dual-xeons, CMStacker w/H2O (pics)

[funsoul]

Hi folks

Finally finished moving the old hardware to a new case and wanted to post some pics.

The case (CM Stacker) only needed 1 mod (cutting out the large hole in the bottom to fit the dual heatercore). Modded the mcp-350 pump to get the flowrate up. Vcore, vdimm and vio mods were made on the mobo. Added some case lighting (not usually my thing) because I hated having extra buttons on the fan controller and not using them *grin* Along the way, upgraded the memory to 4x512 ocz platimum rev2.

Full-load, overclocked (15x233mhz) temps: 40, 41, 57(vrm)...still burning-in, hoping to get a few more mhz out of it.

Future mods/changes:
- add soundproofing (have the materials already)
- swap the vrm 80mm with a quiet 120
- add a quiet 80 to the side door
- cut case top to replace current 80mm with a 120 and add grill
- replace the intake and exhaust fans with some slightly higher cfm but still quiet fans
- replace the heatercore fans with some that run quieter at low voltage
- add videocard cooler to the 9800pro and flash to xt.

Hole cut...leaktesting (note the missing retention plates *groan*
http://images.snapfish.com/344%3C969923232%7Ffp58%3Dot%3E2358%3D584%3D%3C37%3 DXROQDF%3E2323%3B7%3A8%3A4%3B66ot1lsi

Close-up of the res...too bad it chipped when I shoved it in there (tight fit)
http://images.snapfish.com/344%3C969923232%7Ffp63%3Dot%3E2358%3D584%3D%3C37%3 DXROQDF%3E2323%3B7%3A8%3A5456ot1lsi

Close-up of vio mod
http://images.snapfish.com/344%3C969923232%7Ffp63%3Dot%3E2358%3D584%3D%3C37%3 DXROQDF%3E2323%3B7%3A8%3A56%3C7ot1lsi

Getting there...waterblocks, chipset cooler and tubing done
http://images.snapfish.com/344%3C969923232%7Ffp7%3Enu%3D3267%3E493%3E%3B46%3E WSNRCG%3D3232%3C6%3B7%3B453%3Cnu0mrj

Almost done...vrm fan, shroud, cable management done
http://images.snapfish.com/344%3C969923232%7Ffp45%3Dot%3E2358%3D584%3D%3C37%3 DXROQDF%3E2323%3B7%3A8%3A4%3A62ot1lsi

Front shot
http://images.snapfish.com/344%3C969923232%7Ffp7%3Enu%3D3267%3E493%3E%3B46%3E WSNRCG%3D3232%3C6%3B7%3B4484nu0mrj

From a different angle
http://images.snapfish.com/344%3C969923232%7Ffp64%3Dot%3E2358%3D584%3D%3C37%3 DXROQDF%3E2323%3B7%3A89%3C4%3A6ot1lsi

[veryhumid]

very very pretty. and nice oc!

[noxqzs]

nice work. whatt kind of fluid is that? Looks like it could be radioactive. :p
Whenever I try to mix a magic potion, usually I end up with sewage so I stick to the basics.

[Xoligy]

yeah thats nice mate!

looks like uv dye to me yellow if im right but i dont have watercooling just yet getting next week yay!

[four4875]

that looks really nice, good job man. how well do the tube wrapper tihngs actally work? worth the cost and (imo) ugly look?

[JTanczos]

Not bad. Good to see what I can do with my stacker if I ever get the drive! Well done. :)

JT

[funsoul]

Thanks for the comments folks! :)

The liquid is just HydrX mixed with distilled water. The coolsleeves work and are dirt cheap (and, yes, kinda fugly). They definitely stiffen up the tubing in the tight bends to keep the tube from collapsing, though. About halfway through the install, had to flip the rad around so can now trim back the sleeves a bit....with tygon they're really only useful on the bends.

[Nexus Realized]

Looks great :thup:

[demonR6]

Nice! I am working on a wc on a Stacker myself as well. I've mounted my BIX in the front taking up the bottom four bays with the 120mm mounted to the front.. fan pulling from the front of the case through the radiator. Kept the 120mm rear as exhaust and the top 80mm as well and mounted an 80mm to the side in the cradle that was built in. Thought about upgrading the top to a 120mm as well but I think the heat won't be too bad. I will decide after I get it together and watch the temps. My pump will be in the lower rear corner.. looks like yours may be where I have mounted my radiator. Are those Swiftech blocks as well??

[funsoul]

Nexus- Thanks! Now if I could get this thing to benchmark better (still only getting just over 5000 in pcmark05).


demonR6- Yes...swifty blocks. The Stacker's a great case...roomy and airy. Since I'm pulling fresh air up from the bottom of the case, the temps are a tad higher than I'd like so will replace that top 80mm with a 120 after I complete researching different fans for the various ones to be replaced.

[demonR6]

I bought the crossflow fan this weekend and boy did it lower my temps on the components! I ran BF2 at full tilt and was watching my temps, my NB was around 40~41.. turned on the crossflow fan (three settings adjustable with a pci switch on the rear included) on mid it lowered by 1C and on high by 3C. Not too loud considering I have headphones on, about as bad as my Panaflo Ultra when I was still aircooling. Going to try changing the fluid with a different mix% as I am still a little warm on the CPU temps. How are your temps now? I am going to do the same mod as you, I have the MCP350 as well. My idle temps are 34-36-36 and load 40-38-39.. I am running different though, pump>GPU>CPU>res>rad. I may try changing that up if the pump mod and fluid mix change does not improve my temps. Also I am using a BIX.. I did not want to get into the dual core job. :)