[easynator]

banner by Rumikarimu

Introduction
It will be my first build, even if I've been working in IT for more than 20 years. I don't have a lot of time nor the tools but I'm really looking forward to successfully complete this build. I already see a few challenges, but guess what, I'm up to it.

I'm going to call this build the Project Orange Horizon, a mix of white and orange. One thing for sure is that I don't want to copy the excellent sponsored Parvum TITANFALL project done by @Jameswalt1. It will probably inspire me but I really don't want to clone someone else's masterpiece.

Table of contents

• Ching Ching (Updated on 2014-07-17)
• The pump
• The reservoir
• The CPU water block
• The GPU water block
• The motherboard
• The memory
• The radiators
• The loop and the fittings
• The fluid
• The LED (single strip)
• The poll
• The benchmarks
• The water cooling parts (Bitspower)
• The water cooling parts (EK Water Blocks)
• The water cooling parts (Alphacool)
• Video card information - Measurement
• Assembly Information

Special Thanks

• @akira749
• @Jameswalt1
• @snef

Noticed by...

• Rig of the day on Ocaholic [here]
• Custom Build of The Month on Dazmode [here]

Articles

• Forbes Magazine - The Most Amazing PCs Of September 2014

Social Media

• Instagram #ProjectOrangeHorizon

Overview
Parvum Systems S2 - i5-4690K - EVGA GTX 780 Ti 3GB - Samsung 840 Evo Series 500GB - Corsair Dominator Platinum 16GB CL9 - Custom Loop
http://valid.canardpc.com/3x0wiu

 

[easynator]

All amounts are in Canadian dollars. This is what I paid for each part. I also have included a link to the online store.

Standard Components ($2,349.78)

• Case: Parvum Systems S2.0 MicroATX Case - White with Orange: $183.00
• Motherboard: ASUS Gryphon Z97 mATX LGA1150 DDR3 3PCI-E16 1PCI-E1 SLI SATA3 USB3.0 HDMI Motherboard: $170.99
• Motherboard mod: ASUS Gryphon Thermal Armor AIRFLOW-BOOSTING Dust Repel Armor Kit: $48.59
• SSD: Samsung 840 Evo Series MZ-7TE500BW 500GB 2.5in SATA III Internal SSD Single Unit Version: $276.81
• Memory: Corsair Dominator Platinum 16GB 4X4GB DDR3-1866 240PIN C9 DIMM 1.5V Dual Channel Memory Kit: $268.49
• Memory mod: 2x CORSAIR Light Bar Upgrade Kit for Dominator Platinum: $21.99 each = $43.98
• Power Supply: CORSAIR AXi series AX860i 860W 80 PLUS PLATINUM: $224.99
• CPU: Intel Core i5 4690K Unlocked Quad Core 3.5GHZ/3.9GHZ Processor LGA1150 Haswell 6MB Cache Retail BX80646I54690K: $251.03
• Fan (80mm): Noctua NF-R8 Redux 1200 80MM Ultra Quiet Cooling Fan 1200RPM 35.8m3/h 9.1dBA 3 Pin (NF-R8 redux-1200): $12.99 each = $38.97
• Fan (120mm): Enermax Everest Advance 120mm Thermal Speed Control w/ Aps Function White LED (UCCLA12P): $12.99 each = $38.97
• Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 780 Ti Superclocked 3GB 384-Bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 SLI Support w/EVGA ACX Cooler Video Card (03G-P4-2884-KR): $749.99

Water Cooling ($820.99)

