Project VF8

L4mka

Weaksauce
Joined
Apr 26, 2015
Messages
72

PROJECT VF8

Hi! I would like to start my next scratch build project!

My main idea is to have really own and unique design of big tower case :)

Placing motherboard in unusual position - connectors will be located down in the case.
Also I want fit there two 480 radiators for best cooling performance.
Next part is interconnect acrylic panel for coolant between top and bottom part of case - CNC machined hopefully :D

As in my previous project this will be lasercutted mostly too.
There will be used same folding system as in my previous project.
I am not sure about final color theme (fluid, fans, etc.) so I decided to not show final render of project.
So I will always share only next part of build rendered.
This time is main frame of case :)

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About the color theme.
My most favourite is black inside, white outside and coolant red or white pastel with Aurora booster.
Coolant color depends mostly on platform Z97 (Formula VII) - red, X99 (Deluxe) - white.

Materials:

Steel
Aluminium
Acrylic

Capacity:

Position for two 480 mm radiators (60 mm and 30 mm thickness)
ATX motherboard
Three positions for 2,5" SSDs and one position for 3,5" HDD
Position for two D5 pumps

Computer will be again water-cooled using products from the best companies.

Components:

Intel i7 4790K
ASUS Formula VII
ASUS GTX970 SLI
PSU V1000 CoolerMaster
SSD and RAM undecided
JetFlow and FP 120 FANs by CoolerMaster

and also watercooling, but about it another time.. :D


Proudly sponsored by these amazing companies!

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In this time I am working on two another projects, so I will try to add more very soon!
Here is first progress photo - first batch of lasercutted parts :)


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UPDATE 1

So finally we have the first update :) Really somehow catch .. But I have done most of the frame - missing only the front and back that will give case the necessary stability and overall had a very firm and of course closed.

Almost complete and only to test composite frame. Mostly will be used to assemble the M3 screws with countersunk head and in some places the classic M4 in combination with safety mothers.

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But now even the individual parts. The first is the bottom where it will be all over the state. Just come into it mentioned M4 screws with locking nuts.

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The upper part is almost the same piece with the difference that there are four holes for mounting of a radiator with fans.

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The first of the sidewalls of the frame is the "front" which are also prepared all the necessary holes for mounting the second radiator.

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The second rear sidewall to that is probably nothing to say. :D

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Joining the panel that connects the sides and at the same time divides the case.

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The last episode, which I have done at the moment, is the one which will be mounted on the motherboard and expansion vessel. Again, this is designed so as in the previous project to this entire episode went slightly shove out with "content".

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Here are drawn last two frame parts, namely front and back. Cutted and bent should be next week and then will complete enclosure frame :)

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Even simple 3D render.

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The overall appearance I have every day more and more clear. Here's a little taste :p

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Partly I have only the appearance but also already have confirmed drives and RAM memory by HyperX and it is amazing, really hot products :)


You can check them here
http://bit.ly/1EaastQ and here http://bit.ly/1yR9G4S



For today, it's all :)
 
UPDATE 2

Finally, I am clear about the appearance of the case! :D Even though I do not know the color of ventilators and water, I'll deal with when it comes. So far, I probably like most realistic option seems pastel red water is a mixture of silver and white JetFlow fans from Cooler Master.

Final renderings of the entire frame - it will thus painted black.

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Anyway, here are a few quick renders the overall look, I chose mostly sharp lines up at the front door. This again is a bent sheet metal and thus "trimmed" front and appearance :)

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At this moment I have finished the frame, two small bugs .. :(

The last two missing parts of the frame. Front and rear that give cabinet the necessary stability and of course the possibility of mounting the rear discs and sources.

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There appeared first mistake. I do not know why but will not burn out groove, perpendicular to these openings, which should be inserted sheets of graphics cards. That is the description :D But you know what I mean.

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On the front part is nothing special, cut two holes - one for the second window, and for access to the bottom.

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Backside. You can see the mounting holes for three 2.5 "drives and PSU.

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Full frame, ie up to the guy who stands leaning to the right and even the middle part, where the board. They still have to repair / remodel :)

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This week, perhaps I ought to do to catch even outdoor plates, so I will be able to put an entire case painted and then it will be a little more interesting when it comes to fitting hardware :)
 
UPDATE 3

Last week I had of going outdoors finished sheets 
Outdoor panels and their installation :)

The upper part of the "grill" through which hot air is blown from the upper radiator

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Sides, this time without the grill, because I want to bring out fully illuminated JetFlow fans. Color, unfortunately, still I do not know :D

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The second sidewall. Here I put the grill so that air from the radiator can at least partially out and did not keep it inside. And also because without him it looked strange :D

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Front panel has sides bent - to be the ancestor really clean and without screws. Overall appearance of the cabinets so smooth and clean.

