Project: Plan D

Sayso · 20 Nov 2010 at 20:01

Welcome to another attempt at a build log, i apologise in advance for the slow progress and bad photos im going to take but im going to start off with 2 of the case taken by Krowzer who sold it to me (many thanks!!)

The case is a Lian-li PC-V1000Z.

So why Plan D?

Plan A was to put a triple rad in the roof...but i didn't realise this was had the motherboard around the "correct" way unlike all the other V1000s until i had made the offer.

Plan B was to put a slim double in the roof....until i saw the case (perfect condition) and realised that i didn't want to put a RAD grill (probably at a jaunty angle!!) and spoil the look of the case!

Plan C like a lot of other V1000s that have watercooling my next idea was to stand the RAD vertically in the front of the case, i had a good look at this and i have done this before in a CM stacker (could probably find the pics on OC if you looked). If i done this i would have to use the PSU extension or had hot air blowing directly into the hot swap bays neither idea i liked so..

Plan D A bottom mounted double thick RAD.

So thats the name outta the way.

Im reusing current kit.

1090T
Biostar 890GXE Matx mobo
Geil Black Dragon RAM
2 x sammy F1 1tB
5850 PCS+

Watercooling kit
240 fat RAD (to buy)
Heatkiller CPU block (needs AM3 bracket)
Pump not sure whether to stick with my Danger den or buy another pump
Tubing 1/2
Fittings compression ( a first for me) as cheap as i can do it.

The idea is to spend as little as possible at the moment and upgrade to a SSD, new watercooled GPU, new AM3+ mobo and bulldozer in stages as funds become available also to add a 120 RAD in the back 120 fan position when i get the GPU.

Fans will be bought as needed.

After looking at the case today i have come up with a first draft of what needs doing mod wise, repositioning of the hot swap bay, cutting of wiring holes for ease of use, case cable braiding, modding of the 140 fan box thing to make it usable with holes im planning to cut in the windowed side panel (all will become clear i promise!!) to help cool the air cooled GPU and chipset.

I still haven't finalised the colour scheme, internal lights make this case look a bit rubbish due to perforated front (in my opinion) so case lighting will be kept to a couple of red LEDs in the Res. I was thinking of going black tubing black fixings but i dont know if that would just end up looking depressing in a black case.

Well thanks for reading (if anyone got this far) if anyone has got any ideas or suggestions please let me know (before i start cutting!!)

Sayso

Sayso · 20 Nov 2010 at 20:15

you are mad and perhaps gay? but i would never put dye into a loop!! i might use yellow tubing though

Sayso · 20 Nov 2010 at 20:58

burrell said:
Where is the bottom rad going to intake air from?

With that window there isn't much ventilation.

There are holes precut in the bottom of the case with the RAD laying flat or another idea (but will need carefull measuring!!) would be to cutout the back panel and place the RAD on that letting the front fan push the air into the case.

Either way im going to have to cut some ventilation as the case is split into 2 zones..only got the case today and will not start cutting without a final ish build to work to.

Sayso · 20 Nov 2010 at 20:59

mrteabag said:
I can assure you I'm not gay and I'm wondering why you put a question mark were you suggesting something ? I'm not free tonight either

Yeah I might do that aswell, if I watercool, because I have a Corsair TX950w and it would go nice with that.

with a name like mr teabag i was hoping

Sayso · 21 Nov 2010 at 14:10

grrr couldn't wait and have ordered some bits today (i knew this would happen

) will post pics when they arrive.
Will start to mark up the case for first bit of cutting (cable routing).

Have also decided to buy some nzxt extension cables for the mobo and Gfx.

Sayso · 22 Nov 2010 at 17:35

A bit of project chat in this thread!!

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18209740

Sayso · 23 Nov 2010 at 11:12

Update, while waiting for bits arrive i decided to do some planning mainly of cuts i need to make and also some placement/mods.

mmm lets have a looksy

Bottom existing holes

going to use this grill raised to support RAD/fans

Switched this fan around so i can still use it without limiting the RAD

Cuts

(well im smiling now any way)

Im also cutting the 5.25 bays up a bit and reusing some black mesh for the cut in-between the bottom and the top...and at the moment no external mods..but its looking like i might have to use the PSU extension.

Sayso · 23 Nov 2010 at 13:18

Dremmel and dremmel bit graveyard

The back

The front

The front with placement of hot swap bays and black grill box thing, this will have pump placed on it

Now i would like to be at B+Q getting myself a few bits to tidy it up but im waiting in for a delivery so might not be any more progress today (well for a bit as im back to work for a 12 day stint)

Sayso · 23 Nov 2010 at 19:12

mrteabag said:
Looking nice.

thanks mate.
The RAD arrived today it looks so small in the bottom im considering getting a 280 im definatly going push/pull as there is enough space.

Have also fitted a scythe bay fan thing (only a little mod needed) in the front as i found the existing bay covers would no longer work with the HD swap bay in place, hopefully the extra fan blowing air in will mean i dont have to cut the panel window as im just not neat enough with a dremmel.

