project ::: momentum ::: Cooler Master COSMOS II liquid cooling worklog

I've been a keen follower of this forum for a while now and I've always been impressed with the amazing work all of you do with your builds.

This has inspired me to post mine.

I present to you project ::: momentum :::

Why 'momentum', you ask? This is not only the first liquid cooling build I've done, but also the first build I've done in 10 years. In a sense, I hope this build builds considerable momentum - computers have always been a keen passion of mine but I haven't really had sufficient resources to do it. I hope ::: momentum ::: would change this, for the better!

I am definitely more proficient with words than I'm with photos, so I've RyanK, a close friend of mine, who's helping with the photos. All the photos you'll see in this worklog are the result of his very deft ability with the camera. We'll talk more about the photographic equipment used in another post in the near future.

When it comes to expertise with tools, which may be needed depending on the situation, I've another great mate, SamW helping out.

As you can see, I am neither good at photography, nor am I nimble with tools. Now that I've successfully portrayed myself as a totally useless character in our team of three (:rofl:), here's our first picture:


https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-i...s720/01_HD.jpg


Speak soon,
dr-

Moar pics!

-PB

Quote:

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Originally Posted by paulbagz

Moar pics!

-PB

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There will be a further photoshoot on Saturday PB, as it was night when we shot the first load of pictures last Sunday. So, stay tuned!

How has everyone been?

So the Spring weather was really good this weekend, and I probably spent more time outdoors than I really should have :cheer:

And no, I do not do pom poms in my spare time.

I can almost hear the collective "d'ohs" from all of you, so here's a photo teaser:

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-4...s720/02_HD.jpg

There's more images to come, possibly tomorrow or the day after. Stay tuned!

Here's an update!

I first removed some parts in the Cooler Master Cosmos II to clear some space for watercooling equipment.

Here's the lower compartment dual 120mm fan holder:

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-p...0/IMG_0973.jpg

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-8...0/IMG_0974.jpg

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And the HDD drive cage with space for three 3.5mm HDDs from the lower portion of the upper compartment's HDD drive bay area which is directly behind the intake 200mm fan in the front of the case which has blue LEDs. Confused yet? :wasntme:

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-H...0/IMG_0978.jpg

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-x...0/IMG_0981.jpg

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My radiator fans. I have had the opportunity to test these fans, and even at 3,000rpm the sound signature is so pleasant! No way I'm going to run them at 3,000rpm of course!

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-l...0/IMG_0957.jpg

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Scythe Himuros. I haven't quite decided whether to use them or not in this build, but they could come in handy at some stage.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-5...0/IMG_0962.jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-K...0/IMG_0964.jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-U...0/IMG_0967.jpg

Beautiful enclosures, aren't they?

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Till next time,
dr-

Hey everyone!

My apologies for the lack of updates - things in the personal space haven't been too ideal, but I have not been slacking around I promise, and work has been ongoing, albeit at a more leisurely pace.

All is on hold now, because of this:

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-5...0/IMG_7196.jpg

Yep, a screw thread broke in the CPU retention bracket. It is at the fixers now as I type.

However, in fine time travelling tradition, here's what happened up till then...

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https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-9...0/IMG_1078.jpg

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-L...0/IMG_1066.jpg

Got myself a Noctua HN-D14 to test the rig first prior to putting it under water. And the next few pictures show dumbo here trying to replace the fans with my Scythe GTs - only to find out that the screw holes are totally enclosed. This meant the supplied fan clips could not be threaded through the fan to be mounted on the heatsink.

There was a lot of cursing that day.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-9...0/IMG_1082.jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-l...0/IMG_1081.jpg

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Attention then turned to the motherboard. It's the Gigabyte X79S-UP5-WiFi. I was torn between this or the X79-UP4. But the UP5-WiFi had something the UP-4 lacked - a power button on the board. In the interim I was planning to place this rig on my TV console and not in my case, so a power button would be mighty helpful.

In short, I paid $100 more for a power button. Not the most prudent of decision I must add.

However, look at that board. I mean, it's really pretty isn't it? :D

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Y...0/IMG_1106.jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-H...0/IMG_1110.jpg

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-a...0/IMG_1124.jpg

And the D14 goes on:

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-1...0/IMG_1115.jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-W...0/IMG_7192.jpg

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-2...0/IMG_1122.jpg

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And I spent the next few weeks enjoying my new rig. I probably spent a bit too much time enjoying it, but it was mighty quiet on air cooling alone. And Team Fortress 2 was just too addictive :p:

Watercooling parts started trickling (pun intended!) in, and the CPU was cleaned for the mounting of the waterblock:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-x...0/IMG_7185.jpg

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-O...0/IMG_7191.jpg

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-J...0/IMG_7193.jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-T...0/IMG_7194.jpg

The last photo was the fateful moment before the screw broke (see my first photo). I thought I understood Ikea so much that instructions weren't that important. I have learnt my lesson, I promise. No more shenanigans.

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And on that rather sad note, that's all I have for now folks! Thanks for tuning in. Leave a comment or question - I'd happy to answer them :)