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

[gmat]

Yeah Oli4v beat me to it, use another EK res bottom for the top, so you'll get extra ports on the side, run a 90° from there to a top fillport (or wherever you want) and you're set

[shazza]

I liked the straight run. It made me feel more confident about a similar run I was planning.

Glad you liked it - it is still an option, but glad I know what the res will look like as well.

looking forward, an extra bottom wit 3 holes is perfect dit that once to and also for my yet to start build ...

That's it exactly, Oli4v (edit: you too, gmat). I probably saw it in one of your photos.

oh well, going from x38 to x48 for only 30$ more but my pc is out ot work for atleast 2weeks ( almost 1week passed)

Bummer - but it will be even better when fixed.

I cant get enough of your pics, Sharon.

The greenery to me isn't distracting. Me audibly going "Oh! Ah!" is.

I'm actually torn between the look of the straight tubing run and the res. They both look great.

I like the idea of red as the midplate. If the side panel behind the mobo tray is to be black, I think both the tray and the midplate in red will look like a win, maybe?

Thanks for the comment, Cpt. I think the main issue with the straight run as shown is that it doesn't stand out against the red background, but that might be okay in the end. Still mulling it all over.


Decided to get the paint out today to try and get an idea of the midplate colors -


Option A)





Option B)





Option A will probably win out, given the black from the side panel, and the fact that not all of the red midplate will show anyway, once the front is on:





And yes, that is a Photoshop paint brush (and a poor job at that )



Did a little real work - the PSU ready for a dremel attack, to allow room for the sleeving/heatshrink to fit into the case:






And, one of my dufus moves - split the blue cable when I was cutting off the stock sleeving material A bit of solder will take care of that - always wonderful to have just one more ???? about whether the thing will work once sleeving is done.



Thanks for lookin.'

[Bei Fei]

Nice work Shazza! Have fun sleeving!!

[Lu(ky]

Looking good shazza... I like the color scheme you are doing... Also sleeving the PSU looks fun I will be doing 2 PSU's in the next couple of days myself, unless you want to do mine for me?

[dingdong555]

Looks great already! Looking forward to your perfect sleeving job again.

[Hkxyz]

Looks Great, I like the idea of the black midplate it might make the tray stand out more instead of blending in with it. yes the panels cover most of it but...

Looks awesome though, i really like the way you ran the tubing, its super smooth and flows well. nice job on the new midplate, makes me want to remake mine

Its been a while since i updated my black pearl build, just been lazy to resize the pics

Cant wait for more

[JasonDTM]

And, one of my dufus moves - split the blue cable when I was cutting off the stock sleeving material A bit of solder will take care of that - always wonderful to have just one more ???? about whether the thing will work once sleeving is done.



Thanks for lookin.'

It will be fine once you re-splice and solder the wire.

[bentleya]

Look great Sharon, the tubing is being done smoothly and blends in seamlessly with the red motherboard tray.

However there something thats bugging me, it's the res. It looks great where it is, but, it's does not look straight from the pictures. I think this is because the top port is in the middle and the bottom port is off centred, you could solve this by buying another top from Eddie then incorporate a T line somewhere?

I'm not sure if this will be changed in the new revision of the EK MultiOption reservoir which does address this problem with the larger compression fittings.

[woffen]

I agree what was said about the middle plate, I think it looks better as black and makes the mobo tray stand out instead of blend in. How ever you decide to do it will look great though so no big concerns

[ohms]

Seeing the great potential of that case now Shazza, I really wish I would have bought one when Newegg had em for $99.

You have done an awesome job with it! I'm really digging the cuts you made and the color that you chose for the motherboard tray. As for your the color of your mid-plate I would definitely go with black as the red I think would blend in too much with the motherboard tray, the black would contrast better in my opinion. It would match up better with the motherboard as well as black is the more dominating color scheme. You can also use some black primoflex tubing as well to help offset the blending (if thats not your intent) in red areas

Have you had any thoughts to actually mount the MCR-220 the other way so you have more of a straight tube toward into the video card and have the EK res above the 120mm fan hole, similar in what Oli4v did.

