Project Ethos & Cube - Desk Awesomeness

[SavellM]

Lol Win 8.1 infact

Dunno just want the latest.

 

[SavellM]

This is just simply amazing, words cant describe how this is coming along!

I'm looking to start my own desk build in the next few months (somehow don't think it will quite turn out like this though).

Your original post had what a sketchup design, would you be open to providing a link to this so I could look how you set this up (I've tried to start using this but learning is slow and any help would be appreciated).

Sure its a google sketchup drawing.
I'll try to find it for you and i'll drop you a link to the last version.

I hope your desk goes well, its good fun.
Take your time, plan and do it right.

 

[SavellM]

Tbf I was forced to take my time.
Some of the stuff has only been released which is quite nice

Its been almost a year since I started.

Still waiting on EK to release the EVGA 780 Classy WB.

 

[SavellM]

Hehe not for me
Well kinda.

I finished the 24pin and 8pin for the server board, took about 6 hours
I am still waiting on wire that will work so that I can make the power cables for the SATA drives.
Also I got another 3tb WD Red making 5 in total.

My EK WB arrived for the 780 so that's almost ready to go once all the water starts.

Just gotta finish all the power cables and thing, and then I can start putting it all together.

 

[SavellM]

Finally update time!!!

So quick show of the gaming PC as it is.
Its fully functional

Next the acrylic tubing has arrived for the watercooling loop:

Man it looks good:

Courtesy pic of the baby.
But now should I upgrade to 780 Ti, sucks so much.

Test SATA power connectors:

Getting the right distance and fittings:

Using my test cable to make the proper ones.
Came out pretty nicely:

Cables done and in place:

Close up of the fittings:

All 5 drives:

So curvy:

All mobo cables are done for the server.
Need to put down the cable management bits next and run the cables nicely.

Coming along now.

 

[SavellM]

Looks great, making me want to try doing that myself. I know I can't afford to right now though .

Future goal I guess, when I can afford it. How many hours (roughly) do you think you have spent working on it so far?

Geez too many to even think about.
Just in terms of wire, and making my own cables, has been over 250m of the stuff... so you work that out in time scales

 

[SavellM]

Any particular reason you chose the Corsair Vengeance LP RAM? - Adam

Its only for the server.
And I chose it as it runs as low voltage.
I didn't need anything too fancy for the server and this seemed good.
It also fits the build colours

 

[SavellM]

Great update time!!!
Put on your seatbelts and get locked and loaded...

Started off slowly by tidying up the server cables:

Next up taking out the GPU:

GPU taken apart!

Starting the cleanup:

Nice and shiny shiny...

Ready for some water block loving:

Just a few BitsPower fittings... 1 or 2.

And now something slightly different:

Yes I did delid my i7 4770K

 

[SavellM]

Getting the mobo ready, removed the CPU holder for running naked Haswell:

Looks good in there:

Snug in there with the WB ontop:

Starting to do the cable setup for server:

Nice and tidy:

Put Radiator back in place getting ready:

Mobo reseated with the GPU in its new block:

Other Radiator and Res getting into position.
Some links made:

Starting to sort out the 4 fan Radiator:
See the little connector just need to make the extension to reach the fan controller:

Running excess server cables under the desk:

Starting to fix down the Reservoirs:

Bending some acrylic tubing.
Insert silicon in the middle so it doesn't fall in on itself:

Loop starting to get there:

Nice bent tube:

Nice little bridge:

 

[SavellM]

Starting to fill the loop!
Oh yeah!!!

Liquid is open!

Putting down protection:

Nice curve and fittings with the GPU:

Water going in!

Filtering through:

CPU block filling up:

Tubes getting full:

Res getting there:

Looking good:

Long pipe looking like its getting there:

Looking nice:

And then we noticed an issue...
The way the Res' were setup the pumps were sucking in too much air.
The pumps were too powerful for that.

So had to drain the loop! Sigh

Refilled with the one Res going the other way around.
This has the Anti-Cyclone closer to the pump and the fitting connecting lower down:

Loop testing:

Fitted the lights under the mobo:

Doesn't look too bad:

Not too much left to do.
Gotta finish the lid to save the pipes from prying hands lol.

