Well, I've gotten bored of building air cooled PC's....
I'm gonna get wet this time, with watercooling.
I call this,
I'm gonna get wet this time, with watercooling.
I call this,
Sponsored by:
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Me, my Dad, and "The blank.box"
Several years ago, I became very interested in computers. It started with the software, learning how Windows XP worked, what "CRTL+ALT+DELETE" really meant and discovering the Control Panel; I soon became the I.T. guy around the house (at least, when Dad was at work). . . But I had never really thought about what was really inside that rectangular box, the one that made noise beneath the computer desk. Some say, "curiosity killed the cat", but in this case (pun intended), "curiosity became a world of fun". . . And that, my friends, is where my obsession with Computers really had started.
Going back a few years (well, more than a few), my dad has been around since the Timex Sinclaria 1000, and ever since fiddling with that computer (and plenty more after that) he also became quite interested in computers, and eventually built a few for himself, friends and family.
He also browsed computer forums such as these, and soon discovered. . .(drum roll please). . . Watercooling.
He built his first watercooled system when I was about 9 years old, of course I new nothing about it all, just that it was a computer for us, and it worked like a dream.
Four years later in summer '07, he built a new watercooled system and I was able to help him do it all, which was quite an experience for me. . . and also led to my addiction with watercooling.
My Dad is also a "fix-it" kind of guy, if you had something needing fixing, 9 out of 10 times, he could fix it.
I grew up working in the shop (aka, garage filled with tools. . . ), and at a very young age started building things, messing with electrical, going out on jobs with my Dad. . . Boy those were some of the best times of my life. The knowledge I have gained through learning from my Dad all these years in the shop, I must say, has definitely paid off. As now I'm working in the shop more than my Dad does. . . and having access to the shop just about 24/7 gives me great opportunity to mod things, such as Computers.
So here I am, 17 years old, and still kickin' it with Computers. . . more specifically, "The blank.box".
I hope you enjoy watching this build come together, just as much as I am enjoying putting it together. :up:
Computer Hardware:
Updated 11-27-09
- Intel Core i7 920 D0 CPU | Have
- Asrock X58 Extreme Motherboard | Have
- Diablo 3x2GB DDR3 2000Mhz RAM | Have
- EVGA GTX260 1260-AR GPU | Have
- Corsair 850HX Modular Power Supply | Have
- 3x Seagate 500GB 7200.12 HDs | Have
WaterCooling Components:
Updated 11-27-09
- D-Tek Fuzion V1 CPU Block | Have
- Nafhjy Brass Promount | Have
- Fitseries3 Dual Port Delrin Top | Have
- 1x EK NB Delrin Top Block | Have
- 1x EK Mosfet Delrin Top Block | Have
- HK GT200 GTX260 Full Cover Block | Have
- 2x Swiftech MCP655 (D5) Vario Pumps | Have
- 2x EK150 Reservoirs | Have
- 2x Swiftech MCR320 Radiators | Have
- 2x Swiftech MCR220 Radiators | Have
- BitsPower Fittings (lots) | Have
- 2x (UN)Designs Z2 Bracket | Have
- 2x (UN)Designs Absolute Pump Bracket Rev. 3 | Have
- 20ft. 1/2" ID (3/4" OD) Masterkleer Tubing | Have
Other Hardware:
Updated 11-27-09
- 2x Rosewill R-225 Case | Have
- 2x RadGrillz / Stripes 3x120 Black | Have
- 2x RadGrillz / Stripes 2x120 Black | Have
- 12x Scythe SY1225SL12M Fans
- Pioneer Slim Slot Loading DVR-TS08 CD/DVD Burner | Have
- MurderMod MDPC-X 'Psychopack' Sleeving Kit | Have
- Sunbeam Rheobus Extreme Black Fan Controller | Ordered
Now, onto some pictures
12-28-07
Case, "The blank.box"
Inside of the case
Back side of the case
Ok, so I'm going to put the MCR320 up on the top panel of the case (still inside of the case though). But doing that won't allow me to put my power supply up there...
So heres the first mod:
I took out the 3.5" bays, I had to drill out the rivets to do that.
I'm going to put the PSU down in the front of the case, I'll have to mod a couple more things though
I'm waiting for the rad, grills and the fans to come. More updates soon!
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UPDATE!!!
12-28-07
Apparently I won't be getting my rad or fans untill the 1st or 2nd of Jan.
So I'll update with pics of the rad when it gets here
But for now, heres a pic of some dremel work I did tonight:
I'll be getting some of that rubber edging stuff from petra's soon to put around those sharp edge's.
It will be a while till I order some more components (gotta make some more $$), but I'll post pics and update ya'll whenever I do something new
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UPDATE!!!!
01-03-08
Ok, so I got my shipment from newegg and petra's today.
8 Tt 130mm Silent Wheel fans:
_
And my MCR320 wOOt!!
Going to mount six of the fans in push and pull config on the rad and the other two inside the case.
I'm going to do some more cutting in a little bit too, I'll keep you updated
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01-03-08
Are those fans gonna fit? It looks like the mounting on those thigns are meant for 120mm fans but yours are 130mm and protrude out a bit more. I know on my MCR320 the fan spacing is really tight, with my PA120.3 you have alil more space between each fan.
Already thought about that, and I've got a plan hehe... I'll post pics of the fans after I'm done modding them ;D
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Alright, as promised heres another UPDATE!!!!!!!
01-03-08
Since those fans won't fit close enough to line up with the holes on the rad (and I knew they wouldn't) I had to mod them.
I screwed one of the new fans to an old square fan.
So now I have to sand it down until both fans are level with each other.
I used 80 grid.
There we go
I sanded down the sides that I needed to on all the fans.
Heres one up close.
Mounted them on the rad, they look pretty good!
The under side of the rad with the fans on.
I'm doing push and pull. I tested the fans out while they were on the rad and it pulls air through likes nuts! It's super quiet too, I can feel air coming out 10" away from the rad when the fans are on.
Now I've just got to do a little wiring and soldering on the fan wires.
Tomorrow I'm going to be doing some more cutting.
I should be getting the rad grills in the morning.
I also plan on cutting a window into that ugly ol' side panel :
Yuk.
Put some blue tape on the front.
And a little on the back.
Well, it's late and I'm tired, I'll UPDATE ya'll tomorrow.
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I'll leave you HL guys with that for now. I've got more updates when you want them. :top:
So what you guys think so far??
Another UPDATE
I've done alot of things in the past 48 hours, But I'll start with some wire management
I did some soldering on the rad fan wiring:
(yes, very messy table)
I tested them and they all work great
Now I don't have 6 nasty wires hangin' around on the rad :ROTF:
Heres the rad grillz I got yesterday:
Outta da box... they look sweet
Here's what I did with the small grill:
Cut out a squarish circle in the black thing that use to have the power button in it.
Put it together
Put it on the front plastic piece.
BTW, I put a longer wire on this fan because it needs to reach behind the mobo.
different view
On the case
Looks pretty good!
This mod took me about 10 minutes... record time :rofl:
More mods in next post!
More mods!!
I finished cutting out the side window, I did it with my good ol' dremel and some reinforced cutting disc's.
It took a while, but was well worth it
Fits very nicely, now I just have to go get some plexiglass.
And, BTW, the rad is not mounted on the bottom of the case, it's just sitting there for now.
Next mod:
The other day my mom and I went to Target... I was looking through the isles when I came across these:
And I thought, oh, I could use those!
They cost like 7 bucks each, I bought them
This morning, I cut one of them up a little,
I cut a little piece out...
Then I folded the edges over and fit it to size. Then screwed it on the case.
Close up
Full picture.
Now i've just got to cut the top of the case and mount the rad to the case and rad grill.
I might do that tonight, not sure yet.
Tell me how you like it all, comments and ideas are welcome!
~Parker
UPDATE!!!!!!!!
01-31-08
Ok, so it's been a while!
Heres a bunch of pics:
Rads mounted with fans on both sides.
Another view
Top view of the rad. I got two sizes of screws that match, score! :top:
Another look at the top, sorry for bad pics, i took them real quick...
And another one...
Heres a pic of the inside of the case with the rad at the top.
Ok, the tubing is going to come really close to the mobo on that back barb... but I've got a plan for that! It's called stubby's They help with really tight turns.
Ok, what do you guys think of this:
I put some black cloth duck tape on the outside of the side panel, I'm thinking I'll do this to the whole outside of the case instead of re-painting it black (if you look above at on of the case pics you can see how scratched up the case is).
What do you guys think of this?
It's kinda Ghetto I know, but I think it would look really cool for lan party's and stuff
My updates to come when I order some more stuffs :top:
For now,
~Parker
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