Gigabyte 3D Mercury W/C modding suggestions

**nugzo** · 09-03-2007, 04:54 PM

I'm the type who is never satisfied with a build. After a few months i get bored with my system and i build another. IT's been 2 months and i'm starting to itch. The New Gigabyte Mercury 3D is one sweet looking case. I know the onboard water cooling is by no means sufficient for cooling an OC'd Quad. I'm thinking of using the onboard for cooling my 2 8800 Ultras and trying to add a 2nd loop for the CPU. There might be enough space to add another rad up top with the existing rad, or maybe under the power supply between the top of the mobo and the power supply. I'll also be looking to mod the existing system if i can. Maybe a better rad and pump. If all else fails maybe i'll just add a waterkeg for the CPU. I am looking for suggestions/comments/ideas good or bad. Here are a few reviews with some detailed pics of this awesome looking case. The price isn't really an issue for me, although it's a little high.

http://www.guru3d.com/article/cooling/444/

http://www.bcchardware.com/index.php...4360&Itemid=40

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811233021

**[XC]Atomicpineapple** · 09-04-2007, 08:46 AM

If it cant cope with a quad core its got no hope with 2 8800 Ultras!

**dr4gon** · 09-04-2007, 09:04 AM

Originally Posted by [XC]Atomicpineapple

If it cant cope with a quad core its got no hope with 2 8800 Ultras!

yeah definitely. If you want to cool all that, you need to go full out custom.

**nugzo** · 09-04-2007, 10:06 AM

I'm not overclocking the ultras. They are at stock mhz and voltages. The Quad on the other hand is 3800mhz w/ 1.55v. Extremely warm.
You think the stock ultra air coolers would be better than that integrated water?

**[XC]Atomicpineapple** · 09-04-2007, 10:40 AM

At a guess Id say 2 stock 8800 Ultra GPUs equal or exceed your OCed quads heat output so if you dont want to cool your quad with it, dont cool your Ultras!

**nugzo** · 09-04-2007, 11:43 AM

Ok 3 nays. I really liked the looks of that case. I sure would've thought that that system would have cooled the cards way better than the stock air coolers. The ultras are OC'd from the factory and the stock coolers wont even keep them cool enough to not freeze up during gaming & benching. Both cards had to be downed clocked to default ultra speeds before they stopped locking up. After cooling them with my CPU loop, i was able to put them back to factory OC settings, no lock ups at all but it raised my CPU temps by 10-15c under load. I definitely need dual loops. Maybe i'll just wait a while and see if some mods pop up in the future to better the performance of the integrated system. Or maybe a MM is in my near future. Or maybe a waterkeg to go with my existing loop. Thanks for replies.

**[XC]Atomicpineapple** · 09-04-2007, 12:46 PM

It'd keep them cooler than stock. But if you can afford 8800 Ultra SLi why cheap out on the coolign for them? Specially if you're going for a custom CPU loop as well? Really Id go for something like:

2 120.3 rads, either Thermochill PAs or Swiftech MCR320 QPs
2 Laing DDC with modded top or Laing D5
D-Tek Fuzion/Apogee GTX CPU block
NB Block if you want 1 (in with CPU loop)
EK 8800GTX fullcover GFX waterblocks
Masterkleer/Tygon 7/16" tubing
T-Line/Res as your preference dictates.

**Sparky** · 09-04-2007, 12:48 PM

I'd go with GTX's not Ultras, save some money to put towards good cooling and then OC them to ultra speeds. Ultras are wwaaaayy overpriced, I wish nobody would buy them. As long as people do I don't want to hear anyone complain about gfx cards being too pricey.

**nugzo** · 09-04-2007, 01:12 PM

Originally Posted by SparkyJJO

I'd go with GTX's not Ultras, save some money to put towards good cooling and then OC them to ultra speeds. Ultras are wwaaaayy overpriced, I wish nobody would buy them. As long as people do I don't want to hear anyone complain about gfx cards being too pricey.

Dude i've had these ultras for a while. I got them at launch so they were extremely overpriced, and i never complained about pricing so i do not know where your comment came from. Buying GTX's are not an option.

**NaeKuh** · 09-04-2007, 01:16 PM

Originally Posted by nugzo

Dude i've had these ultras for a while. I got them at launch so they were extremely overpriced, and i never complained about pricing so i do not know where your comment came from. Buying GTX's are not an option.

heh.... to each his own.

I would look at a newls1 waterkeg for your solution. It may be the best thing short of moding/fitting a case.

**nugzo** · 09-04-2007, 01:43 PM

Originally Posted by [XC]Atomicpineapple

It'd keep them cooler than stock. But if you can afford 8800 Ultra SLi why cheap out on the coolign for them? Specially if you're going for a custom CPU loop as well? Really Id go for something like:

2 120.3 rads, either Thermochill PAs or Swiftech MCR320 QPs
2 Laing DDC with modded top or Laing D5
D-Tek Fuzion/Apogee GTX CPU block
NB Block if you want 1 (in with CPU loop)
EK 8800GTX fullcover GFX waterblocks
Masterkleer/Tygon 7/16" tubing
T-Line/Res as your preference dictates.

