Help the newbie with his build!!

[Talonman]

I placed an order to Pertas for the following:

(1) D-Tek Fuzion Pro-Mount Hardware - Plan to use this to mount my D-Tek CPU block now.

(1) 10' CAT5e Network Patch Cable - Blue - Wanted a new network cable for my Road Runner cable modem.

(2) EnzoTech BMR-C1 Pure Forged Copper Ramsinks (Pack of 8)
(2) EnzoTech BMR-C1L Pure Forged CopperRamsinks - Low Profile (Pack of 8)
Not 100% sure what I am going to do with these... I just know I wanted some. They will be used for my future GPU, or thinking of sticking some to the R68 coils around the CPU on the Maximus. I am not sure if the coils get hot enouigh to benefit from forged copper sinks or not, but if they do, I am game to attach some.

(1) Petra'sTech UV Blue/Clear Dye (10mL)
(1) Petra'sTech UV Red Dye (10mL)
I want to be able to add more UV blue to my water, withough adding more G11 and weakening my loops cooling ability. Petras UV dye should fix me right up. I have also seen some members mix some colors in their loop. The G11 UV blue from Petras is a light blue color by it's nature. I plan on adding a few drops of red dye to my loop to give it a hint of UV red. I am not sure how it will work out, but it will be a custom color for sure.

[Talonman]

My EK NB water block arrived. It looks to be the exact size the Maximus needed.

Pic to show the EK and stock backplate:
It lines up just right. Good job Eddy.



One shot from above:



Bottom of the blocks.
FYI - That's just the paper towl's reflection in the lower corner. I can assure you all I see is a shiny base.



Side shot:
Lot's of Copper...



I think this is going to work well, my autimin is noticeably cooler...


Preping the stock backplate wen't well. I gave the one corner a small tap after taking the rubber washers off, and it suffered a small impact wound. I then changed my plan to using beefy side cutters and snipped the other side of the rivet off as close to the backplate as I could. It gives you a good spot for the drill bit to spin on.

I drilled from the side that makes contact with the motherboard, into the backplate with a block of wood behind it. I used that drill bit in the picture, but I don't know what size it is. The rivet just pops out the other side like butter during the process.

I did a newbie mistake and had my clamps in the way for the bolts to go through the EK block. I loosened them and made an adjustment withought spilling a drop.

The longer bolt in the EK block is one of the 4 that come standard with the NB block. I also ordered the a general hardware mounting kit from EK too, and it's the shorter one.
I will be using the 4 longer supplied bolts when mounting the block.


Here is the back still looking like new!
I checked all 4 holes to insure the bolt would fit.


One more picture with the moded stock backplate on. I intend to put the mobo between the black and green washers.
There are metal washers next to the nuts on all 4 bolts. You cant see them in the picture.
Looks to me like it should work well?


Although you might think you don't want to use the thick black stock washers, when you attach the backplate to the mobo, you can see why ASUS thought a little extra height wasen't a bad thing here. There are some small components located under the backplate, that I'm guessing you wouldn't want to put excessive pressure on.
Note: I didn't have the nuts tightened up yet in this picture. The rubber washers all snugged up nice to the mobo after they were.


Here is the bolts supplied by EK with the block. I couldn't be more pleased with the fit.
The small metal washers are in there too.



The Pro mount has been installed. Leak test under way...

My new supplies....



A good picture of the inside of the NB block: http://ekwaterblocks.com/shop/popup_...19887e5828b204



I have both blocks secured to the mobo, with some MX-2 used for my TIM.
On the Pro-Mount, the mounting bolts stop themselves from being overtightened.



The big slab unapoligetic copper is in direct contact with the NB's IHS, along with some MX-2... Let's see how the NB deals with that!




Lot's of room for R68 coils around the CPU, to catch some good air:


The backplates are looking good too:


The excitement is building. The water blocks both seem to be doing fine...

Getting real close to hitting this thing with power for the first time.

I took my quick-disconnects off, and drained that section of the loop that goes to the mobo.
Ran the hose out the back of the tray. I did make sure when it went through the back, it was the way it naturally wanted to go. I didn't want any funky 'twisting' pressure on the fittings of the blocks.
Cutt two fresh ends off of the tubing out the back, and made them the same length. Slid the disconnects back on, and I was off and running again...

One thing I just realized how handy it is to burp my blocks running the Keg. I can pick my tray up and spin it around, before I ever even slide it into the back of my case.
I will know for 100% sure, when I slide the mobo in, there will be no large air pockets in my blocks.

[Buckeye]

WOW Talon that’s looks incredible so far, you are doing a fantastic job there !

Those are really nice looking blocks and the color of the fluid in the tubes looks pretty cool also. I can’t wait to see this thing all powered up !

Nice Job !

[Talonman]

Thanks buddy!!

I just slid the rig back into it's home. I have the Keg running off it's own PSU right now. My water is still actively running in this shot.
I just also want to post that "Bubbles like to go up in water!".
When burping my blocks, not only could I rotate them any wich way, I was able to keep the mobo's water blocks the lowest thing in the loop the entire time.
I think it helps to get as much air out as possible during the burping process.
Now that I have my blocks above the RES, am glad that stage is over.

I am trying to decide what slot exit, I should use for the Keg's external power connector....

What slot in the Maximus is the least valuable? That's where I probably should install it.

[Buckeye]

So you are trying to bring this puppy alive now ? Thought I saw on another thread you are having Raid problems ?

This is my system...

CPU: Intel Core 2 QX6700 (Quad Core) Extreme Processor, 2.66 ghz, 1066 MHz FSB, 8 MB L2 Cache. Currently running at 3.2 ghz
Coolit Systems Freezone Thermoelectric CPU Cooler
Mother Board: ASUS Maximus Formula SE
Memory: 2 gig Corsair Dominator DDR2 1066 MHz, SLI ready
2 x 74 gig SATA2 Western Digital 10,000 rpm Raptors in Raid 0 - OS, Programs
2 x 500 gig SATA2 Western Digital 7,200 rpm in - Programs, Data
BFG 8800GTX OC
PSU: Enermax Galaxy DxX EGX 1,000 watt
Dell 2407WFP
SilverStone TJ09B
Windows Vista Ultimate x86

Yes that Freezone will be going soon.

I really had no problems getting the 2 Raptors in Raid 0 up and running.

Here is HD Tune I just ran on it. Keep in mind that this array has been running for sometime and has a lot of files on it.