AKHandyman's "Arctic Breeze Way" and i7 worklog

[AKHandyman]

I have been following XS water-cooling galleries and work-logs for some time now. I just converted my test bench to water-cooling and I now want to track my progress with a work-log covering my first adventure into "modding" and building a water-cooling rig. But before I begin ... a bit about my self and what I do. I live in Tok, Alaska and I manage a small computer repair business known as The Computer Cabin. I have been involved with computers for over 24 years so I "know" a few things about what makes them tick and what they are supposed to do .

I currently have an ASUS Rampage Formula on the test bench with a QX9770 in it that is water-cooled with a D-Tek FuZion v2 waterblock. I have a XSPC 500ml passive reservoir with a MPC-655 pump/EK block top and a PA120.3 radiator w/shroud and three Noctua NF-12P fans. Here are a few pics with the window/radiator set-up that I lovingly call the, "Arctic Breeze Way."


The window can be adjusted for cool air to be "pulled" through the radiator. I have tested this and with two thermometers connected to the outlet side of the loop (coming from processor and going into rad) and the intake side (coming from the reservoir side going into processor) ... plus a thermometer for the outside temps ... I can say that there is at least a 1~2 degree difference. The XSPC reservoir is aluminum and it does cool the liquid quite nice. I have a second one being delivered as well as other fittings as I plan on incorporating a second loop for my two HD4870 X2s. Only one is shown on the test bench for the moment.

The plan is to build an i7 rig with an undetermined X58 motherboard (DFI LP X58-T3eHS is being considered heavily, but waiting for an extensive review from a few notable websites) and already purchased i965EE and 6GB Corsair Dominator DDR3 1600 memory. All of the internal goodies will go into a Temjin TJ-09 black case that will have some "minor" mods done to it. As always, with what I have in mind and what you guys suggest are open for discussion and I do literally hope for good advice, as this is my first time doing any type of water-cooling and modifications. Here is a pic with some of the stuff I already have ...

Here is the Temjin TJ-09 before I gutted it completely. I have some ideas about what I plan on doing. I will get to that a little later ...


I plan on using black 3/4" Tygon tubing (have) along with BitsPower compression fittings (have). However, I will also use Koolance quick-disconnect fittings at the back side of the case so that I can easily move the case from the Arctic Breeze Way when needed. I'll try to do a short mock-up of that later. I plan on using a dual radiator INSIDE the case strictly for water-cooling the NB, should I elect to do so. I already have an internal XSPC single bay pump/reservoir and a Swifttech radiator that will fit in the Silverstone case. An additional EK 400ml reservoir is waiting in the wings if needed. I have loads of Fesser fittings and BitsPower fittings so hooking things up won't be a problem. I just have to decide on the motherboard so I can measure where I need to modify the mobo tray for wiring and so on.

I have a Silverstone Decathlon 1000W PSU and I have never attempted any type of sleeving modification and would love to know more about the art. Any links would be greatly appreciated, though I have done some simple molex repair and such, my expertise is limited severely. I am just a noob after all .

I have a lot of work to do, and I am eagerly awaiting on any comments, suggestions, and advice. I will post more as I go along. Thanks in advance for your patience.

AK

[anubis_is_evil]

again..another great build

you do have some scary hardware that mate...

keep it coming..

[skinnee]

I'll be watching this one...I'm in the market for another case and don't know which one to go with.

[Avid6eek]

When are you expecting that DFI TURD X58-T3eHS?

I heard the weather has been pretty cold up there in ToK....you should have this setup done in short order since I doubt you're doing much outside .

[NaeKuh]

XSPC ALU Res.. :X

its looks great minus that one part.. id ditch that res faster then funky smelling sea food tho.. :X
Expecially since u have it on a copper rad.. :\

[AKHandyman]

When are you expecting that DFI TURD X58-T3eHS?

I heard the weather has been pretty cold up there in ToK....you should have this setup done in short order since I doubt you're doing much outside .

Already ordered it ... and it will make you wish you waited as well Too bad you spent over a $100 more for nothing more than bling ...

Oh well, ... (sniff ) the weather had been a bit cold ... like around -50F for the last couple days. I only go out to get firewood and that's it ...

[AKHandyman]

XSPC ALU Res.. :X

its looks great minus that one part.. id ditch that res faster then funky smelling sea food tho.. :X
Expecially since u have it on a copper rad.. :\

Not if you use phosphate free anti-freeze ... it works great !!

[Extigy]

Stopping alu + cu corrosion is extremerly diffult to prevent without frequent coolant changes and careful monitoring.

I just recently completed a project for a company that was using a copper chiller unit connected to a series of chiller plates via an aluminium manifold. As you can imagine, after some months of operation, the system became so corroded it burnt out the pump. The manifold cost around £3,000 in aluminium and would of cost ALOT more in copper, so the company was reluctant to change this. Instead they forked out a great deal on specialist additives and undertook a rigorous testing schedule to monitor the quality of the coolant.

It can be done, but save yourself and the hassle and stick to copper.

[AKHandyman]

I was made aware of the discrepancies of alu and cu some time ago. That's why I researched the phosphate issue of anti-freeze with aluminum and other metals. I do plan on changing coolant often and keeping an eye on the cu parts. I do have a couple of EK reservoirs as well and if there seems to be a corrosion issue starting, I'll probably swap them out.

[emoners]

subscribed...looks like it's gonna be an awesome build!

[retrogamer1990]

bet your credit card hurts! nice one!

[hmmisee]

Nice pictures and a good idea.
Moar pictures !

[Hennels]

Nice, i didn't like that case but with your pics I think it actually looks pretty good !

[FrostyPanda]

I'll be watching this one...I'm in the market for another case and don't know which one to go with.

LiLi PC343B!!!!!!!!! Godliest case...EVER!!!

[Avid6eek]

Any updates on this project AK? I know you've purchases new hardware since the last pictures were posted! :p

[AKHandyman]

Funny you should be trolling in here ... pretty dead over at the other place, huh?

I had to take down the "Breeze-Way this last winter. I thought you'd remember when I had to bring the kids up out of WA and the Boss and I needed the workshop area for our bedroom. After all of that shenanigans, the Breeze Way never got back up ...

But I have been working on some new stuff that will be going in my new Silverstone Fortress FT02 B/W ... now that's perfect for water-cooling and so on. But in addition to the case, I'm waiting for the ASUS ROG Rampage III Extreme to come out. Plus the ASUS or XFX 5970 4GB models ... should be some fun for the summer ...