Tuxedo Refresh
- Thread starter robbiec
- Start date
That is a boatload of money, LOL! This thread brings me back, to when I had to do a reality check, after realizing I had spent $6000CDN in 6 months building 3 different loops all at the same time, like an OCD idiot.
Watercooling has never been cheap! Fun? Yes, Challenging? Yes, Satisfying? Yes, Good Value? No
I have a spare D5 PWM pump that will fit to the old Aqualis reservoir which will then go into use for my other Ryzen 5950X system using an Asus WS X570 Ace board. Will resuse my XSPC 360 rad and I'll have leftover fittings with a standard Kryos Next block. My freshly cleaned Noiseblocker PL2 fans will provide the air pressure
I think my biggest wastage money wise is postage from continental Europe into Ireland. I've probably dropped €100 in shipping fees alone on various bits as I've figured out what I've needed. Highflow are good, free shipping once you pass €250, Amazon can catch you and Aquacomputer / Caseking are sharp when it comes to shipping. Moral of the story is find a good supplier and go big with the orders but if you go boutique you might get caught.
Quick stocktake, 2 x AMD R9 5950X's, 2 x Asus Crosshair VIII, 1 x Asus WS Pro X570 ACE, 32GB of fast ram, 32GB of slow ram, 8TB of Nvme3 M.2 sticks (2 x 2TB 970 EVO Plus, 2 x 1TB 970 EVO Plus, 2 x 1TB Addlink S70s), a RX6800 with a TechN block on it, a TechN AM4 block and an Aquacomputer Cuplex Next Vario Vision with the funky hard wearing finish on it.
Broken bits = Aquacomputer Leakshield and I cannot get the newly arrived Ultitube to seal (so let's say provisionally broken)
Repaired = Aquacomputer D5 Next pump (the controller part is glued to the bottom of pump + electronics, looks like the glue dried up and it came asunder. Aquacomputer support very good, sent through pics and diagrams on how to reassemble.
My Lian-Li Dynamic EVO arrived today
So my tale is as follows, brightspark here gets idea he wants a neg atmosphere loop so gets a Leakshield, cool. Gets said device and figures out that fittings are watertight but not air tight. New fittings all round. That worked, had a leak shielded loop for a few days but I was still experimenting and then the upgraded Ultitube reservoir arrived and I managed to half drop, half fling the Leakshield while taking it off the Aqualis reservoir. Delrin + wooden floor don't mix and basically it's fubarr'd. So put the Aqualis back together and redo loop but I'm missing all my extra stats and really missing the auto bleed capability of the Leakshield. Roll on a few days and I notice my temps are not to my usual standard so a couple of drains, flushes, reloops, rad swaps, pump swaps and I'm staring at the Cuplex so in a fit I go off and buy the TechN gear - nice kit for sure but more BMW 3 Series than Aquacomputer Merc S class if comparing cpu blocks. The gpu block is exceptionally competent, hot-spot hit 55C on a 3D mark run but it went no higher. Its a big black slab of a thing though, very much function over form. So I was running again but I had a nagging suspicion that the Cuplex was / is better than the TechN with the former I'd boost the 5.2+ on a cold morning but the latter I was getting a solid 5Ghz. Then about 4 weeks ago I started getting 'the last usb device attached has failed or failed recognise' - usual troubleshooting until I had nothing usb attached besides mouse and keyboard but still getting it - hmm, blew away drivers, bios, last Win 11 fixes but as I was busy at work concentrated more on the other machine. 3 weeks ago then it would give a display so I was humming and haa'ing over a Dark and at one stage an Extreme but ended up picking anoth 2nd hand in Cork for €200 (the sticker was still on the M.2 thermal pads) but my original has been as good as gold out on my bench after I put it in the airing cupboard for a week upside down and used a can of compressed air on it. So I have 3 boards, 3 CPUS (when I got the ACE, the bios wouldn't recognise the R9 so picked up a Ryzen APU to flash it), 3 cases and I've a few days off
Broken bits = Aquacomputer Leakshield and I cannot get the newly arrived Ultitube to seal (so let's say provisionally broken)
Repaired = Aquacomputer D5 Next pump (the controller part is glued to the bottom of pump + electronics, looks like the glue dried up and it came asunder. Aquacomputer support very good, sent through pics and diagrams on how to reassemble.
