Project:- Liquid Skeleton

TheCenturion said:
I've never been a fan of the skeleton, but I must say that your build actually makes it look really good :)
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Cheers Centurion, I've been following your build with interest and having seen your work think praise from you is praise indeed.

@ adam_castell. Cheers for the advice, I'd never thought of that but makes great sense. Sounds like one of those "trade secret" things.

Failing that I've got some Humbrol matt black paint I can always touch up with.

Currently trying to find some little feet for under the fan controller. I'd like something that's soft and perhaps looks like mini hi fi unit feet. The alternative is blue-tack!!!
 
Something of an hiatus in activity as the next step was to take everything apart which I couldn't do as I needed the pc for work.

So first job, (with a lump in the throat and a sweat on the hands) was to take off the mighty Fenrir.


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Not too much dust on the sink. Not bad for a years use when you think we've also had builders knocking the crap out of the place for 3 months.

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Way too much TIM used me thinks. Bit concerned about the patch in the middle. It would appear that the very centre is the only place the sink was really making contact. Figure either a domed CPU or a domed sink. Still seemed to do it's job though. I've used way less TIM on the waterblock so see how it goes.

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All cleaned up and ready for it's new friend.
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Bit more dismantling
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Mobo out ready to fit the block

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That's all for now but should have some more pictures up later as i'm dedicating today to completing this.

Just have to pop down a certain electronics store for a molex splitter (50 mile round rip but that's dedication for you).

Do please check in later for more activity on the build.
 
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Cheers sunjoo, It's been a real labour of luuurve.

Bit of a learning exercise too, as I've never watercooled before and, well, there aren't too many "how to" guides when it comes to water cooling the Skeleton.

A bit more progress as promised,

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So where am I at progress wise???

Right about here!!!


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As you can see the CPU block is now attached to the mobo so time for final power off leak testing before going live.

This is the first time the CPU block has been in position so it's reassuring to know I calculated the length of the tubing correctly. Either that or I got lucky, you decide.


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RAM cooler and GPU fitted to mobo


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And finally the GTs all painted up braided and purty looking go onto the Phobya Rad.


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Tealc said:
Looking good Dubs. I do like those nice shiny GTs in yellow.

Such a shame about the big strip of red right in the middle of the case though. Not quite sure how that could be modded without invalidating your warranty. Yellow vinyl sticker maybe? Or would that look awful.
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Yeah I'm quite pleased with the fans. If you remember back in the thread I was asking whether to do them in yellow or to paint the blabes silver with black inner cowling and yellow outer cowling as per the other fans on the build. I thought the latter might look too busy which was the opinion of a fair few others so yellow was chosen and I have to say I'm glad I went with it.

Re the Red, If you mean the GPU, it won't be seen when it's all together as it will be facing upwards under the main fan so i'm not too bothered.
 
Nearly there, we now have working fans controlled via the custom fan controller. There was a concern that the heat sinks in the zalman fan controller would not be able to dissipate the heat doe to the unit being enclosed in a drive box. I'm glad to say all is fine. There was also a concern that the transistors attached to the sinks might be pnp type and as such make the box live. Again glad to say all is good. Lady luck strikes again.

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TheCenturion said:
Wow, using coils on the psu tubes is an epic idea. Well played sir, I love it :D
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Cheers Centurion. If you mean the yellow anti kinks on the cables from the PSU, I've had it like that for a while now. The thing about the skelly is you can't hide the major stuff so it's best to make a feature of it. I have some yellow anti kink for the black tubing i've used but am tempted to think it looks better without.

FiveOfTwelve Its the neatness of the pipes that I like. (don't know how to multi quote sorry)

Cheers fiveoftwelve. As I said above you have to make a feature of things with this case. it's my very first attempt at watercooling and there's very little referrence material out there, so it's very much make it up as you go along.

I've designed the loop so that the arch section of the case can be removed without having to disconnect anything.

The build is actually completed now, i'm currently trying to borrow a decent camera to take some nice shots of it.
 
