Let me get some facts to my dear readers:
I originally planned to make a video series and a small worklog but after doing extensive viewing on youtube of builds and some worklogs, I have not seen anything complete as in videos from beginning to finish, or worklogs from beginning to finish with video. So I thought, "I could be the first to make a complete worklog". Complete as in full video series with complete editing, multiple images, some text, benchies and then there you go, a complete worklog. So I bought a camcorder, the Sony HDR SR-10. It features a decent camera function and stunning image clarity while shooting footage. 1080i was more than sufficient for youtube but I have other plans aswell.
The project is (for some) ackwordly named "Mellisa" 3 because yes, there was someone I knew named Mellisa and we split long ago. I was greived and bought a new PC and called it Mellisa. Me and my friends used it as an inside joke. Then my second pc, Mellisa 2 is the one I am using to compile this work log and has long outlived it's self (E6420, 2GB, 640GB, 8800GTS 320, 22") and since many new games are being released shortly after this summmer, I started putting together ideas for my new pc. This is my first build (my other pcs were either custom built or prebuilt by a "professional") so I have been gathering information since January 2008. I also decided that this PC had to be monumentally more powerful than my current work horse, so I decided to take that leap into the world of watercooling. Many people told me that this was a stupid idea but I just thought "screw them". They just don't want me to own a faster, cooler, and quiter machine once again.
So I researched on topics regarding watercooling and learned many things. One of them being that all loops required some important components. A resevoir, pump, water blocks, radiator and lastly tubing. Here were my choices in loop order:
Pump: Swiftech MCP655
Radiator: Thermochill PA 120.2
CPU Block: D-Tek FuZion V2
Resevoir: Danger Den Single 5 1/4 Bay Res.
Tubing: Danger Den Tygon R-3603
I did make a huge mistake during the selection of my radiator. I was determined that my watercooling was going to be all internal and that my case, the Antec P182 was big enough to house the Thermochill PA 120.3. A triple rad inside a Mid-Tower. I saw a person on a watercooling UK st=ite install a small POS rad inside the case with a rad grillz and that got me jealous. I check measurements and was determined this would work. I ordered the parts knowing that my retailer (NCIX) had a no return policy with watercooling components. When I got my rad and tried it in the case, my heart dropped. The rad was freaking huge and the case couldn't house the rad and mobo at the same time, let alone the fans on top. So I emailed Thermochill in the UK for a RMA/Trade in the PA120.3 for a PA120.2 which I could mount internally with fans on the outside. Learn from my mistakes people. Ask questions and be patient.
For this worklog, there will be a mixture of pictures and embedded youtube videos. Please don't skip anything
Old Machine (Mellisa 2)
CASE: HP Media Center M8...
PSU: Crappy 320W...
MOBO: Asus P5LE...
CPU: Intel E6420
RAM: Samsung 2GB DDR2-300
HDD: Seagate 320GB+320GB
DVD: LG 20x Burner
GFX: Nvidia GeForce 7350LE Upgrade to 8800GTS
SOUND: Onboard
KB: HP Wireless Media Keyboard
MS: HP Wireless Media Mouse
OS: Windows Vista Premium x86
MONITOR: HP w2207 22" 1680x1050
New Build (Mellisa 3)
CASE: Antec P182
PSU: Rocketfish 700W
MOBO: Asus P5Q Deluxe
CPU: Intel Q9550
RAM: G.Skill 4GB DDR2-1066 PC2-8500
HDD: Seagate 320GB+500GB
DVD: Samsung SH-S223
GFX: 8800GTS (Upgrade to AMD Radeon HIS 4850 IceQ4 512MB)
SOUND: HT Omega Striker 7.1
KB: Logietch G15 Rev 2
MS: Razer DeathAdder
OS: Windows Vista Ultimate x64 SP1
MONITOR: Samsung Syncmaster T240 24" 1920x1200
Empty case, the Antec P182.
VIDEO SERIES:
OVERCLOCKING:
For overclocking, I've never actually done it before but it seems quite straight forward.
Step 1: FSB; if its too far, add more...
Step 2: Voltage; check stability
Step 3: Stress Tests(Prime95)
GOALS
Core Speed = 4000MHz+
Multiplier = x8
Bus Speed = 500MHz+
FSB = 2000MHz+
CPU Voltage = 0.85V - 1.3625V
Realizing that this rad; Thermochill Pa120.3 is massive and won't fit my case
.
The Danger Den Reservoir
Samsung DVD Drive
Seagate 500GB Harddrive
Danger Den's Tygon Tubing for the loop; 5 feet is longer than I expected ;p
Asus P5Q Deluxe Box
Side View
Inside Flap
Bottom of Inside Flap
Inside Box
P45, and supports Quad and Dual Cores.
DuOrb for 8800GTS
Stacking 5.25" Devices
Top View
Barb Stuck in the 1/2 inch Tubing