Project XOSKEL [D-Frame Mini Build]

[Alec**]

That turquoise is just insane. Amazing work.

Thanks! Yeah I'm really happy with how the colours looking, will definitely try and stick to the trend of slightly more obscure colours in future.

 

[Alec**]

The penultimate update! So over the weekend I finished off the tubing and got leak testing underway...

Mixed reactions to the Monsoon kit here. The tube bending was OK once I'd worked out the optimum time to heat the tube for (5 seconds too much you got bubbles, 5 seconds too little it would kink).

The real challenge came with gluing the hard-lock caps on. The requirement is to get all the air bubbles out, which I found to be near on impossible! I think ideally the caps needed to be slightly smaller, I found that when you pushed in on one side, there was enough movement to cause the other side to come away resulting in air bubbles. I resulted in caking the tube with glue in best efforts, I guess we'll see in a few weeks how well this worked.

Here's how the setup looked:

However, started filling up and there was an instant leak. The tube between the Res and CPU wasn't quite flush with the fitting, not sure if this was a result with the hard-lock collar or wonky tube cutting / bending.

So I've now re-bent this tube, and simplified it by using a right angled fitting on the res.

The systems been leak testing for over 48 hours now without issue. I've now got some Mayhems White Pastel Pre-Mix which I'll add to the Blue Pre-Mix and Green Dye to (hopefully) achieve the right shade of turquoise! Will try and get a pic of that later!

 

[Alec**]

Is it just camera lens distortion or is your GPU > Rad tube about 5mm tool long at the GPU end? Looks like the tube isn't parallel with the rad surface. Or is that a trick of perspective given the tube is coming out the rad at a slight angle?

With a build this stunning I can only comment on the tiny little things lol

Ace work.

Also, I'm not a fan of those Chaingun fittings, but they fit this build very nicely - I guess it's about application more than stand-alone looks.

Hey LePhuronn, thanks for the comments

The tube is parallel to the radiator, but it's at an angle on the Z-axis (if looking side on) due to the GPU and Rad not being quite in-line. It's prob the angle it's taken at making it look like it's not parallel in the X-axis!

As for the Chaingun fittings, I defiantly agree to an extent. I wasn't a big fan of them at first (I'd prefer something cleaner like the traditional bitspower fittings), but once you've picked a hardline 'technology' (in this case I felt the hardlock fittings would be best) you're not left with much of a choice! If I have issues with the hardlock in the next few weeks I'll be looking towards EK for an alternative using compression.

 

[Alec**]

that's one very dashing build. excellent work mate.

Lovely looking build so far. Really like these "cases" a lot. Have been sorely tempted to do a build in one for a while but having only just started to see the finishing line of my current build I don't think it'll be for a while.

I don't know what diameter tubing you've got, but I can't recommend the Primochill Revolver fittings enough. I've used them on my last two hardline builds and they've been absolutely brilliant. Really quick and easy to use, you can change tubes around no hassle at all and never had one leak.

Thanks! Yeah the D-Frame Mini has defiantly been a fun 'case' to work with, not sure I'll want to go back to a conventional case for a while lol.

As for the tubing, I'm currently using the 16mm (where as the Primochill is smaller), but I'm really glad to hear some positive thoughts on the compression fittings in general! Naturally I was a little skeptical of compression on hardline, but I think as with all this kind of technology the engineering will improve dramatically over the next year or two as will the range of fittings on the market.

Looking again I can see the slight Z axis shift, so it is just a trick of perspective.

I'll be interested to hear your thoughts on the EK fittings as I'm planning on using them myself on a project. Given this will be my first proper case mod, custom loop AND hardline (I'm insane and jumping in the deep end first time!) I'd like to get as much info from others before I drop a load of cash I don't have and ruin everything!

That sounds like a big project, deep end much! Be prepared to dedicate a few weekends to it, the mistake I made with this build is trying to do it in evenings and it's taken all of 12 weeks! Will keep an eye out for the project log

Rig envy!
That is sweet.

Hehee thanks Trunkey!

Lovely looking build and so good to see a different accent colour in use. There is a Mayhems post in wc forum where, time permitting, they can sometimes help you to match up the right coolant colour... just a thought.

Cant wait to see her filled up and finished

That's pretty awesome thanks! Think I was able to get a pretty solid match on colour using Blue & White Pastel Pre-Mix with some added green dye.


