Whats the tool your using to remove the pins ?
Ninja
Printable View
Shazza,
Looking very nice! Do you plan to use any type of backplate? The backside of the 280's gets very warm.
Thank you, sir. Re the difference between the dual and tri setup - I have moved everything in FO3 to Ultra High, and not so much as a stutter at 2560x1600. Obviously, I don't think the performance difference is overwhelming. I went with three just to experiment - always wanted to give it a go.
Thank you, Blacky. Looking forward to being able to spend more time there.
Congrats on beating FO3 ... (I still can't play the evil route).
I wasn't planning to put a backplate on ... so far temps look good, but I'll check the backside as well.
Shazza,
Looking at your pics, it appears that the 285's do not have memory on the back side of the card. The 280's have memory on the back and it gets pretty warm.
Just a few quick snaps ... in order to get some decent pics, I've got to set the lights up and that's a pain. Will try to get some better ones tomorrow.
Experimenting with my colors - I call this one "The Grandkids are gonna like this". I know most of you prefer more subtle loop colors, and I've got a few other color schemes in mind. But, for now ...
http://shazza53.smugmug.com/photos/4...61_RhYpe-L.jpg
Almost a view of the Bitspower blocks:
http://shazza53.smugmug.com/photos/4...81_c67KU-L.jpg
Uni-sleeving the PCI-E connectors for 3 cards was not a good idea. I had no issue with the actual sleeving, but fitting it all in is a royal pain. Tried to arrange as much as possible to the front to minimize blocking air from the radiator. The window on this side panel is only half depth, so it will hide all the bottom stuff.
http://shazza53.smugmug.com/photos/4...86_DHcDA-L.jpg
And, a bit of a view of the top of the cards:
http://shazza53.smugmug.com/photos/4...71_hvYSs-L.jpg
Shazza!
That looks AMAZING! :up: :clap::yepp::shocked:
green eh? :idea: i think i might have to steal that when i get around to a build :wasntme:
Shazza,
That is an outstanding build! I love the colors and I am sure the kids will too.
Sorry about the backplate question. I failed to study the backside of the 285's.
Mine will be here Tuesday and I cannot wait. More pics please! Get out the lightbox and the lights we want to see more!!!:up:
Beautiful pics!
Great shots Shazza, that build is very sexy. Not many people here could pull that off the same way you did.
Thanks for the comments, dingdong, just a noob, the seeker, and Blue Aqua.
:doh: :slap: :wiggle: :ocau: :peace: :hitself: :confused2: :am:
Blue Aqua is such a gentleman ... he PM'd me that I just might have my inlet/outlet switched on my GTZ. And, of course ... he is correct :rofl:
This is quite funny, as I must have checked the installation instructions 6 times before installing. An easy enough fix, since it's easy to drain the CPU loop. At least I will be able to report what the differences are...
Thank you, Mr. Aqua.
Man, this build is amazing, I've been following it for the last month or so and I love it!!! Can you get some full case pics and such?? Keep the PCB exposed on the 285s, I love it ;)
Awsome :shocked:
Most definitely. The fact that I can still make a mistake like this is yet another sign that I am challenged when it comes to putting things together. SO, for all those new to this - take heart. If I can do it, anyone should be able to.
A few other goofs along the way -
1) Forgot to plug in the USB and HD Audio connectors for my front panel before installing the triple cards. A bit tricky, but managed to do it with a pair of needle nose pliers.
2) Screwed up sleeving the first additional PCI-E cable (the wires are all black on the spares ... got the ground and 12v reversed). Fortunately, I tested first (on my husband's computer, of course) - and was able to fix it and get the other ones right.
Is it any wonder my husband just shakes his head when he sees me start these projects ;)
Fantastic shots as always. Please keep the pictures coming. :clap:
x2 ... even if you didnt setup the proper lighting. Also I think you did a great job organizing the PCI-e cable even though you had so many.
http://shazza53.smugmug.com/photos/4...86_DHcDA-L.jpg
Also this pic reminds of the sentinels from the matrix :p:
You guys are much too kind. I'm sure there are folks out there who don't care for the colors - and I'd like to hear your opinions as well. I love the one color builds in white, black, red, or blue that we've seen lately. Just wanted to try something a little different again.
