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Case Mod - In Progress Nostromo: X99 RVE, 5960X, 980ti 3-way SLI, CaseLabs STH10, PETG [FINAL VIDEO!]

Discussion in 'Project Logs' started by ratzofftoya, 7 Oct 2015.

  1. ratzofftoya

    ratzofftoya What's a Dremel?

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    Hey all,

    Well, this is it. Likely the most extravagant computer I'll ever build. I'll be painting the motherboard, installing an illuminated midplate, and generally making "no compromises," as Nils might say.

    I have some cool ideas of where to take this thing, and can't wait to share them with you all. I'll also be following along with videos, which I'll post here. Hopefully y'all will find them helpful.

    But, first things first! The parts:

    Components
    CPU: Intel i7 5960X
    Motherboard: ASUS ROG Rampage V Extreme
    GPU: 3x EVGA SuperClocked GTX 980Ti
    RAM: 64 GB G.skill Ripjaws 3000 Mhz
    OS Drive: Samsung 950 Pro 256 GB m.2 SSD
    Application Drive: Intel 750 400GB PCIe NVMe SSD
    Data Drive: Intel 730 1TB SSD
    PSU: Corsair AX 1500i

    Watercooling
    CPU/RAM Loop:
    ASUS Rampage V Monoblock
    EK Monarch RAM Blocks with Clear Acrylic Tops
    Aquacomputer Aqualis 800 Reservoir, Aquacomputer D5 Pump and Pump Top
    HWLabs Black Ice GTX 560 Radiator w/ Noiseblocker BlackSilent Pro PL-2 PWM fans
    Mayhems Pastel Ice White

    GPU Loop Loop:
    3x EK-FC Nickel (Original CSQ) GPU Waterblocks & Backplates
    EK-FC Triple Serial SLI Block
    Aquacomputer Aqualis 800 Reservoir, Aquacomputer D5 Pump and Pump Top
    CPU 2x EK XE 480 Radiators w/ EK Vardar PWM fans
    Mayhems Pastel Mint Greent

    Other Parts
    Aquacomputer Aquaero 6XT
    Aquacomputer Farbwerk
    PrimoFlex Advanced LRT Onyx Black Tubing
    PrimoChill 1/2in Rigid PETG Tubing
    Tons of fittings, mostly Bitspower

    Here are a couple YouTube videos of the build so far:

    https://youtu.be/vD9xHk0WqZs

    https://youtu.be/lN0b08dkt3I


    First off, let's build this case!

    So many parts. Could not be happier with the build quality. Not a single screw was missing, and everything is super sturdy.

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    The indispensable manual:

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    The skeleton:

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    I love the brackets for the radiators and fans--makes them super easy to install in the case.

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    Must climb the summit of Aquacomputer mountain:

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    The pumps find a home:

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    Sizing up the pump and res combo to make the holes in the midplate:

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    And here's the test-fit in order to get the custom cable lengths and other necessary measurements:

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    Last edited: 11 Sep 2016
  2. p0Pe

    p0Pe gief cake?

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    Hey and welcome.

    Please resize your images. Right now each image is about 5 Mb, so loading this thread is like 50 mb of download.

    I can advice http://www.photoscape.org/ps/main/index.php - a size of 1200 pixels on the widest is good for most forums, and websites:)
     
  3. Cheapskate

    Cheapskate Insane? or just stupid?

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    Yeah, But then you couldn't enjoy the epic wall decorations...
     
  4. ratzofftoya

    ratzofftoya What's a Dremel?

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    OK, think I fixed it! Sowweeeee
     
  5. ratzofftoya

    ratzofftoya What's a Dremel?

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    What does one do when there's no such thing as an Asus Rampage V Black Edition? Make your own, of course!


    Before...

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    Tools of the trade. X-acto, tons of tape, acrylic paint, and brushes.