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Detail recessed countersunk holes for M3 screws.

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Assembly of individual parts on the frame. Everything fit :)

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Anyone still remembers my cat? This picture says it all .. Cat is everywhere! :D

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Detail of the bend and the connection frame and mounting plate outside.

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I am going this week on week off and meanwhile the case itself powder coated :D So the first week of July will be another update with painted case and afterwards the assembly of components :)
 
UPDATE 4

Outside is really awful hot weather so in this evening I finally complete the whole case :)

The entire frame in all its splendor and finally painted. Everything fits beautifully and so far no problem :)

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Front view. And there will be window too, so it will be nice to see in computer :)

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Rear side, there will be hidden cables, power supply, pumps, etc :D

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Detail painting and you can also see two holes for bulkheads for water cooling.

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Not too much on the backside. Only the mounting hole for power supply and three SSDs.

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Main part of case, there is space for mounting motherboard and all components.

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Space for three HyperX SSD :)

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After mounting the frame I had to only mount the white cover sheets.

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Complete assembled case :) To these the pictures I probably do not have anything to add, I hope you will enjoy it. It turned out exactly as rendered.

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At this point, the project manager came back and had to check everything :D

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The inspection was very strict :)

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Last picture with better lighted interior, which is waiting only for hardware to be there all fitted! :) More soon !!

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Sexy looking case. Any plans for accents in the paint or materials?
 
What thickness are you going with for the materials? Standard 1/8 acrylic, 2mm aluminum, and 1mm steel, or something thicker/lighter?
 
What thickness are you going with for the materials? Standard 1/8 acrylic, 2mm aluminum, and 1mm steel, or something thicker/lighter?

Acrylic 3 mm. Steel sheets are 1,5 mm (frame) and 1 mm white cover sheets :)
 
UPDATE 5

Today it is just a front - update :D I want you to show great things from my sponsors, which will be mounted into case first :)

First, I would like to thank Aquatuning.de for constant support and sent radiators and two pumps :)

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And here a little taste of installation in case! More coming on the weekend :)

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I also have to thank Cooler Master, who supports me in every project! For this one they sent me PSU V1000 (about it another day :D), eight high-performance and at the same time quiet FP120 and twelve pieces of variously colored JetFlow fans - because at that time I still did not know the color scheme

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More coming soon! :)
 
UPDATE 6

Finally, there is the promised update :)

There is radiator ALPHACOOL UT60 480 mm and on it fans Cooler Master JetFlow in white. Unfortunately they are not entirely super quiet - must be a lot of (via PWM) regulate, but visually they look really cool :)

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Radiator, as its name suggests, 60 mm thick and provides a really great cooling performance.

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There are also six G1 /4" threads in different directions for fittings.

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And here about half as thick radiator - ALPHACOOL ST30 and Cooler Master FP120 fans with PWM control. These are very quiet and provide a lot of pressure and airflow :)

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This radiator already offers only two G1 /4" threads, which is not something I see as limiting.

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Mounted radiators into the prepared sites in the case was easy :D Unfortunately I did not get a black countersunk screws and therefore the silver, but it is not matter, because over them comes the white cover.

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This space is obviously still fills two D5 pumps, the PSU and the pile of all kinds of cables :D

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One thread on the radiator would like to use for mounting the drain port.

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More soon! Stay tuned :)
 
UPDATE 7

In recent days, I again met the terrible duties, so I could not move forward on this project. Therefore, I now only show the hardware from HyperX :)
Of course I want to thank HyperX for the great support and cooperation on my projects!

Guys please check these links! It will help me a lot :)

http://bit.ly/1EaastQ and http://bit.ly/1yR9G4


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I received three Savage SSDs (2x120, 1x240) and 16 GB RAM also from a series of Savage. Drives very soon will go to the white paint..

Here are a few photos :)

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If you are interested in more look at these links to find out more :)

http://bit.ly/1EaastQ and http://bit.ly/1yR9G4S

More coming soon! :)
 
UPDATE 8

This week I finished work on the HyperX SSD. Their basic black color is over.. :D I painted all three disk white, and the result is, I think, super :)

Discs are assembled together using four torx screws.

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Specifically, it needs screws to torx screwdriver with hole.

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After removing the screws, the entire disassembly actually done ..

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The other side of the disc

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From these empty frames disk I still had odendat stickers from the front of the red metal logo HyperX

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Using a heat gun metal I warmed it and then comfortably peeled off

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Backside has also without unnecessary stickers and ready for painting. I cleaned them with alcohol and than I painted them with white spray. I did not make some science about it as it small spaces :D
Unfortunately I forgot to take a picture when spraying. I applied 3 layers of white in total.

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And here is the result :) I like it much more than the classic black ..

