Build Log – Corsair Obsidian 800D Liquid Cooled Dual Loop System

[Church]

When you'll receive them i'd love to see comments how resistive are these for 580. IIRC ones for 480 were most resistive from all 480 blocks tested by skinneelab.

[Mr_Armageddon]

When you'll receive them i'd love to see comments how resistive are these for 580. IIRC ones for 480 were most resistive from all 480 blocks tested by skinneelab.

Well I will report what I can regarding temps and such, but I don't have the tools at my disposal to measure Restriction / Pressure Drop like Skinnee Labs does. The blocks looks like a complete redesign from the 480, so hopefully they performs better as well.

If you would like to see the internals of this block, hit up this link
http://www.evga.com/forums/tm.aspx?m=685866&mpage=1

[Mr_Armageddon]

I have updated my build log with the GTX 580s, and will reserve this post for Temperatures and Benchmark scores as I have a chance to run them. To check out the new pictures, just take a look at pages 1-2 of this thread.



Ok, temps are great at the stock clock settings for the Hydro Coopper 2 (GPU @ 850Mhz). I was freaking out at first because both my 580s were at 75°C and climbing while just idling on the desktop. Gave my rig a "jiggle" and must have released an air bubble because the temps instantly dropped down to the low 30s. After that ordeal I ran a few quick benchmarks to test temps.

Heaven DX11 Demo/Benchmark @ 850MHz - 60min Loop
API: DirectX 11
Stereo 3D: disabled
Shaders: high
Tessellation: extreme
Anisotropy: 16
Anti-aliasing: 8
Full screen: Yes
Resolution: 1920x1200
During this 60min loop my Hydro Coppers never hit over 52°C.

Crysis Warhead Bbenchmark (by FRMEBUFFER) tool @ 850MHz - 30 Loops
Mode: ENTHUSIAST
64-bit: Yes
Display Resolution: 1920 x 1200
FSAA: AA 16x
Loops: 30
Map: ambush
Time of day: 9
During this 60min loop my Hydro Coppers never hit over 49°C.

Temps are doing great. I will work on overclocking these cards this week and will report back with actual benchmark scores and additional temp info at that time.

I was wondering if it would be worth running my 9800GT as a dedicted PhysX card with the 580s in SLI. Ran two benchmarks to test it.

CryoStasis PhysX Benchmark Tool
GTX 580 in SLI + 9800GT Dedicated to PhysX
Settings Maxed
Average FPS: 109.6

GTX 580 # 2 running PhysX while in SLI Mode
Settings Maxed
Average FPS: 97.2

Batman Arkham Asylum in-game Benchmark
GTX 580 in SLI + 9800GT Dedicated to PhysX
Settings Maxed
Average FPS: 79

GTX 580 # 2 running PhysX while in SLI Mode
Settings Maxed
Average FPS: 73

With both of these PhysX tests, I still gained a few FPS when using my 9800GT as a dedicated PhysX GPU. Glad to see those results, it will stay in my build. More benchmarks and temps to come over the course of the week.

[///M3TZ]

Incredible build man, thanks for sharing.

I'm interested in the vinyl dye for the PSU. Could you explain how to do that and where to get the dye from?

Also, could you post your temps with that mobo waterblock? The E-leet VREG temp or the BIOs temps would be greatly appreciated as I am considering doing this block again.

Thanks

[Mr_Armageddon]

Incredible build man, thanks for sharing.

I'm interested in the vinyl dye for the PSU. Could you explain how to do that and where to get the dye from?

Also, could you post your temps with that mobo waterblock? The E-leet VREG temp or the BIOs temps would be greatly appreciated as I am considering doing this block again.

Thanks

VHT SP941 - VHT Penetrating Vinyl Dye - $8.95

My 24/7 OC for my i7-970 is 4.228GHz. At that frequency, the VREGs idle at 41C, and at load they hit around 55C. The EK block for the X58 Classified does a great job at keeping things cool. Once I go higher with the OC, the temps go way up, but are still manageable for benching and such.

At 4.2GHz
CPU 16 / 46 C
ChipSet 16 / 45 C
VREGs 41 / 55 C


At 4.6GHz
CPU 26 / 83 C
ChipSet 27 / 81 C
VREGs 47 / 70 C

[Mr_Armageddon]

Well I was able to get the cards to post at 1GHz, but found that they were not benchmark stable at that frequency. The temps were fine (low 60s) even at a voltage of 1.138V, but just wasn't stable. Same at 975MHz. The second GPU test on 3DMark Vantage crashes at that frequency.

