[New Build Almost Complete] First time building a custom loop. All comments welc

[Stewart@MSD]

Hi guys,
Been around the forums and overclocking since the celeron and MMX days, but only recently got into the whole benchmarking thing and decided it was time to build a new machine up with some watercooling headroom, so, here we go.

Case:
Corsair Obsidian 800D

Mobo:
Asus Maximus Extreme IV - Z

CPU:
Intel Core i7-2600K

GPU:
3 x Sapphire Radeon 7970's

RAM:
16GB of Corsair Vengeance 1866MHz

HDD:
2x OCZ Vertex 3 Sata 6 SSD
2x 1TB Western Digital Velociraptors

PSU:
XFX Pro 1250w Black gamer Edition

Optical:
Pioneer 12x Blu Ray Combo Drive

Monitor:
3 x Dell UltraSharp U2410 24" LCD

OS:
MS Windows 7 Ultimate 64bit


Cooling & Monitoring

CPU Block:
EK Supreme HF Plexi EN

Radiator:
1 x EK Coolstream XT 360mm Copper Fins - Single Circuit

Reservoir:
XSPC Acrylic Dual 5.25 with pump inside

Pumps:
Alphacool VPP655 - D5 Pump

Fans:
3 x Scythe Gentle Typhoon 1850RPM - AP15s on the radiator.
3x Corsair 140mm fans around the chassis.

Fittings:
Bitspower compression fittings

Tubing:
Masterkleer 59117 3/8" in red.

Coolant:
Feser Aqua - Ultra Pure Water

Controller & Monitoring:
Aquacomputer Aquaero 5 Pro
Coolant temp monitored before and after radiator.

Lighting:
LED's and a UV inverter so far.


Basic hardware and case...

+ water cooling parts.

Case unwrapped..

Some parts unwrapped...

360mm radiator installed with 3x Scythe GT Ap15's

Temperature monitoring for radiator inlet and exhaust

Installing EK water block on the MOBO.

Some pipes, and mobo installed.

Sata hotswop bays are quite ingenius and lovely to wire up.

Then a cover makes it all neat and tidy.

Ready to power up...

Up and running...

 

[Stewart@MSD]

Sorry, thought I had taken far more pictures than that, will get some more tonight of pumps and reservoiur setup etc.

Comments on the above build are very much encouraged, good and bad.

Moving forward...
I want to deal with the following jobs...

• Install my Aquaero pro tonight
• Placement of the OCZ Vertex drives. (I think on the shelf below the 7970's would look wicked.)
• Add a drain port somehow. - ideas welcome
• Tidy up the wiring some more
• Purchase and install cooling items for GPU's.
• Figure out best way to fit a second rad for GPU's. (External is a viable option)
• Investigate and purchase better 140mm fans.
• Investigate wether chipset cooling is worthwhile on this MOBO
• Investigate and purchase better 140mm fans.

Advice always very welcome.

 

[Stewart@MSD]

I am really looking forward to fitting this Aquaero tonight... it really looks the business!


Animated Giff showing some features.

 

[jmdixon85]

Really wish I could get home enough to use my pc to justify buying a 800D!

Makes my HAF932 look rather cheap and tacky

 

[robble]

That looks like you went to the back page of Maximum PC where it has the best of the best list and just ordered everything listed there!

Very nice build but out of my budget.

 

[manu2b]

Beautiful build!

But something hits my eyes: don't you think one 360 rad for cpu+trifire is enough?

I believe you need at least two (with high speed fans) for a max heat load of... 800W with everything at stock, and maybe 1.1/1.2KW OC'ed.

EDIT: Sorry,, I thought you planned on watercooling the whole setup, which is not the case I guess. Time to go to bed...

 

[Jason_23]

Super sick build brother... Gotta love taking up the kitchen table with goodies
I'm so jealous, I just built my rig a month ago and now going to WC my GPU's only and seeing your setup is making me I want to build mine so bad.

Love the pics...

 

[Stewart@MSD]

That looks like you went to the back page of Maximum PC where it has the best of the best list and just ordered everything listed there!

Very nice build but out of my budget.

Thanks mate, I have tried to do it as best I can.

But something hits my eyes: don't you think one 360 rad for cpu+trifire is enough? I believe you need at least two (with high speed fans) for a max heat load of... 800W with everything at stock, and maybe 1.1/1.2KW OC'ed.

Agreed, see post 2 about extra rad and CPU blocks...
Havent totally decided, but may go external housing with triple 360 rads on this one...

Gotta love taking up the kitchen table with goodies

Thats what its there for... LOL


Sadly, my new Aquaero does not even power up... its dead. Will try to take it back today If I can get off work early.

Some more pics for now...
Interior with 2x SSD's installed. (ignore 2 temp monitor wires, will be moved when new aquaero is installed)