Arca's Rebuild: Wire Management+Liquid Cool

[Arca_ex]

Alright, so I decided to go liquid cooling, and while I was at it I decided to hack up my case.

Right now I have the gear listed in my sig (I'll be using a Pent D 920 for now).

Liquid cooling gear:
DangerDen RBX for LGA775
DangerDen NV-78 for eVGA 7900GT
2x BIX2 (overkill, i know)
DD-D5 Pump
Tygon 3603 1/2" ID 3/4" OD
Stainless Steel 3/8" OD Tubing
4 Machined Bulkheads
Compression Fittings for exterior of case
Worm clamps for barbs of interior

So heres my case (I was testing out HDD mounting):

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j93/Arca_ex/resize1.jpg
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j93/Arca_ex/resize3.jpg
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j93/Arca_ex/resize4.jpg
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j93/Arca_ex/resize5.jpg

[Arca_ex]

Here is a picture of the bulkheads and tubing, then with them being installed, then installed.

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j93/Arca_ex/resize6.jpg
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j93/Arca_ex/resize8.jpg
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j93/Arca_ex/100_1520.jpg
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j93/Arca_ex/100_1526.jpg
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j93/Arca_ex/100_1524.jpg

[Arca_ex]

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j93/Arca_ex/100_1537.jpg
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j93/Arca_ex/100_1535.jpg
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j93/Arca_ex/100_1530.jpg
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j93/Arca_ex/100_1528.jpg
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j93/Arca_ex/100_1527.jpg

[flamerail]

Its a start, you are going to cut those fan grills out right?

[Arca_ex]

Here's where I started cutting holes. Before and after:

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j93/Arca_ex/100_1522.jpg
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j93/Arca_ex/100_1521.jpg
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j93/Arca_ex/100_1565.jpg
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j93/Arca_ex/100_1563.jpg
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j93/Arca_ex/100_1549.jpg
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j93/Arca_ex/100_1545.jpg
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j93/Arca_ex/100_1544.jpg

[Arca_ex]

I don't know, because these mounts clip into them, so they are screwless, but most likely, yes.

[Arca_ex]

Here's where I cut a hole for my UV CCFL ON/OFF switch and installed it, it used to be mounted to a PCI slot plate.

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j93/Arca_ex/100_1550.jpg
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j93/Arca_ex/100_1555.jpg
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j93/Arca_ex/100_1554.jpg

[Arca_ex]

Putting the NV-78 onto my 7900GT, with my pro TIM skills lol:

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j93/Arca_ex/100_1557.jpg
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j93/Arca_ex/100_1558.jpg
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j93/Arca_ex/100_1560.jpg
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j93/Arca_ex/100_1561.jpg
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j93/Arca_ex/100_1562.jpg

[Captain Slug]

What size tubing are you using? Those look like bulkhead fittings meant for steel or brass pipe-tube, not PVC tubing.

[Arca_ex]

I have barbs for the inside of them, they screw onto the bulkheads. The tygon (1/2" ID 3/4" OD) is going to be used on the interior of the case, and the stainless steel (couple mm thickness, 3/8" OD) on the outside going to the radiators.

[Arca_ex]

Alright, today I will be mounting the pump then trying to finish everything inside the case, so the only thing left will be the radiators.

Here is how I am going to mount the pump, hanging from a stainless steel plate, I still have to cut it to size then screw it in place.

Also, this is how the radiators are going to be situated I have the fan on standoffs for now, I was toying with the idea of a mini-shroud.

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j93/Arca_ex/100_1566.jpg
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j93/Arca_ex/100_1567.jpg
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j93/Arca_ex/100_1568.jpg
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j93/Arca_ex/100_1569.jpg
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j93/Arca_ex/100_1570.jpg
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j93/Arca_ex/100_1571.jpg
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j93/Arca_ex/100_1572.jpg

[Arca_ex]

Alright, I have everything inside the case done, everything installed and wire managed. I have to resize the pictures so I will post them tomorrow.