My Lian-Li Dynamic EVO arrived today
So my tale is as follows, brightspark here gets idea he wants a neg atmosphere loop so gets a Leakshield, cool. Gets said device and figures out that fittings are watertight but not air tight. New fittings all round. That worked, had a leak shielded loop for a few days but I was still experimenting and then the upgraded Ultitube reservoir arrived and I managed to half drop, half fling the Leakshield while taking it off the Aqualis reservoir. Delrin + wooden floor don't mix and basically it's fubarr'd. So put the Aqualis back together and redo loop but I'm missing all my extra stats and really missing the auto bleed capability of the Leakshield. Roll on a few days and I notice my temps are not to my usual standard so a couple of drains, flushes, reloops, rad swaps, pump swaps and I'm staring at the Cuplex so in a fit I go off and buy the TechN gear - nice kit for sure but more BMW 3 Series than Aquacomputer Merc S class if comparing cpu blocks. The gpu block is exceptionally competent, hot-spot hit 55C on a 3D mark run but it went no higher. Its a big black slab of a thing though, very much function over form. So I was running again but I had a nagging suspicion that the Cuplex was / is better than the TechN with the former I'd boost the 5.2+ on a cold morning but the latter I was getting a solid 5Ghz. Then about 4 weeks ago I started getting 'the last usb device attached has failed or failed recognise' - usual troubleshooting until I had nothing usb attached besides mouse and keyboard but still getting it - hmm, blew away drivers, bios, last Win 11 fixes but as I was busy at work concentrated more on the other machine. 3 weeks ago then it would give a display so I was humming and haa'ing over a Dark and at one stage an Extreme but ended up picking anoth 2nd hand in Cork for €200 (the sticker was still on the M.2 thermal pads) but my original has been as good as gold out on my bench after I put it in the airing cupboard for a week upside down and used a can of compressed air on it. So I have 3 boards, 3 CPUS (when I got the ACE, the bios wouldn't recognise the R9 so picked up a Ryzen APU to flash it), 3 cases and I've a few days off
CableMod by Robbie Corrigan, on Flickr
In the shadows of my computer by Robbie Corrigan, on Flickr
Bit of cooling by Robbie Corrigan, on FlickrThe leaky Ultitube was fixed with a new washer / gasket - used the replacement / new Leakshield to test by filling reservoir to halfway, ports blanked off and seeing if it would generate some negative pressure - saw something like 471 mbar so all good
So with a big pile of bits about the place I decided to finally put it all together like I'd planned to months ago..
Oops - I'm doing it again by Robbie Corrigan, on Flickr
Lian-Li 011D - Evo in Grey and in Reverse mode config
2 x Aquacomputer Radical 360/2 (Stainless Steel / Copper)
6 x Noctua 120mm Industrial 3000 PWM
Pump, Res and Vacuum by AquaComputer (D5 Next, Ultitube Pro 150 & Leakshield)
CPU Block by AquaComputer (cuplex kryos NEXT VARIO with VISION)
GPU Block by TechN (RX6800 Series Full Cover)
Intricate by Robbie Corrigan, on Flickr
Right, these f things! These are the most excruciatingly annoying things I have ever come across in IT. To mount the radiators, fans, pump, reservoir, etc you're going to have to plan in advance to be able to do everything on a horizontal level and even then the little f's will shift and move about.
The Rads themselves are nice quality if a bit fragile fin wise, really soft. You can ping out of alignment with a fingernail no problem.
Copper Duo by Robbie Corrigan, on Flickr
So in reverse mode, one by Rad in front, vertical with 3 fans pulling air in and pushing though. Pump, Res and Leakshield unit using the Aquacomputer 120 pump mount. 2nd rad is on the bottom with 3 fans pulling air in from floor. Pump - Vertical 360 - TechN (GPU) - Cuplex (CPU) - Bottom Rad to Reservoir
I still have the Aquaero in place, primarily to drive the fans but the D5 Next also has a 25W fan header so I might decommission that and tidy up some cable runs.
