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Project Akula - Dimastech Bench | Watercooled | Tri GTX 680

Akula

A k u l a  V 2

 

My first build-log on Linus forums, I've been in the PC Modding scene for several years now, always pushing myself to create new builds that capture my own personality.

I don't intend to capture every detail of this build, as time will be a factor but I'll try and update with as much content as possible.

 

Updates & Photos

23rd May - Motherboard & Radiator

30th May - Sleeving & Progress Shots

31th May - Graphic Card Waterblocks

2nd June - 5.25" Mounting & CPU Waterblock

4th June - All Waterblocks installed - GPU's Installed

5th June - EK RAM Blocks installed

7th June - Loop - Tubing installed

26th June - Cables installed - Preparing for filling loop

28th June - Loop filled - Completed

 

Main Components

Dimastech Easy V3.0

Dimastech Hard V2.5

Silverstone Strider 1200w - MDPC / Black Sleeving

ASUS Maximus Z Extreme

16GB Corsair Dominator GT

Intel Ivy 3700k

3 x MSI GTX 680

2 x Samsung 840 Pro 256GB - RAID 0

1 x WD 2TB Black

Lamptron FC Controller

 

Watercooling Components

EKWB 3 x GTX 680 CSQ Acetal & Nickel Waterblock

EKWB CSQ Acetal & Nickel CPU Waterblock

EKWB CSQ Dominator RAM Waterblock

Laing D5 & EKWB CSQ Acetal Pump Top

EK CSQ 400ML Resvoior

EK CSQ Fittings

6 x Noiseblocker BlacksilentPro PL-2

EKWB 2 x 360 XT Radiator

PrimoFlex Advanced LRT 3/8in ID x 1/2in OD Tubing Onxy Black

 

My newest major project Akula V2, Simplicity is key with this build.

Sleeving will involve 100% Custom wiring, all sleeved with MDPC Black Sleeve.

The color scheme throughout the build will be majority Black, with highlights of Red - Motherboard & Coolant being the only highlights.

 

The Red Heatsink's from the Dominator GT's will be removed prior to the EKWB Waterblock installation, in the mean-time enjoy the photos.

 

Over the next few days i expect to receive my radiators, fans & other components so i can load this build out.

 

Time for some component shots, enjoy.

Not the best image quality, I'm not exactly an expert at taking photo's :o

 

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A k u l a  V 2 - Complete

 

So throughout this build i have stuck by my guns and gone with what i felt was right with my highlighting of colors, throughout all my builds I've always gone with the approach, more black less color, well now that I've seen the finished result with the red coolant i could very well change my ways.

The project is now complete, baring a few minor updates, little extra cable management down below & remounting the SSD, nothing big enough to halt the build.

 

I had my concerns prior to filling the loop, the EK angle fittings felt a little off, but credits to EK, their fittings held up fantastic :)

Couldn't be happier with the finished product, I'm sure it's not everyone's taste, but this sums me up perfectly :)

 

Started pushing these 680's to their limit today, getting some excellent speeds and the temperatures are amazing.

 

Thanks for the support throughout this build-log - your comments were very encouraging.

 

Anyway here is what you have been waiting for, pictures :o

 

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Build Log - Start

 

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Akula  | Dimastech Test Bench | Watercooled | Tri GTX 680's | Build of the Week

Mercury | Caselabs Mercury S3 | Watercooled | GTX Titan | Build of the Week

Armada | Define R4 Titanium | Watercooled | EK Waterblocks | Newest Buildlog

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nicee theme.. looking forward to the finished product.

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looks interesting :)

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I wonder how this will turn out?

 

Looks like a good idea

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Thanks for the feedback everyone.

 

Hoping more of my parts arrive sometime this week so i can get started on this build.

Still tossing up ideas in my head for the 5.25" Bays - With the Fan Controller & DVD Burner that will leave a free slot that i want to fill :o

 

As for the GTX 780's - Depending on initial price & avaiablility in Australia will determine if i pull the trigger on them.

 

Decisions Decisions..

Akula  | Dimastech Test Bench | Watercooled | Tri GTX 680's | Build of the Week

Mercury | Caselabs Mercury S3 | Watercooled | GTX Titan | Build of the Week

Armada | Define R4 Titanium | Watercooled | EK Waterblocks | Newest Buildlog

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Just confirmed an order for some more of my components.

  • EKWB CSQ Acetal & Nickel CPU Waterblock
  • Laing D5 & EKWB CSQ Acetal Pump Top
  • EK CSQ 400ML Resvoior
  • 7 x Noiseblocker BlacksilentPro PL-2
  • EKWB 2 x 360 XT Radiator

I intend to fit out the bottom compartment as much as possible first, almost as an attempt to delay the build so i can wait for these new GTX 780's to hit the shelves :p

 

Been messing around with the bottom section of the case, came to the conclusion that i don't require the HD/SSD cage, instead i intend to drill & Centralize the 5.25" Bay.

Really wish i waited for my radiator choices now, could have opted for the XTX (64mm) version and still have plenty of room.

 

Oh well - stay tuned :)

Akula  | Dimastech Test Bench | Watercooled | Tri GTX 680's | Build of the Week

Mercury | Caselabs Mercury S3 | Watercooled | GTX Titan | Build of the Week

Armada | Define R4 Titanium | Watercooled | EK Waterblocks | Newest Buildlog

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Update - 21/05/2013

 

Can't tell you how impressed i am with the Noiseblocker PL-2 Fans, So quiet & they look amazing. :D

Also recieved my EKWB CSQ Acetal & Nickel CPU Block - Some reason my other package with my radiators are taking longer than expected, so no pictures yet :(

 

Pictures very soon i promise.

Akula  | Dimastech Test Bench | Watercooled | Tri GTX 680's | Build of the Week

Mercury | Caselabs Mercury S3 | Watercooled | GTX Titan | Build of the Week

Armada | Define R4 Titanium | Watercooled | EK Waterblocks | Newest Buildlog

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Few component's have arrived, fitted into the build for a test fit, looks good :)

I intend to use fan grills on the exterior of the bench, although i don't mind the radiator fin's asthetics.

 

EKWB D5 Pump Top

EKWB CSQ 400ml Res

2 x EKWB XT 360 Radiator's

 

Sorry about the lack of photo's, just quite hard mix up the photos with just these components.

 

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Akula  | Dimastech Test Bench | Watercooled | Tri GTX 680's | Build of the Week

Mercury | Caselabs Mercury S3 | Watercooled | GTX Titan | Build of the Week

Armada | Define R4 Titanium | Watercooled | EK Waterblocks | Newest Buildlog

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Very cool. Looking forward to seeing the custom cables. Looks great so far.

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Very cool. Looking forward to seeing the custom cables. Looks great so far.

 

Thanks appreciate it :)

Akula  | Dimastech Test Bench | Watercooled | Tri GTX 680's | Build of the Week

Mercury | Caselabs Mercury S3 | Watercooled | GTX Titan | Build of the Week

Armada | Define R4 Titanium | Watercooled | EK Waterblocks | Newest Buildlog

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I just traded my H100i from my bench (also a dimastech) for an xspc wc-loop with a 360 rad, this buildlog of yours gives me some good inspiration dude! can't wait to see more, subbed :)
 

Main:Corsair Obsidian 650D||Corsair AX1200||Asus Rampage IV-E||Intel I7 3930K@4,8Ghz||16GB Corsair Dominator GT 2133C9||Asus GTX680 DCUIITOP SLI||full costum waterloop||Cosair Force GT 240GB||2x2.5" WD Black 750GB
bench; Dimastech bench||Corsair HX750||Asus Maximus IV Gene||Intel I7 2600K@4,5Ghz||8Gb Corsair Dominator GT 1866C9||Asus GTX660Ti||XSPC costum waterloop||Corsair Force 3 120GB||4x2TB HDD
Laptop: Apple Macbook Pro 15" 2012

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I just traded my H100i from my bench (also a dimastech) for an xspc wc-loop with a 360 rad, this buildlog of yours gives me some good inspiration dude! can't wait to see more, subbed :)

Thanks :) I must say the quality of these benches is fantastic.

Akula  | Dimastech Test Bench | Watercooled | Tri GTX 680's | Build of the Week

Mercury | Caselabs Mercury S3 | Watercooled | GTX Titan | Build of the Week

Armada | Define R4 Titanium | Watercooled | EK Waterblocks | Newest Buildlog

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Thanks :) I must say the quality of these benches is fantastic.

they are aren't they, but mine came shipped from Germany and when i opened the package i found out that all the screws were rolling free in the box (the little container that holds them inside went open in shipping i guess..) and some thumbscrews break off or could not be screwed in properly into the pci bracket.

other than that, solid piece of metal. Guess i just hade some bad luck with mine :) Still does the job and there's nothing some tools can't fix!

Main:Corsair Obsidian 650D||Corsair AX1200||Asus Rampage IV-E||Intel I7 3930K@4,8Ghz||16GB Corsair Dominator GT 2133C9||Asus GTX680 DCUIITOP SLI||full costum waterloop||Cosair Force GT 240GB||2x2.5" WD Black 750GB
bench; Dimastech bench||Corsair HX750||Asus Maximus IV Gene||Intel I7 2600K@4,5Ghz||8Gb Corsair Dominator GT 1866C9||Asus GTX660Ti||XSPC costum waterloop||Corsair Force 3 120GB||4x2TB HDD
Laptop: Apple Macbook Pro 15" 2012

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Very interesting :). What's the advantage of mounting those two benches on top of each other though?

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they are aren't they, but mine came shipped from Germany and when i opened the package i found out that all the screws were rolling free in the box (the little container that holds them inside went open in shipping i guess..) and some thumbscrews break off or could not be screwed in properly into the pci bracket.

other than that, solid piece of metal. Guess i just hade some bad luck with mine :) Still does the job and there's nothing some tools can't fix!

