Build Log: Project Rampage II (Caselabs STH10, Tri SLI 780TI, Full WC)

[kaiqi07]

Official Sponsors

 

 

Final Build Video

 

 

After more than a year I complete Project Rampage in 201, I am back again. I am working on improvements on my previous build Project Rampage, such as cable management, thermal control, performance. Will be using the main color scheme to White/Black and will use Red only for coolant.

Project Rampage II Latest Images:

Top Chamber Side Panel


Overall Shot of the Mid Chamber Loop (Motherboard and GPUs)


ASUS Rampage IV Extreme Loop Order


Dual D5 Pumps with Bitspower D5 Mod Kit and V2 Pump Top (Mid Chamber)




Tri SLI 780TIs



Links to various Project Rampage Logs and Achievements

VR Forum Project Rampage Build Log

Winner of Guru3D Rig of the Month March 2013

ASUS ROG Project Log Forum

Overclock.net Project Rampage Build Log

Official ASUS ROG Case Modding Forum

Above links are places where I would share my project logs and gather information on technical issues faced during the period of building Project Rampage.

Shortcuts to various build progress

Custom Spraying GT15s
Building Caselabs STH10
Back Panel Fittings
Poweradjust 2 Mounting Plate Prototype
Hex Radiator Grill
Poweradjust 2 Mounting Panel
Side Panel
DIY Lightbox


Project Rampage II Details

This project log will consists and document the progress of Project Rampage II. There will be frequent updates of the progress and sharing on technical issues faced and modding ideas to the fellow forum members.

I had made my order of Caselabs STH10 and its color will be the same as my current 800D which is black and white.

I had requested for the color of the interior to be full black. I did thought of getting total white but white will be harder to conceal stuffs. So I requested for custom color combination and It will look like my 800D but with upgraded and increase of space.

Rig's Components:
Intel i7 3930K
ASUS Rampage 4 Extreme
Corsair Vengence 1600 8 X 4 GB
Gigabyte 780TI GTX X 3 (Triple SLI)
Kingston Hyper X 3K 120GB SSD X 3(Sponsored)
3TB Seagate Barracuda
Seasonic X1250
Caselabs STH10

Current Watercooling Components
Bitspower Summit (LGA2011) Clear Plexi
Bitspower Universal Galaxy 4DIMM Clear Plexi (Nickel Replated)
Koolance RIVE Waterblock
Aquacomputer Aquaero 5 water block X 2
Aquacomputer Kyrographics Acrylic Glass Nickel 780 TI X 3
Aquacomputer 780TI backplate X 3
Swiftech MCP655 (Speed Control) X 3
Bitspower D5 Mod Kit Matt Black X 3
Bitspower D5 Pump Top X 3
EK 250 X2 Reservoir
Aquacomputer Aquaero 5 Pro (fan controls/LED Controls)
Aquacomputer Aquaero 6 Pro (fan controls/Pump Controls)
Aquacomputer Poweradjusts 2 USB X 3 -5 (pump controls/fan controls)
Aquacomputer Flow Sensor
Aquacomputer LED Amp (custom)
Bitspower Compression / Rotaries / Extenders Fittings (silver shining)
Koolance QDC / SLI Vid Connector Fittings (silver shining)
Phobya Extenders (silver shining)


Proposed Changes of WC Components

4 Radiators:
Phobya G Changer V2 360
Alphacool Monsta 360
Alphacool Monsta 480
Additional D5 Pump with Bitspower Mod Kit/ Bitspower V2 Pump Top



Proposed Fittings and Tubing
E22 10/12mm Acrylic Tubing (Clear)
Bitspower Multi Link Adapter C47 X 36

Proposed Blocks/ Backplate
Aquacomputer Aquaero 5 Waterblock X 2

Fans
Gentle Typhoons X 11
Enermax Magmas X 12


Filters
Demciflex Caselabs 4 X 120mm Flexbay
Demciflex Caselabs Btm Chamber X 2
Demciflex Caselabs Flexbay 360 X 1
Demciflex Caselabs Top X1

All fans are fully controlled by my Aquacomputer Aquaeros 5 and Aquaero 6 as well as Poweradjusts 2 (5 Sets). All fans are controlled by the system temperatures (GPU, Coolant).

