4.95 $4.95
• 1x EK-FC-TERMINAL-TRIPLE-PAR-PX EK-FC Terminal TRIPLE Parallel - Plexi $36.99 $36.99
• 4x EK-HDC16-RD EK-HDC Fitting 16mm G1/4 - Red $8.99 $35.96
• 4x EK-HDC16-WH EK-HDC Fitting 16mm G1/4 - White $8.99 $35.96
• 1x EK-RAD-PE-240 EK-CoolStream PE 240 (Dual) $61.95 $61.95
• 3x EK-RAD-PE-360 EK-CoolStream PE 360 (Triple) $79.95 $239.85
• 4x EK-RAD-XE-360 EK-CoolStream XE 360 (Triple) $99.99 $399.96
• 1x EK-RES-X3-250-WT EK-RES X3 250 Reservoir - White $62.99 $62.99
• 1x EK-SUPREMACY-EVO-NP EK-Supremacy EVO CPU Water Block - Nickel/Plexi $77.95 $77.95
• 2x EK-THERMOSPHERE-CA EK-Thermosphere Universal GPU Water Block - Copper/Acetal $73.95 $147.90
• 4x EK-UNI-PUMPBK-120 EK-UNI Pump Bracket (120mm FAN) $7.99 $31.96
• 1x EK-XRES-100-REVO-D5-PWM EK-XRES 100 Revo D5 PWM (incl. pump) $149.99 $149.99
• 20x GROMMETS-625 PVC Rubber Grommets 0.625" I.D. Hole $0.49 $9.80
• 2x M2-MMT-WC-RD Monsoon MMRS D5 Motor Mounting Cover - Red $15.25 $30.50
• 1x MD-NS-DYE-PKR-15 Mayhems Non Stain Pink/Red Dye - 15ml $8.95 $8.95
• 1x MD-NS-DYE-Y-15 Mayhems Non Stain Yellow Dye - 15ml $8.95 $8.95
• 4x MD-X1-BR-CON Mayhems X1 Blood Red Concentrate - 250ml $17.95 $71.80
• 6x MD-X1-C-CON Mayhems X1 Clear Concentrate - 250ml $17.95 $107.70
• 4x MMRS-AT-050-CL Monsoon MMRS Acrylic Tube 50mm - Clear $4.95 $19.80
• 2x MMRS-BH-WH Monsoon MMRS Acrylic Tube Coupler - White $9.95 $19.90
• 2x MMRS-FDP-BASE-WH Monsoon MMRS Fill Drain Port Base- White $8.95 $17.90
• 2x MMRS-FDP-RC-RD Monsoon MMRS Fill Drain Port Round Cap - Red $10.95 $21.90
• 2x MMRS-MT-VRT-RD Monsoon MMRS Vertical Mount - Red $13.95 $27.90
• 2x MMRS-TR-050-RD Monsoon MMRS 50mm Tension Rods - Red $9.25 $18.50
• 2x MMRS-TR-050-WH Monsoon MMRS 50mm Tension Rods - White $9.25 $18.50
• 2x MMRS-TRP-WH Monsoon MMRS End Cap with D5 Pump Mount - White $11.95 $23.90
• 2x MON-LPL-WH Monsoon Premium G 1 / 4 LED Plug - White $9.95 $19.90
• 1x MON-PRO-HG-KIT-110V Monsoon Hardline Pro Heatgun Kit 110 Volt $14.99 $14.99
• 2x PFLEXA10-58 PrimoFlex Advanced LRT 10ft Tubing - 3/8in. ID X 5/8in. OD - Crystal Clear $24.95 $49.90
• 3x PH-83099 Phobya LED Ready Twin 3mm Ultra-Bright White 30cm - Black $4.50 $13.50

WC parts Total = $ 6204.1


[Actual PC Hardware] Total = $6694.93

• CaseLab Mercury S8 $776.25
• CaseLab Mercury S8 Pedestal #1
• CaseLab Mercury S8 Pedestal #2 (awaiting fulfillment) $211.90
• CaseLab Mercury S8 accessories #1 (awaiting fulfillment) $35.85
• CaseLab Mercury S8 accessories #2 (awaiting fulfillment) $119.70
• Intel Core i7-6700K (BX80662I76700K) $513.61
• GIGABYTE GA-Z170X-Gaming G1 $658.06
• 2x CORSAIR Vengeance Red LED 32GB (CMU32GX4M2C3200C16R) $579.01
• 2x CORSAIR Vengeance White LED 32GB (CMU32GX4M2C3200C16)
• 2x MSI GTX 1080 SEA HAWK EK X $2,334.06
• 2x SAMSUNG 950 PRO M.2 512GB PCI-Express 3.0 x4 (MZ-V5P512BW) $819.98
• ICY DOCK FlexCage MB975SP-B $130
• 4x Seagate 6TB Drive (ST6000NM0024) <--- optional, might end up using existing 3TB drives.
• Toughpower DPS G RGB 1500W Titanium (PS-TPG-1500DPCTUS-T) $550.68
• Toughpower DPS G RGB 850W Gold (PS-TPG-0850DPCGUS-R)

