completed [Completed] Project Insidious - Define R5 White / Z170 Krait / 6600K / GTX 980 Ti HOF

[Micdeez]

FINAL PHOTOS.

 

Thanks for all of your support!

 

 

 

 

Welcome all to my first build log!

 

Being my first foray into the PC world, I was inspired by a lot of fine looking builds (and of course playing games) #pcmasterrace.

 

I would like to add some custom touches, rather than slapping on parts in a white box. I think the Define R5 would be a nice "canvas" to start. Vision absolutely needs to be tastefully done (no glaring colours, just simple black and white).

 

Will try my hand on a fully hardline-tubed water-cooled build with symmetry and clean lines in mind.

 

"Insidious" [in-sid-ee-uh s] stealthily treacherous or deceitful.

 

So it begins...

 

Case

Fractal Design Define R5 White

Custom "XL" Case Window (4.5mm acrylic) Water-jet method cutting

 

Electronics

MSI Z170A Krait Gaming Motherboard

Intel Core i5-6600K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor

Kingston HyperX Fury DDR4 2400MHZ 16GB Kit

GALAX GeForce GTX 980 Ti 6GB HOF Video Card

Samsung 850 Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive

Samsung 850 Series 500GB 2.5" Solid State Drive

Corsair RM850i 80 Plus Gold Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply

Darkside Automotive White LED's x4 12cm

Corsair Commander Mini

White LED Diode Replacement (power button)

 

Watercooling

EK CoolStream PE 360 Triple Radiator

EK CoolStream PE 240 Dual Radiator

EK ACF 13/19mm Compression Fitting White

EK Laing D5 PWM Pump

Corsair AF120 Quiet Edition Fans x2

Corsair SP120 Quiet Edition Fans x5

Bitspower CPU Block Summit EF (Intel) Clear Acrylic Top Version

Bitspower D5 Mod Top S Clear Model

Bitspower Water Tank Z-Multi 100 Limited White

Bitspower VG-NGTX980TIGXHOF White Acrylic Top with Stainless Panel (White BP)

Bitspower D5 Bracket White

Bitspower Deluxe White Enhance 90-Degree Dual Multi-Link Adapter

Bitspower Deluxe White Enhance Rotary 90-Degree Multi-Link Adapter

Bitspower Rotary Fitting "Q" - 360 Degree Water Cooling Accessory - Deluxe White Finish Bitspower G1/4" Stop Fitting with O-ring - Deluxe White Finish

Bitspower Flow Indicator (BP-FI-CLBKWH) - Clear/Black/White

Bitspower BP-MVV-DWBK Mini-Valve - Deluxe White With Black Handle

Bitspower G1/4" Deluxe White Enhance Multi-Link For Acrylic Tube OD 12MM 

Bitspower G1/4" Stop Fitting with O-ring - Deluxe White Finish

Bitspower Mini Dual G1/4" High Flow Fitting - Deluxe White Finish

Bitspower D5 Adaptor Plate Multi Z

Bitspower Aluminium M4 Screws

PrimoChill Liquid Utopia Fluid Dye Pack - Black

 

Miscellaneous

CableMod Black/White Full Kit / CableMod Combs

Bitspower Cable Sleeving & Bitspower Heatshrink

DEMCIflex Define R5 Top Case Filter / PCI Bracket

Custom Vinyl Printed Graphics

Custom PSU Acrylic Shroud

 

[Micdeez]

Some pretty good space here for a mid-tower. Going to strip away all of the cages and bay cradle.

 

Looks like some pretty good WC potential, although I am a little torn for putting a 360mm rad on the roof.

I understand that this is going to leak a fair bit of noise which is a shame, might reserve this for potentially an acrylic top to dress it a little. 

 

[Micdeez]

Such a good looking board. Simple design but really like the matte black PCB finish and white highlights. Compared to the Z97 Krait, they really did improve upon the audio side and extra features found on high end boards. The Z97 was essentially a budget board with a nice colour scheme.

 

I do have one reservation about this board, the SATA ports are not right angled, and placed in a terrible spot! I can also see that this board takes 6 screws so doesn't appear to be a full size ATX layout. Anyway, the board is still quite good, I like that it has M.2, better 1150 ALC audio and USB 3.1. 

 

 

[Micdeez]

Kingston HyperX Fury sticks. A perfect match.. Hopefully Kingston release a white DDR4 version so that I can fill it up to 32gb and continue the black/white theme.

 

 

Seeing what the Bitspower Summit block looks in preparation.

 

 

[toogamer]

Nice build, that color theme looks really nice too.

[mosin40]

Nice build, subbed

 

@Micdeez, remeber to follow your own posts, and welcome to the forums and have a nice stay

[Kaita]

Nice! Are you going to mod the case?

[Micdeez]

Nice build, that color theme looks really nice too.

 

 

Nice build, subbed

 

@Micdeez, remeber to follow your own posts, and welcome to the forums and have a nice stay

 

Hey thanks guys for the warm welcome

 

Nice! Are you going to mod the case?

 

I will to some extent, I would like to put a custom PSU shroud, possibly a few other things. 

I am more keen to see what I can with the top section.

[mosin40]

Hey thanks guys for the warm welcome

I will to some extent, I would like to put a custom PSU shroud, possibly a few other things.

