Scratch Build – In Progress *** PHINIX NANO TOWER *** --- MOTY 2011 nomination !!!

why is no one reviewing the board inside a case with stock hsf

 

this mobo is too incredible to install it in regular cases
Anything you install on this mobo, you have to water cool it

 

Thanks Breach! I'll take it to the highest level man! Highest possible

 

Sorry for being lazy but what are the dimensions of that mobo? Also great idea. I like the top ports.

 

this is mitx standard - 17x17cm

 

Thanks. I had a good idea for a mod with this mobo. Dammit the mobo is too big. Lol mini itx and I sttill want smaller. Can't wait for the end product of this though.

 

Guys, small update here - this time hardware update. I received big package from EK last week. I got huge discount on watercooling equipment from EK, so here's what I bought:

Box contained 3 smaller boxes, nice colors by the way, I like the packaging of EK parts, nice design.
So here it is - red, blue and green. Plus acrylic tube


Blue one had nice reservoir combo item. Originaly it has small tube, so I bought additional, longer tube and replaced it.





Red one was the pump - 4.0 version, this is REALLY HEAVY stuff! Like 5 times heavier than DDC pump!



Last box, green, had the latest version of EK radiators - XT 360.



Look how big it is next to the pump with mounted reservoir!



ALso bought some Yate Loons fans, slim versions - they are 20mm thick so will fit nicely behind the rear panel.
So, these elements will make together the GPU loop in my NanoTower. I am corently testing the hardware, so will add more details soon...
In the meanwhile... MERRY CHRISTMAS !!!

 

piccies don't work

 

You pictures require a login to see them.

 

sorry guys, I just fixed those links, working ok now...

 

Off topic, but epic Christmas tree

 

Christmas is over. Finish this now thanks

 

OK. I've been running this loop for last couple of days. EK pump is alright. Its very heavy, like 5 times heavier than DCC. At the beginning it was loud but only because of the air in the loop. Now after about 2 hours of running all air got out and its silent like DCC pump. My GTX295 in loop with EK triple XT rad is 28C idle/45C load during Crysis play. That is with slim version of Yate Loons fans on very slow speed, like 5-7V, so it is silent and cool, perfect for my NanoTower...

I will add new update soon

 

can you link to the fans your using, i am in the market for some

 

yep. £3.99 for one, you cant go wrong with that price!
http://www.chilledpc.co.uk/shop/product_info.php?cPath=75_89&products_id=1166

 

bloody hell you cant can you!

 

I just bought two of these fans recently, and thought I'd mention there are 3 different versions that I saw. There is a low, medium, and high flow version so just do a little reading if buying them on which one the vendor carries.

 

Looking great so far. Those boards are so tiny and cute, I must have one.

Off topic: I see chilled PC have slapped another 2% on their prices. Even though they never reduced them when vat went down

 

Awww... I thought Chilled PC were better than that

 

OK guys, time for new update. YAY!!

First thing I did was to make L sahpe spacers to mount it under mobo tray. Exactly, between mobo tray and alu rods. It will push mobo a bit to the center of the case and give me something to work with when I'm going to mount drive cage.

You can see it on this photo: there is rod, then L shape spacer and then mobo tray.



Other side is showing up on the left from the rod - this will be used to install drive cage... pretty helpful solution...

I was thinking how I'm going to decorate mobo tray with some ornaments, but at the end I thought, it will be covered with mobo from one side and drive tray from other side, so there is no point of working on beautiful shapes So I drilled few.. well.. about a hundred of holes to make some air ventilation under the mobo.

Here's the shape I ended up with... all holes are pretty rough...










This is the final effect, after using countersunk drill bit to clean those drilling bits from every hole.. on both sides.. so its like drilling 100 holes, then drilling their edges on both sides another 200 times... Pleasure to do that









Second thing I did lately was the middle panel installation. To do that I had to fabricate angle L shape support brackets from L shape aluminium profile, drill two holes in them, then measure and drill holes in front alu rods, drill holes in middle panel, cut that middle panel to shape and fit it in. To fit it in, it had to be exactly 166mm long, cause it was pushed above the mobo tray on one side and screwed to L sahpe support brackets on other side. It took me some time to cut it and sand and polish that 3mm thick aluminum panel, but final result is nice, like I wanted it to be, so I'm happy







You can see those small space below the mobo tray - 2mm for "power cage" top panel. Power Cage will be explained later





Here you can see how I cleaned up all holes with this countersunk drill bit...





Now, few more shots of the whole structure...









Til next time! Stay tuned!!!