Project: .:BLACK:. - Watercooled Lian Li V350 Small Form Factor

Hi all!

Well, nearly have all the parts for my upcoming project, so thought I would start a little build log. This project will be quite a challenge for me, being my first watercooled Small Form Factor. Nonetheless, I will be jumping into it with my usual hastiness and arrogance! :ROTF:

Core components:
Case: Silverstone SG02-F in BLACK
Motherboard: Asus P5E-VM HDMI (yet to arrive)
CPU: E6850
Video: inno3d 8800GT (may look to swap this for something with black PCB)
RAM: Crucial Ballistix 2x2GB PC2-6400
Optical: Pioneer DVR-215
HDD: WD 640gb
PSU: Corsair HX 620W

Cooling:
CPU: DTEK FuZion v1
GPU: XSPC Razor
Chipset: EK (need to find out which model fits G35)
Radiator: Swiftech MCR220 QP
Pump: MCP350 with Petra's Top
Tubing: Tygon 3/8" x 5/8" in BLACK (yet to order)
Fittings: Bistpower compression (and waiting on 45's!)

Planned mods:
All black inside case (probably powdercoating)
Window mod
White CCFL lighting (switchable)

So the whole idea of this build is not centred around overclocking, but around a small form factor, portability and quietness. Hence, I think the MCR220 *SHOULD* do the job, we will see. Looking forward to all the parts arriving so I can kick it off!

Pics up in the next couple of days.

nice :up:

heres a few EK blocks that will fit

http://ekwaterblocks.com/shop/produc...roducts_id=223
http://ekwaterblocks.com/shop/images/nb-max-s.jpg

http://ekwaterblocks.com/shop/produc...roducts_id=261
http://ekwaterblocks.com/shop/images...B-5-Acetal.jpg

this one should fit, ill verify for you

http://ekwaterblocks.com/shop/produc...roducts_id=263
http://ekwaterblocks.com/shop/images...B-6-Acetal.jpg

i personally like that one the best, but i had a MCW30, and i knew it fit so i used it.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by evil-98

nice :up:

this one should fit, ill verify for you

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If you could, that would be great, thanks. Threads seem to be far enough apart for compression fittings also :up:

Not to much of an update today, but here goes:

Put some parts into place in the case today to see what's what. As it turns out, my worst fear is realised. It looks like the rad and fans aren't going to fit both internally like I had hoped:

http://users.on.net/~statts/black/black001.jpg

http://users.on.net/~statts/black/black002.jpg

http://users.on.net/~statts/black/black003.jpg

So maybe the rad will have to go externally with the barbs into the case at the front. Not exactly how I would have liked it, but it may have to do:

http://users.on.net/~statts/black/black004.jpg

As you can see, the pump room is just fine (even if the fans did end up internal). To do this the hard drive cage (which sits under opticals) was shifted entirely to the right hand side of the case which meant removal of the HDD cooling fan. This won't be a problem as my one and only HDD is mounted in the 5.25" area.

http://users.on.net/~statts/black/black005.jpg

Didn't have a whole lot of time left on my hands today, so I got to shortening the SATA power cable for my DVD and HDD. I can't stand how long they are, so I attacked it!

Started out by measuring the distance required between the two SATA connectors:

http://users.on.net/~statts/black/black007.jpg

Then started pulling apart the SATA cable:

http://users.on.net/~statts/black/black008.jpg

Man I love these Corsair power supplies. The cabling is so easy to modify with re-usable connectors! Only thing to watch out for is the all black wiring, don't want to mix up the wires and fry a HDD!

http://users.on.net/~statts/black/black011.jpg

And here is the finished result:

http://users.on.net/~statts/black/black012.jpg

And back in it's place. Happy with the result, will look better when my cable sleeving arrives!

http://users.on.net/~statts/black/black014.jpg

And that's all for today, unfortunately. Heading up to the hills to some wineries tomorrow, so doubt will get any done then.

