Project Radster - Case Labs S8

Hey guys

I gave it some more thought and decided to give it one last try.
It depends on few things though, like if I can get a replacement pump/res combo and if nothing got damaged. It will probably take some time and I won't be posting updates in the meantime, but I will let you know if there is any progress.

The reason why I decided to try once more was because I knew that watercooling is an itch, an upgrade bug and it would come back to me eventually. Then I would have to buy everything all over again, If i sold it now. So I'll keep these bits a bit longer and see how it goes.

Thanks again

Bart
 
One thing I can tell you is that I will be doing something weird.
I will be using pci-e slots nr 1 and 4 or 5 for gpu's and won't be using ek bridge.
Ek bridge was the root of the problem with air lock.
It restricted flow a lot and I coldn't see one of the blocks properly, so couldn't determine where exactly air lock was.
If I put the cards further away, I will be able to see a lot more and tube won't be blocking view as much as bridge was.

So that's it for now.
I'll let you know if there is any progress.
 
Well, I have really bad luck.
On gpu is dead.
By dead I mean its artefacting and cause screen tearing and colors are weird.
I tried it with different PCI-E slots, with same result. This was the card overheating due to the airlock.
Not sure what to do about warranty now, thought it is EVGA card. Send it to Overclockers or straight to EVGA?
Second card looks fine so far /touch wood.
Motherboard and CPU are both ok.
I spent whole morning making sure that there is not a single drop or even residue on motherboard, around heatsinks and other hard to get parts.

From watercooling parts, I cleaed and dried all the blocks, rads and fittings so no loss there, but pump is also dead. No idea why it died to be honest.

So overall loss is 500£, I'll see if I can RMA gpu and pump and what will happen. I hope I can get a replacement gpu, but I have mixed feelings about it. Any of you have any experience of RMAing watercooled gpu?

Anyway, gtg.
Need to stress test the gpu a bit.
Idle temps look ok, but I am a bit worried what happens under load.
So I'll go play ESO on max settings for a while and see how it goes.
 
Hey guys

There was a small misunderstanding and I received RMA numbers both for the gpu and the pump, so they are on the way to OCuk.
I really hope everything will be fine.
I'll make an update when I know anything.

Bart
 
Well, I will be more careful with the new loop.
The sli cable is only long enough to put two gpu's at slots 1 and 5, but I am thinking maybe I can use 4 way sli bridge for 2 way sli and put the cards in slots 1 and 7?
No idea how it would look like, but definetely would help me avoid any more airlocks, because I would actually see them. Couldn't see the one which killed my gpu.
I found a way to put 3rd rad after all, but only with fans on one side, in push configuration.
I'll draw a picture tomorrow and post it here :-)
 
Hello guys

It's been a long time since the last update and I had some doubts should I go for the watercooling or no.
I decided to give it one more try and will be building the loop over the weekend.
After all I decided to stick with the plan.
The loop will consist of:
2 x 780 Waterblock
1 x CPU waterblock
3 x EK PE rads with fans in push configuration (1 rad on the side of the case and 2 on top)
Monsoon D5 Bay res and XSPC D5 pump
Primochill 10/13 PrimoFlex red tubing
Mayhems UV Red fluid

There will be some further cosmetic changes in the future i.e. cable extensions, additional fans for top of the case rads, LED strips, LEDs for GPU blocks (later this month).

I will post some photos after I am done (sometime during the weekend if all goes well).

Wish me luck :)
 
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It does have a ton of space, but I am having some problems with routing fan extensions to fan controller.
I am trying to make them mostly hidden. It's hard with S8, there are no vertical panels to hide cables, so I may have to DIY something.
 
It isn't as expensive as you may think.
It's worth to get some models especially now, they have been discounted a bit.
And CL introduced new limited color, metalic grey/green, it looks awesome.
Ofcourse not for free, but less than you would have to pay for powder coating somewhere else.
OCuk have some rigs made with CL cases, check the '8 Pack' line.

EDIT: I will be ordering few acrylic pieces, which will create a small compartment covering the fan cables completely.
I just received the delivery with D5 Pump/Bay res and some fittings.
All I managed to do so far was fitting the res inside the case, also attached fittings to all blocks and rads so they will be ready for tomorrow.
I guess it will be done by Monday evening.
I will post final pics then.
 
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A small update.
I managed to install everything without any leaks or airlocks this time.
There is still a tiny air bubble in one of gpu blockss though, the size of rice grain, which I couldn't get rid of no matter what. I spent an hour trying and finally quit. It's not blocking waterflow so I hope it will be fine.
Then I left the pump running for 4 hours at max speed.
Everything was ok and dry.
I will be doing cables and tests tomorrow.
Davido_labido is making some extensions for me, should have them in about 2 weeks.
I will post some pictures when I have the rig running.

