Blaze0303

Hello LTT Community and welcome to my project "Baby Blue".
 
Those who know and follow me already might think, "hey, i know this project" and you're right. This is my second attempt on this project since i lost my motivation and needed to start it new. The main reason for this is that i messed up a few things because i lacked experience with the tools i used. I then tried to fix all these problems but never was really happy with the results which was a bit depressing. So after a long time i decided to draw the line and begin new. I'm already pretty good with this tools right now but i will choose another way this time.

Idea:
 
I will keep the idea for this project. For everyone who sees this project for the first time: I want to build a "Breaking Bad" themed ITX system. The name of this build origins from the song played in the last scene of this amazing show (Badfinger - Baby Blue (Breaking Bad Soundtrack) (HQ) 1080p - YouTube). This means i'm going to use different elements from this show in my build. I want the inside of the case look like a lab using metal, a stainless steel Reservoir like the big reaction vessels in the superlab, soft tubing with crystal blue coolant and more. All in all, it will look pretty industrial. On the outside there will be symbols and stuff, things you know when you watched the show, but not made of simple decals or stickers. I want to make it look really cool.

Case:
 
What really annoyed me on my first attempt was the case. It was the Jonsbo U2, it's a cool case but not for this mod. All the time i thought i had to fit everything inside this little case and eventually forget that this wasn't the goal for this project. Of course i don't want to use external cooling on an ITX build but the U2 was just too tiny. So i decided to get a new one and chose the Phanteks Enthoo Evolv ITX since i really enjoyed working with the ATX version. I just love the design and the features it offers.
 

 

 

 
For an ITX Case it's really spacious without being to big.
 

 
One of the features i really love, the removable radiator mount. I'm going to put the fans for the top radiator inside the top. Saw this a few times now and it seems to work.
 

 
Will be really tight but it fits. On the back i used an 140mm case fan from the ATX version. I love the simple look and it does its job.
 

 
Hardware:
 
The hardware i'm using isn't the newest but it is more than enough for 1080p gaming.
 
CPU: Intel Core i5-6600k
MB: ASUS Z170i Pro Gaming
GPU: ASUS RX480 8GB
RAM: 2x8GB G.Skill Ripjaws V
SSD: Crucial MX300 525GB M.2
PSU: Silverstone Strider Gold 550W
 

 
I got the board last year from ASUS and going to mod this one to fit the rest, no red allowed in here.
 

 
I already installed the RAM modules but i'll take these off again. The black doesn't really fit.
 

 

 
Cooling:
 
Since the whole build will be watercooled Aquatuning Germany / Alphacool sent me a big package full of stuff.
 

 
Unbelievable what's going inside this little build.
 

 

 

 
Really love the look of the Eiszapfen series, simple and shiny.
 
Let's head over to the reservoir. This one is from my first attempt and it was custom made. I did the drawing and went to a metalworker. It is made of stainless steel like the big reaction vessels in the superlab. To keep it waterproof i used sealing compund (i hope this is the correct word) and a flange to keep it together.
 

 

 
For the CPU i'll be using the Eisblock XPX and for GPU the GPX from Alphacool.
 

 

 

 
I chose 2 240mm ST30 full copper radiators, enough to keep it quiet and cool without having a fat radiator blocking the view on the rest of the inside. The fans are NB-eLoops from Alphacool, the color doesn't matter cause you won't see them later.
 

 

 
I will make the cables myself and use the new Eiskamm cable combs.
 

 
CAD:
 
This time i don't want to mess up again so i'm using other methods, methods with which I am more familiar. Since i use CAD for my studies and know some people with a CNC milling machine, why not use this to my advantage. Some people say this has nothing to do with modding, but as long as these ideas and drawings are made by me i think it's still modding, just another kind of it. Of course i'm going to do more than just this but i had to start somewhere. I can guarantee you i have to use my dremel for this project more than once. The pieces will be milled and edged by Gosumodz.
 
Let's stop talking and take a look at the first pieces i planned. The inside will get a new PSU Cover made of aluminium, this will not replace but only cover the original PSU Cover and will make the inside look way cleaner. The small darker piece is a standalone piece of aluminium, i made it darker for the rendering to make it more visible but i really like it this way, maybe powdercoat it black? We'll see. The chemical formula of Methamphetamine will be backlit later.
 

 
The next part is a tray for the reservoir and functions as passthrough for the 24Pin ATX und the front panel connectors. There are also a few combs for tubing and cables which will be mounted to the tray and PSU Cover.
 

 
On the front of the case i want to have the "Golden Moth Chemical" Logo, the "yellow bee" that is printed on the Methylamine barrels. As i told you i won't use decals for this, so i designed an inlay consisting of a powder coated aluminium cover and yellow acrylic. This will also be backlit.
 

 

 
I really hope you like my idea and please let me know if you have tips or suggestions for improvement.
 
A big thanks to my sponsors for trusting in me and supporting this project!

-Delete-

The time has finally come to post the final pictures and video of this project. It has been a crazy ride for me, both with very high ups and very low downs. It has taken almost two years to complete and well over 1000 hours of work and planning. Starting with ideas, crude sketches, countless hours in CAD to finally taking physical form. But I have learned a lot and got to know a lot of new friends during the process!
 
I would like to thank the sponsors of this project: ASUS, INTEL, CORSAIR and EKWB for believing in me and the project! And also to the people behind the brands, who are always there answering questions and offering support! You know who you are, thanks!
 
I would lastly like to thank everyone on forums, Facebook and Youtube who have helped me with ideas, suggestions, and kind and encouraging words. This really keeps me focused on the goal and enables me to achieve the best results possible. I cannot stress this enough, I owe you a lot! I hope you will enjoy the final video and pictures of the project WING X99.