The TechN just works, very much function over form
Screenshot 2022-07-01 014420 by Robbie Corrigan, on Flickr
RGB stuff
Bling bling by Robbie Corrigan, on Flickr
All done until Zen 4 & RDNA3 arrives
So with a big pile of bits about the place I decided to finally put it all together like I'd planned to months ago..
Oops - I'm doing it again by Robbie Corrigan, on FlickrLian-Li 011D - Evo in Grey and in Reverse mode config
2 x Aquacomputer Radical 360/2 (Stainless Steel / Copper)
6 x Noctua 120mm Industrial 3000 PWM
Pump, Res and Vacuum by AquaComputer (D5 Next, Ultitube Pro 150 & Leakshield)
CPU Block by AquaComputer (cuplex kryos NEXT VARIO with VISION)
GPU Block by TechN (RX6800 Series Full Cover)
Intricate by Robbie Corrigan, on FlickrRight, these f things! These are the most excruciatingly annoying things I have ever come across in IT. To mount the radiators, fans, pump, reservoir, etc you're going to have to plan in advance to be able to do everything on a horizontal level and even then the little f's will shift and move about.
The Rads themselves are nice quality if a bit fragile fin wise, really soft. You can ping out of alignment with a fingernail no problem.
Copper Duo by Robbie Corrigan, on FlickrSo in reverse mode, one by Rad in front, vertical with 3 fans pulling air in and pushing though. Pump, Res and Leakshield unit using the Aquacomputer 120 pump mount. 2nd rad is on the bottom with 3 fans pulling air in from floor. Pump - Vertical 360 - TechN (GPU) - Cuplex (CPU) - Bottom Rad to Reservoir
I still have the Aquaero in place, primarily to drive the fans but the D5 Next also has a 25W fan header so I might decommission that and tidy up some cable runs.
The TechN just works, very much function over form
Screenshot 2022-07-01 014420 by Robbie Corrigan, on FlickrRGB stuff
Bling bling by Robbie Corrigan, on FlickrAll done until Zen 4 & RDNA3 arrives
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Bit of early morning tweaking and I've removed the Aquaero from Tuxedo - The D5 Next is now the core component of the AquaComputer cooling setup - It serves up Pump duties, Flow & Temp sensor data, a 25W fan header and finally it is the primary hub for all the RGBx stuff.
With Hazel's machine almost done, I'm feeling the urge to upgrade the Daddy PC 
Crosshair 670E (€650)
Ryzen 7950 X3D (€1100)
Radeon 7900XTX (€699)
64GB of fast DDR5 (€360 for GSkill Z5's 6000)
2 x 4TB NVMe Gen 4s (These are still silly money comparatively speaking)
Another Copper finned Airplex 360 on the top... It should fit..
Crosshair 670E (€650)
Ryzen 7950 X3D (€1100)
Radeon 7900XTX (€699)
64GB of fast DDR5 (€360 for GSkill Z5's 6000)
2 x 4TB NVMe Gen 4s (These are still silly money comparatively speaking)
Another Copper finned Airplex 360 on the top... It should fit..
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Had a chat with myself and have just gotten one of these so far
Screenshot 2023-04-22 170524 by Robbie Corrigan, on Flickr
Still think you don't really feel much of a difference over 1500MB/s but it'll do
Screenshot 2023-04-22 170524 by Robbie Corrigan, on FlickrStill think you don't really feel much of a difference over 1500MB/s but it'll do
Full stripdown and drain to happen this weekend. Fitting an updated mount to the Cuplex Next Vario to future proof for AM5 and shift the cooling centre like so:
AQ Cuplex Update by Robbie Corrigan, on Flickr
Also picked up a Hi Flow Next for flow and water quality monitoring
While that is happening, i'm taking the opportunity to redo the loop into something more efficient.
AQ Cuplex Update by Robbie Corrigan, on FlickrAlso picked up a Hi Flow Next for flow and water quality monitoring
While that is happening, i'm taking the opportunity to redo the loop into something more efficient.
