[Absorbed]

Hello community,

It's my almost first message and first thread/build log at Overclock or any forum about computer hardware fetishism

At first I want to let you know what English language is not my primary language and I was not a good student.
And second thing I must share with you - I do not think I am handyman (at least for now) and many things in this build I not satisfied with. But it's took much time (I order things three times before i complete it and every deliver took 7-10 days) and at final phase it was more interesting for me to see it work and to understand was it enough for my objectives (powerful and silent HTPC). So I can say what cable management looks ugly.

This build I want to show you was made at spring 2013, but only today I crush laziness and upload and select right pictures from all I made.

Idea of this build was to make powerful enough gaming rig for my wife (she playing some MMO) and silent HTPC in same time. Because I sleep in same room with this computer while it playing something at TV. All the time my wife use TV as her display, so her PC was wrapped into Silverstone HTPC case under TV and I decide to not change it.

I didn't order a lot of new hardware for this build, because after my upgrade I have such things left:
2x6950 (one still was at her PC and one was available from my old build)
i5-2500k
2x256Gb SSD

And this liquid cooling components I did order for this build:
EK Dual D5 top (one loop)
Two D5
EK CPU waterblock
Two Watercool Universal GPU blocks with VRM DIY
Two XSPC EX radiators 240 and 360
Five Noiseblocker eLoop 120mm, 1200rpm fans
Pair Noiseblocker PC-P 80mm, PWM slim fans
Bitspower 150mm reservoir
13/10 fittings

I spend few weeks (nights after done with job thingies) while google search something like "liquid cooled htpc" "Silverstone gd07 liquid cooled" etc to get any concept or example, but was not too lucky. Maybe I miss something, but didn't find any GD07/08 liquid cooled builds at all.
In same time my friend, who in touch with liquid cooling, told me something like "take Caselabs and do it, do not take consumer cases, because it's sucks for liquid cooling", but I answer him "I need desktop case, I see no such from Caselabs". His final words was like "ok, do as you want, but you will get most painful sex in your life"

Now I can say two things - my opinion - his was right, and second thing - Silverstone GD07 may be not bad at all liquid cooled HTPC case if they just add 1cm depth, 1cm width and maybe 1cm height, but only first two centimeters give huge advantage.

Ok, now "why I chose this case":
In my objective was only two cases, GD07 and GD08, because both have 3x120mm holes at bottom and 2x120mm at side. Yes, it was very tempting. And one more thing I can tell about my self with this build: my rule was not "count at first and cut after" I use rule "ok, I'll cut first and we will se how it's work"

So from both models I decide to take GD07, here is it:



Picture is not my, but I do not bother to make a shot of unpacked my.

Ok. I think I have nothing more to say in prelude and I continue with "picture->comment" style.

My order arrive:



On next picture you can see strange 7750 Radeon's, but I didn't use it for build, I just bought it to have some replacement while I remove wife's 6950 from her PC and second one... just to have it.



At first I fit radiators to see how it will be in real world (outside of my fantasies)



At first sight you may think what it's fit, but not. Yes, it's looks ok, but 240mm do not fit mounting holes at side it was some higher and was not mounted, was just blocked by 360mm and back side. Handyman can do something, Also I understand what I will have trouble with front panel USB and buttons, because space between bottom radiator mounting and front panel is not enough for it. And I will unable to keep it as is. But I decide to keep this issue for myself, but not current one, future me who will need to solve it by any way

I decide to keep things as much default as I can. Later I wear my mobo with waterblocks, nothing exceptional:



I put mobo inside to see how it will be:




it's bad point of view, but here I understand what I can't install fans inside, because mosfet water block prevent me from installing right fan and EPS cable can make me some troubles with left fan.
At that moment I decide what I will put 240mm outside, because I will use standard holes at side of case and just put fans inside. I will need to drill only two holes for fittings.



In same time I got two water blocks for my VGA card. As I was a guy who didn't plan to go liquid then I bought my 6950's - it was "just a random ones" and it was MSI TwinFrozr III (not II, III) and it was VGA card with no full cover for it

(EK 7870 was compatible with TwinFrozr II as I know, but not with III). So I found only one way - Watercool universal Heatkiller GPU + DYI VRM waterblock. I didn't pictured mine before cutting it, but it's looks like this:



At first sight it's looks this way:



So, it's visible what not only copper plate need cut, even accetal top need to become thinner. I decide what I must become a man and took Dremel from relative and did it!

