FEATURED Build Log: Water & Wood

[MIAHALLEN]

Water & Wood​

This is a desk build...in other words, it will be built into my desk. The desk is made from pine, which is why I'm calling this Water & Wood.

Direct links to updates:

1. motherboard tray slider installation
2. GPU waterblocks and the fan wall
3. more pics of the fan wall assembled
4. first reassembly
5. fill port and leak testing
6. final loop flush
7. PWM controller wired, and blocks cleaned & mounted
8. first fulll assembly with water cooling
9. initial temp testing, air VS water
10. 1st dust filter built, and pump mounted
11. work started on the front panel, and PSU sleeving complete
12. work started on the front door and window
13. work on the front door continues...until disaster strikes...also new air filter installed
14. new GPU backplates installed ...then tragedy strikes the 2nd front door
15. Impressive the difference proper tools can make
16. Water & Wood is nominated for bit-tech's MOTM...VOTE FOR ME!

Direct links to videos:

1. water cooling components 1st flush
2. custom PWM fan wall in operation
3. loop flow demo
4. 1700W from a 1050W PSU!!!
5. window etching time lapse video
6. Playing a little DCS A-10C with headtracking

Parts list

• Asus Maximus IV Extreme
• Intel i7 2600K
• 2x4GB G.SKILL DDR3-1866 9-10-9-28
• 3x reference GTX 580s
• 120GB OCZ Vertex 3
• 500GB Momentus XT 2.5" HDD
• 1050W Enermax Revolution

Water cooling parts

• Swiftech Apogee XT (Rev 2) CPU block
• 3x EK Full cover acetal & nickel GPU blocks
• 3x Swiftech MCR420-QP radiator with Koolance CNT-RP402X2 bridges (meant for a Koolance res not used here).
• Swiftech MCP35X pumps with 35X res
• 12x Adda 98.6 CFM fans (with custom 0-100% PWM control, thanks xXSebasXx & Bobnova )
• 3/8 ID, 5/8 OD black Primochill tubing
• Enzotech compression fittings
• Koolance quick disconnects

I've got quite a few unique ideas for this build, but it's going to be slow going for another month or so. I'm still working out a full parts list, but many are asking about the build, so I wanted to give you something to look at while you wait

Swiftech and Coldzero Team will be sponsoring this build, thanks a ton!

Read my Maximus IV Extreme review here: part 1, part 2

I plugged the loop into Martin's Pump & Rad Optimizer to see what it said...of course there are a couple caveats

• My rads are 420s, not 320s
• My blocks are the new (more restrictive) design for the 580
• My CPU is planned to be run in parallel with the GPUs

idle (200W -- 1000RPM -- pump @ 50%)


max load (1000W -- 2600RPM -- pump @ 100%)

 

[MIAHALLEN]

reserved 1

 

[MIAHALLEN]

reserved 2

 

[Seebs]

This is going to be awesome.

 

[Volumetrik]

Subbed. This is going to be epic for sure.

 

[m0r7if3r]

http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/how-to/build-pc/4318067

Have you seen that one? Drawing any inspiration from it?

 

[Daemonkin]

Honestly, I think anyone who has ever entertained the idea of a project of this magnitude has seen that more than a few times. Don't forget the l3p D3SK.

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=256952

 

[MIAHALLEN]

http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/how-to/build-pc/4318067

Have you seen that one? Drawing any inspiration from it?

Honestly, I think anyone who has ever entertained the idea of a project of this magnitude has seen that more than a few times. Don't forget the l3p D3SK.

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=256952

Both of these are very cool projects, but mine will be more functional, and with less bling. Here is a hint: my inspiration is coming from the frustration of working in the confines of a case

More soon

 

[bennoculus]

This is gonna be sick Miah. I'm excited to see what you come up with

 

[DR DEUCE]

this is gonna be sweet, subbed.

 

[lolwut]

Oh boy

subbed

 

[xtkxhom3r]

i like the quick disconnect idea definitely going into my next build

 

[hokiealumnus]

Oh boy

subbed

Ditto.

 

[Knufire]

It's Miahallen. Of course it's going to be amazing.
Subbed.

 

[MIAHALLEN]

Parts list finalized....

 

[Meathead]

Nice start miah. I too am getting agitated at the fact that building a water-cooling system in my case is a PITA. Trying to fit a 320 in my case and it barely fits and looks like crap. Definitely going to be back for updates though.

 

[Pvt.Dancer]

Sounds like an awesome build Miah can't wait to see the end results and everything inbetween!

 

[MIAHALLEN]

So, I'm waiting for the watercooling gear to arrive, but I've got a question for all of you...I'm thinking of using some new Koolance U-pipes, there are three versions at PPCs:
CNT-RP402X2
CNT-RP402X21
CNT-RP452X2
I'm going to have three MCR420-QP rads all mounted side by side, and I can vary the spacing as I please....


....at a bare minimum, the center of the inlet on one will be 35mm from the center of the inlet on the next (if the rads are mounted nearly touching one another). The problem is, I do not know the distance between the center of the ends of these U-Pipes. I think ideally, I'd like to have 40mm of spacing.



If anyone owns these U-pipes, or the matching Koolance resevoirs, can you please measure these points, and let me know the spacing? Thanks

 

[Seebs]

Ask and you shall receive my friend...

CNT-RP402X2



CNT-RP402X21


CNT-RP452X2

 

[MIAHALLEN]

That was quick....tit-for-tat I see