Well, I seem to have found the solution to my problem. Gigabyte made the G33M-DS2R which has everything I need, and has the PCI-E socket for the gfx card closest to the CPU socket, so my rad and fans will fit internally!

Now, only problem is that the board isn't black, so this is going to throw my theme off.

Well, I've changed the project's name to .:LIL WONDER:. being that the black theme is out the window.

Found myself a brand new G33M-DS2R through a distributor here in Australia. Gotta be lucky sometimes!

Also, for those unfamiliar with the case, here are some pics from the Silverstone website:

http://users.on.net/~statts/black/black015.jpg

http://users.on.net/~statts/black/black016.jpg

http://users.on.net/~statts/black/black017.jpg

http://users.on.net/~statts/black/black018.jpg

http://users.on.net/~statts/black/black019.jpg

Looking good!!!

Whats your primary purpose of this machine when you get done with the project?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by skinnee

Looking good!!!

Whats your primary purpose of this machine when you get done with the project?

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This is my everyday Uni work/browsing/gaming machine. Take it to the odd lan too

hey just a thought,
How about a 120mm rad and fan internally with ur pump moved to the back of the case over the mobo, and another 120 in the roof slightly into the top drive bay???
I have an almost Identical Setup as you and yes I came into this same problem as you! im currently sketching what MIGHT work...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by gazmtk

hey just a thought,
How about a 120mm rad and fan internally with ur pump moved to the back of the case over the mobo, and another 120 in the roof slightly into the top drive bay???
I have an almost Identical Setup as you and yes I came into this same problem as you! im currently sketching what MIGHT work...

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Thanks for the thought mate. However I have found the solution to the problem, have purchased the G33M-DS2R and now the MCR220 will fit just fine :up:

Here it is!

http://users.on.net/~statts/black/black020.jpg

Well, I have the motherbord installed in the case. I think I need a confined spaces permit to work in there hahaha.

Anyway, looks like I'm scrapping the chipset from the watercooling loop. Simply not going to be enough room for all the tubing. You can see in the following pics how close the vid card is to the chipset, and how small the gap is between vid card/power supply/top of case/optical drive. I just don't think it's going to happen. Doesn't really bother me I guess, as being that I don't expect much of an overclock due to the modest cooling, I won't be pushing the northbridge too hard.

Anyway, pic time.

http://users.on.net/~statts/black/black021.jpg

http://users.on.net/~statts/black/black022.jpg

http://users.on.net/~statts/black/black023.jpg

looks like you can go internal now, the PCI-E is the first slot, what good luck :up:
ahh come on dont let space be the issue! im just as cramped as you are lol

my lil bro is doing a rig with almost the exactly the same components are you statts! :)

same mobo,case,psu,gfx imagine that.

lol

We will keep an eye on this build.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by evil-98

looks like you can go internal now, the PCI-E is the first slot, what good luck :up:
ahh come on dont let space be the issue! im just as cramped as you are lol

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Yeah, it was the only motherboard I could find with the PCI-E in the first slot, as I said, it threw my theme out, but makes it much easier to work with, and "tidier"

Going to try and make rad brackets today, and if I get a chance do a bit of a trial fit with the blocks, see how much room I have for tubing.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by disruptfam

my lil bro is doing a rig with almost the exactly the same components are you statts! :)

same mobo,case,psu,gfx imagine that.

lol

We will keep an eye on this build.

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Good news! Is he water cooling as well?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Statts

Thanks for the thought mate. However I have found the solution to the problem, have purchased the G33M-DS2R and now the MCR220 will fit just fine :up:

Here it is!

http://users.on.net/~statts/black/black020.jpg

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I was trying to help keep the ALL BLACK theme :up:
but glad you have a solution to your problem, Im loving all these SG-02F builds, I keep changing my plan of attack on mine because of them, lucky i have yet to 'MOD' the case :rolleyes:

Small update today, as I've been a little lazy lol.

