[Worklog] sNiPeRbOb's BIG, KOOL, BLACK and BLUE (Formerly Koolance Rebuild)

[sniperbob]

Yes i know i know. I am going to catch some hot air for building with Koolance, but i have my reasons.
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll181/sniperbob151/HPIM1436.jpg
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll181/sniperbob151/HPIM1570.jpg

I became the lucky owner of a loaded Koolance PC2-901bw server tower case with integrated Koolance cooling components. It came with the older CPU-300 style cpu waterblock, and two GPU-180 blocks (one for the Radeon 9800xt, another for the mobo chipset)
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll181/sniperbob151/HPIM1580.jpg

Here are the specs of what will be used:
Asus SK8N mobo
AMD Athlon 64fx (socket 940)
Corsair 1GB DDR RAM
ATi Radeon 9800XT 256mb AGP gpu (also considering a Sapphire 3850 512mb)

I have recently ordered from Koolance:
CPU-340 waterblock
80mm stock fan grilles (clearance woo!)
1/4 I.D. UV tubing
Koolance g1/4 compression barbs
1.120 Koolance radiator (as secondary radiator)
I have also completely gutted my case and started some mod-work here and there.
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll181/sniperbob151/build%20log/HPIM1614.jpg
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll181/sniperbob151/build%20log/HPIM1625.jpg
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll181/sniperbob151/build%20log/HPIM1628.jpg
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll181/sniperbob151/build%20log/HPIM1638.jpg
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll181/sniperbob151/build%20log/HPIM1646.jpg

I have cut out and filed down all of the stamped fan grilles in the case. I also primed and painted the entire inside chassis of the case flat black, to match the outer appearance of the case and to simplify things color wise.

Now a couple questions. Would it make more of a temperature difference to run the loop like this:

Pump/res-3.80 rad-cpu block-1.120 rad-chipset block-gpu block-back to pump/res

Or would it make more sense to route the loop directly from one rad to the next, then on through all of the blocks?

[sniperbob]

So it's been quite some time, time enough to bump my build log.
Much has happened since i last posted and i will try to include some pictures as soon as i find them...
All new Hardware:
-ASUS m2n-sli deluxe mobo
-AMD Athlon x2 5400+ Black Edition CPU (2.81 Ghz)
-2 MSI 8600 GTS
-Koolance CPU-340 block
-Koolance 1.120 radiator

[icon57]

yes, more pics please.

[sniperbob]

Here are some more pictures finally

Old Hardware
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll181/sniperbob151/build%20log/HPIM1963.jpg

More Old Hardware
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll181/sniperbob151/build%20log/HPIM1931.jpg

Second Radiator
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll181/sniperbob151/build%20log/HPIM1926.jpg

Another shot of Second Rad
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll181/sniperbob151/build%20log/HPIM1923.jpg

I will add more pics later tonight hopefully! Enjoy!

[sniperbob]

Koolance CPU-340
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll181/sniperbob151/build%20log/IMG_0153.jpg

Koolance CPU-340 on its new board
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll181/sniperbob151/build%20log/IMG_0155.jpg

Throwing the M2N-SLI Deluxe in it's new home
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll181/sniperbob151/build%20log/IMG_0160.jpg

All buttoned up inside
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll181/sniperbob151/build%20log/IMG_0171.jpg

Watching the beautiful Coolant...
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll181/sniperbob151/build%20log/IMG_0174.jpg

[bianco]

love that matte finish!
good job sniperbob :up:

and this is quite a nice looking car!
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll181/sniperbob151/build%20log/HPIM1625.jpg

[sniperbob]

ya, the one you can see is a 1952 Packard sedan, and the one you cant really see (the one inside) is a frame off resto of a 1933 Dodge DP6 series sedan. You can kinda see the body outside on sawhorses. I did most of the chop/cuts at my grandfathers woodwork/car shop, and i figured i'd incorporate some new technology with some old :D

[bianco]

ya, the one you can see is a 1952 Packard sedan, and the one you cant really see (the one inside) is a frame off resto of a 1933 Dodge DP6 series sedan. You can kinda see the body outside on sawhorses. I did most of the chop/cuts at my grandfathers woodwork/car shop, and i figured i'd incorporate some new technology with some old :D

haha. nice!
i thought you're working on it to resemble one of those beauts on the poster.. :D
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll181/sniperbob151/build%20log/IMG_0174.jpg

[sniperbob]

well... you know those are my weekend cruisers haha. I'm actually in college for Automotive Technology so I know a good deal. I'm a man of many hobbies, and it just so happens that cars and computers tend to have a good deal in common, especially newer cars.