• Pump: DazMode STORM D5 VARIO 8-24V Pump w/TACH cable (D5T VARIO): $74.99
• Pump mod: Bitspower D5 / MCP655 Mod Kit - Deluxe White Finish (BP-D5MA-WH): $62.33
• Pump mod: Bitspower D5 MOD TOP (White "S" Model, Special Edition Version) (BP-D5TOPPS-WH): $60.99
• Reservoir: Water Tank Z-Multi 150 - Limited White POM Edition (BP-WTZM150P-WHLE): $48.49
• CPU Block: CPU Block Summit EF (Intel) White (Model 2012) (BP-WBCPUIAC-CUMBKWH): $79.99
• CPU Block mod: Summit CPU Block Intel Mounting Plate - White (BP-CPUIPT-WH): $9.99
• Fittings: 3x Stop Plug Fitting - G1/4" Gloss White (BP-DWWP-C06): 5.19 each = $15.57
• Fittings: Ball Shutoff Mini-Valve - Deluxe White (BP-MVV-DWBK): $24.99
• Fittings: White Stop Plug Fitting - G1/4" Black w/ Slot Head (BP-DWWP-C09): $5.68
• Fittings: 12mm Dual Connecting Spacer Adapter Male/Male - White (BP-DWWP-C08): $6.99
• Other: Bleeding 24-pin ATX jump start connector for power supply - Black (DS-0177): $2.19
• Radiator: 2x Alphacool NexXxoS ST30 Full Copper 240mm Radiator Steel Side Panels Brass Threads Copper Chambers (35265): $50.08 each = $100.16
• Water Block: EK-FC780 GTX Ti - Acetal+Nickel (3831109868645): $136.18
• Water Block Backplate: EK-FC780 GTX Ti - Acetal+Nickel (3831109868331): $34.94
• Sleeving: 5/32" (4mm) DarkSide HD Cable Sleeving - White (DS-HD4-WHT): $0.59
• Sleeving: 5/64" (2mm) DarkSide HD Cable Sleeving - White (DS-HD2-WHT): $0.44
• Sleeving: 5/32" (4mm) DarkSide HD Cable Sleeving - Orange UV (DS-0064): $0.59
• Sleeving: 5/64" (2mm) DarkSide HD Cable Sleeving - Orange UV (DS-0059): $0.49
• (Will add missing parts later)

Nice to have ($56.69)

• LED: 12" (30cm) Dimmable Rigid RBG Strip (DS-0259): $16.72
• LED: 12 VDC 0.8A Transformer Power Adapter (AM-12800): $9.99
• Thermal Compound: Arctic Silver 5 High Density Polysynthetic Silver Thermal Compound 3.5 Gram Syringe (AS5-3.5G): $6.13
• Network: White RJ45 Cable $4.53
• Network: D-LINK 5 Port Gigabit Easy Desktop Switch (GO-SW-5G): $24.69
• Tools: Rosewill Network/ PC Service Tools (RTK-146): $9.99
  

Things that we hate to pay ($409.13)

• Shipping: $158.08
• Shipping Insurances: $17.58
• Taxes: $167.47
• Custom Fees: $66.00

Total: $3,711.93

 

[easynator]

Reserved 2

 

[easynator]

Reserved 3

 

[easynator]

I ordered the Parvum Systems S2 case from Overclockers UK on June 30th and received it, in Canada, on July 3rd. Shipping and custom were pretty quick!

I really love the case but it is so expensive to get it shipped to Canada.





The Making Of

Spoiler: Warning: Spoiler!

Final

 

[Liquid4rt]

Very nice mate! These parvum cases have so much potential! I live in the UK and have been working on parvum cases for awhile now. I bought their first release the S1.0 which I watercooled and shortly after, Parvum sent me their S2.0 case for free to showcase it and as a good will gesture for helping out forum members with their new products.

Parvums S2.0:

http://s181.photobucket.com/user/Munchbunch_01/media/DSC_1071_zpsb1392aa0.jpg.html

And Parvums S1.0

http://s181.photobucket.com/user/Munchbunch_01/media/DSC_0270_zpsa41786fd.jpg.html

They are really good little beasts!

 

[Jameswalt1]

Subbed

 

[easynator]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Liquid4rt

Very nice mate! These parvum cases have so much potential! I live in the UK and have been working on parvum cases for awhile now. I bought their first release the S1.0 which I watercooled and shortly after, Parvum sent me their S2.0 case for free to showcase it and as a good will gesture for helping out forum members with their new products.

Spoiler: Warning: Spoiler!

Parvums S2.0:

http://s181.photobucket.com/user/Munchbunch_01/media/DSC_1071_zpsb1392aa0.jpg.html

And Parvums S1.0

http://s181.photobucket.com/user/Munchbunch_01/media/DSC_0270_zpsa41786fd.jpg.html

They are really good little beasts!

Really nice

 

[easynator]

Power Supply
The reason why I'm still not sure to go with the AX760i or the AX860i is simple.

• I'm still not sure if I'll SLI/Crossfire the GPU. Unless I've miss-understood the basic of water-cooling my case cannot have more than 2 radiators so water-cooling a SLI/Crossfire configuration isn't possible. The only way I see this possible is to remove the loop to the CPU.
• I really like the fan-less option from the AX series. It is zero-RPM until it hits around 60% of the PSU system load. Assuming that I would be going with a single GPU, the fan would starts when I hit the 516W which is quite interesting since I want a quiet system.

What do you think? The price difference between the AX760i and the AX860i is pretty low.

Video Card
I currently have a MSI Radeon R9 270X Gaming Edition which seems pretty hard to WC.

I'm not planning to have more than a monitor. I currently own an old Samsung T220 but I would be interested by a new monitor (Something like the Asus PB287Q).

