Project: Black Ice Part Part Deux

[TopSecret]

Alright peeps, I have bought Jim's Lain Li case and want to finish the project off. The case looks superb, all credit to Jim!:worship: I don't want or need to change anything on it so that part is done and dusted.

The tricky part is what to do component wise, as there are sooo many possibilities. The only restriction I can see is cost, and the missus only has so much patience with my spending habits I would love to drop a phase unit in there, just like Jim intended, but I doubt my budget would allow for it.

I am definitely considering two wc loops, and buying a block for my 9800GX2. The CPU, GPU, mobo, HD and memory will be pulled from my existing rig and used on this project, so that will keep costs down massively. I also have a DDC Ultra and a 240mm XSPC rad, plus the 360mm one I bought from Jim with the case. I want to reuse as much of the stuff I already have as possible to keep costs down.

I want to do this case justice regards the kit it houses, but it looks like a big money pit at the moment I always did like a challenge though and it will keep me busy for a few weeks.

Cheers,

Stu

 

[Mr. Smith]

Will surely be a nice rig, I never was keen on the BI lazer cuts though but I do love the case, that grill in the roof... BOING!

 

[Luigi]

Ooh

I shall look forward to updates

*subscribed*

 

[JN]

Looking forward to this one. Maybe I can get some second hand gratification out of seeing it finished

I stripped her naked last night, washed all her tubes out and made sure she was screwed tightly back together. I didn't want you getting no sloppy seconds mate

 

[TopSecret]

Nice one Jim, thanks mate!

 

[Mr. Smith]

Looking forward to this one. Maybe I can get some second hand gratification out of seeing it finished

I stripped her naked last night, washed all her tubes out and made sure she was screwed tightly back together. I didn't want you getting no sloppy seconds mate

Oh Jim... Jim, Jim, Jim... LMFREAKINA$$OFF

 

[JN]

Oh Jim... Jim, Jim, Jim... LMFREAKINA$$OFF

You bring out the best in me I swear

 

[TopSecret]

 

[Toxcity]

Oh Jim... Jim, Jim, Jim... LMFREAKINA$$OFF

Hahaha, Jim is on a roll tonight!

Will be looking forward to the finished result.

 

[TopSecret]

Has anyone used this 9800 GX2 block before?

info here

It's working out at about £110 delivered without any barbs. The EK blocks are about £100 +del. I've never seen any reviews of it but it looks cool! I am considering this block for the project.

 

[rrjwilson]

Looks brilliant however it may be a large flow restriction for your loop given its diminuitive depth.

 

[Mr. Smith]

aquacomputer make good kit but they are known for using alu... Alu and copper don't play nice... They are restrictive too...

Get the EK mate

 

[Barry]

aquacomputer make good kit but they are known for using alu... Alu and copper don't play nice... They are restrictive too...

Get the EK mate

Not anymore. Its now copper and stainless steel, which are fine.

 

[TopSecret]

Thanks for the advice fellas. I am planning on having just the GPU and 360mm rad on a loop with the DDC Ultra, do you think flow restriction would be a problem then? I am going to have the CPU and NB on a seperate loop.

 

[TopSecret]

Well I just found the Aqua-Computers block on Scan for less than it was on the other site. I can't see flow restriction being a real issue with this block as it's the only one that's going to be on that loop, so I am going to order it next week. I still need loads more stuff for the project:

Fans, don't want to be forking out a fortune but need some good ones.

Fan Controller, there are going to be at least 6 fans in this build so I need one which will handle them all, if possible.

NB block for my Abit IP35 Pro.

Any suggestions on the above would be appreciated.

 

[Bungral]

This is a very good fan controller for 6 fans:

http://www.specialtech.co.uk/spshop/customer/product.php?productid=4149&cat=662&page=1

I bought it myself mainly due to the fact it could handle 6 fans. However, where it turned up I was massively impressed with the brushed alu finish. Looks smart as hell and isn't flashy at all.

