CaseLabs X2M Nova Build -- It needs a Name!

[RickPlaysWarr]

Hi

It has been a year since I built my H440 / Maximus VII Hero rig. It works wonderful, yet I have realized that there are a few things I wish to do better. One the case while silent tends to trap heat. I use the rig for folding at 100% when not gaming and it gets warm. The CPU warms up even thought there is a Corsair H105 CPU cooler in place. The GPU is an EVGA GTX 980 SC. That ACX 2.0 cooler does a good job, however the hot air accumulates in the case. If I take the top off the H440, the unrestricted airflow allows much cooler operation.

The second reason is I want to do a fully water-cooled loop. I have decided to go ITX as I am only planning on one GPU at this time. I will be putting the GTX 980 in the new machine and putting the ASUS ROG Striker GTX 760 back in the H440 rig.

Main Parts​

Case: CaseLabs Nova X2M with 36 mm extended top
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z97N-Gaming-5
CPU: Intel i7 4770K or 4790K (I have both and 4470K OC's better at this time)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance Pro 2400 mhz - 8 Gigabytes
GPU: EVGA GTX 980SC
Boot Drive: Samsung 850 Pro 128 GB SSD
Steam Drive: 1TB Seagate 7200 RPM Drive
Power Supply: Corsair RM650​

Water Cooling Parts​

Radiators: 2 x EKWB 240 MM Coolstream PE
Pump/Res Combo: EKWB XRes 100 DDX MX with PWM pump and EKWB Heat sink housing
CPU Block: EKWB Supremacy MX
GPU Block: EKWB FC980 GTX Acetal/Nickel and EKWB Backplate
Fans: 2 x EKWB Vardar 1800 RPM (Top exhaust) and 3 x F4120ER 2200 RPM (Front and Back intake)
Fittings: Primochill Revolver Rigid Tube fittings
Tubing: Primochill PETG rigid tube
Other Fittings: EK 90 degree fittings and a Bitspower valve and stop fittings for the drain system.

Thanks to the dogs at Performance PC's and FedEx, this is the second batch of parts. If you care, the story of the first batch and the most horrible customer service is here: http://forum.overclock3d.net/showthread.php?t=72261
​

The color theme of the build is mostly black at this time with only flashes of red and grey. I really need help with a name for the build. I will be making custom sleeved cables for all the wiring I can.

Start of the Build​

The case and parts from EK just came in and its an amazing case. My first CaseLabs case and the build quality and finish is the best I have ever seen.

The packaging from CaseLabs is top notch and it arrived in perfect shape.

Case is out and after taking the panels off its even more amazing. There are lots of ideas on how to make this an amazing build. Sorry for the crappy iPhone photo

The EK Water cooling parts are amazing. And 3 days from order to my doorstep from Slovenia to California. Thank you EK and DHL

Putting a few parts in the Case to get an idea on how things will be situated. I want to measure the cabling and get an idea on how the loop is going to run in the case.

Closeup of the Pump/Res combo with multi-port top and return tube installed. I will be taking the approach that JR suggested and rewiring the Molex connector to plug directly into the RM650. Also will be shortening and sleeving the PWM cable and the reworked power cable

So far so good. This weekend going to get all the wiring and sleeving started. Also hope to start on the blocks and maybe bending the tubes. The top radiator screws are short as the aluminum case is a bit thicker than a normal steel one. Ordered some a bit longer, so waiting on them. Also waiting on my valve and stop fittings. The valve and Darkside lighting are coming from Dazmode in Canada.

One thing I am sure of is the Yellow on the RM650 stickers on top and sides needs to go. Need to find some vinyl or plexy sheet and come up with a design

I would love any ideas or feedback you guys can provide. I look at the work of SNEF and JR and BNegative and lots of others and get inspired. I am going to give it my best effort and make this one lovely

 

[mod_ex]

dude there is some serious hardware there , looking forward to this will be following closely

name : Red Velvet ?

 

[MrKambo]

i love EK stuff

Im in for build!!

 

[RickPlaysWarr]

Hi Guys

Just a quick update, I am installing the EK DDC heatsink housing and cutting and sleeving the power wires to go right into the modular power supply. The PWM cable needs to be shortened and sleeved also. I rotated the pump/housing so the wiring comes out the back instead of the side like the default configuration. Thanks to JR23 for the wiring suggestions.

 

[mod_ex]

looking good buddy

 

[Tolemac]

That looks so much better

 

[JR23]

No problem, those EK kits are good, popped one in my friends S2.0 yesterday and I can't help but thing the alternative impeller design is much better than the standard DDC's. MX block looks great too.

That is a big case for ITX

JR

 

[RickPlaysWarr]

No problem, those EK kits are good, popped one in my friends S2.0 yesterday and I can't help but thing the alternative impeller design is much better than the standard DDC's. MX block looks great too.

That is a big case for ITX

JR

It is big, I thought about smaller, but want to have double radiators. Also I am thinking a longer reservoir tube is needed. Another idea is to mount the twin Samsung 850 Pro SSD on the top of the divider plate next to the motherboard instead of hiding them behind.

--Rick--

 

[RickPlaysWarr]

Hi

Tonight made further progress. Swapped out the GTX 980 from the current rig and put in the GTX 760 ROG Striker again. Then proceeded to disassemble the GPU and install the EK Water block and back plate. It was a bit scary at first as this is the first time I am cooling a GPU. Followed the directions and really happy how it looks now. Black on Black. It weighs a lot more than I thought. I went with the full cover acetal block as I like how it looks better than the clear block that does not cover the whole card.

Tomorrow it goes in the case and plumbing and wiring measuring starts.

