First WC Build (TJ07 Worklog)

[SWTOR]

Hey guys,

I just finished putting together my first WC build and thought I would share my worklog. Being a noob, I had much to learn and wanted to share my experiences so others could benefit! Here is my parts list:

Enclosures/Brackets:

Case: SilverStone "Temjin" TJ07B-W
3.5 Bays: SilverStone Aluminum 5.25-Inch to 3.5-Inch Converter CFP51B
2.5 Bay: Silverstone 3.5-Inch to 2.5-Inch Converter SDP08
NAS: Data Robotics Drobo FS DRDS2A21 (Max 10TB)
Radiator Stand: WCUK 240mm Radiator Stand WCUK240
Radiator Stand: WCUK 360mm Radiator Stand WCUK360

Storage:

SSD: 256GB Crucial RealSSD C300 2.5-inch SATA III/6GB/s
NAS HD: 3 x Seagate Barracuda LP ST32000542AS 2TB

Hardware:

CPU: Intel Core i7-930 Bloomfield 2.8GHz
Motherboard: ASUS Rampage III Extreme
Video Card: 2 x ASUS ENGTX480 (nVidia GTX 480)
Monitor: DELL ULTRASHARP 3008WFP 30 inch LCD
Memory: CORSAIR XMS3 12GB HX3X12G1600C9 (9-9-9-24)
Power Supply: Ultra X4 1200w 100% modular
Keyboard: Enermax Acrylux KB009W-B 2.4Ghz wireless
Mouse: Logitech Performance Mouse MX

Cooling:

CPU Block: Koolance CPU-360, Rev1.1
Video Block: 2 x Koolance VID-NX480 (GTX 480)
Reservoir: XSPC Acrylic Dual 5.25 Reservoir for Two Laing DDC's
Pumps: 2 x Swiftech MCP355 12 VDC
Radiator(CPU): Black Ice SR1 240
Radiator(VID): Black Ice SR1 360
Fans(Radiator): 5 x Noctua NF-P14 FLX (1200rpm, 65cfm, 19.6dB)
Fans(Case rear): 2 x Noctua 92mm NF-B9 (1600rpm, 39cfm, 17.6dB)
Fans(Case top, vanity): 2 x Silverstone 120mm Blue LED FAN FN121-BL (1200rpm, 53cfm, 26dB)
Fan (Extra): Silenx 80mm blue LED IXP-54-14B (this one actually doesn't suck)
Tubing: 15ft PrimoChill PrimoFlex Pro LRT Clear Tubing -1/2in. ID X 3/4in. OD

Fittings/Connectors/Nozzles:

Tube Nozzles: 12 x Koolance Nozzle, Compression NZL-V13-19KG [For ID: 13mm (1/2"); OD: 19mm (3/4")]
90 Degree Elbow: 4 x Koolance Fitting, Swiveling Elbow NZL-LXG1
45 Degree Elbow: 2 x Koolance Fitting, Swiveling 45-Degree NZL-DXG-V2
SLI Connector: Koolance Dual VID Connector, Adjustable 2-3 Slot Spacing CNT-VDA34
Adapter: Koolance Swiveling Coupling Adapter, Male-Male ADT-SMM
Nozzle - Koolance Nozzle Body, 4-Way Brass ADT-XUTX4

Tools:

Screw-driver set
Nut-driver set
Small "L-square"
Tape measure
Tube cutter
Small crescent wrench
Set of mini-files
Center punch
Drill
1/16" metal drill-bit
3/32" metal drill-bit
5/32" metal drill-bit
1" Bi-metal hole saw (drill-bit)
Small Arbor drill-bit (needed for the above hole saw)
Mini hack-saw

Nuts/Bolts/Misc:

Masking Tape
80mm Chrome Fan Grill
20 x 4mm-7 x 30mm Hex Head Bolt (radiator)
8 x #8-32 x 1/2" Round Head Slotted Bolt (radiator stands)
4 x #8-32 x 1-1/2" Round Head Slotted Bolt (extra fan)
12 x #8-32 Nylon Lock Nut
3 x 3/4" Neopreme Rubber Grommet
3 x 2->1 Y-cable (3-pin)
3->1 Y-Cable (3-pin)
ArticClean (1&2)
PT-Nuke
Distilled water
Arctic Silver 5 (TIM) - I now *know* I should have used another TIM /cry

Thats all!