[sniperbob]

so i have a question and didn't really know where to ask so here it goes. My tower currently holds two MSI 8600 GTS's in SLI. The problem is that i am experiencing random black screen lockups in games like COD4. Any idea what could be causing this. Something else i also noticed was that while monitoring temps using GPU-z, one of the cards runs 6 degrees C hotter than the other. Both cards are still on air cooling as I am too poor to buy the EK full cover blocks and am not sure i am going to stick with these cards, especially if i cannot figure out the lockups. I am using a Rosewill 600W PSU, ASUS M2N SLI Deluxe, ADATA 2gb ram, AMD Athlon 64 x2 5400+ B.E. overclocked to 3ghz, one 74gb wd raptor and one 160gb wd caviar. Anyone have any ideas? I would really appreciate any information.

-sNiPeRbOb

[MomijiTMO]

It's normal to have air cooled sli cards with different temps. Have you tried the best drivers for a 8600GTS sli set up?

[sniperbob]

i am using the most recent geforce 8 series drivers, if that helps any. when you say the best SLI drivers, what do you mean? is there a series of drivers that works the best for SLI configurations for these cards? if so where do i find them? thanks for the help

[SNiiPE_DoGG]

maybe its because your PSU deserves to be in a trash can, not a computer.

other than that it's probably a driver issue. you do mean 8600 GTS right??? not 8800?

[sniperbob]

ya its two 8600gts's. i can't really complain about the psu, as i bought my current mobo, ram, gpu, and psu off of a kid my brother knew for 150, including the cheap mid tower case it was in.

[SNiiPE_DoGG]

yeah...but you probably are getting very poor line stability and it may be that the PSU cant even handle the minimal load you are putting on it without failing to maintain current and voltage stability

[sniperbob]

what would you recommend as far as PSU's?

[SNiiPE_DoGG]

you can get a corsair 750tx for 83$ here : http://www.provantage.com/corsair-memory-cmpsu-750tx~7CSMC05E.htm

or its little brother which is still a great PSU and will work for you for a while, the 650 TX for 66$: http://www.provantage.com/corsair-memory-cmpsu-650tx~7CSMC05F.htm

both have excellent line stability and are great packages. I use them in all the builds that I do for contract and not a single one has failed me :up:


BUT: make sure that its not a driver issue, although the PSU is a good thing to upgrade, I wouldn't say its a guaranteed fix for your issue

[sniperbob]

i may have to call in a favor from this guy who lives down the hall from me. I just finished building a computer for him, all air-cooled. EVGA 780i, q6700, asus cooler, 4gb patriot ram, ultra 1000w psu (i should "borrow" hehe) EVGA GTX 260. it is a screamer of a computer, lotsa fun to build too in a Apevia x-jupiter case. So if i try another PSU and don't get lock-up's it should be pretty safe to say that i am underpowered, right?

[SNiiPE_DoGG]

yeah, sounds like a good idea :yepp:

[sniperbob]

Ok, so it's been quite some time... I haven't had access to a camera in a long time, so there has been no posting... Something tells me though that that jolly red-dressed man will grant my wish and give me something to help log this build in breathtaking detail. But, for now i'm forced to use the onboard webcam on my laptop with a Yamcam program... So i apologize in advance for the shoddy quality...

Here are some pics with the new hardware in place:
ASUS M2N-SLI
EVGA 9600 GSO (2 cards in SLI)
2Gig ADATA DDR2 800 RAM
Rosewill 600W PSU
2 WD 74GB Raptors
1 WD Caviar 120GB

Full Tower Shot:
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll181/sniperbob151/build%20log/comp4.jpg

New cards:
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll181/sniperbob151/build%20log/comp3.jpg

Another cheap shot:
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll181/sniperbob151/build%20log/comp2.jpg

Man, i can't wait to get a decent camera to truly showcase some of the stuff in detail...
I am also currently searching for LC options for the 9600GSO's, and am pricing out different options for switching the top stock Koolance rad for a 120.2 rad, and the Koolance pump/res for a different pump. I would like to upgrade to a 3/8 tubing loop, but in a way that isn't gunna break my already flimsy bank account...

[sniperbob]

I have access to an OK camera this afternoon, so an update will probably come tonight sometime. :)

[Cutless009]

WOO UPDATES, lookin good man, cant wait to see some of it in detail!