[Things to consider for Self and other 1st time water builders]

Water Flow:
- Pressure (restrictions): too many 90° turns, will add to additional work for the pump, use soft bends when possible.
- Loop Size (distance): the shorter the distance the faster the water loop will remove heat from the system
- There are two main types of pumps for water cooling, high pressure pumps (noisy), high flow pumps (quiet... relatively)
- High pressure pumps are good for loops with lots of hard bends, if you don't mind the noise
- High flow pumps like the D5 are quiet, but susceptible to restrictive loops, to solve the issue use 2 or more D5 in series.
- Having 2 or more pump in series can help with water pressure, at half the work load, and which translates into quiet runs.
-


Temperature:
- Cooling temperature variance is minimal between tube ID sizes, water flow is more important.
- Average "Normal" temp to expect around during high usage = 50 C°
- Average "Normal" temp to expect during idle = 30 C° ~ 35 C° (depending on your local ambient temp)
- These only applies to ambient cooling loops, compressor based cooling loops can achieve sub room temperatures, which builds up condensations.
- For extreme cooling use compressor type cooling, but they are very noisy... just like a portable AC unit.
-

Air Flow:
- Fans like water pumps there are also high pressure vs.high flow, and there are the hybrid ones that tries to do both.
- High pressure fans are used to push air through the radiators
- High flow fans are your standard case fans to move large amount of air quickly
- Naturally hot air rises to the top, however when you have 3, 6, 8 or more fans blowing inside a compact space, the natural flow goes out the way side, the induced air will flow wherever your fan blows to
-

Power Usage:
- Found a good calculator here, quite accurate, give you a good idea what size PSU / UPS you actually need. http://outervision.com/power-supply-calculator
- Watt to BTU / BTU to Watt (coming soon)
- Ideally run 2 separate PSU, if you have the space, one for the water loop parts, and one for the actual computer components
-



[FAQ]
- Does the EK-FC Terminal BLANK Parallel includes the screws and O rings?
- What is the width of the MMRS reservoir cylinders and its end caps?
- The window on the front cover of the S8 is 108mm (W) x 222mm (H).
- The 36mm extended top cover will have 36mm of clearance from the top chassis, so there will be no clearance issues with a 26mm thick radiator or fan
- The standard ventilated top cover will not have the necessary clearance to mount fans above the top chassis.
- There is 300mm of clearance from the mid chassis and the top chassis, and therefore you should have no issue mounting the 250mm reservoir in the front window area while having a 38mm thick radiator in the top chassis.


[Water Cooling Lingo:]
ID = inner diameter
OD = outer diameter
mL = milliliter
mm = millimeter
" or in = inch
GPM = gallon per minute
C° = Celsius
F° = Fahrenheit
BTU = British thermal unit
dBA = Decibel Noise Level

.

Memo Pad:

___________________________________________________________________________________________________
RGB Fans
6
2+1
3+1
6+6+4
6+6+4
Total = 45 = 15 controllers, pair them up = 7+1 controllers = 8 fan headers or 4 Y split, split again to 2 Y split, then again to 1 Y split.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________
RGB Fittings
2+2
4+4
2+2+2
2+2
2+2
2
2
4
Total = 34 = 6 controllers, pair them up = 3 controllers = 3 fan headers or 2 Y split

___________________________________________________________________________________________________
2nd PSU 850W
DC
+12V rail max output
70.83A max current
849.96W max power

___________________________________________________________________________________________________

Using EK PE
5+6
+6
+6
+4
+2
=
29
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
Using EK XE

5+6
+12
+12
+4
+2
=
41
___________________________________________________________________________________________________

I've considered the ASUS ROG 10th anniversary edition RAMPAGE V, but the features are just not as attractive as those found in the Gigabyte G1.

I've been an ASUS fan for like forever, my 1st Pentium 586 board, all the in between boards, and even my current rig boards are all from ASUS, but it's getting old, trying to find something new and better, so this time around I'm giving Gigabyte a Go, it's been a long while since I've had a Gigabyte board (486 / 586), Gigabyte board used to be very boring even for the better first part of the Gen1 and Gen2 i7 boards, it's just recently that they picked up steam....

Perhaps those Gigabyte survey paid off, a year or so ago they called me asking for perspective how gamers are perceiving their brand, back then it was still pretty "meh.." as in nothing interesting that sets them apart from ASUS, MSI and EVGA, which are the favourite top choices for most.

So the main attraction of the G1 board to me are:
- Factory stock water VRM block (includes south chip)
- An authentic Creative Labs Sound Blaster DSP core chip, not the fake virtual simulated ones via software on top of a Realtek sound chip (ASUS)
- M.2 and SATA Express (I know both have it, but Gigabyte seems to be slightly faster)
- Slightly better RGB LED control and looks nicer, the ASUS ROG after going water, you lose most of the LED eye candy.
- Faster Thunderbolt 3 than ASUS implementation
- USB 3.1 / per USB fuse / USB DAC
- Gigabyte BIOS is simple but efficient, ASUS BIOS are too busy, it's both good and bad, depending what you seek, I used to think more options and settings was better, now I'm thinking life should be simpler
- 2x Killer E2400 ethernet, ASUS is only 1 killer and 1 regular

The only downside is that currently Skylake is limited to 6700K as the highest core i7 CPU, if you want anything more then we'll need to wait for the next Intel chipset, since it's going to be an exclusive gaming / entertainment rig, 4 core should be plenty enough.
I already got a dedicated Dual Xeon 192 RAM VMware server for everything else.
This old gaming rig I'm using right now can become another VMware test rig or perhaps an unRAID workstation, then I can easily have slightly more control over the hardware than via VMware.

