[Build Log] Azure Redux by Maki Role - Did Somebody say Aquaero 6? - Still on hiatus for a bit

[Maki Role]

Hi all!

In addition to Loramentum, I'd like to share with you my latest project. I recently had the pleasure of winning a Coolermaster Cosmos SE in the Minimalistic PC Modding Competition. I've always wanted to use a Cosmos case, but never really had the means nor need. But with my current rig now needing a service (had my loops running for almost exactly a year now) there couldn't be a better time to make the switch.

Since I haven't introduced my current rig to this forum before, here are a few of the finished pictures from last year:

Specs are as follows:

CPU: Intel i7 3930k @ 4.7GHz 1.38V
Motherboard: Asus P9X79 Pro
RAM: 32GB G-Skill Ripjaws Z 1866MHz
GPUs: 2x Gainward GTX Titan 6GB
PSU: Corsair AX1200 (bit overkill I know, left over from a previous build)
Storage: 256GB Samsung 840 Pro + 120GB OCZ Agility 3 (due for retirement)
Storage: 2TB Seagate Barracuda

Cooling:

CPU Block: Koolance CPU 370
GPU Blocks: 2x EK GTX Titan XXL editions
Pumps: 2x Laing DDC1T
Reservoirs: 2x EK DDC X-Res 140
Radiators: 360mm + 240mm + 120mm Alphacool NexXxos XT45,
Tubing: Acrylic from a local supplier and Masterkleer Clear for flexi sections
Fittings: Lots and lots of Bitspower plus some Alphacool
Fans: 6x Scythe Gentle Typhoon
Coolant: Mayhem's Pastel Ice White + Mayhem's X1 UV Blue

So what's the Plan?

Well I'd like to stick with the idea of white and blue. This time, however, given the style of the case, I'm going with a classic automotive look. I'll likely be opting for metallic white panels with blue metal flake detailing, I'm thinking of having the handles chromed too with other similar accents around the case. I'll definitely be sticking with dual loops (because they're awesome, efficiency be damned) and rigid tubing, just need to decide how I'll manage the smaller quantity of space.

I'll try to see if I can get some progress pictures up on the weekend where hopefully I can start things. To tide you over 'til then though, here are some pics of the case itself.

[jdrage97]

nice looks good 

[acidydragon]

Looks like it'll be cool. Subbed.

[nixproducer]

looks good but i do not see why you went with the cosmos, i liked the last year photo with the mods you did on the case

[Anthony10]

moremoremoremoremore

[Paulandpedro]

very nice.

[Maki Role]

Thanks guys!  Should be a fun mini project, not doing any big CAD for this one so it's more the traditional follow the progress deal.

 

looks good but i do not see why you went with the cosmos, i liked the last year photo with the mods you did on the case

 

I won the case in a competition, so this mod is largely just for the hell of it.  I've been meaning to take apart my current setup for a while to clean it out etc. and also redistribute the radiators.  Currently I have 480mm for the Titans in their loop, which is way too much as they simply sip power. I'd rather drop to 360 for the CPU and 360 for the GPUs to add some more OC headroom, my GPUs don't overclock for jack so it would be better spent on the CPU.  Since I was going to be doing such a big job anyway, I figured I may as well switch cases whilst I'm at it for something new.

[nixproducer]

Thanks guys!  Should be a fun mini project, not doing any big CAD for this one so it's more the traditional follow the progress deal.

 

 

I won the case in a competition, so this mod is largely just for the hell of it.  I've been meaning to take apart my current setup for a while to clean it out etc. and also redistribute the radiators.  Currently I have 480mm for the Titans in their loop, which is way too much as they simply sip power. I'd rather drop to 360 for the CPU and 360 for the GPUs to add some more OC headroom, my GPUs don't overclock for jack so it would be better spent on the CPU.  Since I was going to be doing such a big job anyway, I figured I may as well switch cases whilst I'm at it for something new.

ok that makes more sense now cant wait to see more, subbed!

[Enderman]

ew nzxt plastic case :L

[NerdNinja]

subbed! your mods inspire me 

[Maki Role]

ew nzxt plastic case :L

 

Having built in both a Phantom 820 and an original Phantom, I found them to be very well made and sturdy cases.  The plastic actually looks and feels very good in person, plus I like how they're not simply boxes (looking at you Corsair Obsidian series and every Caselabs offering)

 

subbed! your mods inspire me 

 

Cheers man, means a lot to hear that!

 

UPDATE

 

So I got to work "destroying" the case today.  Will be doing a lot of stripping, painting and polishing to this baby.  I'm also probably going to construct a new interior front panel from scratch.

 

All stripped bare

 

 

This took a surprising amount of effort.  Will have to make a new wall most likely.

 

 

So much stuff came out...  

 

 

Coolermaster really didn't want this part to come out, so many rivets.

