HAX F liquid cooling and build log

Cleeecooo · 7 May 2011 at 14:24

Hi guys,
Today I'm starting on a HAF X liquid cooling and build for a friend. If at any point you want any specific pics, please ask either via e-mailing through trust or posting in this thread. I will be updating the thread as I go along and will hopefully have it done by the end of the day.

He initially had an X6 but he broke it, got a new one and broke that and the mobo. He fails so I am now doing it. He had an antec darkfleet DF-10 and antec PSU. He also had an Akasa venom cooler etc.

A pic of his build:

Oh dear! that cable management just shocked me!

The stuff:

Hardware:
i5 2500K
Asus P8P67LE B3 revision
Silverstone ST850-P PSU
HAF X
2x WD caviar black 1TB
8GB 1600mhz geil RAM
My old HIS HD6970
Saitek cyborg V7 keyboard

Liquid cooling bits:
EK supreme HF nickel plexi
Alphacool VPP655
3x Coolermaster sickleflow red LED fans
Hardware labs black ice GT stealth 360mm rad
EK multioption X2 res 150
Lamptron FC5 V2 fan controller
2x Primochill ice UV red coolant

Here's a pic of the CPU block:

Lamptron FC5 V2:

Reservoir mounted:

All the tubing in place:

Just about to attach the backplate onto the mobo and stick the CPU in DONE
I'm now going to stick the fan controller in and wire it up DONE
Now for the liquid cooling bit...

Cleeecooo · 7 May 2011 at 14:56

Tediore said:
Looks good. Looking forward to seeing this progress as I'm considering some water cooling for mine in the future.

Some nice competitor advertising in that second pic

****! I'll correct that now

EDIT: sorted

Cleeecooo · 7 May 2011 at 16:02

Phenomenologica said:
I'll be keeping an eye on this as well, I'm in the slow process of gathering information on water cooling for whenever I get the money to have a bit of fun with my rig. I wish one of my more clueless friends would go for an upgrade, then I could enjoy building something without the expense.

Just about to install the mobo

Cleeecooo · 7 May 2011 at 16:27

Spydell said:
Nice block only getting beat by the killer by 1 or 2 *c but the EK has a better flow rate so in my eyes this is the best.

I'm decidint which jet plate to use. Something with medium flow I think

Cleeecooo · 7 May 2011 at 16:49

Avathar77 said:
Aren't the new EK blocks coming with the best jet plate already installed?
Also Alphacool VPP655, thought it doesn't come with a pump top?

oops, shouldn't have taken the top off as i can't get it back on!
I don't need a top with this pump as it already has 1/2 barb fittings.

Spydell said:
Well once checked for leaks ect you want to be running that d5 on high for about a week or so gets rid of all those bubbles.

Will do, thanks

Cleeecooo · 7 May 2011 at 17:30

*FACEPALM*

Sometimes I fail

Cleeecooo · 7 May 2011 at 18:02

LOL, I've only just put it in correctly and am now getting the HDD's sorted. I will load some more pics in a few mins

Cleeecooo · 7 May 2011 at 19:22

Spydell said:
So here is your new build my friend.... want to see it running?

Sure this should be good..

What's that plastic burning smell?

Ah its ok its just because the parts are new it happens all the time

Ohhh ok and the flames??

Its watercooled don't worry about it...

lol..

AHAHAHAHA LOL.
So far I have installed the HDD's, CPU block and have attached all the cables that i'm going to need for the build.
I'm having a bit of trouble installing the rad at the top

Cleeecooo · 7 May 2011 at 19:36

Spydell said:
Nice i cant wait to see some more pics

hmmm, how exactly do I mount the rad at the top??? I'm confused

Cleeecooo · 7 May 2011 at 20:03

Avathar77 said:
errr did you do the most important part before starting the watercooling project?
Research?

ofcourse! It said that it was easy to put a 360 rad on the top without modding. I had a look at build logs etc. It's probably me just being an idiot... again! But does anybody know exactly how to?

Cleeecooo · 7 May 2011 at 20:10

Spydell said:
have you taken off the top panel where the 200mm fans are, you should see some bars and those should be used

*facepalm* I just found them. Then I lost my screwdriver and then found it. Now I've lost the screws. FAIL

Cleeecooo · 7 May 2011 at 20:25

Spydell said:
lol

its all going well then

Just when i found everything i had to go to tesco. Will post pics when i get back

Cleeecooo · 7 May 2011 at 22:07

This is where I am so far:

And this is what I have to clear up within about 10 mins:

Cleeecooo · 7 May 2011 at 22:29

RJC said:
Looks like the the 2 cases had a fight and both lost!

If only that had happened cos they spat out a GTX580 and a 6970!!lol

Cleeecooo · 8 May 2011 at 16:49

Just about to install the fan controller. See the OP

Cleeecooo · 8 May 2011 at 17:01

I found it easier to label each input for the fans so I wired it correctly:

Cleeecooo · 8 May 2011 at 17:13

As you can see in the first pic, i needed to use 4 fan splitter cables to get 4 120mm fans and a 200mm fan to fit into 1 input

Cleeecooo · 8 May 2011 at 18:14

Just mounted the reservoir. I found it easiest to put the brackets on first to the case using pliers and a screwdriver. The brackets simply aren't up to the job of holding the res with liquid in it so i have put it on top of the PSU. See OP for pic.

Cleeecooo · 8 May 2011 at 18:35

Spydell said:
She's coming along nicely

Hmmm... just before you posted that:

I turned my system on after plugging it in and I heard a crack and smelt burning. I instantly turned everything off by the switch and saw this.
The dashed red line is where the copper wire thingy should be.

I'm guessing my warranty shall be void by user damage but I have no idea what I did wrong

Cleeecooo · 8 May 2011 at 18:44

Spydell said:
I think i spoke too soon, Super Glue Anyone ??? LOL

Anyway, I have a second one which I shall use whilst I RMA this one. I have e-mailed lamptron. D'ya think my warranty will still be intact?