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ROGBot
This will be my second water-cooled computer and my first attempt at modding it from the stock case design.
The inspiration for the build is an annual gaming convention held in Dallas around the beginning of August. QuakeCon is North America's largest LAN party, the largest free LAN party in the world, and usually runs over a period of four days.
My first QuakeCon was in 2009 and I have been a regular attendee ever since. Every year they have several case mod contests segregated into 2 main categories: scratch-built and classic case mod. The scratch-built category is one built with no pre-existing structure, while the classic case mod is one where an off-the-shelf case is modified to some extent.
I thought that it would be fun to try my hand at entering the classic case mod contest.
I decided to show my love for this annual event by using the QuakeCon logo as my central build theme.
I will be using the Corsair Obsidian 800D for the case since the size and shape are conducive to a clean, organized build layout. The case is constructed of steel and aluminum throughout, which make it durable and ideal for powder-coating.
This will be my second build using the Corsair Obsidian 800D case and I am looking forward to getting away from the normal black color scheme and trying something more creative.
Equipment Hardware:
Cooling Equipment:
Completed case
The inspiration for the build is an annual gaming convention held in Dallas around the beginning of August. QuakeCon is North America's largest LAN party, the largest free LAN party in the world, and usually runs over a period of four days.
My first QuakeCon was in 2009 and I have been a regular attendee ever since. Every year they have several case mod contests segregated into 2 main categories: scratch-built and classic case mod. The scratch-built category is one built with no pre-existing structure, while the classic case mod is one where an off-the-shelf case is modified to some extent.
I thought that it would be fun to try my hand at entering the classic case mod contest.
I decided to show my love for this annual event by using the QuakeCon logo as my central build theme.
I will be using the Corsair Obsidian 800D for the case since the size and shape are conducive to a clean, organized build layout. The case is constructed of steel and aluminum throughout, which make it durable and ideal for powder-coating.
This will be my second build using the Corsair Obsidian 800D case and I am looking forward to getting away from the normal black color scheme and trying something more creative.
Equipment Hardware:
Case: Corsair Obsidian 800D
CPU: Intel i7 3930K
Motherboard: ASUS Rampage IV Extreme
RAM: 32GB Corsair Vengeance 1866Mhz DDR3 (8x4GB)
SSD1: 240GB Corsair Force GT SATA III
SSD2: 120GB Corsair Force GT SATA III
HDD1: 1TB Seagate Barracuda
HDD2: 1TB Seagate Barracuda
GPU: (2) EVGA GeForce GTX 680 Superclocked Signature 2 in SLI
PSU: Corsair AX1200 Modular
Optical Drive: ASUS Internal Blu-Ray Burner
Audio Controller: Sound Blaster X-Fi Titanium Fatal1ty
Cooling Equipment:
CPU Block: XSPC Raystorm
Motherboard Block: EK-FB Kit RE4
GPU Block: (2) EVGA Hydro Copper for GTX 680
GPU Backplate: (2) EVGA GTX 680 Backplate
Reservoir: Koolance RP-452X2 Rev 2.0
Pumps: (2) Koolance PMP-450S
Radiator 1: XSPC EX480 Quad 120mm
Radiator 2: XSPC EX240 Dual 120mm
Radiator Grill 1: MNPC Tech Pro-Line 4x120mm '360' Slotted
Radiator Grill 2/3: MNPC Tech Pro-Line 1x120mm '360' Slotted
Fan Controller: Lamptron FC-5V2
Fans: (12) Cougar CF-V12H Vortex 120mm, (2) Cougar CF-V14H Vortex 140mm
Tubing: XSPC High Flex (UV Orange) (3/8" ID x 5/8" OD)
Fittings: Bitspower G1/4 Black Compression, 3/8" ID x 5/8" OD
Sleeving: MDPC Orange and Black
LED Controller: Bitspower X-Station LED Power Hub
Completed case
Next up is the CPU, CPU water block, and memory.
For the CPU I selected the Intel i7-3930K Sandy Bridge-E 6-core processor rated at 3.2GHz (3.8GHz Turbo).
I picked the XSPC Raystorm CPU water block for the aesthetics and good reviews. The block mounted easily onto the LGA2011 assembly with a set of supplied posts that screw directly into the socket. Only took about 10 minutes to mount the whole assembly.
For memory, there was no other choice - the Corsair Vengeance memory modules are my favorites!
I went with two sets of the 16GB (4 x 4GB) 240-Pin Quad-Channel DDR3 SDRAM rated at 1866MHz. That brings the system specs to 32GB of quad-channel memory!
Here are all 8 modules firmly seated and ready for action!
For the CPU I selected the Intel i7-3930K Sandy Bridge-E 6-core processor rated at 3.2GHz (3.8GHz Turbo).
I picked the XSPC Raystorm CPU water block for the aesthetics and good reviews. The block mounted easily onto the LGA2011 assembly with a set of supplied posts that screw directly into the socket. Only took about 10 minutes to mount the whole assembly.
For memory, there was no other choice - the Corsair Vengeance memory modules are my favorites!
I went with two sets of the 16GB (4 x 4GB) 240-Pin Quad-Channel DDR3 SDRAM rated at 1866MHz. That brings the system specs to 32GB of quad-channel memory!
Here are all 8 modules firmly seated and ready for action!
Now that the motherboard is ready, time for the other components.
First up is re-attaching the newly powder coated black bracket back on the Sound Blaster X-Fi Titanium card. I really like the bracket in the black color than the original silver color.
Next up are the pair of EVGA GeForce GTX 680 SuperClocked Signature 2 video cards. I also purchased the matching EVGA GTX 680 Hydro Copper water blocks and EVGA GTX 680 back plates.
Here are all the components lined up and ready for assembly.
This is a close-up of what the EVGA Hydro Copper kits come with.
This is a close-up of the EVGA GTX 680 back plate.
After carefully removing the original air cooling assembly and cleaning the components, they are now ready for the water blocks.
Here are the pair of GTX 680 cards with the hydro copper water blocks and backplates installed.
First up is re-attaching the newly powder coated black bracket back on the Sound Blaster X-Fi Titanium card. I really like the bracket in the black color than the original silver color.
Next up are the pair of EVGA GeForce GTX 680 SuperClocked Signature 2 video cards. I also purchased the matching EVGA GTX 680 Hydro Copper water blocks and EVGA GTX 680 back plates.
Here are all the components lined up and ready for assembly.
This is a close-up of what the EVGA Hydro Copper kits come with.
This is a close-up of the EVGA GTX 680 back plate.
After carefully removing the original air cooling assembly and cleaning the components, they are now ready for the water blocks.
Here are the pair of GTX 680 cards with the hydro copper water blocks and backplates installed.
I went with a Koolance RP-452X2 Rev. 2 Dual 5.25" Reservoir and two Koolance PMP-450S pumps.
I liked how the pumps are mounted and hidden on the rear of the reservoir itself. Saves me trying to find a place to mount 2 pumps.
The reservoir is split into two separate compartments so that I can maintain a dual-loop system without having to install a second reservoir. The 2 compartments may be combined to act as a single reservoir if so desired.
The sides of the unit have notches to install LED lights that can be used to illuminate the interior of the reservoir. To keep the light from leaking out the sides of the unit, I placed black electrical tape over the clear acrylic edges of the reservoir. Now the light will not be seen in places not wanted.
I liked how the pumps are mounted and hidden on the rear of the reservoir itself. Saves me trying to find a place to mount 2 pumps.
The reservoir is split into two separate compartments so that I can maintain a dual-loop system without having to install a second reservoir. The 2 compartments may be combined to act as a single reservoir if so desired.
The sides of the unit have notches to install LED lights that can be used to illuminate the interior of the reservoir. To keep the light from leaking out the sides of the unit, I placed black electrical tape over the clear acrylic edges of the reservoir. Now the light will not be seen in places not wanted.
Since the build will be primarily orange and black, I went with the Cougar CF-V12H Vortex 120mm and Cougar CF-V14H fans due to their brilliant orange colors. The top radiator will require eight 120mm fans and the lower radiator will require four 120mm fans. The rear exhaust and hot swap bay fans are both 140mm.
Here is a photo of all 14 Cougar fans before opening the packages.
I did not like the manufacturer's sticker on the rear of the fan assembly, so I will be replacing them with my own sticker.
For the top radiator I decided to try the XSPC EX480 Quad 120mm. The slim design will make it easy to arrange a push-pull configuration for the fans.
Here is a shot of the intake fans mounted on the radiator.
This is the exhaust side with the new stickers in place.
It took about an hour to mount the complete upper radiator assembly into the case.
From inside the case, the upper fan stickers are clearly visible.
For the lower radiator I decided to try the XSPC EX240 Dual 120mm. The same push-pull configuration for the fans will be utilized.
Mounting the assembled radiator was a snap.
Here is the rear of the bottom radiator with the stickers clearly visible.
This is with both radiators and the 140mm hot swap bay fan mounted in the case.
