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Scratch Build – Complete ⭐ Project Cu - a watercooled PC desk - Finished 03.10.2017

Discussion in 'Project Logs' started by Maarten/Pine, 19 Mar 2017.

  1. Maarten/Pine

    Maarten/Pine Case modder

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    Told you that you wouldn’t have to wait long on another update, kept my promise this time!

    Let’s begin with some pictures of the painted desk with second layer of paint and a layer of varnish on it.
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    Next, it was time to make the holder for the two 500GB Samsung 850 EVO’s.
    Made it from acrylic.
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    Including some white LEDs!
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    Also painted this SSD holder black with plastidip.
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    Result:
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    Also re-did the gpu bracket because I couldn’t fit the pci-e riser through. :’)
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    Painted the wooden holders for the legs with black paint and a layer of varnish aswell.
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    Because the desk is quite thick, the legs needed to be cut to a smaller length. Had quite some fun with this powertool, this thing is a Dremel to the power of 10!
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    Moved everything to my own apartment, time to organize this mess and put everything together!
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    First thing to do were the legs of course.
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    SHE STANDS!! Will cut the bolts off later.

    Also time to put the first components in.
    Electricity for this baby.
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    Some rubber things on top of the gpu holder for protection.
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    That’s it for this update, next thing will be to put all the cables in where they belong, which is going to be quite the challenge.
    Also almost time to start putting the components in!

    Stay tuned people.
     
  2. biojellywobbles

    biojellywobbles Minimodder

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    Great progress! I think the colour of the copper cables against the matte black will look fantastic.
     
  3. Maarten/Pine

    Maarten/Pine Case modder

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    Appreciate the comment man, thanks!
    So do I, we'll see I guess! :)
     
  4. Maarten/Pine

    Maarten/Pine Case modder

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    So, since last update I got quite a bit done.
    It’s so freaking hard to not work on a project while it’s standing next to you all the time!!


    Started with putting all the cables through the raceways.
    Also installed the components that are crucial to where I rout the wires.

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    Installed the pass-through for the drain.

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    Total picture at the end of the day.

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    Next day it was time to install the rest of the main components. First some beautiful shots of the mobo.

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    Cabling this desk was a hell of a challenge. Too many wires to fit through a 40mm tube!

    Had to de-pin the 24-pin so I had to label all the wires.

    Couldn’t be more happy with the MDPC-X de-pinning tool at that moment!!

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    Time to clean the radiator. Cleaned it with vinegar and distilled water. Still amazed by how much gunk comes out of a brand new rad.

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    First rinse with distilled water.

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    Second rinse with vinegar.

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    The rest of the rinses were done with distilled water, but it took some time to get all the vinegar out.

    Time to install the rad!
    Also got the res in. 400mm of pure beauty.

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    Jup, also time for the gpu to get in!

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    Overview picture when most components were in.

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    Outlet fans.

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    Another pic of the rad. Anyone know where to get replacement stickers for the corsair sticker in the middle?

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    And two more overview pics.

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    Next update will cover the watercooling loop and some more finishing touches. Getting real close now!

    Thanks to you all for following this build log.
     
  5. Mosquito

    Mosquito Just 'Plane' Crazy

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    Nice work! I like the use of tubing to hide wires and such. Any way to hide that stuff is good lol
     
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  6. Maarten/Pine

    Maarten/Pine Case modder

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    Time to do the watercooling loop!
    Let’s dive right in. :)

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    So many fittings.

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    What a beauty… Please tell me what you think of the copper pipes and black fittings!

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    And she’s finished.

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    Now that the loop is done it’s time to give the pipes a matte clear coat. Sanded them down so only bare copper was visible and gave them a good clean with copper ‘’shampoo.’’ No idea why they call it that lmao.

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    The end product.

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    And onto some more cable management.

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    Getting closer and closer.

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    Time to fill that baby up! She’ll get wet very soon.
     
  7. Maarten/Pine

    Maarten/Pine Case modder

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    Today was the day that Project Cu finally got wet.

    It might not seem like it in the pictures, but it was quite a challenge to fill her up because of the laying res. With a case, you just flip it. With a desk, it’s not quite as easy as that…

    Anyways, enjoy the pics.


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    Jup, that’s me.

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    After she was filled I figured it was time to get the final piece of the desk itself on (excluding the glass top panel of course.)

