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ROGBot
Hi everyone, I am starting this thread to document the build of my new system. I am not a pro, however I do have some experience in putting together some pc hardware. Also, I am not afraid to use some tools for cutting, drilling, etc. to obtain what I dreamed about. I do have a life, family and professional – so building this system may take a while... In mean time, any comment, suggestion, idea is welcome!
The basic plan is to build the strongest computer I can with decent external look and do it in a way to keep it as silent as possible. By “strongest” I mean the best I can afford. I do have some parts already and I am ready to upgrade some of them as well as I am prepared to spend more – but all in a resonable limit. “Decent external look” for me is simple as possible. A simple black (possible matte) exterior with as few lights as possible – the essence will be inside! “Silent” is quiet. Intending to make a balance between performance and quietness, sometimes even going more for quiet.
Let’s see what I am starting with. I have an Asus Rampage III extreme motherboard and an Intel Core i7-980X processor. Regarding the graphics, I am definetely going for an SLI system, not sure yet about the cards... Right now I do have 3 EVGA GTX 480 Superclocked ones, but will see. As for the memory, I have a 12GB Corsair Dominator and a 24GB Kingstone HyperX kit, both of them at 1600 MHz. The storage will be a combination of SSD(s) and HDD(s), right now having 2 120GB Corsair Force GTs and 2 2TB Western Digital Caviar Blacks. I have two strong power supplies, a Corsair AX1200 and a Silverstone ST1500, will use them based on needs (depending more on what graphic cards will use at final assembly).
All my build is going to be based on a Corsair Obsidian 800d, hundred percent sure that will be modded. More on this later.
A basic recuirement to achieve my goals (especially the “silent” part, but benefic for the “strongest” part too) is the water cooling system. In my next post this will be the focus of my writing.
The basic plan is to build the strongest computer I can with decent external look and do it in a way to keep it as silent as possible. By “strongest” I mean the best I can afford. I do have some parts already and I am ready to upgrade some of them as well as I am prepared to spend more – but all in a resonable limit. “Decent external look” for me is simple as possible. A simple black (possible matte) exterior with as few lights as possible – the essence will be inside! “Silent” is quiet. Intending to make a balance between performance and quietness, sometimes even going more for quiet.
Let’s see what I am starting with. I have an Asus Rampage III extreme motherboard and an Intel Core i7-980X processor. Regarding the graphics, I am definetely going for an SLI system, not sure yet about the cards... Right now I do have 3 EVGA GTX 480 Superclocked ones, but will see. As for the memory, I have a 12GB Corsair Dominator and a 24GB Kingstone HyperX kit, both of them at 1600 MHz. The storage will be a combination of SSD(s) and HDD(s), right now having 2 120GB Corsair Force GTs and 2 2TB Western Digital Caviar Blacks. I have two strong power supplies, a Corsair AX1200 and a Silverstone ST1500, will use them based on needs (depending more on what graphic cards will use at final assembly).
All my build is going to be based on a Corsair Obsidian 800d, hundred percent sure that will be modded. More on this later.
A basic recuirement to achieve my goals (especially the “silent” part, but benefic for the “strongest” part too) is the water cooling system. In my next post this will be the focus of my writing.
I think, it’s time for some pictures... 🙂
Here is the first one with the Corsair Obsidian 800D and radiator assemblies:
I am using 3 Black Ice SR1 radiators: a 3x140mm on the top, a single 120mm on the back and a 2x120mm on the bottom. All of them will have fans in push-pull configuration with a shroud between the intake fan and the radiator (no need of shrouds on the exhaust side because of the radiator design). The fans on these pictures are San Ace ones from my previous system, are mounted just for sake of the pictures (I will get rid of these and will use Cougars instead).
The top 3x140mm radiator doesn’t fit right now. Will cut the top panel of the case and also the 5.25” cage has to be trimmed as shown in the picture below (no big deal, there is a nice tutorial on the web for this from mnpctech):
In the next two pictures I’m trying to demosntrate that the dual radiator will not fit under the midpanel:
Will remove this midpanel and will design a completely new one.
And here is the back radiator assembly:
Mounted entirely inside the case not only looks strange, but perhaps will interfere with the tubing for CPU and motherboard:
The radiator and exhaust fan mounted outside with the shroud and intake fan inside just looks weird:
Not sure sure yet how will deal with this rear cooling unit...
Next, I am going to disassemble the case, will remove the 5.25” cage and the hot swap bay. Going to cut the top panel and adjust the 5.25” cage for the 3x140mm radiator. More pictures are coming soon!
Here is the first one with the Corsair Obsidian 800D and radiator assemblies:
I am using 3 Black Ice SR1 radiators: a 3x140mm on the top, a single 120mm on the back and a 2x120mm on the bottom. All of them will have fans in push-pull configuration with a shroud between the intake fan and the radiator (no need of shrouds on the exhaust side because of the radiator design). The fans on these pictures are San Ace ones from my previous system, are mounted just for sake of the pictures (I will get rid of these and will use Cougars instead).