 

 

New toy for dealing with all the lurvely powder coating.  Thanks Andy and Crapman for the tip!

 

 

Popped it into the pillar drill instead, made the whole process so much simpler.

 

 

Getting there, need to do a hell of a lot of sanding to get them to the finish I want though.

[HexaGuy]

Looks interesting. Can't wait for Loramentum though! 

[Gilbert]

This looks interesting. Why ditch the Phantom?

[Hikaru12]

I didn't know you could buy steel wool for a drill! I bought a grinder that still left some powder coat on some side panels. I'm too lazy to redo the paint job because it isn't half bad but that's a great idea. Great build so far.

[Maki Role]

Looks interesting. Can't wait for Loramentum though! 

 

Don't worry, I'm only going to be doing this one when I can't work on Loramentum.  The two projects should sit pretty well next to each other in my schedule

 

This looks interesting. Why ditch the Phantom?

 

I just wanted a change really.  The Phantom is rather humungous (well, for me it is at least) so isn't so great for lugging around.  It's also simply more interesting I find working in a smaller enclosure, means you have to be more creative.  I'm not a fan of these massive Caselabs builds because frankly, they're a little easy.  You can fit pretty much anything you could ever want and then some in an STH10, they just look sad and empty with a normal system inside in my opinion.  I'll no doubt reuse the Phantom later one though, maybe turn it into a cabinet for screw/fitting storage or a fridge rofl.

 

I didn't know you could buy steel wool for a drill! I bought a grinder that still left some powder coat on some side panels. I'm too lazy to redo the paint job because it isn't half bad but that's a great idea. Great build so far.

 

It's actually a solid silicon carbide disc, I thought it was spongey too when I first saw pictures of them.  I would definitely recommend picking one up, they just eat through paint like Kobayashi.  Best bit is that it simply fits into a normal drill chuck, which is rather handy.

[Maki Role]

So I received this in the post yesterday:

 

 

 

 

I've wanted to do a mod using an Aquaero for ages, I finally decided to bite the bullet this time though.  Should help everything to remain as quiet as possible completely autonomously.  I wasn't too happy when I sprung a leak last summer during a freakishly hot day combined with a game that taxed my PC 100% for hours thanks to a bug.  Had I been using one of these it simply would have ramped everything up for me.

 

As for actual progress, I'm currently stuck sanding the bars.  It's a surprisingly large job to get them fully buffed up, still most of the legwork is done on that front, just need to progress through the finer grits now.

 

As for Loramentum, stay tuned as there's loads of exciting stuff around the corner!

[Kittke]

Is this dead???

[Maki Role]

@Kittke Not at all, in fact I picked up a new radiator for this build the other day.  The issue is that this is my main rig that I use for all CAD work etc. so I can only take it apart and work on things once I know I can afford to have the downtime.  Unfortunately that means I can't really do anything until Loramentum's CAD work is done and dusted.  I will, however, definitely be finishing this as I haven't got much of a choice.  My current rig has been running for over a year now and is overdue maintenance, so I was planning on combining the two.

 

To whet your appetite though, I've decided that I'll be going with nickel plated copper tubing rather than acrylic.  I may also be stepping down to a single loop for greater efficiency, it also frees up a pump (or two if I switch to a D5) for some side projects I'm thinking of.

[Tearass]

Well we're waiting.

[Maki Role]

Well we're waiting.

I mean it's not as if I'm busy with another project or anything...

Although it might please you to know I did actually sit down and make some progress with this build today. Not anything worth taking pictures of mind, but it's a start. Turns out I underestimated the amount of work that would be required to get the case to fit everything in the way I want. It seems I'm pretty much taking the whole thing apart and rebuilding it from scratch again. Soon though I won't be needing my main rig for a while, so I'll take it all apart and get this going. The radiator mounts are proving particularly challenging thanks to the handle placements.

[Tearass]

I mean it's not as if I'm busy with another project or anything...

Although it might please you to know I did actually sit down and make some progress with this build today. Not anything worth taking pictures of mind, but it's a start. Turns out I underestimated the amount of work that would be required to get the case to fit everything in the way I want. It seems I'm pretty much taking the whole thing apart and rebuilding it from scratch again. Soon though I won't be needing my main rig for a while, so I'll take it all apart and get this going. The radiator mounts are proving particularly challenging thanks to the handle placements.

 

I didn't mean to be rude, sorry. D:

[Maki Role]

I didn't mean to be rude, sorry. D:

Bah that's just text not putting across emphasis correctly, it was actually meant in a more jokey, teasing manner.

[MarQue98]

"Meh i don't like those boxy corsair and caselabs cases" *strips everything off of his cosmos that keeps it from being boxy*

lol just messing with ya i'm really excited about loramentum, so when i saw you were doing another build i couldn't resist to press that follow button

[Jacknif]

Holy cow, can't wait ! good luck

[starwarsguy99]

Anything gonna happen now???