I am still waiting on the Drobo FS (NAS) to arrive, it is back-ordered.

I had 3 major objectives with the build:

1) Minimal case modding as this was my first build.
2) Quiet computing (I value quiet over extreme low temps)
3) The ability to play current games in 2560 x 1600 with max settings and very good frame rate.

Hehe, so the first time I put it all together and leak tested, I had a leak (it was a loose fitting on a radiator). I took the build apart and made sure all the fittings were tight. When I put it back together, I made a few minor changes (like replacing some noisy Silenx fans, etc). However, I didn't always take new pictures...Next up, the pictures!

 

[SWTOR]

First thing I did was take apart the case:

























Now lets get rid of the stock fans:





A pile of fans!!!!

 

[SWTOR]

Next, I needed to drill the holes for the radiator stands:

Here are the tools I used:





Lets get to drilling!

 

[SWTOR]

Next thing is to mount the radiator stands. Here are tools and parts I used:





Ok, on to the actual mounting!

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[SWTOR]

I wanted to add an extra fan near the power-supply to help blow air from the 360 rad, so lets make some holes!













Next, I mounted the fan, here are some parts:





Now to the actual mounting:

 

[SWTOR]

Next its time to mount the power supply. I picked this power supply because it was rated by nVidia as dual 480 GT compatible *and* it has a small enough footprint so I can get 2 radiators in the bottom of the case:

 

[SWTOR]

Now I attached fittings to the radiators. You will notice some water in some tubing, I changed some fittings after the loose fittings caused a leak. The ding on the 360 rad is also from taking the build apart /cry

 

[SWTOR]

Now its time to mount the 360 rad onto the stand. Here are the parts and tools used:







Now to the actual mounting:

 

[Higdon]

Amazing build log so far. I can not wait to see more.

 

[Fores]

wow looks real cool
hope there comes more pictures

 

[m0r7if3r]

Plannin on painting the fans?

 

[SWTOR]

Now that the 360 rad is mounted, I can drill holes for the tubing. I wanted a very precise hole for the upper 360 fitting since it is only about an inch below the mid-plate. I don't want any kinks in my tubing. I made some painstaking measurements (which I did not photograph). Here are more tools and parts:





Now lets make some holes!

This cross-hair here was the result of some VERY careful measurements:







I actually flip over the mid-plate and drill the larger hole from the bottom. This way it will drill thru the front panel connector plate as well.





I added a grommet to prevent the tubing from getting scratched/cut:



I had to use the files on the front panel connector plate, but it ended up looking pretty good!



Now I just drill holes for the other tubes in the exact middle of the mid-plate:







Now I tested out the fit:



Perfect placement on the tube hole here - there is no bend at all in the tubing!

 

[SWTOR]

Ok, next I mounted the 240 rad:

 

[SWTOR]

Next I mounted the mid-plate. Here are more parts:



Lets get on to the actual mounting:







I attached the 3-pin Y's to the radiator fan wires:

 

[SWTOR]

Next it got fun! I prepared the video cards. Here are more parts:







Next I removed the stock coolers from the 480s:



The Koolance blocks are shiny!!!



Here they are mounted:

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[m0r7if3r]

you, sir, are a lucky man. just for future reference, you can remove tim with isopropyl, no need to buy that stuff (unless you feel like it does better, in which case, go for it. I know skinnee uses goo-gone)

 

[SWTOR]

Ok, next I remounted the 5.25 bay compartment:



Then it was time for the reservoir. I mounted the pumps on the reservoir and mounted the reservoir on the case:



Next I attached the front plate:



Then I mounted the pumps:



It looks good installed:



Here you can see the compression fittings:

 

[SWTOR]

Ok, it was time for some MORE fun. Time to install the SSD. Since I removed the 3.5 inch bays from the bottom of the case to make room for the radiators, I need some place to mount it! Fortunately, Silverstone makes a 5.25 -> 3.5 converter enclosure. The bonus is it has a blue LED fan in it! Here are more parts:





Next I mounted everything:





It looks good installed:

 

[SWTOR]

Next up was installing the fan controller:



It looks good too:

 

[Higdon]

How much did you end up spending on all of this?