Should have left well alone - Been having a complete mare!!
Pump made a funny sound when I popped off the controller - one of the plastic guides had broken off, no big deal but while I could power on the controller the pump wouldn't play. Being a tightarse I said ok, I'll replace the controller (all modular) so waited a week for that. Popped that on and powerup - Alarms about no pump speed... FFS! Full D5 Next ordered, another week.
Oh and the updated mount for the Cuplex won't work as the Asus has the CPU mount 90 degrees to the pic above so it won't have any affect.
Some messy pics of a Aqua Computer cuplex Next Vision Vario PVD
20230908_181815 by Robbie Corrigan, on Flickr
14-15 months of gunk.
20230908_181725 by Robbie Corrigan, on Flickr
20230908_181943 by Robbie Corrigan, on Flickr
New type on the left, original on the right.
20230908_182848 by Robbie Corrigan, on Flickr
20230908_181645 by Robbie Corrigan, on Flickr
Always amazes me how easily they get marked up. All it does it sit on a square piece of metal.
- Been having a complete mare!!Pump made a funny sound when I popped off the controller - one of the plastic guides had broken off, no big deal but while I could power on the controller the pump wouldn't play. Being a tightarse I said ok, I'll replace the controller (all modular) so waited a week for that. Popped that on and powerup - Alarms about no pump speed... FFS! Full D5 Next ordered, another week.
Oh and the updated mount for the Cuplex won't work as the Asus has the CPU mount 90 degrees to the pic above so it won't have any affect.
Some messy pics of a Aqua Computer cuplex Next Vision Vario PVD
20230908_181815 by Robbie Corrigan, on Flickr14-15 months of gunk.
20230908_181725 by Robbie Corrigan, on Flickr20230908_181943 by Robbie Corrigan, on FlickrNew type on the left, original on the right.
20230908_182848 by Robbie Corrigan, on Flickr20230908_181645 by Robbie Corrigan, on FlickrAlways amazes me how easily they get marked up. All it does it sit on a square piece of metal.
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Strip down next week. Incoming are the following:
Ryzen R9 9950X
Asus Crosshair X670e
GSkill TridentZ Neo 6000s 64GB
I have €400 offer for my current Cpu, MB, Ram combo which means the platform upgrade is costing circa €800 for 20%-25% uplift. If I was more gaming orientated I would have gone 7950X3D but this will also be running Linux and local AI workloads so Zen 5 is a better overall fit.
Ryzen R9 9950X
Asus Crosshair X670e
GSkill TridentZ Neo 6000s 64GB
I have €400 offer for my current Cpu, MB, Ram combo which means the platform upgrade is costing circa €800 for 20%-25% uplift. If I was more gaming orientated I would have gone 7950X3D but this will also be running Linux and local AI workloads so Zen 5 is a better overall fit.
I've had a couple of the Noctua's die on me but one was underneath the bottom rad so had left it. I'm going back to the Noiseblocker PL2s- tested 10 of them from previous Tuxedo builds that had been on the shelf and still ready to roll.
The orientation of the socket on the X670e allows me to use the AquaComputer adapter for the Cuplex to shift slightly for better positioning over the cores.
I'm also taking the opportunity to have a 3 way boot, current Windows build will migrate to Win 11 23H2, this roll be primary, then a 2nd will have it's own drive on 24H2 and I'm plumbing in my Optane with a Ubuntu / Clear OS setup.
I will throw on a fresh copy of Win11 23H2 and see whats what
Holding off the latest bios as hearing some reports of it not quite being ready for primetime.
Had a spare Nvme drive with Win 11 pre wipe
23h2 tweak by Robbie Corrigan, on Flickr
Holding off the latest bios as hearing some reports of it not quite being ready for primetime.
Had a spare Nvme drive with Win 11 pre wipe
23h2 tweak by Robbie Corrigan, on Flickr
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Added a Crucial T705 1TB to the build as the Crosshair has a dedicated card for something like that.
Update:
Aida reporting max drive read speeds of about 7600MB/s with 4MB Blocks, if I drop to 4KB then 380ish MB/s
Crystal Mark gives the 13600MB/s that make the headlines and drive the sales pitch.
