Project: Water

RSR · 30 Aug 2016 at 15:27

Welcome to Project:Water

My new project and a first for water cooling for me as I've never created a custom loop before as I have only used AIOs in the past. I’ve chosen to use the hard loop setup, which will also be interesting and challenging.

Special thanks goes out to whiterabbit and stelly for the help.

Theme: Black and White

Build Spec's

Water Cooling:

EK Water Blocks EK-CoolStream SE 240 Radiator
EK Water Blocks EK-CoolStream PE 360 Radiator
EK Water Blocks EK-XRES 140 Revo D5 PWM (incl. pump)
EK Water Blocks EK-RES X3 - Multiport TOP
EK Water Blocks EK-RES X3 - Internal Tube 12/16 40mm
EK Water Blocks EK-FC 1080 GTX WB Nickel + Plexi
EK Water Blocks EK-FC 1080 GTX Backplate - Black
EK Water Blocks EK-Supremacy EVO - Nickel Water Block
EK Water Blocks Various Black EK Fittings
EK Water Blocks EK-HD PETG Clear Tube 10/12mm
Mayhems Pastel - Ice White Coolant 2L

Hardware:

Asus Strix X99 Gaming Intel X99 (Socket 2011) DDR4 ATX Motherboard
Intel i7-6850K 3.60GHz (Broadwell-E) Socket LGA2011-V3 Processor
Trident Z Series DDR4 PC4-25600 3200MHz - Black and White
Intel 750 800GB U.2
Samsung Evo 850 1TB x 2
EVGA 1080 GTX FE
Seasonic XP2 860 PSU
EK Water Blocks - EK Vardars F3 x 3
Corsair ML 120 - White LED X 2
Corsair ML 140 - White LED

Monitor:

LG 34UC98-W 34

Case:

Phanteks Enthoo Evolv ATX - Gun Metal - Tempered Glass Edition
Phanteks Multicolor Magnetic RGB LED Strip
Phanteks Asus Aura Adaptor

Extra's:

Cable Mod: Custom Black and White Cables.

Updated 23-10-16 - Final Hardware Build

RSR · 31 Aug 2016 at 19:46

A few parts arrived today, I will try and upload some pictures shortly.

RSR · 2 Sep 2016 at 11:23

A small collection of EK parts ready for my build, I am just missing the internal tube for the multi point res top now.

EK Block Prepped for a 2011-3 CPU.

Flushing fluid and Loop coolant.

Here is be bulk of the main hardware, its just missing the CPU (6850K) and RAM (G.Skill Rip Jaw IV).

The other parts of the build not shown are:

LG 34UC98-W
G.Skill - Ripjaw IV DDR4
Intel Core i7 - 6850K
CableMod - Black and White Custom Kit - ETA on Monday.

RSR · 4 Sep 2016 at 20:37

I've had a bit of a busy weekend on the build:

Basic's installed and tested.

240 & 360 Rads and CPU water block installed. However, the EK mount I got for this setup didn't work due to the lenth of the GPU.

So time for some DIY and I've ended up with the following setup.

The post rear install.

Now with everything installed, its time to start on the hard tubing.

RSR · 4 Sep 2016 at 20:41

I am still waiting on the internal tube from EK, so as temporary measure I have used some soft tubing plus a splitter so I can still drain the system. I’ll need to order some more hard tubing as I burned through 4 packs with this setup and I’d like to re-do a number of the bend once the internal tube arrives so I can do the final setup. I don't think it’s a bad, first go at hard tubing but there is differently an art to it.

My Cable Mod custom cables are also due here tomorrow, so I will re-cable it with them which should add some nice contrast to it all.

RSR · 5 Sep 2016 at 20:30

CableMod cables arrived today and they are now installed, I've just thrown them in for now but all tidy them all up once the custom loop is complete.

Just waiting for OCUK to stock the EK-RES X3 - Internal Tube 12/16 40mm to complete the build now.

RSR · 6 Sep 2016 at 21:12

romeooscarbravo said:
Thats a beautiful build so far mate. Gotta ask I've got the same case and res, how did you manage to get it mounted to the back,i tried but couldn't find a spot to get all four screws in.
Would it be possible to take a pic of the otherside so i can see?