950MHz works great in benchmarks, but I don't think I want to keep it there for my 24/7 setting as I have to crank the voltage up pretty hight to achieve that clock. 925MHz seems to be my sweet spot for daily use @ 1.1125v. Was able to throw multiple benchmarks and games at them in SLI, completely stable and never got above 54C at any point. The blocks seem to be performing just fine. Looks like it will be luck of the draw if you can get any 580 that can run a bench at 950MHz or higher. Some guys have been able to to do it without many problems, others can't.

Ran Heaven DX11 benchmark for 30 minutes, then ran 3 loops of the Crysis Warhead benchmark maxed out with Enthusiast settings @ 1920x1200 with 16X AA. High temp during the entire process was 54C, and my Average FPS in Crysis was 81.21FPS. Loving these cards.

[SirKronan]

Lookin' good, man! What a nice update.

[TWP-WOLF]

Some one (back stage working administrator?) have made me really confused by taking away my post as well as the naive and disrespectful answer of a certain young man that I was in the way to answer, or is it me that got totally out of my 56 year old mind.

By the way I forgot to say that the post regarding SilverStone TJ11 case was my mistake since I wrote that after been up for some 48 hours without sleeping so it become in the way as I thought I wrote a PM to the person in mind.

In another word My Mistake, sorry for that Extreme Systems Administrator.

WOLF.

[Niel]

Hello MR. A

First off all i will tell you that it is a really nice case mode you've made. I'm really envious of it is not mine. I have something less about it, but certainly not the same as yours.

Have you even bought fittings from bitpower? or did you get sponoret them? Like real they are expensive, but overall nice ..

I was wondering, in picture 4 of the final result. How did you get the colors of the snakes so powerful? Which light do you use? Do you only fan light and the two stern light which is in front?

Furthermore, the small 240 radiator enough to cool your two 580? .. You may even tell if they are switched off and you sell :-)

Thump up for you Mr. A. Nice work blog and system you have.


/ / Niel

[Mr_Armageddon]

Hello MR. A

First off all i will tell you that it is a really nice case mode you've made. I'm really envious of it is not mine. I have something less about it, but certainly not the same as yours.

Have you even bought fittings from bitpower? or did you get sponoret them? Like real they are expensive, but overall nice ..

I was wondering, in picture 4 of the final result. How did you get the colors of the snakes so powerful? Which light do you use? Do you only fan light and the two stern light which is in front?

Furthermore, the small 240 radiator enough to cool your two 580? .. You may even tell if they are switched off and you sell :-)

Thump up for you Mr. A. Nice work blog and system you have.


/ / Niel

I wish I was sponsored, but sadly I am not, and I had to purchase every BitsPower fitting on my own. SideWinder Computers has pretty good prices compared to most.

Using two (2) UV Cathode tubes to achieve the lighting in the case. Both are located on the side panel next to and above the window.

The 240 Rad does a great job keeping my overclocked 580s nice and cool. Temps never get above the low 50s even when stress testing with FurMark.

[fatherTime27]

Awesome build. I want those graphics cards so badly the single slot is so sexy!

[Niel]

I wish I was sponsored, but sadly I am not, and I had to purchase every BitsPower fitting on my own. SideWinder Computers has pretty good prices compared to most.

Using two (2) UV Cathode tubes to achieve the lighting in the case. Both are located on the side panel next to and above the window.

The 240 Rad does a great job keeping my overclocked 580s nice and cool. Temps never get above the low 50s even when stress testing with FurMark.

have you tried to play BC2 and extreme gaming for the gpu?

[Niel]

Mr. A..

If you are going to sell the two gfx 580, because of the 590.. Please give me a pm. I am really interested

Thumbs up for the good work! :-) Can´t say it enough

[SirKronan]

Mr. A..

If you are going to sell the two gfx 580, because of the 590.. Please give me a pm. I am really interested

Thumbs up for the good work! :-) Can´t say it enough

Not likely. He's a single-GPU per card kind of guy.

