Batman's CaseLabs Mercury S8 Work Computer

[E-curbi]

Specs:

-CaseLabs Mercury S8 bench frame two-tone black front cover, gunmetal chassis, large HD wheels
-Seasonic Prime Titanium Fanless 600watt PSU
-Asus ROG Maximus 10 Apex motherboard (Soon to be replaced by Maximus 11 Extreme)
-8086K 6-core CPU delidded and binned at 5.3Ghz by Siliconlottery.com. 5.4Ghz Cinebench stable, 5.5Ghz Win10 boot stable (all overclocking so far completed with ROG bios 1003 and Noctua C14S air-cooler). May be 5.5Ghz Cinebench stable with updated bios 1602 specifically produced for the 8086K and/or improved cooling, further testing needed screenshots below.
-Gskill Trident Z 3200Mhz 14-14-14-34 2x8GB modules =16GB of a 32GB Quad kit XMP'd
-AMD Radeon Pro WX 4100 workstation graphics card
-Noctua NH-C14S heatsink stock fan replaced with Noctua NF-A14 Industrial PPC-2000 PWM stock brown anti-vibration pads replaced with NA-SAVP1 black anti-vibration pads
-Intel Optane 32GB SSD memory M.2 modules (X2)=64GB in RAID0 on ROG DIMM.2 riser card (Soon to be replaced by Optane 905P 280GB SSD PCIe AIC) as primary OS boot drive
-Samsung 860 Pro 256GB SATA SSD (X4) storage drives
-Supermicro M28SACB 2.5in 8-bay mobile rack
-AquaComputer Aquaero 6 LT system controller
-Hardware Labs SR2 Multiport 240mm(X1) 120mm(X4) radiators carbon black
-Singularity Computers Protium 100mm reservoir black-polished acrylic, Core Single reservoir mount black, Protium D5 pump top polished acrylic, Protium D5 pump cover solid black, Protium D5 pump base black
-AquaComputer D5 PWM pump
-AquaComputer Vision Touch external black

Components still pending:

Maximus 11 Extreme
Intel Optane 905P 280GB PCIe Add in Card

More to follow...

 

[E-curbi]

Looks like Asus is going with some very blacked-out heatsinks for a few of the Z390 series of boards. Love this little Strix ITX z390 board, such a huge aesthetic change from the Z370 ITX board.

This is the first leaked Asus Z390 board I could find. I'm super interested since any design cue also might show up on the ROG Maximus 11 Extreme I've been dreaming of for this Batman build. Waiting 18months so far, for a motherboard to complete my rig.

The Apex 10 board I'm using now is very nice, can only imagine how much more "stealthy and Batman" the Apex 11 will look if ROG goes with the same super blacked-out heatsinks.

Z370 vs Z390 Strix ITX pics below. Huge Aesthetic Upgrade, please give us more Asus.

 

[E-curbi]

Some more build photos. Tried to edit/attach to first post, hmmm not sure just how to do that.

I guess after awhile, you cannot edit posts?

 

[E-curbi]

Wasn't satisfied with the 8086K's standard Turbo Boost 2.0

1C 5.0Ghz
2C 4.6Ghz
3C 4.5Ghz
4C 4.3Ghz
5C 4.3Ghz
6C 4.3Ghz

So decided to create my own.

I call it the Bat-Boost Turbo Technology 4.0. Take that Intel.

1C 5.6Ghz
2C 5.5Ghz
3C 5.4Ghz
4C 5.2Ghz
5C 5.2Ghz
6C 5.2Ghz

...all at 1.350volts

Bruce Wayne would be so proud of me.

 

[E-curbi]

5.7Ghz Single Core Boost!

On Noctua C14S Air Cooler

This CPU is so much fun.

 

[E-curbi]

The new Asus Maximus XI Z390 boards went LIVE this morning.

Love the super-blacked-out heatsinks on the Hero XI, much improved aesthetic imho over the silver sinks of the Z370 series.

And the Formula XI looks like it's armor is iridium like the Rampage VI. Maybe it is.

It figures, the (2) Maximus 11 boards I want to pick up are still not pictured.

Maximus XI Extreme and Maximus XI Apex are still absent. That means as always they will be launched 1 to 3months later than the Hero, Strix and Prime boards, that's the way Asus always does it. lol

Patience Padawan.

Here they are in order: Hero XI, Code XI and Formula XI Z390 boards

 

[E-curbi]

Singularity Computers does not produce CPU or GPU waterblocks to blend with their amazing line of water cooling D5 pump tops-covers-bases, and reservoirs and mounts. Looking around the new EK Velocity blocks look so simple and understated, with clean smooth lines, such a difficult decision between the nickel-acetal RGB with a nice static blue peripheral underglow or the nickel-plexi also set at static steady deep blue in sync with Asus Aura lighting control.


I have the Singularity clear plexi D5 pump top and the solid black D5 acetal top, so really could go either way.


I'll wait to get an idea of the Maximus XI Extreme board's overall aesthetic before deciding on solid black or translucent clear. Like to hold to theme and remain "Batman Stealthy" as much as possible, yet don't want every component so dark there's no contrast within the build.

The lighter gunmetal frame does contrast very well with the many deep black components: 5 radiators, Aquaero 6 LT, PSU, SSD mobile rack, black front cover, and the four black wheels.

And the Intel Optane 905P 280GB PCIe Add In Card (not yet launched) mounted in mobo slot #4 will add additional deep dark black with soft static blue lighting as well. Black, blue and gunmetal gray seem to be the emerging theme colors for the build, just like the Dark Knight would've wanted. LOL

Solid black acetal or translucent plexi? ...decisions - decisions.

 

[E-curbi]

I realize it's not an attractive build. Fairly ugly from certain angles. Sacrificed aesthetics for inaudibility and functionality.

Only (2) fans running in the entire computer, the 140mm Noctua Industrial PWM CPU fan with blacked out corner pads at 1200rpm for overclocking, yet daily for working it goes inaudible at 660rpms powered by the Aquaero 6 LT.

The other AMD workstation GPU fan rotates at a noticeable 1200rpms out of the box, and was happily surprised MSI Afterburner was able to recognize a workstation graphics card and drop the fan speed to an inaudible 1080rpms. Which equates to 18% on the custom slider fan curve bar within the software.

Air coolers by design normally feed from airflow inside a case which of course in a standard tower can be significantly warmed by rising "used air" from the PSU and GPU (if not a blower design). For overclocking a standard closed chassis I would think better results would be achieved with a 240mm or 360mm All In One, or classic water loop with a supply of direct ambient air.

Yet with no side or top panels, the Noctua Air cooler in this instance - this build is able to feed cold ambient air directly from the room from the central A/C about 20feet away. Ambient normally steady at 78F/25.5C. Eliminating side and top panels also eliminated 4 to 7 chassis mounted fans to move an airflow in and out of a standard case setup. This build was once a CaseLabs Mercury S8S with all the panels in place. Only needed to add the Mercury S8 front and rear shorter bench panels and front cover to transition to S8 open air bench frame design.

Could have simply went with a classic test bench, but the CL Mercury frame supports up to four 360mm radiators upper and lower right, upper and lower left if need be. Ordered some CL accessory rails and flat, 20degree offset and 90degree angled 120mm fan and 120mm rad mounts and single solid offset pump base so I could mount the 240mm HWL MP rad and (4) HWL MP 120mm rads for a custom loop to come later. The asymmetry may look planned, it wasn't. It came about my necessity, wanting a short tubing run into/out of the CPU block and unable to mount (3) 120mm rads upper right due to lack of chassis depth, thus the single 120mm rad mounted on top horizontally. Yet it will feed by gravity alone into the D5 pump mounted directly below, so not such a negative compromise after all. The CL bench frame also supports (6) Flexbays so the mounting of the Supermicro 8-bay 2.5inch drive mobile rack looks professional and clean as if mounted in any standard closed case. Currently using only (4) Samsung 860Pro SATA SSDs inside the mobile rack for category redundancy level storage, limited by the (4) SATA ports available with the Apex 10 motherboard. When moving to the Maximus 11 Extreme board next month will be able to either fully populate the mobile rack to (8) SSDs or at least (6) SSDs offered by the Z390 chipset if no aftermarket ASmedia chip is utilized by Asus. Also, the CL S8 bench frame allows mounting of four caster wheels which make building and upgrading absolutely effortless. In my humble option every build should be on wheels able to be enjoyed on top of your work desk, if you love looking at hardware.

The downside beyond certain unattractive angles, it's not cat-proof nor kid-proof, so extra care must be taken and no unsupervised visits while the power is ON. Dust is never an issue using a black DataVac blower about once a week, yet absolutely no open beverages can be set or placed anywhere near the build anytime ever. For obvious reasons. LOL

Someone in another forum once asked me about the rather odd appearance of this build.

My response was:

"This computer is for getting work completed quickly and comfortably over an 8-10hour long workday, it carries a singular purpose - purely for business home office use, not gaming or web browsing or video editing. So I let aesthetics take a back seat. Actually the aesthetics for this build are riding not in the backseat but somewhere in a trailer being pulled far behind."

 

[E-curbi]

I have no idea what I'm doing, but the computer FEELS amazing. Simple low Q-Depth tasks seem instantaneous.

5.7Ghz single core boost (screenshot below)

Guess I'll try a 5.8Ghz single core boost, kick the tires, drive it around the block. LOL

 

[E-curbi]

Intel 900P prices just dropped significantly to $269 (down from $399) for the 280GB skus in U.2 and HHHL form factors.

...and the 480GB HHHL sku dropped from $629 all the way down to $469 all "ships and sold by Newegg".

Is this build related? Yes it's build related, I've had two Intel 900Ps at 280GB Add In Cards HHHL that drop into motherboard slot #4 (photos above with Albert Eistein) running off chipset lanes, and although they are a beautiful well made piece of hardware, they arrive with NO Lighting. OK OK. I'm not super into the entire RGB craze, yet I must admit, the soft blue static under-glow radiating out from the Maximus 10 Apex board is extremely soothing in peripheral vision while working.

Grabbed the first 900P 280GB in November 2017, sent it back within the Newegg Holiday return window when a new 900P sku was announced that used much less power at idle and load. Received that 2nd 900P and geeez, then the 905P with the cool blue LEDs was announced so sent that one back to Newegg within the 30-day return window. (breathing heavy) LOL

Today Intel announced the 905P 1500GB (1.5TB) sku to go along with the 960GB sku, both way too expensive for me at $2299 and $1299 respectively, yet both also sporting the gorgeous blue LEDs.

And the older 900P skus, all three received a significant price drop.

Newegg must be clearing the shelves? Clearing inventory for the lower capacity and affordable 905P skus to replace the 900P skus and arrive during Super Build October, with so many new motherboards and CPUs both mainstream-enthusiast and HEDT?

Right now I'm using some Intel Optane, but it's only (2) 32GB M.2modules in RAID 0 = 64GB with a usable capacity of only 54GB. So yea, I'm a bit crunched for space.

Can't complain too much with (4) SATA storage SSDs in the same build, and the ROG DIMM.2 riser card instantly recognized the two Optane modules and the new Asus bios sets up a RAID 0 volume within the UEFI itself, no longer a need to drop into the Intel RAID DOS screens.

Only two more components to finish this work PC, and they both may arrive next month. At least all signs are beginning to point that way.

 

[E-curbi]

Anyone who doesn't know overclocking very well, umm like me. This is how I got pretty good results, although if you want to spend the time to study what each and every bios setting achieves for your motherboard and CPU, I'm certain these settings can be improved upon.

Yet they will act as a good starting point for your 8700K or 8086K.

They are in fact simply the instructions I extracted from Der8auer's Coffee Lake 8700K overclocking video.

Here are Der8auer's instructions found within his 8700K overclocking video. I typed them up as I watched his video, printed a copy and applied the settings he recommended verbatim.

Copy and Paste and Print this page if you want, and Happy Overclocking!!!

And thank you Mr. Der8auer, you totally ROCK dude!

Der8auer suggests to always install the latest bios for your motherboard, I did not mine is from January, since flashing a new bios dismounts my OS boot drive RAID 0 volume (2) Optane drives. Also he suggests you enable the XMP settings to your memory FIRST, then overclock your CPU, so that's what I did, all my OC's are with both memory DIMMs set at 3200/14 XMP'd.

These settings are for the Asus bios. Der8auer does not say this but you can tell by his default settings he FIRST set bios to "Load Optimized Defaults" and applied/saved out and then rebooted back into bios.

1-Ai Overclock Tuner to XMP, then select NO to all core enhancement in the Notice window. Apply by saving out of bios and reboot back into bios and make sure your memory is running at your individual memory's XMP settings, in Asus bios that information is located at the right side information bar

2-Asus Multicore Enhancement to Disable

3-AVX Instruction Core Ratio Negative Offset to 3

4-CPU Core Ratio to Sync All Cores and 1-Core Ratio Limit Multiplier to 50 (for the first 5.0GHz overclock attempt). Scroll down and all 6 Cores Ratio Limit will change to 50

5-CPU SVID Support to Disable

6-Drop into External Digi+ Power Control (opens a new window) Set CPU Load-line Calibration to Der8auer says 5 or 6, I used 5. (5 seemed like a more conservative number than 6 LOL)

7-ESC out of Ext Digi+ Pwr Cntl back to the Extreme Tweaker window, select Internal Digi+ Power Control this time (opens a new window) and set Long Duration Power Limit to 55555 (4095) and Short Duration Power Limit to 55555 (4095)

8-ESC out of Int Digi+ Pwr Cntl back into the Extreme Tweaker window and set CPU Core/Cache Current Limit Max. to 55555 (255.50)

9-Min CPU Cache Ratio to 42 and Max CPU Cache Ratio to 42

10-BCLK Aware Adaptive Voltage set to Disable

11-CPU Core/Cache Voltage to Manual, and for CPU Core Voltage Overide type in the value 1.350volts for your 8700K/8086K that should be good for the first 5.0Ghz overclocking run.

12-Go into Asus Overclocking Profile and save your settings in Profile 1 (if you wish). Then APPLY all these settings SAVE OUT of bios and boot into Windows

Der8auer is using Cinebench and CPUID and Core Temp to set up his stability testing screen, so I did exactly the same thing.

Those (3) apps/programs are FREE to download.


I was able to get these results below by only adjusting the Multiplier and CPU Voltage from the base settings listed above:

5.4Ghz stable Cinebench MT run
5.5Ghz stable Cinebench ST run
5.6Ghz stable Win10 boot
5.6Ghz all work apps and Win10 single core boost stable
5.7Ghz all work apps and Win 10 single core boost stable

Not too darn bad for using a $75 Noctua C14S Air-Cooler. I'm certain my results could be better with a custom loop and an expanded knowledge base. LOL

 

[jaggerwild]

Why bother with that case if you cant close it?

 

[E-curbi]

Why bother with that case if you cant close it?

Really a design to eliminate noise.

This specific build is only for working in a library quiet environment. It's actually inaudible at normal sitting distance of 30inches. The only two fans in the build create a sound of soft moving air if your ears are directly over, within say 2inches of the CPU cooler. Moving your ears away (farther than two inches) and there is no sound at all from this build.

Eliminating the side and top panels, also allowed the elimination of about seven case fans, and the need to isolate those fans with rotational energy absorbing materials like soft silicon fan grommets. Not to say that it can't be done. Case fans can be isolated to inaudible if care is taken on selecting decibel efficient fans, fans of low overall mass, and of course turning down the rpms to an inaudible level usually about 50%PWR or less, after the first two criteria are met. Yes, I've been doing this for awhile. lol

We have two other PCs in the house for gaming web browsing etc which are very quiet yet NOT inaudible.

Without side and top panels the CPU cooler fan and GPU cooler fan are able to pull in cold air from the ambient room unaffected by any heat buildup or warmed air transferred from other components within a closed case environment.

Also the power supply is fanless and well ventilated by the manufacturer. Without side/top panels the heat generated from within the PSU simply rises up and out of the unit into the room requiring no direct airflow, again no noise is created.

Also, only SSDs are used in the build requiring no airflow for cooling.

The CaseLabs component qualifies probably more as a frame or chassis, yet not a true case.

Photo of PSU below to illustrate how heat escapes the unit by simple radiation.

Thanks for stopping by, it gets lonely in this part of the woods.

 

[jaggerwild]

I meant why spend that type of money then on a case labs instead of run nakied on a box which cost zero? Oh now your gonna teach me cooling.....

 

[E-curbi]

The CaseLabs benching frame can mount four 360mm rads all at the same time. It can mount up to three 8-bay 2.5inch mobile racks (24 SSDs or HDDs in the front panel), and it mounts a set of four caster wheels to spin it around and access the rear I/O and to make building or upgrading the PSU or any other component easier.

This case started as a closed Mercury S8S case with side and top panels and windows, adding the 3 S8 specific bench panels cost was only $75 to transition to the open bench.

I use cardboard motherboard boxes when mobos first arrive for initial testing to check if they are DOA, before mounting them into a build whether it's a case or an open bench.

 

[E-curbi]

Well here it is. The Z390 Maximus XI Extreme. I waited a year and seven months for this mobo, there was no Maximus X Extreme produced by Asus. No iridium armor, like the Rampage VI, kinda bummed about that.

But it does have the LiveDash OLED screen, and it's extremely wide, very E-ATX and that new ROG DIMM.2 Generation 3 riser card looks amazing, like one big heatsink, for both M.2 drives.

