Help the newbie with his build!!

[Talonman]

I will be posting more of the inside of the Keg soon, and my EK NB Block is actually in route now.

I have been working 12 hour shifts, for 7 days in a row, with the exception of Sunday. My next day off will be Wed afternoon so I will get back into my my computer thing then.

[Buckeye]

LOL I was just giving you a hard time

[bluep3ace]

something to note about the filters:
my refrigerator has a water filter, and it greatly reduces the flow for the water dispenser. if you get bad performance in your loop, it would be the filter.
if you're running distilled, afaik, you should be okay.

[Talonman]

I will only put the filter in the loop once a month, and run it for about a 24 hours. It will not be a perminant component in my loop for the reason you have stated.

[Talonman]

System Cost Update:

My System's Specifications

CASE:
(1) SilverStone TJ-09 Dream Machine Case - Black with window. $259.99

Display:
(1) Gateway FPD2485W HD Display, Mfg date: December 2006 - (1,920 x 1,200 normal resolution) $632.25
Baught on 2/22/07. FDP2485W

PSU
(1) Thermaltake Toughpower 1000w modular PSU. $339.99
Model: W0132 Cable Management.

Motherboard:
(1) Asus Maximus SE. $300.00

CPU:
(1) Intel C2Q Q6600 GO 2.4GHz S775 SLACR S/N: L726B397. $279.99

Ram:
(1) Corsair XMS2 4GB: 2 X 2GB Modules DDR2. $222.00
CM2X2048-6400C5DHX XMS2-6400 2048MB 800MHz 5-5-5-18 1.80V ver1.2 07384754.

Storage:
(2) Western Digital Raptor WD1500ADFD 150GB 10,000 RPM Serial ATA150 Hard Drives. Operating in RAID0 - (OS and games) $369.98
OEM Model: WDC WD1500ADFD-0.

(1) Western Digital Caviar SE16 750GB 7,200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive. (General storage) $189.99
OEM Model: WDC WD7500AAKS-0.

(1) Samsung 250GB 7,200 RPM SATA-300 port with NCQ, 300 MB/s, Hard Drives. (General storage) $65.00
OEM Model: Samsung SP2504C.

Cards:
(1) TV Tuner card harvested out of my m7690n Pavilion.

Cooling (Air):
(5) 120mm Scythe S-FLEXT Case Fan. (63.7 CFM/28 dBA) $70.00
(1) ZALMAN ZM-MFC1 Fan Controller Panel. (4 fan speed control, and 2 togle switches) $29.99
(1) Corsair ram fan CMXAF1 RTL. $19.99
(1) Masscool FD07015S1M3/4 RTL. $3.99
(1) Enzotech Forged Copper CNB-S1L. (South Bridge heat sink) $16.00
(1) Silenx Ixtrema Pro Series 40mm 14dBA 5CFM. (South Bridge sink fan) $17.00
(2) Thermalright heat sinks cooling MOSFET chip's. $50.00

Cooling (Water):
(1) WaterKegIII Xtreme. (Black with Blue CCFL lighting) $500.00
(1) D-TEK FuZion Universal CPU Waterblock - 1/2". $61.99
(1) D-TEK FuZion nozzle accelerator kit. $6.99
(1) EK-NB S-MAX Acetal North Bridge Waterblock $50.00
(1) UV reactive Pentosin G11 Coolant Additive (Blue) 4oz. $4.50
(1) Petra's Tech "PT Nuke" Concentrated Biocide 10mL. $2.50
(10') Tygon 1/2" ID (3/4" OD) R-3603 Laboratory-Grade tubing. $32.50
(10') Masterkleer General Purpose Clear PCV tubing 3/8" ID (5/8" OD). $6.50
(8) Hose Clamps. $3.00

Lighting: (All lights are controlled by the two toggle switches on the fan controller)
(2) 12in Dual Blue Cold Cathode Kit. (Sunbeam) $11.98 (This gives you 4 lights total, 2 lights per kit.)
(1) Cold Cathode Sound Activation Module. (Sunbeam) $3.99 (This is made for controlling 2 light kits.)
(3) 5' UV blue EL Wire kits. $17.97
(1) 5 UV Lazer LED kit MDLED5UV. $4.99

Cables: (Found long cables at SVC.com)
(4) 36" UV Blue 36" SATA II Cable w/ Locking Latch. $20.00

MISC Parts:
(1) Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound - OEM. $5.99
(1) Arctic Silver CMQ-22G The high-density, ceramic-based thermal compound - Retail. $9.99
(1) Arctic Silver Adhesive. $7.99
(1) Arctic Silver ACN-60ML (2-PC-SET) Thermal material Remover & Surface Purifier - OEM. $5.99
(1) Premium Heatsink Lapping Kit. $11.99
(2) MCMaster-Carr Polypropylene quick-disconnects. $51.98
(1) UV Blue slot protector. $3.00
(1) Spider Stencil. $24.99
(1) Can ClearNeon Aerosol UV Reactive Paint - Blue. $14.99
(1) 4448K26 McMASTER-CARR 5 micron water filter. $18.36
(4) 5165K39 5 micron replacement filters. $12.96
(2) 5832T123 BSPT -to- NPT Brass Thread Pipe. $7.56

Operating System:
(1) Vista Ultimate 64 Full Retail Version Unopened. (Ebay Price) $241.89 (Microsoft wanted $399.99)

Total $4,004.25 so far!

