Project: Workstation

[=XoX=]

This case doesn't leave much room for modding IMO. It's all done for you. This is the first attempt at Liquid Cooling for me.
I have only seen one Tai Chi on this forum, not much to compare to. Basically I'm after ideas. If you could see anything that would be a good addition, let me know!!!
As I am in Australia, I have found that I am limited to pccasegear.com.au and frozencpu.com
---------------

Left: Power Supply, Fan Controller, DVD, Hard Drives, Card Reader Installed.
Middle: Front veiw of the Card Reader, Fan Controller, DVD
Right: BFG 7600GT with Thermaltake Water Block.

---------------
I didn't like the idea of having the water line go directy to the CPU block so I decided to do this.

Top Left: The plate under the power supply and the hydraulic door arm.
Top Right: I drilled two holes into the plate, then counter sinked them.
Bottom Left: Everything back in. The screws sit comfotably under the PSU.
Bottom Right: The Tubing tied down and in place. 90' Elbows.

---------------
All worked well so far. No kinks when I close the door.

Left: Veiw from the front with the door closed.
Right: No kinks at the U-clip or at the radiator.

---------------

Left: A new DVD
Right: Wiring

---------------

So far. It's a bit if a mess. I need a shorter IDE cable.
I didn't plan on using the top USB and F_Audio as I wanted to use the ones on the Fan Controller, however, they are miles too short. I will have to extend these wires.
After the motherboard went in it started to look like a mess. I need to do something with those Sata wires, they are the shortest I can find.
The 120mm radiator fans stick inside the case about an inch from the VGA. Therefore I cant connect the other tube yet. It will extend to the front to a hard drive cooler (under the DVD). Then to the ram where I will put two of these ram coolers connected by the flow meter.

I am thinking the pump will not be powerfull enough to complete the water line. Not sure what I will do about that.
No memory or CPU yet. Waiting for the Hard Drive cooler to install 750Gig Hdd.

---------------

 

[=XoX=]

Here's what I have put in it so far:
Thermaltake Tai Chi Case w/Liquid Cooling
Motherboard Gigabyte GA965P-S3
Antec NeoHE 500w PSU
BFG GeForce 7600GT 256MB DDR3
120G 320G Sata
Aerocool Gatewatch 2 Fan Controller
2x Pioneer DVR-111D DVDRW
Winfast DVT2000H TV Tuner (I took it back out)
Logitech X530 5.1 Speakers
2X Thermaltake Aqua RX Series-R1 Liquid Ram Cooling
Thermaltake Aquarius II Vga Waterblock
12" CCFL

 

[=XoX=]

Well most of the Online Stores have been closed over christmas so it's been slow. I have had two computers die just before new years, so I have had to get it started much earlier than I would have liked. I'm seriously dissapointed in the fact that it is next to impossible to cool the VGA card. The door mounted radiator sticks into the case and pulls up right next to the card. So that instantly puts a water cooled 8800 out of the picture. Very disapointed.

The Wiring. I've pulled off some USB connectors ready to attach an extension.

Started it up. No problems at all with the hardware.

This is only temporary. The door cannot close because of the tube from the VGA card to the top of the case. The tube will be in the opposite direction heading up towards the memory, then to the top. I will need a 1/4" elbow to do this (Hopefully it will miss the radiator, if not im screwed!).

 

[=XoX=]

Top Left: Testing.
Top Right: What comes in the mail. The rest of the tubing that I will need; an iBox for another build I start next week; same for the Hardcano 12; a 12" CCFL; and the other memory heatsink.
Bottom Left: I pulled of the ends from the USB cables and put on the right one's (see below)
Bottom Right: I also got two USB cables from the Matrix Orbital for the extensions. (I'm still one short).
I turned on the Soldering Iron ready to start joining the USB wires then I realised I have no heatshrink. I'll get that tommorrow.
I have put the heatsink on the ram, but the camera's battery died. Those Lithium Ion AA batteries are expensive and a pain in the arse. I might buy a new camera.
Hopefully more pics tommorrow.

 

[=XoX=]

Thermaltake Tai Chi Case w/Liquid Cooling
Motherboard Gigabyte GA965P-S3
Intel 945 @ 3.4GHz
2 Gigs DDR2
Antec NeoHE 500w PSU
BFG GeForce 7600GT 256MB DDR3
1X 120G, 2X 320G Sata
Aerocool Gatewatch 2 Fan Controller
2x Pioneer DVR-111D DVDRW
Winfast DVT2000H TV Tuner
Logitech X530 5.1 Speakers
2X Thermaltake Aqua RX Series-R1 Liquid Ram Cooling
Thermaltake Aquarius II Vga Waterblock
12" CCFL

 

[=XoX=]

I got some heatshrink today. I am sick of disconnecting and moving this heavy case around so the next time I do work on it, it will be finnished.
I soldered the USB wires.

Top Left: I put the Heatsink on the ram. I went to connect it not realising it was upside down. Easily fixed.
Top Right: Powered up
Bottom Left: Connect the USB wires. Some heatshrink on top.
Bottom Right: Finnished USB wires.

I connected it up. Plugged in the camera to the USB. It doesn't work.
The hardware isn't recognised. I connected the USB ports on the top of the case. They work without a problem. I didn't get enough USB wires anyways. I need more extension for the Card Reader. I hope I don't stuff that up too. I'm trying to think of a different way to extend it without ripping the USB molex off.

 

[=XoX=]

Well it's about 90% done.
I still havn't had any luck with the Fan Controllers USB ports. I haven't connected the USB Card Reader.
The water line is finnished. I'm happy I can close the door now. I put the elbow on the water line under the VGA card, it's a tight fit when the door is closed. A bit too tight I think.

I didn't think I would have that many wires hanging around.....

Here it is in a temporary home.

I'll post some night pictures in a few hours.

 

[=XoX=]

 

[Black-Tom]

Nice dude, that looks bright!!!