The top 3x140mm radiator doesn’t fit right now. Will cut the top panel of the case and also the 5.25” cage has to be trimmed as shown in the picture below (no big deal, there is a nice tutorial on the web for this from mnpctech):
In the next two pictures I’m trying to demosntrate that the dual radiator will not fit under the midpanel:
Will remove this midpanel and will design a completely new one.
And here is the back radiator assembly:
Mounted entirely inside the case not only looks strange, but perhaps will interfere with the tubing for CPU and motherboard:
The radiator and exhaust fan mounted outside with the shroud and intake fan inside just looks weird:
Not sure sure yet how will deal with this rear cooling unit...
Next, I am going to disassemble the case, will remove the 5.25” cage and the hot swap bay. Going to cut the top panel and adjust the 5.25” cage for the 3x140mm radiator. More pictures are coming soon!
not rearly a tip, but have you thought about half in, half out solution for the rear rad?
not rearly a tip, but have you thought about half in, half out solution for the rear rad?
edit...or get the aircooled tower-look by placing the rad straight over the cpu...
edit...or get the aircooled tower-look by placing the rad straight over the cpu...
frisianbear2002,
Do you think so? How about two 3x120mm ones with a 4x120mm as I had previously? Of course, all of them were placed outside.
Do you think so? How about two 3x120mm ones with a 4x120mm as I had previously? Of course, all of them were placed outside.
Cody_Irwin,
Your thoughts are very much appreciated!
I intend to go with all matte black metal Bitspower compression fittings. They also have corners and angles, but the real issue here is the limited space. As i explained to Loud & Fast above, the bear radiator setup won't allow anything thicker/higher then the I/O panel of the motherboard...
I really need a model of the R3E mobo to clarify these questions! What i have now, is built in and working in my present desktop - don't want to take it out until this build is not ready to function.
Your thoughts are very much appreciated!
I intend to go with all matte black metal Bitspower compression fittings. They also have corners and angles, but the real issue here is the limited space. As i explained to Loud & Fast above, the bear radiator setup won't allow anything thicker/higher then the I/O panel of the motherboard...
I really need a model of the R3E mobo to clarify these questions! What i have now, is built in and working in my present desktop - don't want to take it out until this build is not ready to function.
Loud & Fast,
Thanks for your input. What exactly do you mean by half in, half out of the rear rad? To cut a bigger hole in the rear panel and have the radiator itself half in, half out (with the intake fan and shroud inside and exhaust fan outside)? Have to think about it... That rad is wider than a 120mm fan, practically won't allow anything thicker/higher on the motherboard then the I/O panel.
Also, it's an interesting idea to imitate the aircooler-look by placing the entire back cooling unit straight over the CPU. I'am afraid that the airflow would suffer... It has to be an exhaust setup, which would require an exhaust hole on the left side panel - hard to do, that side will face me when I sit down to do something on the computer, so I would have wind in my face.
Thanks for your input. What exactly do you mean by half in, half out of the rear rad? To cut a bigger hole in the rear panel and have the radiator itself half in, half out (with the intake fan and shroud inside and exhaust fan outside)? Have to think about it... That rad is wider than a 120mm fan, practically won't allow anything thicker/higher on the motherboard then the I/O panel.
Also, it's an interesting idea to imitate the aircooler-look by placing the entire back cooling unit straight over the CPU. I'am afraid that the airflow would suffer... It has to be an exhaust setup, which would require an exhaust hole on the left side panel - hard to do, that side will face me when I sit down to do something on the computer, so I would have wind in my face.
I was thinking that may be interesting to post some pictures of my old system. They would set up a starting point to my new build, also they may inspire someone...
It's my responsibility to state before the pictures, that the old system was build by watercoolpcboy (unfortunately, he did not share the process of his work), I just got it ready, in excellent working condition.
Some of you may ask why I had to take it apart? Well... you know that feeling emerging from deep inside to permanently do something, drill, cut, replace, etc. - that's why! Don't get me wrong, I do have a great respect for watercoolpcguy's work, it's just not fitted exactly to my ideas and expectations.
The main issue for me was the noise those fans generated. That's the reason why I changed the radiators and fans to a more silent ones.
Here are the pictures, enjoy!
It's my responsibility to state before the pictures, that the old system was build by watercoolpcboy (unfortunately, he did not share the process of his work), I just got it ready, in excellent working condition.
Some of you may ask why I had to take it apart? Well... you know that feeling emerging from deep inside to permanently do something, drill, cut, replace, etc. - that's why! Don't get me wrong, I do have a great respect for watercoolpcguy's work, it's just not fitted exactly to my ideas and expectations.
The main issue for me was the noise those fans generated. That's the reason why I changed the radiators and fans to a more silent ones.
Here are the pictures, enjoy!
