Blue and Black Hard Line Build

[KnishofDeath]

This will likely be a 3 week build from start to finish. I will start purchasing everything at the end of the month. Starting the work log early as I am open to suggestions on parts.

Feel free to comment below.

Budget is max $4k for this build, so keep that in mind.


My current parts list is below, as far as I can tell, the only thing missing are the fans for the radiator. I am still debating on slim fans to save space in the Evolv. I know it can fit rather large rads, but I think it looks kind of ugly with a large radiator in there. The plan is to put the 360 up top and the 280 in the front. Also may add some other fittings like a pass through and a soft tubing line off one of the rads with a ball valve for draining the loop.

I am buying extra tubing as this will be the first time I've worked with it and I am out of practice with modding as it is.

My previous project was prior to grad school in 2010. The old thread is here: Project: Red and Black TJ07

But the picture links are broken. Here is a small sample:










Old screen name was xveganx, but I got locked out. It was easier to create a new account and start over. I've been a member since 2004.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-6700K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($324.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z170X-Designare ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($210.00 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LPX 32GB (2 x 16GB) DDR4-3000 Memory ($169.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Samsung 950 PRO 512GB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive ($314.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 1080 8GB FTW Gaming ACX 3.0 Video Card ($679.99 @ B&H)
Case: Phanteks Enthoo Evolv ATX Glass ATX Mid Tower Case ($189.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA 1000G2 1000W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($156.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Pro OEM 64-bit ($122.48 @ Amazon)
Wireless Network Adapter: Gigabyte GC-WB867D-I PCI-Express x1 802.11a/b/g/n/ac Wi-Fi Adapter ($29.89 @ OutletPC)
Monitor: Acer XB271HU bmiprz 27.0" 165Hz Monitor ($799.98 @ NCIX US)
Other: EK-Supremacy EVO -Full Nickel CPU Block ($99.99)
Other: EK-RES X3 250 ($62.99)
Other: EK-XTOP SPC-60 PWM Acetal PUMP ($74.99)
Other: Black Ice Nemesis 360GTS® Ultra Stealth U-Flow Low Profile Radiator - Black Carbon ($62.95)
Other: Black Ice Nemesis 280GTS® Ultra Stealth U-Flow Low Profile Radiator - Black Carbon ($59.95)
Other: MFC Molex Extractor ($10.99)
Other: MFC Paracord Threader
Other: Teleios – Black 25ft ($6.50)
Other: Teleios – Gray 25ft ($6.50)
Other: Teleios – Blue 25ft ($6.50)
Other: EK-Ekoolant EVO UV BLUE Coolant ($9.99)
Other: EK-Ekoolant EVO UV BLUE Coolant ($9.99)
Other: EK-FC1080 GTX FTW - Nickel ($139.99)
Other: Monsoon Hardline Pro Full Bending Kit ($84.99)
Other: PrimoChilll 1/2in. Rigid PETG Tube 36in. - 4 Pack - Clear (x2) ($25.00)
Other: Large Diameter Mini Tube Cutter ($10.98)
Other: PrimoChilll 1/2" OD Rigid Revolver Compression Diamond Knurled Fittings - 10 Pack - Anodized Black ($64.99)
Other: PrimoChilll 1/2" OD Rigid Revolver Compression Diamond Knurled Fittings - 4 Pack - Anodized Black ($25.99)
Other: Neiko 10194A Titanium Step Drill Bit, High Speed Steel | 1/4" to 1-3/8" | Total 10 Step Sizes ($8.99)
Total: $3771.56
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-09-13 07:45 EDT-0400

 

[KnishofDeath]

I'm considering switching out the memory kit to the faster 16gb (2x 8GB) Corsair Dominator. I can always add more memory later. Anyone have thoughts on this?

 

[KnishofDeath]

Picked a few things up at Microcenter today. That opaque blue should be a much better fit than the transparent EK fluid.

The case, rads, PSU (I decided to go with the 850), and sleeving have been ordered as well. Have to wait a week or two to order some of the big ticket items.

 

[KnishofDeath]

A few more items came in yesterday.

 

[KnishofDeath]

FYI, I decided to try a test fit with the radiator last night. The documentation and many reviews I've seen online state that you can install a 280 rad in the front mount of the case. However, the Hardware Labs 280gts nemesis slim DOES NOT FIT. I removed the mid plate and the HD bays. The problem is, even with the cut out removed, the rad is slightly too wide to drop down below the mid plate and the mounting holes do not line up at all when trying to mount it higher. Looks like I will have to modify my plan a bit and put the 280 up top and have the 360 in the front. Frustrating but workable. Pictures are coming

 

[KnishofDeath]

Got some more stuff in last night and attempted to do my first very poor attempts at bending the PETG tubing. This is definitely going to take some practice.

 

[KnishofDeath]

Flushed and installed the rads today. Also installed the power supply and will be mounting the pump today as well.

 

[KnishofDeath]

 

[KnishofDeath]