I'm not trying to cheap out on cooling them. that case is $400. My system is in my living room for all to see, so an absolutely clean/quiet setup is what i want. I already have a TJ-07 that i'm using now with most of what you suggest already installed (sig). The problem is there is not room for another 120.3 and another res and another pump to go along with 6 HDD's and everything else in this setup, plus i'm getting tired of this case already. It's me second 07. I also occasionally swap my home rig with my work rig so i can display it at work. I own 2 computer repair/build stores so i sometimes like to show off my rig in hopes of a sale. I've been thinking of MM case but that square box look is not 100% agreeing with me ATM. Not that they are ugly, they aren't, i'm just not feeling it. That gigabyte case in my opinion is an awesome looking case. Thats the look i'm going for and i think i could fit a second rad in there without too much problem. I may also be able to mod the existing loop to perform better, but i don't know. I'm just one of those crazies that wants the fastest/coolest/best looking rig money can buy. It's my hobby as well as somewhat my job. Unfortunately its getting harder to keep them clean and uncluttered now that we need 2 seperate loops to keep things cool. If that gigabyte onboard W/C would keep my video cards running at what they were sold to run at (660/2300) that would be good enough for me. Thanks for the suggestions and i would 100% like to use exactly what you recommend, but it just wont fit they way i need it to fit.

**nugzo** · 09-04-2007, 01:50 PM

Originally Posted by NaeKuh

heh.... to each his own.

I would look at a newls1 waterkeg for your solution. It may be the best thing short of moding/fitting a case.

I haven't ruled out a waterkeg, but portability becomes a little bit of an issue. I've spoken to newls1 on the phone about a month or so ago about his awesome kegs, and if i go external, which i might have to, the keg is what i'll get. I may just get the Gigabyte, Test it and check it for mod ability. If it doesn't have any upgrade ability, i'll just throw one of my extra EVGA 680i's and one of many E6600's in it an put it in the showroom for sale. I was looking for answers here and i got them, although they weren't the ones i was looking for, thats fine. That's why i asked, i wasn't sure. Thanks! Keep em coming!

**[XC]Atomicpineapple** · 09-04-2007, 02:00 PM

Ah, I see, well you may be able to use the built in rad and mebbe the pump with some decent blocks to get acceptable (but obviously not the best possible) temps if thats what you're after. And then maybe a 120.2 based loop for the CPU if you're lookign at keeping it all internal and a 120.3 just wont fit.

**nugzo** · 09-04-2007, 02:23 PM

Originally Posted by [XC]Atomicpineapple

Ah, I see, well you may be able to use the built in rad and mebbe the pump with some decent blocks to get acceptable (but obviously not the best possible) temps if thats what you're after. And then maybe a 120.2 based loop for the CPU if you're lookign at keeping it all internal and a 120.3 just wont fit.

We're on the same page now!

This case is so new that i may have to be the guinea pig . I was hoping someone here may have already picked one up or at least seen one up close and could give suggestions. I've built a few customers rigs in the older gigabyte aurora case and that was an awesome put together case for what it was. The initial reviews on the mercury show the same sentiment.
look how much room there is between the top of the plexi and the top of the case. Certainly a second rad would fit somewhere up there

**EnJoY** · 09-04-2007, 03:14 PM

Nugzo...you're seriously considering ditching that gorgeous dual loop TJ07 for a that Gigabyte case? Please say you're just on a bad trip bro.

**Sparky** · 09-04-2007, 03:16 PM

Originally Posted by nugzo

Dude i've had these ultras for a while. I got them at launch so they were extremely overpriced, and i never complained about pricing so i do not know where your comment came from. Buying GTX's are not an option.

OK if you already have them that's fine. And if you didn't complain about the price, fine too, I wasn't meaning you specifically. Just the people who complain and buy anyway are the ones that annoy me

**nugzo** · 09-04-2007, 03:20 PM

Originally Posted by EnJoY

Nugzo...you're seriously considering ditching that gorgeous dual loop TJ07 for a that Gigabyte case? Please say you're just on a bad trip bro.

Yeah it looks pretty nice, but it isn't a dual loop. Thats the problem. Maybe i'll just add a waterkegg and some quick connects so i can transport it.

**nugzo** · 09-04-2007, 03:23 PM

Originally Posted by SparkyJJO

OK if you already have them that's fine. And if you didn't complain about the price, fine too, I wasn't meaning you specifically. Just the people who complain and buy anyway are the ones that annoy me

Roger that! You are absolutely correct about getting GTX's instead for those contemplating ultras. I had GTX's before the ultras and the ultras were not worth the money.