[WIP] World's slowest build - Caselabs - Acrilic tubing - Custom sleeving

[notenoughtv]

A while ago I decided to upgrade my first watercooling loop for one with acrilic tubing. A week ago I received the last package of products I needed, or so I thought so. I forgot to order the mounting clamps for the reservoir. The Bitspower reservoir I ordered for the first time I built the system didn't come with any because I got the pump mod/res combo. 

 

Anyway, since I have to pay at least 45 dollars shipping for anything  I ordered an XSPC Photon 270 because the Bitspower res already has some scratches just from handling it. It takes about 3 weeks for any package from Performance PCs to get to me (mostly because of customs). So since I was already about a month and a half just using my laptop as my main computer, I decided to ghetto mount the res with zip ties so I coould at least use my computer.

The time I have to wait for the res to arrive inspired me to write up a build log, or the end part of one at least and since I have a half decent camera now, there is no reason not to write one.

 

First off, the specs.

 

Case: Caselabs SM8

Processor: Intel Core i7 3770K

GPU: AMD R9 290 4GB

RAM: 2x8GB Kingston HyperX Fury 

Motherboard: Asus Maximus V Formula

PSU: Seasonic 850W X Series 80 Plus Gold

SSD: Corsair GS 180GB (for now)

HDD: 2TB Seagate (not sure which one, it came out of a enclosed drive), 500GB WD Caviar Black inside a USB 3 enclosure for steam.

 

Peripherals and others.

 

CM Storm Quickfire

Logitech G602

Audioengine A2 Speakers

21" LG 1080p IPS monitor

27" Qnix 1440p monitor

Ebay chinese white LED Strip and some switch I bought from PPCS

White LED Delrin Vandal resistant Switch to replace the stock blue one.

 

Watercooling Parts.

 

EK Supremacy Plexi Nickel Block (Considering a full nickel top for the block)

EK Maximus V Formula Plexi Full Motherboard Block

Koolance VID-AR290X Water Block 

Phobya 60mm 480mm & 360mm rads

Swiftech D5 Pump

Bitspower Pump upgrade kit

XSPC Photon 270 reservoir

Monsoon Hardline Economy Fittings, White

EK CSQ Black Chrome fittings for the bottom part

6x Bitfenix Spectre Pro PWM White

3x Bitfenix Spectre Pro White LED

Swiftech 8 way PWM splitter

Monsoon Pro bender kit from PPCS

Monsoon Hardline 16mm acrylic tube

One piece of acrylic to cover the PSU and pump and one for the IO

 

Now the pictures.

 

This is what it looked like with the soft tubing.

I used to have an NZXT Hue. This is how the white light from it looked

 

This is how the 8 dollars for the 5 meters of LED strip from ebay looked (Didn't use 5 meters for the case)

 

For the current build.

 

The loop is only running on the 480 rad currently. I have to drain it soon so I didn't bother using the 360 too.

Most of the acrylic is already bent to shape, the only piece left to bend is the one from the chipset to the res, when it arrives I'll get that done.

 

The acrylic bending kit

 

And this happened while bending so I had to order a new one with my reservoir

 

I put 4 LED strips behind the motherboard tray to light under it, that's why the audio PCB separation looks yellow.

 

I changed the PSU fan for the PWM controlled Bitfenix fan, the stock one was too loud. This fan is plugged in and controlled by the motherboard

 

This acrilic piece will cover the IO, I have to figure out how I will stick it in place

 

This one will cover the PSU and pump

 

These will go on the piece of acrilic

 

This is how it looks now.

 

Yellow redline haha, I need to see what I do with this.

 

The mess in the back

 

The front

 

Things I would like.

 

A way to dim the interior lighting. The LED strip is running of one of the fan headers on the Swiftech splitters, I could use a 7v adapter to dim the lights but I would like a way to have more control over it

I need to think of a nice way to cover the honeycomb mesh next to the rear IO. Too much light bleeds through and it annoys me.

