[ Project ] : Altair | A Lian-Li PC-P80, dual loop, all internal build

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07-11-2009, 12:04 PM
eponymous

[Project] : Altair | A Lian-Li PC-P80, dual loop, all internal build.
So here it is; after waiting many months for the stuff to arrive.

This project has been in the planning stage since Christmas so it's nice to be able to finally get round to making a project log :)

The hardware is as follows:
- Core i7 920 D0
- 12 GB Corsair Dominator 1600MHz CL8 RAM
- 2x EVGA GTX 285 SLI
- ASUS P6T Deluxe V2
- ASUS Xonar D2X
- 2x Intel X-25M SSD with backplane
- WD RE3 1TB (WD1002FBYS)
- Corsair HX-1000W
- Lian-Li PC-P80
- Dell 3008WFP 30"
There will be two loops: one for the GPU's + NB/SB and the MOSFETS and one for the CPU.

EDIT: I decided to go with motherboard cooling in the end :) I didn't want to have to put whiney 40mm fans in the case.

Watercooling gear:
- Koolance 350AT
- 2x Koolance VID-NX-285
- Bitspower Black Freezer AIX58NS NB/SB
- Black Freezer MOS AMOSII POM Version (MOSFET 1)
- Bitspower Black Freezer MOS AMOSIII POM Version (MOSFET 2)
- 2x Laing DDC 3.2 / XSPC Acrylic top Rev. 3
- 2x EK Multioption 150 Res Ver. 2
- 2x Thermochill PA 120.3
- 6x Scythe S-Flex 1200 RPM Fans
- 7/16" Primochill Pro Green LRT
- 7/16" Primochill Pro Blue LRT
- B.P. Silver Shiny 1\2" Barbs,
- B.P. 'T' / Alphacool Ball Valve
- B.P. M-M Rotary drain
This will be an all internal build with one of the radiators on the bottom of the case and one of the radiators in the front drive bay area. Please ignore the radbox in the case photos below - this was an initial idea but I've since decided not to bother using it.

So, here are a few photos of stuff so far:
----------------------------------------------

Computer gear:

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_dctFDUOxwRw/Si...20Stuff-37.JPG

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_dctFDUOxwRw/Si...er%20Stuff.JPG

Case:

NOTE: (I'm not actually going to be using a steel radbox - this was just an initial idea)

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_dctFDUOxwRw/Si...20Stuff-10.JPG

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_dctFDUOxwRw/Si...20Stuff-11.JPG

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_dctFDUOxwRw/Si...20Stuff-12.JPG

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_dctFDUOxwRw/Si...20Stuff-14.JPG

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_dctFDUOxwRw/Si...20Stuff-15.JPG

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_dctFDUOxwRw/Si...20Stuff-16.JPG

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_dctFDUOxwRw/Si...20Stuff-17.JPG

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_dctFDUOxwRw/Sj...0/DSC00017.JPG

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_dctFDUOxwRw/Sj...0/DSC00018.JPG

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_dctFDUOxwRw/Sj...0/DSC00020.JPG

The backplane I bought for the SSDs:

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_dctFDUOxwRw/Si...%20Stuff-3.JPG

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_dctFDUOxwRw/Si...%20Stuff-6.JPG

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_dctFDUOxwRw/Si...%20Stuff-5.JPG

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_dctFDUOxwRw/Si...%20Stuff-4.JPG

Heatshrink anyone? (Yes, some of those are 150m rolls :D)

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_dctFDUOxwRw/Si...20Stuff-30.JPG

The watercooling stuff:

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_dctFDUOxwRw/Sj...0/DSC00011.JPG

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_dctFDUOxwRw/Sj...0/DSC00012.JPG

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_dctFDUOxwRw/Si...%20Stuff-7.JPG

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_dctFDUOxwRw/Si...%20Stuff-8.JPG

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_dctFDUOxwRw/Si...%20Stuff-9.JPG

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_dctFDUOxwRw/Si...%20Stuff-1.JPG

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_dctFDUOxwRw/Si...20Stuff-34.JPG

I'll add more stuff soon!
07-11-2009, 12:11 PM
eponymous

This is going to be a fully internal build and so that means cutting the case!

Hmmm, only one problem, no drill...

So I went and got one :):

behold the DeWalt DC925KB Hammerdrill, with 56NM of Torque, three gears and 21 speed driver!:

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_dctFDUOxwRw/Sk...DSC00010-2.JPG

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_dctFDUOxwRw/Sk...DSC00012-3.JPG

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_dctFDUOxwRw/Sk...0/DSC00013.JPG

Now that's all well and good, but how am I supposed to cut out holes for the fans with just a drill? Ah, I need a holesaw. Wrong, I need a 121mm holesaw!