While the new motherboard with the better PCI-E placement has helped to provide enough room for the rad and fans to be internal, there simply isn't enough room for the 90degree apators I would require on a full cover block. To give you an idea (pics coming) there is approx 18mm between the back of the video card and the PSU, and approx 30mm between front side of video card and where the fans on the rad will sit.

Thus, another change to the plan:

D-Tek FuZion GFX 2 GPU Block
iandh ram sink

The FuZion GFX 2 seems to be good and low restriction, which will suit my build. The barbs facing upwards will suit, however might still need 90's on top. iandh's ramsinks are said to perform really well, and should do well with the radiator fans blowing straight onto it.

So that's that. Was looking forward to using a full cover block but this will have to do.

More tomorrow (or today!)

you can still use a FC block, just need to have both barbs on the same side.... yes its abit more work to mount it, but dont give up on your original plan, plus those heat sinks get rather toastie.... id rather FC over D-Tek anyday in your given application.... my .02 cents

the barbs cannot face from the backside of the card, as the PSU is only 18mm away (no room for a 90deg or a fitting of any type) and the fans will only be 15mm (at best) from the FC block (30mm PCB to fans, minus 15mm block thickness)

ok this is just getting thrown in there, maybe modify and tap a FC block so it comes out the sides rather then the back or the front, it might work.... that gives me an idea for my ek88 fc block actually :)

P.S. Im thinking about my build here too....

Hrmm, I'll look into it, but might not be a possibility

i know the fuzion gfx2 will work if its barbs facing towards HDDs/front, the block is so low aswell :)

Ok as I was being a tad lazy when suggesting to retap the barbs into the sides of the FC block, I decided to pull out my EK88 FC block and check it, well with the Acetal top it would very easily be a possibility, there is enough room to drill and tap it, but i would be putting ALOT of pressure on the top and bottom so you got a nice clean fit.... theres a few options on how to do it tho.
as for the Fuzion GFX2, the memory is not going to be actively cooled too well in this particular case, in something like a Lian Li PC-V350 yeh, I have both of these cases, and the SG02 isnt the best for ram sinks on a GFX card... just my opinion tho, i dont think the airflow would cool them..

Keep it up!

Nice little idea.

I was wondering if W/C is such a good idea for a portable build? I mena I've lost wireless and sounds cards to viration from carting my case around and if I had watercooling my case wouldn't move from where it sits.

Or am I being paranoid? :p

JM

Quote:

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Originally Posted by SeanB

i know the fuzion gfx2 will work if its barbs facing towards HDDs/front, the block is so low aswell :)

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I'll keep that in mind, thanks, that may be beneficial to me with a 90 on the upper fitting (in) and straight out the lower fitting!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by gazmtk

Ok as I was being a tad lazy when suggesting to retap the barbs into the sides of the FC block, I decided to pull out my EK88 FC block and check it, well with the Acetal top it would very easily be a possibility, there is enough room to drill and tap it, but i would be putting ALOT of pressure on the top and bottom so you got a nice clean fit.... theres a few options on how to do it tho.
as for the Fuzion GFX2, the memory is not going to be actively cooled too well in this particular case, in something like a Lian Li PC-V350 yeh, I have both of these cases, and the SG02 isnt the best for ram sinks on a GFX card... just my opinion tho, i dont think the airflow would cool them..

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Thanks for putting a lot of effort and thinking into this build with me mate. I am pretty confident the ramsinks should work fine, the card will have a 120mm Yate Loon Medium blowing directly onto it at a distance of about 30mm. I just can't visualize, or see myself, modifying an FC block in the manner you have suggested. Would make an excellent mod though!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by dingdong555

Keep it up!

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Thanks, I plan to! :up:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Jim Morbid

Nice little idea.

I was wondering if W/C is such a good idea for a portable build? I mena I've lost wireless and sounds cards to viration from carting my case around and if I had watercooling my case wouldn't move from where it sits.

Or am I being paranoid? :p

JM

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To be honest it will VERY rarely move, and if it does, it would be in the utmost of care. SHOULD be fine (emphasize should :rofl:)