Project Red Titan

[blu4]

##Welcome to my first major build guide on the forum. Project is due to be completed within 3 months##

 

To begin with- my journey with computers began when I was little (as with most of you here anyway) right after my first holy communion (year 2000) when I got my very first computer. I can't remember the exact specs but I'm pretty sure it had a 3DFX Voodoo in there. At that time that computer cost so much money... Probably around £1000- year 2000 in Poland wasn't exactly good for gaming parts. It was a gift from my uncle and he was the one who got me into gaming and computer building. Since then I've been steering my career towards technology and computers. Onto the build guide then if you don't mind.

 

The objective of this build is to build an insane 4K gaming/editing ring with the upcoming R9 390X GTX 980 ti graphics cards. It will be running a full custom ridged tubing with a separate loop for the GPU and the CPU- this might change. For now I will be discussing and noting down the parts I will be using. Furthermore I will explain my current setup and the way it will be done.

 

At the moment this is my rig:

 

 

Current parts in rig (as of 20/3/2015):

• Intel Core i7 4820k @ 4.5GHz
• Cooler Master Seidon 120V with Corsair SP120 P/P
• Asus P9X79 Pro Motherboard
• Kingston Fury White 1866MHz DDR3 4x4GB
• Samsung 850 EVO 120GB 2x in RAID 0
• Western Digital Black 1TB
• GTX 970 Gaming by Gigabyte 2x in SLI (Funny, eh?)
• Phanteks Enthoo Primo Black
• be quiet! Power Zone 1000W PSU modular (Yes, I know it's overkill)
• Windows 8.1 Professional
• Iiyama Prolite B2888UHSU 4K monitor TN
• Razer Lycosa
• Razer Death Adder
• Razer Kraken 7.1

 

Current parts in rig as of 02/07/2015:

• Intel Core i7 4820k @ 4.5GHz
• Cooler Master Seidon 120V with Corsair SP120 P/P
• Asus P9X79 Pro Motherboard
• Kingston Fury White 1866MHz DDR3 4x4GB
• Samsung 850 EVO 120GB 2x in RAID 0
• Western Digital Black 1TB
• GTX 980ti by MSI/Zotac in SLI
• Phanteks Enthoo Primo Black
• be quiet! Power Zone 1000W PSU modular (Yes, I know it's overkill)
• Windows 8.1 Professional
• Iiyama Prolite B2888UHSU 4K monitor TN
• Razer Lycosa
• Razer Death Adder
• Steelseries Siberia V2

 

I am aware of the 3.5GB issue but when I bought the cards it wasn’t discovered yet. You can only imagine my disappointment. I was going to watercool them- already got the blocks and tubing but I had to return it all, for reason known to all.

 

I am open to suggestions in terms of building this- I've never done rigid tubing so please contribute! I will appreciate any help.

 

The most interesting feature of this build (at least in my opinion) is the color changing feature. When  the rig is idling and not using much CPU power, you will be only able to see the CPU loop in UV blue. When the system is under load e.g. gaming- the GPU loop will illuminate and the whole system will start to slightly glow in red. I am also thinking about doing a slight fade in and out glow effect- I need help here, links to tutorials and any material is greatly appreciated.

 

 

Parts for new build:

 

Got the parts- GREEN

Not got the parts- RED

Unsure after purchase- ORANGE

• Intel Core i7 4820k
• Asus P9X79 Pro
• Kingston Fury White 1866MHz DDR3 16GB (4x4GB)
• Samsung 850 EVO 120GB
• Samsung 850 EVO 120GB
• WD Black 1TB
• Phanteks Enthoo Primo
• R9 390X 8GB
• R9 390X 8GB
• R9 380X
• R9 380X
• MSI GTX 980 ti
• ZOTAC 980 ti
• be quiet! Power Zone 1000W PSU modular

Blocks:

• EK Supremacy EVO Nickel
• R9 390X EK Full Cover block Nickel
• R9 390X EK Full Cover block Nickel
• R9 380X EK Full Cover block Nickel
• R9 380X EK Full Cover block Nickel
• GTX 980ti EK Full Cover block Nickel
• GTX 980ti EK Full Cover block Nickel

Radiators:

• Phobya G-Charger 480 V2
• Phobya G-Charger 480 V2

Fittings:

• Bitspower White
• Monsoon Free Centre Hardline 6x (will be more)
• EK Pass through Black G1/4" 2x
• Some decent fittings from my desk drawer

Tubing:

• PrimoChill 13/10 Rigid, acrylic clear
• PrimoChill 13/10 PETG Tubing clear
• Monsoon 16/12 PETG Clear

Pump

• Swiftech MCP-655
• Swiftech MCP-655
• Swiftech MCP35X

Reservoirs:

• Phobya Balancer 150
• Phobya Balancer 150

Miscellaneous:

• Reaming tool
• Bending insert

 

#Parts update log#

 

20/03/2015:

Added the parts list.

 

24/03/2015:

Added the MCP35X Pump to the list. Changed MCP655 from RED to ORANGE.

Added PrimoChill PETG 13/10

 

30/03/2015:

Changed the R9 390X to 380X

Changed the GPU blocks to fit the 380X

 

23/03/2015:

Changed the R9 380X to GTX 980 ti

Changed the GPU blocks to 980 ti

 

15/05/2015:

Changed the 980ti 6GB to ordered

 

26/06/2015:

Changed the 980ti 6GB to delivered

 

28/06/2015:

Changed the second 980ti to ordered

 

02/07/2015:

Changed the 980ti to delivered.