 

Oh that sucks :( I was really impressed witht the packaging, everything double foamed, bubble wrapped, although i bought it from Dimastech.

 

Very interesting :). What's the advantage of mounting those two benches on top of each other though?

 

There is no real advantage, the bench is designed for other means of cooling, but personally i think it looks amazing :)

 

Well well this is certainly a unique build. Looking forward to more updates!

 

Expect updates frequently, more and more parts are in transit :)

Akula  | Dimastech Test Bench | Watercooled | Tri GTX 680's | Build of the Week

Mercury | Caselabs Mercury S3 | Watercooled | GTX Titan | Build of the Week

Armada | Define R4 Titanium | Watercooled | EK Waterblocks | Newest Buildlog

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Few EK products came today, all CSQ design.

Many people don't like the CSQ design, personally i love it, it's grown on me :)

 

I've made my decision, i intend to use the Galaxy GTX 680's in this build, they are by far the cheapst reference cards at $445 AU - So this is a clear win for me.

The GTX 780's were released today in AU, but with a price tag of $739 AU each i'll stay with the previous gen cards :)

Akula  | Dimastech Test Bench | Watercooled | Tri GTX 680's | Build of the Week

Mercury | Caselabs Mercury S3 | Watercooled | GTX Titan | Build of the Week

Armada | Define R4 Titanium | Watercooled | EK Waterblocks | Newest Buildlog

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ugh, galaxy. I assume you'll be blocking the GPUs as well? cause I'd cough up for something other than the galaxy coolers. SO UGLY.

Daily Driver:

Case: Red Prodigy CPU: i5 3570K @ 4.3 GHZ GPU: Powercolor PCS+ 290x @1100 mhz MOBO: Asus P8Z77-I CPU Cooler: NZXT x40 RAM: 8GB 2133mhz AMD Gamer series Storage: A 1TB WD Blue, a 500GB WD Blue, a Samsung 840 EVO 250GB

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ugh, galaxy. I assume you'll be blocking the GPUs as well? cause I'd cough up for something other than the galaxy coolers. SO UGLY.

 

Galaxy reference cards look like all other reference cards but with a different sticker :P. I'd agree on their most of their custom coolers though. and I'm guessing these'll be water cooled, since they are reference.

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ugh, galaxy. I assume you'll be blocking the GPUs as well? cause I'd cough up for something other than the galaxy coolers. SO UGLY.

 

No intention of using Galaxy coolers, all three cards will be water-cooled with EK Acetal/Nickel CSQ Blocks.

Trust me if i were Air-cooling i wouldn't go near Galaxy for their asthetics :P

Akula  | Dimastech Test Bench | Watercooled | Tri GTX 680's | Build of the Week

Mercury | Caselabs Mercury S3 | Watercooled | GTX Titan | Build of the Week

Armada | Define R4 Titanium | Watercooled | EK Waterblocks | Newest Buildlog

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the back ground of the images, you live in a freaking resort (looks like it)

 

well, it looks great bro! colour coordination and everything!

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Very cool! I can't wait to see the sleeving. I really love mdpc-x sleeve <3

export PS1='\[\033[1;30m\]┌╼ \[\033[1;32m\]\u@\h\[\033[1;30m\] ╾╼ \[\033[0;34m\]\w\[\033[0;36m\]\n\[\033[1;30m\]└╼ \[\033[1;37m\]'


"All your threads are belong to /dev/null"


| 80's Terminal Keyboard Conversion | $5 Graphics Card Silence Mod Tutorial | 485KH/s R9 270X | The Smallest Ethernet Cable | Ass Pennies | My Screenfetch |

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the back ground of the images, you live in a freaking resort (looks like it)

 

well, it looks great bro! colour coordination and everything!

 

Ahah, it's my backyard :o

I have a pool & rainforest in the background.

 

Very cool! I can't wait to see the sleeving. I really love mdpc-x sleeve <3

 

Yeah, it's always been my favorite, very easy to work with also :)

Pure black can get a little boring at times but I'm sure this will work out.

Akula  | Dimastech Test Bench | Watercooled | Tri GTX 680's | Build of the Week

Mercury | Caselabs Mercury S3 | Watercooled | GTX Titan | Build of the Week

Armada | Define R4 Titanium | Watercooled | EK Waterblocks | Newest Buildlog

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SLI Bridge came today :)

 

Today i'll be pulling apart the bench and drilling a new required holes in the bottom to mount the D5 Pump.

I'll also need to re drill mounting holes in the 5.25" Bays to accommodate my fan controller.

 

Guess i don't have a choice but to use Nvidia cards now :P

Akula  | Dimastech Test Bench | Watercooled | Tri GTX 680's | Build of the Week

Mercury | Caselabs Mercury S3 | Watercooled | GTX Titan | Build of the Week

Armada | Define R4 Titanium | Watercooled | EK Waterblocks | Newest Buildlog

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