[sniperbob]

UPDATE: stole my friends HP camera... Some current setup pics.

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll181/sniperbob151/HPIM0980.jpg

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll181/sniperbob151/HPIM0985.jpg

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll181/sniperbob151/HPIM0987.jpg

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll181/sniperbob151/HPIM0992.jpg

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll181/sniperbob151/HPIM0990.jpg

Stripped the sticker off the side of my Rosewill 600Watt PSU
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll181/sniperbob151/HPIM0955.jpg

Hoping to get some things for Christmas/Birthday (15th of December) to give this build a QUALITY update!

[FrostyPanda]

lookin schweet!

[sniperbob]

lookin schweet!

thanks man! hopefully some more interesting updates to come next week! maybe some acrylic is involved...

[Lagaaja]

So you got new cards in SLI? 8600 to 9600? What's in next update, SLI 260's?:D

Build is looking good and I kinda like that CPU block, it seems just huge. I hope that one day I can make new build in one of these giant towercases, all that space to use, yummy..:p:

[sniperbob]

ya, I had two 8600GTS's but found a great deal on EBAY for 9600GSO's $45 a piece minus 30% Live.com discount. So i practically stole the cards hehe. I think my next update will be posting my XMas wish list for this build. Thanks for the compliments Lagaaja! :up:

[sniperbob]

Teeny-tiny update today... Until i go home for thanksgiving week, then the acrylic fun should begin hehehe

New Razor Exactmat Bundle Mousepad for my Logitech VX Revolution:

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll181/sniperbob151/HPIM10152.jpg

After using this for about a day, all i have to say is that it is AMAZING! I will never go back to bareback desks again...

[sniperbob]

OK, a more IMPORTANT and much-needed update this time!

Just put my Christmas wish-list orders in last night at Sidewinder's and Petra's

Petra's:

4 Yate Loon Blue LED 120mm fans
12 Silver Thumbscrews
Some Cable Sleeving...

Sidewinder's

1 Swiftech MCP-655 Vario
1 Swiftech MCR-220-QP Radiator
8 Feet of Tygon R3400 Black 1/2ID 3/4OD tubing
6 Swiftech 1/2ID G1/4 Barbs
1 Swiftech MicroRes Revision2


I know i am probably forgetting something here or there, but I will be sure and post pics when everything comes in and i can get to it!

[systemviper]

How do you like the temps that the Koolance CPU-340 water block is giving you...

[sniperbob]

the CPU-340 block gives me a 27C idle temp and about 43C under full load using Prime95. These temps are on my Athlon x2 5400+ at 3261.95MHz (233x14) with a voltage reading of 1.325 in Core Temp. Hope the info helps. I am very pleased with the fit and finish of the block and cannot complain with those temps, seeing as this is on a 1/4ID tubing loop with a Koolance PC2 stock aluminum radiator. Can't wait to see some temps on a REAL setup!

[sniperbob]

some pretty pictures for you to tide you over til i redo the loop in the next couple of weeks.

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll181/sniperbob151/build%20log/DSC00231.jpg

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll181/sniperbob151/build%20log/DSC00230.jpg

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll181/sniperbob151/build%20log/DSC00233.jpg

ENJOY!

[MomijiTMO]

Looking pretty nice dude.

[sniperbob]

Looking pretty nice dude.

Thanks for the compliment!

[sniperbob]

Kinda totally OT, but IT'S MY BIRTHDAY! I've been around for two decades!

[shazza]

Nice job ... and Happy Birthday !!!!!

[omaryunus]

Happy birthday sniper and GREAT build! :D

[bianco]

happy birthday bro!
and many more to come!
:)

[sniperbob]

thanks everyone for the birthday wishes! So i've stumbled upon an interesting hardware problem... Setup like this: stock CPU clock, two EVGA 9600GSO's in SLI, 1 74gb raptor, 1 160gb caviar, 2gb A-DATA ddr2800 ram, and one DVD=rw drive, My computer will BSOD when exiting COD4 after playing for longer than 5 minutes. The game will not BSOD until I decide to exit the game, and the game runs fine until i choose to exit back to Windows desktop. I have already ran two passes of Memtest for the RAM with zero errors so I know that isn't the problem. I am running this setup on a 600W Rosewill psu.
Alternatively I have tried unplugging the molex from the 160 storage HDD and the DVD drive, and the problem has seemed to dissappear. Would this spell underpowered PSU to you guys? that's my hunch...