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Just peed on disks mounted in a case. Super contrast and drives beautifully stand out :)

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If you want more of HyperX series Savage visit these two links

http://bit.ly/1EaastQ and http://bit.ly/1yR9G4S

More coming soon! :)
 
UPDATE 9

Again, here we have products presentantion update :D presentation of products from Taiwanese company Bitspower. The company is engaged in production blocks, fittings, reservoirs, tops, etc .. Actually everything for water cooling. And honestly, I can say that in the field of fittings are clearly a few levels higher than the rest. Mega offer fittings in all possible colors and most types :)

Of course, I want to thank for products which they sent for this project!

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Two magnificent blocks for card ASUS 970 Strix. The quality is first-class blocks

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Summit EF block on the CPU. I'm not sure I use the top or select rather clear that all blocks will be same - clear acrylic.


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Block RAM memory. Here I am again available transparent top, if I decided to change :)


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Mounting parts for the assembly of the D5 pump.


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TOP for D5 pump


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Mounting kit to pump tops for beautifully smooth, clean finish.


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Expansion vessel with a length of 250 mm are for my machine the ideal choice.


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And of course fittings, in the photo I put only one of each :D Because of them I have probably over 120 pieces D I have to sort them into boxes again for better "orientation" during building water loop :D


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More vey soon!!
 
UPDATE 10

Today I had a whole day addicted to modding :) So I started with pumps. It was necessary to complete the D5 pump ALPHACOOL together with Bitspower Top and mod kit. Perfect work on shiny afternoon.

Pumps are in a small package, which is exactly on them and nothing else. Bitspower packed top and kit into one big box with a label Special package - combo set.

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All unpacked and ready for mounting


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Before the assembly was needed but sleevecables from the pump. To make it look clean impression, so I sleeving cables to pumps inside :)


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Make each pump took only a moment.


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The box from the tank top is a beautiful image that makes everyone can handle this assembly :)


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The pump is inserted into mod kit, and then this unit is screwed to the very top.


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Complete longer functional pump ready for operation. And the base, which includes rubber anti-vibration pad.


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Top offers 3 input and output threads 2, which is quite sufficient connectivity.


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I have mounted pumps in the case. But unfortunately I do not have the strength to write another update todays and edit photos :D So just a small taste for next time :p

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UPDATE 11

As you probably noticed, so last week I have had no time to deliver the promised update abotu assembling of pumps :D But it is here, as well as photos of several new and very important things for the functioning of a computer :)


Pumps are ready in case!


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That left only carefully think about where exactly is mounted, fortunately it was not rocket science :D


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Then I traced the mounting holes on the paper and duct tape and drilled ..


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Pumps in place, and with them the first fittings :)


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There is already a little more fittings :D


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I planned it that here will be rigid pipe, but when I did so a few days "watching" probably would be better to put the classic tubing there :)


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Well, not completely better, but the smoothness appearance. At the bottom of the other tubes were problematic. And I do not want to mix so that the lower part will be classic tubing and the upper part of case will be acrylic pipes.


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It is actually just the replacement of these two connections (four fittings).


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I love the details on all products Bitspower :)


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PSU from Coolermaster V1000, I think the perfect choice for this machine. I would like to thank the company Cooler Master, who believed in my projects already some years :)
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PSU itself works very well, and his appearance is definitely worth mentioning.


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An essential part of the resources are obviously cables.. Again, I would like to thank the Icelandic company http://www.IceModz.com for this beautiful, custom crafted, complete wiring for psu.

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Always I get an extra couple of things :D As various cables and led tapes in great quality. MORE SOON!!! :)

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UPDATE 12

Today is the update massacre, in terms of the number of photos :D total 24 ..

I had moved to assemble components in case. The main panel where all the hardware will be installed again, as in the previous project, is removable. I can assembly HW and watercooling easier, and it's just an overall great :)

But first let's look at what I got for this project form ASUS Czech. I want to thank entire ASUS Czech team - not only for this support, but also for other things, projects and so on !! ASUS believes in me since the very beginning, and I really appreciate it :)

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Motherboard Formula VII. P.S. On graphics cards from ASUS will look in next update :p

The main thing everyone notices is definitely a "shield" plates on both the front and rear.

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Input and output connectivity boards, is more than sufficient. There is technology as IntelEthernet, LANguard, GameFirst III - which are perfect network technology for online gaming

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Detail shield. Board also offers high-quality SupremeFX audio.

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A total of four RAM slots for up to 3300+ MHz frequency (overclocking)

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Without these buttons I cant imagine the board :D really useful things :)

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SATA ports with speed 6Gb / s.

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Tile is wearing an integrated VRM cooler. It is a copper block, so there is no corrosion problems or other problems.

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Up to mount !!

