Project: Majestic (Air540)

Adam182 · 7 Nov 2013 at 12:45

Hey everyone just thought i would start a build log for my new rig.

Its going to be my first Custom/Watercooled/Overclocked rig so ill be going into unknown territory in many areas.

The rig itself is going to be a joint Gaming/CG workstation.

The colour scheme will be the Standard Case exterior with either White/Vanilla or White/Orange Interior.

I'm still in the planning phase but heres the spec so far...

Hardware

CPU: Intel I7 4770k (Slightly OC'ed maybe 4.3 - 4.5) (received)
Motherboard: Asus z87 GRYPHON + ARMOUR (received)
Mem: 16GB Dominator Platinum (received)
GPU: Nvidia GTX 780Ti (received)
Case: Corsair Carbide Air 540 (received)
SSD: Samsung 840 Evo 240GB (received)
SSD: Samsung 840 Pro 120GB (owned)
HDD: WD 1TB (owned)
PSU: Corsair RM750 (received)

Cooling

Fan: 7 x Noiseblocker e-loop B12-3 (received)
CPU Block: EK Supremacy Nickel Clean CSQ (received)
GPU: EK-FC780ti (received)
Backplate: EK-FC780ti (received)
Rad: XSPC AX360 White (received)
Rad: XSPC AX240 White (received)
Reservoir: XSPC Photon 170 (received)
Pump: D5 Vario (received)
Pump top: EK-D5 X-TOP Plexi (received)
Tubing: E22 10/12mm hard tubing (received)
Fittings: Bitspower Shiny Silver Fittings (received)
Coolant: Mayhems Ice Dragon Nano
Paste: Gelid GC-Extreme (received)
Delid Paste: Coollaboratory Liquid Ultra (received)

Extras

White Acrylic Sheet (received)
White Plasti-Dip (received)
White Connectors (received)
MDPC White/Vanilla Sands (received)
E22 Cable combs (received)

Any comments/suggestions along the way are very welcome and totally appreciated, Thanks - Adam

*Updated 31/01/2014*

Adam182 · 7 Nov 2013 at 12:47

Heres my idea for the build so far...

Roady · 7 Nov 2013 at 12:56

Love that sketch! Build & colours sound great.

Very interested in the White Plasti-Dip as I've thought about using some myself on a 7950 backplate... Have you used it before?

hakank68 · 7 Nov 2013 at 13:16

was that done using Sketchup ?

Adam182 · 7 Nov 2013 at 14:31

Roady said:
Very interested in the White Plasti-Dip as I've thought about using some myself on a 7950 backplate... Have you used it before?

I havn't used Plastidip before mate but i've noticed a few others have. Ill be dipping the GPU backplate, Res and Mobo Armor (if i get the Sabretooth). The reason I'm using it over normal paint is because its easily removed if i change my mind. I think one can at around £16 will suffice so theres not much to lose either way.

hakank68 said:
was that done using Sketchup ?

Yeah, i got the (pretty darn accurate) 540 model from a guy called pcfoo on another forum and just downloaded the free sketchup version. Ive never used the program before but it wasn't too hard to figure out the basics.

hakank68 · 7 Nov 2013 at 16:22

Adam182 said:
I havn't used Plastidip before mate but i've noticed a few others have. Ill be dipping the GPU backplate, Res and Mobo Armor (if i get the Sabretooth). The reason I'm using it over normal paint is because its easily removed if i change my mind. I think one can at around £16 will suffice so theres not much to lose either way.

Yeah, i got the (pretty darn accurate) 540 model from a guy called pcfoo on another forum and just downloaded the free sketchup version. Ive never used the program before but it wasn't too hard to figure out the basics.

thats great for someone who has never used the program before.

im having a 540 build soon with only the cpu cooled and i have no idea how to do a drawing like that

GreasyDiablo88 · 11 Nov 2013 at 20:05

From your design sketch it looks like it's going to be a great build. Looking forward to seeing the finished product!

Adam182 · 15 Nov 2013 at 23:17

Quick update, as I've still got a few weeks before I order everything I decided to measure for the perspex panels and created some templates. I also made up a rad to scale and XSPC res to make sure everythings going to fit.

As of now ive decided to go for the z87 GRYPHON mobo with Armour. As always with a full size mobo I would just have a bunch of empty slots and I want this build to be as clean as possible. I also don't think ill lose any performance over the larger Sabretooth board.

I've also decided on NB eloop B12-3 fans all around, i think maybe the GTs offer slightly better performance but I'm willing to sacrifice a little for the look of the eloops.

I'm also toying with the idea of getting a 780GTX Ti aswell, can get one a good £150 cheaper over in the US.

