HTPC and watercooling - A Build Log
- Thread starter wolvers
- Start date
Yeah, that's the idea. Hopefully I can test it with the demo version of PDVD and have some results by the end of the week.
I'm trying to find out what the dimensions are for the hole centres around the core on the 5850 so I can check if my block will fit. Having trouble finding out though.
I'm trying to find out what the dimensions are for the hole centres around the core on the 5850 so I can check if my block will fit. Having trouble finding out though.
Thanks Gammawolf, too many pics though do you think?
Mods, could you put a warning in the title please?
Ah well, here's another!
I've added an Intel SSD, another 120.1 rad and a full cover EK block on the 5850. 
The next plan is to move the HDDs to a NAS and pop another 92mm rad in there.
I've also managed to get HD audio bitstreaming to my amp from mkv files in media center, which makes the new 5850 an even more pleasing purchase.
If anyone is interested in doing this just PM me and I'll fill you in.
Mods, could you put a warning in the title please?
Ah well, here's another!
I've added an Intel SSD, another 120.1 rad and a full cover EK block on the 5850.
The next plan is to move the HDDs to a NAS and pop another 92mm rad in there.
I've also managed to get HD audio bitstreaming to my amp from mkv files in media center, which makes the new 5850 an even more pleasing purchase.
If anyone is interested in doing this just PM me and I'll fill you in.
Thanks . I got the Harmony 555, which is one of the cheaper ones but does the same thing really. Easy to set up as long as you have a receiver for an MCE remote, which the CW02 has built into the screen on the front.
I've got some other stuff to update actually. Migrated all of my stuff to a NAS, and got rid of internal HDDs so that I can add another 92mm rad. Also, with the help of a friend on another forum, I've put together a new theme for Win7 Media Centre so I'll be posting that and all the details of the upgrade soon.
The plasterer (father-in-law!) is coming in at the weekend too so I'd better post up some shots of the whole set up soon.
. I got the Harmony 555, which is one of the cheaper ones but does the same thing really. Easy to set up as long as you have a receiver for an MCE remote, which the CW02 has built into the screen on the front.I've got some other stuff to update actually. Migrated all of my stuff to a NAS, and got rid of internal HDDs so that I can add another 92mm rad. Also, with the help of a friend on another forum, I've put together a new theme for Win7 Media Centre so I'll be posting that and all the details of the upgrade soon.
The plasterer (father-in-law!) is coming in at the weekend too so I'd better post up some shots of the whole set up soon.
While I'm waiting for some barbs to finish my loop, I thought I would post up some screenies of the 7MC themes created by myself and a friend on another forum.
The first one is called Streaming Autumn and was basically a modified version of the second one to match the colours in my cinema room.
Link here, you'll need the excellent Media Center Studio to enable it
Media Center Studio
Streaming Autumn.mct
And the original, more colourful version, Streaming Light.
http://cid-2356ad5e7d6af11a.skydrive.live.com/self.aspx/Public/Streaming%20Light%207MC%20Theme/Streaming%20Light%20v1.02.mct
The first one is called Streaming Autumn and was basically a modified version of the second one to match the colours in my cinema room.
Link here, you'll need the excellent Media Center Studio to enable it
Media Center Studio
Streaming Autumn.mct
And the original, more colourful version, Streaming Light.
http://cid-2356ad5e7d6af11a.skydrive.live.com/self.aspx/Public/Streaming%20Light%207MC%20Theme/Streaming%20Light%20v1.02.mct
Thanks gt
You're spot on about the case. I was installing the new loop last night thinking 'I've just fitted 4 rads into a HTPC case, did I really need to do that'!!
With any luck it will have sufficient cooling capacity to add a second 5850 in a month or so's time.
You're spot on about the case. I was installing the new loop last night thinking 'I've just fitted 4 rads into a HTPC case, did I really need to do that'!!
With any luck it will have sufficient cooling capacity to add a second 5850 in a month or so's time.
Thanks.
I have to use the coils because some of the bends that the hoses have to do are so tight that they would kink without them.Thanks
i7 clocked to 3.8ghz at the mo, with 1.22v. Temps on the i7 hit an acceptable 70C in stress testing but the NB is getting pretty warm, 70C also. The lid of the case is just a piece of aluminium plate so I am going to make a new one with a fan mounted on it. That'll blow over the motherboard, particularly the NB, and also bring in some cooler air for the rear rad and hopefully give me some room to clock higher.
The plasterer came yesterday, so while I'm waiting for it to dry I've been doing some tweaking to my OC.
Got the vcore down to 1.18v (still at 3.8ghz) IBT stable and priming now.
With any luck it will go a bit lower too.
Got the vcore down to 1.18v (still at 3.8ghz) IBT stable and priming now.
With any luck it will go a bit lower too.
It does seem to be a reasonable chip. Not the best though, it needs 1.4v on the memory controller to be stable.
Second 5850 has been installed, but no water cooled yet. Loving the xfire performance so far. I've started to make a custom lid with improved cooling too. Pics coming soon when it's all finished.
Second 5850 has been installed, but no water cooled yet. Loving the xfire performance so far.
I've started to make a custom lid with improved cooling too. Pics coming soon when it's all finished. Update.
The second 5850 is now water cooled. I've also got the new bespoke lid on but I'm not full happy with it yet. It does the job great but I haven't been able to get it anodized to match the case yet. I want to replace the Noctua that's in it as well. I've gone right off of them particularly the fact that the fins are so small relative to the overall size of the fan. The colour looks blinking awful too!
The temps are very pleasing too, with the GPU cores running in the high 40s after an hour of BF:BC2. All things considered, I'm very happy with that.
I've also updated the OP with the current specs of the whole system. There'll be some pics soon of the finished cinema/living room when it's erm..........well completely finished!
The second 5850 is now water cooled. I've also got the new bespoke lid on but I'm not full happy with it yet. It does the job great but I haven't been able to get it anodized to match the case yet. I want to replace the Noctua that's in it as well. I've gone right off of them particularly the fact that the fins are so small relative to the overall size of the fan. The colour looks blinking awful too!
The temps are very pleasing too, with the GPU cores running in the high 40s after an hour of BF:BC2. All things considered, I'm very happy with that.
I've also updated the OP with the current specs of the whole system. There'll be some pics soon of the finished cinema/living room when it's erm..........well completely finished!
After some deliberation over whether to get an SATA3 SSD or another X25-M, I finally decided to go with the X25-M in RAID0 due to the performance being higher than a single SATA3 drive.
So I benched the single drive before installing the second and this is what I got;
Now the results of the RAID0 array;
Just a quick indication of how fast these drives are. I now have enough space to mux my BD rips on the SSDs before moving them to the NAS and what a difference it's made. A 1.5hr (or more) process has now been reduced to around 20-30 mins and the mux itself...............well take a look at the results....
339 Seconds to mux an 18gb mkv!
So I benched the single drive before installing the second and this is what I got;
Now the results of the RAID0 array;
Just a quick indication of how fast these drives are. I now have enough space to mux my BD rips on the SSDs before moving them to the NAS and what a difference it's made. A 1.5hr (or more) process has now been reduced to around 20-30 mins and the mux itself...............well take a look at the results....
339 Seconds to mux an 18gb mkv!
Cheers Mark, I'm glad you like it. I'm always worrying that there's too many pics.
No bud, I've been pretty restrained recently!
I have, however, been considering where to go next. Top of the list is a NAS HDD upgrade as my current one is close to being full and I'd really like the DS710+ cos it's much faster than my DS210j.
Also, I was so impressed with the SSD RAID set up that I'm considering an SATAIII version!
I can't see much point upgrading to sandybridge right now and I feel there's enough GPU power in the two 5850s for now. TBH, I'm a bit disappointed that the 6950 is so long otherwise I'd have considered a pair of those. They might fit but it's a real pain. I think I'll wait and see what the next gen brings.