Project: My MM Work Log

**Utnorris** · 07-10-2008, 01:56 PM

Ok,
So this is my first work log and it may contain a lot of rambling, but I will try to keep it organized.

So I got into water cooling back in February, first with a Swiftech H2O compact. I probably would have left it there, but one of the barbs broke when I was taking the tubing off of the pump/wb combo and that started my long journey in water cooling. I started off with a Coolermaster CM690 case and then moved into trying to design my own using acrylic. After two tries at getting what I wanted I got a MM case. I also did a few other upgrades this time around. So here is a list of my equipment:

Hardware:
Q6600 @ 3.75Ghz Lapped (Go Series)
Asus Blitz Formula Special Edition
4GB of G-Skill DDR2 8000 ram
4x Seagate 320Mb Hard drives in 2 Raid 0 configurations
2x ATI HD3870 Video cards in Crossfire Setup
Vista x64

Water Cooling:
D-Tek Fuzion V1 with #4 nozzle
DD NB Waterblock
2x EK 3870 water blocks
2x MCR220's
1x MCP355 with XSPC reservoir top
1x MCP350 modded to be a MCP355 and another XSPC reservoir top
Koolance compression fittings
Clearflex 3/8" ID, 1/2" OD tubing

12 San Denki fans at 5v
A Coolermaster fan with blue LED to add effect

Most important piece of equipment is the Mountain Mods U2-UFO case.

1x A lot of patience.

Utnorris

**Utnorris** · 07-10-2008, 02:00 PM

Here is my first rig following the failed Swiftech H2O Compact setup:

**Utnorris** · 07-10-2008, 02:02 PM

My first Acrylic case:

**Utnorris** · 07-10-2008, 02:04 PM

My second Acrylic case:

**Utnorris** · 07-10-2008, 02:05 PM

Lets start with a few pics:

**SeanB** · 07-10-2008, 02:07 PM

Cool, i love arylic-ish cases and cube cases

do something different with the pumps than everyone else here, il like it

**Utnorris** · 07-10-2008, 02:08 PM

Here a few pics of some of the parts I will be using:

**Utnorris** · 07-10-2008, 02:09 PM

Hmmmm, so good!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

**Logos** · 07-10-2008, 02:09 PM

I like this thread, and that you showed your previous boxes was a good idea as well...subscribed

**Dangals** · 07-10-2008, 02:11 PM

Looking good

subscribed!

**Utnorris** · 07-10-2008, 02:14 PM

Well that's it for now, I'm tired and I have a few issues I have to deal with on this case and setup. I have to modify the front of the case to accommodate 2 MCR220's. I was originally going to order the case directly from MM, but found this on Ebay brand new. What I didn't realize is that not all MM cases are fully modular. I was going to do a horizontal MB mount, but this case doesn't allow for it, so I am having to make some adjustments. Also, I have to figure out pump placement, they are big and with the return on top they have to go low in the case. Also, the res top does not allow the fill port to be swapped out with a regular barb so that I can use a DD fillport to fill the water. These and many more issues have to be resolved. I will update as I work on this.
Hope everyone enjoys my first true project,
Utnorris

**Utnorris** · 07-10-2008, 02:16 PM

Thanks guys, all encouragement and suggestions are welcomed and sought after,

.

Utnorris

**Dangals** · 07-10-2008, 02:43 PM

Originally Posted by Utnorris

Also, the res top does not allow the fill port to be swapped out with a regular barb so that I can use a DD fillport to fill the water.
Utnorris

It can be done - xspc released a fill cap adapter that will allow you to attach a regular barb....like this one.

http://www.flabbergast.com.au/fillca...m-to-g1-4.html

should solve your fillport problem.

**BlueAqua** · 07-10-2008, 03:37 PM

Your UFO looks exactly like my UFO. NICE!! I put a coat of wax on mine and it really shines, a lot better for withstanding fingerprints too.

I used Koolance fittings too and really liked those, I'm sure you will too.

Keep us updated, lots of pictures!

**systemviper** · 07-10-2008, 03:44 PM

very excited! nice stuff, you got some great stuff there,;///
subscribed!

**~~septim~~** · 07-10-2008, 03:57 PM

nice. more pics pls...

**~~MomijiTMO~~** · 07-10-2008, 04:12 PM

Looking good mate. Your EK FC blocks turned out great.

**Asgard_thor** · 07-10-2008, 04:47 PM

beautiful

**Utnorris** · 07-10-2008, 08:05 PM

Originally Posted by Dangals

It can be done - xspc released a fill cap adapter that will allow you to attach a regular barb....like this one.

http://www.flabbergast.com.au/fillca...m-to-g1-4.html

should solve your fillport problem.

Thanks for the link.

It's a shame no one in the U.S. carries these. I am not sure what the exchange rate is or how long it would take to get from Australia, but since it is a pre-order I would imagine it would take 3-4 weeks to get. I plan to have this done by the end of next week, so that is out of the question. Once I figure out where they will go I can figure out how best to fill them.

Anyway, more pics tomorrow. Thanks huys for all the support and suggestions.
Utnrris

**Dangals** · 07-10-2008, 09:22 PM

Originally Posted by Utnorris

Thanks for the link.

It's a shame no one in the U.S. carries these.

Jab-tech has them - http://www.jab-tech.com/XSPC-M20x1.5...r-pr-4205.html

I knew I had seen them there awhile ago it was just that I knew about the ones at flabbergast becuase I just ordered some stuff there the day...

**~~Big_Daddy~~** · 07-10-2008, 09:35 PM

Looking good, but word of warning, try the vid cards in your motherboard. Koolance slot spacers really only work well with their own coolers. Looks like it is a couple of mm's too wide.

**Utnorris** · 07-11-2008, 04:00 AM

Originally Posted by Dangals

Jab-tech has them - http://www.jab-tech.com/XSPC-M20x1.5...r-pr-4205.html

I knew I had seen them there awhile ago it was just that I knew about the ones at flabbergast becuase I just ordered some stuff there the day...

You know, I looked on their website and didn't see them, thanks, I will order them today. That's one issue taken care of. Thanks a million.

Originally Posted by Big_Daddy

Looking good, but word of warning, try the vid cards in your motherboard. Koolance slot spacers really only work well with their own coolers. Looks like it is a couple of mm's too wide.

I tried it already and it looks like they will work, my only concern is the weight since they will be sideways. This is why I wanted to do a horizontal setup, hopefully it will be ok.
Thanks,
Utnorris

**CyberDruid** · 07-11-2008, 04:44 AM

There is a way to brace the cards a bit using some threaded rod. Usually cards have an area on the corner where you can safely drill a small hole for some #6 or #8 rod and by using something like a piece of Bic pen as a hollow spacer you can keep them parallel and have an attachment point for a bracket.

**Utnorris** · 07-11-2008, 06:42 AM

Ok,
So I have to mod the front to accommodate a second MCR220. I created a face plate to go over the hole since I will have to cut 1 hole to each side of the existing hole. I will probably round the corners, but this will give you an idea of what I was thinking. The other option is to order a AC Ryan grill to go over the hole. Give me your ideas please.

Utnorris