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_dctFDUOxwRw/Sk...DSC00001-3.JPG

Oh, I forgot about the heatshrink, so here's a heatgun as well :P:

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_dctFDUOxwRw/Si...20Stuff-18.JPG

As you can see I love DeWalt gear :)
07-11-2009, 12:14 PM
eponymous

I built a little work area in the corner of my room to do work at. This is likely to get changed around as I need more space and move things etc...

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_dctFDUOxwRw/Sj...DSC00011-1.JPG

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_dctFDUOxwRw/Sj...DSC00012-1.JPG

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_dctFDUOxwRw/Sj...DSC00002-1.JPG

For anyone doing work with sensitive electronics, I really recommend you get one of these anti-static wristbands. The cost very little and keep you grounded:

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_dctFDUOxwRw/Si...20Stuff-20.JPG

Another useful tool - the handy holders with magnifier:

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_dctFDUOxwRw/Sj...0/DSC00002.JPG
07-11-2009, 12:19 PM
eponymous

Ok, so first things first, I got the old tops off of the DDC 3.2's and replaced them with the XSPC Acrylic Tops (V3):

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_dctFDUOxwRw/Sj...0/DSC00009.JPG

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_dctFDUOxwRw/Sj...DSC00010-1.JPG

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_dctFDUOxwRw/Sj...DSC00011-2.JPG

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_dctFDUOxwRw/Sj...DSC00012-2.JPG

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_dctFDUOxwRw/Sj...DSC00014-2.JPG
07-11-2009, 12:21 PM
eponymous

Next step was to begin flushing the Thermochill rads, but since this is an ongoing process, I'll be updating this post as I go along:

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_dctFDUOxwRw/Sj...DSC00003-2.JPG

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_dctFDUOxwRw/Sj...DSC00004-2.JPG

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_dctFDUOxwRw/Sj...DSC00005-2.JPG

I'm currently on Flush 11, and I've moved from using boiling water from the tap and letting them stand for 12/24 hours to just letting them stand for 3-5mins and then shaking vigorously.
07-11-2009, 12:21 PM
oggie

I love the work so far, keep it up mate
07-11-2009, 12:28 PM
eponymous

Next step is the removal of the old heatsinks from the graphics cards and the installation of the Koolance VID-NX285's:

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_dctFDUOxwRw/Sk...DSC00005-4.JPG

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_dctFDUOxwRw/Sk...DSC00006-4.JPG

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_dctFDUOxwRw/Sk...DSC00007-2.JPG

After a good clean up with some lint-free cloths and some Artic Cleaner:

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_dctFDUOxwRw/Sk...DSC00008-2.JPG

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_dctFDUOxwRw/Sk...DSC00009-2.JPG

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_dctFDUOxwRw/Sk...DSC00010-3.JPG

Marking out the sizes for the thermal pads:

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_dctFDUOxwRw/Sl...DSC00011-3.JPG

All cut out and ready to be place on the blocks. These will bridge the gap between the RAMs/MOSFETS etc:

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_dctFDUOxwRw/Sl...DSC00012-4.JPG

These blocks are of such a high quality, I'd recommend them to anyone:

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_dctFDUOxwRw/Sl...DSC00013-1.JPG

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_dctFDUOxwRw/Sl...DSC00014-3.JPG

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_dctFDUOxwRw/Sl...DSC00015-1.JPG

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_dctFDUOxwRw/Sl...DSC00016-2.JPG

The finished article after applying some Artic Cooling MX-2 :)

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_dctFDUOxwRw/Sl...DSC00017-1.JPG

These things look amazing but weigh an absolute ton! I'm going to have to use my cases PCI-E brackets to provide extra support and also stop the weight putting too much strain on the motherboard.
07-11-2009, 12:29 PM
D0BR0

Yeees mate!!! :D Nice to finally see this build!! Haha, we even have the same taps!! :lol:
Nice rigs, looks reaaaallyyy good man, waiting for you to begin assembling all this stuff together and drilling tha P80! :D
07-11-2009, 12:30 PM
eponymous

Quote:

Originally Posted by oggie

I love the work so far, keep it up mate

Thanks man, much appreciated :)
07-11-2009, 12:31 PM
eponymous

Quote:

Originally Posted by D0BR0

Yeees mate!!! :D Nice to finally see this build!! Haha, we even have the same taps!! :lol:
Nice rigs, looks reaaaallyyy good man, waiting for you to begin assembling all this stuff together and drilling tha P80! :D

Yey!

Keep an eye out for my random questions I'll throw at you! lol...
07-11-2009, 12:32 PM
illidan

wow that one awesome workbench :)

subd here!
07-11-2009, 12:35 PM
eponymous

I was about to start fitting the CPU-350 the other day but I found that it had a faulty thread and so I've had to get a replacement.