I still will be getting a sinfully fast GPU too, some day soon. My intent will be to add it into my loop. (CPU, NB, and GPU will be it on water cooling for me, and believe that is all I should have in my one loop setup.)
I will be adding in the cost of my CD/DVD player, and HD DVD player into my total system cost, after I officially install them.
They are still currently being used in my HP Pavilion m7690n.

UPS Ground is currently tracking my Vista Ultimate 64bit on the way in:
SAN DIEGO, CA, US 12/18/2007 9:43 P.M. ORIGIN SCAN

My EK-NB S-MAX Acetal North Bridge Waterblock is also confirmed in route too.
I am more than ready to start putting this puppy back togeather...

[Buckeye]

Nice bill of materials Talon.

I try to never add up the costs of my builds as it scares me to much LOL.

[Talonman]

The cost is actually going a bit higher than I expected. I figure if sombody is considering one of the dual CPU mobo's for their system, or using DDR3 memory, this price listing can serve as a warning.

We do need the funds to complete the builds we start. Even though we all might want 8 cores running on 8MEG of DDR3 ram, the cold hard cash it would take to complete such a system is still way to high for most people. It would be for me as 5 grand feels like a finincial streign.

My system with it's megar Q6600 GO, and 4GB of ram will be close to 5 grand when fitted with a speedy GPU. I hope this pricing list will help others to decide on exactly how big they can go with their build, and the total cost involved when using these or comparable components.

I am all up for a speedy system, with a bit of a mainframe attitude, but we still have to eat and live in our homes too.

Choose wisely when you are making your initial considerations for your new dream system...

You have to insure it dosen't just stay a dream, and can actually become reality. They are much more fun that way!

I will be fine completing this system, but am glad I didn't shoot any higher as my wife might well have shot me.

[Buckeye]

Yes I agree with you on the dream part. I work my home based business and that's all about "The" dream. So I need a Dream machine LOL !

My new build will happen around February as that’s when the funds will be freed up for that. I am taking notes on everything and making plans. I really want to go phase & water cooling on this build and waiting to see what Nvidia comes out with next, otherwise I will just use my 2 8800GTX’s in a SLI rig, perhaps TRI if the new cards looks nice. Still much to consider but I have time.

Your price totals are about right for a rig like that, plus the fun of making it yourself !

I love looking at what others are doing here and going Ohhh I like that, and that !! It's all in the fun of planning the next build

[Talonman]

So true on seeing what others are doing, and wanting the same setup!!

I have no doubt that I will enjoy this computer more than any I have ever owned before, just due to the fact I built it from scratch, and got to select each part in the build. It will also gives me the opportunity to tell my friends about my gear, and exactly why I selected it over other options.

For a Major BS'er like me, that is part of the enjoyment too.

[Talonman]

The Keg has two power connectors, and Seth supplies two quality power wires.

I opted to make two connectors into one to cover more distance using some of the wires I already had laying around. I plugged two connectors into the Keg and made a plastic spacer to keep them the exact distance apart, that the Keg liked.
I soldered the wires togeather, then using electrical tape covered each one individually. I also then wrapped the entire rig up in more electrical tape, to keep it all together.



I spliced a connecting wire together, with two female ends. These were also soldered together.
It's now plenty long, for the distance that I needed to cover!
Just one wire to connect to the computer now too.



Here is a shot of the inside...


And the rear:

[Buckeye]

Very Nice !

Just a dumb question... the fans blow out through the rad and outside the case correct ?

Is there any vents at all to let in fresh air on the sides of the case ?

[Talonman]

Thanks.

I believe they pull through the rad, and the top of the Keg has a large wire mesh rectangle on it. I believe that is where the air will exit?

Can't say for sure yet...

[Buckeye]

Ahh ok that explains it then. Don't think I have seen a pic of the top of the unit yet.

[Talonman]

Now you have:
It dosen't look restrictive at all.

[Buckeye]

ahhh right... I like that much better if it works as you say it does, pulling air in through the rad and then exhausting out the top. The way my desk is arranged the fans world be blowing at me if the fans pushed out the side.

Thanks Talon

[Talonman]

Making full use of my self sealing fittings, I decided to fire the Keg up, even befor my mobo is togeather. (Us McMASTER-CARR boy's just got it like that.)