CaseLab case Mercury S8 current setup

After pouring through a lot of S8 builds, I noticed the space while it's much roomier than standard cases, it is still quite cramped for my ideal build.

Current selection:
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
Mercury S8

Case Color: Black 8-9 weeks for processing,
Form Factor: SSI EEB ($10.00),
Top Chassis Mount: Drop-in 120.3 x 2 mount ($20.00),
Top Cover: 36mm Extended Ventilated ($20.00),
Left Door: Standard Window with Ventilation ($20.00),
Right Door : XL Window (adds $20.00),
Front Cover: Window (This option will delete the 120.2 mount in the front ($10.00),
Flex-Bay Configuration: 120.2 Mount with Solid Bay Covers ($20.00),
Lower Left Chamber Configuration: 120.3 (360) Side Mount ,
Power and Reset Switch: Standard Power/Reset Switches with Sleeved Cables ,
I/O Panel: USB 3.0/HD Audio ($25.00)

Size: 14.54" x 19.03" x 18.74" (369mm W x 483mm D x 476mm H)

Maximum Radiator/Fan clearance above motherboard tray with standard height top cover 115mm

Cooling Tower Clearance (air cooler) 260mm

Rubber feet add .75’’ (19mm) to height

___________________________________________________________________________________________________

Pedestal #1 - Mercury S8

Pedestal Color: Black 3-5 business days for processing,
Front Configuration: Standard Front Cover with Ventilated Bay Cover,
Rear Configuration: 120.2 Fan Holes

Size: 19.03"L x 14.54"W x 7.72"H (486mm D x 369mm W x 196mm H)

___________________________________________________________________________________________________

Pedestal #2 - Mercury S8

Pedestal Color: Black 3-4 weeks for processing,
Front Configuration: Standard Front Cover with Ventilated Bay Cover,
Rear Configuration: Single PSU Mount

PSU Support Mount - MAGNUM
Style: Standard, Color: Black (3-4 weeks for processing)

___________________________________________________________________________________________________


I'll probably need to change the Top Cover: Ventilated, to Top Cover: Ventilated 36mm version Done!

Pedestal might need to change one side to use 120.2 drop in, instead of 120.3 drop in, to accommodate the RAID cage not happening, if it doesn't fit the RAID cage goes bye bye.

The small space in front of the PSU is probably not enough to install 2x EK D5 pumps. if a fan/radiator (36mm) is located in the front Flex slot.
A possible alternative is to hang the EK D5 pumps behind the 240mm EK radiator, each D5 in an EK 120mm bracket

Have the RAID cage on the first 120mm slot, hopefully not obstructing the 360mm EK rad on top (36mm drop from Top Chassis Mount)
if this doesn't work, then it'll have to go down to the Pedestal's Flex Slot, which will minimize require a separate 120.2 mount to install the 240mm EK XE Dual instead of the 360 EK XE Triple
or... get a 2nd Pedestal ... if that were to happen, I'll rather get a 2nd Mercury 8 to stack them up

2nd Mercury S8 vs. Two Pedestal
- visually more attractive
- more windows
- much more space for pumps and reservoirs, plenty of room to create something neat.
- 2nd dedicated PSU to run all the water stuff, or have another 360 EK PE on the right side
- 360 EK PE on the left side
- perhaps even room for 2x 360 EX EX on the top, <--- needs to double check.
- more Flex Slots to install a 2nd RAID Cage, and Status Bays
- Possibility to install another 360 EK EX rad in the front.
- or possibly switch to 2x 240mm in the front.

hmm... Definitely something to consider not possible, confirmed by CaseLab, the MS8 was not designed to be stacked on top of each other, only Pedestals can be stacked.


Other data:
Mid width is 150mm to 160mm depending if you count the little bit of space on both sides
and length is roughly 200mm

reference https://www.overclock.net/t/940461/official-case-labs-owners-club/19900_50#post_25507936

MSI GTX 1080 Sea Hawk EK X finally arrived, now waiting for the remaining parts to get here.




...sigh... made in China...

Very Rough sketch of possible water flow lines, if using the S8 case as designed (Not upside down)

Gigabyte GA-Z170X-Gaming G1 (rev. 1.0) motherboard just arrived.

http://www.gigabyte.com/products/product-page.aspx?pid=5478#ov

Normally I'd do a review and unboxing video / photos... but they already did that, so there's no much to cover.
When I have some extra time, I'll probably go over some details they might have missed in their video.

I'm following