Case Mod - In Progress [HYDRA]: Classified - the Giant 5+Ghz Workstation on Intel X299 and Extreme Watercooling

Hello guys!

I have not been here since 2011... Oh my God...
This is my last Project "CERBERUS" buided in 2011 (i7 990X@5Ghz/ EVGA E760 Classified/ 24Gb DDR3/ 3x EVGA GTX580/ 1500W PSU)...
I have posted it here: https://www.overclock.net/forum/61-water-cooling/1165812-cerberus-3-way-sli.html


From that time I obviously builded systems, but I not had an inspiration to build something WOW. But now I have it. So lets start to do crazy beauty!
I want to start a blog about my new upcomig custom rig. This build would be a hybrid between professional and gaming pc. This system would be within unique custom modded giant case, with crazy watercooling, only black color with tons of RGB and with huge triple professional monitor setup!

It names...


I have already bought all my hardware, and waiting for the case mod. It would be finished in 1 week and I will start a building.

So, I want to show you the spec list of my upcoming build:

[HARDWARE]
[CPU]: Intel Core i9 9900X @ 5Ghz
[MB]: ASUS Rampage VI Extreme
[RAM]: G.Skill TridentZ 64Gb 4200Mhz (stock is: 19-19-19-39 / 1.4V)
[GPU]: 2x AORUS GTX1080Ti WaterForce WB 11G [SLI] @ 2100Mhz core on stock voltage
[SOUND]: Creative Sound Blaster USB X-FI Surround 5.1 Pro
[SSD]: Samsung 970 Pro 1Tb + Samsung 860 Pro 2Tb
[HDD]: 3x 6tb Toshiba X300
[PSU]: SuperFlower Titanium 1600W

[CASE] - HYDRA™
Completely modded MM Extended Ascension + MM Pedestal 24
I have changed 80%+ of this case, and I need it because of its giant size! Almost 1m high.

[MONITORS]
Triple wall mounted professional setup for color grading and gaming:
27" DELL UP2716-D
43" LG 43MU79-B
27" DELL UP2716-D

[PERIPHERALS]
1) ASUS ROG Claymore + ASUS ROG Pugio
2) Logitech G19 + Logitech G700s
*Logitech Wireless Gamepad F710
*ASUS ROG Scabbard (Game surface)

[WATERCOOLING]
[CPU/MB]: EKWB EK-FB ASUS ROG R6E RGB Monoblock - Acetal+Nickel
[GPU]: AORUS Integrated Full-Cover Waterblocks
[RADIATORS]:
*3х 360 TFC xChanger 360
*2x TFC MONSTA Limited Edition (2/350 in the world)
[PUMP]: 3x D5@24V
[TOP]: Bitspower D5 Pump Mod Top V2 + Bitspower D5/MCP655 Mod Kit
[RESERVOIR]: EK-RES X3 400 + Koolance RP-452
[TUBE]: XSPC Clear 3/4"/1/2"
[FITTINGS]: BitsPower Rotary / Dual Rоtary 3/4"/1/2"
[FANS]:
*12x 140mm NoiseBlocker PK-3 800-1800rpm
*27x 120mm CoolerMaster XtraFlo 800-2200rpm
*2x 120mm NZXT AER RGB]
[CONTROL PANELS]
*2x Lamptron FC5v2
*ASUS ROG OC Panel v2
*Koolance TMS-200 + Extender Board


This post is only beginning. To be continuous

 

Why LGA2066 and Core i9 9900X?




As I mentioned before, this is a hybrid of professional graphic workstation and gaming PC. I am a professianal color grader and visual fx creator. But also I love to play in 4K / 60fps on Ultra settings in my 43" center monitor)

Thats why I choosed the LGA2066 and Core i9 9900X with can OC to 5+Ghz under a VERY powerful Water Cooling!

The ROG Rampage VI Extreme has an incredible power and overclocking stability, especialy with watercooling.
Which alowes me to recieve a great workstation performance, and in the same time a gaming performance even better than 9900K
With i9 9980XE I will NOT get this frequency and this gaming performance...