There will be more pics, but I need a few days to enjoy my games ... in the midst of Fallout 3, Crysis, and Farcry 2. Also waiting for a few parts to arrive, so I will redo it when they arrive. Thanks again. I do appreciate the feedback (because my husband and friends just laugh at me).
hey shazza few minor questions
are those bp fittings black sparkle or shiny silver?
is that primochill red tubing? and if i use blue color liquid + blue tubing will it look good or just get clear tubing?
thx
FINISH IT!
i thought tygon only makes black and clear tubing and silver?
The BP fittings are all shiny silver (bought before "True Silver" came out, thank goodness). The tubing is all Danger Den / Feser 3/8"ID x 5/8" OD.
Re blue coolant with the blue tubing ... I think it will look good. I'm just not sure if the colored coolant will look best with the colored tubing, or with clear tubing. If you hold on a week or two, you may see it in action here. I KNOW distilled is the best coolant, but I just have an itch for color.
And, about FINISHING IT -- I've finished it at least twice, and you can see where I am. So, give me a while. The process is as much fun as the end result. I don't envision this as my end rig. I hope to set this up as a 24/7 crunching system, possible doing double duty an HTPC - but more to come on that later.
I've come out of my work hole to say one thing...
Shazza, you rule!
I've been keeping my nose down and plugging away like a good little worker bee... I came here on my break and was greeted with your bountiful offerings du jour which put a giant smile on my face. Thank you Shazza - keep up the great work! :yepp:
p.s. don't tell Nils I got out. ;)
Shazza - I generally am one to stay away from colored tubes - BUT....when you have the perfect placement of 45's & 90's, & achieved tube flow that looks as good as yours does...the choice for multi color was a great one (& they are a natural color choice in the video world;)) also...nice job taming the tons-o-wires (by the PS/v-cards)- again..nice flow :)
Great job. :) I'm pending an Ascension build myself so it's nice seeing a similar build in action (especially with such nice hardware). I wish I could have the 5.25" bays up top, but looking at it from the side it looks like that'd be a very close call. Oh well.
shazza ...
can you please ... please ... please get photos of these more than wonderful interior-parts with also shots of an impressive exterior. You don't know how much I would love to see an all around system photo-shoot where everything is as impressive as your internal-shots and design. This would be tremendous! Please, please, please. One day - but don't let us wait too long :)
btw. Charles' XS account seemed to be hacked - there is no way he could have left his cell ... eeeh workshop :D
I bet $100 bucks that it's DangerDen-TFC 3/8" ID 5/8" OD tubing. ;)
Edit: Damn missed page 14. lol
BUSTED!!! Thank you Charles ... I'm trying.
Looking forward to your build. I tried the bays up top ... just couldn't get the cabling to work. Would have been possible had I gone with the extended CYO option.
I'm looking forward to your build. You're doing a lot of research, and that's to be commended. Just remember ... you don't have to get it perfect your firt time through.
Get that man back in his cell! Nils ... you don't know how much I wish I could get some good photos of the exterior. First, I have to make it look good, and that ain't easy. Second ... my photography skills are not up to making the anodized aluminum come out right. BUT, I'm trying, trust me. You will, of course, forgive me if I stop to play a game or two :rofl:
You, of course, are right again. I love this size tubing ... easy to work with, and several color options. As I said above, however, I'm still not sure that clear tygon with Feser colored coolant wouldn't look better. I should be redoing my CPU loop instead of lounging here ... but, there is always tomorrow.
Shazza,
Please check your PM's.
I take a couple day break to work on the lab setup...and I miss all the shazza eye-candy. :shakes:
Excellent work as always, photos are just great! :up: Eagerly awaiting your next entry in the photo diary!
