[Build Log] Project Abyss

[Wutdo]

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This is my first massive build, I am constructing a new desk to house 2 separate computers, one for Gaming and the other as a small home server. the desk itself will house 2 computers one on either side of the desk and in the middle all the HDD's from both computers. On display will also feature water-cooling reservoirs and multiple temperature LCD's. The Water cooling of the rig will Chanel down under the desk into 2 large radiators that will be housed inside a tiny fridge to keep the water temps down around 0-10 degrees Celsius.

Rig 1 (gaming)
Mobo: ASUS Rampage IV
CPU: Intel Core i7 3820
Ram: undecided will be either corsair or g.skill
PSU: OCZ fatal1ty 750W
GPU: 1x Gainward GTX680
HDD: 2x Samsung 840pro 256gb SSD running of a raid card
HDD: WD 2tb Green

Rig 2 (Media Server)
Mobo: ASUS Sabertooth x58

CPU: Intel Core i7 930
Ram: G.Skill Ripjaws 12gb @1600mhz
PSU: Thermaltake 450W
GPU: EVGA GTX 550ti
HDD: Corsair Force 60GB SSD
HDD: 2x WD 3TB Green
HDD: 1x Hitachi 2TB
HDD: 1x WD 1TB Green

so here is the start of the desk and some of the parts that have arrived will keep you updated as i work on it.












And the Desk Progress





Will post more as i work on it this weekend.

[Wutdo]

Sponsored By


hi all sorry for the lengthy time this project has taken unfortunately work commitments get in the way of
free time. just a quick update finally finished setting up the water loop, and have one of the 2 Motherboards
in. will have the glass top arrive sometime in the next 2 weeks and maybe even decide to buy a RevoDrive 3x2 240gb
for the C drive on the main workstation even though i have had some bad luck with the RevoDrives in the past.. 3
different cards all failed within 6 months of use.. the original RevoDrive, RevoDrive 2 and RevoDrive 3.

here's some shots of the motherboard and cpu water-block installed

and potentially where the SSD drives will lay out

[Wutdo]

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Finally got some time to get the first computer up and running in the desk got the GPU water-block attached
and getting some nice temps under idle around 25-29 GPU and 35-45 CPU under full load jumps up to 39/40
for the GPU and around 60 for the CPU with a light overclock to 4.3Ghz for now but only have the fans
attached to one radiator as i realised i ordered the wrong length screws for the 38mm thick fans.

The GPU board. it doesn't look like much when you take the stock cooler off



Had a problem with the Water-block Not sitting flat over the GPU so after removing the block and putting it back on
i forgot the back plate...





Some low temps should be good for a decent OC

and finally what happens when you forget to clean the inside of your case for 2 months

[Wutdo]

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Managed to get time to mount the HDD's for the First Computer and had time to get some photos





Also just realised that the UV lights have stopped working but few photos with the rest of the lights on







Unfortunately found out during the weekend that the glass for the top has still not been made as the Glazier has been on leave
but hoping that they work something out.
Hopefully over the weekend i will have time to install the Server and replace the UV lights and maybe get a light to put directly behind the Reservoir to illuminate the Blood Red Die as i noticed that it does not react to the UV light.. even though
the containers state that it does

[Wutdo]

Sponsored By


Last post for the Build finally got round to finishing it off last weekend and the glass has arived.



SSD for the Server

and of course a small GPU to get video out

Quick install of Win7 and than a bit of a tidy up









Hope you enjoyed the Build sorry it took so long but work comes first. will possibly be building
a 2nd desk as i made a lot of mistakes from this one ill be sure to post it if i do

[Wutdo]

Sponsored By


Finally got the camera out of the desk to take some photos of everything under the glass.
on another note ventilation is not great going to have to address this with more fans around the desk
also the reason why the Server water cooler is sitting outside the desk anyway here are final photos
also with the last Light for the Water Reservoir
















I'd like to thank EKwaterblocks for there support during this project

[Antronman]

G. Skill Ram I see? Looks like Trident X. A good choice, but I personally find the Corsair Vengeance and Dominator lines to be a lower cost, and just as fast. Your choice though. But my god, it looks amazing. Really great choice there. Although I think you could've gone with a Maximus VI Hero or Formula for the gaming rig, as it would have fit all your needs. Still really awesome. I wish I had the money to build something like that.

[Wutdo]

Antronman wrote:
G. Skill Ram I see? Looks like Trident X. A good choice, but I personally find the Corsair Vengeance and Dominator lines to be a lower cost, and just as fast. Your choice though. But my god, it looks amazing. Really great choice there. Although I think you could've gone with a Maximus VI Hero or Formula for the gaming rig, as it would have fit all your needs. Still really awesome. I wish I had the money to build something like that.

Cheers Antronman. the G.Skill ripjaw ram is part of my mini server using my old rig. that had the Asus Sabertooth Board. the Gaming rig is an Asus Rampage IV Formula with Corsair Dominator Platinum Ram and as for the money yeah cost a bit and i did it on a budget but wouldnt have been possible without EKWaterblocks support in saying that have already started plans for a replacement desk and will post the build log as soon as i begin the build.

[Antronman]

Sweet. Hope you fit a Xeon in there 🙂

[Wutdo]

Hey all, new year time for a new project. "Project Awakening" Will be another desk build basically an attempt to correct the mistakes from this build (Ventilation, Materials, Add more Pumps and so on) I will begin a new Thread with the log once i begin building until than i leave you with 2 designs that will be used once i finish tweaking and decide on size

FIrst One 1600x600mm




and the 2nd 1600x800mm