Had a really scary moment too, my waterblock hit the capacitors on my mobo, I grinded away part of the block, and it all turned out good thank god. All that's left to do is mount and attach the radiators. Should be booting up tomorrow, I'll see how it goes.

[Arca_ex]

Alright I have the pump in and I sleeved some of the cables, here are some of my tools etc.

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j93/Arca_ex/100_1582.jpg
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j93/Arca_ex/100_1581.jpg
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j93/Arca_ex/100_1580.jpg
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j93/Arca_ex/100_1579.jpg
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j93/Arca_ex/100_1578.jpg
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j93/Arca_ex/100_1577.jpg
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j93/Arca_ex/100_1576.jpg
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j93/Arca_ex/100_1574.jpg

[Arca_ex]

Here's the pump all mounted up.

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j93/Arca_ex/100_1585.jpg
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j93/Arca_ex/100_1588.jpg
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j93/Arca_ex/100_1587.jpg
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j93/Arca_ex/100_1586.jpg

[Arca_ex]

Alright, here is my most scary (for me at least) mod. I had to grind away a pretty good piece of the waterblock so it would fit around some capacitors on my mothorboard. In that last picture the waterblock isnt touching the processor, it was suspended for tube sizing.

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j93/Arca_ex/100_1598.jpg
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j93/Arca_ex/100_1597.jpg
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j93/Arca_ex/100_1591.jpg

[Arca_ex]

Alright, time to start putting stuff into my case. Here is some stuff being put in.

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j93/Arca_ex/100_1596.jpg
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j93/Arca_ex/100_1595.jpg
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j93/Arca_ex/100_1594.jpg
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j93/Arca_ex/100_1593.jpg

[Arca_ex]

Okay, time for the plumbing. Here is some of it in, the PSU is still out, and i had to extend one of the bulkhead barbs later so i could the clamps around all of them.

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j93/Arca_ex/100_1602.jpg
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j93/Arca_ex/100_1601.jpg
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j93/Arca_ex/100_1600.jpg
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j93/Arca_ex/100_1599.jpg

[Arca_ex]

Alright, the internals are done. Here it is all wire managed and plumbed, all that's left is the radiators and I should be powering up. Also, I changed the radiator placement. You'll see that later.

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j93/Arca_ex/100_1615.jpg
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j93/Arca_ex/100_1613.jpg
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j93/Arca_ex/100_1611.jpg
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j93/Arca_ex/100_1610.jpg
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j93/Arca_ex/100_1609.jpg
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j93/Arca_ex/100_1607.jpg
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j93/Arca_ex/100_1606.jpg
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j93/Arca_ex/100_1605.jpg

[Arca_ex]

thoughts? sorry i didn't cut out the fangrill, but i blanked and put in some stuff, then remembered. plus then i cant use the screwess mounts for it.

[Dice]

I really like the lines created by the tubing and how you have it routed. Very smooth.

Good job with grinding the waterblock. I find myself wanting to see more of your progress.

I doubt that you would notice much of a difference if you had removed the stock fan grill. Maybe if you were air-cooling that vid card, most of the heat is going to be removed by the water so you really don't have to make the air-cooling the most efficient possible. JMO.

[Arca_ex]

Thanks, i just made sure i wasn't going to break through to the actual chamber of the block. I measured about 4 or 5 times with my dad's calipers (im only 15, still live with my parents obviously) (also i love calipers) and used a grinding machine, the type that has a 6" grinding wheel, 1/2 HP engine. Then I used a file to square it off the best i could.

Anyways, radiators are going on, one is done, the other is sleeved with the fans on ready to be attached, just have to finish the compression fittings, and i bought some distilled water, that's for testing. after that ill drain and put in home mixed coolant. power up date will be either tomorrow or wednesday. Let me take some pictures really quick.

