My new WC build using the Obsidian 800D

[JaseUK]

Hi guys thought I would post some info and screenshots for my new build using the Corsair Obsidian 800D: -

I thought fitting the dust filters was a nice touch as I had them laid around so I thought I might as well use them. The reason the corners are matt black is because I had to flatten the corners and counter sink the holes and the only spray paint I had was this. To be fair the picture over emphasises the difference in colour.

 

[JaseUK]

Well I have managed to get my WC components into the case now after waiting an age for the delivery man to bring a few extra bits I needed.

Setting a place for the pump was a nightmare for me. I made a damping kit and fitted it to the side rails on the bottom hdd cage but it was very difficult to route the tubing.

So I decided to place it on the bottom of the hdd cage instead on some velcro I got from b&q.

I had one leak on the rad inlet but this was because I had tightened the barb to much and pushed out the O ring. A quick drain, a new O ring and this was fixed.

Now running a leak test with distilled water but am wondering what the best way will be to drain the system when I come to put my feser water in. I decided against a drain port this time as I thought it would be easy enough to drain from the bottom of the res. Thoughts on this please?

Oh and how crap are the brackets for the EK multioption res, I broke both of em

Some pics for you: -

 

[JaseUK]

I have the box from that very case!!!

Looking like a good start there.
Im waiting for the postman and OC to get a pump in stock so i can get going on the Lian Li.

Hi there Dan, I didnt realise you used OcUK.
I hope the case is what you wanted and the radiator lands with you soon

 

[JaseUK]

Have filled the loop with my feser red, and the colour is better than I thought it would be. Its like blood
I will post more pics when I have the rest of my components in and have done some cable management.
Still waiting on my new brackets for the reservoir.

 

[JaseUK]

One thing I will point out... As AWSOME as those fan grills look, they are dust filters... and isn't the top an exhaust? So, you are actually collecting dust inside the PC rather than keeping it out?

The fans on the rad are pulling air in; the general consensus (albeit only a few degrees) is to have fresh air being pulled or pushed into the radiator. The dust filters will prevent dust and crap getting clogged into the radiator to.

 

[JaseUK]

Well thats me pretty much done bar a few tweaks here and there

The Xigmatek fans I have on the rad are a lot noisier than I was hoping, maybe fitting a rubber gasket or shroud may sort this out.

Left to do list: -
1. Add a bit more water to the res.
2. Sort rad fans out.
3. Braid graphics card power connectors.
4. New fan controller (as this one dont fit the case properly and I hate the LED's on it) .
5. Get a RAM air cooler.
6. Put some lights in the case (white)

Not much I suppose

 

[JaseUK]

Guys,
I am having some noise issues with the Xigmatek 120mm white LED fans attached to the radiator. I am using a Sunbeam Rhoebus fan controller and as soon as I turn the speed over half way they make quite a lot of noise.
I have all 3 fans wired into one 3 pin plug.

I dont think its vibration as the noise does not seem to change when I touch the fans.

Is it likely the fan controller is spinning the fans faster than they are designed for.

 

[JaseUK]

Could anyone offer and advice on this one please ↑

 

[JaseUK]

Looks awsome amte, but why water only on CPU?

I am going to be cooling the graphics, but I just cant decide what block to get, etc etc..................

I also wonder if cooling the CPU and VGA on the same loop is wise

 

[JaseUK]

Looking good there, like the red in the res too.

Have you used Speedfan to see how fast your fans are running? They may be above their RPM or they may just be noisey fans. You've got them pulling into the case haven't you, have you tried turning them around? It may be that the fans have a high CFM and the rads aren't letting enough air through and its creating a vacuum between the rad and the fan.

edit; what are your temps like with that loop?

The temps are looking good so far, however I am just bedding the thermal compound in for the time being.

I hear what you are saying about the pulling air through scenario, this could be the answer. I just wish it was an easy thing to do turning the fans around

The fans are controlled by a controller. To check it with speedfan I suppose I would have to plug the fans/controller via the motherboard.