The reasons of LGA2066:
*This system would be a MUCH more powerful, than i9 9900K + Z390 in my work
* Equal CPU frequency in overclocking (you just need a better cooling solution, but I have it!) and equal or even more gaming performance!
* 2 more cores in CPU in my i9 9900X
* More cache in the CPU
* 44 PCI-E Lines in the CPU, to get a full potential of SLI
* 8 slots / 4 channel / 4200+ Mhz Memory. Now I have a 64Gb, but in future I will can do 128Gb

 

Why 2x GTX 1080Ti in SLI and not a RTX 2080Ti or even RTX2080Ti in SLI ?

Because I'm using ONLY watercooling and I dont want to use ragular air cooled GPUs, and if I want 2x 2080Ti in SLI with integrated full-cover waterblocks - it would cost me a 3000+$ It's insane!!! The performance which I will revieve - woundn't cost such money...
I bought 2x rare AORUS Extreme GTX1080Ti WaterForce WB 11GB with only 1200$ and the performance that I recieved is MUCH more than with single RTX2080Ti and them cost me less, then 2080Ti with watercooling cost!

Here you go some photos of my GPUs:




And here you go tests with 2xGTX1080Ti VS 2080Ti




Even a ragular 1080 in SLI in more powerful than 2080Ti


Yes, there some games without SLI support, but in fact... to play them in 4K - the single 1080Ti with is more than enought!

So I guess that 2x1080Ti in SLI is an ideal for today, till the next gen of RTX GPU will arive!

 

About the RAM

Well, I have a interresting story about it...

In the beggining of this project (on the idea creation stage) I wanted to buy a 32Gb 4200Mhz Corsair (4x8Gb) because I wanted to buy a 9900K, before it has arived and become so hot (temperatures) as it is.

Yes I have more than enough cooling for even 1.45V 24/7, but this is just mainstream CPU with low cash and only 16x PCI-E lines... What the f... it is so hot?! And in addition to this, that 9900K CPU is a peace of crap in workstation. And 32Gb RAM is also not enough by the way.

Thats why I decided to buy the TOP-end DDR4 RAM G.SKILL TridentZ 8x8Gb 4200Mhz (19-19-19-39 1.4V) and LGA2066 with i9 9900X.

And this is it:




Now I have a RAM, which alows me to work well (64gb) and do gaming and overclocking (4200+Mhz on 19-19-19-38 1.4V).

I am happy!

 

About SSD and HDD for Data Storage

As I working with VERY "heavy" videos files - I must have a very fast primary SSD for my system amd software, and big amount of data storage (on HDD). But, I'm also love to play games, and that's why I must have big capacity of SSD for installing my games on it.

I choosed this hardware:




So, now I have a decent configuration of SSD+HDD for my working and gaming!

 

As this setup would be graphics workstation + gaming battlestation, I must have a decent keyboard and mouse for work and gaming.
Of course, I have a professioanal graphic tablet WACOM for my work. but when I working in DaVinci Resolve - I did it with [keyboard + mouse] combination.

But there is one problem:
Keyboard and mouse that is very convenient for working - not always convenient for gaming, and vice versa...
Bacause of this, I must have two different couples of that stuff.
I have my combination of Logitech G19 keyboard and Logitech G700s mouse for a long time and I love it. They are so convenient for working, but they are not so modern as new RGB keyboards and mouses.


So, I decided to leave these couple of stuff for working and to buy a new couple for gaming. I choosed a ROG Cleymore + ROG Pugio (if I dont have a G700s - maybe I make my choice to ROG Spatha, but its so heavy as my G700s). And I bought a huge ROG Scabbard Game Surface to fit them well.




In addition, I must have a good wirelles gamepad for gaming on my 4K 84inch TV (for example for racing, sport games and fightings). I understand, that it's better to buy racing wheel for racing games but I am not so fan of this genre - to buy separate stuff for it.


Two my mouses (Logitech G700s is wireless, but also it work with wire, without battery):

 

About the triple monitor setup!

And exactly HERE - the Workstation priority of my system is coming into the first place!
I must have a decent monitor setup for my work, but I dont want to build a standard straight triple monitor setup, as almost all are doing
(3x24"-3x27").

