EK FC8800 Single Slot Conversion

[b@llz0r]

My 8800s have been relegated to the HTPC so they need to be single slot as i need the other slots for tv card, wireless, etc.

Eddy was kind enough to send me a cad file for the top so I could get them laser cut. (what a legend!!)

I got several tops cut out of acryan uv blue... here it is:

http://lh6.ggpht.com/BWestworth/SOtXxp2YkZI/AAAAAAAAAfQ/xL4aKpjKGXQ/s800/DSC03053.JPG
http://lh4.ggpht.com/BWestworth/SOtXpcx_3lI/AAAAAAAAAfI/LbL-_AGeJyM/s800/DSC03050.JPG
http://lh6.ggpht.com/BWestworth/SOtYHc2dw4I/AAAAAAAAAfo/AkmQURuMdOc/s800/DSC03057.JPG
http://lh3.ggpht.com/BWestworth/SOtYPUAiV1I/AAAAAAAAAfw/KkhvLaQ_KE0/s800/DSC03058.JPG
http://lh4.ggpht.com/BWestworth/SOtYh945obI/AAAAAAAAAgI/Dj9ikCmUQ1g/s800/DSC03062.JPG
http://lh4.ggpht.com/BWestworth/SOtYm3Gp66I/AAAAAAAAAgQ/ozmS_-otvug/s800/DSC03070.JPG

Leak test went ok.... the o ring has a good seal all round
More testing tonight

[BlueAqua]

That looks really cool. Very thin acrylic though, but if it works and fits your needs then it's perfect.

I definitely like that color of the acrylic.

Which tubing is that?

[Xilikon]

I'm honestly worried by the thickness. Since it's so thin, it might flex a bit under pressure and leak or crack...

[b@llz0r]

it takes a fair bit of pressure cold... I capped it with my fingers and blew as hard as I could with no leaks.... add some heat and it might be a different story

.... I think ill trial it in the bottom slot first :)

[b@llz0r]

Which tubing is that?

Feser Blue :up:

[Eddy_EK]

You should be very careful with so "thin" acrylic top.
If I see correct you use "sinked" screws.
It would be better to use normal screws like the ones we have. Screw standard is ISO 7380. You should use M4×8mm screws.

[b@llz0r]

yeah they are countersunk head.... I went to the biggest fasteners shop in Perth (coventrys) and they only had m4 countersunk or cap head which protruded too much.... ill keep looking for round head screws.

[NaeKuh]

I'm honestly worried by the thickness. Since it's so thin, it might flex a bit under pressure and leak or crack...

+1

more flexing from the o ring inside and causing it to leak.

Or since its so thin, you'll almost gaurentee future cracks down the road.
Is Ac Ryan Lexan also? I have a sheet which i never ended up using sitting here.


I honestly think Eddie already accounted for this when he was making it, hence why its that thick.

You should be very careful with so "thin" acrylic top.
If I see correct you use "sinked" screws.
It would be better to use normal screws like the ones we have. Screw standard is ISO 7380. You should use M4×8mm screws.

im very sure eddie did account for it now with that statement. :rofl:

[majestik]

Looks great. That's about it, since acrylic is too thin. I think it's a bit pointless to create something for sake of fitting it into HTPC and then compromise based on bling.
Why not cut it from a different material? Delrin, Brass, Copper, Stainless steel, etc!

[zanzabar]

looks good, if u get problems try polycarb

[b@llz0r]

Looks great. That's about it, since acrylic is too thin. I think it's a bit pointless to create something for sake of fitting it into HTPC and then compromise based on bling.
Why not cut it from a different material? Delrin, Brass, Copper, Stainless steel, etc!

This acrylic seems to be less brittle than the thick material Eddy uses on the EK FC blocks.

I know its a risk, but I plan on running it in the bottom slot of a test rig for a month with a drip tray under it before installing the 3 way 8800s in my HTPC.

You are correct that a metal cover would be safer and if this fails I will get one made out of an alternate material... but im a sucker for the bling :bday2:

[b@llz0r]

ok i swapped out the countersunk screws with round heads... I also added a washer to distribute the load a bit more

http://lh6.ggpht.com/BWestworth/SOydBO7xQ-I/AAAAAAAAAiE/BBEshR4GIMc/s800/DSC03090.JPG
http://lh5.ggpht.com/BWestworth/SOyc_bCT7AI/AAAAAAAAAiA/e2sZ3FZW87Q/s800/DSC03091.JPG
http://lh6.ggpht.com/BWestworth/SOydaY2oJAI/AAAAAAAAAik/x53zneiMgXU/s800/DSC03096.JPG

[Eddie3dfx]

Looks very nice with the round heads!

[b@llz0r]

well it ran over night with no leaks.... Think ill leave it idle for a week before proceeding to load testing.

[NaeKuh]

ahhh round washers just might do it :up:

[HaCKs]

So the little fan connector on my video cards is a 12v? I can wire LED's to them? News to me!

[b@llz0r]

doesnt work with the thinner acrylic.... the leds miss :)

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=190560&highlight=8800

[emuexport]

b@llz0r!!

