Hey folks, got all my parts in today for my new build...well for the most part. I'm still waiting for the GPU, some fittings and misc other parts to come in the mail.
I bought a third monitor, fan contoller and some lighting for fun. Not listed is a 120 gig samsung pro SSD, 1TB samsung spinpoint and a corsair 750 hx that I'm going to sleeve in the very near future. All of this wrapped in a Cooler Master HAF XB (which I'm loving.)
Obviously I have a long ways to go, I had the loop planned out in my head but when I got started the 120mm radiator in the back doesn't fit the way I wanted it to (with the input/output to the left instead of right) and I didn't like the way it felt with the pump/radiator sitting near the top with the processor. I had to go back to the drawing board and decided to call it a night since I have to work tomorrow morning anyway. More to come tomorrow afternoon.
Well I'm having a new desk built by a guy that does furniture from reclaimed wood and with the extra desk space I'm getting from that and from mounting my monitors on arms I wanted a rig I could put on the desk and show off a bit.
I'm also buying the windowed top from CM website instead of the mesh top that supports the 200mm fan.
Busy life, folks. UPS man brought some gifts today so I was finally able to put up some piping for my rig! I didn't put any compression fitting on, I just wanted to get the piping on to test theory of flow. The only thing I have any concern about is that the pumps 'exit' pump is faced upwards and the input is horizontal. I don't feel it'll be an issue, just seems odd.
Looks good! I love the GPU block! And i think I was a bit wrong about the HAF XB evo. Looks like a splendid case!
Just a tip. Try making your tubing as short as possible. Just to get an ultra clean look. Also, have you fired up the system on air just to make sure everything is running. And maybe stress test it for a while.
You're always one step ahead! I had planned on popping the stock cooler on today while I was modifying the chassis. Got error code for no keyboard, so everything is legit!
I used a 5 dollar wood speedbore to make the hole. I needed 16.5mm and the closest one was 15.5 so I took a dremel tool and a grinder to bore out the rest of it. A bolt ended up in the way so I had to grind that down as well. Most the marks are covered up but I need to touch up a little bit.
What about your GPU? I see you already have a waterblock on. You should have at least stress tested the GPU for a a bit. Because in the rare event it is a dud, you would still want the stock cooler on it to return it. But good thing you went with EVGA. If you have an aftermarket waterblock like you have, they will still replace it in the event of a failure as long as you have the original cooler.
Also, good idea leak testing in a kitchen. I would never have thought of that!
My last parts I needed for the build came in yesterday but I didn't have time to play with it. Sadly though performance-pcs sent me an incorrect part, instead of a 1/4 in fill adapter for the res. I have they sent me a cap for it. After I sent them an email and snapped a few pics they sent me a correct replacement this morning, very very quick response. They have been a pretty awesome supplier so far.
Even though I couldn't finish my build like I wanted I was determined to complete my build today, so instead I stuck a tube through my drilled fill port tube, into the res and SLOWELY(I can't stress enough how long this process took because air bubbles kept showing up on the top of the res stopping waterflow, I gushed water everywhere about 3 times.) After I got it up and running I started leak testing. Been going about 4 hours so far and not a sight of a leak, just 20 more hours to go! Maybe I can finally fire it up tomorrow!
I think my favorite thing so far about this is the peace of mind I'm getting from the liquid cooling system. After inspection of my loop earlier I found that there are only 3 possible hazardous fittings that if they leak would cause issues: the graphics card (2) and 1 off the reservoir. The others either fall away from the board or through a crack between the connection and the motherboard. Additionally the bottom of the chassis is riddled with holes that, if a leak were to happen, it would more than likely fall through the bottom of the chassis. Pretty good stuff so far.
