Antec 1200 - Build Log

KE1HA

KE1HA

KE1HA

Associate
Joined
3 Jul 2004
Posts
866
Location
Helena, Montana
The Rig will not only be for folding, but hitting a few benchmarks along the way (Hopefully :confused: )

All of the parts are in.

CORE SYSTEM COMPONENTS
CASE: Antec Twelve Hundred
MOB: Asus ROG Rampage Formula x48
CPU: Lapped to 10 Micron, Intel C2 Extreme QX9770
RAM: 4GB (2x 2GB) OCZ DDR2 PC2-9200 Reaper HPC Edition
PSU: Enermax 550. Chaged this, will explain why later.
GPU: BFG 8800 GTS 512 (Will be Changing to HD 3870 x2)
HDD: 2x 73GB Raptors 1x 1TB Maxtor (Thinking about SSD's for Boot / OS Drives, They're A Bit Costly Still)
OSS: Changed This. Running Vista 32 first, then Linux 64-Bit

COOLING
NOZZELS: All 1/2" (13mm) G1/4T Nickle-Plated Brass Compression
CPU: D-Tek FuZion V2 CPU Block with Fuzion Quad Core Insert
V-REG: 2x EK-MOSFET Asus 3a MOSFET (Acetal) with EK-MOSFET Asus 3a Backplate
NB: EK-NB S-MAX Acetal
SB: EK-NB/SB ASUS 4 Acetal
RADIATOR: Changed to Thermochill PA120.2. Took Mr Biffa's advise.
PUMP: Swiftech MCP655 with Speed Contoller
TANK: Alphacool Repack-cooling Slot-In Black with Blue LED Backlighting

CASE TWEEKS
.. Lian-Li Solid Aluminum Black Anodized Casters
.. Custom Backside Power Harness
.. Custom Backside Sensor & Comms Harness

UPDATE 14-JUN-08

Rampage Formula MB, as it is out of the box:
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IMG-1.jpg

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... Use a few hand tools, couple of pints and your in there:

NOTE: If you use Freeze Spray, and You Break It, dont Blame Me :p
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IMG-2.jpg

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... Walaaa, No more NB/SB Heatsinks. Ever wonder why your NB gets so warm, have a look at the compound job ASUS did. One thing I've been doing on every board I buy, is reworking the NB & SB even if I don't replace the stock heatsinks.
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IMG-3.jpg

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... and the board with the NB, SB and V-REG heatsinks removed:
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IMG-4.jpg

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... EK blocks installed, just for test fitting & plumming:
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IMG-6.jpg

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... Now for the CPU. This was a stressful experience. I'm using my Rampage Formula test rig to post this, with the lapped CPU, so all is well :D. I would have been really *issed-off to wreck a 1000.00 dollar processor.

I used a bit of foam, the processor backing plate and painters tape to seal off the backside and edges of the CPU while I was lapping it.

Sand Paper Used (g=Grit, m=Micron): 400g, 600g, 800g, 1000g, 40m, 25m, 20m, 15m and finally 10m.
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... Here it where it started from. Getting the CPU lettering in the pic was not an easy feat as it was written in a very light silver. I did the best I could with the antique digi cam that I have.
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See my posts later down the thread for further progress.
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If you can, I'd swap the radiator for a Thermochill PA120.2 its twice as efficient as the BlackIce or Swiftech radiators from the weeks of research I did, theres not much out there but what there is shows it requires half the pump pressure for the same performance of even its closest rivals and provides a much higher delta between air temp and water temp.
 
Totally agree with Biffa - Thermochill all the way for a high quality build (but expect to pay 50% more)
You also don't need a 1000w PSU - 600w is more than enough for SLI / Xfire
Enermax Modu82+ 625W - gets my vote due to low noise and high efficency
 
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The only problems with Thermochills is the fan hole positions are always different to 99% of other rads and cases so often require a bit of modifying of the location to get them firmly positioned/located. Oh also they are FAT compared to most other rads. :)
 
Biffa said:
... I'd swap the radiator for a Thermochill PA120.2 its twice as efficient as the BlackIce or Swiftech radiators ...
Click to expand...

Thanks Mr. Biffa. The RAD isn't new, I'm re-using it as well as the Pump. I'm not completely happy with the cooling set up as of yet. I may end uf going with three smaller tanks / pumps and loops, one for each section, CPU / NB/SB and V-REG / Misc. Good input on the specs, I'd not taken a close look at them for Thermochill.

shadowscotland said:
You also don't need a 1000w PSU - 600w is more than enough for SLI / Xfire Enermax Modu82+ 625W - gets my vote due to low noise and high efficency
Click to expand...

