<Project> Black Freighter </Project>

[eponymous]

Wow this is a great build I like the way you joke around :P

[millertime359]

Nice to have you back Capt.

Now get us more updates. No Turkey for you till you do.

[kgtiger]

Glad to see the fog has lifted there Flint, with a clear head and a new bearing to head for, it will be sweet sailing again.

Looking forward to your next update there mate.

[LockBreaker]

This project looks wicked! Great looking and nice components. Love it. =)

Btw. I think the EK-reservoirs look the best. =)

[CptDreadFlint]

Poll has closed and the result is in:
EK Wins!

Thanks for all the wonderful comments all!
Pardon my absence but I have been in the process of moving.
Nothing like Shazza's cross-country situation, but a mere 3 miles from my old place.
But still, it's been a time consuming and a very exhausting experience (we didnt hire movers) on top of all the pillaging and plundering at the regular grind.
I noticed that you really don't know how much junk you're acquired until you move.

We have successfully transported all our possession over and now its a matter of unpacking which I don't mind. Unpacking is like re-decorating which is fun for us.

So far the damage has been minimal considering the amount of stuff I managed to collect:

1 neon Bar sign (Wife is secretly thankful)
1 3ft blue table neon lamp (see a pattern?)
and 1 bruised arm (mine) after a desk fell on me

I'm happy to report that not a single LC related item was damaged during Operation Relocation Situation.

We hope to get the Internet reconnected by mid week and I intend to post pics of the latest carnage and updates by then, yo ho.

[dingdong555]

The Captain is alive!

Can't wait!!! Glad the move went well

[Weevil]

I HATE moving, that's why I've only done it twice in the last 30 years. But that doesn't include the 18 years before that, at my folks house.

[millertime359]

Nice Captain, Glad to here your keeping the wife happy by destroying things she hates.

[Nashaz]

Man i love where this build is heading towards!... (Into the open blue. )
Extraordinary pics matey! And im really amused with the humor included in your log. Helps to keep it zesty while im browsing it.

[kgtiger]

It's alway nice to have a new port of call and a new dock to call home is even better.

It will be nice to have you back on deck Captain, have started to miss ya, ya salty old dog, not to mention ya crusty old sea tails.

[theToX]

welcome back Captain.

[CptDreadFlint]

Still settling in here. But here's my first post from my new port!


So I decided to swap the two 285s that I originally planned for this build for two 295s. I plan to use 285s on my next build.






In between unpacking and setting up the big screen, the BR player, TIVO, Wii, XBOX 360, stocking the fridge,
figuring out where furniture goes, and other necessary evils that comes with relocating, I somehow managed
to slap the blocks on the cards while snapping a few pics in the process.

Ok.

Maybe not really slapping.

Maybe meticulously mounting.








Started the dismantling situation by flipping her over to expose her underbelly.

She had like 17 or some riduculous amount of screws that could totally induce/aggravate Carpal Tunnel:








Had a blast replacing the slimey gauze bandage-like material with EK's thermal pads.

It reminded me of 4th grade arts and crafts hour.

Except this job took 4 hours - juggling other duties that require your undivided during this whole moving thing:






The 295 is really a well-engineered card. The double stock heatsinks looked beautiful to me.

It took awhile for me to continue the process of releasing the GPU from her air-cooled prison:











The quality of the stock 295 fins and pipe is truly a work of genius engineering:






Can't say much about their TIM application:








...But it appears decent contact was made:







No idea why I'm posting this pic. I think it has something to do with that stealthy screw. Not certain though.






"Billy Jean is not my lover. She's just a girl who claims I am the one. But the chair is not my son."







Cleaning the GPU was no bed of roses. walk in the park. bowl of cherries. bathtub of suds. roomful of dancing midgets. (um what?):







The EK Acrylic Single PCB GTX 295 Waterblock x2:










Mounted - unmounted - contact surface check - adjusted remount x2:






Repeated preceding for the second card and block:












Once the whether here clears up (SoCal is experiencing much needed precipitation), I'll finish off rattle-canning the single-slot PCI cover for both cards. The backside still needs black gloss lovin'.

Pic of a pizza box:





More to come! I truly appreciate all your wonderful feedback!
As always - thanks for viewing!

[Lagaaja]

Twins look amazing. Good job once again

[millertime359]

The GTX295 is a pain to mount a block too. Too many screws and too many spots that need thermal tape. I do like that EK block though. It is such a nice looking block.

I was thinking about putting the single slot brackets on mine too, but you have the LED and also that thing weighs a ton with the waterblock on it. I liked the idea of the larger bracket supporting that beast.

Nice choice though, I bet that thing is going to fly.

[Weevil]

Nice booty hot stuff.

[dingdong555]

Awesome Capt. I personally don't like the "one" inlet per side on those blocks but that's just my taste.

Now you need on of THESE

[CptDreadFlint]

Twins look amazing. Good job once again

Thanks Lagaaja Much appreciated!

The GTX295 is a pain to mount a block too. Too many screws and too many spots that need thermal tape. I do like that EK block though. It is such a nice looking block.

I was thinking about putting the single slot brackets on mine too, but you have the LED and also that thing weighs a ton with the waterblock on it. I liked the idea of the larger bracket supporting that beast.

Nice choice though, I bet that thing is going to fly.

I totally agree, MT. There is a lot to do in mounting this card with a block. I'm hoping when I see the performance, it'll all be worth it.
So far, I am pleased on how the damn thing looks. .

That counts, right?

Nice booty hot stuff.

Thanks, Weev!

Awesome Capt. I personally don't like the "one" inlet per side on those blocks but that's just my taste.

Now you need on of THESE

Thanks, Ding! I actually just finished rattle canning a silver BP d-plug when I saw those become available through Vincent.

I opted to stick with my version since I am quite pleased on how they turned out.

Here are some pics showing my results:










Cheers all!

I shall be posting pics of the motherboard fully outfitted, some doodles, leak test results, items of some packages I received during my absence and a nice slice of homemade apple pie.

[millertime359]

Yep, that is the reason I decided on the EK over the Swiftech block. I just think they look killer.

I'm also glad I didn't get that Swiftech block as the used GTX295 on the FS section has been calling my name.

[Antioch]

Capt, beautiful looking blocks and a great job cleaning those chips up.

I'm glad it's raining here too. Cleans up the air for a day or two - and is dumping a lot of snow for skiing!

Where'd you end up moving to? Still Eagle Rock?

[ohms]

Wow! Nice job on those GPUs there , the combination of the clear acrylic/nickel blocks with the black pcb and black fittings really makes it pop. Man it would look SICK if there was black fluid being pumped through those blocks.

It is definitely worthy of a good

[dingdong555]

Wow, that d-plug looks excellent!

[aka_GK]

killer looking GPUs
EK did great job on this block, innovative one thread by each side configuration in SLI looks way much cleaner than ordinary 2 by each side

[theToX]

welcome back Cpt. stunning work as usual.

[LeandroJVarini]

Beautiful quad SLI, the VGAs will be beautiful with the Block! perfect!
And how is the Case indos the mods it?

[van_arnam]

Looking good! glad to see you've stopped doing things w/ moving and real life and gotten back to the computer building.

I've been spray painting some fittings myself...