New build for me...

Well, I started to feel a little better (well, not really, but I wanted to work on the build). I made some small steps this afternoon. The dust filters arrived as did the billet grills.

I also put the "rubber" on the power supply and got it mounted:

I also got the gasket material to cover the intake holes for the bottom fan and started installing:

All was going great until I went to install the upper grill. The two were apparently not machined to fit side by side so the holes weren't lining up properly. It was an easy fix with a bench mounted belt sander and a 90 degree finish sander. I took the bevel off the two edges where they meet and everything lined up good. It would have been nice to have one plate, but it was an additional $20 that can go towards my cpu (lol). Here is the finished shot:

It's funny how the angle of that picture make the honeycomb pattern look rotated. I looked at it again and they don't appear to be directional patterns. I think it is just a weird angle. Looks fine in person.

I also was able to mount the top radiator and fans:


Here is the overall with the goods installed:

While not a ton of progress, it is progress none the less. I have figured out that there is already going to be a compromise on the build design. While I love the idea of the bottom radiator (as opposed to a single loop design or an external radiator or a single), it is sure going to be more challenging to rain that loop. The only way I can see to do it is to put a T on one of the lower radiator fittings (likely the one towards the MB side) to a drain tube out the side. While it will drain, I will still have to tilt the case 45 degrees or so to get the fluid out of the bottom radiator. I thought about building an acrylic fan shroud to tilt the bottom radiator (about 15 degrees to help the water drain out), but not sure it will be worth it or if I will like the way it looks. The top loop will be a breeze to drain with a T off the lowest fitting going to the MB block.

You guys have any other suggestions for drains...I'm open to suggestions.

P.S. That is blue masking tape covering the inlets in the radiators btw

Man those fan covers look so fine it is a shame they are underneath the rig and won't be visible!

I know...I'm just worried about setting the rig on top of a cord or something and poking a hole in the rad, so I wanted something beefy.

Excellent job for sure! :Winner:

Makes wish I had the $$ to build a new PC every month, such fun!

Following your every step here.

Thanks Steve...it will be a while before I can order up some additional parts as the funds recover a bit. I'm likely going to pull the trigger on MB, RAM, and some more water cooled parts. I'm going to wait until the end of the month for sure to see what kind of announcements come out on pricing. I think some parts may go down in price a bit in the next couple of weeks. I really want the 990x to move a little, but I know it likely won't.

SavageNFS wrote:Thanks Steve...it will be a while before I can order up some additional parts as the funds recover a bit. I'm likely going to pull the trigger on MB, RAM, and some more water cooled parts. I'm going to wait until the end of the month for sure to see what kind of announcements come out on pricing. I think some parts may go down in price a bit in the next couple of weeks. I really want the 990x to move a little, but I know it likely won't.

Are you a member of Tom Hardware?
I think they just announced a contest for Americans only... Anyways you can win 2 990x's and I think 2 980x"s and some intel Motherboards to go with them. You would have to go over to Tom's to find the contest.

not a member, but I've read some stuff on the site. I'll check it out.

Here is a link for ya and good luck!

https://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=dG1jX19sT1RLVzg1dUhPelp2TUkzRWc6MA

Sweet...I entered. :Thankyou:

Man that would be a cool way to get your new CPU! Good luck, I hope ya win!

Savage, you are doing a great job on your build. Those filters look awesome. You might consider putting wheels on the case to make it easier to get at.

Check my wheels.
https://mcstylists-overclock.forumotion.com/t662-moved-my-amd-1090t-build-to-a-new-home#5039

I've been looking at some different types of wheels. I think I will definitely be putting some on, but like everything else, I've been contemptating which types. My case will actually be sitting on top of my desk. Two reasons, I want to see my pretty case insides (let's just admit that and move on) and second because I don't want it getting beat up by my chair while I'm working.

Damn, Bob, that is a fine looking build. I haven't seen that thread before. I love your case and you did a really nice job putting it all together! Cable management looks great as does that MSI card.

Thanks, mine is on the floor so I needed a way to slide (roll) it out to remove and clean the filter. As soon as you finish your build and post the pictures I will most likely remove my post from embarrassment. :

Oh stop it...that is exactly why I chose here rather than some other places to log this build. I figured this crowd of people is not about epeen, could appreciate the project and it's stages, offer advice and constructive criticism, etc. There are some unique circumstances behind the funding for the build. Trust me, I don't just have the cash laying around. However, since the situation did present itself, I'm going to take advantage of it. I've built a lot of computers for other people and it is really nice to build one for me. It is also nice to be forced to take my time. I guess what I am trying to say is I'm not trying to come across as "showy" or one upping anyone. As we are all aware, your build is your treasure, but there are always other builds with larger budgets more bling.

On a side note, I think I may have figured out a way to help the bottom drainage. I'm going to add two fans to the bottom of the radiator and flip the radiator so the inlet/outlet point down. I think that will help the draining of the VGA loop considerably. It will also add some air over the radiator and allow me to run the fans at a lower RPM.

Savage we are glad to have ya with us and love that you are sharing your build with us. And yes every build is unique to the builder and the funds available to them at the time of the build.

Mine is just a basic clocked i7, but it is mine! :)

Flipping the rad is probably going to make draining alot easier...

Savage, why not place a link in your signature to your Gaming site?
I know Duff does some gaming and maybe a few others here also.

I appreciate the offer and will take you up on it. I just didn't want to be seen as spamming our little club house. Please do not mention my build on my site if you happen to visit. I know most of the members there well (obviously), but few are hardcore in to PC's and ALL are hardcore gamers. I just don't want them all knowing I'm building a PC until it's done or I will be flooded with all sorts of suggestions. It's just easier this way.

You are more than willing to drop by anytime and know that I will welcome you. Just realize that hardcore gamers (myself included) are also hardcore morons on forums.

LMAO! I can hardly see that link... Feel free to beef it up so it is visible man. lol
Morons you say? Well I fit that description to a "T"

I use to be hooked on Nascar Racing 3 and Nascar legends which we played on the WON network I think it was called. We would play for hours and hours. We had a whole group of guys that would play all night after dinner till 2-3 in the morning...

Geez...you are picky

Can you see it now?

I was just pulling your leg.. : I am happy (for now) with my build and enjoy see work logs such as yours. Adding the 2 fans will definitely help to cool and give you the drainage option you are looking for.

SavageNFS wrote:Geez...you are picky

Can you see it now?

That's better, now my old eyes can see it and hopefully everyone else can! :D:

I ordered more parts from FrozenCPU and Koolance. I should have 99% of what I need to complete the loops. I say 99% because I most certainly forgot something (I always do). I also ordered some other parts from newegg. I kind of hope I win that cpu from Tom's now...so I can sell it!

I really hate the look of the corsair fans that come with the dominator ram, but I have read a lot of people saying cooling ram is a waste. So I'm going to stick with the fans, but if those phukers are loud, they are getting replaced with a block just because of the noise factor.

Oh waterblocked Ram, this build just keeps gettin better! :D:

You are not helping...anyone hear those fans first hand after 6 months? I haven't so I'm just a little concerned. We'll see...
This would look pretty hawt though...

I have the G.Skill double fan cooler on my Ram and the noise level has not increased in 13 months if that helps.

Damn... I hope I didn't talk you out of getting that block now? :(: