So I'm new to the forums here but decided I would post my build log for my first post. I have been doing water cooled builds for around 7 years now, but this will be my first hard line build. Due to space constraints on the desk I planned on using i opted for a mATX build which makes the whole project allot more exciting trying to make it all fit. I'm not usually one for red/black builds but because of the mATX build it limited my options on motherboards and the motherboard i got had red LEDs, so it became a red/black/grey build.
Components:
- Case: Phanteks Evolv mATX
- CPU: i7-8700k
- GPU: EVGA 1070ti SC Gaming
- Motherboard: MSI Z370M Gaming PRO AC
- RAM: Gskill Trident Z 32GB (4 x 8GB) DDR4 3600
- PSU: originally Corsair AX860i change to AX1200i when 860 failed
- Storage: Samsung 960 EVO m.2 250GB SSD
- Fans: ML120 PRO Red
Water cooling components:
- CPU Block: EK Supremacy
- GPU Block: EK Nickel
- Reservoir: Singularity Protium small
- Radiators: Alphacool XT45 240 & 280
- Pump: Swiftech MCP35x
- Pump Top/Heatsink: Singularity DDC pump top and heatsink
- Fittings: EK rigid compression Red
- Adapters: Bitspower Red
- Tubing: EK Petg
- Coolant: Mayhem Pastel Dark Grey
This was the initial test fit of motherboard and the 280 radiator. Found out i couldn't fit the 280 up front without cutting the case a little and i didn't feel like doing that.
The layout of the radiator up top also gave me a really convenient fill port.
This was my first tube bend. I used an old GTX580 I had laying around to help with spacing while i waited for the 1070 to show up.
This was my original plan for the pump location and drain port. I found out once i got the 240 radiator in that i had to adjust the location.
This was how it ended up fitting to get the radiator in the front to fit.
GPU showed up and put the waterblock/backplate on it and finished running the tube. The reservoir was tilted because I only had one set of screws in the mount and it was designed for both sets of holes to be used on a radiator. Initially i thought it would be okay.
This is what i thought would be my finished build and was pretty happy with how it turned out.
For the first few days of running the PC it would randomly shut off and refuse to turn back on for 2-3 minutes. I thought it was something to do with my overclock, but soon found out it was the PSU. Luckily i had my old AX1200i laying around and was able to test the system to make sure. Only problem was the AX1200i didn't fit with the pump down low. Because i wanted to redo the reservoir mounting I figured this was as good a time as any to tear it apart and see what i could change.
This is the new loop configuration which i think turned out a lot better than it was initially. Problem with this was I hooked up to the pump on dual inlets and blocked the out. So when i turned it on no water moved.
I love the Alphacool raditators for all the port options. was able to make a nice drain port out the bottom.
This is the final configuration once i figured out the port issue on the pump.
Overall I really enjoyed this build. The quality of the Phanteks case was fantastic. I knew doing a mATX build would have some spacing issues so the frustrations i had were to be expected.