MrBoJang1es
New Member
- Joined
- Oct 26, 2014
- Location
- The cold D, MI, USA
I just recently started my first build and decided I should probably make a build log with all the pictures I'm taking. Hopefully I can collect some good advice along the way too considering this is my first PC build. That being said, i'm also going to take my time and enjoy the build. I'm in no rush to power this beast on!
I decided to go with water cooling and some completely overkill hardware for an OC minded gaming build. I'll be using 2 individual loops (one for the mobo, one for the GPUs) each cooled by their own 480mm radiator and powered by 2 independent pumps.
I have a good majority of my hardware already and I'll spec out the remaining pieces as I build.
Hardware basics:
(For a complete list of parts and pricing CLICK HERE!)
CPU: Intel Core i7-4930K 3.4GHz 6-Core
Motherboard: Asus Rampage IV Black Edition EATX LGA2011
Memory: 4 x Corsair Dominator Platinum 8GB DDR3-2133 (32GB total)
Hard Drive: Samsung 850 Pro Series 1TB SSD
GPU: 2 x SLI Asus GeForce GTX 980 4GB
Case: Corsair 900D ATX Full Tower
Power Supply: Corsair 1200W
Let the fun begin!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Oct. 22nd
I've been very busy lately, but I managed to find some time to start working on the build. So far, I've completed one of my GPU water block and back plate installations. I'm missing a few photos from the process, but I'll be sure to capture them the 2nd time around when I do the next GPU.
The "EK-FC980 GTX - Nickel" water block that was installed:
First the stock back plate was removed:
Next, the GPU's stock cooler was removed. I'll admit, I was rather sad removing the stock cooling system - it's beautiful and it was a shame to see it go...
Nevertheless, in the name of performance what's done is done:
I began placing the thermal pads. I put a very thin layer of thermal grease on each component prior to installing each pad. For this, I used the "EK-TIM Ectotherm" grease that came with my water blocks. The grease was spread using the small paintbrushes that came with my "Coollaboratory Liquid Ultra" TIM kit. You can see the IC in the top left has the grease spread uniformly:
Here are all the pads installed:
I also placed another layer of thermal grease on the exposed sides of the thermal pads after they were mounted to each component:
With all the thermal pads placed, I then applied the "Coollaboratory Liquid Ultra" TIM to the GPU. I was surprised how easy this stuff was to apply:
The water block was then mounted to the GPU. This step made me the most nervous because it was a bit tricky to line up the screw holes while placing the block. You really have only one shot to get it right otherwise you'll mess up your TIM spread if you place the block improperly and have to remove it for a 2nd go around:
I spread the thermal grease in on the GPU die slot on the back plate:
Thermal pads were placed over the die slot and grease was applied to the IC bar:
The remaining thermal pads were then placed on the back plate:
The "EK-FC980 GTX Backplate" was then mounted on the GPU:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Oct. 27th
I worked a weekend shift so i was off Monday. This allowed me to devote a good portion of my day to the build. I decided to start with the motherboard water block.
The un-modified "ASUS Rampage IV Black Edition" motherboard:
First step was to remove all the stock cooling components:
The pre-installed CPU back plate needed to be removed and replaced with the alternate back plate that was supplied with the motherboard:
I ran into a bit of a road bump here. The bracket that is originally used to secure the CPU needed to be removed. The nuts that i needed to secure the alternate back plate were molded into this CPU securing bracket and were impossible to remove. There were no additional loose nuts supplied with the mobo... I had to scrape around the house to find some replacement nuts that would hold the new back plate in place:
Dropped the "Intel i7-4930K" CPU:
Applied a tiny bit of the "EK-TIM Ectotherm" grease to the voltage regulators:
Added thermal pads and another layer of thermal grease:
Applied the "Coollaboratory Liquid Ultra" TIM to the CPU:
Positioned the "EK-FB ASUS R4BE Monoblock" waterblock:
Secured the water block with the supplied screws through the back of the motherboard:
I also completed the water block mounting on my 2nd Asus GTX 980 GPU. Water block work is done for now!
