[Project]: SR-2 Build (No name yet)

[JTF195]

4/2/2011 I carelessly dropped my 90 lb BLACKBIRD-002 about 1 ft to the floor, and the 3.3 lb graphics card snapped the poor PCI-E port on my 790i. I performed a last ditch PCI-Ectomy, but 790i's won't run without a graphics card in slot 1, so I have to replace it.


4/7/2011 I decided that I'd rather do a full upgrade, because the 790i has never liked playing nice with my G19 and X-Fi Titanium, and when I found a pair of used Xeon X5650s on ebay for a steal, I knew it was time to set my sights on an SR-2.

So without further ado, here's what I've collected so far:
2 Intel Xeon X5650s, gently used, "Intel Confidential" - $425 each
EVGA Classified SR-2 on the way, in the meantime, I have a scale printout of it, for reference.


Some parts leftover from my BLACKBIRD-002 Dedication Edition, which I'll gradually replace:
2 sticks of Corsair Dominator CM3X2G1600C8D4
ToPower PowerBird-1100, and a second set of cables
WD VelociRaptor 300gb 10k rpm
WD 500gb 7.2k RPM for storage

And finally, a pair of ASUS MARS GTX295s with Bitspower waterblocks. (I installed one of the waterblocks almost a year ago, just never got around to ordering the rest of the WC supplies.)



This time around, I'm gonna do it right, I'm just gonna have to do it in stages, as money trickles in.

More pictures forthcoming, as I get more stuff, and by request.

Build log also posted at:
http://www.evga.com/forums/tm.aspx?m=954141

[jstutman]

Subscribed. Will you be folding?

[JTF195]

I had WCG up and running back when I had both my GPUs in, but between putting the WB on the one gpu, and reinstalling my OS countless times. I haven't donated any comp time since.

I'm definitely going to put this new comp to good use.

[=[PULSAR]=]

Have you though of a case yet mine is slowing going together...

[xFEARx3]

Love the 2 Asus Mars.

[JTF195]

Have you though of a case yet mine is slowing going together...

I've been following Mick64's case since last year. He entered into the Phobya competition, alongside some other really incredible cases, but it doesn't look like any of them (including Mick64s) support HPTX.

I also really like LittleDevil's PC-V8

But I'm probably going to end up with a Xigmatek Elysium, when they release.

Until I make a decision, I'll just build it on top of some anti-static plastic.

[m_jones_]

Dont put your mobo on top of anti-static plastic just use cardboard/motherboard box.

[TJ TRICHEESE]

I wouldnt put it on anti-static plastic (as in the type that mobo's come in) as its actually conductive... thats why its anti-static.

[JTF195]

Good to know, thanks.

I finally took a good picture of my other GPU waterblock:

[JTF195]

And here it is.. Mmm




Now I just need to buy the rest of the cooling supplies and get it up and going, tabletop style.

[eth0s]

Good to know, thanks.

I finally took a good picture of my other GPU waterblock:

LOL @ that eve hypo. I can't believe nobody else liked it enough to comment on it. Well, I like it.

[cityofglass88]

Agreed. I approve of the eve. Now all you need is more adam.

[JTF195]

Agreed. I approve of the eve. Now all you need is more adam.

Oh, I think I've got that covered.

[JTF195]

I'm trying to determine if I should go with 120mm or 140mm rads/fans

The TweakTown guy in the video said it supports 4x120s, but I did some comparative measurements with these pictures:

An HDD is about 10cm wide,

and a PSU is about 15cm wide


It looks like it'll hold a 3x140 rad.

[JTF195]

Posting these a little late, as I just had a chance to upload them

I got my second waterblock installed:



My fittings and tubing were delivered:



and a nice pic of the cards ready for tubing:





My Koolance RP-450X2 Dual Bay Res, 2x Koolance D5s, 420 Rad/fans, and waterblocks should all arrive today, so more pictures in a bit.

[xFEARx3]

Beautiful

[JTF195]

I realized I didn't have anything to cut the tubing with, and I was having quite a bit of trouble with the fittings (my fingers still hurt), so I went out to my local Home Depot and picked up a nice tube cutter, some rubberized gloves, a pair of wrenches, and some 3-in-1 oil:

The result: I was able to get my first tube in place!


And now finally, the rest of the equipment has arrived:





It's progress time!

[=[PULSAR]=]

Woody time!

[JTF195]

I got the motherboard ready, which involved cutting TIM pads into 25 freaking little squares and fumbling them onto the various chips:


As I was screwing the block down, I had a couple really scary moments where a screw went into the standoff crooked and unscrewed the standoff into the PCB. Finally, after having to take the whole block back off to put standoffs back on - not once, but twice - I got the stupid thing on:


On top of all that, I'm apparently missing one of the washers for the screws that hold the block on, so I'm going to have to contact Performance-PCs and see if I can get a replacement (unless I find it hiding somewhere)

[JTF195]

So I've had this one done for a while:




But I hit another few snags. Once again, I seem to have misplaced a small part, this time it's a metal washer for one of the EK waterblocks.

After that, I found out that the 1/2"ID 3/4"OD fittings wouldn't fit properly on the RP-450X2 res, so I'm exchanging it for the newer revision, despite the fact that I don't like the look of it quite as much.

I got ahold of Performance-PCs, who forwarded my email to EK and Bitspower, and they should be able to replace the metal washer for the EK block, courtesy of Eddy at EK. Still waiting on an email back from Bitspower about the one I lost from their block.

On top of all that, I ran out of tubing, and dinged up a couple of the fittings pretty badly, even though I thought my crescent wrench was pretty well padded with that bandage tape.

I obviously need to buy a new one with a legit rubber coating. Any suggestions?

[NaeKuh]

After that, I found out that the 1/2"ID 3/4"OD fittings wouldn't fit properly on the RP-450X2 res, so I'm exchanging it for the newer revision, despite the fact that I don't like the look of it quite as much.

I got ahold of Performance-PCs, who forwarded my email to EK and Bitspower, and they should be able to replace the metal washer for the EK block, courtesy of Eddy at EK. Still waiting on an email back from Bitspower about the one I lost from their block.

explain please...

how is the fitting not fitting inside the RP-452x?

[JTF195]

explain please...

how is the fitting not fitting inside the RP-452x?

It's not the RP-452X2, it's the older model RP-450X2, which has the holes a little closer to each other.

[NaeKuh]

It's not the RP-452X2, it's the older model RP-450X2, which has the holes a little closer to each other.

ahhh so the gap between the fittings is too tight..



if u bought it at koolance they take returns up to 30 days...

so u could swap out the newer one like u said.

[JTF195]

ahhh so the gap between the fittings is too tight..



if u bought it at koolance they take returns up to 30 days...

so u could swap out the newer one like u said.

I got it at Performance-PCs, but they're gonna let me RMA it for the newer one

[xxh1tm4nxx]

hey JTF.....just a quick question...was getting the block on the board a pain in the anus? im using the same board but im not too sure whether to get the block for it or no....Ive tried WC'ing two separate boards before (not sr-2's) and ended up burning both of them....