Needless to say I have not been able to find the case on the web for a decent price which saddens me

[Wezly]

That floor-to-ceiling tube should be straight; no res. It also need to be black to contrast with the red mobotray. If you paint the inside of the case red it will make the wall all red, and if the midplate is black, i feel it would be more uniform and sleek. That way the only thing breaking up the mobotray and case side would be the fact that it's two different panels. Think of it like armor plating. It adds subtle texture to the wall.

[Wezly]

I also neglected to read allll those other posts and just decided to say what I meant to say before haha.

[melle.k]

it's does not look straight from the pictures. I think this is because the top port is in the middle and the bottom port is off centred,.

it could be that but I think its because the mid plate isn't looking straight. I think its bent down a bit because off the tubing that is pushing down on it. or is that an optical delusion

anyways looking good shazza cant wait to see more

[Utnorris]

Looking great!! Try not to get to frustrated sleeving, patience is the key.

[bentleya]

it could be that but I think its because the mid plate isn't looking straight. I think its bent down a bit because off the tubing that is pushing down on it. or is that an optical delusion

anyways looking good shazza cant wait to see more

Never thought of it like that, but it's more than likely just an optical delusion.

[Red-5]

Regarding the colour of your mid-plate, I think it would look good left as plain aluminium or maybe polished even.
I hope that hasn't thown a spanner in the works. I'm sure whatever colour you pick it will look great in the end.

[Wezly]

I recently asked shazza about the midplate and the off-center-ness (I noticed it right away too). Not to speak for her, but in her temporary absence; it is going to be replaced, it was just a mock-up to be able to anchor the tubes/rez during test-fits. (something to that effect).

I didn't want to start a riot here by saying it but since someone else did haha

[melle.k]

its not a riot imo its just looking why its looks a tiny tiny tiny bit not straight.
but its not a problem because its going to be replaced. what you should watch out for tough is when you place the actual mid plate that will be straight. The tubing will have less room so there will be more tension on the loop which can result off the res tipping over but I am sure shazza have thought off that because she is a very smart women

[Wezly]

its not a riot imo its just looking why its looks a tiny tiny tiny bit not straight.
but its not a problem because its going to be replaced. what you should watch out for tough is when you place the actual mid plate that will be straight. The tubing will have less room so there will be more tension on the loop which can result off the res tipping over but I am sure shazza have thought off that because she is a very smart women

Well I always assume the worst when making suggestions or comments

What were you saying about tension? The rez will induce more tension or the new midplate/tubing? Oh, you mean it will be tough to get the holes to line up, right. I'm sure shazza already thought of putting a laser-pointer into the rad outlet with a level to make sure it's spot-on...

[melle.k]

I was saying that the mid plate is pushed down at the moment so when de mid plate is straight the distance between mid plate and res will be shorter so the tubing will have to be shortened two. Or else the mid plate will push the res up which cant go up because there is the roof off the case so it will tip over because it cant get rid off the tension that is pushing it up

like this

[Wezly]

Oh.
Right.

Haha my bad.

Nice picture!

[shazza]

Nice work Shazza! Have fun sleeving!!

Thanks Bei Fei ... sleeving is always such a job

Looking good shazza... I like the color scheme you are doing... Also sleeving the PSU looks fun I will be doing 2 PSU's in the next couple of days myself, unless you want to do mine for me?

Ha - I wouldn't want to deprive you of the fun, Lu(ky.

Looks great already! Looking forward to your perfect sleeving job again.

Thanks for stopping by James (love the Hulk, by the way).

Looks Great, I like the idea of the black midplate it might make the tray stand out more instead of blending in with it. yes the panels cover most of it but...

Yes - still not sure about the midplate color - it's actually pretty dark inside once it's all buttoned up ... so the red might stand out more. I really like how your BP came out ... makes me wonder if all this midplate chopping was worth it!

It will be fine once you re-splice and solder the wire.

Yep - it won't be the first time I've had to fix one.

Look great Sharon, the tubing is being done smoothly and blends in seamlessly with the red motherboard tray.

However there something thats bugging me, it's the res. It looks great where it is, but, it's does not look straight from the pictures. I think this is because the top port is in the middle and the bottom port is off centred, you could solve this by buying another top from Eddie then incorporate a T line somewhere? ...