[Zerius]

WOW SOOO NICE!

[Arca_ex]

Alright, here are some pictures of one of the radiators mounted and connected, that is the quick connect fillport, I have a resevior thing that clips into it for filling. The other tubing to the other radiator will have another quick disconnect, this will be used to pull a vaccum on the system, then the res will be clipped in and the system will completely fill without turning it on. And also, all the 90's, yeah i know, restriction. but it was the only way

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j93/Arca_ex/100_1621.jpg
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j93/Arca_ex/100_1620.jpg
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j93/Arca_ex/100_1619.jpg
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j93/Arca_ex/100_1618.jpg
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j93/Arca_ex/100_1617.jpg

[Son1990]

and how is the second rad positioned? Same manner? Very nice. Temps?

[calvin]

Refreshingly original, well done :clap:

And you're only 15, hmm, what career do you intend to pursue? You should consider engineering, since you seem to enjoy technical challenges.

[Tyreal]

Cool awesome job.
I'm 15 as well. I wish i could do something like what you're doing but i just don't have the money.

[Arca_ex]

Yes, I have pictures of the second rad placement, it is partially attached with the other quick connect installed, to fill the system I will use a wet/dry vac on one and pour distilled water into the other, so i shiouldnt need to turn on the pump to initially fill the loop. I intend to pursue a career in engineering, my dad is an engineer at Intel and works on the machines over at the fab here in AZ. He's helping me putting it together, because I don't know how to make compression fittings, and he does. I picked out all the hardware and such, and he's helping me with anything that I don't know how to do.

I don't have temps yet because the loop isn't finished but I'm hoping to power up today.

Here is the second rad partially attached and it is going to be placed where it is in the pictures.

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j93/Arca_ex/100_1628.jpg

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j93/Arca_ex/100_1627.jpg

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j93/Arca_ex/100_1625.jpg

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j93/Arca_ex/100_1624.jpg

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j93/Arca_ex/100_1623.jpg

[MechaWyvern]

I really like what you've done here. Cable management is top-notch, and looks like you made the most out of the small space inside that case. Very nice all-around.

[Flip-Mode]

Love the tubing management but the rad placement isn't good IMO, they are going to be in the way when you are plugging and un plugging stuff.

[Arca_ex]

For me, the rad placement was pretty good, because this computer ill be sitting up on top of a desk, so that shouldn't be a problem, and I made sure all the wires would clear the radiators too. I really liked how the tubing turned out too.

@MechaWyvern Oh god, you should see behind the motherboard tray, let me go take a picture, it took me and my dad combined a total of about an hour just for that wire management. I just want to see all of it with the UV cold cathodes on, there's two 12" ones, one in the bottom and one in the crossbar.

[Arca_ex]

Okay, here are pictures of my cold cathode placement, cant see the one in the crossvar very well, but the other side is open, I plan on using UV blue dye in my loop. Then here are some pictures with my back panel removed.

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j93/Arca_ex/100_1634.jpg
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j93/Arca_ex/100_1633.jpg
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j93/Arca_ex/100_1632.jpg
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j93/Arca_ex/100_1631.jpg
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j93/Arca_ex/100_1630.jpg
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j93/Arca_ex/100_1629.jpg

[NODES]

Sweet....ive mounted my rad in the samle place using a "stand for it and zip ties

[traldan]

Very nice work there, looks good.

[SNieX]

thats sexiii

[bumsquad]

lol looks freaking awesome, but ur rads are outside and aren't mounted exactly, don't plan on moving it?

[Arca_ex]

Ha, you think they won't hold huh. Those things are mounted with stainless steel tubing going into machined bulkheads which are SECURELY attached to the case, and let me tell you i could throw that thing across the room and the rads would make it just fine (not sure about the internals though lol)

[SolidxSnake]

looks nice man. Very clean. But what's with the four bulkheads? Wouldn't you only need two? How are you running the rads?

