Scratch Build – In Progress ****** PHINIX CUBE ******* - the one and only:)

Thanks guys!

OK, so got new pump, this one is branded Swiftech, its up and running. Have a question about it:
when I plug it to 12v PSU cable it runs 4500rpm, but when plug it to motherboard CPU fan power connector, it runs 3500rpm. What is real full speed of 18W DDC pump? Does it mean mobo connector isn't 12V? There is no cpu fan speed options turned on, so it should be 12V... Is it ok to run pump on full speed all the time?

 

Hmm.. I'm no expert and I don't know how many amperes the mb fan connectors usually are rated for, but it seems to me like it's a bit too much (pls correct me if I'm wrong!). That pump draws 18W / 12V = 1.5A which is substantially more than what a fan draws (did a quick check on 8 different fans in this test) and the most powerful only draws 2.8W / 12V = 0.23A. So that pump draws ~6.5 times as much.

My €0.02... take it for what it's worth... say €0.001 or so. *shrugs*

[edit] Check your MB manual for how much the fan connectors can handle [/edit]

 

I think, you're right, I'm not gonna use that conenctor for pump.. just wondering how can I control pump speed, cause I tried my Revoltec 4fan controller and there is something wrong with its spec cause it turns off the pump if I turn the knob just a bit...

 

BIGGEST UPDATE EVER! .. I think..

Well, it's been a busy time for me last few weeks. That's why it is time for HUGE update
I've done a lot of stuff, not only the Cube, but I'm sure you guys just want to hear and SEE all about the Cube, so.. here it is!

First of all, junction box - I knew I will have to make one, cause there was one thing I wanted to do in my Cube - I wanted to be able to plug and unplug all additional led lights in second, just to make unfolding easier. So junction box was a must...



With all those cables I satrted to figer out how I want to connect all led strings and how to make it easy to plug and unplug from switches...

Bought a small pcv box and started to plan...



All this have to go inside the box... somehow...



First of all, I need to be able to unplug all switches from the box, so I soldered some 3pin headers to every switch that goes on back panel



..then soldered long 3 pin headers to long cables and plugged them to 4pin molex splitter



After a minute with dremel and sanding barrel I made holes for all connectors in the box



I did my best to push all those cables and connectors inside the box.. and got my junction box ready for action!



It doesn't look pro but it does the job for me Here's how its connected to switches. You can see it will be easy to quickly unplug fixed switched from the back panel from the box. One 4 pin molex will be plugged to PSU cable getting power for all leds, where 4 3pin headers are waiting for led strips to be plugged in...



After that I fixed 6 leds to front panel. Insatlled my alu ring and hex mesh. What I had to fabricate was a plastic ring that will push whole construction to the panel from behind. You can see it here, after sleeving the led cable...



Here's the front panel, ready for action.. I'm not showing you how it works, cause I will leave those photos for the end result I tried it and looks awsome, but you guys will have to wait for it till next week Don't worry about that smudges on right, cleaned it all up



Braided 3 pin splitter for my radiator fans...



..and pump cables...




One of the evenings I spent on disarming my GTX280.. it is a pain.. but it went well.. hardest part was to find smallest screwdriver to get those small screws on the card... Then using MX-2 I installed the block.. looks sweet.. don't you think?









After that I started to build the loop. Installed mobo and cpu on the Cube's mobo tray...







Radiator also had been tubed



Pump got its top reservoir and went right under the mobo tray.. tight squeeze....





GTX looks beautiful installed...







So it was time for leak test...







I used small 150W psu to jump start the pump... It ran for a while.. well... 3 hours..



When I was sure it was all fine, I installed my 850W PSU and Vertex SSD... I cannot stick my finger there, it is SO tight...



As you can see it went to my small gaming room, next to my 24" Dell. Dvd is still outside, cause there is no top panel on it





Then started to braid rest of the cables.. NIGHTMARE...





Pump got its two red leds.. look pink here, but will show you guys a night picture where you will see its real red color In daylight its not that bright...






Few days ago I received a package from Tom from Chilled PC. This chap helped my a lot during my project, I had to use him few times when I screwed up with acrylic parts This time I didn't like the look of my red acrylic letters after I used super glue and B&Q acrylic glue - they sticked ok, but both glues left white stains on other side, and since I used clear acrylic back panels, those stains were visible from inside the Cube... Also asked Tom to cut me both side panels, cause I wanted to have nice long rounded ventilation holes for radiator fans.. so here they are...



This time I used special acrylic glue to do it right...













So I have then installed front panel and added side one to see how it looks...







Top panel with dvd had also been installed..



So.. this is how it looks without letters and biohazard logos on both sides..








I will show you last pictures soon.. Don't want to spoil you guys so quickly..

STAY TUNED !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

nice mod looks really good
you did a real good job with all those wires for the fan controler
you also did a very good job with all those letters

 

hahah great job seen as theres a bottle of vodka on ur desk!


looks great man..

 

Looks amazing!

 

The front panel turned out very well, as did your switch box. This mod has always been one of my favorites and you haven't let me down yet .

 

looks really amazing!

 

Amazing work, Phinix! She's a beaut!

 

Turned out nice, good job =]

 

Nice work mate and veeeeeeeeeeery beautiful!! Bravo!

 

Wow phinix, this may have been a long time coming, but the results have been worth the wait. It's really looking great!

 

Agreed dude it looks amazing you should be very very proud of the work you have put in. Not totally sold on using the puppy sick noctuas but rest is spot on.

 

Thank all of you guys!!!

Yep, it looks good, I have to admit. Will show you rest of the pictures this weekend, need to re-cable one piece of leds and its done...
It has been a long 2 years for me and for this Cube I have to say 2 years is too much for one project, next time I will do it in half of that time

Yep, well, try to braid a hundred of thin fan or led cables, you will feel thirsty

I know, Noctuas look ugly as hell, but they are great when blowing air I wanted to paint them but decided to leave it... for now...

 

great acrylic work, and a amazing project. You build a beautiful acrylic case.

 

Looking good!

 

Looks fantastic. I nearly died of shock when you said you were finishing up. I'm also glad you gave up on using superglue.

 

I still think it looks sh*t...

JOKING!!!
Awesome! Any plans on getting some professional photos taken?

 

(ooh, page 29!)

Just finished reading this from the start. Fantastic job. Was with you all the way, the highs and the lows. Can't wait for the final pics....

Adam