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    I also used a cheapo DDR4 stick of ram (as though there is such a thing!) and an old PCIe card to block each slot as I painted it. There are other techniques out there of course. Spraypaint, Plasti-Dip, etc. But I felt like this would give me the nicest finish, precision, and a bit of texture to boot. The results:

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    Not too shabby. You can still see a bit of red inside the slots, but none once they're plugged, and I'd rather have that then the chance of the contacts getting messed up.[/quote]
     
  6. ratzofftoya

    ratzofftoya What's a Dremel?

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    n this update, I'll cover the waterblock placement.

    First, a few shots of the motherboard block (EK's Full Cover Monoblock). I really like it, and it wasn't too hard to put on.

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    Next, I put on the EK full cover blocks for the GTX 980 Tis:

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    Finally, I did the RAM blocks. Step one was removing the Ripjaws heatspreader with a heat gun and some old fashioned prying. Be careful! A friend (ahem) once ripped off one of the chips in this process.

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    Unfortunately, the adhesive leaves some weird residue on the chips:

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    Normally, I use isopropyl alcohol or the specialized TIM remover for this task, but the TIM remover wasn't working well on the adhesive, and I was all out of alcohol. Nail polish remover, while not recommended, will do the trick:

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    Now for the thermal pads:

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    And, then putting on the Monarch heatspreaders. Note that when you're putting the ram sticks into the heatspreaders, make sure they're in roughly the same position. DIMMs on the board don't move, obviously, so you want the Monarch screw holes to all line up when the RAM is in so that you can properly attach the waterblock on top.

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    Now to see it all on the mobo:

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    Au revoir!
     
  7. Hukkel

    Hukkel James' minion

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    Looking good.
     
  8. flix

    flix Minimodder

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  9. ratzofftoya

    ratzofftoya What's a Dremel?

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    Thanks!

    I actually really like the look of the clear ram block, even though it doesn't quite match the CSQ. But as you'll see from my next post, I made them match a little more... =]
     
  10. ratzofftoya

    ratzofftoya What's a Dremel?

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    A couple brief updates for you guys....

    First off, the people spoke, and I listened. Nostromo 2016! I took off the waterblocks and --lightly-- polished them up, leading to clearer tops. I think this achieves the right balance:

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    Also, the cables from UPC (Ultimate Personal Computers) are done! Big shout out to those guys, they look great.

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    And, finally, a little sneak preview of what's coming next.

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    Cheers!
     
  11. colinmcr

    colinmcr What's a Dremel?

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    Very nice looking build so far there.
     
  12. ratzofftoya

    ratzofftoya What's a Dremel?

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    Let’s start off with a little shot of my loft/modding space. The ol’ humble abode.

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    Here’s me getting the main compartment panel ready to mod it. Basically, I just wanted to extend the cable cut-outs and tap some holes for standoffs. I’m going to put an acrylic plate over the cutouts, which I think will look pretty great.

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    Next came the leak test with Mayhems Blitz. Thankfully, I didn’t run into any problems. Filling and draining three times is kinda a pain, but I suppose it’s worth it!

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    And, finally, here’s what it looks like with the first loop filled! Next video to follow soon. Eager to hear what y’all think!

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  13. ratzofftoya

    ratzofftoya What's a Dremel?

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    Aaaaand second loop is filled!

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  14. ratzofftoya

    ratzofftoya What's a Dremel?

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  15. ratzofftoya

    ratzofftoya What's a Dremel?

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    Here comes another new video! This one covers loop planning and filling, and also what to do when you have a dreaded leak!

     
  16. ratzofftoya

    ratzofftoya What's a Dremel?

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    Cable management time! I feel like I did alright.

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  17. ratzofftoya

    ratzofftoya What's a Dremel?

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    Next (penultimate!) part of the buildlog is up, which includes benchmarks and a cable management overview:

     
  18. Supercluster

    Supercluster I dream in G-code

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    What about the temps? (deltas over ambient while idle and loaded)
     
  19. ratzofftoya

    ratzofftoya What's a Dremel?

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    Temps are pretty fantastic, actually. The liquid never gets hotter than +3 over ambient, neither in the CPU loop nor the GPU loop.
     
  20. ratzofftoya

    ratzofftoya What's a Dremel?

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    Guess what, everyone?  Final pics time!

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