[Side project] minBeast

[Stevennoland]

Since I'm in limbo waiting for my custom case to be manufactured by Mountain Mods, I figured I'd update my previous water cooled build (Beast 2.8). There is a build thread under the same name if you'd care to see what went into Beast 2.8. Short and sweet, that system consisted of an Intel i7 - 920 with an Asus Rampage II Extreme mobo with 12 gigs of RAM. That system also had my first SSD; a 160 gig drive from Intel. I remember that sucker cost a shit ton! It also had a GTX295 vid card with a Heatkiller water block. That thing was super heavy. I had all that housed in a Lian Li Best Buy branded Rocketfish case. It was ok for its time, but that was more than 2 years ago, and in computer time sense, ancient.
I happened to be perusing the cases at Fry's Electronics and came upon a new case from Corsair. It caught my eye because of its shape. Cube to be exact. It is the Air540. You can read all about it online, but here are a few shots of the case.

Bottom

Window

I was going to use the GTX 690 in my 'The Beast' build, but then the Titan came along so this got put on the shelf. Why not use it for miniBeast. I came up with 'miniBeast' cause it's a smaller version of 'The Beast'. Pics of the vid card.

Nothing special by today's standards. I was a little pissed when I went to put the back plate on. I stripped the heads off four screws! After the first two, I did the suggested routine; put the card in and let her warm up. Did that. And two more popped off. We'll see how it goes.

I knew I wanted to update the mobo and proc, so while I was at Fry's, I picked these up.

CPU

After I got home from Fry's, I started doing some research on 1150 mobo's from Asus. I found the Maximus VI formula with the built in waterblock. Sweet board, but I don't know about that aluminum waterblock. Anyways, I'm sure the Deluxe will be fine. Some pics of the mobo.

I'm not real fond of the gold, but it should go well with the red parts I'm putting in miniBeast.

I knew I was going to watercool, so when I tore into the Air540, I wondered if she could house some Aquacomputer Airplex rads? I had ordered some 240mm rads by mistake for 'The Beast', so why not use them here? With a little luck, they should work. Test fit.

I want to get some red anodized sides for the Airplex rads. I think that would look sweet. Just waiting on UPS. Ordered a bunch of stuff from FrozenCPU.

Here are a couple pics of the SSD. Not sure if I'll do a RAID 0 or just stick with a single drive. Hmmm.

I ordered this bay res for 'The Beast' but I think it would suit miniBeast better. Not sure how it will do being rotated 90 degrees. Should work.

That's all I have done now. Just waiting on UPS, along with everyone else. Come on UPS. Hurry the eff up! Damn holiday weekend put me behind!

Stay tuned!

 

[Stevennoland]

Reserved!

 

[Jorona]

Are Bay res' setup to be used in that rotation? I'd be worried about the feed for the pump.

 

[Octonaut]

Liking this so far! I was going to get one of these cases, but ended up going with the NZXT H630. Sub!

 

[Stevennoland]

Are Bay res' setup to be used in that rotation? I'd be worried about the feed for the pump.

Dear Jorona, Your guess is as good as mine. We are going to find out. I let you all know.

 

[Stevennoland]

Liking this so far! I was going to get one of these cases, but ended up going with the NZXT H630. Sub!

Dear Octonaut, Thanks. You can always change your mind if the funds allow. I hope you enjoy the NZXT.

 

[DraginDime]

Wow, I'd like to have a couple of those 1TB SSDs, very nice...may have to pick up at least 1 when I rebuild my rig. I'm not very fond of the gold on those Asus boards either, but I agree it should go well with the red. This will be a very cool side build to the beast. I will be watching for updates.

 

[wra18th]

sub'd!

 

[deadlift1]

I love that you had a 690 lying around on the shelf

Could you fit a pair of 360 rads in the Corsair case? My guess is no but I have to ask.

 

[Octonaut]

I may eventually, I'll wait to Microcenter carries it so I don't have to wait for it to be shipped in lol

 

[MouseTrap]

Very Interested...Sub'd!!!

 

[Stevennoland]

Wow, I'd like to have a couple of those 1TB SSDs, very nice...may have to pick up at least 1 when I rebuild my rig. I'm not very fond of the gold on those Asus boards either, but I agree it should go well with the red. This will be a very cool side build to the beast. I will be watching for updates.

Dear DraginDime, Yea, the gold is worse than the blue, but I really don't spend a lot of time gazing inside my case.

I'm super jazzed because I leave for Oregon tomorrow to visit Mountain Mods! I have never been to Oregon before. I hear it is really green, compared to the Arizona dessert I currently reside in.

I might have some updates today.

Thanks for watching.

 

[Stevennoland]

sub'd!

Thanks!

 

[Stevennoland]

I love that you had a 690 lying around on the shelf

Could you fit a pair of 360 rads in the Corsair case? My guess is no but I have to ask.

Dear deadlift1, Yea, most people can't afford to have GTX 690's laying around, let alone ones with waterblocks attached.

No, you cannot fit a pair or 360mm rads. One will fit on the front, but not the top.

Ask away. I try and make time for all my [H] people.

 

[Stevennoland]

I may eventually, I'll wait to Microcenter carries it so I don't have to wait for it to be shipped in lol

Dear Octonaut, yea, what's the hurry. Your current case should do you well.

Waiting for stuff to be shipped sucks!

 

[Stevennoland]

Very Interested...Sub'd!!!

Dear MouseTrap, thanks!

 

[MouseTrap]

Dear MouseTrap, thanks!

Have you had time to test the res and pump setup in that orientation yet?

 

[Stevennoland]

Have you had time to test the res and pump setup in that orientation yet?

Nope, not yet. Won't happen until I return from Oregon. Hopefully, I can get the loop finished on Friday. We will find out then.

 

[Stevennoland]

Tiny update. This is where I left off. Almost done!

Stay tuned!

 

[Stevennoland]

Here is an overview of the water block I purchased for minibeast and a quick how-to on installing the back plate. The Heatkiller CPU block is really nice in my opinion. The un-boxing.

The screws and stand-offs were not connected like that. That was me, so I guess this is not a REAL un-boxing. Sorry

The block.

Here is the back plate and the quick install how-to.

First, insert the hex stand-off through the mobo and screw on the plastic washer. The washers are not threaded, but mine were just small enough to hold onto the threads.

Then add the plastic sheet.

Then screw the back-plate on. Reapeat for other three corners. Easy as pie.

Easy huh?

Stay tuned.

 

[Stevennoland]

Here is how I finished plumbing the line. I didn't have enough red fittings to do the whole thing. Oh well. You know what happens.


Here are the rads with their new red side moldings. Sweet looking eh?

Test fit.

Here is the finished board side of the plumbing.

After the loop comes out of the CPU block and into and out of the GPU block, it goes into the front rad. Here is the exit side of the front rad.

The loop then exits the first rad, and enters the second top rad.

Here is the assembly for the exit of the top rad and through the mobo tray into the backside of the case.

Here is the back side view.

And connected to the res.

Full view of the res side.

The top clear tube is for filling.

Here are some shots of the front of the res. The intake seems to work. So for those who were thinking the 90 degree orientation wasn't going to work, pthhhhh! (me sticking my tongue out at you).

Here is a shot of the rats nest right side of the case. Not too bad if you ask me. Lots of room for cables and tubing.

SSD cage close-up.

Almost forgot some shots of the PSU.

Mobo side.

I had no leaks upon filling and subsequent install of all software. I'll keep my breath crossed and fingers held!

Thanks for watching you voyeurs.