Project: Black Box

whiterabbit

whiterabbit

whiterabbit

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Location
Cambridge
PROJECT: BLACK BOX

Project log for my new build. This will be a long process as I will be collecting parts over the next two months.

I will be transplanting existing hardware from my TJ08B-E. Details as follows:

Motherboard: Asus H170m-plus
CPU: Skylake i7 6700 with EK-Supremacy EVO - Acetal (Original CSQ)
GPU: Nvidia Founders Edition 1080 with EKWB full cover block
RAM: Corsair 16GB White Vengeance LPX DDR4 3200MHz RAM/Memory Kit 2x 8GB
Primary Hard Drive: Samsung SM951 128GB M.2 PCIe
Secondary Hard Drive: Samsung 850 EVO 1TB 2.5" SATA SSD
PSU: be quiet! Straight Power 10 600W Hybrid Modular Power Supply

I have purchased the case. Drum roll...................

Case: Caselabs Mercury S8 :)

Options:

  • Case Colour: Black
  • 36mm Extended Ventilated Top Cover
  • Left Door: Standard Window with Ventialtion
  • Right Door: Standard Window
  • Front Cover: Ventilated
  • Flex-Bay Configuration: Solid Bay Covers
  • Flex-Bay 140.2 (280) Fan/Radiator Mount (MAC-532): 1 x 140.2
  • S8 Drop-in Top Radiator Mount 2x 120.3
  • Radiator Side Mounts for the Lower Chamber: S8 Drop-in Side Radiator mount 120.3
  • Ventilated PSU cover
  • PSU Support Mount
  • Flex-Bay 5.25 Device Mount Standard
  • Caster Kit

Next purchase will be lots of water cooling goodies. I am planning to install:

  • 2x EK-CoolStream XE 360 Triple in the top mounts
  • EK-CoolStream PE 360 Triple in the bottom side mount

The fans on the top mount radiators will be exhausting air through the radiators and out of the top of the case.

I'll probably set up the side mount rad fans to exhaust as well so there will be a need to bring plenty of fresh air internally from outside. This will be serviced by two 140mm fans and two 120mm fans mounted at the front. There is a space at the back of the case for a single 120mm or 140mm fan. I'm thinking of going with a 140mm set up to intake.

The idea of dumping hot air into the case by intake through a rad doesn't gel well.

Fans will all be Noctua. a Mix of 140mm (NF-A14 PWM) and 120mm (NF-F12 PWM). I am open to suggestions if anyone can recommend something that is better performing? I am designing this as an ultra quiet ultra cool system so fans will be on a low rpm setting.

The thing I am most concerned about is how to route all of the fan cables and I have no idea what controller to use. Currently looking at the NZXT Grid+ Version 2 Internal Digital 6 Fan Controller. I really need something that I can monitor the rpm with but isn't overly visible. There will be a total of 11x 120mm fans (possible increasing to 17x if i use a push/pull configuration on the top mounted radiators; and 3x 140mm fans.

Holy £$&*! 20 fans! :eek:

Soft tubing or acrylic? I am undecided.
 
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A quick question for anyone reading. My motherboard only has three 4-pin fan headers and I'll be using one for the pump. It seems I must use a fan controller.

Most fan controllers use 3-pin headers so should I ditch the PWM fans in favour of something else. What are the pros and cons?
 
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LePhuronn said:
or just use a powered PWM splitter or massive PWM distribution PCB. That may you can stick the PWM cable into your mobo and power a bazillion fans straight from the PSU, but they're all PWM controlled in unison.
Click to expand...

That sounds like the perfect solution. Can you recommend a product?
 
Awesome LePhuronn!!!

16mm pipe doesn't exist to my knowledge. ID of 12mm pipe is 11.2mm so there is very little difference between this and 12/16 PETG.

I was just looking at the same pipe bender on Rainforest!

I must admit, I am a likely to go through a fair bit of pipe getting the bends perfect. I can get plain copper half hard tube for £1.80 per 500mm length which means mistakes are more affordable. I've got no idea how much plating would cost until I get some quotes in.

Can you link me to your build?
 
jasonmorris said:
Every S8 deserves an Aquaero 6 surely with the black bezel mount :)
You can then use some lovely little Splitty9's for your fans. I use them for 24 fans in my S8 with ped and it purrs along nicely.
Click to expand...

I've looked through your posts to try and find some pictures of your system but can't find anything...
 
jasonmorris said:
Buy one you won't regret it.
Click to expand...

I love that case. I've already bought one, just waiting on delivery. Configuration is detailed in my first post.

After researching the Aquaero I'm deffinatley going to pursue that option. Have you used their flowmeters and are they worth incorporating into the loop?
 
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The case has arrived :)

DSC_1414_zpsuerudux0_edit_1473085759935_zpsucvkpqbz.jpg
 
Frank Jeagar said:
A tip on using metal pipe I wanted to make sure you saw: After you cut the pipe, don't just de-burr the edge, you need to taper the outside at the end so that it slips over the O-ring easily as well, otherwise it will likely damage your O-rings even if you have smoothed the cut end nicely.

I'll have pictures in my log later today if you want to see what I mean :)
Click to expand...

Hi Frank

I am aware of this and have been closely following Pipe Bending 101 on overclock.net.

I'll be using an Ridgid 223S Inner/Outer Reamer to ensure my pipes are properly prepared to prevent o-ring damage.

I've been following your log and will keep checking in to see your progress.

Also, are you actually going to use copper pipe and get it electroplated? Or are you going with pre-plated pipe?
Click to expand...

I will be using 12mm half-hard copper pipe. I am unsure about getting it electroplated. The copper look really appeals to me.

Have you seen this guys log..?

http://forums.overclockers.com.au/showpost.php?p=15017761&postcount=769
 
I might disappoint! In the interest of creating a super silent system, I have been looking at Neoprene tubing.

Still not sure what to do about a pump. Originally I was considering a single D5. Then looked at Aquastream XT pumps. But after watching the video in the link below I am now leaning towards dual D5s as an ultra quiet solution.

https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=http://m.youtube.com/watch%3Fv%3DxMVjBPLACWo&ved=0ahUKEwj4mNWrkIDPAhXGF5oKHUF1DOMQtwIIGzAA&usg=AFQjCNFWp1R7kZDUHpWbmVX69YxrqMaEgA&sig2=Azr-c-IYDzIki9dLCYcuAw
 
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Smffy said:
You need to get some spinners on those wheels :)

Do you even need dual D5s? Thinking 1 would do... But i'm now looking at my build thinking I probably want more with much more rad.
Click to expand...

I didn't go with dual D5s in the end. Stuck with the single EK D5 I already had.

Radiators also changed to Hardware Labs SR2 at the top and Hardware Labs GTS on the side.

My dream of copper tubing has not materialised and I'm currently running Mayhems Ultra Clear.

Finished (for now) pictures below. And some shots taken during the second stage of my flushing routine.

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DSC_1437_zps0yhjrmyx.jpg
 
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