The case lighting makes the underglow of the motherboard barely notisable. Both are currently on the same switch. I think I will wire the underglow permanently to the PSU

 

[gramzon]

That looks awesome, just out of curiosity what's the reason behind it being upside down?

[notenoughtv]

That looks awesome, just out of curiosity what's the reason behind it being upside down?

The caselabs sm8 is reversible so you can choose which way you want it. The only reason for it to be reversed is that the PC sits on a table to the left of my desk so in a regular setup I wouldn{t be able to see the window

[gramzon]

The caselabs sm8 is reversible so you can choose which way you want it. The only reason for it to be reversed is that the PC sits on a table to the left of my desk so in a regular setup I wouldn{t be able to see the window

oh right, cool didn't think of that.

[notenoughtv]

oh right, cool didn't think of that.

I also think it looks better because I get to see the GPU block instead of the PCB or a backplate

[gramzon]

I also think it looks better because I get to see the GPU block instead of the PCB or a backplate

Good point, I agree I don't like the fact that you spend so much money on a GPU block especially one that's acrylic and then you can't even see it because it's facing down

[notenoughtv]

I ordered black acetal tops for the CPU Block and the motherboard ones. Fast shipping would have almost doubled the cost so it will take about a month to arrive, hopefully less.

 

 

 

[notenoughtv]

Had a Corsair HDD cage laying around but it was too tall to fit beneath the acrylic piece.

So I took some strong scissors to it, yes, scissors.

I need to clean up the edges. Fitment is temporary.

 

 

I'll start posting smaller images, for the slower connections

[Monty007]

looks great so far!

[KenadyDwag44]

If you wanted to dim the lights and control it with a knob of some sort, you can get a potentiometer and rig it up in the cabling some how and that will do the job. Just make sure to get the right sensitivity. Nice Build!

[notenoughtv]

looks great so far!

 

Thanks

 

If you wanted to dim the lights and control it with a knob of some sort, you can get a potentiometer and rig it up in the cabling some how and that will do the job. Just make sure to get the right sensitivity. Nice Build!

Yeah, I just ordered a cheap pci bracket with a DC fan control knob. I'll cut it and hide it somewhere.

[ericlee30]

I like it cantg wait to seeit finished.

[notenoughtv]

I like it cantg wait to seeit finished.

Thanks, it should be finished in a week or two

[notenoughtv]

Great news.

My package arrived early, the XSPC Photon 270 is beautiful.

I already installed it in the case and tomorrow I will be draining the system and bending the last piece or pieces of tube (not sure yet the final route)

Maybe you guys can help me with this, but first some pictures

 

How everything is mounted right now, super ghetto

 

Twist tie master race

 

Shiny

 

Sleeved the LED cable with white paracord

 

Now I would like you guys to help me choose how I will route the inlet of the reservoir

 

There's number 1

 

And there's number 2, the bend at the bottom would be U shaped

 

Mad paint skillzz

[Akolyte]

[notenoughtv]

snip

Thanks, more is coming soon

[failwheeldrive]

That cable management is roooouuuuugh.  Wish you were close by, I'd go to work on it for you.  A build like this needs full custom length sleeved cables.

[notenoughtv]

That cable management is roooouuuuugh.  Wish you were close by, I'd go to work on it for you.  A build like this needs full custom length sleeved cables.

The 24 pin is the only cable using an extension. This power supply has a super annoying 24 pin layout and I don't have time to fully sleeve it. The PCI-E cable and the CPU 8 Pin are fully sleeved and both custom length

As for the mess in the back, I'll work on it once the loop in done.

[Ralphington]

excuse me sir, may i have some more?

 

MOAR!! this looks awesome, shame about all the holdups though.

[VSG]

That cable management is roooouuuuugh. Wish you were close by, I'd go to work on it for you. A build like this needs full custom length sleeved cables.

Hey, I didn't realize you were here too!