Shazza's Modest Mountain Mods Build

[shazza]

After months and months of collecting parts, letting them collect dust, and a couple of RMAs later - I have a working computer. This is my second MM build ... the first was a journey (some might say a nightmare) into the world of liquid cooling. This will be an abbreviated worklog, but I did want to share my progress, and posting pics of the project motivates me to keep going to to the next step. Also an opportunity to pick up advice from folks here.

EDIT: (2/14/09) This project has turned into a monster ... it's no longer a "modest" build, and obviously no longer an abbreviated work log Many parts have been changed out, and it's still evolving.

Hardware:

Rampage Extreme
Corsair HX 1000W PSU - sleeved using murderMod PSYCHOPAK sleeving kit
E8600 (QX9650 will go in after I'm sure everything is working)
2 x 2 GB G-Skill 1600MHz RAM
WD 750 GB 7200RPM HD
Sapphire 4870X2

EDIT - this is now an i7 920 build, using an EVGA X58 mb, Corsair 3 x 2GB 1600MHz mem, and nVidia GTX 285 video cards with EK water blocks.


LC Components:

changing by the minute ... but here's where we are as of 12/20/08

CPU Loop: XSPC Acrylic Res Top > MCP 355 > Thermochill PA 120.3 > Swiftech GTZ | Red Primoflex Pro Tubing 3/8" ID 5/8" OD | Bitspower Compression and Assorted Fittings

GPU Loop: XSPC Acrylic Res Top > MCP 355 > Thermochill PA 120.3 > Danger Den 4870X2 Water Block | Blue Primoflex Pro Tubing 7/16" ID 5/8" OD | Bitspower Compression and Assorted Fittings

NB Loop: XSPC Acrylic Res Top > MCP 350 > Swiftech MCR 220 > Swiftech NB-Max | Black Primoflex Pro Tubing 3/8" ID 5/8" OD | Bitspower Compression and Assorted Fittings


Case:

Mountain Mods CYO, Horizontal MB tray with Duality Front in Black Anodized Al


Casualties to date (there are sure to be more):

Striker II Extreme Motherboard
2 x 2GB of G-Skill DDR3 RAM (bought it so long ago I couldn't find it when I finally started building ) edit: Found the original RAM!
Rampage Extreme Motherboard - 1st one had issues, 2nd one seems fine
2 x 8800 GTX video cards - using in other systems, replaced with 4870x2
GTX water block - user error, somehow stripped the threads in the top when trying to install BP compression fittings - second one OKAY
2 x 4870x2 video cards - still working, but replaced with GTX 285s
2ND Rampage Extreme motherboard bit the dust when installing second 4870x2




A few early photos:


I said it worked ... didn't say it was pretty




4870X2 with Danger Den Water Block:




Swiftech GTZ Water Block - a delight to install




I use 3DMark06 to see if everything seems to run okay...




Temps look okay on this temporary loop (CPU and GPU on 1 PA120.3):




And, before you get all excited, let me make a few disclaimers:

1) Yes, the tubing is much too long -- this is my setup for leak testing outside the box, which I just set up to make sure everything worked in the case.

2) The drive bays are sticking out of the case ... kind of a nice look, don't ya think?

3) Wire Management - a tangled mess at the moment.

4) Silver Screws on the front fan grills - will be replaced with black