[Build Log] The Define Project

adi518 · 1 Jan 2013 at 16:49

Hey guys, basically, I started this project back in October but the learning curve of what to buy and use took me a while and in fact, I will be assembling the case only in the coming weeks.

So without further due, lets go:

Taken apart anything that won't be used, hdd cages + rails & gromits.

My first interaction with sleeving was cleancut so I used that for the first sleeving tasks:

Black & grey cleancuts:

- mdpc yellow -

- mdpc b-magic -

Sleeved the FP with clean cut:

Gonna give the usb 3 wiring a special treatment which I like to call the "mdpc treatment", more on that later.

Sleeved some sata cables, some for practice and some for using in the actual build:

In black (mdpc):

And another one in B-magic sata:

And as an extra practice, these two short satas:

Sleeved one of my fans...not sleeving all of them yet, at least until I've given my finally decision on the fans I'll end up using.

Painting the i/o shield white is a must (all pci brackets are white):

* needs fixing + new picture coming soon.

Got me an acrylic piece that will cover the perforated floor of the R4:

After cutting it into size:

A'right, water cooling parts started to arrive:

Black Ice GTS 280... it's nice and everything but gonna need a replacement since it's slightly defected. :\

Good old' XSPC Raystorm:

Unboxed:

Swiftech "uber" 655, -B model with BP modkit & v2 top:

BP 80mm multi-z res (tube only):

Complete res, 250mm

I also got the upgrade kit so I'm covered in both tube size (I've got 80, 150 and 250) and both variations, either attached to the pump top or separated because all parts are interchangeable!

Close up shot:

BP res brackets for 140mm radiators:

Unboxed:

Close up shot:

Lian Li case feet (also got the wheels, not sure which I'm going to use yet):

Few tools I got especially for this project and future projects:

Automatic wire stripper:

MDPC crimper:

"Bonus" pictures:

MDPC samples:

MDPC rivets:

Audio cable I made for my iphone:

This log is also posted on various other forums. My nickname is the same on all forums so you can look them up if you want.

shahpor · 2 Jan 2013 at 15:51

Nice quality photos.

Project doesn't look bad either

adi518 · 2 Jan 2013 at 16:02

Oh.. I didn't realize the thread was finally approved. Hehe... I need to edit the first post a bit.

illuz · 2 Jan 2013 at 16:03

This looks like it will be good and clean. When do you think it will be finished?

T345 · 2 Jan 2013 at 16:43

Which camera is that?

iB CoMpL3XiTy · 2 Jan 2013 at 16:52

This is looking like a tidy build, looking forward to seeing more!

Tokin · 3 Jan 2013 at 22:48

Looking very clean mate

adi518 · 4 Jan 2013 at 04:40

Sorry guys, being new I'm restricted to posting with moderation so I can't keep up with your posts yet.

Edit: looks like I can finally post.

illuz said:
This looks like it will be good and clean. When do you think it will be finished?

My current deadline is end of February because I'm going back to Uni in March.

T345 said:
Which camera is that?

Very old Canon IXUS 700, actually it's half broken but it works.

Great news guys, my friend is staying over the weekend in London so I managed to make a sketchy order to his hotel. Luckily, everything goes smooth and DPD will delivery it to him today, as promised.

Ahh.. the stuff that I got:

2x FC-680, one goes to a friend's build:

I was looking for these blocks for AGES and I was really surprised when I found a live link to OCUK. I have no clue how they're still in-stock, I mean whenever someone (store/classifieds/ebay) is selling the old blocks, they get snatched on the spot. And.. it couldn't be better, the EN nickel version + plexi to show off the coolant.

And at the same day, I found on flee-bay a relatively new EK Supreme LTX, EN Nickel plexi that will absolutely match the FC-680, so I bought it as well. I think it really couldn't be a better day.

Nothing new about LTX, but here's the version I got:

All stock pictures I found are pretty crappy, will make it justice when it gets here.

Now I'm just contemplating which color I should go for Bitspower fittings. I was thinking at matte black at first but now silver might actually look nicer, any thoughts on that?

Appleby · 4 Jan 2013 at 14:22

Liking the look of this so far. Proper modding and some top quality components! Keep the pictures coming. Good move on the EK blocks for the 680, personally I really dislike the new circle designs.

RogerMesenseless · 4 Jan 2013 at 15:16

This is going to be awesome

Also, I'm guessing the sound dampening on the side panel of the case had to be removed, but how hard was it to take off?

adi518 · 4 Jan 2013 at 15:31

I actually didn't take it off. I'd want to preserve the case silent property. Why would I remove it?

Update: blocks were delivered earlier. Looks like everything is working as planned so far.

adi518 · 4 Jan 2013 at 15:33

double post.

Rooster212 · 4 Jan 2013 at 15:38

Your pictures are really great!

can't wait to see more progress on this build! I keep thinking i should do some sleeving of my front panel cables because there are so many, yours look awesome

adi518 · 4 Jan 2013 at 16:33

Rooster212 said:
Your pictures are really great! can't wait to see more progress on this build! I keep thinking i should do some sleeving of my front panel cables because there are so many, yours look awesome

Get yourself some cheap cleancut and get started.

RogerMesenseless · 4 Jan 2013 at 19:01

adi518 said:
I actually didn't take it off. I'd want to preserve the case silent property. Why would I remove it?

Update: blocks were delivered earlier. Looks like everything is working as planned so far.

I was thinking that you'd put a side window in it. You should show off all that gorgeous cable sleeving work!

adi518 · 4 Jan 2013 at 19:08

Oh...yes of course, but I have a better idea than making a window!

I'm gonna use smoked plexi to show it off.

Here's an example:

Few more pictures for you:

IO shield:

It needs a third a layer that will fix some current imperfections.

G.skill snipers:

Close up shot:

Those stickers must go I'm afraid.

Radiator mount:

Wire I'm going to use to make my custom cables for the Seasonic X:

* Some of the pics are "old" and going to be replaced with new ones soon.

RogerMesenseless · 4 Jan 2013 at 20:05

Ok, smoked Plexi is very nice! That Fractal Core 1000 look's really good

I might do the same with a Define Mini

adi518 · 5 Jan 2013 at 12:48

New friend has arrived in the mail and joined the party on Friday...

" Yo dawg, check out da sleeve ! "

Unfortunately, the chinese lack quality (as usual) and sent me a piece with a dented magnifier. :\

adi518 · 19 Jan 2013 at 21:49

New mobo:

And Ltx I got on the bay to match the fc-680:

Tattysnuc · 19 Jan 2013 at 21:58

I love your photographs - you're clearly in a completely different league to me. Nice build too - what is the case you are working with?