Worklog: Brand New Project!! Lian-Li PC-V300B Watercool

[Exanimis]

Hello everyone, This is the post for my new project of watercooling a PC-V300B for my LAN gaming.

ALL IMAGES ARE THUMBNAILS, Click for larger


My final mod to the case, probably late in the game, will be attaching an LCD laptop style lid for an all in one lan-box.

Thanks for your interest and help in advance as I put together my worklog.

(First watercooled PC, experience in modding about 5 years ago and have been out of the business since. I made a windowed HD that lasted a whole 11 months before it crapped out, heh!!):cool:

Please Comment on anything you see here as I would love to get input on everything that I am doing

Thanks everyone

[Exanimis]

The following are current parts that I have in Inventory and plan to use.

Aesthetics:
Case: Lian-Li PC-V300B Link (http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16811112113)
http://img156.imageshack.us/img156/9727/dcfn0005sr3.th.jpg (http://img156.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dcfn0005sr3.jpg)
Keyboard: i-rocks KR-6130 2-Tone USB Slim X-SLIM Keyboard Link (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16823128106)
Lighting: Fans/CC
. . . CC: 1 Blue and 2 UV
. . . LED: 2 UV Meteor Strip style tubes, variable pattern
. . . UV: Various UV Items including Dyes, Zip ties, Cable sleeves, Molex kit
Air Cooling: 120mm: 2x 120mm Blue LED
. . . . . . . .80mm: 3 x 80mm Blue LED and 2x Solid Black
http://img299.imageshack.us/img299/3560/dcfn0008pn8.th.jpg (http://img299.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dcfn0008pn8.jpg)

Functional Parts/Hardware:
Mobo: MSI K9N6PGM-F Socket AM2 NVIDIA GeForce 6100 Micro ATX AMD Link (http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16813130067)
CPU: AMD Athlon 64 X2 5200+ Windsor 2.6GHz Socket AM2 Link (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103759)
PSU: KINGWIN ABT-600CW ATX 12V 2.0V Modular 600W Link (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817121002)
RAM: G.SKILL 2GB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 Link (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820231121)
HD: Western Digital Raptor X WD1500AHFD 150GB 10,000 RPM 16MB Link (http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16822136011)
http://img143.imageshack.us/img143/9495/dcfn0006to2.th.jpg (http://img143.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dcfn0006to2.jpg)


W/c System:
CPU Block: Danger Den TDX M2 Copper CPU Water Block - AM2 Compatible Link (http://www.frozencpu.com/products/5410/ex-blc-335/Danger_Den_TDX_M2_Copper_CPU_Water_Block_-_AM2_Compatible.html?id=PLBRjcrp&mv_pc=141)
GPU Block: Danger Den Maze5 Video Card Liquid Cooling Block Link (http://www.frozencpu.com/products/5297/ex-blc-329/Danger_Den_Maze5_Video_Card_Liquid_Cooling_Block.h tml?id=PLBRjcrp&mv_pc=290)
HD Cooler: (I like the idea lets see if its a piece of crap)
HD-50-L06 (HD) [6mm, 1/4"] Link (http://www.koolance.com/shop/product_info.php?cPath=29_45&products_id=177)
Res: Swiftech MCRES-MICRO Small Form Factor / High-Flow Reservoir Link (http://www.frozencpu.com/products/2226/ex-res-80/Swiftech_MCRES-MICRO_Small_Form_Factor_High-Flow_Reservoir_12_ID_and_38_ID.html?id=PLBRjcrp&mv_pc=1034)
Rad: HX-1000 1kW Radiator Link (http://www.koolance.com/shop/product_info.php?cPath=0_54&products_id=388)
Pump: Pump, PMP-400 Link (http://www.koolance.com/shop/product_info.php?cPath=0_57&products_id=334)
Filport: Danger Den Fillport - Black Link (http://www.frozencpu.com/products/2195/ex-res-45/Danger_Den_Fillport_-_Black.html?id=PLBRjcrp&mv_pc=1190)
Splitter: Tubing Splitter, F 10-10mm Link (http://www.koolance.com/shop/product_info.php?cPath=62_53&products_id=138)
3/8" compression fittings all around

http://img522.imageshack.us/img522/3087/dcfn0007bw3.th.jpg (http://img522.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dcfn0007bw3.jpg)


My loop will be Pump->Rad->CPU->Split(GPU/HD)Join->Res As of now, up for suggestions.
This may or may not be the shortest loop, I might put the rad on the far side of the case, we shall see when I have all parts and draw up some schematics.

