Downsizing from TT Core X9 to the O11D XL + EK Front Distro plate

[OC2000]

2 years ago I built a high end system using the Thermal take Core X9. It has since been upgraded and has the current specs.

Monitor: Asus ROG Swift PG27UK 4k HDR 144 Hz
Case: TT Core X9
CPU: AMD 3950X
Motherboard: Gigabyte Aorus Xtreme X570
Ram: 32 GB Trident RGB 4133 Mhz
GFX: Gigabyte Aorus 2080TI Extreme Waterforce WB
HDD Primary: 1x 2TB Patriot VIPER VPN4100
HDD Storage: 2x 1TB Samsung EVO 960 Nvme
PSU: Corsair AX1500i
PSU Custom Cabling

Cooling:

Aquaero 6 XT
10x 120mm NZXT RGB AER
4x 140mm NZXT RGB AER
2x NZXT Hue+ Controllers
1x NZXT USB Header extension
3x Splitty7 for fans
1x Splitty7 for Aquabus

Watercooling:

Pump - 2x Aquacomputer D5 w/ EK Dual Serial top
Reservoir - Aqualis 440 XT
1x HW Labs SR2 480 - Radiator
2x HW Labs SR2 360 - Radiators
Flow - Aquacomputer Hi Flow (old model)
16/11 Fittings - Thermaltake Pacific for Hard tubing
16/11 2x RGB TT Pacific fittings for hard tubing
TT PETG - Pacific Tubing
EK Velocity AMD Plexi Waterblock

The full project log can be found here prior to the recent upgrades
https://www.overclockers.co.uk/forums/threads/project-was-supposed-to-be-a-budget-build.18774630/

The current build

Next post will be detailing out my new build design

 

[OC2000]

My new build will be looking at downsizing to a Lian Li O11 Dynamic XL using Corsair ICUE to monitor the system instead of Aqua Computer.
My last system required so many different monitoring software packages, it was a nightmare to sync it all, i.e.
NZXT for fans
ICUE for the AX1500i
Gigabyte for Fusion
Aqua Computer for the water-cooling

The new setup will be using:

iCUE for system monitoring and Fan control / RGB
Asus Aura for the ARGB devices.

Sytem Specs

Monitor: Asus ROG Swift PG27UK 4k HDR 144 Hz
Case: Lian Li O11 Dynamic XL
CPU: AMD 5950X
Motherboard: Asus Crosshair Viii Dark Hero with EK Monoblock
Ram: 32 GB Trident Neo RGB 3800 CL14-16-16-16-36 - 16GB x 2
GFX: Asus Strix 3090 OC
HDD Primary: 1TB Samsung 980 Pro
HDD Storage: 2TB Patriot VIPER VPN4100
HDD Storage 2: Samsung 850 SSD
PSU: Corsair AX1500i
PSU Custom Cabling

Cooling:

Corsair Commander
10x 120mm Corsair ICUE QL120
2x Active Splitty7 for fans
2x Corsair Lighting Nodes

Watercooling:

Pump / Reservoir - EK O11D XL Front Distro Plate
1x HW Labs SR2 360 - Radiator - Bottom
1x Corsair XR5 360 Radiator - Top
Flow - BarrowCH OLED Flow Meter
Inline Temp - BarrowCH OLED Heat Sensor
EK Strix 3090 Waterblock / Backplate (with Custom 12 W/mk thermal pads) This is being changed to the Aqua Computer Kryogaming Strix with active back plate due to coil wine.
MP5works Backplate water block

Fittings
Phanteks 16mm Hardline in black satin
Normal = 14 normal
90 degrees Rotary x 6
Inline 90 degrees x 4
45 degree rotary x 2
45 degree inline = 2
Male to male x 1
T Splitter x 1


EK Fittings
2cm Spacer x 4
0.7cm spacer x 2
1.4cm spacer x 2

Edit: Everything is either here or ordered.

Just the Ryzen 5950X and Phanteks Ball Valve are left to order when in stock

More to come

 

[OC2000]

I’m also doing a build from the air to the xl same distro plate but with a d5 next installed dam thing is a beast

Loving the extra space the xl offers over the air

what liquid u thinking of using? Gone for mystic fog as it’s UV and D-RGB reactive

going to use temp probe blank fitted to distro to control rad fans via motherboard. Side intakes via d5 next

still can’t decide if I want to mount G card vertical or horizontal

My previous build, I used plain old Distilled water. I'll definitely be going with coolant this time round though. Quite liking the look of the EK Mystic Fog. I may give that a go.

I won't be going vertical mount as I have a Sound Blaster AE-9 going in there too.

 

[OC2000]

A small update from my first delivery. While I can't do too much right now until the 3090 arrives, I have started to put to gather the basics to help with the planning.

Here is the Fan controlling devices. 2x Active Splitty to group the exhaust and intake fans. 2 x Lighting Node to control the RGB. And the Commander Pro to manage it all.

I have decided to do 3 intakes on the side, with both Rads and the fan on the back as exhaust.

 

[OC2000]

@OC2000 forgot I Also have a Creative to fit so vertical out for me too.

you might want to raise up the intakes thinking the bottom fan will be dead zoned due to bottom rad and fan.

you got any idea what to do with the second set of USB ports plug base of XL? Board I have ordered only got one usb socket for that plug

I’ll check out if the fans can be raised some once I have the top radiator put in.

for the USB it’s 3.0 my motherboard has 2x 3.0 1x 3.1 and 1x USB 2 which will connect to my NZXT 4 or 5 USB 2 splitter.