The entire panel is composed of two parts, which probably does not have more to describe :)

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And assembled together

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Reservoirs in place. This is done so that it holds only on fittings (very tight). It took lot of measuring but now reservoirs are assembled without any screws, which to me looks much better :)

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Fixation is using 90-degree fittings, couplings and bulkheads Bitspower.

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Bottom mount exp.

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Fittings on top.

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As you can see, everything is perfectly precise and clean. Or not? :D

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Motherboard in place, it begins to take shape. Finally!

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The moment of truth, if everything is correct and the board, including its I/O panel sits right ...

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I would say that totally fits exactly :D

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Thus far it looks like.

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Motherboard has also MPCIE COMBO III, which serves as a WiFi card, but here you can mount M.2 SSD.

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Rear side. Here is the filling port for reservoir.

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Total rear view.

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How do you like it? I'll be glad for all the comments, criticisms, etc. :) MORE SOON!
 
Looks great! Post pic's of the dark side.. I love seeing wire management from the "other side." haha.
 
Looks great! Post pic's of the dark side.. I love seeing wire management from the "other side." haha.

Will post them soon! As soon as there will be cables :D :p

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UPDATE 13

Everything will be watercooled, so the RAM :D

The first step is to remove original HyperX heat sink.. Heat gun is best for this!

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Naked HyperX Savage looks something like this :D


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Then mounted Bitspower heatsink.. Also with new thermal pads


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This new cooler is secured using two small screws and you're done :)


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RAMs finished with new heatsinks


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The panel looks great, but still missing something ..


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..water block :)


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The last few days I was thinking a lot about the entire loop. What and how. It was not easy, the loop must be simple and above all look good. After X a million options, I found a (hopefully) the best :D
This is just a small beginning :)


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Even with this project, I follow that everything is all about detail and precision. More very soon !! Again, I will be glad for your comments, criticisms, etc. :)


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UPDATE 14

On Friday was delivered the last component from the sponsors. A small, but very important!

Many thanks to Intel Czech for sending processor!

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Arrived Core i7 4790K - that's the best thing you can put into the slot in 1150 :)

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My collection 4790Ks again slightly expanded :D

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The processor includes a 4.0 GHz base frequency of 4.4GHz with TurboBoost. Of course overclocking is a great option due to unlocked multiplier.

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Processor in place :)

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A little paste directly mounted water block Bitspower ..

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A long time I figured out how to do loop in this part. The priority is, of course, look :D

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I think I had spent an hour or so. Mainly it had to correspond with the rest of the loop, because the block on the CPU has clearly given, which thread is the entrance and the which is exit. But in the end it worked out nicely and precisely :)

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Thus far it looks like! Next time I promised graphics, cables, circuit etc etc :D By mid-September, it will hopefully be finished :)

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UPDATE 15

Finally here are the earlier mentioned graphics and installation :)

Again, I want to really thank ASUS CZ, for all the support that I have getting from them !!

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A pair of GTX970 series Strix cooling DirectCUII, but that will go away :D cards are in absolute silence in idle mode, but also in stress are very quiet.

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The card offers all common today connectors - DVI, HDMI and DP.

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The power supply takes one 8pin. Also, you can see the massive heatpipe cooler :)

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The back is equipped with a cover backplate

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Mounting blocks is not rocket science :D

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Back

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Front side. It remains only to clean the core paste and apply new thermal grease and mount the new nice block! :D

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Both cards without their DCII coolers :)

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Finally cards and their Bitspower blocks!

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The blocks are delivered with backplate too which looks very classy imo :)

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It really take shapes these days :) but still remains to complete all fittings, pipes and complete the whole loop ..

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Even now I can not wait filling! :D

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The first tube, fittings and the indicator in place. Some tubing takes so much time.., but I want to be in everything 100% sure that I want it and I like it :)

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And the last picture is what it looks like :)

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Do you like, dislike? Thanks for your feedback!
 
UPDATE 16

Probably one of the last updates before filling water into the loop and the first turn on the computer :)

The entire loop is complete, only remain to mount this "unit" in the case and connect the cables, etc.

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The winning tubing of the water loop on the CPU block :D This part took most of the time

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The view from the back side or away from SSDs

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Complete the circuit. Great satisfaction for me :)

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A view from another angle - from the front of the chassis

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Backside and a bit of cable management: D

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Input from the bottom, from pump and the radiator back into the upper part respectively. blocks, etc.

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Withers, who will be very handy both during filling and especially when draining the circuit :)

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The output from the expansion tank leads naturally straight down into the pumps

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Fittings, so you can easily dispense with the push of air. One is only for decoration :D

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Again, I would be glad for your comments :) Next time about filling the loop :p It's not much to shoot :D
 
FINAL PHOTOS

Here! The finished project :)

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Do you like it? :) Thanks for all the support and comments from you!
 
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