Therefore, I have three options for this build:

1. Buy another R9 270x (crossfire) and buy a new monitor
2. Buy a R9 290X that I would include in the WC loop with a second radiator.
3. Buy a GTX Titan which would not be included in the WC loop. I wouldn't buy a second radiator.

What should I do?

 

[Jameswalt1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by easynator

Power Supply
The reason why I'm still not sure to go with the AX760i or the AX860i is simple.

• I'm still not sure if I'll SLI/Crossfire the GPU. Unless I've miss-understood the basic of water-cooling my case cannot have more than 2 radiators so water-cooling a SLI/Crossfire configuration isn't possible. The only way I see this possible is to remove the loop to the CPU.
• I really like the fan-less option from the AX series. It is zero-RPM until it hits around 60% of the PSU system load. Assuming that I would be going with a single GPU, the fan would starts when I hit the 516W which is quite interesting since I want a quiet system.

What do you think? The price difference between the AX760i and the AX860i is pretty low.

Video Card
I currently have a MSI Radeon R9 270X Gaming Edition which seems pretty hard to WC.

I'm not planning to have more than a monitor. I currently own an old Samsung T220 but I would be interested by a new monitor (Something like the Asus PB287Q).

Therefore, I have three options for this build:

1. Buy another R9 270x (crossfire) and buy a new monitor
2. Buy a R9 290X that I would include in the WC loop with a second radiator.
3. Buy a GTX Titan which would not be included in the WC loop. I wouldn't buy a second radiator.

What should I do?

My parvum had two gpu's, CPU and ram all water-cooled using two radiators. Very good temps. You'll be perfectly fine.

 

[Liquid4rt]

Quote:

Originally Posted by easynator

Power Supply
The reason why I'm still not sure to go with the AX760i or the AX860i is simple.

• I'm still not sure if I'll SLI/Crossfire the GPU. Unless I've miss-understood the basic of water-cooling my case cannot have more than 2 radiators so water-cooling a SLI/Crossfire configuration isn't possible. The only way I see this possible is to remove the loop to the CPU.
• I really like the fan-less option from the AX series. It is zero-RPM until it hits around 60% of the PSU system load. Assuming that I would be going with a single GPU, the fan would starts when I hit the 516W which is quite interesting since I want a quiet system.

What do you think? The price difference between the AX760i and the AX860i is pretty low.

Video Card
I currently have a MSI Radeon R9 270X Gaming Edition which seems pretty hard to WC.

I'm not planning to have more than a monitor. I currently own an old Samsung T220 but I would be interested by a new monitor (Something like the Asus PB287Q).

Therefore, I have three options for this build:

1. Buy another R9 270x (crossfire) and buy a new monitor
2. Buy a R9 290X that I would include in the WC loop with a second radiator.
3. Buy a GTX Titan which would not be included in the WC loop. I wouldn't buy a second radiator.

What should I do?

Go for the AX860i, you can never have too much juice! and with the parvum case and it's separate compartment in the rear, you won't hear a thing from any psu fan.

As for xfire or not to, I think you should go for xfire. Your new S2.0 case has extra room at the top for thicker radiators so you can easily fit a thick 240 up top and a thinner 30mm or 45mm upfront depending on where you're gonna have your pump and res setup. it will easily cool 2 gpu's and a cpu in that case no problem.

 

[easynator]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jameswalt1

My parvum had two gpu's, CPU and ram all water-cooled using two radiators. Very good temps. You'll be perfectly fine.

Interesting, it looks like that I failed the 101 water-cooling class

Quote:

Originally Posted by Liquid4rt

Go for the AX860i, you can never have too much juice! and with the parvum case and it's separate compartment in the rear, you won't hear a thing from any psu fan.

As for xfire or not to, I think you should go for xfire. Your new S2.0 case has extra room at the top for thicker radiators so you can easily fit a thick 240 up top and a thinner 30mm or 45mm upfront depending on where you're gonna have your pump and res setup. it will easily cool 2 gpu's and a cpu in that case no problem.

Let's assume that I have a budget of 1,000$ to 1,300$ for the video card(s) &/or the monitor, what would you pick? I don't think I can WC a SLI/XFire configuration for that budget. On top of that, I'm not even sure if my current monitor would "support" a new graphic card since I'm stock with a maximum resolution of 1680x1050. A newer video card renders a better resolution than what my monitor can display.

I think the already water-cooled PowerColor LCS AXR9 290X 4GBD5-WMDH/OC could be a good option considering that a backplate is around 30$ and a GPU waterblock around 115$. It would leave me some money to upgrade my monitor.