OK I have a question. How did you achieve the sleeving result in the pic below with the Corsair psu? I ask b/c that psu comes with 6 pci-e video connectors and only two of them are "ready to be" sleaved. Of course I mean only two cables come without the "filters" on the cables. I'm assuming you just cut the filters off of the other 4 to achieve such a nice result below?
http://shazza53.smugmug.com/photos/4...71_hvYSs-L.jpg
I ask b/c I believe I will need to do the same soon. I would be nice to know that those have gone before have successfully completed the task.
Thank you in advance for the help. Please keep the pics and hardware coming. You inspire me!
Very clean build Shazza, absolutely awesome! I really like the way you routed the tubing. Very well executed. :up: Enjoy it. :)
:eek: Holy moly Shazza!
I wanna come live with you!
Amazing stuff, the tubing seem to fit perfectly.
OMG this build is awesome. And this 3 card's on sli :shocked:
hey shazza where did you get shiny silver bp fittings ( i like them they are shiny)
i still finishing my research for dual loop cosmos s and well i am stuck for my drain and fill ports
i was going to from the
ek res a 90degree>1inch d-link ( to get past the ek res)> quad fitting>fill port on top> drain on bottom>male to male to the pump
that was how i was going to do it but then i thought if i open the fill port won't the water spray in my face?
( o yeah shazza i want to show you the idea i am going to do to mount everything in its coming it really nice in my head!)
if it does spray in my face i will have to put hte fill port on top :(
blue tubing feser or primochill?
red tubing is feser right?
Wow, Shazza, looks great! I love the candy-coated tubing colors (and your saturation in your camera!). :up:
if you are using colored tubing...why use anything but distilled and pt nuke?
Thanks for the comments Borys, Al, and Zeus.
To answer the questions (I've gotta take some more pics ... can't have too many pages of text in a work log :) )
I was being facetious ... if I switched to True Silver, I'd have to start buying even more stuff! The True Silver looks nice.
You are right ... I just used a pair of needle nose pliers and ripped off the "filters." Turns out they are just plastic pieces covered in heatshrink. So, don't know if they really provide any signal noise filtering or not. So far seems to work fine. I also simply cut off the extra 2-pin piece that makes them 8-pin. We have 3 Corsair HX1000 PSUs around, so I still have spares.
Make SURE you have room for all the uni-sleeved wires. I am really not sold on it, but it works okay in this cube case.
Shiny Silver BP fittings are pretty much readily available on line. My main supplier is Performance PCs, but some are cheaper at Sidewinders, and Jab-Tech. I believe Frozen CPU also carries them. Not sure who else does.
All tubing is Danger Den/Feser. I used blue primochill in the earlier version - but it was 7/16x5/8 so went with the DD tubing all the way around this time.
Let's start another thread to discuss your drain/fill port designs ;)
Thanks, headala. Note ... on the photos, I took them in Raw, then processed in Lightroom 2. Didn't mess much with color other than trying to get them to look as realistic as I could - mostly adjusting luminance. Green is the most difficult - but I tried to match it to the EVGA green on the board, which is what it looks like.
I'd like to see some color in the acrylic EK blocks, and also perhaps the reservoirs. I may try it with the colored tubing, just to see what it looks like - although clear might be best. Or, even leave as is.
Thanks again for the feedback. I have a couple of other things to fix this am, then I'll try to take some more pics.
'Tis always a pleasure to see your craftwomanship, Shazza. Photos are looking amazing as always. Loving the "RGB" color scheme of the tubing.
Well Shazza, the combination of your inspiration here and the crazy heat of i7 have pretty much convinced me to build a Horizon in the very near future.
I'll be checking back here for tips!
hey Shazza i will private message you later i got my hands full right now
ueh, havent seen this much beauty and interesting parts for so long :)
Good worklog and pictures, F1.2-F1.4 looks so great, i use F1.4 allmost all the time (Lens)
3 colour combination...awesome shazza..:up:
guess it Italy flag LoL..but it does really catch every eyes...especially that 3 GPU in place :slobber:
ughh..when i can do SLI like that :shakes:
Wow this build just keeps getting awesomer!!
