[Build Log] --->PROJECT:LAUNCH<---

[Kipz]

Final Glamour Shots

Image Gallery

Hi all,

Welcome to my first truly custom build log! This idea has long played on my mind and with the help from Justin at Parvum I can finally make the case that I needed a reality.

The build originally was centered around convection currents and having the airflow assist in heat rising out of the top of the case. After some thought I have moved onto a wind tunnel airflow design, still keeping the Launch name though!

Stay tuned because this wont be your grandmas Parvum build.

Components:
MOBO: Asus Maximus VI Hero
CPU: Intel 4670K
RAM: Corsair Dominator DDR3 2400Mhz 16Gb
GPU: Asus Strix 970
PSU: Coolermaster Real Power M850W
SSD: 2x Corsair Force GS
HDD: WD Caviar Black 640GB

Watercooling:
CPU Block: EK Ltx CSQ Nickel
GPU Block: EK CSQ DCII670 (Yeah it's the only CSQ block that fits the Strix)
Ram Blocks: EK Monarch CSQ Nickel
Radiators: 2x EK Coolstream PE 240mm
Pump: EK DCP 4.0
Res: EK x3 150
Fittings: EK HD Adapters 12/16mm
Tubing: EK HD Tubing 12/16mm
Coolant: Not sure. Clear or white.
Fans: Parvum F1.0

Other:
Lighting: Aquacomputer Farbwerk RGB Lighting!

Case:
Custom designed Parvum case! [final render]


[Build at 99% Completed]

Thanks all!

 

[Kipz]

[Small update]

I got a first render of the case this evening from Justin over at Parvum (Big Thanks!). The original idea was to have intakes at both the front and rear for rads and an exhaust in the roof. I've kind of been swayed a little from that Idea now given that Justin suggested a window in the roof too, which from looking at other builds, looks really nice IMO. So I'll settle for one big wind tunnel effect! This is still subject to change somewhat but I want to keep track of all the progress in the thread. Still, I don't want to explain every small bit of the build in a bid to keep some surprises for later. Anyway enjoy .

 

[Kipz]

nice looking render so far, looking forward to this build, being a parvum owner myself, id love to have a custom one made up, as still saving for a full custom loop, i may just give justin a bell.

Well my idea was to have a case to last a really long time with a water cooling setup that will allow me to upgrade and still have the cooling I need. I didn't want to stick with a single colour theme here too because then I can play around with the RGB lighting to suit. Justin has been really helpful in sorting the case out and I can't wait to get started on it.

 

[Kipz]

looking forward to pics of the case, ive tried a few drawings of case's but it might be better to get the parvum boys to design something for me, i just want the case a bit better to put rads in the top and bottom and to give me a bit more room all round for my loop, with a side inlay and side window as i want the board rotated so the gpu is pointing up and the io ports at the bottom, similar to your render , unless they bring out their atx case then may go down that route, or my switch to a hex gear r40 if they cant do it, as i know they are busy.

Don't want to be revealing too much here but this case is for an ATX board .

 

[Kipz]

Still with the boys over at Parvum. Hoping to hear back tomorrow since I asked for an update today.

 

[Kipz]

i keep checking for more pics.

Hehe, sorry .

Got an email back from them today saying it should be ready to cut and test build any day now so fingers crossed within the next two weeks I should have a case on my hands .

I'm actually debating doing a live-stream on twitch to build the case but not sure if anyone would actually be interested in that. Just thought it was something to be done. Maybe a time lapse would be a better option . Who knows lol. If there is any interest I don't mind at all.

 

[Kipz]

Haha cheeky bugger,

If that's the case you'll end up knowing more than me . You up for some recon missions? lol.

 

[Kipz]

I bet you cant wait to get started, i know i am, just want to start my new build, i hate it when they show a product and it dont come out for months after, wish Parvum could give me a phototype , although im undecided on the motherboard, was thinking Asus Sabertooth Z97 Mark S "Sabranco" but i also like asus gryphon and would paint the armor kit white if i keep matx.

I think I prefer the gryphon personally. I don't like the "snow camo" thing really. I had a jacket like that in high school and that was a traumatizing time lol

 

[Kipz]

[Small Update]

Due to afew problems unearthed with the 970 this week and the whole 3.5Gb VRAM debate I've decided to switch my 970 for a 980. Sexy nude pics to come as soon as it arrives , followed by dressed up in a waterblock.

lol

if i get the z97 gryphon at least i can get a z87 armor casing that will fit the z97, so as to save the new one, im still undecided with colour schemes at the mo but it might be pastel yellow-black , pastel purple-white, pastel blue-white.