I removed the mesh from the back panel exhaust fan area so that the airflow will be unobstructed and present a clear view of the 140mm orange Cougar fan.
Here is a photo of all 14 Cougar fans before opening the packages.
I did not like the manufacturer's sticker on the rear of the fan assembly, so I will be replacing them with my own sticker.
For the top radiator I decided to try the XSPC EX480 Quad 120mm. The slim design will make it easy to arrange a push-pull configuration for the fans.
Here is a shot of the intake fans mounted on the radiator.
This is the exhaust side with the new stickers in place.
It took about an hour to mount the complete upper radiator assembly into the case.
From inside the case, the upper fan stickers are clearly visible.
For the lower radiator I decided to try the XSPC EX240 Dual 120mm. The same push-pull configuration for the fans will be utilized.
Mounting the assembled radiator was a snap.
Here is the rear of the bottom radiator with the stickers clearly visible.
This is with both radiators and the 140mm hot swap bay fan mounted in the case.
I removed the mesh from the back panel exhaust fan area so that the airflow will be unobstructed and present a clear view of the 140mm orange Cougar fan.
The sleeving material selected was from MDPC-X. The quality and colors of the material are the best that I have seen. The owner, NILS, makes a graphic on the package of every order. Here is a shot of the graphic on my order.
This is the orange and black sleeving selected for this build.
The stock Corsair AX1200 modular power supply cables are not individually sleeved and in dire need of getting dressed up.
After about an hour of slowly trying my hand at cable sleeving, I was able to complete my first group. This is the 8-pin CPU connector. I still have to work on getting the heat shrink lengths uniform.
Here you can see the color scheme for the 24-pin motherboard connector.
It took nearly 3 days but the results are worth it. I sleeved all the cabling to be used in the build (including the SATA connections seen on the right).
This is the orange and black sleeving selected for this build.
The stock Corsair AX1200 modular power supply cables are not individually sleeved and in dire need of getting dressed up.
After about an hour of slowly trying my hand at cable sleeving, I was able to complete my first group. This is the 8-pin CPU connector. I still have to work on getting the heat shrink lengths uniform.
Here you can see the color scheme for the 24-pin motherboard connector.
It took nearly 3 days but the results are worth it. I sleeved all the cabling to be used in the build (including the SATA connections seen on the right).
I also did not like the standard white LED bulbs used in the power and HDD activity lights.
Here is one of the two 3mm orange LED that will go in their place.
A little solder and the new orange LED looks perfect.
Here is one of the two 3mm orange LED that will go in their place.
A little solder and the new orange LED looks perfect.
Now that most of the electrical wire sleeving is done and the main components are installed, it is time to start configuring the water loops.
I absolutely love Bitspower compression fittings and for this build I selected the Matte Black color.
Here are the fittings all ready for installation.
For the tubing I purchased the XSPC High Flex Hose 3/8″ ID, 5/8″ OD in the Red / UV Orange color. The color of the tubing is very similar to the vermilion color of the case and in UV light the orange stands out nicely in the black interior.
I decided to start with the upper radiator. I ran the tubing from the rear port along the top and through the upper grommet so that it will pass behind the motherboard tray until it comes out again near the reservoir. I also ran the two upper CPU power cables over the top to help support the tubing and show off the sleeving.
Here you can see most of the CPU / Motherboard loop completed. On the right hand side you can see where the upper tubing comes out from behind the motherboard tray. It is just temporarily sitting on top of the video cards since the tubing has not been connected to the reservoir yet. You can just see the fittings on the rear of the reservoir on the right side.
Here is a section of the video loop with the connections on the two GTX 680 cards. You can see that the X-Fi card has been installed between the video cards.
The lower radiator tubing was tricky due to the very narrow space available and how short the tubing pieces were. Here you can see the upper tubing piece is only about an 2" long. I used two Bitspower G1/4" Female / Female Pass-Through Fittings in the tray for a more clean look. The crooked support on the right was only temporary and removed shortly after the photo was taken.
This is a front on look at the lower radiator connections. Nice and clean.
Both loops are completed and I am filling them with distilled water (w/ PT Nuke) for the leak testing phase. After 12 hours of running the system, no leaks were found.
I absolutely love Bitspower compression fittings and for this build I selected the Matte Black color.
Here are the fittings all ready for installation.
For the tubing I purchased the XSPC High Flex Hose 3/8″ ID, 5/8″ OD in the Red / UV Orange color. The color of the tubing is very similar to the vermilion color of the case and in UV light the orange stands out nicely in the black interior.