[Exanimis]

First idea, Loop Layout:

This is the CPU side of the case, the splitter will come from the CPU block and goes out to GPU and HD.
http://img404.imageshack.us/img404/6710/cpusideclosele9.jpg

This image is teh other side of the case, sowing basic routing and location of GPU and HD(on the right). It is a WD Raptor X so I will be showing it through the front of the case.
http://img442.imageshack.us/img442/4900/loopconfig2zd8.jpg

This image shows the layout of pump, res, and Radiator if they were all attached to eachother, this is scrap tubing that I am using for feasibility test and measurement. Imagine all these parts connected and mounted :D
You can see the CPU In hose coming from the rad. (The PSU will be in that space above to the right, I may have to move it.
http://img232.imageshack.us/img232/4620/loopconfig1bf0.jpg

This is a (bad) image of the radiator tipped up into position, all parts where they were in the previous pictures. The res will be higher and mounted where the drive bays are now, they will be modded as a mounting bracket or removed.
http://img517.imageshack.us/img517/9924/radlocation1bd0.jpg

Any comments on the design of this loop?

[Exanimis]

Updated with a hefty ammount of inventory and 4 pics of the WC Loop layout, tentative. :toast: :banana:

[GAM]

Looks good mate. Looks like you've thought out your equipment and placement well. I'm neither familiar with the case or watercooling (never done any watercooling myself--something on the agenda for the near future) but it all seems feasible.

That Lian Li case looks like a little beauty.

I'll try to keep an eye on your progress and offer any advice if/when appropriate.

Good luck with it. You're sure to enjoy the journey as much as the destination ;)

[Exanimis]

Thanks for the support! I will be getting started on hard modifications to the case soon, for now I am just fitting components and measuring where I am going to need to slice it up.

[Exanimis]

I drilled out all of the non-frame rivets and will be replacing them. This was in order to remove all of the inner racks without ruining the precious aluminium :D I could have cut the racks out and left the structural supports in but I decided I would remove them, cut accordingly, and re-rivet them in the future

http://img150.imageshack.us/img150/4943/dcfn0003jo3.th.jpg (http://img150.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dcfn0003jo3.jpg)http://img150.imageshack.us/img150/2264/dcfn0004pe9.th.jpg (http://img150.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dcfn0004pe9.jpg)

This also gives me room to stick things in the case for testing of location without ruining an valuable racks or mounts before I know exactly what I am doing with them. Buying a new digital camera this afternoon!! -Done

Updating previous posts with inventory and system info. Also I will be throwing together some diagrams.

Does anyone have exportable objects for Google Sketchup? Such as 80mm and 120mm Fans, etc..

[Exanimis]

Uploading images for previous posts and working right now for new ones tonight

Http://chipnorris.info/hardforum/thumbs/tn_caselayout.jpg (http://chipnorris.info/hardforum/caselayout.jpg)

May be hard to read but here are some hand sketches for the LCD top, Water Loop, and general case layout.

btw, having the Radiator near the Mobo and pulling = good airflow? since there will be few other fans to cool the non wc components.

[Exanimis]

So I was working on this Window (http://chipnorris.info/hardforum/windowcut.JPG)
Here (Work area) (http://chipnorris.info/hardforum/station.JPG)

There is an AC (http://chipnorris.info/hardforum/ac.JPG) unit above that chair. I just moved here some im not used to it.


This (http://chipnorris.info/hardforum/acplushead.JPG) is what happened when I stood up....


:banana::banana::banana::banana: that hurt...

[Exanimis]

Well, i'm a little shakey from crackin' my head and I would like to let my dremel cool off. (its not very hot but I have other reasons to take a break) so I am going to go get lunch/dinner. Please hit me with any suggestions or comments :D

Here are some updates on the window and the non-cpu side of the case.

