MM U2-UFO and Horizon: The never ending 2 in 1 worklog (56k warning)

[ranker]

I had always assumed that I'd get around to posting pictures of my various builds once I was completely satisfied and finished with them. It recently dawned upon myself that I never really get satisfied with any of my builds and constantly tinker with them. So, I've decided to post pictures and start a worklog/journal of my rebuilds over the past 4 months as I'm always looking for a way to make it "better". Now "better" can be defined in many ways and often changes depending on my mood.

What started off as a U2-UFO build ended up splitting up into two simultaneous builds, a U2-UFO and a Horizon. I blame McCoffey for having sparked my impulsive buying habits into purchasing a Horizon midway through the recent U2-UFO build.

Gaming/Benching Machine -
Started on June 1, 2007
Status: Completed as of September 9th after revision #9

Case: Mountain Mods Horizon w/ Big Window Top w/ black powder coat
Motherboard: eVGA 680i
Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo E6700
RAM: 2GB of Corsair Dominator PC-8500 (1066 5-5-5-15 @ 2.0V)
Video Card(s): 2 x eVGA 8800 GTX
Hard Drives: 2 x Western Digital 150GB Raptors in Raid 0, 2 x Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD5000AAKS 500GB in Raid 1
Sound Card: Auzentech X-Fi Prelude
Bay Devices: Asus 20X DVD-Writer || Lite-On 20x DVD-Writer
PSU: PCP&C Silencer SLI 750W & Meanwell S-150-15
Peripherials: Dell 2407FPW 24" LCD || Logitech Z-5500 Digital 5.1 || Logitech G7 Mouse || Logitech G15 LCD Keyboard || Logitech Quickcam Ultravision

Monitoring & Control Suite: mCubed BigNG || 2 x mCubed MiniNG's || mCubed Sensorbus || mCubed Digital Thermometer Expansion || 3 Aqua Computer Plug n Cool water temp probes|| 5 mCubed Fan Attenuators

CPU Loop:
Pump: DDC-2 w/ Alphacool's top
Radiator: Thermochill PA120.2
Fans: 2 x Yate Loon D12SL-12 on pull
CPU Waterblock: D-Tek Fuzion
Reservoir: EK-RES250 Multioption (Rev 2) w/ extra Multioption top
Tubing: Tygon B-44-3 3/8" ID, 5/8" OD
Solution: distilled water, 2 drops PT Nuke

GPU Loop:
Pump: DDC-2 w/ Alphacool's top
Radiator: Thermochill PA120.3
Fans: 3 x Yate Loon D12SL-12 on push
GPU Block: 2 x EK 8800GTX Full Cover
Reservoir: EK-RES200 Multioption (Rev 2) w/ extra Multioption top
Tubing: Tygon B-44-3 3/8" ID, 5/8" OD
Solution: distilled water, 2 drops PT Nuke, UV green dye

Chipset Loop:
Pump: DDC-2 w/ Alphacool's top
Radiator: Thermochill PA120.1
Fan: 1 x Yate Loon D12SL-12 on push
Northbridge Block: EK eVGA 680i NB
Southbridge Block: EK NF4 1.1 SB
Hard Drive Blocks: 2 x Alphacool HDD3 CU/Plexi 3.5" & Alphacool Silentstar Dual HD waterblock enclosure
Reservoir: EK-RES200 Multioption (Rev 2) w/ extra Multioption top
Tubing: Tygon B-44-3 3/8" ID, 5/8" OD
Solution: distilled water, 2 drops PT Nuke, UV blue dye


Update: 9/11/07 w/ completed pics
The Horizon has finally been finished. Aside from possibly a few cabling tweaks and some rewiring of my T-Balancer BigNG, the Horizon won't see too much of a change.

During this build, I've learned some valuable lessons, I'd like to share with others who are considering doing some of the things I've done. The most important thing is that I never ever want to do a multiple loop build again...ever. The pain staking process of having to find room and innovative ways to mount/place components resulted in numerous rebuilds when things didn't fit as how I had planned it out. I probably spent over 2 weeks just drawing the loops out with exact measurements. However, once you get around to actually placing the components physically, they never quite fit as planned. At most, I'll do two loop builds in the future, but I'm most likely going to stick with single loop builds. The headaches are just not worth it. As much as I trust the 10 DDC's that I personally own and use in my multiple rigs, the thought of one failing, which would require me to disassemble the entire build, would probably drive me past the point of insanity. As great as the Horizon looks, rerouting tubing, especially with the pumps on the bottom, requires a total rebuild. In the future, I'll probably stick with a single loop with possibly multiple radiators powered by a single RD-30. I hate to say it, but I think this very project burnt me out from the watercooling scene... at least for a while.

