Project: Qube³

[DreamSeller]

can anyone tell me what are the max temps for the i7 ?

 

[Odin Eidolon]

Thanks I am sure I will have another mess about with it at a later stage. I want to get finished up on the wc setup now though as I have been putting it off for ages. It's my least favourite of the jobs left to do



I like that idea, but I wouldn't have a clue how to implement it Using the screen does put some overheads on the system resources and I wonder if the script needed would be much of a drain?

shouldnt be that hard to do. still i'm not an expert. using a player which supports lyrics auto searching would be a nice start. Under Linux its for sure possible, dunno under Windows tho

 

[stuartpb]

Well I will do some digging around, see if it's something I can do. Thanks for the idea btw

I'm not going to get much done till the end of next week now, as I am busy up until then. I am really itching to get this build finished now though

 

[stuartpb]

I have just this minute ordered some more kit for the build:

1x XSPC DDC top/reservior
4x 12" UV CCFL's
2m XSPC 1/2" hose
1x Feser View purple UV dye
1x 12v Car Adaptor for the LCD screen
1x Arctic Silver 5


I have ordered this lot so I can get the CPU loop done. Once the order comes in, I will have everything to get it done. It will consist of the following:

Modded Laing DDC Pro (modded from 10w to 18w Ultra)
XSPC pump top/res
Thermochill PA120.3 Rad
EK Supreme waterblock
1/2" tubing
Distilled water with Feser UV dye and water additives.

I still have everything to buy for the GPU loop, but my GTX280 started crapping out last week, so I am leaving this until I decide which GPU to go with. It will be a ballache working around the CPU loop when fitting, but it's going to be a while till I know what's happening with the GPU itself. I currently have an ATI 4850 installed but this is only temporary. Pics will follow when I get the gear (hopefully tomorrow or Monday).

I need the car adaptor for the screen because it is currently running of the mains adaptor. So I will be modding the car adaptor to run off a 12v molex from the PC's PSU. Then I will be boxing the LCD, it's circuit boards and the modded car adaptor in somehow so it doesn't look a mess.

 

[tzitzibp]

I need the car adaptor for the screen because it is currently running of the mains adaptor. So I will be modding the car adaptor to run off a 12v molex from the PC's PSU. Then I will be boxing the LCD, it's circuit boards and the modded car adaptor in somehow so it doesn't look a mess.

this should be most interesting! I 'll be paying attention to the details of this...

hope you get all the staff soon and get on with it!

 

[stuartpb]

Thanks mate, as soon as I get the car adaptor I am gonna start putting some ideas together for the box to hold it all in. Might have it cracked by the end of next week (hopefully).

 

[stuartpb]

I got my ordered bits and bobs today and set about installing the CPU loop. It took me an hour or so, and I am pretty pleased with it.

The first job was to think about how I was going to mount the pump. I wanted it to be visible from the outside of the case, and hit upon an idea. I had two HDD brackets left that came with the case, which allows you to fix the HDD's to a 120mm fan. So I decided to use one of these and fix it sideways to the PA120.3 rad. I would then stick the pump onto the bracket, using the sticky foam pad that came with the pump:

Here's the CPU waterblock I am using, the EK Supreme:

And the pump, which is a Swiftech MCP 350 (AKA Laing DDC Pro 10w). I have modded the pump so that it has the same performance of a DDC Ultra. I have also braided the cables for a neat finish.

Next up was to fit the waterblock onto the CPU/mobo. I used Arctic Silver 5 for the thermal paste. As the U2-UFO has a removeable mobo tray, it did make life easier.

With the temporary GPU fitted (ATi 4850)

Then I had to refit the mobo tray, which is as easy as tightening 5 thumbscrews. I also fitted the pump/res at this stage too.

Next up was to cut the tubing to length and fit it.

Once I was happy with the tube placement, I used the worm clips to secure the tubes, and filled the loop up. It took some time to remove the air bubbles and a foam was created when the dye and corrosion inhibitor was added, but this will settle soon.

I don't think it looks too shabby. I have installed 2x UV CCFL's, one along the top and one along the bottom edge on the left side of the case. I will do the same on the right side when I do the GFX loop. The effect doesn't look very good in the picture below, as it was still light and my camera was struggling to get a decent pic (well me). I will try and get some more done later tonight to see if I can capture the effect better.

The CPU temps ahve shown a decent decrease under water, and I would expect a few more degrees once the Arctic Silver 5 has bedded in (200hrs).

So that's the CPU loop done and dusted. The pump works a treat when modded, and saved me a few quid too. I like the effect of the UV lights, and didn't want the case interior to be glowing massively. I just wanted the tubes to be shining and visible through the white mesh.

Next up is the LCD car adaptor mod and the GPU/wc loop setup. So watch this space

 

[Assassin48]

i like it !
how many uv lights are in there ?

only 2 uv lights and you get that effect wow

 

[stuartpb]

Cheers pal. Yeah those CCFL's are working a treat. I thought I would have to use 4 of them per side to get the effect I wanted but 2 are enough.

No-one here has seen my boo-boo then? Great!

When I fitted the EK Supreme, the springs were supposed to go in-between the fastening nut and the waterblock. I fitted them, in my haste, between the mobo and the waterblock. Someone else spotted it in another forum, and pointed out the error of my ways. Anyways, mistake has been rectified

 

[MKmods]

lol, here at TPU we re too polite to point out flaws/mistakes...

