Project: Eris

darwin1859 · 23 Nov 2015 at 20:09

EK Water Block and backplate for GTX 980 Ti

Thanks to EK Water Blocks for sponsoring Project Eris. Here are some of the main components that will form the watercooling loop.

The EK water block for the MSI GTX 980 Ti Gaming 6G is the EK-FC980 GTX Ti TF5 - Acetal + Nickel. This is paired with a custom backplate featuring the MSI dragon. This was made by Coldzero.

For cooling the CPU, the high-performance EK-Supremacy EVO - Nickel water block will be installed.

Finally the pump that will power the watercooling loop, is the EK-XRES 140 DDC PWM.

Bone9 · 23 Nov 2015 at 20:26

Very nice!

SamyBoy13 · 23 Nov 2015 at 20:42

Looks promising. Looking forward to see more

ukxenon · 24 Nov 2015 at 09:23

keep up the nice work

darwin1859 · 24 Nov 2015 at 09:37

Bone9 said:
Very nice!

SamyBoy13 said:
Looks promising. Looking forward to see more

ukxenon said:
keep up the nice work

Cheers guys

I'm trying to get as much done as possible! My updates are slightly behind the real progress, so more coming soon.

n14hta · 24 Nov 2015 at 15:50

Great progress so far!

faheemrazzaq · 24 Nov 2015 at 16:53

looking good mate. keep it up

darwin1859 · 25 Nov 2015 at 14:39

n14hta said:
Great progress so far!

faheemrazzaq said:
looking good mate. keep it up

Thanks, will do

ukxenon · 25 Nov 2015 at 15:13

looking forward to seeing this evolve {darwin}

darwin1859 · 26 Nov 2015 at 09:56

ukxenon said:
looking forward to seeing this evolve {darwin}

darwin1859 · 26 Nov 2015 at 10:12

I'm getting some custom-cut plexi parts to customise various aspects of the case and motherboard. Here are the basic designs - they'll be finished with vinyl graphics cut by myself.

Can you guess what the different parts are for?

theaterix · 26 Nov 2015 at 18:04

Anymore updates mate? Looking to buy the one that is on sale in the black friday deals, whats it like to build in??
I am aware the one in the deal is orange and blue, but how modular is it? In that would I be able to paint it a different colour if that's the route I decide to go?

darwin1859 · 26 Nov 2015 at 18:20

theaterix said:
Anymore updates mate? Looking to buy the one that is on sale in the black friday deals, whats it like to build in??
I am aware the one in the deal is orange and blue, but how modular is it? In that would I be able to paint it a different colour if that's the route I decide to go?

I've started to build in it, and so far so good. All the drive shelves are removable. Cable management is pretty straightforward as they can all go behind the midplate. You could paint it easily enough, several people have done that. Or you could get a powder coat. Let me know if you have any more specific questions and I'll try to help.

Parkinson1NX · 26 Nov 2015 at 19:35

Looking forward to seeing the end result for sure, keep up the work mate. The parts look really nice and that case though!

darwin1859 · 26 Nov 2015 at 20:45

Parkinson1NX said:
Looking forward to seeing the end result for sure, keep up the work mate. The parts look really nice and that case though!

Cheers, it'll go forward in leaps and bounds soon, just need to get these custom parts done. Then I can start installing the loop etc.

darwin1859 · 27 Nov 2015 at 11:09

Since the theme will be all black and red, I decided to mod the silver parts of the EK Supremacy EVO CPU block. The thumb screws were primed, sprayed black and then finished with a matt clear coat.

I also plan to mod the EK badge, potentially to have a red logo on black background?

You can also see the Mayhems Havoc 240 fitted in the last pic, thanks Mayhems!

b0otneck · 27 Nov 2015 at 11:12

I do like the look of that MSI board.

Looking forward to seeing this finished

harvey.l12 · 9 Dec 2015 at 14:20

I want that dragon!

darwin1859 · 9 Dec 2015 at 14:27

harvey.l12 said:
I want that dragon!

It's a lovely backplate isn't it?

darwin1859 · 5 Jan 2016 at 11:18

Just a quick WIP update, please excuse the mess. I'll post better photos soon.

Custom laser cut matt black MB tray - drilled, fitted and pump mounted to it.

Now this piece is finally sorted and pump in place, I was able to plan the loop and order the fittings etc.

In the photo you can also see the small piece I had cut to cover the green WLAN card (next to the top left CPU thumb nut).

I also have three pieces (not shown) for the MB I/O port cover, which will be stuck together and mounting on the MB I/O ports.

You might also notice I removed the front power switch - I/O panel (to the right of the pump), this will be relocated into the PSU mounting space. The extra space next to the pump will allow a 4-way fitting and ball valve for drainage.