Other things I've learned:
1) Hiding cables is a pain in the ass and requires multiple cuts in the motherboard tray that you didn't plan for with your first wave of cuts.

2) UV dye from Jab-tech and Alphacool are utter crap.

3) I never want to use automated hardware to control my fans/pumps again. Not only is the wiring a total messy, pain in the ass, but the hassles of setting it all up just isn't worth it. The first few days are great when you see all the information at your disposal but seriously, how often are you going to look at that stuff. I feel the same way about bay drive LCD's. Anyhow, in the future, I'll most likely be going back to my Sunbeam rheostats to control my fans and leave my pumps at full speed with RPM monitoring through the motherboard/bios/speedfan.

4) EK reservoirs only work right in one configuration. Even with the rev 2, the whirl pool effect still exists and causes bleeding nightmares. Do not ever route your tubing into your reservoir into the top like I did. It will never fully bleed out all of the air. The EK reservoirs are best setup with the intake and outlet on the same plane.

5) Cut out holes in your motherboard tray for all of your mounting posts for your chipset/CPU waterblocks. It will make life much more tolerable in the event you ever need to adjust the mounting hardware. You'll save yourself a few rebuilds when you realize that one waterblock wasn't mounted correctly. Case in point: EK NF4 1.1 Great block, but world's tiest mounting mechanism.

6) Ambient temps in the Horizon really suck ass due to the motherboard tray keeping all of the components near the top where all the warm air congregates. I wouldn't recommend getting any other top other than the original top that has mounts for 2 120mm fans. You really need to keep the air moving in this case. My U2 posts ambient temps that are on average 5-7C better than my Horizon and it has 2 less 120mm fans. Now a few C's may be due to the 8800GTX's and other components in the Horizon, but for the most part, I believe the aesthetics of the Horizon come at a cost.

7) When you're planning an over the top build, expect to run about $300-400 over budget and about 2 months over your planned timetable. Simple builds = less chance of running over budget and quicker up time. I probably have over $600 worth of components and accessories that were meant for this build that remain unused only because I wanted it to be a badass rig. Of course, new things always get released and somethings don't fit right and basically at the end of the day, you have an RD-30, PSU, a few waterblocks, a bunch of heat sinks, a PA160, etc sitting in a box.


Original Top - a must have for all Horizon owners imho


Horizon motherboard tray with cut outs for wire management


Motherboard with analogue and digital thermal sensors attached



3 x DDC-2's with Alphacool's top all attached to Mountain Mods HD brackets for mounting on Thermochill PA radiators


Custom cut/made acrylic reservoir holder for 3 x EK Reservoirs



3 x EK reservoirs with w/ Rev 2 bottom and original multioption tops



3 x DDC-2's w/ Alphacool's top attached to PA radiators



Horizon front with new Black Delrin Vandal Bulgin switches (blue on left, white on the right) and bottom 5.25" bay replaced with custom acrylic cutout to support a PA120.1 and 120mm fan


Top and side views of the Horizon with all of the components on the bottom compartment installed



All waterblocks installed onto their respective components



Front


Left side


Front and top sides

Top side


Right side


Internal view w/ completed wire management





BigNG in the bottom right hand corner


2 x MiniNG's and Sensorbus attached to underside of horizontal motherboard brace with velcro


Pictures taken in the dark:



























Home Office Work Machine -
Started On: March 14, 2007
Status: Completed on June 15, 2007 after 3 revisions

Case: U2-UFO w/ Original Top w/ black powder coat
Motherboard: eVGA 680i
Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo E6600
RAM: 2GB of Corsair Dominators (PC-8500 5-5-5-15) w/ Dominator Fan
Video Card(s): 2 x eVGA 7900GT SLI
Hard Drive: Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3500630AS 500GB
Bay Devices: Samsung SH-S183L 18x DVD Burner || Lite-On 18x DVD Burner || 2 x Sunbeam Rheobus (white/red LED mod) || 5 1/4" Bay 20-1 Card Reader
PSU: PCP&C Silencer SLI 750W
Peripherials: Microsoft Wireless Entertainment Keyboard 7000 || Dell 2405 24" LCD || Acer 22" LCD || Planar 19" LCD || Logitech X-530 5.1 speaker system || Creative Webcam