[twwen2]

Nice rig sniperbob!

And happy birthday, it seems we share the same b'day! :cool:

[sniperbob]

Nice rig sniperbob!

And happy birthday, it seems we share the same b'day! :cool:

haha i always said the 15th of December was the best day of the year! :up: thanks for the compliment man!:cool:

[twwen2]

haha i always said the 15th of December was the best day of the year! :up: thanks for the compliment man!:cool:

Oh oops, pardon my retartedness for reading the posts wrong, i'm on the 17th. :rolleyes::ROTF:

And i'm no longer a teenager either, fancy that. 20, my god i'm getting old...:shakes:

[sniperbob]

ya, 20 rolled around for me too, and jeez two decades does seem pretty old... Well, December is the best month we can just say that!

[sniperbob]

MERRY CHRISTMAS to all that celebrate!! I sure will!

All of my liquid cooling stuff was given to me today, all the missing pieces of the puzzle are finally here and in my hands! I also received an Olympus Stylus 850SW 8.0mp digital camera (shock and waterproof because i'm a clumsy college kid sometimes) so bring on the better-looking pictures and a long needed update to this build.

To start things off, a couple of warm-up pics with the new Camera...
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll181/sniperbob151/build%20log/026.jpg

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll181/sniperbob151/build%20log/030.jpg

A shot of the chaos that was my workspace...

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll181/sniperbob151/build%20log/034.jpg

New pump MCP-655 vario

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll181/sniperbob151/build%20log/024.jpg

Radiator (MCR-220) mounted with A.C. Ryan Radgrille and Yate Loon medium speed blue LED fans

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll181/sniperbob151/build%20log/025.jpg

Starting to run my Tygon!

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll181/sniperbob151/build%20log/031.jpg

making the bend to feed the MONSTA

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll181/sniperbob151/build%20log/032.jpg

Showing how the tubing will be run

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll181/sniperbob151/build%20log/035.jpg

AAAHHH! NAKED CPU!!!!

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll181/sniperbob151/build%20log/033.jpg

Much better...

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll181/sniperbob151/build%20log/037.jpg

and FINALLY...
Bleeding out the air, and leak-testing (running overnight tonight)

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll181/sniperbob151/build%20log/038.jpg

So... wuddaya think????

[Rise]

looks good man! is that the computer you were folding with? I really like the black tubing, it looks nice and good job with the painting of that case. The top of it looks really roomy, plenty of room for more rads :D

nice work!

[sniperbob]

looks good man! is that the computer you were folding with? I really like the black tubing, it looks nice and good job with the painting of that case. The top of it looks really roomy, plenty of room for more rads :D

nice work!

Hey RISE! nice of you to find my build log. Yes this is the rig i was folding with... I am no longer using this for folding however, as I have, as of today, become the proud owner of a PNY 9800GTX+. I intend to use this PC for gaming. It's only a matter of time before we will see some "naked" pics of the card, as I'm planning on a FC block for it in the near future.

NOW:
(Completely O.T. but thought i'd share with you...)
Finally got some pics up of a little New Years Eve LanParty that happened at the house with some fellow |HgC| Call of Duty Clan members. These are the guys I game with, and most of em just so happen to live less than 5 minutes away, so LAN's happen here because my computer is the biggest.

My buddies brand new Cosmos... If only if only
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll181/sniperbob151/PC310020.jpg
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll181/sniperbob151/PC310026.jpg

wOOt for macro
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll181/sniperbob151/PC310023.jpg

My rig
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll181/sniperbob151/PC310019.jpg

Camera Battle ROYALE
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll181/sniperbob151/PC310024.jpg

Give my brother a case, and he will find a way to mod it haha
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll181/sniperbob151/PC310018.jpg

A party isn't a party without some Guitar Hero...
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll181/sniperbob151/PC310017.jpg

[SNiiPE_DoGG]

you traitor....