 THANK YOU ALL!
 

I also made a final video!
 


 
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Reflections
I think it is important to look back at what you have done and reflect on what you could have done better, most importantly regarding methodology. After thinking about this for a long while I have realized a few important things.
The most important one was that I bit off more than I could chew. I really think I took it a few steps too far with this project, with designing and building my own CNC and then immediately starting on this one. Since it was basically only me working on this it was just*WAY too much work for one person to get done in a reasonable time frame. I have worked way too much lately and it has effected both me, my university studies, my fiancée Josefina (who is amazing and understanding) and my friends.
I can't help but to think back at those months around when I worked 6-7 days a week, 14+ hours a day. I basically lived in the workshop and only slept and ate during that time. Don't get me wrong, the feeling I have now is amazing and I am very proud of the results. But next time I will definitely change some things to lighten the work load or get someone to help me more. All in all, if given the choice, I would do it all again. I have learned a lot from this, not just as a modder, but also as a person.
 
I know a lot of you have asked about how much the whole case with components weighs. And I finally have the answer! It is 42 kg, or about 94 lbs

Side note
The build also qualified for the “DreamHack Summer Master Class Casemod Championship” along with 5 other great builds! WING X99 will be on display for the competition, but also in the ASUS ROG booth that they have at DHs. I will be there a lot of the time so come and say hello! Hope to see some of you there!
 
Final words
Right now I feel very empty and happy at the same time. The project is finally done after all this hard work. But I mostly feel amazing and have genuine gratitude towards everyone who helped in any way with the project. Be it writing a kind comment, helping with the design or actual physical help. YOU are amazing!

Nice build! Very clean.
I'm currently doing the same thing...more out of boredom and the fact I don't want to ask a friend to dig my PC out of storage.
Mine won't be nearly as pretty, but considerably cheaper.
i5 4590 212 EVO cooler 8GB RAM GTX 980 2x Dell E2416HM monitors (new) MSI mATX motherboard Cheap case with DVD drive So far I've paid a whopping $450 Canadian. Or about $340 USD.

Got competition  (true I paid a little bit more for my EVGA (980Ti Hybrid but it's better in almost any aspect than Gigabyte reference. But that was my decision because before the hybrid I had Asus Strix 980Ti for £180 and the EVGA 980Ti SC for £215 and for hybrid this was the best price I could find, £250.
 
Talking about scavenging, just bought yesterday for £250 off shpock (one of craigslist of UK, we got gumtree as well):
i7-2600k
Z87 mobo
16gb ram
corsair 120mm aio
asus strix 970
120gb ssd
2x500gb hdd
corsair rm1000
cooler master case
iiyama 27" 1080p monitor (old but still does the job)
2.1 polaroid sound system

Yeah, this started as a true budget build but now my goal is more in line with high-end gaming rig for as little money as possible. I could of definitely gotten cheaper used parts, but I wanted this to be super clean as well. I'm picking up the Enthoo Evolv after work then getting started on putting the loop together. I could of left this alone at this point, but I've got a serious tinkering addiction that won't let me stop... Lol

Good catch, I'll fix it. 

most of the people?
I should do a survey.
 
NOW US DAY THEME PEOPLE CAN BARELY SEE IT!

I should REALLY make a survey. BRB

-Delete-

Hey Everyone! My name is Dawson and thanks so much for checking out my build log! This will be my fourth build, second time liquid cooling, and first time using a form factor other than ATX. The goal of this build is to find a case that has excellent craftsmanship and subtle aesthetics (and will therefore need no exterior modification) and modify the interior to create a unique but clean look. That being said, let’s get on with the specs:
 
Core Components:
CPU – 6800k
GPU – Gtx 1080
RAM – 32gb G.skill Ripjaws 4 2666mhz
Mobo – Asus X99-M WS
PSU – Corsair RM1000i
Storage – Samsung 960 Evo 250gb, Intel 750 Series 400gb PCIE, 2x Samsung 850 EVO 250gb in RAID 0
Case – Phanteks Evolv Micro ATX Glass, Anthracite Grey
 
Liquid Cooling:
Blocks – EK Nickel Plexi for CPU, GPU, Intel SSD
Pump – Alphacool VPP755 with EK X-Top Revo Plexi
Radiators – EK SE240 and EK SE360
Fans – 5x Noiseblocker BlackSilent Pro
Reservoir – Singularity Computers Protium Medium – Polished Acrylic with Black rings
Fittings – TBD, Bitspower 16mm of some colour most likely
Fluid – TBD, leaning towards Mayhems X-1 Purple at this point
 
Miscellaneous:
Cables – Scratch-Built using Mainframe Customs Black Sleeving and Gosumodz Alliance Combs
Lighting – TBD
Control – Aquaero 6 PRO with Flow and Temp Sensors
Nanoxia CoolForce Cable Combs
 
Modification list:
 
Create a custom, inverted motherboard tray from aluminum
Create a custom rear case panel to clean up the aesthetics
Modify the GPU bracket (for what I won’t say yet…) ;P
Powder coat all interior parts matte black
 
That’s all for now, but I’ll just leave the obligatory group photo below for now:
 

 
Thanks for looking!

Just do AUTO settings, will adjust based on what theme you used.
 
BTW poll here.
 

I read it so you can turn it back now and the build and deals are pretty nice. Especially the 980Ti for $230. Everything I see on eBay is $300+!

Thanks! I drove about 2hrs for that deal. I wasn't letting it go.