I decided to start with the upper radiator. I ran the tubing from the rear port along the top and through the upper grommet so that it will pass behind the motherboard tray until it comes out again near the reservoir. I also ran the two upper CPU power cables over the top to help support the tubing and show off the sleeving.
Here you can see most of the CPU / Motherboard loop completed. On the right hand side you can see where the upper tubing comes out from behind the motherboard tray. It is just temporarily sitting on top of the video cards since the tubing has not been connected to the reservoir yet. You can just see the fittings on the rear of the reservoir on the right side.
Here is a section of the video loop with the connections on the two GTX 680 cards. You can see that the X-Fi card has been installed between the video cards.
The lower radiator tubing was tricky due to the very narrow space available and how short the tubing pieces were. Here you can see the upper tubing piece is only about an 2" long. I used two Bitspower G1/4" Female / Female Pass-Through Fittings in the tray for a more clean look. The crooked support on the right was only temporary and removed shortly after the photo was taken.
This is a front on look at the lower radiator connections. Nice and clean.
Both loops are completed and I am filling them with distilled water (w/ PT Nuke) for the leak testing phase. After 12 hours of running the system, no leaks were found.
The Corsair 800D window design is such that the power supply unit (PSU) and cables are visible through it. To maintain the clean appearance for this build I decided to have a cover made that would hide the lower region and promote QuakeCon at the same time.
Here is a very rough sketch for this idea.
The material will be 3mm flat black plexi with the letters cut out by laser. The holes will then be filled with matching laser cut graphics of the appropriate color plexi and set flush with the original plexi. The whole wording will be lit from behind with an LED light strip. The lower two white areas will be cut out, these are where the side panel connections are. I also measured the case window dimensions to ensure that the wording will be visible when the side panel is on.
Due to the increased airflow provided by the side vents, I decided to cover the mid-shelf 140mm ventilation hole. I sketched out the new mid-shelf design with the ventilation hole removed and the pass through holes moved inward slightly. I did not like how close the original pass-through holes were to the case window.
Here is a very rough sketch for this idea.
The material will be 3mm flat black plexi with the letters cut out by laser. The holes will then be filled with matching laser cut graphics of the appropriate color plexi and set flush with the original plexi. The whole wording will be lit from behind with an LED light strip. The lower two white areas will be cut out, these are where the side panel connections are. I also measured the case window dimensions to ensure that the wording will be visible when the side panel is on.
Due to the increased airflow provided by the side vents, I decided to cover the mid-shelf 140mm ventilation hole. I sketched out the new mid-shelf design with the ventilation hole removed and the pass through holes moved inward slightly. I did not like how close the original pass-through holes were to the case window.
The project is completed!
The illuminated PSU plate with the 'Quakecon' wording was received and installed. Here is a photo of the case interior with both loops filled and the power on.
Here is a closeup of the upper case interior.
With the camera flash turned off, you can better see the UV lighting effect.
A little farther out shot. You can definitely see how bright the 'Quakecon' panel is.
All panels are installed.
Side shot.
You can see how the 'Quakecon' wording is perfectly visible through the side panel window.
Right side panel.
Top MNPC Tech 4x120mm radiator grill.
Rear panel. You can see that removing the 140mm fan grill definitely makes the fan more visible and increases air flow.
Front panel.
The illuminated PSU plate with the 'Quakecon' wording was received and installed. Here is a photo of the case interior with both loops filled and the power on.
Here is a closeup of the upper case interior.
With the camera flash turned off, you can better see the UV lighting effect.
A little farther out shot. You can definitely see how bright the 'Quakecon' panel is.
All panels are installed.
Side shot.
You can see how the 'Quakecon' wording is perfectly visible through the side panel window.
Right side panel.
Top MNPC Tech 4x120mm radiator grill.
Rear panel. You can see that removing the 140mm fan grill definitely makes the fan more visible and increases air flow.
Front panel.
At QuakeCon 2012, my case won first place in the Classic Mod category of the Case Mod competition held by Modders Inc.
Here is a photo of me on stage accepting the medal and a link to the site.
http://pcper.com/reviews/Shows-and-Expos/Quakecon-2012-Day-3-Coverage/Case-mod-contest-Quake-Live-fi...
I won quite an assortment of prize gear from Corsair and Sapphire, including another Corsair Obsidian 800D case!
Here is a photo of me on stage accepting the medal and a link to the site.
http://pcper.com/reviews/Shows-and-Expos/Quakecon-2012-Day-3-Coverage/Case-mod-contest-Quake-Live-fi...
I won quite an assortment of prize gear from Corsair and Sapphire, including another Corsair Obsidian 800D case!