TheCenturion said:
How far are you in the bleeding/leak testing phase? Have you finished?
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In the end I did 4 power off leak tests, testing each time I moved the kit.

The last leak test was with the whole system fully re assembled back inside the arch part of the case prior to power on.

This has now been completed, and power on leak testing has commenced.

I might be being a bit...well...anally retentive about the leak testing, perhaps a bit paranoid...very paranoid in fact...Just that a heck of a lot of time and effort and a fair bit of hard earned cash has gone into this and I don't want it to go "POP". You've been ther, you know how it feels.

I don't think it'll ever matter how experienced I get, it's still brown trousers time.
 
TheCenturion said:
I do understand what you mean :)
I just left it on for 24 hours leak testing, occassionally turning it on and off quickly to get some of the bubbles moving. Don't worry mate it will be fine, and on the off chance that it does leak then as long as no components are powered, then nothing will die.

I personally think that the first wc build is the most difficult, stepping up from air cooling is a big step. I reckon it will be a lot less scary leak testing in future builds :)
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I've never been so worried about fluids escaping when they weren't meant to since I lost my virginity.
 
Well It's finished

Leak testing has been completed 100% successfully and the system is now operational.

I've drawn a blank with trying to borrow a nice camera so have put one on my x-mas list.

I intend to do a short post project evaluation at some point, containing lessons learned and my thoughts on some of the kit I've used. I will also be doing the usual benching once it's had time to settle in. But for now a few pictures of the "Liquid Skeleton".




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Sorry it's taken me a while to get back to this thread, and many thanks for all the kind words

Tealc said:
Congratulations on finishing the project Dubs and also on a job well done.

Not sure how keen I would be having 3 GTs right next to my left ear while playing games but they sure do look good and shiny there. At least they are pushing into the rad and not blowing warm air all over your face.

Good job mate.

Looking forward to your next project, I'm sure there'll be another.
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The GTs aren't loud at all, even at full tat. The pump however is much louder than I thought it would be.

next mod is already in planning stage, I have the case secured but not in my possession at present

oO Stevie Oo said:
That is just full of awesomeness
I very nearly bought a skeleton case but decided against it thinking it would get full of dust,
turns out the case I did buy gets full of dust anyway so might invest in one of these lol

Nice work dude
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As I've always said, dust is not an issue with this cases, in fact it's less of a problem than with conventional cases.

sk3lph said:
I shamelessly nicked this idea for my rig which I have pics of here -

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?p=15651972#post15651972

Well done on finishing the project G-Dubs - does it run a lot quieter now with the WC setup? Also what sort of temps are you getting?
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Not that much quieter due to the pump noise, but temps well down under load but with no real difference at idle.

Again many thanks to all that have followed this thread and offered words of encouragement.

I still intend to do something of a post project evaluation to see what i've learned along the way and what I've thought of the gear i've used. Hope to maybe get it done this weekend.
 
Gepetto said:
Wot? No yellow mesh kit? Disappointed to say the least! :p :D




Looks bloody marvellous Mr Dubs. Top job! :cool:
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bluntslide said:
a bit late i know but nice work.
welcome to the water cooled skeleton club too!
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Cheers Guys.


Edit: thought i'd pop in before and after pictures



The first ever build (in fact the first time I ever built a PC
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First tentative mods. Braided cables and lighting
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The first proper mod (this picture probably best captures the true colour of the yellow)
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The water cooled Skeleton (the yellow appears a lot more vivid than it really is in this picture)
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ReU_VOoDOo said:
Simply beautiful G-Dubs, now your going to make me put mine underwater.......thanks for the motivation!
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Cheers matey and very good to hear from you. Drop me an e-mail and let me know how things are over in Texas.

delta9 said:
WOW - thats the best iv seen.

LOVE IT


Edit---> have you ever considered using ro water instead of distilled?
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Thanks for the compliments, very much appreciated. Probably being dim, but what is ro water?

I put my other Skelly case (the Military themed mod) on the bay the other day and the most it got up to was £39!!!! Needles to say I didn't part with it for that
 
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