PROJECT LOG Wookie's Desk

I had a HAF 932, but I didn't feel like cramming my new watercooling project into it and compromising performance. Ultimately I wanted a quiet and well performing rig and a fun to do project. At first I was going to build a custom desk, but then I decided it would be a bit much to take on learning watercooling and building an aesthetically pleasing desk. So, I built the water setup and integrated it into my existing desk for the time being.

Here is the desk I m working with.





This is the area I want to use for the motherboard/CPU/GPU/Reservoir



The GPU block for my 7970




Build quality was great on the Swiftech Block. I really like how it included new hardware, thermal pads, paste, back plate, mounting brackets, and very detailed instructions.



Backplate


Getting ready to go on the GPU.








Two EX480s will go to the left in the desks OEM tower enclosure. They will be mounted in the rear vertically.



Measuring where to put the 200mm fans on the side of the enclosure to feed the radiators.



The router was having issues with the particle board, but it cleaned up decent. Going to paint the cutwood portions and add a grill I bought to make the intake part nice and clean looking. The intake fans are on the inside part of the desk near my legs.


Modeling and getting some ideas on what to do with the guts of the machine.







Measuring.


Measured and tapped.


Mounted and whole cut.




More crap mounted.

Ill be adding some more tomorrow. Should have the tower base, radiator, fans, and grill together. I need to find a proper way of supporting the GPU as the lack of a tower to support it and a waterblock have made it stupid heavy.

After that I need to figure out what I want to do for cooling the motherboard. The power supplies and hard drives will be mounted under the desk surface as well.

Very nice so far and that's quite a lot of work done there, and looking forward to what comes next! Will keep watching for the next posts good luck with it all. AJ.

Here are the large intake fans and a grill from Hobby Lobby.







Radiator fans showed up today and started on the template. Ill cut the holes and mount the radiator tonight. Should be laying the lines out and mounting the powersupply/hard drives after that.

Btw the grill is covered by the table top and looks much better in once the top is over it.

dude, the plexi mounting like that is genius!

It may be a little rough around the edges right now, but it is cleaning up as it is put together. All in all I m happy and it should be pretty much what I wanted.

Tower section is taking a turn which was nice. Motivated to order a second EX480 and some more Yate-Loons.

Yates are: D12SM-12 $5.95 on Amazon

The only real speed bump is that my 200mm fan on top is obstructing the drawer in my infinite wisdom... I can probably rotate it and the flat should miss the drawer and still be functional. If not I will box the back part in so it just clears the fan and consider it for my fan controller.



















Added some RAM fans.



Indigo TIM, hosing, Vandall Switch, Fan distribution block.

Keep up the good work i am enjoying watching this grow and develope, can not wait to see the finished project! AJ.

Backing installed with the with the fan PCBs. Going to just run the system with no Fan controller and see how the noise temps are first. If they suck Ill just order one and integrate it in.





Decided to mount reservoir on the side outside above the pump. It is unseen here, easy to fill, and makes priming easy.



The grill : /



The goods.

Made a graphics card kickstand for about $6.00 from Lowes.

After putting the GPU in and cutting the line, I must say, the stand looks like ***. Right now it will function, but something else must be used that isn't so obtrusive.

Well from Birmingham UK to Birmingham USA belated Merry Xmas and a Happy New Year. AJ. Looking good!

Some more progress for the evening. Going to finish the loop tomorow for sure. After that I m just waiting on an 8pin , 24pin, and 4 pin adapter extension. Should get here Tuesday or Wed. Then we get to prime the loop





Don't mind the messy cables they will be cleaned up.

How about this for your GPU Cards which you could mount this to the perspex to support the cards?? AJ.

1, http://www.dimastech.it/EN/c/dimastech-expansion-board-support-custom-colour/

Ajay, that might be a great idea man, thanks!

You can buy those as a separate item and i have seen them used on other builds before, nice to be a help thanks! AJ.

Unfortunately, I think it would not work afterall. The piece of wood running across the back of my hutch protrudes out about 1/2 inch from the acrylic and the support looks like part of it should be flush with the board or behind it.

No it sits in front of the PCI-E Slots on the MOBO! So looking at the photo of you board hanging there it should by all accounts fit. But always double check hey the card end sits on top of the bracket with a retaining nut to hold the GPU in place?

Do you have any good images of one installed? Their site only has that one and google didn't turn up any that actually showed the stand.

Yes this is one to give you a good idea on how it looks like and works with the Mobo!

1, http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Dimastech/Benchtable_Easy_V2_5/images/instmainboard.jpg

These are photo's at Tech Power up which will help you.