Yes, it's not looks so pretty, but I has no idea how to polish back accetal (and even If I know how - I was not ready to spend even hour for this, at least this time, sorry. at least leak test goes fine with it)
Final VGA shots:



VRM block fittings of right card almost touch metal contacts at left card, but just almost...

And one word about sex promised by my friend:



Hehe... its took some times and make my fingertips a bit pink

Yes, I can imagine what it's easy to do with awesome Bitspower fittings, but I goes EK ones, because it was hard to imagine what one fittings may be so much expensive with other and WHY?
Probably now I can imagine HOW and WHY, but I will become acquainted with Bitspower in my next build, I promise.

So time is come to make some recomposition and understand what to do next. (remember I said: "ok, I'll cut first and we will se how it's work").





Two reservoirs next to PSU at some pictures was need just to support VGA link, because it was not mounted at that moment.
Things I understand after:
1. I can't keep reservoir inside.
2. I fail with current position of EK top, because it's really block my PSU. And as I real man - at first I drill holes at case bottom to mount top there and after it I understand what I will be unable to drop PSU cables there ;-)

Before start crying about cables I do my second "real man" thing, drilled holes for fittings:



Now I can mount 240mm radiator outside.
And about EK top mounting and PSU conflict:



I even decide what I can do my best and pull PSU a bit outside from case and even order and get Lian Li thingy:



But after I carefully check chassis I decide what I will break chassis in best case. Because chassis frame from rear side is too thin.

Also I must say, what GD07 stiffening plate (at least I think what it's stiffening plate, because without it installed case is a bit "liquid") contain mounting space for all 5.25 drives, 3.5 hdd and two additional 5.25 drives is too long and with it installed you can't use 25mm fans at bottom. So I demount all possible racks and now no drives can be installed instead of pair 2.5" SSD, but it was as planned.
Ok, my next move was to change position of EK top and I mount it upside to stiffening plate:



But same friend and some google searches told me what it's highly NOT recommended to install pumps upside down.
So, I took Bitspower 120mm mounting for their reservoir and mount EK top at fan. It's took few try's while I change different washers, because I need to balance between fan blades from bottom and stiffening plate from top. Done now:



According to my photo gallery - I do not made many pictures close to final phase and I probably have nothing else to say, I will just show up some pictures. As I told you - cable management looks ugly, but in real life with real eyes it's not so horrible, because I try to hide most cables under stiffening plate.






Front panel cables and buttons really make me a trouble so I must move 360mm radiator a bit closer to motherboard. Sure it's break all mounting beauty, because this time I just mount radiator thru holes I can, instead of this:



But it was doesn't matter for me. I want to install Windows, check stability and temps.
It was really nice part also. Because I use 1200rpm Noiseblocker eLoops and none of it work with 12V. 4pcs was at 7V and 1pcs at 5V. So this computer was VERY QUIET.
I run Prime95 (with more FPU, less memory) and Furmark simultaneously and after hour CPU was around 56C, GPU also around 56C. I didn't overclock anything, because my task was to get it quiet and I think CrossFire 6950 is pretty enough for games my wife playing 1080p. But I try and flash custom BIOS my VGA cards, because found what high chance to unlock 6950 FrozrIII into 6970. Clocking limit was moved up, as promised, but it's not unlock

Anyway, it was an possible option, not a task. So it's ok.

Ok, and for last words just to show how it's work and why desktop case only:



In real I made this photo before build, because now GD07 stay at left and LC20 stay at right. And yes, it's a bit technical shot, because all that cables do not lay there all the time

My findings and thoughts:
1. This case may be more interesting for liquid cooling if it get 10mm in every dimension as I told. But I am sure it will not happen. But if it really may occur, I ask you, magical fairy, could you please also add some steel, because case must be more strong and less "liquid".
2. If CaseLabs ever produce desktop chassis - I will get it and wife get instant upgrade (against her will, as usual)
3. If I decide to upgrade this PC or just will want to change something I will take Watercool HTF4 with External Set. And also will be a reason to turn on second D5 (for now I use only one at ..... at 3 speed... not sure, but I think 3, not 4)
4. My fingers cry me to try Bitspower next time.
5. Liquid cooling is awesome, except of "building something" you also occupy your brain with many thoughts for long time. I have some experience in past. My first liquid cooler was Aucma Cool River around maybe 8-10 years ago. Next was Koolance preinstalled into Chieftec chassis. I remember as I was bleeding from the ears, because chassis stay at my table and pump vibration...... uh... I demount it and use sponge to avoid it. But I do not like it, I like everything being mounted.