Thank you so much, CptDreadFlint ... you know I just love your build.
Too kind, you are. Yeah the 1.4 EF-50mm is a very fun lens.
Thanks, anubis. You'll laugh, but I actually thought about doing a North America theme ... red & white for the GPU/Canada, red, white & blue for the CPU/USA, and Red, white, green for Mexico!!!
Thanks, hotwaxisbad!
Appreciate the comments - you guys are great!
Great work here darlin, looks good indeed. I wish I had that system.
Thanks, xgunterc. I feel very fortunate to be able to buy these toys.
And, without further ado .. lest you guys think I just goofed around all weekend, here are a few more snaps:
1) First ... my apologies to Dave from (UN) Designs - he sent me a wonderful gift (even his packaging is perfect). Unfortunately, I still can't find the right screws to put it in the case nicely - not the fault of Dave, just those crazy Thermochill hole sizes. Let me say ... for anyone with the Mountain Mods case, and the Thermochill rads ... this is a wonderful addition. I believe they are going to be available commercially very soon:
http://shazza53.smugmug.com/photos/4...49_Npip5-L.jpg
2) My infamous CPU intake/outtake f'up ... here's the new pic. Guess what? No discernible differences in temps. I prefer the original tubing layout much better - I hate it when tubes cross. This version probably won't last:
http://shazza53.smugmug.com/photos/4...50_nv8bV-L.jpg
Actually considering giving the Koolance 350 a try.
3) And then ... the experiment (ok, this whole thing is an experiment) - just what would that beautiful EK waterblock look like with some color?:
http://shazza53.smugmug.com/photos/4...67_kGPHJ-L.jpg
It actually looks pretty good in RL. What you can't see is the res ... have a nice foamy layer on the top, kinda like a raspberry float. What you also don't see is the fact that I had to rebuild the SLI loop :mad: Had a little bit of tissue in the first block. Have you ever tried to reseat the o-ring on one of these blocks :eek: Trust me, don't try it!!!! As my beloved Mother used to say, "Girl, can't you just leave well enough alone???"
4) OK ... several people have asked or full case views. I'm still not there, but here's a sneak preview of the front:
http://shazza53.smugmug.com/photos/4...69_XBcYk-L.jpg
I know ... it's dark. But it's near impossible to get the exposure right with those :mad::confused::( LEDs from the Sunbeam and Power button. My main Man is going to help me do the resistor mod, but we haven't had time.
I'm experimenting with two different fan grill looks: the top are my little plastic filters ($3 each at Fry's) - they do good, but look a little cheesy. The bottom is the Thermochill rad grill by Iandh - it looks better, but not sure how two would look. It's also a major PITA to get these screwed into the case ... I need some extra hands.
http://shazza53.smugmug.com/photos/4...35_owL7T-L.jpg
And, just for fun -- some close ups:
The Thermochill grill (with a Bitspower filter), and, my $3 special:
http://shazza53.smugmug.com/photos/4...82_E9zb5-M.jpg http://shazza53.smugmug.com/photos/4...58_nrGBj-M.jpg
I much prefer the LED fans on the front ... looks better than my previous Scythe S-Flex black version. BUT, performance is not as good. These are Jab-Tech YLs ... maybe not the best. Also, I'd love to get some of those cool LED fans that don't show the LED line on each corner. Just not sure which are good with Rads.
So ... that's an update for now. Thanks for looking.
The red coolant in the nickel blocks looks great shazza. Sorry for the tubing switcharoo on the cpu block. The performance difference sometimes is really more negligible than you might think sometimes between different setups. Tell me if I'm asking too much but can you make a wall paper sized picture of your gpu setup? ;) I'd love to see the detail.
Looking great once again, and the front is a tough job to really look neat. I've always thought just to keep it simple, but you get the idea. :up:
Sorry. I assumed everyone interested in the MM cases had seen ArmenianDave's fantatic build. This gadget fills in the space between the two radiators, hides any cabling you have back there, and gives a more finished look to the insides.