CPU/Chipset Loop:
Pump: DDC-1 w/ Petra's revised top on Petra Gel
Radiator: Swiftech MCR220QP
Fans: 2 x Silverstone FN122 120mm on pull
CPU Waterblock: Swiftech Apogee GTX
Northbridge Waterblock: Danger Den 680i
Southbridge Waterblock: EK NF4 1.1
Reservoir: Swiftech mcres-micro (w/ G1/4 tap on top)
Tubing: Tygon R3603 1/2" ID, 3/4" OD
Solution: distilled water, 2 drops PT Nuke, UV red Alphacool dye

GPU Loop:
Pump: DDC-1 w/ Petra's revised top on Petra Gel
Radiator: Thermochill PA120.3
Fans: 3 x Silverstone FN122 120mm (w/ shroud) on pull
GPU Waterblock: 2 x Swiftech MCW60
GPU Memory Waterblock: 2 x Swiftech MCW-Ramcool /79
Reservoir: Swiftech mcres-micro (w/ G1/4 tap on top)
Tubing: Tygon R3603 1/2" ID, 3/4" OD
Solution: distilled water, 2 drops PT Nuke, UV red Alphacool dye



Anyhow, my home office machine is built for silence. I normally don't overclock it at all and let it run stock. I tried to make look as decent as possible without spending too much time on it as my main focus has shifted towards my 3rd MountainMods build my Horizon.

The following pics document the entire journey starting with a U2-UFO which undergoes constant revisions. Eventually the project branches off into two separate builds altogether. The U2-UFO was originally meant to be my gaming/benching machine. It was to have 3 loops with a PA120.3, PA120.2, and a PA160 housed within. You'll notice that I managed to find room to squeeze everything in. However, after a few weeks of use, I decided to tear it down and begin the MM Horizon build and migrated the majority of my "high performance" components to the Horizon. I bought another PA120.3 and picked up an old MCR220 from the watercooling graveyard and moved those into the U2-UFO. During the journey, I had the pleasure of swapping in and out dozens of parts as you'll see from the pictures.

And here come the pics!

[ranker]

More Pics:

[ranker]

and More Pics of First Version of the U2-UFO

[ranker]

And here was the completion of the first revision of the U2-UFO and lasted about a week before I tored it down for a rebuild.

[ranker]

Now the pics for the end result for the Home Office Machine in its final state. Unfortunately, my Canon was taken by my significant other for her vacation. I had to settle with my dinky camera phone but I'll get better quality pics up soon enough.

[ranker]

Here's the last of it of the U2-UFO shots. I'll start posting the up to date worklog for my Horizon tomorrow:

[ColonelCain]

Ohhh... how I love build logs.... (it kinda satisfies my need for buying parts.... a little..)

[ShoNuff]

Nice build! What is that black "pad" you are using underneath the PSU? That looks like a great idea.

[Patriote]

Man, let me tell you this...You are Xtreme! Thats insane! You basically bought a damn Horizon when you were building your rig in a U2-UFO ?!

I feel really small in my shoes with my U2-UFO...lol

Originally Posted by ranker

I had always assumed that I'd get around to posting pictures of my various builds once I was completely satisfied and finished with them. It recently dawned upon myself that I never really get satisfied with any of my builds and constantly tinker with them. So, I've decided to post pictures and start a worklog/journal of my rebuilds as I'm always looking for a way to make it "better". Now "better" can be defined in many ways and often changes depending on my mood.

OMG...This is so true! I just finished building a rig in a U2-UFO myself, and im about to re-do the loop ... I haven't even received my goods from Performance PCs (Ek 8800GTX block, some Tubing etc...) That im already planning on ordering some more stuff from Jab-tech! I am never satisfied with my builds and orders. There is always something i can improve or make more Xtreme. And since im Easily Influenced, i never stop of buying stuff from online retailers. My wallet would thanks me if i'd quit reading Xtreme system forums...lol

Anyway, this was well said! And the build looks awesome BTW! Awesome job ranker!

PS: I have the same garbage can as you...Let me guess...IKEA ? lol

[1badhabit]

Wow, amazing work, everything is so... clean and tiddy, just how I like it!!

[erwinz]

wow very nice build..

you sure know your water cooling.. and very nice psu accomodating the power of the sata harddisk..

[teyber]

yeah, im 15 and am on my third computer this year lol... and sorta re-building again!

ive stopped buying new components, but have started to accesorize! like cooling, completely custom case(made by me!) phase change... man!

i like you you have two 24" dells!

[ranker]

Originally Posted by ShoNuff

Nice build! What is that black "pad" you are using underneath the PSU? That looks like a great idea.

It's actually the pad that came with my Vantec PSU gasket. I just used the foam and slipped it underneath as I didn't feel comfortable with it suspending in the air with just 4 screws.

