Project: Juggernaut

[David230]

I was in two minds wether to start a Project log or not seeing as my last project over 9yrs ago never got finished and left people hanging.

No I didn't die, just got caught up with other things in life. I know what could be more important.lol

https://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=17541726

Anyway, this build is quite straightforward but thought I would share.

The build will be housed in a define R5 case with no physical mods to the case. Instead I will be doing a full copper pipe custom water cooling loop with some custom plating to the mobo and gpu's.

Full system details

3770k @ 4.5Ghz
Asus p8z77-v Premium
SSD 840pro 128GB and 1TB ssd
EVGA 1000G PSU
16GB Corsair Vengeance 2400Mhz memory
2 x Gigabyte G1 gaming 980Ti's

Watercooling & cooling

6 x Noctua NF-F12 Fans
1 x EK FC Terminal Triple SLI Block
1 x EK Coolstream PE 240 Rad
1 x EK Coolstream PE 360 Rad
1 x EK Supremacy EVO Full Copper CPU Block
1 x EK XRES 140 DC 3.2 Elite DDC pump
2 x EK WF3 GPU waterblocks
5Mtrs of soft copper tubing
12 x Bitspower G1/4 by 12mm Compression fittings

More to follow soon with pics.

 

[David230]

Thanks Cenedd!

Here are a few pics just to keep things a bit more interesting... Also note my first WC purchase mistake. Probably not my last! Ordered completely wrong fittings initially but now sorted.

 

[David230]

Haha, damn I hate that smell. I'm impressed with the rads in terms of how they look and build wise I'm happy. Not flushed them through yet let alone tried them. Hopefully be at that stage soon enough and I will let you know if they smell like ****

Funny you should mention about the front fan setup. I have switched them to push now, not because I thought it would be better just it allows me to get my EK pump mount and one fan fitted in the bottom of the case.

Sorry about the pic quality on some of these.

Fan still needs to be fitted under EK pump mount.

Then the more interesting pics. Hopefully.

 

[David230]

Cheers, will try and keep on top of this log.

That double is almost a perfect height for your block. More of a kink than a bend

I nearly passed out as soon as I opened the box (yeah, alright I'm exaggerating a little) so if you've not noticed by now it sounds like you're ok. It was the outside of mine that stunk so starting up the fans just spread it round the room. Even after washing it in soapy water.

Given that the ports really have to be at the top on a front rad, what possessed EK to put their logo on so it's upside down?! (or maybe it's more sensible on the PE)

Yep, same prob with the logo. I know some companies (cant think at the moment who) supply the labels separately and let you apply the labelling yourself how you want once you have things setup.

Farmyard Themed PC build springs to mind. I can get a "Mooooo" claxon (long story). Anyway I digress. Will try to keep this upto date, hopefully Tuesday I will have what might be the final bits of the WC kit delivered.

 

[David230]

thanks guys

Got my GPU waterblocks today just need my bitspower right angle fittings and I can finish the pipework off completely. Pretty simple build but trying to keep some uniformity and not overcomplicate things. Getting some pre-cut copper plate delivered to the exact size of the GPU pcb so I can make my own backplates.

Probably going to all be highly polished and lacquered. Only pipe that looks a bit naff to me is the rear drop from the top rad. I could not get a tight enough radius as it goes 90, 90 in about 2cm. So this is my compromise at present.

Anyway some pics albeit really rubbish ones. Will take something a bit better when its all done. Which shouldn't be too long!

 

[David230]

Haha, massive flaw in my design. How the hell would I plug the second GPU in?? It just so happens I would need to redo that front pump pipe anyway with a kink to be square and not travelling off at an angle. Best make up that second card.lol

 

[David230]

Well, the two pipe bending issues are easily solved with 90° fittings but it looks like you've left the pipe ready for those to arrive.

Card issue I think I had the same dawning of realisation that you did. What's he talking about, he can just take the card out and slot the other one it and....oh!
Can you come out the bottom of the terminal block, 90° fitting or bend if necessary to avoid PSU and then 45 bend down to a 90° fitting in the res?

Looking promising though. Nothing that isn't fairly easily fixable

Still waiting on my right angle fittings. THat bottom pipe is easy to sort just a shame I didn't even stop to think there are connectors there that are needed. Thought I would leave my other 980Ti in my other system until it was needed. Serves me right!

Will get some decent pics up or atleast a lot better pics as I feel quite inferior looking through some of the build threads on here.lol

 

[David230]

Cheers TechminerUK.... and Cenedd.

Pipe work sorted at the bottom now.. Both cards in still waiting on copper backplates.

 

[David230]

Thanks, yes definitely polished once i have everything test fitted properly.