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated, Thanks - Adam

Bart_Hunt · 16 Nov 2013 at 00:25

You might consider Akasa Apache PWM fans as well.
They are cheaper than other 2 and really good.
I have 2 on my 240 rad, cooling a 4770k, both run at 850 rpm and are barely audible.

Avenged7Fold · 16 Nov 2013 at 00:36

Will follow this build eagerly! Have my Reservoir mounted in my 540 similarly, good placement as it is out of the way of wiring, GPUs, Fans and Radiators.

I especially like your reservoir, I use a EK reservoir but have considered switching over to a cereal box based reservoir, as they stain less and are easier to clean/replace. How is your 'Shreddies' tube reservoir working for you?

Adam182 · 16 Nov 2013 at 10:46

Bart_Hunt said:
You might consider Akasa Apache PWM fans as well.
They are cheaper than other 2 and really good.

Thanks Bart i'll definitely check those out! great info.

Avenged7Fold said:
Will follow this build eagerly! Have my Reservoir mounted in my 540 similarly, good placement as it is out of the way of wiring, GPUs, Fans and Radiators.

I especially like your reservoir, I use a EK reservoir but have considered switching over to a cereal box based reservoir, as they stain less and are easier to clean/replace. How is your 'Shreddies' tube reservoir working for you?

Yeah the XSPC res is 75mm wide so having it here is going to be extremely tight, were talking mm so i may have to move it somewhere else or choose a different res. I actually have a few other layouts that might work if i do go for the mATX board.

Well spotted!, for now the Shreddies res is fine as it can be shaped by hand and fits in pretty snug, havn't tried filling it yet though as i ran out of semi-skimmed. Originally I planned to go for a Crunchy Nut version but the bag was far too full...

Thanks guys much appreciated, ill apologize in advance about the time it will actually take to finish this build as i wont be back in the UK to actually fit the final components until December 30th but ill keep this thread updated as much as possible with my ideas and progress - Adam

Avenged7Fold · 16 Nov 2013 at 15:41

The EK reservoirs are 60mm diameter and fit in with enough space to remove it and insert it, without having to touch the graphics card. My build sports a 250mm long one but if you use a 150mm long reservoir, you probably will be able to fit the exhaust fan above it.

Adam182 · 16 Nov 2013 at 16:59

Avenged7Fold said:
The EK reservoirs are 60mm diameter and fit in with enough space to remove it and insert it, without having to touch the graphics card. My build sports a 250mm long one but if you use a 150mm long reservoir, you probably will be able to fit the exhaust fan above it.

Thanks for the confirmation that the EK will definatly fit! yours looks huge!, I've just had another play around in Sketchup and come up with this layout, i quite like it! I realised if i get the 780Ti it might have the extra pokey outey bit on the waterblock and i very much doubt my res would fit where it was planned to before....

Avenged7Fold · 16 Nov 2013 at 17:49

I wanted to place it there at first, or closer to the window. I had difficulties doing it because a full size ATX only has about an inch of clearance from the base of the case and so i had to move it to help me manage the wires.

Adam182 · 16 Nov 2013 at 19:57

Avenged7Fold said:
I wanted to place it there at first, or closer to the window. I had difficulties doing it because a full size ATX only has about an inch of clearance from the base of the case and so i had to move it to help me manage the wires.

Yeah that was my reason for not trying it there in the first place, i wasn't really aware of different sized motherboards until recently and my original sketch had a full size mobo. If i go for this ill grind out the lower unused case slots for a bit more room aswell - Adam

Adam182 · 18 Nov 2013 at 00:58

Another update, managed to get my hands on a dremel and a jigsaw today so i got stuck into some light case modding. First I cut out the bottom 4 card slots as they wont be needed then i got around to marking up and cutting the rear perspex panel. As this is my first case mod/custom build its comforting to now know i can cut in a straight line! Still need to cut out the area for the mobo but im chuffed to bits hows its turned out even though its not much at this time! - Adam

4737Joker · 18 Nov 2013 at 13:25

Looking good so far, i'll be keeping my eye on it to get some inspiration for my air 54 build

CharlieRich · 18 Nov 2013 at 13:29

Dem specs phwoarrr

Roady · 18 Nov 2013 at 13:54

Adam182 said:

Unsure if it was intentional or not... But no space for PSU in your pics there with the top rad and CPU tubes?!

Adam182 · 18 Nov 2013 at 14:08

Thanks for the positive comments guys

Roady said:
Unsure if it was intentional or not... But no space for PSU in your pics there with the top rad and CPU tubes?!

Its the Air 540 case so the PSU will be in the opposite side compartment directly behind the res in the bottom left corner, any tubing will be manouvered around it

- Adam