Edit: Another small update. I have the rig running and everything seems to be ok.
Did some testing with OCCT and gpu benchmarks, temps are good and system is stable.
It took me to long to finish, so I didn't have time to add any pictures.
I will do that tomorrow afternoon.
There will be plenty to satisfy you guys :D
 
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Hey guys

Sorry for no pics today, I had some job to do and managed to only attach fan filters.
What can I say about cable management, well...
It would be a lot easier if I had a pedestal too.
With large unit like mine cables are very long. Way to long actually, I need to stuff them under the motherboard plate, under which there are also ssd's and hdd.
I may have to install the 3.5" drive cage that came with the case after all.
Another hour of work and I will have to redo cables.
I am planning to buy a piece of acrylic that will be attached at same level as motherboard plate, that will cover most of the mess with the cables, unfortunately I can't do anything about them.
I may have to buy a pedestal, just for the sake of cable management, which is a bit silly imho.

I will post some pics tomorrow, still need to attach 2 pieces of fan mesh and I ran out of adhesive.
 
I have never done it and I am afraid to mess them up.
I would have to make the much shorter versions.
Actually, if you consider doing all the custom cables and I would use MDPC-X sleeve, then add up the cost It would be the same as buying the S8 pedestal, around 200£ (that's including import tax and delivery).

So the pedestal it is, most likely.
I will make an order sometime this week.
Also this way I will be able to move fan controller to bottom of the case, right now it is blocking top of the bay res (I'd have to remove the controller to add more fluid to the loop).
Well, that also means I can add more fans, as If 14 wasn't enough :)
 
Hello guys

I decided to post a few pictures of what I was doing during last week.
The rig does not look as I wished yet, but there will be some changes, as I mentioned.
Including new CPU, a 4790k (EVGA confirmed newest bios allows new CPUs).
As you see on pictures below GPUs are very spread from each other.
I burned 1 GPU before because I couldn't see the air bubble the size of my thumb, so this time I planned earlier in order to avoid it.
Problem is, now I needed to get a 12 cm SLI bridge which may be to short after all (by around 5mm). I hope it will fit though, otherwise I will need to re-do the whole loop.

Anyway, pics below.


1. GPU 1 and 2 installed:





2. CPU Block installed:



3. GPU blocks and top rads installed, cable mess:



4. Left side rad installed:



5. Preparing for leak test:



6. Mini air bubble I mentioned in one of GPU blocks:



7. Moved fan controller to better slot, easier to route cables:



8. As it looks now, cold cathode's installed between the rads on top and in front, adding some glow:





As you have probably noticed, I have installed taller case top (38mm).
This is in case I ever add another GPU or change the rig entirely or to add fans on top of rads.

Next changes will come slow again.
1. Fan extensions in 2-3 weeks.
2. S8 Pedestal.
3. 4790k.
4. Cable management - final changes.
5. A few SSDs. My current OS ssd is getting old and sshd's are even older.

So that's it for now, the listed changes will come over next 2 months.
Appreciate your feedback as usual :)

EDIT: Baron C, the mobo plate have holes for anything up to E-ATX ( not HPTX, but you can opt for different motherboard plate if you want that format - but say goodbye to E-ATX motherboards then ).
 
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I may try polishing the blocks, but sometime later.
I would probably have to remove the gpu's in order to polish them?
Or put a hover hose next to the block to catch all dust.
Will give it a try definetely, but I have my mind on something else right now.
There will be time for 'endgame' cosmetics later :)
 
S5+pedestal would be better choice if you plan to have only mATX motherboards.
Ofcourse you can't have long rads with S5, but that shouldn't be a problem with pedestal added.
Or try SM5/8 or one of bigger cases, I've seen CaseLabs lowered some of the prices lately.
 
Hello guys

Small update.
This is my basket with stuff from CaseLabs, only waiting for reply from them with shipping charges and clicking the 'buy' button :)



After that, next big update will come at end of June, beginning of July - but may be delayed due to me taking holidays in July/August.

I will be posting some smaller updates about painting stuff etc.
I also have to re-build the loop setup.
Apparently there are no SLI bridges long enough to connect slot 1 and 7, means I will have to put them closer. Another thing, 90 degree angle fittings I use on GPU blocks are quite big, so I will have to use shorter ones, another thing to replace. I will most likely use Bitspower as it is closest in looks with rest of angled fittings in build, also they are much shorter than Alphacool which I use right now.

Anyway, I will post updates as soon as I get the stuff from CaseLabs.
 
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