My first all out case build worklog (56k warning)....

[serial099]

After searching last night, I found out the swifttech rad box works with the Pa120.3, so I am going to use that to mount it on the outside of the case on top. Im also going to mount my reservoir there for easy filling and draining of the system.

Hey where did you order the sharkoon golfball 120 mm fans from ?

They got the 120's and the 92's on performance-pcs. I think they are like 18.95 each or something like that. Not cheap, but they are pretty good fans. Move quite a bit of air and like I said, at 7v they are very quiet (pretty much silent). 12v they are still pretty quiet.

[serial099]

Hey everyone that has been watching this thread.

Sorry for the lack of updates on my part. I got most of the plastic pieces painted, except for the top and the front (the two biggest pieces of course). Well, I decided I'm going to throw a PA 120.3 on the top and hook that into my 120.3 coming off of the back of the case. Here is a horrible sketch-up of that.



So really, the fact that I don't have a top is kinda a good thing because I'll put a bigger rad than I probably would've put on there (and might as well go extreme, right?) The metal pieces of the case did come back this past Monday, but after inspecting the pieces I discovered there were dust nibs and flaws all over it. The guy took it back and said it should be back by the end of the week. Shopping for my other parts for this, so it should be coming back together pretty soon.

Later,
serial099

[ls206]

you mean connect the PA120.3 to the loop with T-fittings?
If so, I don't think thats the best plan of action :p

[serial099]

Usually I know it wouldn't be, but I am using two of martinm210's copper tee fittings (instead of the plastic) so I think the flow killing aspects of it would be minimal. I *could* run seperate feed/return lines from it (as the Armor case does have 4 holes on the back of it for watercooling, and put the two rads in two seperate parts of the loop. I don't think this would acutally work as well though becuase the extra tubing would kill flow as well and also the extra tubing would get be there (not look as good). However, if this would be a better setup, don't mind doing it of course.

Also, I've read in other places on this forum that having the rad's (if there is two of them in the same loop) close to each other or further apart (on oppisite ends) of loop really doesn't effect temperatures in the loop too much.

Any of this info wrong? I guess the only concern I might have is filling/bleeding the system, but I think once that is done, it should work well.

[serial099]

I wish I remembered who said on here first but I believe the quote was something like "you can plan a build for weeks, but the second you hit buy you want it there right now".

So, I spent a butt-ton of money last night and I have quite a bit of stuff coming. Still no case to put it in yet though. Hopefully by the time everything gets here that'll be back as well. Starting to get a little frustrated about that, but what are you going to do, right (besides complain of course)?

The ONLY thing that I didn't purchase with this round is the processor and that's mostly because while I can't wait for the 9700 Phenoms I can wait a few more weeks for the black 9600's to be out. Also, I don't suppose anyone has any experience with ATI 38xx cards and the MCW60 do they? I checked on the switchtech site on there forums and it's only listed as "untested" right now. Until it's confirmed I'm holding off on getting that (although as soon as thumbs up is given I'm getting it if able).

[Clockwork_Apple]

How have I not seen this yet? Looks to be a good project log

Good luck, I'm looking forward to updates.

[serial099]

Yeah clockwork, it's coming together slowly but surely (despite all outside forces). Hopefully within the next week I'll have a -ton of parts to throw in this thing and I'll actually have something interesting to post on here.

Thank you to everyone else who has been lurking on here and not posting (seriously). I didn't expect some fairly noob watercooler guy like me to get many views on his computer build (especially over 1,100 which is what's it's at right now). Also, in case I forget (or don't mention it later) thank you to the people that have a little more experience w/c to give me advice/nudging/guidance when I need it/ask for it.

Ok, that's enough outta me tonight. Time for some shots.......

[serial099]

Yeah clockwork, it's coming together slowly but surely (despite all outside forces). Hopefully within the next week I'll have a -ton of parts to throw in this thing and I'll actually have something interesting to post on here.

Thank you to everyone else who has been lurking on here and not posting (seriously). I didn't expect some fairly noob watercooler guy like me to get many views on his computer build (especially over 1,100 which is what's it's at right now). Also, in case I forget (or don't mention it later) thank you to the people that have a little more experience w/c to give me advice/nudging/guidance when I need it/ask for it.

Ok, that's enough outta me tonight. Time for some shots.......

oh, one last thing.....stopped by the place that is doing the powder coating...yeah, they didn't even start on sanding it down/re-painting (this after they have had it again since Tuesday afternoon). It's been 3 weeks total this place has had it...should I be just a little pissed? I think so.....