Was able to take a set of final shots last night, will hopefully get them developed over the weekend and uploaded. Got a busy day today but will try and post a little something later!

 

[Alec**]

So here's a little teaser then, just to prove the colour match!

Will get a full set uploaded in the next few days

 

[Alec**]

It's only taken 12 weeks, but I'm happy to say the build is complete! Time for some final shots...

Credit to MikeMK for the pictures!

I think it's fair to say I'm really happy with the way this build has turned out. I've always been optimistic that the D-Frame Mini would provide the foundations to a really special looking build, and it most certainly has. It's taken a lot longer than expected having only been working on it 4 or 5 evenings a week but it's definitely been worth it.

Even though the case is only designed for a Mini-ITX Motherboard and 240mm rad, it looks so right with the larger components in. The hardline watercooling loop I think really looks right in this case, it would have been criminal to use flexitube here! My favourite part though has to be the colour. I've never seen a turquoise watercooled build, and it definitely makes this rather unique.

I'm reserving my opinion on the hardline fittings until it's been running for a few weeks, I'll keep you posted with any issues / praise. I'll also keep the log updated with progress on the overclock etc.

The D-Frame Mini has been great fun to work with. The bare-bones / roll cage feel contributes not only an incredible look, but also fantastic functionality when in the building / modding process! Thanks again to In Win for providing it.

I've had the PC running for a couple of days now, and I have to say I'm genuinely impressed by the Be Quiet! fans and PSU. Considering I've got 3 120mm fans on max, as well as the PSU, none of which are enclosed in any way it's phenomenally quiet. Temps are all looking good too (will provide a little more detail in a couple of weeks once I've done a bit of overclocking). Thanks again to Be Quiet! for supporting this build.

Thanks to MikeMK for the ongoing support with the project, and thanks to everyone who's commented on this thread! The positive comments are much appreciated, and any criticisms are always well taken on board. Would love to hear what you think of the end result!

 

[Alec**]

I'll take the reprimand because there is no other way of saying this: your build is ** Swearing must be fully starred ** insane. Just seriously off the damn scale. Maybe it's the colour, maybe it's the frame, but it's just so different looking than everything else it's a head turner, even with B Negative's Lumo out there too.

Still not sold on those chaingun fittings though

Hahaa thanks LePhuronn! Yeah Lumo is a bit of an attention grabber, always knew this was going to be a slightly different direction stylewise though.

Agreed, fantastic build, the turquoise pops so much. The colour matching of paint/cables/coolant is perfect. Excellent build matey, top notch!

Cheers Luggs, much appreciated!

 

[Alec**]

Great final pics for an epic build. Love the black/turquoise combo.

Thanks Teuton, much appreciated!

Without any question the best build I've seen here on OC forums since joining last month.

There isn't anything amiss here whatsoever except maybe some low-light photos. To see what it looks like at night time.

Hahaa cheers! There's plenty of great looking builds on here, but that means a lot

One of the challenges of the frame is that there's no where to hide strips of LEDs etc. so low light pictures would be pretty dark atm! Looking to find a solution, but not sure how yet.

 

[Alec**]

I love the look of this system. The blue coolant looks excellent and the motherboard looks as if it left the factory in that colour as the finish is pristine.
Excellent work, one of the best systems I've seen

Thanks TechMinerUK, that means a lot!

 

[Alec**]

Very nice, the colour is excellent as are the pictures. Its so damn neat looking, supremely jealous of the hardline skill.

Thanks colinmcr, glad you like it!

That colour just make's it stand's out so much, very nice good looking build.

Cheers! Definitely happy with the stand out shade of turquoise

So when you starting the next project Alec?

Hahaa funny you should ask! I've been thinking about the next one, might do a scratch build, I've got an idea in my head Will have to wait a year or two though!

nice outcome mate. looks brilliant

Thanks mate, much appreciated!

 

[Alec**]

This looks outstanding

Nice work, very nice

This is absolutely unreal work man, very inspiring!

Thanks guys, all very much appreciated!

 

[Alec**]

Excellent work, looks amazing!

Thanks mushtafa, much appreciated!

 

[Alec**]

Nice paint job and the wiring looks nice too

Very nice.

Love the turquoise and black looks awesome!!

Thanks for the positive comments guys!

As a side note, sitting on 4.6GHz stable ATM @ generous 1.309V. Temps looking good, <30C idle, <70 load. Will continue pushing, think I've got a little headroom still!