Here is the cut window for the GPU side
Http://chipnorris.info/hardforum/thumbs/tn_windowcut.jpg (http://chipnorris.info/hardforum/windowcut.JPG)

here is the before pic of the GPU side panel
Http://chipnorris.info/hardforum/thumbs/tn_Linesdrawn.jpg (http://chipnorris.info/hardforum/Linesdrawn.JPG)

Here is the initial cut of the GPU side panel
Http://chipnorris.info/hardforum/thumbs/tn_backgpusidecut.jpg (http://chipnorris.info/hardforum/backgpusidecut.JPG)Http://chipnorris.info/hardforum/thumbs/tn_frontgpusidecut.jpg (http://chipnorris.info/hardforum/frontgpusidecut.JPG)

[Exanimis]

Good and Bad news...


Good news:

The window is cut and completed!

As can be seen in the pics in the post above I started to use a nibbler and got angry because the metal was about max thickness and it was a pain so I dremeled it.

Http://chipnorris.info/hardforum/thumbs/tn_gpuwindowlightthrough.jpg (http://chipnorris.info/hardforum/gpuwindowlightthrough.JPG)Http://chipnorris.info/hardforum/thumbs/tn_gpuwindowdrill.jpg (http://chipnorris.info/hardforum/gpuwindowdrill.JPG)


Here is the window attached to the side with thumbscrews(will be countersunk screws when done). There is a generic CD drive to fill the hole and my light/fan controller. My cutting job is what I would give an 80%.
Http://chipnorris.info/hardforum/thumbs/tn_gpuwindowon.jpg (http://chipnorris.info/hardforum/gpuwindowon.JPG)

Bad news..

The acrylic for the window was damage after I peeled back the protective cover. Looks like a manufacturing defect as its shattered/frosted/cracking in random places inside the actual depth of the panel. The top and bottom are smooth as a baby's ass. The window is extremely easy to cut and mount with a rivet tool so I will replace it in the future.



The rivets were very easy to use, I may or may not paint them black later on. I am going to try and get the loop assembled so I can test it tonight. I wanna use this thing so bad!

[GAM]

You're making good progress there mate. Bummer about the crack to the head and the acrylic too ;)

Re your rivets. I picked up some 'black' rivets recently. I suggest you look into it. Do a search for 'fastener' suppliers in your area. They should have them or get them in and will also have a myriad of other not-commonly-available nuts, bolts and screws.

GAM

[Exanimis]

The case is assembled and running. I just need a dvd drive that will read my windows vista DVR...

I leak tested, fixed 1 leak by tightening and bought a better fastener for another.

Current mix is distilled water and dye, need to grab an additive to drip in.

I have some zip ties in the place of screws at the moment, I ended up coreing out the spots on the radiator for some long screws and they are rubber washered in place, when I decide on ideal length and get grills I will finish them off. Only poked enough holes to mount the 2 fans (2 holes factory and 1 2/3 of the way across. I will be looking at a bracket to hold all 3 fans and use the 4 factory holes that are on the ends. Heh, the pump is velcroed to the back of the rad at the moment.

I ditched my microres for a DDfilport res T line.

I also fashioned a nice flip down latch for the radiator that can be lifted to allow me to move the rad for now. Made from a piece of the old drive bay that I gutted. I skipped placing the raptor X in a place where I can see it for the moment as I want to use the machine some.

Finally, the fan bus I purchased sucks as its not a rheo but one of those other things, the ones that use a chip rather than variable resistance..

The fans hum badly when turned down :(

Pics tomorrow from work, they are online and resized I just don't have time to organize them

[Exanimis]

:up:

The following are update images for my project. I have been away from the forum and working on the case for a week now due to my girlfriend visiting.

Here is a shot of the case being set up to run the leak test.
Http://chipnorris.info/hardforum/thumbs/tn_rdyleaktest.jpg (http://chipnorris.info/hardforum/rdyleaktest.JPG)

Here are some shots of the leak test in progress.
Http://chipnorris.info/hardforum/thumbs/tn_leaktest1.jpg (http://chipnorris.info/hardforum/leaktest1.JPG)

Http://chipnorris.info/hardforum/thumbs/tn_leaktest2.jpg (http://chipnorris.info/hardforum/leaktest2.JPG)

Http://chipnorris.info/hardforum/thumbs/tn_leaktest4.jpg (http://chipnorris.info/hardforum/leaktest4.JPG)


