The King is Dead, Long Live the ...

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Project is maybe a bit generous, more of just a build. In no hurray to finish this so this will run on for a month or two as I wait for the final components.

What was a, maybe it's time to upgrade the GPU kind of thought, quickly bloated into, sod it, complete new build. So it's time to retire the venerable Silverstone TJ07B I've had for years.

This then prompted the search for a comparable sized case, in black, with no need for a side window (this seems to massively decrease the available options these days). Always like a stealthy black look to a case, so had got some of the aftermarket black bits for the TJ07B so was still looking for that sort of look.

So what have I gone for?

Not travelled far as it turns out, as I've end up going with the Silverstone SETA H2 case.

Really impressed with the build quality of this, a lot of toolless design features, steel construction in a lot of areas so should help minimise tinniness but even without any components it's heavy.

 

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I bought a TJ07 in 2008 after a competitor site used it in a Dream PC build. Epic case.

Aye, immense case, sadly to get the most out of it for watercooling it really needed modded.

 

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That's mine there

 

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Passive cooled ?

Yeah, there is a couple of Noctua fans in the top that come on if it gets proper toasty when gaming, but otherwise passive.

 

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Stripped out all (11!) drive bays and removed the GPU support bracket, might need that later. Even with the bays removed, there's still another 4 mounts in the back of the motherboard tray.

There would be tons of room for a big watercooling rig in here. The front and top fan mounts are cleverly designed with slots rather than holes so can be fully configured for any radiator fan spacing. Space in the top for upto a 140.3 radiator, same in the front (though probably restricted to a 140.2 radiator if the top one is populated, or maybe squeeze in a slim triple) or I think 2x 3.120mm could be squeezed in there.

 

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Currently pondering how to get tubing in and out, can either start drilling holes in the back somewhere, but not sure where. Or use a PCI pass through bracket, but it's not something I like the look of.

Edit: Tempted by the Barrow or Watercool pass through brackets.

 

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So are you going with the same passive external setup? Otherwise surely you can fit enough rad space in there?
I'm sure there are some people on here with the tools/expertise to make you a custom pass-through bracket, if you're happy to snip a few PCI slots out!

Nah, ultimately it will be external cooled though. In the end I turned to the darkside and have bought a Barrow PCI pass through bracket - still maintains the black look of the case (though, being at the back, I'll never see it!).

 

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is this a combo of passive and air cooling?

It's going to be active watercooling, though maybe semi-passive if I can get away with it.

 

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I’ve been tempted to transfer them across (you can’t buy them anymore), maybe a future job.

Big delivery next week, but I’m still stuck for the GPU and CPU waterblocks, still on preorder. Also a struggle to get black QD3 quick disconnects, not sure Koolance are actively making them anymore.

Wet weekend so going to do the test fit of the roof radiator and a few more bits a pieces.

 

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Right back into it, garden is mostly sorted for the summer.

Managed to get hold of the Barrow pass through connector, looks like it's got a decent side channel through.

 

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Seems there's been a dearth of choice in high end PSUs, but managed to get hold of an Antec (rebadged Silverstone I think?) 1200W unit. Lovely looking bit of kit, comes with all the usual stuff and a button you can push on the back, how 90s!

Might need to give it a wee hoover out, been sitting for weeks now.

Still no waterblocks! I've seen the EK GPU block go back to out of stock on their website, so might need to order direct to make sure I can get something that fits my specific card. Also short of Koolance QD3s with the G1/4 thread on them, still no sign of these anywhere.

 

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Waterblocks are in the post!

Had a rummidge in my parts box and found some QD3's with the G1/4 thread on them, so good to go!

 

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Should have everything I need now, next up top radiator:

What a ballache this was to install, thankfully the case has a removeable top plate for mounting radiators and fans to, so once that was wheeked off, it made it a lot simpler to fit the radiator and fans. With a thin 420 radiator it was then really tight to get it back on with the 140mm fans as you've got to slide it in at an angle whilst pulling the fan cables out of the way, but finally got it in.

Next thing to struggle with I think is going to be getting the motherboard in with the power cables.

Edit:

Bit easier than I thought, just undo the top plate screws again and give it a tilt up to squeeze the ends through.

 

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Drives and RAM installed.

 

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Well, it's up and running on air as a temporary measure

Also, clocked that I hadn't used the primary drive slot, so swapped it over to the right one.

Had to take the top off to get the additional power plugs fitted, with the radiator in the top it is very tight.

GPU in, cables need a tidy, but I'll finish that off once it's swapped over to water.

Up and running with zero issues.

Hoping to get some time off next month to finish it off.

 

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The most dangerously permanent type of situation that. Don't ask me how I know...I might kick the motherboard under my desk off it's cardboard box! That's also temporarily running on air!

The thing I'm trying to resist is just leaving it as it is, it's surprisingly quiet!

 

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Glad you got it up and running mate. Are you planning on soft tubing or hardline ?

Will definitely be soft tube, got a couple of packs of Mayhem’s Ultra Clear sat here all ready to go.

 

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So this thing is actually quite big.

 

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If it's too big for you, feel welcome to post it to me! I rather wanted one to replace my 420 when I saw this one launch but I just couldn't justify the cost. Looks like you've gone all-in there; nice!
Just checked out of curiosity and mine's been running for 9 years now with no issues. You should at least get longevity out of it; they're well made. Mine still needed a good flush though and then some vinegar.

I wasn't going to bother, but now that I've seen that, that looks horrific.