Thank you, I've drilled holes through the back of the case. I'll update with some pictures at the weekend as it will be the finial install as long as my internal tube arrives.

RSR · 10 Sep 2016 at 11:16

They are really good and very quite as well, I'll get some pictures uploaded.

Spec Update:

EVGA FE 1080 or Nivida Titan X due shortly.

RSR · 11 Sep 2016 at 10:37

Smffy said:
Some photos with the power on so I can see the LED effect?

I'll upload more once the new graphics card arrives as I am waiting on refunds and ill order ether a EVGA ED1080 or Nivida Titan X, as i've had to do some temporary re-plumbing for the moment.

RSR · 11 Sep 2016 at 10:53

romeooscarbravo said:
Thats a beautiful build so far mate. Gotta ask I've got the same case and res, how did you manage to get it mounted to the back,i tried but couldn't find a spot to get all four screws in.
Would it be possible to take a pic of the otherside so i can see?

I've not forgot about this but ill upload some once the new GPU arrives and its all plumbed back up.

RSR · 15 Sep 2016 at 09:14

My internal tube arrived.

RSR · 15 Sep 2016 at 10:02

Out with the old ram and in with the new....

I need to start with the cable training once all the hardware has arrived as they are a bit messy at the moment and re-do some of the hardline tubing.

RSR · 15 Sep 2016 at 11:08

mods1965 said:
Excellent build. What tool did you use to make the bends?

I used this to start with: https://www.overclockers.co.uk/monsoon-hardline-pro-mandrel-kit-3-8-x-1-2-13mm-wc-202-mo.html

However, when I come to make the finial hard tubing for the project ill be doing it via hand as its gives a much better finish IMO.

I've also doing a little bit more tweaking and I think I've found the resting place for this CPU, I guess I could push it more but there isn't really any point.

RSR · 16 Sep 2016 at 20:26

romeooscarbravo said:
What temps are you getting with the two rads running in the build?

I know with the CPU is see temperatures from 25 - 32c on idle and light loads with it peaking to around low 60's under stress tests which have been left for a few hours.

I can't comment on the GPU at the moment as I am currently waiting on my new card. However, from memory it idled around 34c peaking at mid 50c

That's with all fans on there lowest settings, I will post some more detailed analysis once the system is complete.

RSR · 2 Oct 2016 at 14:43

Another update:

I am please to report the EVGA 1080 FE has arrived and doesn't have any coil whine.

So after testing the card was stripped down

After the WB has been installed, nearly done my final hard tubing setup and also trained the cables.

I've ordered a few extension pieces from EK, just so I can line items up a little better so we are nearly done and I need some more custom cables from CableMod for the last items.

It should have a extra 850 Evo 1TB drive on the rear but at the moment its stuck in the post.

RSR · 2 Oct 2016 at 14:56

Asus Strix 1080 A8G - Coil Whine

I tested two Asus Strix cards and I found coil whine on both of them to be unacceptable. So they where replaced with a EVGA 1080 FE

RSR · 2 Oct 2016 at 15:07

EVGA card in and under water, well Mayhems Pastel White.

RSR · 23 Oct 2016 at 19:41

Finally its all finished.

The Front:

The Rear:

Few Arty Ones:

Desk Setup:

Overall I am very happy with the way this build turned out. I do have a few parts I am thinking about changing out later to be honest.

Phanteks multicolor magnetic RGB LED Strip - It doesn't seem to show whites correctly as they seem to be more blue than white. Maybe later down the line I will replace these with ether UV ones and then change the coolant to Mayhems Pastel UV White. The other option ive been looking at was running the NZXT Hue system.

I also want to raise the PC off the carpet so I am currently getting some granite cut to a custom size to create a plinth.

If anyone has any recommendations, please let me know.

RSR · 23 Oct 2016 at 19:49

Thank you.

I've just got the sound to sort now, which is proving to be a lot harder than I thought.

RSR · 23 Oct 2016 at 20:08

_lecro_ said:
Excellent job !

Was the ram change purely for aesthetics ?

Thank you, I only bought the Rip Jaw IV's (16GB) as a temporary measure until I could find the Trident Z kit (32GB). However, I had to import these from the US as I couldn't find anyone who carries stock of them in the UK in this configuration.