20240919_161527 by Robbie Corrigan, on Flickr
Update:
Aida reporting max drive read speeds of about 7600MB/s with 4MB Blocks, if I drop to 4KB then 380ish MB/s
Crystal Mark gives the 13600MB/s that make the headlines and drive the sales pitch.
20240919_161527 by Robbie Corrigan, on Flickr
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Ran into a spot of bother. I stripped down the cpu block and put it all back together. Swapped motherboards from AM4 to AM5, piped it all up like so
20240918_144248 by Robbie Corrigan, on Flickr
Jumpered the psu to give it a little test and oooh
20240919_120827 by Robbie Corrigan, on Flickr
Leaky block = drenched VRMs and damp CPU
20240919_123318 by Robbie Corrigan, on Flickr
outer gasket seems to be my issue
20240919_125734 by Robbie Corrigan, on Flickr
More testing, better this time but still a leak
20240919_130045 by Robbie Corrigan, on Flickr
Board out, block off, gave it good shake, patted down with kitchen paper and then into my heat pump dryer for an hour. Went for a walk... Came back and did this (had another block handy)
20240920_225645 by Robbie Corrigan, on Flickr
Orientation is back to normal.. Dunno if I like but it is what it is - Noctuas out, Noiseblockers back in
20240919_161527 by Robbie Corrigan, on Flickr
U2 on AM5 by Robbie Corrigan, on Flickr
Loaded with 3 gen of storage
20240920_222444 by Robbie Corrigan, on Flickr
Maybe a quirk...
Dialling it in by Robbie Corrigan, on Flickr
20240918_144248 by Robbie Corrigan, on FlickrJumpered the psu to give it a little test and oooh
20240919_120827 by Robbie Corrigan, on FlickrLeaky block = drenched VRMs and damp CPU
20240919_123318 by Robbie Corrigan, on Flickrouter gasket seems to be my issue
20240919_125734 by Robbie Corrigan, on FlickrMore testing, better this time but still a leak
20240919_130045 by Robbie Corrigan, on FlickrBoard out, block off, gave it good shake, patted down with kitchen paper and then into my heat pump dryer for an hour. Went for a walk... Came back and did this (had another block handy)
20240920_225645 by Robbie Corrigan, on FlickrOrientation is back to normal.. Dunno if I like but it is what it is - Noctuas out, Noiseblockers back in
20240919_161527 by Robbie Corrigan, on FlickrU2 on AM5 by Robbie Corrigan, on FlickrLoaded with 3 gen of storage
20240920_222444 by Robbie Corrigan, on FlickrMaybe a quirk...
Dialling it in by Robbie Corrigan, on Flickr
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Have been unable to get a Leakshield worthy seal across the loop which I suspect is an older fitting used on the top rad so drain and rethink.
The Crucial T705 is going back, not feeling the performance uplift and it is very picky about platform stability as a whole, I'll get one of the new Samsung Gen 5's when they hit the market. I'm also going to add another 360mm rad and go push pull on the side, semi push pull on the top and I think I might be able to do the same on the new bottom rad. The X670 gets warm without air flowing over the lower part especially.
Arriving to the build will be an AC OCTO, an AC Ryzen surround and an AC reinforced backplate. The OCTO is easy enough to explain, it has 8 separate fan channels so I can divvy up front rad, back rad, under rad, top rad etc. It also has a stronger RGBx signal. I throw up some pics later
The Crucial T705 is going back, not feeling the performance uplift and it is very picky about platform stability as a whole, I'll get one of the new Samsung Gen 5's when they hit the market. I'm also going to add another 360mm rad and go push pull on the side, semi push pull on the top and I think I might be able to do the same on the new bottom rad. The X670 gets warm without air flowing over the lower part especially.
Arriving to the build will be an AC OCTO, an AC Ryzen surround and an AC reinforced backplate. The OCTO is easy enough to explain, it has 8 separate fan channels so I can divvy up front rad, back rad, under rad, top rad etc. It also has a stronger RGBx signal. I throw up some pics later