[sniperbob]

you traitor....

what did I do?:shrug:

[headala]

what did I do?:shrug:

He may be asking why you live in Mass and have a piece of Yankee trash hanging on your wall. :shakes:

Is that an Alienware I see in there? :rofl:

[sniperbob]

ya... My dad's originally from Brooklyn so... I was forced into it :rofl:

and yes.... that is Alienware... He won that computer for free in some contest. It has a 790i board with a 9600gt. I'd call him out on buying a rip-off, but technically he didn't spend a dime on it yet so... :shrugs:

[D1RtY AssASS1n]

Great Build Keep it up :rocker::up:

[headala]

ya... My dad's originally from Brooklyn so... I was forced into it :rofl:

and yes.... that is Alienware... He won that computer for free in some contest. It has a 790i board with a 9600gt. I'd call him out on buying a rip-off, but technically he didn't spend a dime on it yet so... :shrugs:

Haha, alrighty. Are you almost done with this build?

[sniperbob]

getting there... Did all my cable sleeving today! uploading pics on photobucket as i post this... Still looking for funding for a FC block for my 9800GTX+ so I can run it under water.

[sniperbob]

So...
UDPATE TIME! 1/4/2009

Finally decided that enough was enough and that I should probably make use of the 2 cable sleeving kits I had lying around from about half a month ago. I purchased 2 OKGear Wire sleeving kits from PTS and then bought seperate 4" black zip-ties as well as some 3/8 and 1/2 2-to-1 Heatshrink at the local Home Depot.

Here are the "tools" I used

Needle used for tying Flies (fishing lures)
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll181/sniperbob151/build%20log/P1040070.jpg

Handy Dandy Thumbtack (used for removing 4-pin molex pins)
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll181/sniperbob151/build%20log/P1040076.jpg

Bic Lighter (gotta shrink the heatshrink with something right???)
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll181/sniperbob151/build%20log/P1040069.jpg

Did my cathodes first:
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll181/sniperbob151/build%20log/P1040067.jpg

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll181/sniperbob151/build%20log/P1040068.jpg

Then the 92mm fan above the PSU:
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll181/sniperbob151/build%20log/P1040071.jpg

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll181/sniperbob151/build%20log/P1040072.jpg

Then moved on to some lovely 4-pin molex:
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll181/sniperbob151/build%20log/P1040074.jpg

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll181/sniperbob151/build%20log/P1040073.jpg

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll181/sniperbob151/build%20log/P1040075.jpg

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll181/sniperbob151/build%20log/P1040079.jpg

Sleeved the MCP-655 Power lead:
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll181/sniperbob151/build%20log/P1040077.jpg

Documentation of the point where i started to feel a litttle overwhelmed :rofl:
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll181/sniperbob151/build%20log/P1040084.jpg

Finished It all off on the PSU side of the wiring by using 1" 2-to-1 heatshrink to group the molex/4-pin mobo wires and the sata/6-pin wires

Then the fun task of re-running all the wire (my brother stole the camera, so there I am...)
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll181/sniperbob151/build%20log/P1040089.jpg

Waiting to put the graphics and sound card back in. Decided to play around with some lighting.
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll181/sniperbob151/build%20log/P1040104.jpg

Graphics card back in it's home (waiting on some proper sized heatshrink for the 6-pin connectors)
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll181/sniperbob151/build%20log/P1040106.jpg

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll181/sniperbob151/build%20log/P1040107.jpg

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll181/sniperbob151/build%20log/P1040108.jpg

Thats IT for tonight... Hope you enjoyed my little update. Closer and closer we get to being finished. Still some ideas I am throwing around though for this. When is a project ever really done around here anyways??? :rofl:

[atomic ferret]

ya... My dad's originally from Brooklyn so... I was forced into it :rofl:

and yes.... that is Alienware... He won that computer for free in some contest. It has a 790i board with a 9600gt. I'd call him out on buying a rip-off, but technically he didn't spend a dime on it yet so... :shrugs:

Great place to live...Go Yanks!

Oh yeah, and nice build. Coming along very nicely.

[omaryunus]

Awesome stuff cant wait to see more :D good job with the sleeving man :up:

[LonghornN]

lol, Why that 9800 GTX heatsink is inverted?

[sniperbob]

lol, Why that 9800 GTX heatsink is inverted?

It's a PNY 9800GTX+ and the stock heatsink is designed to dump the heat inside the case.... I don't really approve of it, but it just means that I guess I'm going to have to replace it with a FC waterblock hehe:cool:

[Rise]

looks good man, keep it up! Also, I'm from Brooklyn originally too so I approve of that in MA :)

give me a call next time you're having one of those LAN parties, I'm not too far :yepp:

[sniperbob]

looks good man, keep it up! Also, I'm from Brooklyn originally too so I approve of that in MA :)

give me a call next time you're having one of those LAN parties, I'm not too far :yepp:

I'm not sure when we'll be having another LAN, but I will let you know!