Added Monsoon fittings

Changed the Primochill PETG to Monsoon PETG

Added a Miscellaneous section

Purchased reaming tool

Purchased tube insert for bending

 

 

#Build log updates#

 

Update 24/03/2015:

 

I've been looking into types of rigid tubing and after seeing and reading up on Jayz video on PETG vs Acrylic, I've made my mind up. Instead of acrylic I'll be going with PrimoChill 13/10 PETG clear tubing. Reasons are- it's not brittle, does not crack and it more "solid" overall. I am unable to find a UK supplier so if it comes to that, I will have to order from USA- Frozencpu supplies them. Moving onto the pumps, I am unsure about them now- I could just purchase another MCP655 but I've found the MCP35X (dual pump combo) which would save a lot of space, fittings and hassle. Furthermore, my current MCP655 is getting 5 years old but still going strong.

 

Update 30/03/2015:

 

Reading up on the R9 390X series, I will not be able to afford two of them unfortunately. It was written in this article (http://tinyurl.com/lbp4uyq). I have decided therefore to go with the 380X + higest VRAM amount possible. I hope it will be something around 6GB. A single R9 390X will be aimed at 4K solely but two 380X's will be better than one 390X :>. I have seen multiple people buying 290's and BIOS hacking to get the 290X performance or better- that's exactly what I will be doing! As soon as a bios hack comes out I'll be turnin' up dat slider. The 380X will cost $450-$500 in my opinion but for now, that's just speculation.

 

Update 24/05/2015:

 

Reading up on the news and the pricing of the 390X and the 4GB HBM limitation (http://tinyurl.com/q8knrcq), this isn't going to strike my 4K taste, hence the change to team green back again. The 980 ti strikes the perfect balance between performance and VRAM. If this card costs between $600-$700 then this will be my choice. I do hope the BIOS hack works as well as it does on the Titan X. The 6GB is confirmed as well as the amount of cud cores (http://tinyurl.com/p6un35z). Nvidia, please- don't charge a "lot" the the new GPU. Pl0x.

 

Update 01/06/2015:

 

The 980 ti 6 GB came out and thank god it's only £550. My wallet is happy indeed. Two of them will set me back a mere £1100.. Selling my two 970 for £500... Yea.. Time to get to the savings account!

 

Update 15/06/2015:

 

Today I purchased my 980ti from MSI. It's a pre-order so I have to wait for it... Hopefully no more than a week. I also managed to return my 970 for a FULL refund to amazon... I thought the RMA was already long gone.. But no. Amazon <3

 

Update 24/06/2015:

 

The card is in stock so I will get it in a few days. Cannot wait.

 

Update 26/06/2015:

 

So.. I have finally got it! This is an absolute beast. It overclocks better than my 970 G1.. This reference one I was able to push 1550MHz on the core with 30mV added and 200MHz on the memory. 100% stable. I cannot wait to put them (yes, second one soon!) under water and see what they can REALLY do. Here are a few pictures... I have a "TI-ear" in my eye.

 

 

Update 02/07/2015:

 

Second 980ti is in! I got the Zotac as it was on a sweet deal and it was in stock. It's reference sooo...

 

I also purchased PETG tubing from Aquatuning- PETG 16/12mm by Monsoon. Also got the bending insert so the tube doesn't collapse as well as the pipe reamer. The bigger purchase today was the pack of Monsoon acrylic fittings and 2x pass through fittings. I will obviously need more but for now this will have to do. Overclockers have an excellent service and next day delivery.

[carolkarine]

good on you for voting with your wallet!

Otherwise this looks to be an awesome build. Good luck!

[KRImSIN]

I read the word "Titan" and instantly clicked this build  

[blu4]

Update today. I hope the 380X will have more than 4GB VRAM

[mariobros]

The 380x isn't a rebrand of the r9 290x?

[Ceatra]

I thought it had a red Titan X.... <_<  Looks like it doesn't

 

Still subbed

[clarkmcc]

Stupid name if youre not putting a titan in there...

[Bussinateur]

380X will perform just a slightly better than a 970. Not worth the upgrade to me

[blu4]

Another update, the recent leaks of the HBM limitation changed my mind and I'm going over to team green for the 980 ti with 6GB VRAM. Yay.

[Compgeek]

R9 390X with HBM gen. 2 (8gb) is planned to release right after the first one. Just letting you know.

[blu4]

R9 390X with HBM gen. 2 (8gb) is planned to release right after the first one. Just lating you know.

I've changed over to team green, 980ti all the way

[blu4]

Update to the build log. The 980 ti is the GPU!

[blu4]

Update to the build log- 980 TI ON THE WAYYYYY!

[blu4]

Update, the 980ti is here!

[1Scotty1]

980Ti brother! followed

[blu4]

Build log update. 980TI SLI! YEAAA.

[1Scotty1]

Build log update. 980TI SLI! YEAAA.

I am so jealous...

[blu4]

I am so jealous...

For my entire life I've dreamed of owning a PC like this. I finally have it.

[1Scotty1]

For my entire life I've dreamed of owning a PC like this. I finally have it.

I am happy with my setup, but SLI is currently a luxury I cant afford