 

[JaseUK]

Do the fans run backwards if you swap the positive and negative around?

Forgot you were using a fan controller, dont think there's any way to check, you're going to get a max of 12v anyway so they cant run too fast.

You only need to run your fans quick enough to draw the maximum amount of air through the rad, any quicker and you'll get the noise but it wont increase the performance.

Ill be setting the rad and fans the same way as you but mine will blow air through the rad, positive pressure is quieter than negative.

Im a noob at this so it may be wrong, just makes sense to me

In my last rig I had the fans on top of the radiator but still pulling the fresh air out of the case into it.

I have applied the same method to this rig but the fans are fixed to the bottom of the radiator and pulling fresh air in.

Are you saying you are going to be fitting your fans to the bottom of the radiator and pushing the air out of the case?

 

[JaseUK]

Yea, it will create a positive pressure through the rad and be better for air flow in the case, ive got one on the rear 120mm fan and ill be doing the same with that too.

I was under the impression it was better to move fresh air over the radiator. In your case you will be moving the already warm air inside your case over your radiator.

 

[JaseUK]

I've now fitted 3 gentle typhoon's 1850rpm to the radiator and oh boy what a difference.

I have also stuck some white cathodes in there to show it all off.

Pics to follow

 

[JaseUK]

Very nice

Although I would have the fans blowing out of the top rather than sucking in.

This way the case will still be cool as most of the heat will be in the loop.

--case top---
---Fans------
----Rad------
^^^^^^^^^
||COOL AIR|||
^^^^^^^^^

All other fans blowing into case with dust filters.

Just my 2p

This is the 100 million dollar question, do they blow or do they suck

As soon as I change the fans to blowing out someone will say ah well I would have them setup to pull the air in as its fresh cool air and let the rear case fan suck the hot air out.

I think whatever way you do it only makes 1-2 degrees difference.

 

[JaseUK]

A night shot with my new white cathode's fitted

My camera doesnt do it justice to be fair (I need to learn how to use my camera)

all I need now is a WB for the graphics and to do a bit of braiding then I is done (until the next thing ofc)

 

[JaseUK]

Looking very nice.

You going for any coloured cathodes in there as well?

Nah I think I will leave it as it is, for now

 

[JaseUK]

As a rule of thumb, I dont suck hot air into a case.

I'm not sure I understand what you are saying, are you referring to bringing the heat in from the rad?

Sweet build man! Can I ask how much the WC gear came too? I'm interested in doing a similar setup.

Cheers.

Feser Xchanger triple rad - £79.00
EK Multioption res 250 - £30.00
3 x Gentle Typhoons 1850rpm - £12.99 each
Primoflex Pro LRT Black Tubing (7/16 ID x 5/8 OD) - £14.00
1L F1 Fluid UV Red - £8.50
Black sparkle Bitspower comp fittings - £3.47 each
Revoltec white cathodes 4" - £5.00 for a pair

The cpu block is a dtek fuzion v1 which I brought from my old setup

 

[JaseUK]

Can you post a shot of the front showing the fan controller if you still have it in,
i was going to get the same one as its the only one ive found with red leds but just wondered in what way it doesnt fit properly.

The fan controller protrudes slightly from the front of the case. This is because the screw holes in the side of the controller are not best placed therefore making it stick out a little. The quick release bracket on the case is also in the way of one of the holes so I just had to stick a long length screw in it to make it fit.

If you want a pic thats no prob.

 

[JaseUK]

Eventually got my GTX 295 in the loop, my temps on the gpu have dropped massively compared to the noisy 'orrible stock heat sink and fan.

Oh the quietness is heaven

I'm still rubbish at photography though

 

[JaseUK]

Thanks guys,

One thing I was meaning to ask was the EK chamber in the Waterblock does that not fully fill up with coolant. It appears by looking at it that it only collects around the centre of the chamber?