ABS/Tagan Black Pearl - evolution of a water-cooled rig

[aka_GK]

hmm looks interesting Shazza, subscribed

What fans do you plan to use with this big boy?

[rjkoneill]

interested in this case - never seen one in the UK before

should be an interesting project

[shazza]

Shazza: Go hard - go and place the rad vertical. As I have no time to play that much ... you do it This way I see how someone dares, and who could do better than you? Right ... none!

Funny you say that. That's the reason I didn't go with the Black Pearl earlier - the included fan controller makes it difficult in the front, but I still think there might be a way. I started thinking about 140.3 rads when I setup my air cooling Lian Li PC-A20B. The front already has 2 140 fans in it:

hmm looks interesting Shazza, subscribed

What fans do you plan to use with this big boy?

I've got 6 Yate Loon Medium speeds - from Petra's at $5.99 a piece. Figure I can change them out if need be when more 140 options come on the market.

interested in this case - never seen one in the UK before

should be an interesting project

Thanks, rjkoneill. There's always the V2000

[dreamaxx]

V2000 is a discontinued case though, it's very difficult to get hold of. Trust me I have been trying to get one for ages. Well Australia is terrible, they're impossible to get here. Shaz the PC shop down the road from me has a silver V1000. Its $250 Aussie though... Maybe I should get it for you and you can pick it up when you come through in 2010 Haha now THAT is planning!

[millertime359]

Going to be cool Shazza, looking forward to it.

[Armitage]

Looking forward to this.

<60$ for that case? Thats really good.

Maybe remove the HD Bays, and do some side panel modding

[bianco]

pretty interesting case Shazza. nice curves, spacious and already in rev atx! looking forward to seeing how you use your touch on this one

[dualbrain]

Shazza - be inspired by a famous BlackPearl build: http://www.million-dollar-pc.com/sys...lack-pearl.htm

[twwen2]

Another one already!? Dang shazza, you got too much time & mulah...

It's a biggen aint it! Interesting thing about the V2000/Black Pearl is that although it's HUGE, it's not always easy to get everything in, simply because it's not immediately obvious where everything should go (rads in particular).
I reckon the PA goes on it's side in the bottom, and turn the PSU on it's side (with an aftermarket back panel).

As an aside, would the PA140.3 fit in the base of the A20 on it's side?

[shazza]

Thanks, millertime, dreamaxx, Armitage, and bianco! Yep - the hard drive bays will be coming out, for sure.

Shazza - be inspired by a famous BlackPearl build: http://www.million-dollar-pc.com/sys...lack-pearl.htm

hehe ... you love to torment me don't you? Yep, I have viewed that system - many times, I might add



Now, let's look at one of the component options. Motherboard - EVGA Micro-X58. This board was not purchased for this case - just trying it out to see if it has possibilities. Some quick pics here, I'll throw up some more options tomorrow.













I'm generally not a fan of micro-ATX boards in large cases, unless the leftover space is utilized for balance. Possibilities here

[jpm804]

Shazza that's actually a good idea with the micro board.... One thing I didnt like about the case is that if you wanted to mount a thicker radiator internally with a full size motherboard, it would not work.

You mind me asking what how much space is there between the end of the motherboard to the top of the case?

[Jonni Nitro]

I have the same case so I'll be watching. Man I really need to get back to my project. Moving and starting a family really put my project on the back burner. I am having surgery on my ankle next week, and that is going to keep me around the house for the next 5 weeks! I am hoping to make some progress on mine as well.

[millertime359]

That board looks so tiny in there. It would add more room for WC fun though.

[Pedalmonkey]

I have that board and love it to death. Good OC for a cheapish MATX i7 and good functionality.

[charles_h]

That wee little motherboard is awesome!

When I first saw the pic with it installed, I though "wow... that's a big case" - then I realized it was missing a few bits any then clued in, hehe. I think I'm a bit dopier than usual tonight.

Shazza - REALLY looking forward to seeing how you work your magic on this build!

[skinnee]

anyone make chipset and mosfet blocks for the LE yet?

if so, do the come with white or red POM tops?

[twwen2]

anyone make chipset and mosfet blocks for the LE yet?

if so, do the come with white or red POM tops?