Pastel purple sounds interesting.

 

[Kipz]

u managed to swap your 970, did hear something about the vram, they should give a free upgrade lol

Yeah, Essentially the 4GB of onboard VRAM is split up into 3.5Gb and 0.5Gb chunks, the 0.5Gb causes issues with stuttering once you go over 3.5Gb. Fine for 1080P but on larger 21:9 screens maybe not.

I prefer the waterblock on the 980 so much though because its a full cover for the card, not just a 3/4 card.

 

[Kipz]

oh really, i want a full block for mine, still waiting for the person to come back to me if he will accept my offer, i nearly thought of getting rid of the gtx780 and getting a gtx970, glad i didnt now, prob just get another gtx780 if i can find a decent one, going back to the water blocks the bitspower one looks really nice.

For all of the waterblocks I'm sticking with EK. I like the CSQ circle design and the frosted acrylic looks really nice lit up. Hopefully once I get the case I can show off the whole CSQ design that is for more than just the waterblocks.

 

[Kipz]

[Update]

Gave Justin and the Parvum guys the green light this afternoon to cut the case and get it moving on it's way from digital to physical. Here is a final render of the case! Super excited!

 

[Kipz]

looking forward to your build, what rads you gonna have.

Using the EK Coolstream PE 240 rads, they're taking forever to come in stock though.

 

[Kipz]

a couple dropped last week and I snapped them up
Sorry

There doesn't seem to be an ETA on them either . Are you sure you need them lol?

 

[Kipz]

[Small Update]

Got some goodies today so I thought I'd give a sneak peak as to whats going in the case.

I was looking at them, what sort of clearance have you got on the rear, does it resess into the floor, ie have you a false floor on the bottom of case, excuse me im prob gonna ask a lot of questions as im about to order a custom case of justin when i go down there for a chat.

There is a false floor in there yeah but the radiators stay within the top chamber if that makes sense. I told Justin i wanted to try and avoid the rads going through the floor as it might mess up the airflow which is a big thing for me with this case. I'm going to have all of the airflow with the rads in a sort of wind tunnel. other things I'm going to do will help airflow too but gonna save those for later.

 

[Kipz]

Looking good,
You know what you should do with that EK block?
Polish it
scroll a bit to the polishing

I've been following your busy bee build hehe. Fancy giving me those 240 EK rads? OcUK have a real shortage of them. Everyone but me seems to be able to get hold of them. Even though the CSQ design on a polished block does look really nice I'm sticking to the frosted look.

BUT!

I may just be "frosting" my tubing instead. Here's a quick test I did yesterday. I need to get a finer grit sandpaper but it bounces the light so much better than the clear tubing. Should look awesome with white coolant.

 

[Kipz]

your 'frosting' looks good, what grit's that?
I'd have tried a 200 for a similar look to the ek stuff

I have no idea to be honest. It was just a piece of sandpaper I had lying around so I thought I would give it a try and see how it looks. It says p120 on the back so I guess it's 120 grit. If it is then 200/250 would probably be the sweet spot.

 

[Kipz]

eeek
120's pretty brutal for plastic

tbh, I got a multi-pack from the rainforest which was fairly cheap, you might want to start high and work down.
like, 1000 or something.
I'll see if I have some spare, I might be able to chuck a few grits in an envelope and post you them

It definitely has left some marks like you can see on the picture but it hasn't taken too much off. I did try with some wet/dry sandpaper which is super high grit and all it did was polish it rather than frost it.

 

[Kipz]

When I first saw that pic I thought it was fractures in the pipe due to bending then read it properly to realise its frosting effect you are after, looks cool but I'm sure the pic doesn't do it justice.

Haha,

It looks much smoother in person but some of the scratches are more visible than others. Suppose that's what I get for using my phone to take pictures.

I think I'm going to end up frosting all of the tubing as well as the res .

 

[Kipz]

Hopefully all things going well I should have the case with me by the end of next week. Only problem now is getting hold of all of the gear I need because OcUK haven't had stock of the rads I want and wont for some time it seems. Kind of need everything to be here before I start my build or ill be without a computer for a while.

Cheers about the frosting. For hardline you do need special fittings. You cant use the regular compression fittings or barbs. They're the same price pretty much though. You just need the bending equipment like the silicon insert and a heat gun.