Originally Posted by Patriote

Man, let me tell you this...You are Xtreme! Thats insane! You basically bought a damn Horizon when you were building your rig in a U2-UFO ?!

I feel really small in my shoes with my U2-UFO...lol

Haha yeah. Normally I'm always working on 1 or 2 builds for friends/family/office but there was a period where I was only working on my U2. I got bored so I decided to split my time by purchasing a Horizon. I then split the projects and moving half the parts into the U2 and purchasing more components for the Horizon. The end result was a graveyard of wasted parts. I'll post pics later of the 2 D5's, 2 MCR 220's, 2 x MCW30's and 2 x D-Tek Fuzion GPU's that were originally part of the build but got cut in the "editting process".

Once I finish with this Horizion, I'm going to start a Bob Slay build.

PS: I have the same garbage can as you...Let me guess...IKEA ? lol

Haha, you got it!

OMG...This is so true! I just finished building a rig in a U2-UFO myself, and im about to re-do the loop ... I haven't even received my goods from Performance PCs (Ek 8800GTX block, some Tubing etc...) That im already planning on ordering some more stuff from Jab-tech! I am never satisfied with my builds and orders. There is always something i can improve or make more Xtreme. And since im Easily Influenced, i never stop of buying stuff from online retailers. My wallet would thanks me if i'd quit reading Xtreme system forums...lol

Anyway, this was well said! And the build looks awesome BTW! Awesome job ranker!

It's definitely an addiction. I started a long time ago back in 2002. I stopped keeping up with the hobby around 2005 since I was focusing on getting into law school at the time. I recently got back in again during November of 2006 and I've spent way too much just catching up for the year I missed by buying everything in sight. Ugh, if I learned anything from all of this, its that I'm too much of an impulsive buyer.

Originally Posted by 1badhabit

Wow, amazing work, everything is so... clean and tiddy, just how I like it!!

Originally Posted by erwinz

wow very nice build..

you sure know your water cooling.. and very nice psu accomodating the power of the sata harddisk..

Thanks guys! The sad part is that on the rebuild, I had to redo the entire PSU modding I had originally done. The 2nd and 3rd time around I didn't do as good as a job as I knew I'd most likely have to redo it at a later time.

[clone38]

Nice build you got there m8

[ranker]

My current plan for my Horizon is:

1) Create an acrylic mounting piece for my RD-30 in order for it to be mounted vertically. This will simplify the tubing process by having the pump basically lying on its back. The outlet will point directly towards the PA120.2 in the back, and the inlet will face up towards the motherboard tray. There's some pictures of my Horizon in its naked state on this thread: http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...73&postcount=6 . At the top of the motherboard support bar is where I plan on "hanging" this acrylic piece w/ RD-30.

2) I'm going to remove the EK reservoir and see if this helps my temps: http://www.arcticmod.com/computer-mo...ch-systems.htm

I plan on using some Antec Cool Spot fans to blow on the reservoir. Basically my CPU loop is aimed towards achieving the lowest possble temps on water. If anyone has anything to add that might lower my temps some more, please do tell! I'm wondering if anyone ever saw better temps through the use of a passive copper reservoir with some fans on it?

3) Convert the other 2 loops toward 3/8"

4) Drill out an opening for the RD-30's relay kit so that I won't have to leave the 2ndary PSU plate completely open as I've had to do. I hate dust...and dog hair in my computer.

[Patriote]

Sounds good ranker!

PS: Don't worry, im impulsive too! Your not alone!

It's just now that im off work and school that im loading my credit card and spending a lot of stuff. Since i have all my time free!

[mcoffey]

Originally Posted by ranker

My current plan for my Horizon is:

1) Create an acrylic mounting piece for my RD-30 in order for it to be mounted vertically. This will simplify the tubing process by having the pump basically lying on its back. The outlet will point directly towards the PA120.2 in the back, and the inlet will face up towards the motherboard tray. There's some pictures of my Horizon in its naked state on this thread: http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...73&postcount=6 . At the top of the motherboard support bar is where I plan on "hanging" this acrylic piece w/ RD-30.

2) I'm going to remove the EK reservoir and see if this helps my temps: http://www.arcticmod.com/computer-mo...ch-systems.htm

I plan on using some Antec Cool Spot fans to blow on the reservoir. Basically my CPU loop is aimed towards achieving the lowest possble temps on water. If anyone has anything to add that might lower my temps some more, please do tell! I'm wondering if anyone ever saw better temps through the use of a passive copper reservoir with some fans on it?

