[Build Log] The Define Project

[adi518]

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.

 

[adi518]

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

 

[adi518]

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.

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.

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?

 

[adi518]

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]

double post.

 

[adi518]

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.

 

[adi518]

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.

 

[adi518]

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]

New mobo:





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

 

[adi518]

Define R4.

Thanks for the compliment, however I hate my current camera and I seriously need to get a new one.

 

[adi518]

Took the stickers off the rams...

 

[adi518]

LC'd ofc. No need for those cages indeed. Get yourself a 2/3tb hdd, tuck it in the himuro and you're done storage-wise. Optical drives? Obsolete. If I ever need it, I just plug my slim, portable dvd-rw and I'm good to go.

 

[adi518]

You don't even need a dremel to set this up. The only power tool I used so far on the case, is my drill (to take out some rivets).

 

[adi518]

I added a 2nd 670 ftw today... from a friend's upcoming project, just for testing. The added power is quite insane.

 

[adi518]

"Old" FC-680 arrived from OCUK:



Beautiful, beautiful block!

Also great news, HWLabs is sending me a new radiator, this time a GTS 360.
I decided to ditch the original fan module and construct something totally independent. My current vision involves with 3x 1900rpm NB eLoop fans to be mounted on that rad.

 

[adi518]

Cleaned the io shield and boy it wasn't easy! One of the stickers was wrapped around the wifi module.. took me an hour to take it off haha.. used my tweezers.

 

[adi518]

After removing the sink covers and cleaning:

 

[adi518]

Assembled:



I still have to add caps for the chipset holes but it's pretty much done.

 

[adi518]

 

[adi518]

Looks great. What are you taking the photos against? (As in what background)

I have few bristol sheets for that.