[bianco]

nice sleeving job there bro.
:up:

happy new year btw... :p

[sniperbob]

nice sleeving job there bro.
:up:

happy new year btw... :p

Hey bro! THANKS for the compliment! I love how rewarding PC work can be.

and oh ya... Happy New Year to you too!

[sniperbob]

so, not much to report on the rig... still waiting for heatshrink to truly finish it up... Also throwing around a couple of ideas on cathode colors, like using white for inside the case, with the blue cathode for the front grille.

Instead of continuing on my PC watercooling venture this weekend, I decided to watercool something new: a GBR cichlid! (see pic)

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll181/sniperbob151/misc/P1090017.jpg

I've had a 10 Gallon Freshwater tropical aquarium for a couple of years now, and it was starting to look like my 5 serpae tetras and 5 head & Taillight tetras needed some company (or someone to rule over them. Ever since I started the tank I wanted a German Blue Ram Cichlid. Beautiful fish with tons of color. If you don't believe me then google it, it puts all the UV tubing and LED fans to shame.

BACK ON TOPIC: I should have some more to post in the near future as funds become available again. I go back up to school sunday and start working again shortly after. I NEED MONEY!!!!!!!!!!!

[sniperbob]

Decided to set up shop for a little on my parent's SONY 40" LCD HDTV, so that's where I'm typing this from.

Got bored this morning, and although I do not have a fancy professional photo room (like SNiipE the Photography/mod god does) I figured I'd see what I could make with the resources I had.
One black sheet, three small halogen lamps, and an Olympus Stylus 850SW with tripod later...

1/10/09
PICS!!!
We'll start from the outside and make our way to the full-body shot

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll181/sniperbob151/build%20log/P1100020.jpg

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll181/sniperbob151/build%20log/P1100034.jpg

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll181/sniperbob151/build%20log/P1100039.jpg

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll181/sniperbob151/build%20log/P1100040.jpg

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll181/sniperbob151/build%20log/P1100013.jpg

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll181/sniperbob151/build%20log/P1100022.jpg

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll181/sniperbob151/build%20log/P1100038.jpg

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll181/sniperbob151/build%20log/P1100028.jpg

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll181/sniperbob151/build%20log/P1100030.jpg

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll181/sniperbob151/build%20log/P1100027.jpg

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll181/sniperbob151/build%20log/P1100029.jpg

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll181/sniperbob151/build%20log/P1100032.jpg

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll181/sniperbob151/build%20log/P1100018.jpg

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll181/sniperbob151/build%20log/P1100008.jpg

Let me know if you like what you see! I know it's not MDPC quality, but it looks good enough for me, and it performs beautifully.

[SNiiPE_DoGG]

Lookin great man :up: your far too kind in describing me :yawn: :)

[sniperbob]

Lookin great man :up: your far too kind in describing me :yawn: :)

well, i am humbled by the awesome builds here, yours included. Thanks for checking it out!

[Oli4v]

It's looking allready much better than when you started it ! :up:

the microres is looking funny when not hanging straight ;) :p:

[sniperbob]

It's looking allready much better than when you started it ! :up:

the microres is looking funny when not hanging straight ;) :p:

I love watching the build evolve in front of me! And yes, I do need to figure out some way to mount the micro res so that it sits flush on the front of the case. It does look a bit odd...

UPDATE: 1/12/2009

TOOL TIME!!

So today is the start of my last semester as an Automotive Technology major, as I will be graduating this spring. It just so happens that two of my classes "required" me to have some tools that should come in handy for many other non-auto related projects hehe.

Here they are:

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll181/sniperbob151/P1120059.jpg

Pro-50 Butane Soldering Iron with 4 tips:

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll181/sniperbob151/P1120063.jpg

Fowler Digital Caliper (measures in inches and mm's):

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll181/sniperbob151/P1120066.jpg

Also, had to share this picture. I was messing around with the camera in the dorm room, and found this after browsing them on my PC.

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll181/sniperbob151/P1120068.jpg

...My roommates Homer Simpson poster decided to make a small cameo :rofl:

[sniperbob]

just got out of my Manufacturing Processes Lab, and I GET TO PLAY AROUND WITH MILLS AND LATHES!!! Should be fun, maybe I can talk my prof. into some custom pieces...