I had the 5 micron filter in the loop too, and successfully cooled it for about 2 hours. I made a newbie mistake and didn't order the teflon tape to put between the fittings, and the filter. It had a slow leak, but just setting the trash can filter on a paper towel, was good enouigh to absorbe the slow drip.

SELF NOTE: Must buy teflon tape to make the filter seal against the fittings.

My rad, pump, and lines are getting burped at the time of this posting.
I currently am just running straight distilled water right now.

Both lights work, and no leaks of any kind inside the Keg. The unit works as advertised.
490 Wats of cooling power now online!!

[disruptfam]

awesome!!!!

great work matey!!!

looks like a nice xmas for you!!!!

[Talonman]

Yes it is.... And thanks...

I can confirm that the fans do pull air through the rad, and into the case. It will then exit the top through the generous sized wire mesh.

[Buckeye]

Very Nice Talon !

[Talonman]

Thanks Buddy!!

I can barely hear this thing with the cover off, and sitting at my desk.

Then when the furnace kickes on.... forget it!!

[Buckeye]

Talon walks over to the furance and says... hmm I can cool this....

[Talonman]

It does feel good that this cooler should do well for me!! That wall behind the Keg is the coldest one in the house too...

I have the 5 Micron filter brunting the pressure of the pump all alone again. I picked up some pipe tape today, and hooked it back up. I recomend at least 4 turnes around the pipe thread with the tape, or you will probably still have a slow leak. I skimped on the my 'out' with probably about 3 turnes, and it still has a slow leak!

Not a show stopper, and I enjoy the idea of running the filter all by itself for a while. It is getting a good flow of water, and any last microjiffies that might break free from the rad might be grabbed by the filter?

I still am trying to get this G11 UV Blue ratio thing straight in my head.

So far, not counting what the filter takes also, I think I have used about 1/2 a gallon, or 64 fl oz of distilled water.

The G11 has mix 1:9 with distilled water.

The entire bottle of G11 is only 4 fl oz.

One ninth of 64 is 7.111111

Does that mean that 1/2 a gallon of distilled water takes almost 2 bottles of G11? That doesn't seem correct?

I do have 2 bottles, Seth sent one, and I baught one, but that just seemes like way too much die to add.

[Talonman]

Found the answer:

The size of your loop will determine the amount of water needed. I typically will take 1/3-1/2 gal of distilled water and add 1-2 oz of G11 and Aquarium Algaecide (follow label directions) to it to fill my loop. The extra will keep for some time to top off the loop and for changes made to the loop. The Micro-Res makes filling and bleeding easy but I recommend getting the one from Performance-PC because you can order the "optional" G1/4 tapped top hole which will allow a fillport or a temp. probe to be added.

This sounds about right. I am just below using 1/2 a gallon, but will go a tad over that when the block section is connected too.

I guess a 4 oz bottle, makes about 40 oz of fluid. A 10% ratio.
My 1/2 a gallon is 64 oz, so I can go the full bottle if I wish, and still not exceed the recomended amount.
I do know I will take a small performance hit, with every drop I add, so I don't want to go too crazy.
Being that is is my first water loop, and I have the window in the PC and all, I do want color in the loop this time. Mabey next round I will run distilled only and swap to colored tubing or something and go for pure performance? I do want a decent blue water this time around.

I am going to take the filter back out, and put 1 drop ot PT Nuke in, along with 1/4 of the G11, or 1oz in right now.
I don't want the filter grabbing my additives. I would say that it ran as the only, and main event in my loop, brunting the pump's full force all by itself for 5 to 6 hours of hard run time...
I hope if there was anything last minute things breaking free inside the loop, the filter grabbed it.

I'm ready to see some color now...

OK, started slow, and proved that 1/4 of 1 bottle of G11, in 1/2 a gallon of distilled is NOT enouigh.

The color did change, but it is still so light you might as well run straight distilled. You had to mostly imagine it.

Going to a half a bottle of G11 for color reevaluation!!

I believe the PT Nuke worked fine, and will hold at 1 drop status.

Half a bottle report: Looks better. Easy to tell it's colored. Small amount of foam, but I hear it is normal for a while...

Everything is looking pretty darn good. I am holding here.

Do most of you G11 guys go for the full bottle or more, if you have a rather large loop like mine? Do you think I should put more in than half a bottle?
Remember, I do have that long hose! (Thank you very much! )

[Talonman]

I took er up to 1 full 4oz bottle of G11, and added a second drop of PT Nuke:



One shot in the dark:



A better one with the cover on:


One with the cover back on:


Good shot, bad reflection...


Note: Thoes are not UV lights, so the G11 won't react until it hits the 4 in my case...

Sorry, I have nothing else to post until my NB block arrives...

[Buckeye]

Talon that unit looks Sweet !

I ended up purchasing a few items made of gold and shinny rocks from DeVon's instead of spoiling myself Gah ! What have I done !!!!

But that WaterKeg is for sure on my list for Jan/Feb