Thank you

 

[Liquid4rt]

Quote:

Originally Posted by easynator

Interesting, it looks like that I failed the 101 water-cooling class

Let's assume that I have a budget of 1,000$ to 1,300$ for the video card(s) &/or the monitor, what would you pick? I don't think I can WC a SLI/XFire configuration for that budget. On top of that, I'm not even sure if my current monitor would "support" a new graphic card since I'm stock with a maximum resolution of 1680x1050. A newer video card renders a better resolution than what my monitor can display.

I think the already water-cooled PowerColor LCS AXR9 290X 4GBD5-WMDH/OC could be a good option considering that a backplate is around 30$ and a GPU waterblock around 115$. It would leave me some money to upgrade my monitor.

Thank you

In your scenario it's hard to say what I would do and if I would hold off and wait for the new GPU's to arrive. GTX 880 is said to be released nearing Q4 over here in the UK so I assume overseas will be even sooner. Are you in a hurry to finish this build or willing to wait around for new stuff to be released? It is also rumored that the new 800 series will be cheaper than the previous gen which means you'll get a lot more for your $1000-$1300. However if you're set on AMD, then the 290X would be your best choice in terms of long term performance. Either way I would wait I think as the release of the 800 series will help drive down the prices of the AMD cards and you'll be able to fit more into your budget.

Could you also not buy a second hand monitor from a members market or somewhere equivalent that you trust?

However if you wanted me to choose from your selection above, I would get the GPU xfire setup with waterblocks and fitted to my system then later down the line I would buy the monitor. The gpu's should support your monitor no problem and if theres any issues, im sure you could scale it up or down in your catalyst control panel. If you shop around and look for discounts, you'd be surprised at what you can get for your budget.

 

[easynator]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Liquid4rt

In your scenario it's hard to say what I would do and if I would hold off and wait for the new GPU's to arrive. GTX 880 is said to be released nearing Q4 over here in the UK so I assume overseas will be even sooner. Are you in a hurry to finish this build or willing to wait around for new stuff to be released? It is also rumored that the new 800 series will be cheaper than the previous gen which means you'll get a lot more for your $1000-$1300. However if you're set on AMD, then the 290X would be your best choice in terms of long term performance. Either way I would wait I think as the release of the 800 series will help drive down the prices of the AMD cards and you'll be able to fit more into your budget.

Could you also not buy a second hand monitor from a members market or somewhere equivalent that you trust?

However if you wanted me to choose from your selection above, I would get the GPU xfire setup with waterblocks and fitted to my system then later down the line I would buy the monitor. The gpu's should support your monitor no problem and if theres any issues, im sure you could scale it up or down in your catalyst control panel. If you shop around and look for discounts, you'd be surprised at what you can get for your budget.

Thank you very much for your help and your advice. I'm not in a hurry to complete the build, but I guess, I would like to have it completed within the next 2-3 months I don't have any preferences between Intel and AMD so I prefer to go with the best bang for the buck. I think I'm going to wait a few more weeks and see if they announce any release dates and prices.

Cheers mate!

 

[Liquid4rt]

Quote:

Originally Posted by easynator

Thank you very much for your help and your advice. I'm not in a hurry to complete the build, but I guess, I would like to have it completed within the next 2-3 months I don't have any preferences between Intel and AMD so I prefer to go with the best bang for the buck. I think I'm going to wait a few more weeks and see if they announce any release dates and prices.

Cheers mate!

Not a problem mate, I'm happy to help. If its anything to go by, the 880 GTX may just be a revamped 780 with a 10% boost in clocks, so may not even be worth waiting for. Let's hope I'm wrong though ey

 

[enyownz]

Does the Z87 kit fit with the z97 board? Been wanting that board, but want the shield to go along.

 

[Pheozero]

Quote:

Originally Posted by enyownz

Does the Z87 kit fit with the z97 board? Been wanting that board, but want the shield to go along.

Yes, it does fit the Z97 board.

Anyways, can't wait to see what you do with this build, easynator.

 

[easynator]

Quote:

Originally Posted by enyownz

Does the Z87 kit fit with the z97 board? Been wanting that board, but want the shield to go along.

Yes, it should be working. I read that on a few forums (at least 2).

• Reference #1
• Reference #2

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pheozero

Anyways, can't wait to see what you do with this build, easynator.

Cheers

, now I'm waiting my orders hehe!

 

[enyownz]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pheozero

Yes, it does fit the Z97 board.

Anyways, can't wait to see what you do with this build, easynator.

Quote:

Originally Posted by easynator

Yes, it should be working. I read that on a few forums (at least 2).

• Reference #1
• Reference #2

Thanks guys!

 

[pathfindercod]

That's a cool case, nice job man...