I still have to fix the swap bay and do little bit of tidying up of the cuts then its on to the watercooling.

Once the bits arrive i reckon one more day to get all the bits in (then 12 hour leak test) before final cables can be put in.

Ive got to say the case has been good to work with Aluminium cuts easily

Sayso · 27 Nov 2010 at 16:25

Little update.

Bits

Rad and fans

In position

Heatkiller 3.0 with 1156 bracket

Dirty boy

Cleaned with new multi bracket (painted red)

Planned front with Res and Scythe fan bay (using be quiet fans)

Sayso · 3 Dec 2010 at 19:10

I thought posting pictures was good!!! but as no one has replied i will have to myself..

Currently on order

38mm yate loon fans for the RAD
120mm RAD which might not fit in the rear fan position.

Already i have spent more than i wanted to, im considering get tin a Phobya pump and selling my Matx as a complete case with WC.

I have ordered 2 45 degree compressor fittings for the heatkiller as the ones i have dont fit side by side.

Has anyone got the Phobia high end pump (only £35) my budget cant stretch to a D5???

Sayso · 5 Dec 2010 at 11:29

nice build, good to see brackets for the HK was it a 775 block?

Nope it was an I7 block, i dont know why they all dont ship with the multiblock (apart from it looking ugly)

Coming along nicely mate, are you going to keep the internal parts silver still or going to fully stealth it out?

I haven't got the money to sort out the internals, i could spray it myself but i think it would just end up being a mess.

Project is taking a bit of a rest at the moment as im starting a new job tomorrow, also im bidding on a 120 RAD and waiting for some bits to arrive.

Will hopefully get a day over the xmas break to get stuck in.

Sayso · 22 Dec 2010 at 23:38

6950 arrived today....waiting for blocks then its all systems go

Sayso · 4 Jan 2011 at 20:21

Cant remember have had it sitting in the loft for ages.

Sayso · 4 Jan 2011 at 22:37

Cookeh said:
Some people are just too good at modding.

You're one of them!

Sorry to hear about budget, always a pain isnt it?

Build looks good so far

hehe thanks but that just isnt true, i just like building computers and i would consider myself a builder not a modder i just haven't got the skills or tools to do a proper job.

As for money i have another £100 of kit arriving tomorrow..then its just the 6950 block to buy

Sayso · 5 Jan 2011 at 13:20

A few bits arrived today :

Phobya Pump and sponge stuff.
some more fixings
10 litres of mayhems ultra pure and a silver coil

i also had a 120 Feser come in the post aswell

oh and some *whisper* pre braided nzxt extension cables (dont tell anyone

)

i think i might just crack on and leave enough tubing crossing over the gfx card so it will be a simple case of cut and refit, leaving the rest of the loop alone...im getting a itchy trigger finger.

Sayso · 12 Jan 2011 at 18:32

Well made a start yesterday had a few problems but first some shoddy pics..

Pulling old build apart, im putting a system in there for a friend.

Leak testing.

Now it was at this stage i had a problem...like a dumass i had plumbed in the pump the wrong way round so had to swap it.

Wired ready to test.

all up and running....

Final testing

Problems!! i have already mentioned the pump but i have 2 other problems, the front panel inserts (you know what i mean the blanks!!) will not fit where the hard drive hot swap it fitted so i have a 2 x hole in the front, the other problem will be easy for solve but i ran out of time, i cant get the back panel to close due to the amount of cables im trying to hide.

Still to do:
NB is getting toasty so some sort of direct fan needed.
Front cover metal plate to get cut and mount, i might aswell get something custom made.
Replacing side window with darkish colour.
Some sort of lighting (any suggestions welcome).
A photography course of some kind so i can take some decent photos when ive finished.

Ive got to say im impressed at the Primochill ghost compression fittings no leaks, easy to fit and above all cheap.
The Phobya pump (when plumbed in correctly is quiet and is pushing the water around nicely, its seems quite powerfull.
The RADs are not even getting a work out, im able to keep all fans on minimum making the rig silentish apart from the 6950.

Sayso · 13 Jan 2011 at 16:53

Well have sorted one problem today the NB cooling i bought a spotcool antec fan and connected to my fan controller has dropped the NB temps by 30C under load im currently Priming at the moment CPU is sitting at 37C so about 10C cooler than my old case.

Have swapped the push/pull fans from the 120 RAD and im just using a 2200 Yate loon Pulling and have seen no difference.

Pics...

Sayso · 15 Jan 2011 at 20:09

Thanks mate, just a few more bits to do, im going to have to watercool the GPU its getting toasty.

I also have another 4Gb of RAM coming (DDR3 is here to stay for a bit so might aswell get it in)

Currently at 4GHZ on the CPU and the temps are great hopefully they wont budge that much when i add the GPU.

Its nice to sit next to a PC that is quiet and cool again.

Sayso · 4 Feb 2011 at 12:05

Ive got a few bits here

(its a secret just in case i totally mess it up) this is a before stress test pic???

edit as a after note my mobo will not run with 4 x 2gb sticks...ive had a nightmare this is the 2nd install of windows i have had, gotta keep trying ...?