[VisBits]

Sick dude! :up::up:

[headala]

Wow, it's really looking great. Keep it up. Any chances of snapping some pics from the shop?

[sniperbob]

Wow, it's really looking great. Keep it up. Any chances of snapping some pics from the shop?

I will see If i can get in there after lab next wednesday and snap some pics for you guys. They have a small handful of lathes and mills, as well as a couple band-saws, breaks, a tube bender, and the list goes on and on. In the lab across the hall there is a room filled with CNC machines, where the Mech Eng. students cut designs out of bathroom stall plastic divider material that they have named "stall poly"

[sniperbob]

Took some more shots for you guys

custom acrylic mirror (in black)
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll181/sniperbob151/build%20log/P1200104.jpg
Misc shots
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll181/sniperbob151/build%20log/P1200105.jpg

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll181/sniperbob151/build%20log/P1200106.jpg

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll181/sniperbob151/build%20log/P1200107.jpg

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll181/sniperbob151/build%20log/P1200110.jpg

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll181/sniperbob151/build%20log/P1200095.jpg

I also thought of an interesting idea. My MCP-655 is the variable version with speed knob on the bottom. My idea is to drill a small hole into the plastic and thread a thumbscrew into the knob, allowing for easy adjustment of the speed without having to find a tiny flathead screwdriver to squeeze behind the pump. any thoughts? good idea? bad idea?

[Crankyhobo]

That koolance CPU block is surprisingly good looking.

[Oli4v]

I saw Homer ^^, good lookin' pics ;) :up:

[sniperbob]

That koolance CPU block is surprisingly good looking.


I saw Homer ^^, good lookin' pics ;) :up:

Thanks everyone for the kind words. I felt Homer had a place seeing as he's usually on TV when I'm building or posting.

...so waiting on my order from Petra's Tech Shop to come in!
4 White cathodes
1 ASUS Mosfet fan cooler (hoorah overclocking!)
1 Black IDE cable (tired of looking at the 1 blue cable in there)

will post pics of minor updates as they come in!

[SNiiPE_DoGG]

nice white cathodes are slick, I thought about using them in my build for a long time

[sniperbob]

I wanted something to really contrast the gloss in the tubing and chrome in the waterblock with the flat black of the actual case itself. I can't wait for this stuff to come in so I can start playing around.

[sniperbob]

Box is in up at School. Only problem is that I'm at home for the weekend... Will post update as soon as I get to open my box.

[sniperbob]

UPDATE:

What could the box be?
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll181/sniperbob151/build%20log/P2020121.jpg

PETRAS!!!
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll181/sniperbob151/build%20log/P2020122.jpg

Got my White Cathodes and Mosfet fan in.

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll181/sniperbob151/build%20log/P2020130.jpg

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll181/sniperbob151/build%20log/P2020126.jpg

[sniperbob]

been messing with some overclocks. my 5400+ BE is starting to surprise me... I will post some screenies when I have time. 3.2 and still plenty of headroom i think

[N19h7m4r3]

3.2 is a very good clock.

I'm sure you can squeese out some more :D

[sniperbob]

screeny of 3.2 load temps

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll181/sniperbob151/build%20log/th_OC1.jpg (http://s288.photobucket.com/albums/ll181/sniperbob151/build%20log/?action=view&current=OC1.jpg)

[sniperbob]

photos are fixed, upgraded my PB account

[shazza]

photos are fixed, upgraded my PB account

Thanks ... good to see the pics. It came out great. I like the lighting - shows off the innards nicely.

[sniperbob]

Thanks shazza! your builds are epic compared to this... here ya go, finally got around to uploading some more shots



http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll181/sniperbob151/build%20log/P2230131.jpg

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll181/sniperbob151/build%20log/P2230134.jpg

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll181/sniperbob151/build%20log/P2230139.jpg

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll181/sniperbob151/build%20log/P2230141.jpg

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll181/sniperbob151/build%20log/P2230143.jpg

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll181/sniperbob151/build%20log/P2230147.jpg

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll181/sniperbob151/build%20log/P2230145.jpg


comments/critiques/opinions are always welcome

[N19h7m4r3]

Evil dust striking from all corners!

[Grinch]

Evil dust striking from all corners!

+1 :up::clap:

[sniperbob]

its not easy using a PC in less than forgiving environments... darn dorm room tends to get really really dusty... still have yet to find the source.