 

[RickPlaysWarr]

Hi Guys

Another update. I have started making the custom wiring starting with the 24 pin cable. The Corsair pin-out is pretty good for making a decent sleeve layout for both the top and bottom. I make all the wiring from scratch including new connectors and wire. That way I have something to compare at the end. I can match the stock cables to the custom ones and test pin for pin.

First off is the main color scheme of Black, Dark Grey, and Red

Here is a detail of one of the ends showing the perfect crimp that my Lutro0 modified crimp tool gives and how the sleeve melts to the end of the cable.

The new cable is looking so much better than the stock version, and is custom length

The pin-out for the 24 pin cable requires one double wire. I use the Lutro0 method of hiding the splice in a place where it can't be seen. To match the color pattern one leg needs to be black and one needs to be red.

Test fitting the cable and it is exactly the correct size. I almost wish it had one more inch so that I had more wiggle room at the top and bottom. I am training the cable to stay in place using a book to make the 24 pin half bend. I don't know if I should remake it with an added inch or so

Next was the 8 Pin and I got the length just right. The routing will be neat and clean

 

[Dicehunter]

Those cables look smexy !!!

 

[RickPlaysWarr]

Those cables look smexy !!!

Thank you. Loving the look of this so far.

Another short update. I finished the GPU cable and its the one that took a lot of time as there are six two to one splices. In addition four of the cables need to have black/red combo cables to fit the pattern I started with the 24 pin cable. It fits and is the right length, just needs to be trained and dressed. The messy splices are behind the motherboard tray divider.

Next up is mounting the pump after sleeving the PWM cable. Then routing and bending the tubing after I remove all the components and flush the radiator and mount the CPU block.

 

[Dicehunter]

Thank you. Loving the look of this so far.

Another short update. I finished the GPU cable and its the one that took a lot of time as there are six two to one splices. In addition four of the cables need to have black/red combo cables to fit the pattern I started with the 24 pin cable. It fits and is the right length, just needs to be trained and dressed. The messy splices are behind the motherboard tray divider.


Next up is mounting the pump after sleeving the PWM cable. Then routing and bending the tubing after I remove all the components and flush the radiator and mount the CPU block.

Looks great

Out of curiosity in your sig it says you have OSX installed, Is that on the rig in the sig or on a 2nd ?

Wouldn't mind trying OSX on my rig if I can get it up and running on a 2nd partition

 

[RickPlaysWarr]

Looks great

Out of curiosity in your sig it says you have OSX installed, Is that on the rig in the sig or on a 2nd ?

Wouldn't mind trying OSX on my rig if I can get it up and running on a 2nd partition

I do have installed. This is the second hackintosh I have done. I did my first one on Gigabyte Z87N-Wifi itx board in a corsair 250. That one was a learning experience, and I will probably Hackintosh every machine I can. Being able to run Windows 10 and OSX Yosemite is awesome. Each gets their own SSD usually

I learned how to do it when I wanted to replace my cheese grater mac pro. I read up at this site and tried it, and it works well. http://www.tonymacx86.com/ I have had no issues at all other than a few minor ones like not being able to connect to the app store. Figured it all out and now I have a Hack Pro!

 

[Excalabur50]

She's looking good how about calling her the WarrHammer!

 

[RickPlaysWarr]

Ok, I am excited now. Just bent my first piece of PETG tubing and did a test fit. My OCD says its not a perfect right angle so I need to sand a bit on the ends till it is. Really was a bit nervous about bending the tube. I have to say though the process is very easy once you sand the silicon bending cord down a bit so it goes into the tubing without jamming it in there.

Hey, do you think right angle issue is worrying a bit too much?

 

[RickPlaysWarr]

Hi

Just a quick update. Flushed and mounted all the components for final assembly of the loop. I have completed most of the loop PETG tubing except for the last piece that needs 3 x 90 degree angles in different dimensions. Tried six or so times and just wasted tubing, and I will try when I am not tired.

I might change the loop order, however will have to order some more PETG tubing as I wasted about 4 feet of it trying to complete the loop

 

[RickPlaysWarr]

Hi Guys.

Another quick update as I am waiting on a few more 90 degree adapters for the loop. The loop is one run shy of complete. It was the hardest one and I wasted about 4+ feet of tubing trying to get it done. So going to add an additional 90 degree adapter to the top rad to eliminate one of the 90 angles in the run

Also, decided to add an additional piece of hardware to the build. An NZXT Grid+ V2 fan controller. Its quit tiny and can do six fan channels. My Motherboard has a free USB2 connector so this device works out perfect. I rewired the power cable to molex plug to plug rite into the RM 650 Power supply. I am also hooking up the fans and their will be one additional case fan and one channel left over for some Darkside LED strips

I have started to tidy up the wiring and only have one custom cable to manufacture left. The SATA Power cable for the SSD and storage drive. I am sure I will cut and redo the ty-wraps many times to make it as tidy as possible.

 

[jimma47]

Looking really nice!

Not wanting to hijack your thread but maybe do a review of the fan controller if you get a chance - I'd be keen to get your thoughts on it.

I really like the idea of re-wiring the Molex and your pump directly to the PSU. I have plenty of spare sockets on the PSU but I'm running Molex and SATA power cables all over the place just to run a random device here and there.

 

[RickPlaysWarr]

Hi Guys

I know it has been a while. I finally got another 90 degree fitting and got the last and most complicated piece of tube bent and in place. I filled the loop last night and it looks amazing to me. Feeling really proud that this first loop is done. I might redo some things about the tube bending in the future.

After a couple hours and moving the PC around to get the air out of the loop, I love it. I might place an SSD in the large empty space next to the motherboard. Now on to installing the rest of the wiring and firing it up

Thanks to all of you for the inspiration and comments.