Placement of Components

Radiator
2 X Radiator - Bottom Chamber
1 X Radiator Flex Bay

Reservoir
Motherboard Chamber

Pumps
Motherboard Chamber

Top Chamber

[kaiqi07]

After I made my purchase of the Caselabs STH10 I had a lot of ideas. As this case has endless and massive amount of space.

I had finalized a few things.

- Radiators (1 x XSPC RX360, 1 x EK XTX 360, 1 X EK XTX 480)
 2 X 360 rads, 1 X 480 rads doing Push Config.

- Radiators to be mounted at the bottom chamber and RX360 be mounted at the flex bay

- drain loop be at the bottom of the casing (Using T Joint Fitting to create the drain loop)

- Mid and bottom chamber have their own pair of Quick Disconnect. This will allow easier draining and removal of radiators.

- DIY a lightbox

- DIY frosted LED light bar at the front panel side vents

- Using E22 tubings and Bitspower C47 fittings

- Coolant will be using Mayhem Pastel Red. Should be able to reuse them as just used them around 1 month only. I have additional 1 bottle of the pastel red concentrate.

- All 5 inch devices to be mounted at top chamber with PSU.

- Planning to install a HDD Cage at the top chamber
(Will have to check with caselabs if its possible)

[kaiqi07]

Did up a sample of how my STH 10 will look like


Same color scheme as my current Corsair 800D but just different casing.

For my order of Caselabs STH10, I had order the following additional accessories.

- 2 X 480 Radiator Stand
- 1 X 360 Flex Bay Radiator Mount
- Silverstone USB 3  I/O Panel
- 3 X 5.25 Inch Bay Mounting (Short, adjustable)

As you can see from the sample image of how my STH10 will look like. The ventilated doors will only be at the bottom chamber. I am intending to mount all of my radiators down at the bottom chamber.

My top chamber will be used to mount all of my 5.25 inch devices which includes the following.
- Aquacomputer Aquaero 5 Pro

- Aquacomputer Aquaero 6 Pro
- Aquacomputer Poweradjust Panel (Poweradjust 2 USB X 2)
- D5 Pump

Reason for the device to be mounted at the top is to be able to hide all of the unsightly cables, temperature probes and PSU cables at the top leaving the mid chamber free from unwanted sight of cables.

All SSD and HDD will either be mounted on the rear panel (SSD) and bottom chamber (HDD)

I am changing all of my radiator from EK XTX 360, XT240 to Alphacool Monsta 360, Alphacool Monsta 480 and Phobya G Changer 360 V2.

[kaiqi07]

Below are the list of loop order which I had done up for Project Rampage II.

Components Layout


Tubing Loop Layout



 

[kaiqi07]

Arrival of Caselabs STH10


Rushed home like a young boy to open his present. When got home, I saw the package lying at the doorstep. Freaking huge package.

Opened the package and found out something amiss....

Some of the parts that I had ordered separately are all in white instead of black.

I had custom the black and white colors, Exterior all white except for flexbays are all black.

Interior wise, all black.

The parts that I ordered all came in white,

- HDD Cage
- Short 5.25 Adjustable mounts X 3
- 480 Radiator Stand X 2


Even the 4 sets of 5.25 mounts are white too....

Worst case is, the HDD cage is bent!

I had yet to fix them up and yet so many issues. So discouraging.....

So I sent them email notifying them about this issue and hope they could give me a solution...

As I need to drill some holes for reservoir mounting, I cannot fix up the whole case yet.

So visually, I see no errors or faults on the casing so I am hoping nothing goes wrong with the panels.

 

Kevin from Caselabs is very helpful if helping me with the RMA process and within a week I had received my replacement HDD cages as well has new radiator mounts and 5.25 mounting kits. Thumbs up Caselabs!

[kaiqi07]

Took me total  3.5 hours to fix up the STH10. Took my time as I dont wish the screw driver to go flying and scratch the case.

