[animal0307]

Well I might as well start a build log. Like most people I am constantly updating my system but I have finally reached a point where I'm happy with the hardware and now it's time to make my case my own.

UPDATES:
Update 1: Templates cut, placement, and new gpu cooler.
Update 2: Some layout work.
Update 3: I broke out the dremal!
Update 4: 3/5 fans installed
Update 5: 7 140mm fans in a mid tower case?!
Update 6.1: Micro Update/teaser
/Update 6.2 Sleeving Part 1
Update 7:It just got a little higher
Update 8: Preweekend update/Teaser
Update 9:Almost done
Update 10.1: Hardware arrives in installed
Update 10.2: Yummm
Update 10.3: HDD cage installed
Update 11: Knocking Off the Dust
Update 12: Just some random work to to bring you up to speed.
Update 13: Getting ready to get wet.
Update 14: Oops... That wasn't suppose to happen

Specs:
Lian Li PC A05NB
Mobo: Sabertooth P67
Cpu: i5-2500k
Cooling DD TDX water block, Magicool 420 rad, XSPC Razor 5870, MCP655,
Ram: RipjawsX 1600mhz 2x4gb
GPU: ATI 5870
PSU: Seasonic X750
Storage: 2 Intel X25-V, 2x 500gb Samsung, 250gb Samsung

So far this is the current state of my A05N. Top and side panels off and all. But this is hopefully only temporary.

I will be daring enough to squeeze 3x140mm fans in the top panel. I will be putting a 2x140mm fan setup in the bottom but that's not as daring as the top. In the top of the A05N the frame rails that just happen to be so perfectly spaced that I can squeeze 3x140mm up there with 1/16in between them.

But I already have my fans ordered and hopefully on there way to me. 5x sexy Noctua NF-p14 FLX should be arriving at my door in a week or so.

Oh I love Noctua's... My phone doesn't do the beauty justice.

 

[kevingreenbmx]

gonna be doing paint or sleeving or anything like that?

 

[animal0307]

Ya she will get a coat on the inside. I know a guy who is just starting to get into powder coating and I may be able to talk him into practicing on my case. But painting will be the last thing on my list.

I may do some sleeving. The sleeved mobo cable for my x650 was done by the previous owner and I'm not sure what brand of sleeving it is but to be honest I don't really like it. Maybe that's just because I didn't do it myself. I find it really stiff and hard to manipulate. That could also be because of the close quarters in my case.

 

[Fir3Chi3f]

Your cable management has always been better than mine.

You finally have a camera? What is the 2x P14 flx for the Noctua NH-C14?

 

[animal0307]

Eh, my new phones has an acceptable camera. There are 2 NF-P14's on my heat sink. One topside and an another down below. I'm getting lucky with my cables I only need 4 of the cables from my PSU. The cable management in this case is minimal but I'm managing. As of now everything is zip tied behind the drive bays.

 

[ikem]

yes cable management is a pain... but since you are keeping the hdd cage then it should be fine.

 

[Skoobs]

use paracord to sleeve. it looks amazing.

 

[animal0307]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ikem;13765233
yes cable management is a pain... but since you are keeping the hdd cage then it should be fine.

Well I'm not so sure about that just yet. I have nothing but 2.5in drives 2x SSD and a couple laptop drives. I have great idea for moving them into the spare 5.25 bay and getting direct airflow to them. I have an 80gb drive just sitting is there, not even hooked up. I'm not sure what I will do with it. yet. But I think I will be keeping the HHD bay.

And btw your A05 looks beautiful. I love the orange and white.

 

[animal0307]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skoobs;13765253
use paracord to sleeve. it looks amazing.

That is my plan is if I do end up sleeving. Just not sure what colors I'm going to be using. I may do a Noctua tribute or just stick with the typical boring black.

 

[hagoun]

Hey Animal!

How are you temps with that nice NH-C14? Does it fit with the pipes looking at the bottom of the case? I would like to use it to ccol my passive 5770.

 

[godofdeath]

its mdpc-x sleeving, your getting it third hand so yea
do that ask for new cables thing we talked about
but mdpc is the best, the stiffness might be due to the shortness of it

 

[animal0307]

I may contact Seasonic about a new set of cables if I do decide to mod the set i got that way I have a spare set in case I bork up the current set. If I do redo the mobo cables I will cut them even shorter that why I can get rid of the loop that is in there and increase the air flow. I know that I will have to make a custom cable for the drive bays. I'm planning on paracord as my sleeve material because I hope it will be easy to work with on a ~4-5 inch whip for the mobo.