[SNiiPE_DoGG]

its not easy using a PC in less than forgiving environments... darn dorm room tends to get really really dusty... still have yet to find the source.

its 3/2 people constantly being in the same 4 walls. think about a house.... much more volume and more rooms per person.

that said my dust screen on the pc-80 serves me valiantly in a 3 person dorm room :D

[sniperbob]

its 3/2 people constantly being in the same 4 walls. think about a house.... much more volume and more rooms per person.

that said my dust screen on the pc-80 serves me valiantly in a 3 person dorm room :D

ya i live in a double, but might as well be a triple (gf practically lives in my room) maybe i should invest in some dust screens... Whered you get yours SNiiPE?

[N19h7m4r3]

its not easy using a PC in less than forgiving environments... darn dorm room tends to get really really dusty... still have yet to find the source.

I suffer from the same problem. I have to vacuum twice a week and clean my pc out alot aswell.

Dust everywhere!

Although I blame it more on the nylon type carpet we have. Who the hell uses that?!

[sniperbob]

I suffer from the same problem. I have to vacuum twice a week and clean my pc out alot aswell.

Dust everywhere!

Although I blame it more on the nylon type carpet we have. Who the hell uses that?!

ya... we have carpet that must have been brought back from the 80's to sit in purgatory in our rooms here :rofl:

Now this is gunna sound like a stupid question, but does anyone know of any quiet 80mm blue LED fans? (if quiet 80mm fans even exist...) I had one die on me yesterday...

[N19h7m4r3]

Well the silverstone case fans are quite. Maybe drill some holes and ghetto mod an led into it.

[sniperbob]

i'm actually starting to grow tired of this case... Wire management is a pain... its gigantic! awkward, and also the majority of the stock air cooling is done via 80mm fans... who even uses those silly little things anymore?

[SNiiPE_DoGG]

hey sorry I never saw your last post.... userCP sucks sometimes lol

My dust screen is a feature of the PC-P80 but I think many people have had success with pantyhose :D there are some buyable solutions but those can be overrated. Also a tip to help with dust is make sure your case has positive pressure (more cfm in than out) then you have controlled entry points for the dust instead of every which way XD In my case the only way for dust to come in is the front and sure enough my PA fans and rear fan have zero dust on them.

[sniperbob]

As soon as i figure out why it won't boot into XP i will have to mess around with all the fans... thanks for the tip SNiiPE

[sniperbob]

well... rig still won't boot, so it's been sidelined for a little while, been throwing around a couple ideas for a future project though.

A picture for those of you that just like pictures instead of silly writing.

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll181/sniperbob151/boombox/P3110002.jpg

[sniperbob]

well, bringing back the dead a little bit, but due to a series of very fortunate events. There is an UPGRADE in my future. MSI K9N2 Sli Platinum Motherboard headed my way from my cousin down in SC. Should really be able to open up this BE processor and give her some reliable juice. Also ordered an OCZ ram cooler from PPC's

[sniperbob]

well, rig is now running Vista home premium, and CPU is at 3.225 @1.35vcore. Idle temps around 23C with load in the mid 40's. Not bad for a mcr220 and medium yates

[Oli4v]

nice clocks for that cpu ;), maybe 3.5ghz reachable? :D

[sniperbob]

hopefully those clocks can be reached as soon as my "new to me" board arrives!

[sniperbob]

well, probably last update for this aging log, I have a Phenom II 940 on the way, as well as possibly a new case! look out for a possible new build log from me...

[MomijiTMO]

What's the new case?

[sniperbob]

i'm not at liberty to divulge yet, as I have not 100% decided on one yet... but I'm sure you will see pictures when I decide

[MomijiTMO]

:p:

Ok then

[sniperbob]

Another "back from the dead" post... Installed my AMD Phenom II 940 into my ASUS M2N-SLI board, and guess what?


IT ACTUALLY POSTED AND LOADED WINDOWS! now, the pc doesn't actually recognize which cpu it is exactly, but it does see four cores at 3ghz. I LOVE Phenom II!

other recent additions 400GB Seagate Sata HDD

[trueg50]

Another "back from the dead" post... Installed my AMD Phenom II 940 into my ASUS M2N-SLI board, and guess what?


IT ACTUALLY POSTED AND LOADED WINDOWS! now, the pc doesn't actually recognize which cpu it is exactly, but it does see four cores at 3ghz. I LOVE Phenom II!

other recent additions 400GB Seagate Sata HDD

Great to hear Bob!

Very nice thread. It makes me want to pick up one of those model server cases just to mod.