I have really been pleased with my 295, and it was fantastic bang/buck, but that's usually not the case, as most dual GPU single card parts have too many drawbacks to justify the extra cost and heat envelope. Even the new ones are not a great value, from AMD or nVidia. Often the premium for the single card w/dual GPUs is high enough that it would be cheaper to get another dual/triple or perhaps even quad slot motherboard, if you want THAT MANY GPUs.

[Mr_Armageddon]

Finally got around to running some actual 3DMark tests with approved drivers so that the scores are now "official". When I first built my new rig, 3DMark 11 was having all kinds of issues with SLI, so I decided to wait on posting scores. Looks like now everything is running fine.

3dMark 11 (Performance) - P12720
http://3dmark.com/3dm11/1853612

3DMark 11 (Extreme) - X4646
http://3dmark.com/3dm11/1853919


3dMark Vantage (Performance) - P44179
http://3dmark.com/3dmv/3488671

3dMark Vantage (High) - H36512
http://3dmark.com/3dmv/3488690

3dMark Vantage (Extreme) - X28347
http://3dmark.com/3dmv/3488715

[Mr_Armageddon]

Well... got some good news and some bad news. The bad news is that my EVGA X58 Classified has developed a bad USB Controller. So its RMA time (luckily EVGA's Lifetime Warranty rocks).

The good news is that since I have to pull everything apart, I will be making some changes / upgrades to my system while I wait for the new Mobo to arrive. List of things I plan on changing.

• Ordered a Sleeving Kit (among other things) from MurderMods
• Got a Swiftech Apogee HD CPU Block to improve Cooling and flow
• Got a WB for my RAM
• Got new WB for my 9800GT (PhysX Card). The fan is the only loud part of my system, and I picked up an EK WB for it at Performance PCs for only $10.
• Taking the two loops and making them one large loop with the two pumps working in series.
• Getting a new Corsair Link fan/pump/lighting controller for software control of all those components.
• Going to make and install an illuminated mid panel for some "Bling".

I have also been laying out the new build in Google SketchUp to help me think through a few things. Not done yet but coming along nicely. Here is a pic of what I have so far.





If anyone else wants to give SketchUp a shot, most of these components can be found in Google's 3D Warehouse. I did have to build a Swiftech Apogee HD from scratch since I couldn't find one I liked in Google's 3D Warehouse.

Any ideas on how I might be able to improve the design?

[Church]

Why not swap inlet with outlet on gpu blocks? This way both will shorten & you'd be able to get by without top 180deg twist.

[Mr_Armageddon]

Why not swap inlet with outlet on gpu blocks? This way both will shorten & you'd be able to get by without top 180deg twist.

I may play with that idea once I start running the tubing. I would still have to do the 180d twist even if I swap them because of the clearance I have between the divider panel and the PSU. Its too tight to to a 90d turn (without kinking) if I come down directly on top of the PSU, so I have to use the 180 Rotary Adapter to extend the point where the tubing comes down through the panel just to the side of the PSU.

I couldn't get it to work in SketchUP because of the clearance, but I will find out for sure once i try it with Tygon. Thanks for your input.

[Church]

You can also put all three gpu-blocks on parallel, and then use both inlets on top of top block.

[stren]

I think the single loop is a good move with the 2 pumps in series. You could also consider the aquearo 5 rather than the corsair link. Personally I'd consider a case with more radiator support now that you're adding another GPU to the loop. I'll admit to being openly biased towards CaseLabs, but their new STH10 is like the 800D on steroids.

[Mr_Armageddon]

I think the single loop is a good move with the 2 pumps in series. You could also consider the aquearo 5 rather than the corsair link. Personally I'd consider a case with more radiator support now that you're adding another GPU to the loop. I'll admit to being openly biased towards CaseLabs, but their new STH10 is like the 800D on steroids.

I am definitively going to use an Aquaero 5 along with 2 PowerAdjust components for the pumps. I did some more research on the Corsair Link, and its kind of a half baked product. Their support forum is flooded with customers that have had nothing but issues with the Link, and is isn't robust enough with its current configuration to handle very many fans, much less the wattage from a pump. Aquaero for me.

I would love a CaseLabs case, but it isn't in the budget right now. The 800D will be fine for this build, but the next time I do a full system overhaul, I will probably go CaseLabs.

[Mr_Armageddon]

This build is done. Starting a new thread here:

Project Bright Panel: Corsair 800D, Liquid Cooled, Illuminated Mid Panel