Fixed up the Main Frame of the STH10, Its MASSIVE



After fixing it up, I started to plan for the relocation and placement of the HDD cage and 5.25 inch bays.

Completed STH10

[kaiqi07]

Sneak peak at what arrive today at my door step.

Bitspower Fittings


My Haul


Jayson's Loot


My Platoon of Fittings (more in my current rig)


I guess I am more or less ready for the migration really soon.

[kaiqi07]

Initial loop order for rear panel

 

I played with the idea of using various types of fittings such as QDC, extenders and compression fittings at the rear panel. Had two goals in mind while working and planning on the rear panel loop which are Ease of Draining, Modular.

 

Here are some images of the initial planning stage of my build rear panel.

Tubings and fittings on motherboard tray


Inlet to Reservoir + Fill Port


Decided to use this G1/4 Reservoir Inlet port as a fill port as well.

Fittings used for this setup

1 X Bitspower Mini D Plug (Front Side)
1 X Bitspower T Joint Rotary
1 X Bitspower 30D  Rotary Extender
1 X Bitspower Case Panel Fittings
1 X Bitspower 30D Extender
1 X Koolance VL3N- MG (Male Threaded QDC)
1 X Koolance VL3N-F10 (Female Compression Fitting QDC)
1 X Koolance Inline Filter


Installed a pair of QDC so that I could allow coolant to flow into the reservoir instead of flowing to the radiator.

Reservoir Inlet + Fillport



Reservoir Outlet + Pump Inlet + Reservoir Drainage


The set of fittings allows the coolant from exits from the reservoir and re enters to the pump. The bottom of the bottom T Joint Rotary is planned to be used as a drainage for the reservoir.

Fittings used for this setup
2 X Bitspower T Joint Rotary
1 X Bitspower Case Panel Fittings
1 X Bitspower Mini D Plug (Front Side)
2 X Bitspower Stop Fittings (One Installed)
1 X Bitspower Ball Valve (Yet to install)
1 X Bitspower Multi Link Adapter (Front Side)
1 X Koolance male to male G
1 X Koolance SLI Vid Connector

I had decided to use full tubing for the rear panels and will be using full acrylic hard tube (E22) at the front of the casing.

This is so that I could installed Quick Disconnects to allow removal of components/ draining possible easily.

[xrex64]

Much reserve. 

[kaiqi07]

During the initial stage of the build, one of the mods I wish to work on is to find a solution on how to mount my 5 sets of Poweradjusts 2 without using the Aquacomputer Poweradjust mounting kit. So I came out with a simple design and done up a prototype for the mounting bay for my Poweradjust.

 

After a simple planning and drawing using Illustrator, I send the acrylic to be cut using laser cutting machine.
Front View of Poweradjust 2 Bay


Rear View of the Poweradjust Mounting Bay with Project Rampage Logo


(Do note the rear panel's protective sheet has yet to be peeled off)

After getting them laser cutted, I found out that the mounting holes are slighting off .... Guess I have to manually use hole file to file the holes bigger...

[Emkryan]

No spamming please. Against CoC

[mikeangeles 75]

Very reserved.

[_ASSASSIN_]

lol going to get sued for that skrillex logo copycat

[kaiqi07]

lol going to get sued for that skrillex logo copycat

Copy? sorry, I dont even knw who he is and have no interest in copying. If using shapes is copying, I believe everyone will be busy suing one another.

 

*just googled and saw that the logo. I believe Blizzard will get sued as well as seems starcraft II is using the same logo.

[kaiqi07]

Custom Lightbox for STH10

Blueprint of the STH10 Lightbox

 

After various attempts on creating the lightbox with tons of wastage on materials. I finally managed to get a evenly lit lightbox working for my build.

 

Custom made Lightbox fitted into Caselabs STH10

 

[kaiqi07]

Instead of using those off the shelves radiator fan grill, I decided to make my own as well.

Used illustrator to draw out the rad grill and screw holes.

Planned Radiator Grill EK XTX360

 

Each set of the radiator fan grill consists of dual layer (Black and Barley). This combination is to create a contrast and will allow the grill to standout from the radiator.