 

[TopSecret]

This is a very good fan controller for 6 fans:

http://www.specialtech.co.uk/spshop/customer/product.php?productid=4149&cat=662&page=1

I bought it myself mainly due to the fact it could handle 6 fans. However, where it turned up I was massively impressed with the brushed alu finish. Looks smart as hell and isn't flashy at all.

That fan controller looks good, thanks for the link. I got my waterblock sorted for the GX2. I eventually went for an EK block I found one thats been unused on ebay, that saved me a few quid.

I have an XSPC dual bay res/pump, which I am considering using on this build for the CPU/NB loop, with a 240mm rad. As I have everything for this loop apart from the NB block, it would save me some money. Then I am going to use the DDC Ultra with the Swiftech res and 360mm rad. That way, the outlay for the setup is minimal. The only other way would be to buy a new res and pump for the CPU/NB loop, which would stretch the budget, or to just have one loop, but I am not sure if one 360mm rad and the ultra would be up to it. I wanted two loops because I was going to use two different coloured liquids too.

 

[Acid90]

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/136404

Cheap fan controller that I use, has some LEDs also. It isn't brand name but it does the job perfectly!

 

[TopSecret]

Thanks for the link. I still haven't got a fan controller yet and will have to get one ordered at the weekend.

Well I have ordered everything else ready for building, and am just waiting for it all to come before I get started. I am definitely going with 2 loops:

GPU LOOP:

EK 9800 GX2 waterblock (waiting for delivery)

Laing DDC Ultra pump with XSPC acrylic top

Swiftech acrylic reservoir

XSPC Extreme 360mm radiator with 3x120mm fans

CPU LOOP:

Danger Den MC-TDX SKT 775 Waterblock

XSPC Dual bay 750l/ph Combined res/pump

XSPC RS240mm radiator with 2x120mm fans

I was going to have the NB on the CPU loop but I reckon it will be fine on air, as the case will have good airflow. The XSPC res/pump isn't the most powerful, but it works well and I have used it before in my previous projects. It should be fine with just the CPU block.

The fans I got for the 360mm rad were Xilence Redwings. I have never tried these ones, and have heard mixed views on them so I thought I would try them out. I am using Blackfires for the 240mm rad.

There are no pics as yet as I haven't started the project. Hopefully the kit will be here tomorrow and I can get started. I will post some pics as and when I have made some progress.

Cheers,

Stu

 

[TopSecret]

I tried the rig out with the two loops and it just didn't look tidy. The XSPC dual res/pump looked out of place as did the 240mm rad, which was mounted in the bottom compartment. So I decided to go with a single loop for now, with the EK GX2 and DD TDX blocks, 360mm rad, DDC Ultra and Swiftech microres.

The bottom half of the case looks unloved and empty now though! There is only the PSU in the bottom compartment and alot of dead space. When I have some spare cash, I am going to sort out another loop properly. This loop should fill out the space nicely. Performance wise, the single loop works well, with GPU temps around 30c at idle, and CPU temps around 28c at idle.

I made an impulse buy the other day and have regretted it ever since. I bought a Zalman ZM MFC2 fan controller. I duly fitted it with no drama, but was gutted when I booted the PC up. The display is crap! If you are looking at it from above or below, the display is unreadable. It only takes a slight angle for this to happen, and as my rig is floor mounted, it means I have to get on my hands and knees just to be able to read it!

(From nearly level viewing)

(Viewing from above)

So I am going to pull the Zalman controller, and use it on my Daughter's upcoming new rig. I have decided to go for an LCD display (maybe an Aqua Computer one) and a Zalman MFC1 fan controller.

I still haven't decided what to do with the laser cut design yet. I know I am going to be using some acrylic behind it with some lighting. So apart from fitting the components, the project hasn't had much progress. I know the case has the potential for an excellent looking rig, I am just undecided in how to go forward with it at the moment.

Cheers,

Stu