 

[David230]

I didn't like the shape of the lower pump to gpu terminal pipework so went back to the original with a slight mod to give adequate clearance of the pci-e supply connectors.

Still waiting on those right angle connectors. Hopefully delivery tomorrow.

You don't really notice the kink side on so looks alright. It needs the kink regardless of the connectors to keep it square with the pump going this way with the pipework.

 

[David230]

Just some more shots. Fitted a Tri-SLI bridge as I am temp to make a copper plate for that atleast just to try, might be too much.

Just testing with some LED's

Maybe even a 204mm res tube to fill the space. I have bought some blue coolant in keeping with the blue accents of the mobo.

 

[David230]

Oh its definitely kinked. lol Didn't really have a choice it needs to step out somewhere and seeing as it would foul the pci-e connectors it was the only place to make the step. As for the colour scheme I've still got a bit of a blue fetish but yes white is most likely the choice, infact it will be once its done.

Cant decide on that bottom pipe.

 

[David230]

I never intended to go with a particular theme. I've never done a watercooling setup or gone SLI before so bit the bullet. I went with copper because I find it very easy to work with, have the tools and also the pipe. Plus I like the way it looks and although it has been done a lot before its still not that common.

Its a very straightforward build at the end of the day so was not really going to put up a log.

STILL waiting on bits, one of my orders has been shipped a while ago so need to chase that as I cant complete the loop although will probably start polishing the copper up over the weekend!

I have decided not to go too mad with the copper plating, though. Just the GPU's and maybe a custom SLI bridge cover.

 

[David230]

Shiny copper looks great end of. Only thing that could cause you issues is a large plate of - sat GPU backplate - if nicely shiny could act like a mirror and sort of ruin the lighting effect. Might be fine depending on the angle, just something to think about.

Another thing to think about is making it stay shiny. Would it be worth putting a coat of clear varnish on after its polished to a suitable shine?

Something I read might make you grin. Someone was talking about copper tubing (advanced, difficult, not for beginners...so we'll done!) and they mentioned that because the copper piping is a good conductor of heat, it should, to a certain degree, act like additional radiator...which is a nice bonus

Thanks Cenedd.

I bought the two pre-cut pieces of copper plate, for the GPU's for less than £10 delivered so worth testing it out. I may go for a slightly dull finish, similar to the supremacy block rather than mirror like.

I have done a fair bit of fabrication work previously so this is not THAT new to me but always wanted to do a custom loop but never got round to it.

I doubt the coppers ability to radiate heat will have much of an improvement overall. Its internal to the case so its additional case ambient heat that needs to be exhausted. I guess without actually knowing for sure the difference would be negligible.

Also thinking about copper fan grilles but that's just a thought for now.

I will be lacquering the pipework to stop contamination once I have it all how I want it.

 

[David230]

In my head there is very little care for the amount of difference the copper pipes will make to cooling efficiency.lol

Its more a process of I like copper pipe, I have copper pipe and I have the tools. Lets make a copper pipe custom loop.

 

[David230]

I was going to do something with the mobo aswell but decided against it. Keep it blue and also I will be using blue coolant mix.

My orders have been messed up for some parts so didn't get everything. Oh well, more waiting. I did manage to get one right angle which I could use to cut the pipework to length so basically gone as far as I can go. I also swapped out the 140 res for a taller 250 (204mm) to fill the space at the front. I am hoping with this filled with blue coolant it will help to tie in the motherboard with the rest of the system.

Just a couple of photos. Nothing new really just angle and res.

 

[David230]

Be patient Cenedd.. Awesome shininess will come.

I was even thinking maybe copper pci slot covers? May have to be copper paint but well see. Man, white and black is a great combo just not in my setup now so yeah would be good to maybe change those. Personal preference at the end of the day.

I agree about the bottom pipe now tbh, will be staying. Not planning on any additional support for the res as I don't think its needed.

 

[David230]

Worktops, a never ending battle. Been there done that!

There is about 3mm clearance between res top and pipework.

Might not be a bad idea you have with the pci slots. Will give it some thought!

 

[David230]

Quick attempt at polishing up one piece this evening. Just four more pipes to do.

 

[David230]

cheers Cenedd

This would look glorious if it were not for the fact that the motherboard is covered in blue. I truly laud your work on the pipes but that board needs a good seeing to.

Agreed. I feel the same and I was either going to paint the heatsinks (as they are the most prominent blue) or make a custom mobo cover. I am still wondering if now I have the large res and blue coolant wether to leave the mobo or not with that mass of blue at the front.

Tomorrow I might have the copper backplates to try aswell.