 

[SavellM]

Did some quick benching.

Firstly note that I am only running 3 fans of the 7.
The Rad with 4 fans is not in use yet

Firsly CPU:
I ran Prime95 for around 15mins.

Not looking so bad.

Next GPU:
Let Haven run for around 45mins and then did a benchmark at Extreme preset.
No overclocking yet!

Notice the GPU temp top right.

 

[SavellM]

Mayhems Ice Dragon

 

[SavellM]

So we start out today with a SSD sandwich.
Double sided taped together.

All SATA cables made and fitted:

Doing a dry fit run on the lid:

Piano hinge screwed down:

All snug:

Test glass fitting:

Drilling into the lid, but why?

What's this shiny beast, you will see soon:

Grommet cut out and fitted:

Yup nice monitor arm:

Lid is silicone'd into place:

New monitor attached:

Fits like a glove... You can also see all the mess I have made, oops:

Testing it out... So pwetty:

Nice ultra wide monitor, works nicely:

Its actually really comfortable sitting here:

And a nice celebratory drink, for a job well done

Testing it out:

Gotta finish off the cable management. But the buttons look good

Quite a nice arm:

And the finishing bottle

There are still little bits to get done.
Like I haven't connected any of the LED's under the mobo, as I want to control the lighting if possible so its not too bright.

The network cables aren't in the correct place.

And just general bits and pieces here and there.

I will also get some professional pictures done once its completed!
Its been about a year almost but its so worth it.

 

[SavellM]

That is just awesome!

So much time, planning & effort has gone into this and it really shows.

You must be very pleased with the desk (and yourself!)

Thanks Cahonis...

I am uber pleased!
Its so nice to actually sit here and use it.
Feels so good, and I absolutely love this thing... Its my baby

 

[SavellM]

HAHA hopefully I wont move anytime soon...
Yes it weighs a ton!

But it does fit through my doors, just.
So it wont be too bad.

 

[SavellM]

Cant fault the amount of sheer effort that went into this build, its amazing. I just dont like it though the Drive and Fan control etc stuck in the middle of the wood look like something out of 70's Radio Shack

And the Watercooling loop is phenominal, but with the amount of white in there it looks like a bathroom plumbing setup lol.

But i will say it is a truly epic design and kudos to you and your mate for the workmanship that went into it.

Hehe its cool man.
Everyone is entitled to their opinions.

In terms of the fan controller and drive, what would you have done?
I'm always interested in other ideas.

And in terms of the loop, thats an easy fix.
I can change colour easily.
All the pipes are clear so it depends on the liquid used.
I was toying with the idea of using blue, but I might want to try like a UV green or something too.
These are all things I will do, in due course.

And thanks bud
Its been a great project.

 

[SavellM]

Absolutely staggering build there well done. I'm cant really tell from the pictures but are your rads set to pull air through and vent it out from the desk or does it pull air in?

Thanks bud

The Rads suck air from inside the desk and expell it out under the desk.
The fans are sucking air.

I thought this was it does a few things:
1) Keeps dust to a minimum
2) Takes out warm air from inside the desk
3) Dont see fans inside the desk itself

 

[SavellM]

Wow, absolutely brilliant build this one - I applaud you for the effor and dedication put into this huge project. The final product looks great, very neat and tidy too.

In my opinion, it would look better with UV Blue or Aqua Blue in the loop instead of white though - but that can be experimented with I guess.

Thanks dude

Its not the final pics yet.
I still have some LED's to sort out, and a bit more cable tidying to do.

Also I'll get my brother in-law (photographer) to come and take some proper pics once its fully finished

And ye I agree, I thought I would keep it to a theme, of Black and White.
But ye I will probably change it in the new few months to something else.
Maybe a UV coolant, or a pastel blue or something.

That's the joy of Acrylic tubing, you can change it how you see fit.

 

[SavellM]

Very nice outcome I wouldn't have a place for it but i'm still jealous!

Thanks Cleisthenes.

TBF it looks a lot bigger in the pics.
Its not THAT big, still fits through my door ways, so that's a bonus.

 

[SavellM]

Soooo....

I was thinking of taking of taking off the Sabertooth armour and spraying it white.
You can see it here in this pic:

Anyone have any thoughts?