I decided to go with water cooling and some completely overkill hardware for an OC minded gaming build. I'll be using 2 individual loops (one for the mobo, one for the GPUs) each cooled by their own 480mm radiator and powered by 2 independent pumps.
I have a good majority of my hardware already and I'll spec out the remaining pieces as I build.
Hardware basics:
(For a complete list of parts and pricing CLICK HERE!)
CPU: Intel Core i7-4930K 3.4GHz 6-Core
Motherboard: Asus Rampage IV Black Edition EATX LGA2011
Memory: 4 x Corsair Dominator Platinum 8GB DDR3-2133 (32GB total)
Hard Drive: Samsung 850 Pro Series 1TB SSD
GPU: 2 x SLI Asus GeForce GTX 980 4GB
Case: Corsair 900D ATX Full Tower
Power Supply: Corsair 1200W
Let the fun begin!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Oct. 22nd
I've been very busy lately, but I managed to find some time to start working on the build. So far, I've completed one of my GPU water block and back plate installations. I'm missing a few photos from the process, but I'll be sure to capture them the 2nd time around when I do the next GPU.
The "EK-FC980 GTX - Nickel" water block that was installed:
First the stock back plate was removed:
Next, the GPU's stock cooler was removed. I'll admit, I was rather sad removing the stock cooling system - it's beautiful and it was a shame to see it go...
Nevertheless, in the name of performance what's done is done:
I began placing the thermal pads. I put a very thin layer of thermal grease on each component prior to installing each pad. For this, I used the "EK-TIM Ectotherm" grease that came with my water blocks. The grease was spread using the small paintbrushes that came with my "Coollaboratory Liquid Ultra" TIM kit. You can see the IC in the top left has the grease spread uniformly:
Here are all the pads installed:
I also placed another layer of thermal grease on the exposed sides of the thermal pads after they were mounted to each component:
With all the thermal pads placed, I then applied the "Coollaboratory Liquid Ultra" TIM to the GPU. I was surprised how easy this stuff was to apply:
The water block was then mounted to the GPU. This step made me the most nervous because it was a bit tricky to line up the screw holes while placing the block. You really have only one shot to get it right otherwise you'll mess up your TIM spread if you place the block improperly and have to remove it for a 2nd go around:
I spread the thermal grease in on the GPU die slot on the back plate:
Thermal pads were placed over the die slot and grease was applied to the IC bar:
The remaining thermal pads were then placed on the back plate:
The "EK-FC980 GTX Backplate" was then mounted on the GPU:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Oct. 27th
I worked a weekend shift so i was off Monday. This allowed me to devote a good portion of my day to the build. I decided to start with the motherboard water block.
The un-modified "ASUS Rampage IV Black Edition" motherboard:
First step was to remove all the stock cooling components:
The pre-installed CPU back plate needed to be removed and replaced with the alternate back plate that was supplied with the motherboard:
I ran into a bit of a road bump here. The bracket that is originally used to secure the CPU needed to be removed. The nuts that i needed to secure the alternate back plate were molded into this CPU securing bracket and were impossible to remove. There were no additional loose nuts supplied with the mobo... I had to scrape around the house to find some replacement nuts that would hold the new back plate in place:
Dropped the "Intel i7-4930K" CPU:
Applied a tiny bit of the "EK-TIM Ectotherm" grease to the voltage regulators:
Added thermal pads and another layer of thermal grease:
Applied the "Coollaboratory Liquid Ultra" TIM to the CPU:
Positioned the "EK-FB ASUS R4BE Monoblock" waterblock:
Secured the water block with the supplied screws through the back of the motherboard:
I also completed the water block mounting on my 2nd Asus GTX 980 GPU. Water block work is done for now!
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