3) Convert the other 2 loops toward 3/8"

4) Drill out an opening for the RD-30's relay kit so that I won't have to leave the 2ndary PSU plate completely open as I've had to do. I hate dust...and dog hair in my computer.

great stuff as always Ranker,

one of the problems I found with multi loops on my Hrz. is the lack of air flow in and out of the case (to many fans blowing in, not enough pulling air out causing a positive air pressure in the case). even though fresh air is blowing in on both rads, the heat inside the case tends to heat the rad housing themselves up and that hurts temps some. couple that with not enough fans blowing fresh cool air in, and not enough pulling warn air out, and that causes a problem.

so I'd be cautious about putting a copper res in the case that's subject to ambient heat.

I'm about two mouse clicks and one credit card away from solving that problem by adding a 2nd MM Duality case on top of the Hrz. I'll put all the rads, pumps, and optical drives up in the top case, just leaving the MB in the and HD's in the bottom. I can use one of the Duality's MB tray to mount a board and proc for folding up top (most likely move the AM2 and MB I run now, and replace with a C2D setup in the Hrz on the bottom). So I'll have a all in one, multi function, multi proc, double decker MM build with plenty of room for expansion into phase cooling when I decide to move into that.


Also, I noticed you mounted the hd's on the rads on the other build. the radiant heat from the hd's alone is enough to heat the rad housing up even though air is blowing from the rad to the hd's.

I used one of these for the hd mounting, and I love it. lost one of my 5 1/4 bays, but I only use 3 5 1/4 devices.
http://www.performance-pcs.com/catal...ducts_id=21082

built like a tank and matches up well with the case in front looks wise. very functional. getting the drives off the rad will help temps some.

can't tell you how much I enjoy watching your builds come around, and I've gotten several idea's from them.

and yes, I except full responsibility for your increased spending habits on the Hrz. i'm just passing on freely what was given to me, a passion for the extreme and subsequent addiction

this hobby is a blast,

andyc

[silverphoenix]

Constantly tinkering and never being satisified is like a disease for me, side effects include : keeping wallet nice and light, quick spendature of small paycheck.

[IanY]

ranker,

A tip about the relay. Buy the Lian Li PSU plate. It comes in silver and black, and is generally meant for its V- and G- series cases. The PSU plate is held by four little 6-32 screws, and that can easily be tapped into any MM PSU opening. I plan to try to drill that plate for a relay and PSU cord as well, as soon as I figure out how to cramp in a Meanwell into the Optimax. At the very worst, the PSU gets borked, and you start on a second one, for a very nominal price (I believe under $10). The case won't get harmed.

I notice you chose a S150-15 and nota S150-24 or S320-24. Can the 15 volt model be turned up to 18 volts?

I myself use a ceramic tile under the Optimax PSU. I see that you have an affinity for the Silencer 750W. I am getting a bit irritated by the weight and noise of the 1kW and may look to the Silencer models as well. I won't be able to double up on the PSU until I move on from my Optimax because its just way too cramped. A Meanwell would mean (no pun) that I would have to give up the lower drive location as well, which places even more constraints on space.

[DarthBeavis]

ranker u know u owe me for that chick with the scythe grill cover . . .my design . . .the one of the chick standing with it hanging off her back is the design of one of the guys at PDXLAN (he designed it specifically for me). These where custom made for my by Mountain Mods . . .came out so well Ben decided to sell them. Ben flippen ruleZ.

BTW . . .love u build

[AndyM]

Nice looking project! Thank you for not making me feel so bad about my never ending upgrading after reading of your progress . I must say, I'm kinda jealous, you were able to get your grubby mitts on a bigNG, both PPC's and mcubed are OOS on that. I'm anxiously awaiting the opportunity to blow some more cash on one of those along with one of those big Alphacool bay displays for my TJ07...must spend more!

[mcoffey]

Originally Posted by DarthBeavis

ranker u know u owe me for that chick with the scythe grill cover . . .my design . . .the one of the chick standing with it hanging off her back is the design of one of the guys at PDXLAN (he designed it specifically for me). These where custom made for my by Mountain Mods . . .came out so well Ben decided to sell them. Ben flippen ruleZ.

BTW . . .love u build

come on now, that chick's on the back of every tractor trailers mud flap from Cali to DC. but nice job getting it set up for a custom rig. i always wondered hpw that came about.

andyc

[sick_g4m3r]

Excellent build!!! Thats amazing!

[RickCain]

Ranker - +1 for the work!

Are you still running the Dtek GPU blocks?

[ANP !!!]

Thats some Awesome work man