Good Input Mr.Shadowscotland, however, there is motive behind my madness.

Agreed, 1000W PSU is definately overkill for a Non-Quad SLI type system. I have an Enermax Galaxey 850 in my X6800 rig. If I dont need the additional 12V rail (A), then I'll will probably swap it out, as I like Enermax better than Antec.

However, if I can't get the clocks where I want them or the Temps are not where I'm comfortable with, the next step is to add a 437 Watt Peltier (TEC) to the CPU, which will definately need the additional amperage as they pull about 35 to 40 amps at 12V to 15V operation.

[EDIT] .. I really dont want to go into Phase Cooling, but will do if the Pelt backup plan fails.[/EDIT]
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I wouldn't think you need a pelt, you will more likely need an extra rad, either a 120.1 or 120.2 for cooling the north/southbridge which is most likely where you are going to get head issues.

At the speeds you are talking about its not going to be silent whatever you decide to use :) I'd still lean towards getting rid of the rad you have and putting the the £'s you get for it towards a PA120.2 or even a PA120.3 then make sure its got a nice source of fresh air and see how you go.

OR! Keep the blackice for cooling the chipsets and get a 120.2 or 3 for the CPU :) That would be ideal

I know that the last data I looked at put a 120.2 as a better radiator than most 3fan rads from other companies. That said a lot for me.

But needs must, good luck with the project, I'm not trying to get on your back about Thermochill but I know how much work goes into testing these setups. On the one hand it would be great to see how far you get on the Blackice, then swap it out for a PA range and see what you get on that its your time :)
 
Biffa said:
..... 120.1 or 120.2 for cooling the north/southbridge which is most likely where you are going to get head issues.
Click to expand...

That's a good Idea as well. That's why I was thinking about isolating the V-REG NB/SB from the CPU.

Biffa said:
... OR! Keep the blackice for cooling the chipsets and get a 120.2 or 3 for the CPU :) That would be ideal
Click to expand...

Space may be a concern for a 2nd dual core, but there's plenty of room for a single core.

Biffa said:
... On the one hand it would be great to see how far you get on the Blackice, then swap it out for a PA range and see what you get on that its your time :)
Click to expand...

I value the input Mr. Biffa, and from anyone who's done their homework. We have to bare in mind, this is a WIP (Work In Progress) project, so any improvement / suggestions are more than welcome.
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Just a Quick Update:

Had several packages arrive this week: MB, V-REG Blocks, Cleaning Junk, NB / SB Blocks and a few other assorted bit's & bob's. Still need a good bit yet.

Am seriously considering changing the whole H2O cooling structure and going with a 2x Tank / Pump combination + Mr. Biffa's suggestion about RAD's.

When all the parts are in, will start posing the Pic's.
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Continued from My First Post

Ok .. After about 30 to 40 stressfull minutes of lapping, wondering if Im killing the thing, here's the results. Could have done a better job of cleaning the edges before I took the picture :) You can see by the edges, the IHS was certainly not flat, as there is still a bit of knickle remaining, but I was a bit twitchy about taking it down any further. You can't see it in the picture very well, but the extreme edges are beveled about 1 mil on all four sides.
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... and here's where things are today:
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... and yes, before you ask, the CPU is still alive and kicking :D .. I bumped up the FSB, left everthing else stock and was well impressed. My test rig is on marginal air. Looks promising to hit 4G's easily.
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... here's my Rampage Test rig. Looks a bit ratty, but it's real easy to work on. This board would have been my primary rampage board but I broke one of the SATA connectors, so I have a nice testing board now :D
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I'll be moving onto the case next. Which is also giving me a bit of stress, as I want the Cooler integrated inside the box, but that may prove to be a bit of a challange. One has to question the wisdom of those putting themself through such stressfull events. I guess it will pay off in the long run :D
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Most heatsinks and CPUs have imperfections caused by materials or machining (or, sometimes, poor quality control) in the contact surfaces. Thermal compound can help but can't work miracles if the surfaces aren't near flat. To rectify this, sandpaper can be used (with extreme care) to buff out the imperfections to a flat and near mirror-like surface, giving a much better thermal interface.

The heatsink on one of my old systems was so bad that the system simply overheated under prolonged load. It took 28 hours effort to lap it sufficiently to get sensible (though still high due to the system design) temperatures.
 
Haha you spend hours being carful with sandpaper but it didnt matter because you put the cpu on a towel anyway
 
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