That said is there a chance to replace the hose clamps with something a bit cleaner.
(those look like they are made for a larger diam hose so they arent gripping evenly all the way around the hose as they could be)

 

[stuartpb]

Thanks for the feedback, and for not pointing out my gaffe

I will be using some compression fittings when I have saved some more cash. The Bank of Wife is watching my expenditure like a hawk. The clamps don't look nowhere near as good, but they are watertight and will have to do until my next cash splurdge

 

[MKmods]

these are really nice too
http://www.koolance.com/water-cooling/product_info.php?product_id=715

I get mine at a local auto parts store (less $) They grab 360deg, are easy to attach and can be painted (hint hint) to match your color scheme.

I really like how you mounted the pump

 

[stuartpb]

They are very cool, thanks for the heads up!! I think they would look great. I hope there is a UK supplier who carrys these.

 

[aCid888*]

You use the same pump/res as me and the same colour fluid....now I know why I went with purple.

This keeps getting better and better.....I wouldn't mind some more pictures of the outside as it looks pretty damn nice..one of my favorite cases.

 

[stuartpb]

Thanks

I am going to take the case downstairs tomorrow and get some good pics of the case (internal and external). The room where the PC currently is in is pretty cramped with all my gear, so I was struggling to get some decent pics.

 

[aCid888*]

You should slap some Bitspower compression fittings on your loop..it would look sexy and avoid you cutting your tube with the awful clamps.

I hate the things with a passion.....I'm not even sure why them sell them for use in a rig. :shadedshu

 

[tzitzibp]

You should slap some Bitspower compression fittings on your loop..it would look sexy and avoid you cutting your tube with the awful clamps.

I hate the things with a passion.....I'm not even sure why them sell them for use in a rig. :shadedshu

I use them along with all sorts of clamps... lol, I keep changing my loop and adding radiators or water blocks that I find it easier to just pop down to my local hardware supplies store and grab a few....

Compression fittings are by far the best (both for looks and safety of the loop), but sometimes you work with what you have!

Btw, Bitspower are my favorite, too, but they are so hard to get in Greece, and shipping from the US is not really worth it ($$$)!

 

[stuartpb]

Compression fittings are by far the best (both for looks and safety of the loop), but sometimes you work with what you have!

That was pretty much the case for me yesterday, as I only had the wormclips to hand. I like the compression fittings but grudge paying that much for them. It the Scots/Yorkshire blood in me

I like MKmod's idea of using those clips and painting them to match the theme. If they were painted white they would look pretty cool I think.

Time for a recap on the project and to list the jobs left to do now. First here's some pics of the case as it is at the moment (please bear in mindd the project is still ongoing).

So here's whats left to do now:

1. Get a new GPU (or wait for possible RMA on GTX280)
2. Buy hardware for 2nd watercooling loop (GPU loop). Need waterblock, pump and pump top/res. Also need 1x Thermochill PA120.2 and 2x 120mm fans.
3. Sort cables out, still some more braiding left to do and need to start tidying cables.
4. Still waiting for PSone screen car adaptor, needs modding.
5. LCD/circuit board and IO boards need sorting too, going to box them in somehow.
6. Change the wormclips on the CPU loop for something more visually pleasing, maybe compression fittings.
7. Paint DVD external casing white.

So there's not alot left to do now, the whole build has taken longer than expected but I have been grabbing spare time as and when I could to get work done on it. I am really looking forward to getting this build done and the next one underway.

EDIT: I still have to sort out the PCI slot covers too, nearly forgot about those.

 

[Odin Eidolon]

awesomwnwss! what about painting the PSU too?

 

[stuartpb]

Thanks

I was thinking about painting the rad and the PSU white. As it is though, they are hardly visible through the side panel mesh and I like it like that. If I did paint them white, they would be highly visible under the UV lights. I wanted the case to have a subtle look when lit, with the tubes being the most visible under UV. I think the best way to decribe my intention is 'understated'.

I have also come up with an idea to hide the 8 pin ATX cables, and the cable for the top mounted fans. I am going to use some white trunking the height of the mobo tray and stuck to the rear with some double sided tape. The cables will then run through the trunking out of sight. Not sure how I am going to tidy the rest of the cables yet, but I have a few ideas.

 

[tzitzibp]

thanks for the picture sum up! fantastic work so far, mate! 5/5

 

[stuartpb]

Thank you pal

 

[tzitzibp]

well worth it, mate! hard work always shows!

 

[computertechy]

love it buddy

great work!!!!

 

[stuartpb]

Thanks again fellas, I really appreciate the feedback.

Another day, another job finished. I got the LCD car power adaptor this morning, and have finished modding it. It works a treat, and looks much tidier now that I don't have to trail the external mains adaptor lead into the case.

Here's the car adaptor (unmodded):

Stripped down:

Soldered a male molex connector to the board. Excuse my soldering, it's never been my strongest point, but it works. My poor old desk is getting some hammer too. Nice excuse for a new one soon

Mod done, Basically I have shortened the cable from the plug to the adaptor, removed another cable (which would have powered the PSOne), soldered on a molex and trimmed the casing down. It was very straight-forward and only took 20 minutes.

Here's the rear of the LCD, with the various IO parts and the adaptor plugged in to a PSU's molex. The screen is working fine, and I am surprised it went so easily.

Next up for the LCD is to tidy up the rear somehow.