I'll check on the GPU setup pics. I agree on keeping it simple. May yet try the plain wire grills again. But, I do prefer the LED fans in front, just need to get the right ones. No worries on pointing out my inlet/outlet issue. Always good to learn how much difference it does/doesn't make.
Also, my black faceplate for the Aquaero showed up (had to order it from the UK), so that may solve some of my problems as well.
Shazza congrats on a beautiful build... everything is where is suppose to be !!!!! Im jealous!!!!!
Shazza, any wallpaper size pictures of all the coloUrful tubes? Everytime I see them I tend to drool on my keyboard.
Damn it Shazza! I came here to see some nice pics, then I saw these.
I scrolled away promptly before my head exploded from the awesomeness that they are.
Shazza, looking good as always. One thing: You could flip your CPU block around 180 degrees and then I think your tubing wouldn't cross; it shouldn't affect performance either if you do it 180.
Thanks ... you, sir, have nothing to be jealous about!!!!
Have had a couple of requests for this ... will see what I can do.
lol ... gracias. Wouldn't want your head to explode ( I see enough of that in Fallout 3).
Good idea ... I'll give it a try tonight.
Also ... wanted to point out that, in the GPU pic with the red color (Feser One) - it looks like there is gunk on the internal nickel in the shots - you don't see that in person, so I'm guessing it's reflections from the photo.
Shazza,
Looking outstanding as usual! Can't wait to see the whole system.:up:
Looking nice, looking very nice indeed! :)
Fallout 3 anygood?
I have yet to play it along with many new games since I was on an eee pc since November until recently.
Fallout 3 make sure you get the ray gun from the alien before killing the final boss :) (1hit ko)
Shazza is 3/8 more bendable then 7/16 tubing?
Incredible build Shazza! any lighted pics with the rad grill?
Would really like to see how Iandh's grill looks mounted.
I love the color in the EK waterblock actually!! I second, third, and fourth the idea on getting wallpaper size pics!! congrats on 1000 posts btw ;)
This is one of the cleanest looking builds i have ever seen. Great job!!!
This is a sick bend - What tube is this and was that a natural or a treated bend?
http://shazza53.smugmug.com/photos/4...69_Xxdzs-L.jpg
EDIT: Subscribed.
Size of tubing has little to do with its bend radius. To improve bend radius, one needs to get thicker walling on the tubes itself. The reason I've been using 3/8" tubing for the past 2 years is that I lost only .2C yet it made routing 10x easier without the fat 3/4" tubing getting in the way.
wow Shazza! I hope my built turns out even close to your quality :up:
shazza do you know if anyone makes msi eclipse waterblocks?
Yep ... I set it up that way cause I like it :) I've got plenty of BP fittings I could have used, just wanted to have a little loopty-loop for color.
Also ... for those waiting for some higher res and new pics, I'm out of pocket til Sunday and didn't get a chance to load them before I left.
i like the old version before the tube cross as well...you could always spin the block around so it is connected correctly
i need some full case pics.....:)(w/ light) - no more sneeky full case ones in the dark!
....sunday....:confused:
Truly beautiful work, shazza! :up:
Wow that looks so awesome Shazza!! I am so glad there is a WOMAN in amongst all these men who is doing such awesome stuff... It's a boy's world we're in :) :worship:
I LOVE how the compression fittings LOOK, they're just gorgeous, and I totally wanna use them on my future build. Are they really that difficult for a noob to get the hang of? :(
Agree ... getting ready to flip the GTZ.
Thanks, John.
Thanks ... (the boys are actually pretty helpful, and very nice guys ;))
You can check out compression fittings when the package arrives.
OK ... here are some "prep" pics ... still have work to do on the build, but also trying to figure out how to get decent shots. Consider these WIP:
http://shazza53.smugmug.com/photos/4...12_7i36g-M.jpg
http://shazza53.smugmug.com/photos/4...25_gJf35-M.jpg
http://shazza53.smugmug.com/photos/4...07_dFmU2-M.jpg
http://shazza53.smugmug.com/photos/4...60_5pgwG-M.jpg
http://shazza53.smugmug.com/photos/4...30_NDR4s-M.jpg
http://shazza53.smugmug.com/photos/4...81_avB4o-M.jpg
http://shazza53.smugmug.com/photos/4...48_xCBhR-M.jpg
(Just having fun with the macro lens on the last two)
I must say that looks amazing Shazza!
I love the whole front with the blue and mesh, how are those Sytrin HDD coolers treating you.
They certainly look the part.
Quick question for you Shazza, I just received my UFO CYO with the horizontal motherboard brace. I was wondering if the motherboard tray just lays across the horizontal bracket (not screwed down)? I also noted that it seems to cause the motherboard tray to bend up 15 degrees. Just wondered if that was normal? It kinda looks that way from your side pictures.
BTW, your setup looks great! I'm really impressed with your tubing layout. :up:
Thanks, Al ... we're getting there. Gonna pull off the bottom grill and duplicate the top. Just don't get enough dust protection with the plain mesh.
mstrmold ... the horizontal brace screws into the bottom of the case, then the mb tray just sits on top. It actually looks pretty straight ... I don't see a bend, but can't recall what it looked like before I loaded it up.
Thanks Shazza. Yes, the brace attaches to the bottom of the tray via two screws on both sides. I was curious as to the motherboard tray "free floating" on the brace. If you look at the side profile, there is an ever so slight angle to the motherboard tray (back to front), it angles upward. Not a big deal, I was just trying to find out why MM didn't slot a groove into the horizontal brace as a guide. Guess I could do it on my own. :)
I sorted out my dust problem by having NO fans blowing into my system :p:
Only at the rad :P Works good.
Although does not look as pretty as yours.
All those BP fittings probably cost more than my system also :p:
Love this two picture so much Shazza, would you mind posting likes to 1440 x 900 please so i can use them as my desktop :)
http://shazza53.smugmug.com/photos/4...48_xCBhR-M.jpg
http://shazza53.smugmug.com/photos/4...81_avB4o-M.jpg
Have had a few requests for hi res pics ... not too sure how best to share. Try this Link. It should take you to a gallery which has two sets of 9 pics. The first are 1920x1200, the second are 1440x900 (labeled when you click on the pic). Go to the right hand side of the pic, and a popup will come up - click on "original", then you can save that image to your files if you want.
Let me know if it works or not - sometimes I have trouble setting up the galleries for public viewing.
that's a very slick photo gallery... some really great viewin':up:
Thank you very much shazza :)
Have you tried the Aquaero yet? I was looking for a link to the "shutdown cable and connector" but it seems Sharka does not carry them anymore, that is where I purchased mine.
Awesome pictures!
Thanks Shazza for the great pics!
figured Iandh's grill wasn't gonna sit flush above the drive bays :(
Thanks much, guys - glad the link worked. I am definitely having fun with my multi-colored Over The Top build (so much for my modest beginnings, she says embarrassed with the title of this thread ;)
That is tomorrow's project! Yet more sleeving to do (which I can't do now, having just returned from a wedding and too much wine!). I hope it works.
I bought my Aquaero from Sidewinders, but had to order the black face plate from Aqua-PCs in the UK.
And ... hopefully, my better half will help me move the PC so I can get some decent "finished" pics.
Wow...more pics! Thanks!
I have probably gone through this thread about 50 times! Great stuff Shazza!
Even if I don't like i7 and tri-sli, this is looking SLICK and very nice, and clean, oooh, it's art ! :up:
just the fangrills, 2 different kinds of those, maybe 2 of the same would look also nice ;)
Would you mind me asking which blue led fans you are using and how the noise of those is?
It all suits like a charm, it's a magnificent build.
Oh, I love the high res pictures. They allow me to take it all in and admire every detail. Fantastic job Shazza.