Project: Lian Li PC-71 Rebuild

[jpm804]

Project: Lian Li PC-71 Rebuild



Introduction:
I've been a long time luker on this site for years even though I barely finally decided to register on the site. What started as a simple project to replace an aging video card in my primary machine to support a new 30 inch monitor turned into a full blown rebuild of this computer. I was running a Pentium 4 in the computer so I figured it was time to refresh it with some new parts.

Usually in my impatience to rebuild my computers in the past, I've usually rushed through the process and not really taken the time to do it properly the first time. Hopefully with this build I'm gonna take my time and build it up as time and money permits.

This is my second time watercooling and it went smoothly the first time, so I've decided to watercool this system also.

I've decided for now just to keep this a CPU loop with the possibility of adding NB/SouthBridge cooling also.

Hardware:
--
Case -- Lian Li PC-71
Motherboard -- TBD
Memory -- TBD
Processor -- Intel i7 920
Hard Drives -- TBD
PSU -- Corsair 1000HX
Optical Drives -- Sata Pioneer DVD-R
--
Cooling:
AquaComputer Cuplex HD
Swiftech MCP355
EK-DDC X-Top Rev 2 - Accetal
AquaComputer Airplex Evo 240
AquaComputer 240 Grill
AquaComputer Aquatube - Black
AquaComputer Aquatube Mounting plate
TFC Compression Fittings 3/8" ID x 1/2" OD
BitsPower Rotary 90 Degree Adapter
Feser 3/8" ID (1/2"OD) Tubing - White
Geild Solutions Silent 8 Fans
Geild Solutions Silent 12 Fans
--
(I'll be editing this section as I acquire the parts)

I'll try to update this build as often as I can when parts come in and I start piecing her together. While this probably won't be as extensive as some of the great builds I've seen in this section, hopefully it will inspire others to document their builds and share with the community here.

[Garrett]

Nice first post
Don't forget to post lots of pics because here @ XS we tend to love pics

[jpm804]

Some Pics:

Figured I'd give some background on this rebuild...I've decided to use my exisiting case since it's served me well all these years.

First Build:
(Circa about ~6-5 years ago...cable management was a disaster )


First Re-Build:
(Circa about 4 years ago)

Decided to powdercoat the case:


Then Installed watercooling System:
(Went AquaComputer Crazy on this build )


Unfortunately I couldnt find pics of the completed system..seem to have misplaced them...

Case as it stands right now... completely empty and ready for rebuild:

[jpm804]

Update: Some Parts Pics

Cooling:

AquaComputer Cuplex HD






Swiftech MCP 355 + EK-DDC X-Top Rev2


AquaComputer AquaTube + Mounting Plate


AquaComputer AirplexEvo 240 Radiator + Grill


Geild Solutions Slient Fans (80mm + 120mm)


Feser 3/8" ID (1/2"OD) Tubing - White


Hardware:

Intel i7 920


Corsair 1000HX PSU

[jpm804]

Mini Update: Decided to put some parts on

AquaTube and AquaEvoPlex Radiator:

AquaTube and Moutning Plate


AquaJet Installed in the AquaTube


BitsPower Rotary 90's + TFC Compression Fittings Installed


AquaComputer Blue Led Light for AquaTube


Installed in Case


AirPlex Evo + Grill Installed
+ + =

Pump:

Swiftech MCP355 + EK DDC X-Top V2 + TFC Compression Fittings (Still need to sleeve the power connections)

[Eddie3dfx]

Wow that looks absolutely amazing. I love the aquatube on top and the powdercoat looks fantastic.

[jpm804]

Wow that looks absolutely amazing. I love the aquatube on top and the powdercoat looks fantastic.

Thanks.... I actually powdercoated the aquatube black recently since it was silver orignally. I figured it was cheaper then trying to order a new one from oversees (even though i see Sidewinder carries then now ) and wanted to reuse some parts.

i see your using some aquacomputer parts in your build also .. love to be able to order more of those parts in the US.

[bentleya]

Looks Pretty good great work

[Paxi]

The Aquatube is made of aluminium afaik. Don´t mix metals...

[aspire.comptech]

The Aquatube is made of aluminium afaik. Don´t mix metals...

That is the Delrin aquatube, as far as I'm aware they don't make it in aluminum anymore.

[jpm804]

That is the Delrin aquatube, as far as I'm aware they don't make it in aluminum anymore.

Actually this is the aluminum version that I've had for over 4 years now, while I don't admint that I don't know much about mixing metals and how bad it is for the loop.

This item never once showed corrosion or affected any of the other 3 Aquacomputer blocks on the loop. I always mixed some of the Aquacomputer ACfluid which is suppose to prevent corrosion with the fluid in my loop, not sure if that really helped but everything looked fine.

If anyone has more inisght who's used the Aquatube aluminum and had issues , please feel free to chime in it would be nice. If it seems to be more bad then good, then I might switch to the newer Delrin version they are selling.

I do appreciate feedback like this since sometimes these are the things I am not aware of and nice for others to point it out.

[theseeker]

Looking good, keep it up!

[shazza]

This is going to be stunning. There's just something about the Lian Li cases ... and this one looks like a good one to work with.

[Jhors2]

That Aqua Computer CPU block is so sexy, I love it!!!

[jpm804]

Looking good, keep it up!

This is going to be stunning. There's just something about the Lian Li cases ... and this one looks like a good one to work with.

Thanks .... just trying to keep up with the beautiful builds you guys and gals are producing .


Mini Update: Been sick lately and not much time to work on it, but here is a little update on finishing the Res and pump plumbing. One of my goals for this build is to keep the plumbing neat and organized as possible

AquaTube and Swiftech MCP355 Plumbing:

Pump Mounting Shelf


Pump Mounting Shelf - Painted Black


Pump Sleeved and new fitting attached to fit on Res


Pump attached to mounting Shelf



Pump + Shelf installed in case (Side and Front View) Loop Order so Far -- Res>Pump>Rad>



Other Notes: Picked up some CleanCut sleeving from Fry's the other day and it is alot better than the stuff they use to sell a few years back. Also ordered some MurderMod Sleeving to give it a try also

Here is a pic for comparison
TOP: Old Sleeving ( Can see the wiring thru it very clearly)
BOTTOM: CleanCut ( A lot better in hiding wiring)

[theseeker]

One suggestion; take the sticker off of the pump. Looking forward to more pics!

[Snyxxx]

One suggestion; take the sticker off of the pump. Looking forward to more pics!

Or rotate the pump base 180° to hide it.