[Arca_ex]

Pump>CPU>Rad1>GPU>Rad2>Pump

that is the loop, so i used 4 bulkheads, looks cool anyways

[MechaWyvern]

I see what you're saying on the back side, but normally people dont see that side of the case. Perhaps something to conceal the wires, or cover the grate.......

[Arca_ex]

I was thinking about it, but decided it wasn't worth it, the important part is the inside with all the cool stuff =].

[Arca_ex]

CRAP! Alright, I hooked up one quick connect to a pressure guage, and the other to my air compressor, to see if it leaks, and it started hissing right away. The loud thing was the center input barb of the RBX CPU block, I had to take it out and I got a different clamp, problem solved. I pressurized it again, and it was looking good. Then after about 5 minutes i looked at the guage, I started at 8 PSI, now it was at 5. So i busted out the toothbrush with soapy water, and it is the outputs of both radiators, so I need to take them off and retape them, then see if it works, if not i have teflon dope, that should fix it.

Trying to get this done, I'll update tomorrow, any replies within like 20 minutes and I'll get to them, if not, talk to you tomorrow.

[7hunder]

i wish my dad would mod my case for me :((

[Arca_ex]

He's helping lol, I did some drilling, the long holes I used tinsnips, drill two holes and cut out the middle.

[Arca_ex]

Let me take some pictures, here are the radiators connected and they can stay in place just fine with just the steel tubing connected, rock solid.

[Arca_ex]

Here it is, I propped up the case on an aluminum box, the radiators are only attached to the steel piping.

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j93/Arca_ex/100_1637.jpg
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j93/Arca_ex/100_1636.jpg
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j93/Arca_ex/100_1635.jpg

[Encore2097]

Nicely mod. where did you pick up those fittings secured to the pc and going to the rad?

[Arca_ex]

They are compression fittings that came off of one of the machines at a company called ASML (they make chips like intel and supply them to motorola etc) my dad used to work there awhile ago before he got hired at intel, lol. I wouldn't know where to buy them, but those fittings alone, with the bulkheads, would run for about 250 USD, all stainless steel, rated up to a couple hundred PSI.

EDIT: They came from a machine that was being dissasembled and thrown out, so they were'nt stolen if that was what anyone was thinking, I also found out that they are from a company called SwageLok and they are actually rated up to 6000 PSI! lol

[Arca_ex]

ALRIGHT, FINALLY OMG!!! Alright, NO LEAKS, I fixed 12 leaks, most of them at the brass compresson fittings under the PSU, had to rip everything apart and put teflon dope of them, worked after 6 hours of tinkering and fixing leaks, I pressurrized it and it held, so tomorrow I am going to fill it and start up.

Here are some pictures with it all fixed, in the pictures it is pressurized, should have taken a picture of the guage.

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j93/Arca_ex/100_1640.jpg
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j93/Arca_ex/100_1639.jpg
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j93/Arca_ex/100_1638.jpg

[Arca_ex]

Alright, here's how I initially filled the loop, my trusty 5 HP wet/dry vac, and an intake hose.

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j93/Arca_ex/100_1645.jpg
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j93/Arca_ex/100_1644.jpg

[Arca_ex]

DONE! Here's some pictures with no flash then flash.

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j93/Arca_ex/100_1647.jpg
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j93/Arca_ex/100_1646.jpg

[Arca_ex]

And here's a movie I made (poor quality, from my digital camera) for an idea of fan noise etc.

Click it to watch.

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j93/Arca_ex/th_100_1649.jpg (http://s78.photobucket.com/albums/j93/Arca_ex/?action=view&current=100_1649.flv)

[Arca_ex]

Oh yeah.

TEMPS:

My mobo reads out bogus temps, first time I went into BIOS it said the CPU was 11 C, so I have to get a temperature probe.

The GPU on the other hand.

