Project:- Liquid Skeleton

G-Dubs · 6 Aug 2010 at 15:40

I've been a huge fan of this case since it first came out, and have modded a few in the last year or so.

I was origianlly going to carry this project on as an extension of my previous thread

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18059119

But have decided that as it is essentially a whole new project I would start a new thread. (aside from the fact I might actually use a fresh Skeleton, haven't decided yet)

So the other mods, incase you missed em.

Having completed these two mods I decided I wanted to see what could be done with Water cooling.

With regards to installing the kit, unlike other cases there is no well trodden path (Pump goes down here, res over there. pump up there etc)

So a bit of a challenge, but also a blank canvas to work with.

Most parts have been ordered and have arrived, so should be able to get underway fairly soon.

So to the goodies.

Going to be using the Phobya G-Changer 360mm Radiator Rev 1.2 as my Rad Got a few ideas of how to mount this monster of a Rad. In hind sight maybe should have gone for a 240 but hey size matters right guys!!!

Watercool HeatKiller CPU Water Block LGA1366 Rev. 3 Copper

Swiftech MCP355 Laing DDC-Pump 12V DDC-1Plus 18W Ultra

EK-DDC X-RES 140

Primochill PrimoFlex Pro LRT Clear Tubing

Scythe Gentle Typhoon 120mm Case Fan - 1850 RPMx3

A few more bits and bobs to come, But i've got enough toys here to be going on with.

OCD-OC · 6 Aug 2010 at 15:56

DAYAMN thats purrty !

Subbed and just so darn excited to see how this pans out !

not like that other USS Bad boi ! tease build

Go all Steam punk on it ... all burnished copper and weird knobs and bits sticking out

Like the doctors TARDIS !

Amezzing !

G-Dubs · 7 Aug 2010 at 13:24

Need abit of advice re tubing

having originally got 1/2 ID 3/4 OD, cos i likes the chunkyness and high flow ratesi'm now not convined its not too big. i think i can make the curves i neef to through use of angled fittings.

would i be better going to something a bit smaller and if so would i really be able to make much tighter curves and would i lose much flow

OCD-OC · 7 Aug 2010 at 13:53

3/8 ID 1/2 OD on mine and there is a definate difference in quality tubes

i.e the blue in mine is all kinky if I try to bend it hard..

I'll let the innuendo settle.

the white TFC and the Silver TFC tubing was a lot harder and easier to stick it where I wanted it without kinki-ness ..

okay okay .. post = fail .. hope you get my point

no need to go super thick toobs, just good quality

I'm sure the guys in a shop will let you feel their toobs before you give them ur money ..

still wrong .. darn

JamesTuc · 7 Aug 2010 at 14:03

Wow, love your previous two mods, lot to live up to

G-Dubs · 7 Aug 2010 at 15:12

OCD-OC

I live in quite a rural area so unlike a big city, not too many places I can go to feel toobs

i'd have to look at toobs on line (probably best not at work!!!!) and then work out which ones i think id like the feel of and....

ask for them to slip me a length......

fnnnnnaaaaaaaaarrrrr

seriuosly though who's good and who's bad. i think your saying the thinner stff kinks easily, but then if its thinner does it bend more easily also (stop it now)

Tealc · 7 Aug 2010 at 18:02

Looking forward to this, subbed.

OCD-OC · 8 Aug 2010 at 13:31

lolz, srop me an email and when you decide what fittings n stuff ..tell me.

I'll nip into Manchester from work and into a competitor for a chat,

while I'm there I can examine the merchandise and you can choose which pipework you prefer

G-Dubs · 8 Aug 2010 at 19:08

Cheers mate e-mail in trust.

What did you use in yours?

Currently struggling with the urge to do the GPU while i'm at it. only thing stopping me is thinking how long until I get a new GPU and therefore need another block.

Neloz · 8 Aug 2010 at 22:15

Scanning over the pictures, my first thought was....Robot Wars!?

G-Dubs · 8 Aug 2010 at 23:13

Did a bit of a test assembly of the pump tonight just to see how it will look and start to get an idea of how it will all go together (still unsure) I will be taking all apart again to braid wires etc.

