Project DSV

[Surfie]

Its a really nice system, I like it.

I know I'm in no way qualified to criticize you, as I'm not watercooling myself at the moment, but what is looking a bit odd to me are those long hose-runs. I know that thats mostly because the case is so huge, but I think it might've looked slightly better, if the res was moved to the right, between the front rad and the rest of the system, where the huge clearing is at the moment

Following your thread now, btw.

I would probably also have turned the top rad around, so that the fittings are on the right and instead of going from the front rad to the cpu, I would've gone front rad -> top rad -> cpu -> gpu -> reservoir/pump -> front rad

But that is just my opinion, keep in mind that I have no experience with watercooling, I just think that it might look nice, optically

Actually, that was my original plan. However there are restrictions in place. For one, placing the res/pump where you suggested means either having the whole thing supported by only one screw (scary) or mounting a new plate behind the optical bay to hang the res/pump from (something I have neither the tools nor the know how for).

As for the top rad, there is only one way to fit it without causing kinking or overly complicating the loop, and that is the way I've done it. Having the mounts on the other side would also require removal of the optical bay, which I need for the optical drive.

Yes I agree that the two long runs are sub optimal, but I really had no choice. The pump/res would only really fit where I put it.

Edit: you will understand better once I upload photos with the side panel on.

 

[d3rrial]

OK
Doesn't look bad, I just thought it looks odd, can't wait to see more pics.

 

[Surfie]

Ok, I realize that it has been a long time since I last updated this thread. No: DSV is not complete. I have been quiet as I have been planning my next update/mod to this machine. And I am now ready to share what will be happening to this build next.

For one, having gone back to the drawing board, and done a multitude of drawings and thinking on how I can move the pump/res to where I originally wanted it (and where D3rrial and others have also suggested it could/should be), I have come up with an idea for a mod which will hold the pump/res where I want it to be.

What does this mod consist of? Quite simply two cuts off of a 1m long 3mmX20mm steel (yes, steel: not aluminium) and a number (yet to be determined) of bolts or rivets. Oh, and a few licks of black paint (probably going to be a spray can to be honest).

What I will be doing: As pointed out, the pump/res should sit between the motherboard area and the optical bay. This will reduce the hosing significantly (and also: make the loop look more like what I originally intended). To this end, I will be taking the two bars, painting them, and riveting/bolting to the motherboard tray and the optical bay. Holes will then be drilled, allowing the res/pumps original mounting bracket to be mounted to them.

Drawings (not to scale) will be incoming in a few days, if people are interested in seeing them, otherwise, I will simply post WIP pictures of me doing the work (once all parts are in).

Because this move will also entail a drain/flush of the liquid in the system, I am also going to be changing up the internals of it: switching to 1/2" barbs (sticking with 7/16 hose), switching to clear hose, dying the water red, and adding the motherboard blocks. There is also a good chance that I will be removing the internal optical drive (making it an external drive) and switching over the top rad so that there is an easy way of connecting the two rads together without the massive long hose. I'm just not sure on that one yet.

 

[Surfie]

I would here by like to hold a minute of silence for my Silverstone power supply. After about 5 years of use it has gone to the great computer heaven.

*plays the last post*

So, here is what happened. I was pulling apart the old loop to make some adjustments, when I spilled a little water into it. A accidental of course. So I leave it a few hours, passing the time by setting up the new blocks and figuring out the new loop order etc. After about 4 hours, I think "hmmn, I didn't spill much water into the psu, it should be dry by now.", and so, give it a dry test run (heh pun), by which I mean nothing connected to it, just power it up. I'm glad nothing was plugged in though. There was a loud bang and then smoke poured out of the psu.

Now I need a replacement. Any suggestions?

 

[Bartacus]

I'd suggest what a lot of people on OC3D would: Corsair AX series (rebranded Seasonic) or Seasonic.

 

[Surfie]

Ok, revamped the rig a little bit.

So, here's what is new, and why.

The power supply: As we already know, water leaked into the last one, killing it. Got an RM750 replacement. It is not actually IN the rig right now, as I am leak testing.

Hard drives: Got 2 more 1 TB Western Digital hard drives (they are actually old hard drives of mine, so I incorporated them into the build - for now at least).

Front Radiator: This has been (against my desire) laid down on to the floor of the case. This was done so that I would be able to accommodate the extra hard drives.

Res/Pump: Moved to be in between the drive cages and the graphics card. This was done to minimise the long tube runs which I had in previous versions of this build.

Lighting: NZXT braided LED's added to the build. They light this thing up beautifully. Can't wait to get the case sides on and take some high quality photos of it for the night thread!

Motherboard: It is now the Rampage IV Formula. I am unsure as to precisely why, but the extreme died. The warranty was voided by me putting on the water blocks, and I could not afford to replace it (in my country, the cheapest non-ebay one is still ~$550-$600. So I ran with a cheaper Rampage IV Formula.

Take a look!

And the cursory night shot:

Ok, sure. It's leak testing at the moment, but there will be more images soon!

 

[Remmy]

Looking great mate I love the LEDs in your waterblocks. I'm jelly of the Raystorm block If I upgrade my loop again before my next build I'm going to get one

I'm getting tot he point where I might just be better off saving for my next build instead though

 

[Surfie]

I went and took some shots for the night thread, and unbeknownst to me until I went to take those shots, this motherboard has a ROG logo that lights up red!

End result is a little too much red, which I need to offset with some white I think.

Might change the LED in the CPU and GPU blocks to white...

Looking great mate I love the LEDs in your waterblocks. I'm jelly of the Raystorm block If I upgrade my loop again before my next build I'm going to get one

I'm getting tot he point where I might just be better off saving for my next build instead though

Thanks Remmy! I'm much happier with it now, it must be said. As for your next build, the Raystorm block is not too expensive - if you are planning on building a new rig, save up for that, and simply incorporate the Raystorm block into it!

 

[Bartacus]

+2 on the Raystorm! Looks great, performs great, isn't expensive. You can't ask for much more than that.

Looking good Surfie. I BURIED my Raystorm in red, along with a red LED strip in the case, and red LEDs in my Bitspower D5 top, and yeah it's way too much red. I find it hard to mix red with other colors though. White light kinda washes the red out and takes away from it. It's a tough color to do in small batches.