Since I already wrote a wall of text here I think it's will be ok if I tell few more words:
What next.
I was 1 step from buying components for my current computer and make second build. It was my TJ07 and 480mm EK XTX, my i7-3820 and HD 7990. I also already have water block for this 7990. Second 7990 for QuadFire was already reserved at shop, but almost in last minute my liquid cooling the disease has progressed and I change everything. I finally decide to change my flags (bye AMD, hello NVidia). New plan is to build something more awesome:
i7-4960X (arriving next weekend)
Tri-Way GTX780 (arriving tomorrow)
ASRock X79 Extreme11 (arrive in two weeks I think)
CaseLabs - still can't 100% decide. But I think it's will be T10 with extended top and pedestal. Or M8/M10 with same options. Small chance about MH/TH10 because it's too deep and will looks too big for my table and ruin view of my room. But I guess CaseLabs order will be a bit later, in Nov, because I have some custom deal with Watercool and next bill I pay will be from them. So I think I start building something in December, or even for New Year holidays. But I'm looking forward to it.

I planning to play with sleeving, but guess no paint work. Also I want Aquaero 6 LT, but I see it's not announced yet. I do not need display. (in real if I get any 5.25 external device I will need to paint it into case color, but case will be painted with "factory black matte" by CaseLabs, so I am not sure I will be able to find same color, so I do not want anything to paint

)
But 12 PWM lanes it's AWESOME. Like I waiting for it whole my life

Sorry for my English and I hope you enjoy a bit this reading.

 

[Alatar]

Looking nice

 

[CaptainZombie]

Awesome job with the GD07. We have a owner's club I had created back in May that you can take a look at for a few ideas on the GD07/08.

http://www.overclock.net/t/1395186/silverstone-grandia-gd0x-owners-club/0_40

 

[Absorbed]

Thank you, CaptainZombie I will take a look club thread.

 

[Absorbed]

Small update.
On this weekend I made a try to put 7990 instead of pair 6950 inside this PC, but unfortunately this card is too huge for this case in both dimensions. Like height and depth. So I would need to completely remove 360mm radiator to fit 7990 and need to remove case top for it. And its unacceptable.
But firs surprise was what my tubes was incompatible with Mayhems coolant

After I open case I see this:




Some kind of coffee with milk

Sure coolant in reservoir was steel pure white.

And here some incompatibility of 7990:




Now I see what it was stupid through about 7990 here, I just need to turn on head at least for second to understand it

Anyway I rearrange things inside.
Did remove EK D5 dual top and change it with single D5 Bitspower kit. Move reservoir from outside - inside and horizontal.

Here is it:



And fans from bottom now pulling air INSIDE and fans at right side push air OUTSIDE.
And fans are PWM not (B12-P instead of B12-2). I did it to be able to change speed by scenario, to prevent PC from heating too much. I will do tests some day later.

 

[Absorbed]

And also I did remove USB and Audio connectors from front panel and cut some more plastic near buttons to put radiator at place there it must be placed. And not like I did at first.
By doing it I broke power button and fix it with soldering machine. But something goes wrong and at final phase after putting top cover on case I found what power button live his own life and turn on and off PC then he want it to. Only one solution was found to remove power button connector from motherboard. Good what this PC is online 24/7/365.