 

[animal0307]

Quote:

Originally Posted by hagoun;13769187
Hey Animal!

How are you temps with that nice NH-C14? Does it fit with the pipes looking at the bottom of the case? I would like to use it to ccol my passive 5770.

I stay in the mid 40C's idle and 60Cish on load with my Q9550. My real reason for buying it was because is north bridge and mosfets weren't getting enough air and they were hitting 75C+ but now my system has dropped 25-30C and never gets above 45C and that makes me happy enough.

I'm not sure if there is enough air flow to cool a gpu also. The air may disperse more if the bottom fan isn't installed but I wouldn't take my word on it. If you want to passively cool your gpu with your Cpu heat sink your best bet is to get a tower that you can point at the gpu. I assume you want something that wraps over the back of the card.

On my board I can't fit my any other way other then what it is now. If you have an inverted case like the A05 then I don't believe you can install the C14 with the ends of the heat pipes up without cover the PCI slot that is closest to the CPU socket, it may even cover the 2nd also. And Noctua recommends not to install the cooler with the ends of the heat pipe down. See image attached.

Now that I have lower profile ram I may end up flipping the cooler 180 degrees so I can use the rear fan more effectively.

_____________________________________________________________
Update time.

I was going to cut the templates for my top and bottom fans today but the water jet at work was full today after work. I will try again tomorrow.

Also my five Noctua NF-P14 FLX's were on back order from the place I ordered them. I had the option to wait 2 weeks or more or cancel the order, so I canceled it. Its a dam shame too because I was only paying $20 a pop instead of ~$27. Time to try somewhere else or maybe just order from the Egg. I really don't want to pay full price for five $25+ fans + shipping.

Edit: Well it look's like I'm buying from Amazon. They are $25 a piece and qualify for free shipping.

 

[161029]

Sleeving cables (for 100% modular psus) doesn't void your warranty right? Anyways, I can't wait to see this.

 

[animal0307]

I'm not sure to be honest. I haven't really done much research on it.

 

[godofdeath]

Quote:

Originally Posted by HybridCore;13775907
Sleeving cables (for 100% modular psus) doesn't void your warranty right? Anyways, I can't wait to see this.

no when you send it back they just want the psu

but if you kill the psu because you wired it back WRONG then its your fault

 

[animal0307]

Just a few teasers before I update tonight.

 

[animal0307]

Squeezing 1 140mm fan in the top of and A05N is impressive. Get 2 and you get some great air flow. 3? Now that's just for bragging rights.

I love the water jet at work. This is just my template to make sure my measurements are correct. And wouldn't you know it, I got it right the first try. *knocks on desk*

Looks like it was made for the NF-P14, Oh wait it was. Just shows you how close it actually is in there.

Ok enough of the top top panel. Lets go down below. I admit I did zero planning when it came to the placement of the bottom fans and ran into a few hiccups.

Well for starters the template doesn't fit inside of the case

And that means the Psu hangs over the fan. But no big deal I have 3/8 in of room that the template took up.

And this one came out of the blue. Another one that we can give to my being lucky.

Don't worry though. There is plenty of room for 2 of them down there.

But the most awesome hiccup of all!! Can anyone guess?

_____________________________________________________________

Let's take a break from the case and fans for now. On to my graphics cards.

My XFX 5770. Beast little card. Hits 1000/1375/1.2v but pushes 75C with the stock fan roaring. So I picked up a Setsugen 2. Eventually I will pick up a second for my other 5770.

All sinked up. Don't worry I cleaned the gpu better.

And mounted. Soo pretty... Some of you may notice my the issue. I have a plan for the remedy.

Oh did I mention one of these will be in the top two slots. And it fits.

Btw the cooler is bent/sagging not my card.

Well I guess that does it for this update. It was a pretty big one. Next I have to transfer the 3x140 to the top panel and they figure out how its gonna to mount in the jet bed and then be all square and perfectly lined up. Still not sure how though.

 

[verbatim81973]

I love this little case. I don't risk a hernia lifting my computer anymore.

 

[sexybastard]

looking awesome so far man. that 3 x 140mm top is cutting it close! but nice work getting it all to fit.