EK has a FC mb block for the EVGA X58 SLI LE (the standard ATX one). It might fit on this mATX one, perhaps ask eddy?

[dreamaxx]

Yeh I think MIPs have come up with chipset/mosfet blocks.

[shazza]

Hmmnnn ... looks like the micro board might be getting a few votes. Thanks for the feedback.

Another one already!? Dang shazza, you got too much time & mulah...

It's a biggen aint it! Interesting thing about the V2000/Black Pearl is that although it's HUGE, it's not always easy to get everything in, simply because it's not immediately obvious where everything should go (rads in particular).
I reckon the PA goes on it's side in the bottom, and turn the PSU on it's side (with an aftermarket back panel).

As an aside, would the PA140.3 fit in the base of the A20 on it's side?

oops - missed your post yesterday. Yep - another one. I have loads of time, as I retired in May As for $$$, now I'll have to start watching the budget, being on a fixed income!

I dunno exactly how the PA140.3 will fit in the A20. I'll take some measurements next week when I'm back in Florida.

I have that board and love it to death. Good OC for a cheapish MATX i7 and good functionality.

Thanks! I read a couple reviews, and it seems to do the job, so good to have some confirmation.

That wee little motherboard is awesome!

When I first saw the pic with it installed, I though "wow... that's a big case" - then I realized it was missing a few bits any then clued in, hehe. I think I'm a bit dopier than usual tonight.

Shazza - REALLY looking forward to seeing how you work your magic on this build!

hehe ... if I do a good job on this one, maybe you'll let me buy some murderMod parts and try a TJ07

anyone make chipset and mosfet blocks for the LE yet?

if so, do the come with white or red POM tops?

I originally wasn't planning on water cooling the chipset/mosfets, but who knows? Makes air flow an important factor if I don't.


OK -- now back to the dungeon to try out a couple different motherboards.

[Arthur]

Black Pearl is big and mobo is small. How do you think to balance them two @shazza LOL? I just joking mate. That mobo can be useful for you, if you needs some clear area in your chassis.

Subscribed your thread. Keep up mate.

[dro]

Thanks, millertime, dreamaxx, Armitage, and bianco! Yep - the hard drive bays will be coming out, for sure.


.......unless the leftover space is utilized for balance......

......Will be following up

[shazza]

Thanks, Arthur and dro!

Okay ... onto testing option 2 today. I have the Rampage Extreme board that I started with over a year ago. Always liked the color combos on the board, and since I've recently rescued it via RMA, I need a place for it to live.


My Red & Black Rampage Ex combo (before it was the cool thing to do with the influx of the Classified builds):







In the BP (hey, glad that's not censored anymore!)







An ATX board definitely fills the space better than the Micro. BUT - what were they thinking????







That looks like a fair amount of space between the top of the board and the top of the case - think again --- less than an inch! Definitely not a good idea for this board.







And what about this plate ... can it be removed completely and still have the midplate supported properly?







Then there's the area behind the motherboard tray - a case as big as a couch should have room for cable management, right?







The thickness you have to work with is about as much as half a standard 4-pin molex connector:






I'm not feelin' the love for this case right now. Why do we need 9.5" in the bottom section, and only 1" between the mb and top of the case? Guess it works well for multiple HDs. But, on to option 3 tomorrow ...





OT *Warning* At least my husband had a more productive day. He planted a bunch of new trees -

[millertime359]

That Rampage with stock cooling does not look good at all inverted

Yea, that case seems to have some flaws there. That sucks.

The train set looks cool. Is that your Jeep in the background?

[Armitage]

Might be best to only cut out the spots you need on that T section.

I think that mobo looks better in terms of size at least

btw I don't mean to sound rude or personal, but what do you and your husband do for a living? With these expensive hobbies

[SNiiPE_DoGG]

welcome shazza, to my life in wire management hell with these cases .... -_- I am going to have a serious talk with my contact at lian-li about this area

otherwise I look forward to seeing you work with this one - I know you have practice in barewire, if you need a plate made / want to make a plate let me know and I can give help there it can help with that tiny back area to skip the sleeve.