Also I have issue with Bitspower D5 Mod kit and top for it. I got leak after first assembly, I reassemble kit using O-ring come with it (at first I use my default/previous O-ring).
As I understood - holes at plate at kit back is for cables AND to get access to speed control. Maybe I did something wrong, but every time then I try to tighten it - speed control move under plate and become inaccessible. After final and leak free assemble I found what pump now operate much louder. I hear some high frequency sound and also feel vibration coming from case to shelf. I am really unsatisfied with this fact, but I spend over whole weekend with this PC and feel no force to continue it today or tomorrow.
I didn't trust in pump this mounting system in case of vibration. But also it's hard to expect anything else from case there steel is such a thin, almost transparent. I still have my big tower Chieftec next to me, but this case from different age... sadly Chieftec do not produce something modern, big and still strong as old models.

 

[CaptainZombie]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Absorbed

And also I did remove USB and Audio connectors from front panel and cut some more plastic near buttons to put radiator at place there it must be placed. And not like I did at first.
By doing it I broke power button and fix it with soldering machine. But something goes wrong and at final phase after putting top cover on case I found what power button live his own life and turn on and off PC then he want it to. Only one solution was found to remove power button connector from motherboard. Good what this PC is online 24/7/365.

Also I have issue with Bitspower D5 Mod kit and top for it. I got leak after first assembly, I reassemble kit using O-ring come with it (at first I use my default/previous O-ring).
As I understood - holes at plate at kit back is for cables AND to get access to speed control. Maybe I did something wrong, but every time then I try to tighten it - speed control move under plate and become inaccessible. After final and leak free assemble I found what pump not work louder. I hear some high frequency sound and also feel vibration coming from case to shelf. I am really unsatisfied with this fact, but I spend over whole weekend with this PC and feel no force to continue it today or tomorrow.

I didn't trust in pump this mounting system in case of vibration. But also it's hard to expect anything else from case there steel is such a thin, almost transparent. I still have my big tower Chieftec next to me, but this case from different age... sadly Chieftec do not produce something modern, big and still strong as old models.

Thanks for the feedback on your results. I am finally retiring this case as much as I like it. If you are trying to do some heavy gaming with this case the heat looks like it can kill components. In the GDXX thread, one of the guys posted how the heat killed his motherboard and I can believe it. My 770 would make this a hot box after an hour or two of gaming. I tried the Node 304 this weekend but ran into an issue with my PSU being way too long to fit. I had bought it just a few months ago and didn't feel like going out and buying another PSU. So I ended up ordering the Silverstone SG10 for my HTPC case, should be here on Tuesday. I hope it ends up being a better case since a lot of people really like it so far.

I ended up putting the GD08 up on ebay, hoping it sells since I made several little modifications to the case.

 

[Absorbed]

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaptainZombie

I ended up putting the GD08 up on ebay, hoping it sells since I made several little modifications to the case.

I am also checking market recently and hope one day I will found new desktop case. My shelf do not fit anything other form factor. But as I tried to said: My main disappointment is the use of a thin metal in chassis design.

 

[audioman]

Great build!! I'm selling a used but like new (mint!) GD07 on amazon. If you're in the market, check it out.

 

[PS STI]

Hello Everyone,

I've recently bough a GD07 and was also determined to install the water cooling solution. It is not very easy to achieve, but not that difficult either.

Not having seen Absorbed's build log I happened to take the same approach. Today I wanted to share this with the world and realized someone has already done it, so rather than starting a new thread I would add something to this one (hopefully Absorbed will not object to it).

So if you want to install the water cooling solution based on one 120mm fan or two 120mm fans in a "sandwich" mode (i.e. on top and bottom of the radiator and not like Absorbed's cooling system, where the two 120mm fans are next to each other and both on one side of the radiator) it takes some cutting and drilling in the case, but even for a completely unskilled person, as myself, it was an easy job and did not really require any fancy tools.

My Corsair H80iGT water cooling is installed in such a way that one of the fans in located in the place for an optional 120mm fan on the right side of the case and the radiator and the other 120mm fan are in the same place, but outside the case. All it took was to:
- cut part of the right wall of the case
- use standard holes for fitting the H80i GT

This is depicted in an MS Paint-edited

diagram.

By the way it also helps to cut out the unnecessary metal in the removable drive bay. Again, it was pretty easy - all it took was a drill; you just drill through the rivets and they are gone, so you get plenty more room for your cables.

If anyone is interested in real life pics / more details, please say so.

Tags: Silverstone Grandia GD07 Corsair H80i GT water cooling