[kaiqi07]

Completed Hex Radiator Grill

Hex Radiator Grill

Hex Radiator Grill Showing Full Length

Hex Radiator Grill Color Images

[kaiqi07]

For top chamber, I had created a Top Chamber Panel cover which one side will have my Project Rampage II cutout and on its rear it will house 5 sets of my Poweradjusts 2.

Side Panel




Screws for the Poweradjusts 2 on the Side Panel


Side Panel Mounted onto STH10

[kaiqi07]

Poweradjust 2 Mounting onto Side Panel


Custom White Sleeved Aquabus Cables


Test Mounting with triple 120mm Enermax Magmas

[KrutoyEegrok]

This rig is going to be awesome, but what will it be used for?

Tri 780 ti......

[Chatzev]

This looks awesome, can't wait!

[Monty007]

Holy crap!

[kaiqi07]

Thanks for the likes. This rig is used mainly solely for gaming and.occasion photo editing as well as video editing. This build is close to 95% complete and left with two more simple mods. Will try to update more when I get home later.

[kaiqi07]

For Project Rampage II, I had sourced different E Stores for various modding supplies and here are some of the stuff I bought for cables sleeves as well as cable management clips.

Sleeves
- 3mm Sleeves (Red, Black, Grey, White, Orange) 20 - 40m each color
- 4mm Sleeves (Red, Black, Grey, White) 20 - 30m each color
- 3.2mm Heat Shrink (Red, Black, White) 4m each
- 4.6mm Heat Shrink (Red, Black, White) 4m each

Cable Management
Cable management C Clips - 20 - 40 of each sizes
Cable management bar clips - 10 - 20 of each sizes
PVC Fan Filters - 8 pc
Rubber rings for fan screws
plaster spacers
red mobo standoffs spacers
3pin fan extensions - 80cm X 7
molex spiltters - 5 pc
USB Extension cables - 2 pc
HD Audio Extension cables - 1 pc
2pin Switch/Reset Extension cables - 4 pc
USB 3.0 to USB 2.0 cable - 1 pc
Molex to Sata low profile convertor - 1 pc

Fittings
Koolance Male to Male fitting - 5 pc
Koolance 10mm Extender - 4 pc

Cables Modding Tools
ATX Removal Tools (Set)
3Pin Fan Molex - 60 pc Black 40 White
Female Molex (Black/White) - 30 each
Male Molex (Black/White) - 30 each
Molex and 3pin Fan pins - 100 each
Seasonic 24pin Sleeved Cables - 1 pc
Seasonic 6pin Sleeved Cables - 4 pc
Seasonic 8pin CPU Cable - 1 pc
Seasonic Molex Cable - 1 pc
Seasonic Sata Cable - 1 pc
6pin 80cm PCI E Extension Cable - 6 pc
24pin 60cm Extension Cable - 1 pc

Lighting

12 X 5mm White LEDs

2m Red LED strip
3m White LED strip with 70cm cable with 3pin - 2 pc
7m RGB LED strip
RGB controller
LED controller

Some images of the items bought are shown below.

Cables Sleeves


Cable Management Clips

Spacers and Rubber O Rings for Fans


LED Strips

[kaiqi07]

I am glad that Kingston is one of my official sponsors for Project Rampage II. Kingston had generously sponsored two piece of Hyper X 3K 120GB SSD for my build. In return I sold off my OCZ Vector 128GB SSD and replace it with another HyperX 3K. In total for this build I will have a total of 3 X Kingston HyperX 3K 120GB SSD.

In terms for outlook wise, I love the stealthy look of HyperX 3K

 

Parcel from Kingston
\

 

I am really impressed with the built quality of the Kingston HyperX 3K SSD. The whole casing is made of metal which makes it feel and look more durable than other brands of SSD I owned.

Kingston HyperX 3K


Packaging Interior of Kingston HyperX 3K


Kingston HyperX 3K with Mounting Kit


Overall I am impressed with the SSD in terms of looks and build quality and glad that all of my SSD are all of the same brands.