I decided to buy a giant 43 inch 4K AH-IPS Monitor LG 43MU79-B as a primary center display to get a huge desktop workspace in DaVinci Resolve software.



But this software also support dual screen mode (secondary display is responsible for showing me additional information, like a graphics, diagrams and rgb color bars). And also I must have a third display, that show me a references and technical task.
Two additioanal monitors are: 27 inch 1440P DELL UP2716-D








So I choosed the [vertical 1440P P-IPS 27" + horizontal 4K AH-IPS 43" + vertacal P-IPS 1440P 27"] display formation.
And I had to hang them on the wall because the center display is VERY huge I have to move it deeper to the wall to give more comfort for my eyes!






All these displays has a very good IPS for color grading and working with video and identical pixel density (114ppi) and its great!
And this IPS gives me a beautiful colors in games. Wonderful!

By the way, yes these monitors has only 60hz (not 120hz and more), but this is monitors for professional use, and single play games, not for the cyber sport! And I'm not a cyber sportsman! I just playing for myself in single play games. And ONLY in 4K. And show me please, which GPUs can produce 120fps in Ultra + 4K. You can't? Of course you can't, because there is no one!))) And stable 60fps is all that you need in single player.

 

Sound and PSU

I have to say, that I don't really care about the sound. I have an external sound card from Creative with big Senheiser radio headset and that's it)
Also I have an old music center Panasonic from 90ths (placed inside the desk) and I am using its acoustics (under the desk) via AUX + my Sound Card. The sound quality is good! I don't want to change something).





About the PSU: I have my Enermax MaxRevo 1500W from 2011th and I don't want to change it. I like it)

 

Fans, Fan Controllers, Wires and ROG OC Panel

All these stuffs are connected, that's why all of them would be in one post.
So, let's go:

[FANS]:
*12x 140mm NoiseBlocker PK-3 800-1800rpm (placed on 2x radiators in push-pull configuration)


*27x 120mm CoolerMaster XtraFlo 800-2200rpm (placed on 3x radiators in push-pull configuration + inside the bottom sector of the case)



*2x 120mm NZXT AER RGB (placed on the back side of the case, behind the the socket)


I will write about the radiators later (in watercooling part of my work log)


[FAN CONTROLLERS]:
I have 3 of them: 2x Lamptron FC5v2 and ROG OC Panel v2 (for my ROG Rampage VI Extreme motherboad)








[WIRES]




I have the NZXT black individually sleeved wires extenders for:
*24 pin motherboard power connector
*4+4 pin cpu power connector (x2)
*8 pin gpu power connector (x4)
*4 pin molex power connector (x5)
*Sata power connector (x8)
*Individually Sleeved Front Panel power connectos

Also I have a custom made black extenders:
*Molex to 4pin power connector (x5) - for my 3x watercooling pumps
*4pin RGB to 2x 4pin RGB power connector (x5)

And the Noiseblocker 4pin fan extrenders (all are black sleeved)

 

Watercooling setup Part-1: Waterblocks

EKWB EK-FB ASUS ROG R6E RGB Monoblock - Acetal+Nickel - combined monoblock for cpu LGA2066 and ROG X299 Extreme motherboard at the same time.



AORUS Extreme Waterforce WB - integrated native full-cover waterblock for AORUS Extreme GTX 1080Ti






Let's assemble all of them!!!








Next post would be about the Radiators)

 

Now as I promised, we will talk about the watercooling radiators.

I always thought that minimum thickness of good radiator begins from 60mm,

I have a 3x TFC XChanger 360mm with Push-Pull fan configuration: overall 18x 120mm fans!


Its already a very powerful watercooling setup, but...

Even that was not enough for me...

A long time ago there was a LEGENDARY Limited Edition Overpowered radiators, and it names: TFC MONSTA EXTREME Limited Edition, with almost 120mm thickness amd a real carbon fiber on the sides!!!


This is me in 2011 with it! Behind me was a [NightVision: Classified] project


This is IT with TFC XChanger 360 with 60mm thickness... awesome!!!