Idle is 30 C (fans on 7V) and Load (hour of BF2 at max settings, 1600x1200 at 75Hz) is 33 C (fans on 12V)

I also have the CPU overclocked to 3.5 Ghz from 2.8 (for now) and the GPU is overclocked to 585/1600, i think stock was 550/1500, ill have to check.

EDIT: Alright, I flashed the BIOS up to the latest release, and the temps are reading out okay, and I have idle temps of 29 C with the fans at 7v.

[flamerail]

Its pretty and noisy! SWEET!

[SolidxSnake]

Wait, what mix are youusing? 100% distilled?

[Arca_ex]

For now yes, pure distilled. Other stuff will go in soon. I'm just waiting on some dye to come in the mail, then I'll probably be adding some non-alcahol iodine or some antifreeze, not sure yet, UV blue dye should be here in 3 hours.

[flamerail]

For now yes, pure distilled. Other stuff will go in soon. I'm just waiting on some dye to come in the mail, then I'll probably be adding some non-alcahol iodine or some antifreeze, not sure yet, UV blue dye should be here in 3 hours.


Yum!

[fuzzba11]

Looks awesome, I love the gauge at the back!

[Arca_ex]

Oh, that guage was temporary, it measured air pressure in Mpa (Megapascals), and I used that to leak test my system with an air compressor. (10 PSI=around 0.06 Megapascals i think), all that's there now that its bled are the SwageLok quick connects. Heres some pictures (some are blurry sorry about that.)

Heres the back now that its all bled:
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j93/Arca_ex/100_1661.jpg
The dye (looks more blue in real life) i used 2 one oz bottles, 8 dollars shipped.
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j93/Arca_ex/100_1659.jpg
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j93/Arca_ex/100_1658.jpg
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j93/Arca_ex/100_1657.jpg

[MechaWyvern]

:clap: :attn:

Much yayness to you! This turned out great!!

[Arca_ex]

Thanks lol, I love how this turned out too, I was skeptical at first, but now I have a rock solid rig with big bling factor =]

[Chaos_Being]

Wow, that's awesome. I've never seen anyone mount rads like that before- I like the industrial look with all of the metal piping too :)

[Arca_ex]

Thanks =] That took me awhile because i dont know how to make compression fittings, you have to do some stuff to make the flares (dont know what theyre called) stay on the tubing, then you have to do some other stuff, my dad helped me out with that

[gangaskan]

i see you have an ultra x-finity other then the low rpm fan are you satisfied with it? i got the 550 i think or 500w i dont rember, the only thing that i hate is that freaking fan no air gets moved (120mm version you have the 80's) :( . i'm debating wether to take out that fan for a more powerfull one, but id hate to void my warrenty


i'm having woe's on cable too the silverstone case i bought the power is way too high and some cables "just" reach the connectors also i need to work on my cable mangment skills i have none :(

[Arca_ex]

I hate that PSU, because it might be the culprit in my overclocking failures. The fans move plenty of air but that's not my problem, even though mine is 600w it still doesn't have enough power or amperage (don't know yet) to get my CPU up over 3.5GHz and it might have just killed my brand new 7900GT CO SuperClocked version...

[gangaskan]

I hate that PSU, its a POS. The fans move plenty of air but that's not my problem, even though mine is 600w it still doesn't have enough power or amperage to get my CPU up over 3.5GHz and it might have just killed my brand new 7900GT CO SuperClocked version...

mine's been ok so far but i'm only pushing a 144 opty to 2.8 and stock 7800 GT nothing spectacular sadly :(
edit: sucks that your 7900 was possibly smoked not a fun thing to fry

[Arca_ex]

Yep, definately shot. I can still play stuff like BF2, it's just it has a lot of artifacts, not huge ones, but really annoying ones all over the place.

[Arca_ex]

Alright I clocked it down some, and then the artifacting went away, then I clocked it back up and they were gone. Hard VoltMod here I come!!