[serial099]

Good evening all (or whatever time it is in your neck of the woods)

Wanted to put an update on the hardware that is on the way for this thing. It *should* start to roll in around Tuesday (of course it's Christmas time, so hopefully it doesn't get held up)

From the egg:


Logitech G9 Black 5Button Tilt Wheel Laser Mouse
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16826104079

Masscool PCI card IDE controller card (for my 2 ide dvd-rw drives)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16815280002

Sapphire 100226L Radeon HD 3850 512mb card (didn't have any 3870, and this one should probably still kick some serious
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102715

Corsair xms2 (2x1gb) ddr2 800 (PC26400) ram
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145590

from Performance-pcs
Swiftech MCP655 pump
http://www.performance-pcs.com/catal...oducts_id=3112

PC Power&Cooling Silencer 750 Quad Power Supply (with black connectors I figure I can sleeve it myself for $49 they charge)
http://www.performance-pcs.com/catal...ducts_id=20668

From motherboardpro
DFI LanParty UT 790fx-m2r
http://www.motherboardpro.com/DFI-La...ATX-p-404.html

And from Petra's
PT Nuke
D-tek Fuzion CPU waterblock
D-tek Fuzion Accelerator Nozzle Kit
D-tek High Flow Fitting (G 1/4 thread, 3/8 OD size) x5
D-tek High Flow Fitting (G 1/4 thread, 1/2 OD size) x1

I feel kinda lazy for Petra's and not going to link every product, but it's bleeding obvious where it's on on his site (shoppts.com).

Now, the more astute of you will notice no mention of a processor on this list. There is a method to that madness of mine. I'm going to get everything else together and see about waiting on the Black 9600 edition Phenom to come out later this month and snatch up one of them.

Also waiting to get something officially from Switchtech that the MCW60 does work on the 3850 before I commit to that for my block watercooling needs. Since I'll be adding that extra heat source I'm going to wait until then to get the PA 120.3 to add to this loop. Hopefully both those issues get worked out soon so that I can finish ordering these last little things.

Any comments welcome.

[septim]

nice purchases you have there.

the g9 looks ungainly though, must be bad pictures i keep seeing...

[serial099]

Thanks,

As far a the mouse goes, it was between that and Deathadder and I say to myself "with the $20.00 mail-in rebate it's cheaper than the Deathadder is at more DPI" So, decision for me was easy. That and pretty much every mouse I've ever owned before has been a Logitech.

*edit* double-checked, ok, almost cheaper, but still a good mouse none the less

[serial099]

Hey everyone,

So finally got my case back finally (it looks pretty good overall). I have two more packages to get tomorrow and I should be able to get this show back on the road (as far as building). At the latest I should have a bunch of pics/work done by Saturday night. Thanks for checking this out.

[serial099]

Hey everyone,

Sorry for the lack of updates. I've been pretty busy with real life stuff lately. I promised the wife I was going to rebuild her pc for Christmas and have been a little busy with that plus a few other things. The new computer isn't up and running (or built) yet, but I do at least have the parts for it.

Here's some pics of what I have to put in this beast so far:




The two pictures above are just showing the items I have in boxes still.
Below is the new power supply....very nice, eh?

Look at all those connectors (with the 8 pin pci-e just in case I need it sometime)

[serial099]

A few more....

Here is the motherboard....the LanParty UT 790fx
The case (all painted up) is in the background.....


Here are some more shots of the case for you



That's all I got for right now. Hopefully will have some more pics soon here.

[thirstypirate]

You're not gonna try and cool that thing with moonshine are you?

[Martinm210]

Looking good!

All these case mods lately makes me want to redo mine..

[serial099]

@thirstypirate funny thing you should mention that....have some of that in my liquor cabinet
@martin well, I got a few more things to do to this, but hopefully the only case mod I'm going to do to this might be putting in a drain plug (that and maybe a few holes for the pa120x3 that is going on top to mount it

@everyone else Still trying to get the wife's new re-build up and running before I finish building mine. Also, was putting together the cooling system today to leak test it and damnit, wouldn't you know, I was one fitting short.....should be by Friday and I'll have that one.....trust me, it's something I want to finish a whole bunch (more than anyone else could possibly want me to finish.

[serial099]

I got the paint gun at Sherwin Williams. The little spray can thing was only like $4, so that was the cheapest part of that setup. There were a few flaws in the paint job I did, but overall it wasn't too hard to master.

As stated previously though, I only painted the plastic pieces. All the metal stuff was done professionally.

[Naja002]

What fan is this:

[Waterlogged]

What fan is this:

Let me see if I can find it......Ah, here it is.

..........

Main stuff:
Thermaltake Armor case /w 250mm fan side. DFI LanParty UT 790FX-M2R (still have to purchase)
........

[Naja002]

Ah, very first one on the list! I didn't look beyond the other fans listed when I found those--apologies!

Not to Hijack your build log, but I am considering doing a turbine and looking at various options--can you measure that center fan hub (where all the blades come together) for me? I need the diameter in order to try to match up a spinner....

Please.......

[serial099]

Naja Across from the fan edge to the center label area it is 95mm. It is 55mm across the label area. They sell 250mm fans on performance-pcs if you want to check those out.
http://www.performance-pcs.com/catal...ducts_id=22204

Here is an important picture to show why flushing a radiator is important (this is from my pa120x3 after a gallon worth of flushing /w distilled and 45 minutes of soaking with vinegar) new in bottle on left....not so new on right

close up of that


leak testing (wooohoooo)



Won't be at home tomorrow at all, but should have a few more pics Thursday or Friday.

Oh, and BTW, Merry Christmas to everyone!!!!

[Jedda]

Hope you're enjoying the build.
I'd put the rads in series rather than use the T-fittings. That way all the water goes through the top rad too.

[Waterlogged]

Who told you to use vinegar?

[Jedda]

Who told you to use vinegar?

Wasn't bloody me! Thats for sure.