That rocks! I almost missed this thread. Are you moving all 3 into your HTPC? do you use it for gaming as well as normal HTPC duties?!?!

emu

[sniperbob]

all i have to say is WHY IN GOD"S NAME DIDN"T EK DO THAT IN THE FIRST PLACE?!?!? that is a great looking single slot mod b@llz0r! Makes a sexy EK block look even sexier...

[b@llz0r]

Cheers emu!

Yeah gaming too... my g/f hates it, but TFC2 on 48" lcd at 1920x1080 with a couple of cold ones beats the simpsons any night of the week :)

[b@llz0r]

all i have to say is WHY IN GOD"S NAME DIDN"T EK DO THAT IN THE FIRST PLACE?!?!? that is a great looking single slot mod b@llz0r! Makes a sexy EK block look even sexier...

There have been issues with the thicker acrylic cracking.... Im probably asking for trouble :)

[emuexport]

I havent hooked my 4870X2 up to my 47" LCD at 1920x1080 maybe a bit of GRID with force feedback would be insane! even more so with 5.1 sound from my Z-5500Ds!! Can you say Subwoofer (makes the windows rattle like buggery) :D

[b@llz0r]

I havent hooked my 4870X2 up to my 47" LCD at 1920x1080 maybe a bit of GRID with force feedback would be insane! even more so with 5.1 sound from my Z-5500Ds!! Can you say Subwoofer (makes the windows rattle like buggery) :D

That would rock!!!... just be prepared to spend a few nights on the couch :)

[b@llz0r]

Well it ran without problems for a week so I decided to do the other two

http://lh3.ggpht.com/BWestworth/SPiQxOj-WiI/AAAAAAAAAkc/DSa1489Aszg/s800/DSC03109.JPG
http://lh4.ggpht.com/BWestworth/SPiQCsOBXzI/AAAAAAAAAjc/UhYbtDOMWEQ/s800/DSC03097.JPG

im having problems tho... I have a wireless card in the middle pci slot, it doesnt work with all 3 vid cards in?!?!
Perhaps 3 way sli disables this slot on the S2E...

[flutie98]

Are those blocks connected in parallel?

[MomijiTMO]

Yes the are and no it doesn't affect temps too much.

Hey what the bloody hell are you powering with that pc lol. Some HTPC build :D. It must be a big tv ok.

[b@llz0r]

I wana be able to game on my 48" LCD.... not much good to me tho unless i can get the PCI slots working along side the 3 way sli :(

[Snyxxx]

Are those blocks connected in parallel?

I was wondering this myself. I was scratching my head figuring the flow pattern out.

[coolmiester]

I wana be able to game on my 48" LCD.... not much good to me tho unless i can get the PCI slots working along side the 3 way sli :(

Stick it through a projector and have some proper big fun ;)

Great job on the tops though b@llz0r - i luv em

[AndrewZorn]

Were you the one that 'invented' the drip plate? I really like it...

It's a difficult thing for me, deciding to keep a "plain jane" case with no windows or zazz, or go back to UBERLEET GAMING ALIEN COMPUTER

[SparkyJJO]

Were you the one that 'invented' the drip plate? I really like it...

It's a difficult thing for me, deciding to keep a "plain jane" case with no windows or zazz, or go back to UBERLEET GAMING ALIEN COMPUTER

I broke middle ground, I have a not over the top case, brushed aluminum Gigabyte 3D aurora (with that annoying baby blue plastic piece in front painted black!) but with a window so there is still some bling. You should try a middle of the road approach :)

[b@llz0r]

Well the cards handled a DDC no worries, but when using an RD30 @ 24V I get leaks around the O rings due to the plastic bulging out...

as a last resort do you guys reckon it would be ok to glue the cover to the block?

I was thinking some kinda epoxy

[Eddy_EK]

Epoxy is too fragile.
I suggest perhaps laser cut stainless steal.
If I am right if you use 8mm thick top you should use just "sinked" screws.
(Sorry I always forget the right word for that screws. They should be ISO standard 7991)

[2low4u]

These are awesome looking.

So if they are flexing why not get a few cut with thicker acrylic?

[b@llz0r]

Epoxy is too fragile.
I suggest perhaps laser cut stainless steal.
If I am right if you use 8mm thick top you should use just "sinked" screws.
(Sorry I always forget the right word for that screws. They should be ISO standard 7991)

I replaced the countersunk screws with round heads and washers as per your earlier advice eddy.

I would like to keep the blue acrylic if possible... im a sucker for the bling :pimp:

I was thinking of making some kind of stainless steel retaining plate to go under the screws instead of the washers to stop the bulge.

These are awesome looking.

So if they are flexing why not get a few cut with thicker acrylic?

I cant find thicker uv blue acrylic :D

[2low4u]

Hmm that sounds like it would work?

[AlucardCasull]

That looks great, and thanks for the link about the led's in the block, thats a fantastic idea.

[TI66ER]

Wat about using a thin metal plate over the top of the acrylic,with a hole in it to see the innards of the block,but with enough metal left to stop it bulging?

[Kayin]

that would work, but it would be better to have it on the inside.

[b@llz0r]

316 stainless steel is close to copper in the galvanic order so that shouldnt be a problem.

I like the idea of putting it under the acrylic :up:

[2low4u]

If you put it under the Acrylic what will seal the slight gap between the Stainless & Acrylic?