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

[Utnorris]

Any updates? Black Pearls are back at the Egg for only $99 and I may get one but really curious how this will turn out...

Already out. Might have grabbed one of these also.

[shazza]

Dang ... ya know how, when you're in a really exciting phase of your project, you post an update, and are pleased to get responses to your work log?

How about when you are waaayyyyyy behind, you see a comment pop your work log up to the top, and you get that sinking, gut-wrenching, Catholic-school-girl guilty feeling?

Still in organizing mode. Things like preparing for Christmas, for house guests, and other domestic duties keep interfering with my plans. But, don't worry, the project will LIVE AGAIN !

[WrigleyVillain]

Already out. Might have grabbed one of these also.

Ah well. I *almost* bought one Thursday night. Still kind of glad I didn't. Bad timing financially and there are just enough things I don't like about it. Helluva deal for $99 though no question.

[CptDreadFlint]

How about when you are waaayyyyyy behind...and you get that...Catholic-school-girl guilty feeling?

Oddly, I know this feeling. I am a guilted, Catholic schoolgirl trapped in a Pirate's body.

Have a blast decking the halls, sending out Chrissy cards, and performing other domestic chores.
Although I anxiously await your adventures, I (and I'm sure most folks here) understand when life, family and friends has to take the wheel or at least ride shotgun.

Merry Christmas to you and your family, Shazza!

[Utnorris]

Oddly, I know this feeling. I am a guilted, Catholic schoolgirl trapped in a Pirate's body.

Have a blast decking the halls, sending out Chrissy cards, and performing other domestic chores.
Although I anxiously await your adventures, I (and I'm sure most folks here) understand when life, family and friends has to take the wheel or at least ride shotgun.

Merry Christmas to you and your family, Shazza!

That's so wrong on so many levels.

Have a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays everyone!!

[closetredneck]

How about when you are waaayyyyyy behind, you see a comment pop your work log up to the top, and you get that sinking, gut-wrenching, Catholic-school-girl guilty feeling?

About time for you to feel like a guilty Catholic school girl, don't you think?

[Waterlogged]

About time for you to feel like a guilty Catholic school girl, don't you think?

Yeah, come on shazza. . .where's the updates?

[shazza]

***oh damn, they didn't forget about this project***

[Xion X2]

***oh damn, they didn't forget about this project***

Ahaha.

Don't you love the pressure of keeping a worklog up to date? In some ways it's good, though, as it gets me off my lazy behind and to work.

Hint, hint! (just kidding )

[shazza]

"Hi, my name is Sharon, and I have Naekuh-itis"


On a serious note - actually did some work on the project today, but not planning to post an update until I have something photo-worthy. I milked the move and the Holidays for all I could - truth is, having difficulty overcoming the loss of momentum - BUT, getting inspired every day by seeing the great work everyone else is doing.

[Utnorris]

Heck Shazza, your my inspiration for me to complete mine. C'mon, stop watching Maury and get back at it.

[Waterlogged]

***oh damn, they didn't forget about this project***

never.

. . .and don't make me drag up your other log.

[kgtiger]

***oh damn, they didn't forget about this project***

Hell no, I still swing past from time to time to see where it's at.

[Wezly]

***oh damn, they didn't forget about this project***

This is a worklog?

[shazza]

Okay, Okay ... guilted into getting off my lazy behind (and Wezly twisted the knife in my back) - took the case out of the box.

Cut my old midplate to provide some support for the new plate. Spared you the pics of that. Here's the case, ready for mocking up the loop and PSU cabling layout:






Wanted to make sure the tubing was relatively straight from the top radiator to the mid-plate. A little adjustment, and it should be fine:





And, because it's been so long, an artsy shot - shows the rivets are going in okay.





Tasks for tomorrow - finish up the loop and PSU cabling mock ups.

[CptDreadFlint]

Oh Yeah! Exotic tropical holiday feel to your pics, Sharon!

Probably too premature to answer at this point, but have you tested that compression fitting on the midplate yet?
Still testing on my end, but I'll be sure to post my findings in hopes you'll find it helpful.

Welcome back!

[Wezly]

Okay, Okay ... guilted into getting off my lazy behind (and Wezly twisted the knife in my back) - took the case out of the box.

Always willing to help!

(you're welcome everybody)

That case looks great. Since you pointed out the rivet shot, I remembered that those were a big concern for you; great job!

I have a feeling the tube should work itself out once it gets warm and the rest of the components are secured.

[shazza]

Oh Yeah! Exotic tropical holiday feel to your pics, Sharon!

Probably too premature to answer at this point, but have you tested that compression fitting on the midplate yet?
Still testing on my end, but I'll be sure to post my findings in hopes you'll find it helpful.

Welcome back!

Thanks, Cpt - no testing yet - still just mock up. Waiting for you to lead the way.

Always willing to help!

Thanks, Wezly I needed the extra incentive to get going again.



Another small update. Went out this morning to get to work - found I'd had a visitor overnight, laying a trap for me with his (her?) web:







Attached the motherboard and played around with tubing layout - this is just W-I-P, nothing finalized yet, so suggestions welcomed:









Tried to get some pics of the heavy rain shower that attacked me while working outside, but not quite satisfied with my photographic skill when it comes to capturing rain.

[Oli4v]

dajum, candyred

[Chicken Patty]

that last shot is just too sexy great job Sharon!

[melle.k]

that is looking really good !!!

but how do you connect the tubing from the motherboard area to the tubing in the lower compartment (I mean which fittings and connectors) you see it very often that people are running the loop through mid plates and that kind off stuff and every time I am like ''wait, what! but, How''

can you please solve this mystery for me because I don't know what to do any more for years I am studying this ''running loops through mid plate's'' phenomenon but never have I found the secret

can you please share you secret?

[Utnorris]

Taking a guess here, but it might be this:

http://www.performance-pcs.com/catal...ducts_id=22957

[Kibbler]

I like it!

My only suggestion is on the straight tubing run. It's hard to make out against the red tray. And it's straight, versus the other sexy curvy runs to the right of it. Do you plan to have a res? What about turning that straight run into a top-inlet (+melvin pipe) / bottom-outlet cylinder res running top-to-bottom?

Above comment in small font because it's only a minor suggestion.

btw

I like it!

[aka_GK]

love it!

and I like the suggestion Kibbler made

[Arthur]

Great components you got there @shazza. I've always wondered how the Evga X58 SLI Micro looks with top radiator replacement on the Black Pearl or V2000. In my opinion, RX360 could be great top of your case and it could be fit out there but Swiftech also good choice. One way or another, you have great case and lots of area for your radiator replacement.

By the way, I heard what Evga X58 SLI Micro motherboards have limited 1.6vcore. Cannot Micro owners increase its vcore more manually or some other way? I assume that you aware of that problem too? If you can give positive answer or solution way about it, that would be great for me in near future.

Your last update is really good and we are waiting more progress.

Cheers,
Arthur