The pump: Swiftech MCP355 Laing DDC-Pump 12V DDC-1Plus 18W Ultra

Didn't realise the base of the pump was secured with these.

How annoyed would I have been if I didn't happen to have the right drive head to fit. I'm not sure what it's called and it took me 1/2 an hour in the garage and a lot of swearing to find it (remember boys swearing is bad).

Anyway 30 mins and a few choice words later

And finally attached to the res

The instructions are kind of amusing as they tell you to use "gentle force" to tighten the bolts. What the heck is gentle force??? It's either forceful or its gentle!!! How can it be both???

OK rant over on with business.

Got myself a rather nice machined pump mounting plate. It's made by Phobya and will accept pretty much any pump you care to bolt to it. Comes with all the nuts and bolts you could ever need and a shock absorbing velcro mat to put underneath. The plate itself is made from a single piece of fairly thick steel and has that nice quality machined feel about it. (i'm a bit of a sucker for a nice machined billet of steel).

And finally the Radiator. The Phobya G-Changer 360 v1.2

Bit of a beast, totally dwarfs my keyboard. Still, should do a good job of keeping the temps down.

Haven't totally decided where and how i'm going to position it and the res/pump. Open to suggestions. I'll get some pics of a few options together and see what you think

wakayoda · 9 Aug 2010 at 00:31

Could you mount it on the side of the case, many reviewers have said hard drives can be hung off there... never seen anyone do it with their own PC though.

G-Dubs · 11 Aug 2010 at 17:26

Sorry for the delay in updates.

Anyway i've now pretty much worked out where everything is going and although I still don't have the all important fittings i've not let that stopp me cracking on with things.

£ scythe gentle typhoons will be used to move air over the RAD. They're going to be painted up in keeping with the theme of the Black and yellow Skeleton Mod as this is my everyday PC.

What i need now is a bit of help deciding on the colour scheme for the fans.

When I did the original build I did the fan blades silver with a black inner cowling and a yellow frame

Like this

However I'm thinking this might look a little busy so have quickly sprayed up an old fan to show another idea i'm thinking of.

What do you think guys. I'm thinking the silver one might look a little too busy. haven't sprayed the actual fans up yet so not a problem either way.

I'd appreciate your thoughts.

DotA · 11 Aug 2010 at 17:34

I like the look of the the yellow fan on the left, its simple yet elegant.

Jayster · 11 Aug 2010 at 17:38

I think the yellow one looks a lot better.

G-Dubs · 11 Aug 2010 at 18:35

cheers guys. I'll be using the typhoons so diferent looking blades. Still think the yellow will be ok?

Tealc · 11 Aug 2010 at 19:14

I prefer the chrome but feel the yellow fits your current mod colouring better. How reflective is the chrome paint when it's spinning? Maybe some yellow LEDs on the GTs chrome surface would be spectacular.

Do you think I'm a little obsessed with LEDs?

madindehead · 11 Aug 2010 at 20:24

This is look very nice! I like where you have mounted the triple rad! Keep up the good work

G-Dubs · 11 Aug 2010 at 20:50

Cheers guys

Just finished puting base coats on, i've gone for yellow blades and matt black cowling.

Tealc, Love the new sig. And yes, you're obsessed, but in a good way.

G-Dubs · 12 Aug 2010 at 13:45

Bit of an update.

Painting is going well, although the pictures don't do the yellow justice in all of them. It's quite a vivid "warning" yellow, but in some it looks more like a rather pretty Buttercup.

I've given up hope of finding yellow tubing and think yellow dye in clear might look a little like pee, so have decised to go for black instead, most likely with yellow anti kink.

first top coats of both surfaces of fans. of rear of fans

Been busy in the garage this afternoon. With the drying fans safely out of the way i've set about fabricating part of the bracket that will support the res.

It's essentially 90 degree angle steel although as it's not very strong i've bonded 2 together. when set I will re drill new holes in the places I need them.

Ceiling mounted Dremel I set up for my last project (carboot). I have a feeling I'll be playing with this at some point. Try to contain yourself OCD-OC, I realise this must look like dremel pron to you.