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    After a successful 24-hour leak test she is up and running! Really happy so far.

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    Today I also got some more goodies in the mail for cable management and making the desk sound less like an aircraft.
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    Goddamn, that’s what I’m talking about. Finally some cable management.

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    Also installed the LED’s under the SSD mount. Not the full effect like I expected, but still good enough! Like the looks of it.

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    Last but not least, working on the rest of the cable management, had to cut down 23 wires of the 24-pin because none were the same length because of the bends.

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    That’s it for today. Thanks again for following this work log and I hope to see you in the next update! :)
     
  8. Hukkel

    Hukkel James' minion

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    I really like what you did with the copper pipes making them look mat like that.
     
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  9. Maarten/Pine

    Maarten/Pine Case modder

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    Since last update I’ve been working a little on the cable management, but mainly on the lighting.
    This is because I’ve got great news: Cablemod decided to sponsor me the lighting with their RGB/W strips, which are perfect for this project as it’s important to have the right shade of white.

    This means all the RGB/W strips in this are sponsored by Cablemod. They also slammed in two memory modding kits, which are far better than my custom paint job.
    Great guys with excellent service!

    Back to where we were, the 24-pin got cable combs!
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    Here are some pictures of the stuff I received from Cablemod for this project.
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    To be able to do the lighting right, I drained the desk.
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    Also had time to disassemble the waterblocks that got a little dirty because of some dust. Still a lot of fun to do this. :)
    Sorry for the horrible iphone quality pics.
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    After that I tested some configurations with the RGB/W strips to look for some effects without it being too visible. In the end I ended up choosing this config.
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    Quite happy with the effect!
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    To make the lighting a little more stealthy, I bought some corner profiles where the strips can adhere to.
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    Nice result! :)
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    On the front I also added a 60cm strip for some more lighting.
    Might add some frosted acrylic for a smoother lighting effect.
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    Also installed the Cablemod RAM modding kits, they look so goddamn good!!
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    And a last picture to show you the effect with the RGB and white LEDs on. On the photo it isn’t really visible, but on the inside it gives a white glow, while on the outside of the Cable raceways the RGB strip gives a red glow.
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    Thanks for all the positive feedback these last few updates. :)
     
  10. Maarten/Pine

    Maarten/Pine Case modder

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    Lately I haven’t had much time to spend on the desk, but I did some things throughout the holidays.


    Firstly, I connected the last RGB/W led strip from cablemod. Later I also fixed the ugly colors of the RGB/W extention with some black tape.
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    Last week, I finally had time to do the rest of the cables. It was such a pain to do!
    Looks way better now though. The cables for the 24-pin could have been better, but they were too short.. Doesn’t look bad, just could have been better. It’s impossible to fix now!

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    Some more pics of the cables.

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    And, added something new to the setup…

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    Last week I also looked at the picture below, and noticed the desk would look way cleaner with a wall-mounted monitor.

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    So that’s what I did, monitor wall-mounted and ready to go!

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    Final pictures coming soon.
     
  11. Maarten/Pine

    Maarten/Pine Case modder

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    Hi guys,

    Enjoy some pictures of the desk at night.

    Daylight pics are also on the planning.



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  12. Ianovski

    Ianovski Rawr!

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    This is absolutely stunning! Love it!! :D
     
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  13. Maarten/Pine

    Maarten/Pine Case modder

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    Hereby some more high quality pictures, this time in daylight.
    Thanks to all of you for following this build! See you in the next one.

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  14. kim

    kim hardware addict

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    real great work, the color sheme is perfect, copper cables rocks, I love your desk
     
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  15. Maarten/Pine

    Maarten/Pine Case modder

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    Thank you very much man, appreciate it alot! :)
     
  16. The_Crapman

    The_Crapman World's worst stuntman. Lover of bit-tech

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    Looks great. really well put together. Love the wiring. :thumb:
     
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  17. Maarten/Pine

    Maarten/Pine Case modder

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    Cheers man, thanks for the reply! :clap:
     
  18. Yaka

    Yaka Multimodder

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    awesome build, love how the copper looks on black.
     
  19. mnpctech

    mnpctech bit-tech sponsor

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    I like the direction you're going!
     
  20. Dietec

    Dietec Minimodder

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    Dude this is awesome, very classy look. Didn't go RGB overkill which is nice :thumb:
     

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