It was much more powerful than even MO-RA 3 PRO with Push-Pull fan formation! But it produced only 350 in the world in 2009... but I have TWO of them!!! With Push-Pull (12x powerful 140mm NoiseBlocker PK-3 fans)




ALL my Radiators:



This is really Extreme, without a doubt!

 

Koolance TMS-200 + Expansion Board

If I want to assemble extreme watercooling setup, I have to control all of this:
* Water temperatures for 2 loops and have alarm if the temperatures would become high
* Water flow rates for 2 loops if the flow rates would become low
* Control speed and voltages of all pumps
* Control speed and voltages of all fans
and other...

Of course, I have 2x Lamptons FC5v2 and ROG OC Panel, but they not support watercooling features.
Thats why I must separate control panel exactly for watercooling.

This is it: Koolance TMS-200 (I have it since 2011)




Also I have an Expansion Board for it, to have control over second loop:



And I combined them into one complex Koolance water control solution:



Here are the temperature sensors (x2):


And flow meters (x2):

 

impressive hardware set...following

 

Thanks) Will be even better)

 

Pumps and Reservoirs

As I will build supreme dual-loop watercooling setup - I must have at least two of powerful Laing D5 pumps!

But I have 3 of them

My first loop have 2x TFC MONSTA radiators, which contains 2.5L of coolant inside and that's why I must have 2x D5 in this loop to get high flow rate.
Second loop have 3x TFC XChanger 360mm radiators, and its also heavy, but it's much easier than the first loop. And that's why a single D5 would be enough.

About the tops/reservoirs:
[TOP]:
Bitspower D5 Pump Mod Top V2 + Bitspower D5/MCP655 Mod Kit = expensive and wow looking mate black top for D5 pump!


[RESERVOIR]:
EK-RES X3 400 - 400mm high tube from EK. Very clean and nice looking res!
Koolance RP-452 - dual 5.25" bay top+reservoir for 2x D5 pumps




C ya)

 

Thats gonna be the coolest pc around....ya terrible pun but excited to see how this goes!

 

thanks, you will see

 

Buttons and fan grills for 3x360mm radiators

As a want to do push-pull configuration for my 3x360mm radiators for [CPU+MB] watercooling loop, I must have a fan grills to set them inside the case. And obviously they have to be black:



Also I have to buy custom botton for my case:
*Power button
*Reset button with HDD activity indication



There is a complete mess in my working room...


And the case Pedestal with 2x MONSTA radiators +12x 140mm fans amd all sleeved cables

 

The [HYDRA]: giant triple super-tower case with tempered glass and a lot of mods!


[PART 1]

Disclamer: CASE MOD IN PROGRESS. I DONT HAVE IT NOW AND CANT MAKE PHOTOS. IT WOULD BE FINISHED IN 1 WEEK!

This case was created from world biggest case, the ever was in sale Mountain Mods Extended Ascension



+ additional Mountain Mods Pedestal 24 with 3x140mm on both sides (fom my 2x TFC MONSTA radiators)


These case elements (case + pedestal) will combine into a real monster! 1010mm/650mm/580mm


I have all of this from 2011. Now its cheaper, than then.
This is configuration of the basic formation of my case from


Also I have additional panels for different configurations of my entire case. That cost me over $500 more...
In 2011 it cost me over $2000

BUT THIS IS ONLY BASE FOR [HYDRA] CASE.

There was MANY mods for it:

*Side panels of the case was replaced to new with tempered glass



*Top panel was modded (photos would be later)

*Extrernal custom 2x 3D-grills for front of the case + external custom 2x 3D-grills for sides of the pedestal + 2x (3x5.25" 3D-grills)


*All red elements was painted to matte black


*Entirely different internal case panel was made









*I made 2 holes above the [CPU+MB] waterclock to connect fittings from EKWB to fittings in these holes!







*I made 4 holes to set my 400mm reservoir to main internal panel


To be continuous

 

I used to dream about buying one of those Mountain mods case...( before I caught modding virus ) good choice for that much hardware and WC...it's gonna be a tremendous rig for sure