Here's the old one:

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_dctFDUOxwRw/Sk...DSC00001-2.JPG

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_dctFDUOxwRw/Sk...DSC00002-2.JPG

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_dctFDUOxwRw/Sk...DSC00004-3.JPG

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_dctFDUOxwRw/Sk...DSC00005-3.JPG

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_dctFDUOxwRw/Sk...DSC00006-3.JPG

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_dctFDUOxwRw/Sk...DSC00007-1.JPG

I should be getting on to fitting the new block tomorrow so I'll post the results when I'm done :)

That's it for now, thanks!
07-11-2009, 03:09 PM
eponymous

I've noticed a lot of people will post random pictures of their cats in these posts so here's a picture of a cow and and some ducks near my old uni :P

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_dctFDUOxwRw/Si...versity-46.JPG

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_dctFDUOxwRw/Si...versity-62.JPG
07-11-2009, 03:13 PM
oggie

Jersey Cows :cow: Love how cute they are :D Also ducks :cool: Very nice photos mate :up:
07-11-2009, 03:20 PM
Semicycle

Man, you have some serious hardware for this build. Very interested top see how this turns out.

BTW, why so much shrink wrap?
07-11-2009, 03:21 PM
eponymous

Quote:

Originally Posted by oggie

Jersey Cows :cow: Love how cute they are :D Also ducks :cool: Very nice photos mate :up:

They're not bad for a camera phone. Shame I forgot to switch the date and time stamp off tho :(
07-11-2009, 03:37 PM
Rise

Quote:

Originally Posted by eponymous

They're not bad for a camera phone. Shame I forgot to switch the date and time stamp off tho :(

hah, i think its great... you took the picture of the ducks on my birthday :yepp: :up:
07-11-2009, 03:45 PM
ILikeCosmosS

:up: I like that your giving the noobs of water cooling tips on there own build :D
very nice
07-11-2009, 04:17 PM
MomijiTMO

-Reporting in-

Looks good. Keep going.
07-11-2009, 04:19 PM
D0BR0

yeah you do a lot of pix while assembling/working, that's very cool :up:

And those waterblocked GTX285 look sooo great!!
I received the other day my second 285, but it's the new PCB version, so not compatible with my EK block!!!! Sh*t! :down:

I'll keep an eye on this thread for sure! ;)
07-11-2009, 04:38 PM
eponymous

Quote:

Originally Posted by Semicycle

Man, you have some serious hardware for this build. Very interested top see how this turns out.

BTW, why so much shrink wrap?

:P I got it cheap from an online electronics store. They were selling off reels of it for like £4.50, so I just bought up a load of sizes.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rise

hah, i think its great... you took the picture of the ducks on my birthday :yepp: :up:

Hehe, there are lots of ducks at that place :P

Quote:

Originally Posted by ILikeCosmosS

:up: I like that your giving the noobs of water cooling tips on there own build :D
very nice

Cheers man, I hope people find it useful.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MomijiTMO

-Reporting in-

Looks good. Keep going.

Thanks :)

Quote:

Originally Posted by D0BR0

yeah you do a lot of pix while assembling/working, that's very cool :up:

And those waterblocked GTX285 look sooo great!!
I received the other day my second 285, but it's the new PCB version, so not compatible with my EK block!!!! Sh*t! :down:

I'll keep an eye on this thread for sure! ;)

Ah that's too bad about the waterblock. Can you exchange your block for one of the newer ones? If it's EK they might let you do that.
07-11-2009, 07:13 PM
pingpong1455

Quote:

Originally Posted by oggie

Jersey Cows :cow: Love how cute they are :D Also ducks :cool: Very nice photos mate :up:

sorry jersey joke coming :D hehe live on a farm with all holsteins

"jerseys to proud to be a holstein to tall to be a goat"

to make like an oval hole youd make 2 small holes then link em with a dremel right ?
07-11-2009, 07:30 PM
Maxspam

Please tell me you arent planning on hanging one of those rads off the back of the case on that radbox mount.
please oh please say no
07-12-2009, 01:52 AM
eponymous

Quote:

Originally Posted by pingpong1455

sorry jersey joke coming :D hehe live on a farm with all holsteins

"jerseys to proud to be a holstein to tall to be a goat"

to make like an oval hole youd make 2 small holes then link em with a dremel right ?

You can do that or use a router if you have one.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maxspam

Please tell me you arent planning on hanging one of those rads off the back of the case on that radbox mount.
please oh please say no

No, the steel radbox was an initial idea which I've since removed. I just liked those photos that's all. There will be one rad mounted on the bottom of the case and one rad mounted in the front drive bays.
07-12-2009, 03:51 AM
D0BR0

Well yes I could, but I already have the old 285 with the right block, and I wonder if the barb holes on the new block are in the same place, because if not, that wouldn't allow me to use the SLI connector dor the blocks.
And I could change the block, especially because one of them is still factory sealed, so that would be possible, but I prefer changing the card, according to the fact that the blocks aren't the same design... :(

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