 

[OC2000]

Hasn't ICUE been fingered as the source of many problems?

I haven’t read anything about that yet, but Aqua computer software, while technically great, drives me nuts with all the firmware updates and several of my devices constantly losing connection. ICue seems a lot simpler at the cost of less features which I’m fine with.

 

[OC2000]

I’ve just switched back to Aquasuite from icue as had a couple of CP fail but also had an Octo fail yesterday luckily have an AE 6XT lying around

I went with 2 Aquacomputer Active Splitty fan controllers to manage the fan grouping. Ill use one for the exhaust and the other for the intake, which will take up two CP fan headers. The other Fan headers will control the Flow RPM, power the Inline Temp gauge and control the pump RPM on channel 6. For RGB control, Ill use 2 Lighting Nodes which will connect into two of the CP USB headers. Ill use the 4 temp headers the CP has to read the inline water, ambient temp and the GPU backplate. The Commander pro, PSU and any other USB2 device will then plug into the NZXT USB splitter which will connect to the Motherboard. I think that all makes sense lol. Hopefully this will all work and be stable.

 

[OC2000]

did you consider going with aquaero? much more possibilities than any motherboard will give you

no I didn’t consider it this time as I’ve been using Aquaero for the last 12 years and want to move away from it as I’d still need ICUE for the RGB and PSU so may aswell have it control everything.

 

[OC2000]

Looks like I won't be able to complete this build until the end of Nov due to EK water block delays. Annoying as My Asus Strix 3090 has just been shipped as well!

Ill still be able to test the 3090 and 5950X in my old system though. Just annoying how release dates these days are all paper launches.

 

[OC2000]

@OC2000 forgot I Also have a Creative to fit so vertical out for me too.

you might want to raise up the intakes thinking the bottom fan will be dead zoned due to bottom rad and fan.

you got any idea what to do with the second set of USB ports plug base of XL? Board I have ordered only got one usb socket for that plug

Raised it as much as I could as the Distro Plate also uses the fan holes for securing

 

[OC2000]

Heres a couple of pics. One of the Flow and in line temp which will be secured to the GPU Inlet Tube.

And the other of the T-Junction which will be connected to the GPU outlet tube for the MP5works. I've added a ball valve on to test back plate temps.

 

[OC2000]

Today after using Mayhem's blitz part one on the Rad, I tested it out in the case with the fittings and tubing. 2cm spacer +0.7 cm spacer lined it up nicely to the Distro plate.

And the MP5Works has just arrived. Shame Ill have to wait for EK to release they heavily delayed water block!

 

[OC2000]

With the Asus Strix 3090 on the way, ill be removing the GPU and extra Rads from the old system in preparation for its arrival either later today or tomorrow. Ill then be able to measure up the bottom Rad and make sure the MP5works tubing is long enough to route behind the case to the bottom rad port.

 

[OC2000]

Ah how come you didn't get the flow and temp combo unit from Bykski instead? I looked at these but found the Bykski one instead which does both and saves a lot of room. Good build so far mate, looking good! Let us know how you get on with the MP5 back block, be interesting to see how you plumb this in as its recommended to do it in parallel.

I saw yours in your project build thread. Unfortunately the only one I could find any info on before buying mine was the TT one which looks pants. I didn't see yours until I had already received mine. They still look good though, so not going to complain about it.

I am going to run the MP5works in Parallel. The inlet will be attached to one of the spare ports on my HW Labs SR2 bottom Rad and the outlet will connect to a T line between the GPU outlet and Distro plate. I will cut the outlet tube down to run along with the Flow and temp wires making it look as neat as possible.

 

[OC2000]

Yeah 2 inline sensors do look baller tbh, i do like the look of it. I wouldn't be able to do it in mine due to lack of space lol. Gonna be interesting to see how you put all this together and the lines you run, always intrigues me on the routes and bends people come up with.

Tubing Wise, there's little variation you can go on except this. Ill have to use 45 degree fittings though for the GPU as the Strix is taller than reference shown in the below pic, but it will pretty much follow the same format. My build though will have 0 bends only Fitting adapters.
If there is a space issue with the Flow and temp sensor going from the GPU inlet tube, I could move it to the top Rad inlet tube.

 

[OC2000]

Just ordered some Mirka Abralon fabric sanding paper to make my tubing Satin. Always loved the satin look on tubing. Made some two years ago using the wrong type of sanding paper.

 

[OC2000]

It gives the tubing a frosty look.

 

[OC2000]

Did a bit more planning today, now that I have removed the HW - SR2 from my old case in preparation to air cool the 3090 temporarily until the Waterblock come.

Here is the HW SR2

Here it is with the MP5works Inlet tube

A quick shot of the top and bottom Rads side by side

Worked out the closest level I could get was using 2x 0.7 extensions.

A quick look of the fan and rad layout.

 

[OC2000]

All done, just in time for this to arrive

 

[OC2000]

@OC2000 scratch what I said about the vertical G card due to having a S card.

I found a PCIE X1 riser cable on the bay so I can now fit both cards in the double vertical mount that lain li do. It will fit nicely just above the bottom rad

Interesting. Would the Sound card go behind or in front of the GPU?

Looking at my Bottom Rad though, it looks like it is higher than where the Riser mount would be placed.