I am more keen to see what I can with the top section.

Haha no prob

A psu shroud will do great, especially hiding your cable mess

[Micdeez]

So after testing the 980 GTX which worked flawlessly, and updated to the latest drivers, its time to cut the guts out and prep for the Bitspower block.

 

This will probably be a stressful experience, I have never gutted a graphics card out, but here goes, wish me luck!!

 

 

[mosin40]

Don't forget to put thermal paste on the gpu core

[Micdeez]

Every Bitspower clear acrylic part needs a polish if you want to attain a crystal clear look, see below.

I polished the G1/4 section for reference to the main untouched block.

 

I will be using a dremel polishing bit and some PlastX (Meguirs). No need for 2000 grit sandpaper, just the compound and a dremel

 

[Micdeez]

GPU block transplant done!

 

Also prepped D5 and top. Reservoir will be placed on top via inlet G1/4 male-male fitting.

D5 Sleeved in 1/4" BP sleeving.

 

[toogamer]

How are you getting those pictures though? What camera do you use?

[King_Tuna]

Its just overwhited . Btw awesome bulid! But i can't view the photos i dont know why

[Micdeez]

I'm using an Olympus OMD 5 and 12-50mm lens. It's no proper SLR but it's a great little shooter. I have a black glass bench that I use and use PS to edit to be black and white (it's the theme I'm running with), noir style if you will lol.

And not sure why the pics aren't showing? I'm using imgur to upload them for easier viewing in a forum.

Is anyone else not seeing the pics? I can see them on my iPhone anyway.

[ObeseWalrus]

I'm using an Olympus OMD 5 and 12-50mm lens. It's no proper SLR but it's a great little shooter. I have a black glass bench that I use and use PS to edit to be black and white (it's the theme I'm running with), noir style if you will lol.

And not sure why the pics aren't showing? I'm using imgur to upload them for easier viewing in a forum.

Is anyone else not seeing the pics? I can see them on my iPhone anyway.

I see the pictures fine and I am on PC. Also, Awesome build, It's Insane how clean the R5 looks in white.

[Micdeez]

I see the pictures fine and I am on PC. Also, Awesome build, It's Insane how clean the R5 looks in white.

 

Thank you for the kind words, I agree that the the R5 is really clean too, for the price its a bargain indeed!

 

I am thinking about modding it, at least see what I can do for the roof, I have a 360mm rad and no where else I can place it. Those moduvents when taken off looks like the case is an 'engine hood without the hood", just doesn't look clean anymore.

 

Is it worth modding the roof you think? I am thinking a white piece of acrylic custom made.

[ObeseWalrus]

Thank you for the kind words, I agree that the the R5 is really clean too, for the price its a bargain indeed!

 

I am thinking about modding it, at least see what I can do for the roof, I have a 360mm rad and no where else I can place it. Those moduvents when taken off looks like the case is an 'engine hood without the hood", just doesn't look clean anymore.

 

Is it worth modding the roof you think? I am thinking a white piece of acrylic custom made.

If you can flip the case to an Define S then do it. The radiator support in that is insane.

[Micdeez]

If you can flip the case to an Define S then do it. The radiator support in that is insane.

 

Define S doesn't come in white. Its all good, the R5 is still a very nice case.

[Micdeez]

As a newbie to LTT, been browsing these forums and drawing inspiration from the other builds and general chit chat, and got to say the community here is great! I'll definitely enjoy doing my build here and hopefully I can contribute back in some form

[Micdeez]

Just a brief update, I have ordered a new power supply, the Corsair RM850i.

Heard a great wrap about the new RMi models and the quality of components and price point.

The SeaSonic will be flipped accordingly. 

 

x5 EK F4-120ER PWM fans in all white are in order. Was tossing up between these or the Corsair SP PWM fans.

Honestly came down to aesthetics really!

 

Also enquiring about a clear acrylic top panel for the R5, not liking the hex mesh top without the modu-vents an considering dremelling the roof to accommodate the clear acrylic. 

[WaterproofBeanie]

Just a brief update, I have ordered a new power supply, the Corsair RM850i.

Heard a great wrap about the new RMi models and the quality of components and price point.

The SeaSonic will be flipped accordingly. 

 

x5 EK F4-120ER PWM fans in all white are in order. Was tossing up between these or the Corsair SP PWM fans.

Honestly came down to aesthetics really!

 

Also enquiring about a clear acrylic top panel for the R5, not liking the hex mesh top without the modu-vents an considering dremelling the roof to accommodate the clear acrylic. 

Wait, why are you changing power supplies? The seasonic is measurably better.

[Micdeez]

Wait, why are you changing power supplies? The seasonic is measurably better.

I agree with you 100%, Seasonic would be a more powerful option, I just think it's overkill for my needs and just scaling down a little. I found a close buddy that is building a 3 way GPU set up so it would be more suited for him so it's gone now.

[WaterproofBeanie]

I agree with you 100%, Seasonic would be a more powerful option, I just think it's overkill for my needs and just scaling down a little. I found a close buddy that is building a 3 way GPU set up so it would be more suited for him so it's gone now.

That makes sense. Seems a shame to see it go away though...