 

[btarunr]

Looking good.

 

[Arrius]

This gave me the idea for a Superman-themed computer lol

I am a hardcore Superman fan and now that I think about it, his colours would look good on a case

 

[E-curbi]

Looking good.

Thanks, I admire your work a great deal.

 

[E-curbi]

This gave me the idea for a Superman-themed computer lol

I am a hardcore Superman fan and now that I think about it, his colours would look good on a case

We could hold a Batman vs Superman competition like the film, Dawn of Justice.

I'd probably take the low noise category.

You'd win the aesthetics.

Everyone beats my build in aesthetics. lol

Yea, I like the Batman grays and blacks and dark blues and blue-grays for theme colors. Nothing shiny in my build except the Noctua cooler. There, I really had no choice and it will be gone when the M11E mobo arrives and the water loop completed. Still kinda bummed the Maximus XI Extreme does not arrive with the PCIe shroud cover like the R6E, M11C, and M11F. Kinda stinks the M11Formula has a better overall aesthetic than the "Flagship" M11Extreme. My build could really benefit from some refined aesthetics to balance out the roughness. Oh well, what can you do? Hope for a special edition like the Maximus VIII Extreme? Maybe the Apex 11 will debut with the shroud?...small chance of either of those happening.

For fittings, going with Bitspower Carbon black, which I found to be "more matte" than the BP matte black, go figure.

Used a Sharpie marker to black-out the (4) shiny gold BP logos on each fitting. (photos below) Gotta be Batman stealthy.

 

[E-curbi]

The rumor mill is saying the Z390 motherboards are launching October 8th introduction descriptions and availability. And the 9900K and 9700K 8-core CPUs two weeks later on October 22nd.

Of course not all the mobos will launch. Most likely have to wait another month for the ROG Apex 11 and Extreme 11, who knows.

While the waiting continues, contacted Mockett and Company in California getting the mounting dimensions for these awesome looking hollow axle wheels with rubber tires.

Kinda look like the front wheels on the Batmobile. If the Batmobile ran on office casters.

Yea, I realize it's quite a stretch of the imagination. At least they look nicer than the generic CaseLabs wheels.

update:

The center to center hole dimension is 36mm (4th pic below) new wheels vs 26mm on the CaseLabs wheels so will need to mod the mounting plates with a Dremel. Hardened steel sounds bad, nope it's only 4-5mm the interior side of each hole and there's plenty of interior plate material to work with/cut away before reaching the post or stem.

Just put on the Mayhem's Blitz Part 1 safety goggles and grind away.

 

[E-curbi]

Anyone needs some help putting together a home office.

New Aruba J9774A Campus Network Switch with Dual Personality Ports Base-T and Fiber, and Cat7 flat ribbon cables.

Adding POE+ (power over Ethernet) cameras and Aruba access points for WiFi.

This thing is super low latency-super fast, sexy and fanless (inaudible). Difficult to find "all of the above" in hardware. Unless you build it yourself.

 

[E-curbi]

Experimented with many various mountings for the Aquaero 6 LT fan/pump/system controller and Splitty9 fan channel splitter. Grabbed some industrial strength low-profile Velcro from Amazon, only about $8 for a 10foot roll. The stuff works so well, and eliminates the need to drill into your chassis, especially if you want to try out different mounting locations to find the best looking or most cable clutter-free or most accessible, easiest position to live with. Components can be easily removed and the Velcro pulled off as sticky as it is leaving no marks, removes no paint or powder coat.

My mistake was looking for the most aesthetic cool-looking "server like switchbox" spot to place the controller that would look industrial and so purposeful from a distance , not thinking of having to actually plug/unplug cabling later on when adding upgrading components. Ended up going with a not so pretty but super-functional mounting on the chassis floor (3rd photo below).

"You put it on the floor?"

I know, not very creative or imaginative, but it works.

Anyhoo, the point of this post is: try some inexpensive $8 Velcro for mounting light-weight components instead of drilling holes in your case.

In these photos below, the (4) mounting screws on the Aquaero 6 LT are only holding the heatsink onto the PCB, no holes drilled, it's a pure Velcro mount.

 

[E-curbi]

Z390. It's Happening! Woooooooooooooo

Bring on the Apex and the Extreme!

 

[E-curbi]

FedEx just dropped by.

Hollow Axle Caster Mod:

Slightly larger diameter than the stock CaseLabs HD wheels.

Got the Dremel ready to go, let the sparks fly, let the grinding begin!