Here is a shot for reference for anyone who wants to use this case. You don't have much room for the CPU and cooler under the PSU. The bottom of the bracket I am holding is where the CPU bottom rests. Beware!
Http://chipnorris.info/hardforum/thumbs/tn_psuheight.jpg (http://chipnorris.info/hardforum/psuheight.JPG)

This is just a shot of the messy Hose job : /
Http://chipnorris.info/hardforum/thumbs/tn_insideshot.jpg (http://chipnorris.info/hardforum/insideshot.JPG)

a Measurement of the PSU bottom vs the Mobo. I have to look up what the number was again as my digicam sucks.
Http://chipnorris.info/hardforum/thumbs/tn_measure1.jpg (http://chipnorris.info/hardforum/measure1.JPG)

Another
Http://chipnorris.info/hardforum/thumbs/tn_measure2.jpg (http://chipnorris.info/hardforum/measure2.JPG)


Tubing on the GPU side. as you can see I can't just run it straight over the side of the board because the PSU almost touches it and there is no room :(
Http://chipnorris.info/hardforum/thumbs/tn_gputubes.jpg (http://chipnorris.info/hardforum/gputubes.JPG)


Some shots of the case assembled and being run, I need to get a better dvdrom that can read my windows vista business DVD+R.. :( I have a legal CD key and a dvd+r from my lab at school. Ah the perks of being at a research school. (I am since graduated)
Http://chipnorris.info/hardforum/thumbs/tn_ghettoback.jpg (http://chipnorris.info/hardforum/ghettoback.JPG)

Http://chipnorris.info/hardforum/thumbs/tn_ghettocpuback.jpg (http://chipnorris.info/hardforum/ghettocpuback.JPG)

Http://chipnorris.info/hardforum/thumbs/tn_ghettocpufront.jpg (http://chipnorris.info/hardforum/ghettocpufront.JPG)

Http://chipnorris.info/hardforum/thumbs/tn_ghettogpuside.jpg (http://chipnorris.info/hardforum/ghettogpuside.JPG)

[Exanimis]

Above you will notice that I am now using a T-line and Filport Res. This worked better for my loop design. The hole is not yet cut for the fillport, also I will be changing the T-line connector as it is just a drain port upside down with a tube wormclamped to it (Was ziptied at first but it leaked, lol.)

This week should bring daily updates starting tuesday night. I hope to be up and finished by this weeked.


That loop is just filled with distilled water and some dye that I dropped in to test the ammount that I will use with the final fill. I put in enough to get it glowing, and I will add more until it gets to be too much so I can get a feel for the required ammount :D

[Exanimis]

So, I'm done with the heavy work for now and I plan to use my case for a few weeks before cleaning it up!!

Here are some final shots.

Modding the main PSU cable, man it was so long for a SFF case...
http://chipnorris.info/hardforum/thumbs/tn_moddingpsu1.jpg (http://chipnorris.info/hardforum/moddingpsu1.JPG)

Cutting the wires ready to be shortened.
http://chipnorris.info/hardforum/thumbs/tn_moddingpsu2.jpg (http://chipnorris.info/hardforum/moddingpsu2.JPG)

Random side view of the tubing being refilled
http://chipnorris.info/hardforum/thumbs/tn_Sideview.jpg (http://chipnorris.info/hardforum/Sideview.JPG)

New T-line installed and loop being re-filled with new coolant and G11 additive.
http://chipnorris.info/hardforum/thumbs/tn_newtline.jpg (http://chipnorris.info/hardforum/newtline.JPG)

View of the assembled case running on my desk.
The crappy loud koolance fans have been replaced with some nice Yate Loons.
All 4 fans, (one small one intake at the front 80mm) are hooked to a sunbeam
rheo that is currently wedged inside the case until I have time to mod it into place.
http://chipnorris.info/hardforum/thumbs/tn_backassembled.jpg (http://chipnorris.info/hardforum/backassembled.JPG)

View of the assembled case running on my desk with other stuff in view from other side.
http://chipnorris.info/hardforum/thumbs/tn_desk2.jpg (http://chipnorris.info/hardforum/desk2.JPG)

View of the assembled case running on my desk.
http://chipnorris.info/hardforum/cpuburnin.GIF