You're right, bentleya. The holes on the res are offset from each other - this would be solved if I use another top on the res - although they would then both be offset from the center.

I agree what was said about the middle plate, I think it looks better as black and makes the mobo tray stand out instead of blend in. How ever you decide to do it will look great though so no big concerns

Another vote for black ... hmmmnn.

Seeing the great potential of that case now Shazza, I really wish I would have bought one when Newegg had em for $99.

... I would definitely go with black as the red I think would blend in too much with the motherboard tray... You can also use some black primoflex tubing as well to help offset the blending (if thats not your intent) in red areas

Have you had any thoughts to actually mount the MCR-220 the other way ... ?

I will actually try some black tubing before the final setup. Re mounting the MCR 220 the other way - problem is, I will not have room beneath the right side of the midplate, as the PSU will be jammed right to the top.

That floor-to-ceiling tube should be straight; no res. It also need to be black to contrast with the red mobotray. If you paint the inside of the case red it will make the wall all red, and if the midplate is black, i feel it would be more uniform and sleek. That way the only thing breaking up the mobotray and case side would be the fact that it's two different panels. Think of it like armor plating. It adds subtle texture to the wall.

All good points ... thanks, Wezly.

it could be that but I think its because the mid plate isn't looking straight. I think its bent down a bit because off the tubing that is pushing down on it. or is that an optical delusion

You are correct, melle. There is a very slight bend to the midplate - will resolve that next go around.

Looking great!! Try not to get to frustrated sleeving, patience is the key.

Thanks, Ut - this is my 5th sleeving job. Patience is an understatement

Regarding the colour of your mid-plate, I think it would look good left as plain aluminium or maybe polished even.
I hope that hasn't thown a spanner in the works. I'm sure whatever colour you pick it will look great in the end.

No spanner - I also think a polished midplate might look very nice.

I recently asked shazza about the midplate and the off-center-ness (I noticed it right away too). Not to speak for her, but in her temporary absence; it is going to be replaced, it was just a mock-up to be able to anchor the tubes/rez during test-fits. (something to that effect).

I didn't want to start a riot here by saying it but since someone else did haha

Thx Wezly - you're right, this is just a mock-up / test setup right now.

its not a riot imo its just looking why its looks a tiny tiny tiny bit not straight.
but its not a problem because its going to be replaced. what you should watch out for tough is when you place the actual mid plate that will be straight. The tubing will have less room so there will be more tension on the loop which can result off the res tipping over but I am sure shazza have thought off that because she is a very smart women

Not too smart, but persistent

... I'm sure shazza already thought of putting a laser-pointer into the rad outlet with a level to make sure it's spot-on...

Ha! No, I didn't, but my my husband did!


Whew - thanks for all the comments and feedback. Gives me lots of things to think about. Right now I'm also sorting out where to move my 24-pin cable opening. It needs to be offset some, so as not to interfere with the RAM - and I think the very straight run I have now looks a bit odd with the tubing runs.


Back to work ...

[Wezly]

I hate to say it, but have you considered drilling a hole in the motherboard tray (circular, to fit just the cables through as if they were uni-sleeved) taking the pins out of teh connector and then fanning them out and putting them back in the 24-pin connector? It would minimize cable, but also cause a total pain (I know how much you love making holes in metal! :P) and then you'd have to repaint :/

That's a horrible run-on sentence but I don't feel like editing....

[CptDreadFlint]

I think that if shazza were to water her palm plant more often, it would make her midplate appear straighter.

[shazza]

Believe it or not, Wezly - I did actually consider that. The issue I have is there is virtually NO room behind the motherboard tray in this case (my major complaint with the case). SO, it could be done, but I'd have a rat's nest behind the mobo tray, and I'm trying to keep that area neat and tidy.

The PCI-E cables barely fit back there. And, as you can see, I cut my holes larger than I would really like them. In retrospect, I should have gone ahead and used a small hole, then re-attached the connector. Unfortunately, this isn't very practical for me, since I change components so often. (I've actually contemplated re-doing the mobo tray, but perhaps I'll just use this as lesson-learned and apply that to my next build).

I think that if shazza were to water her palm plant more often, it would make her midplate appear straighter.