Project Akula - Dimastech Bench | Watercooled | Tri GTX 680

[ProAFKGuy]

looks amazing this is what makes me think my build is the worst thing ever :)

[Marco Martinho]

Beautiful pics ;)

[Akula]

Update : 6/06/2013

 

Received my tubing & extra fittings.

Installed the top part of the loop, not exactly the cleanest loop going around, I'll be altering it throughout the weekend, some loose bends & some ugly bends from my initial mock-up.

The PrimoChill tubing is pretty solid, little harder to work with than the Tygon equivalent.

 

Not quite ready for some pictures, but hopefully I'll finish the top loop tonight to the point I'm happy with it :)

[Akula]

So I've been tinkering with the loop the past 8 hours, I've used 2 meters of tubing already and I'll need to order another 2 by the looks of it.

Currently the loop has a certain "flow" to it i like, once the PCIE cables are installed i think it will look amazing :)

 

The only tubing I'm not that happy with is the CPU > Pump - But i'll work around that and see if i can take a different approach.

 

I've always used black tubing in my builds, I've never been one to overdo colors, and personally the sleek black looks really appeals to me, although i have just ordered 2 meters of black & clear tubing, just to test it out :D

 

Enjoy the photos.

 

 

 

 

 

[acrain92]

i changed my mind the black is so clean looking forget the clear that huge res will make up for it lol

 looks good man only thing id change is maybe straiter runs it may be just me i just dont care for crossing tubes but yours still looks great

[Nicktrance]

I get what you mean by the "flow" of the pipes, that is probably thanks to the fact that this is an open test bench, I usually prefer straight runs but in this case (or lack thereof...) I'm really liking the look of the tubing this way.

[Akula]

i changed my mind the black is so clean looking forget the clear that huge res will make up for it lol

 looks good man only thing id change is maybe straiter runs it may be just me i just dont care for crossing tubes but yours still looks great

 

I've always gone with black tubing in my builds, looks excellent :)

Normally i resort to straighter runs, but i don't mind this.

 

I get what you mean by the "flow" of the pipes, that is probably thanks to the fact that this is an open test bench, I usually prefer straight runs but in this case (or lack thereof...) I'm really liking the look of the tubing this way.

 

It's grown on me :D

I'm still experimenting with different options, but I'm liking the current setup.

 

Few tweaks.

[Blade of Grass]

Looks sick! 

[unidentical]

The farther you get with this build log, the more I'm all.. 

[That Norwegian Guy]

Super sweet bench!

[TheArium]

I really like the look of this, very nice and clean. As others have mentioned I prefer the tubes not crossing other so I think the area around the CPU looks a tiny bit messy compared to the rest of the build's very clean design, but as you already stated you are trying different approaches. ;)  Never the less it still looks awesome.

 

May I ask why you are using a test bench and not a case?

[Sardis]

Wow such a sexy bench setup, great work Akula! The consistency of the theme is so nice. Would be pretty sweet if you got that end ram cooler engraved with something on that smooth blank area, "Project Akula" in nice fancy writing ;) Also if you could some how find one of those acrylic covers that are used at trade shows over the top of some of their benches that would look incredible, maybe nicer than this but for example:

. 

[Akula]

Thanks for the feedback everyone :)

I know the tubing isn't for everyone, but personally i think it looks great, has a nice flow to it and surprisingly works in with what i had set out in my mind.

 

I really like the look of this, very nice and clean. As others have mentioned I prefer the tubes not crossing other so I think the area around the CPU looks a tiny bit messy compared to the rest of the build's very clean design, but as you already stated you are trying different approaches. ;)  Never the less it still looks awesome.

 

May I ask why you are using a test bench and not a case?

 

I've always wanted a high end bench, so after all the cases I've done i figured why not :)

 

Wow such a sexy bench setup, great work Akula! The consistency of the theme is so nice. Would be pretty sweet if you got that end ram cooler engraved with something on that smooth blank area, "Project Akula" in nice fancy writing ;) Also if you could some how find one of those acrylic covers that are used at trade shows over the top of some of their benches that would look incredible, maybe nicer than this but for example:

 

Thanks for your feedback :)

I'm considering some RAM stickers, although not sure how they would look.

[Akula]

Update : 8/06/2013

 

Just placed my last order for parts.

• 4 x 45 Degree CSQ Adapters
• 2 meters PrimoChill Advanced Black Onyx 3/8 x 1/2 
• 2 x Bitspower 20mm Extenders

That should be all the parts/components required to complete this build.

I'm still contemplating the chipset water-block, although it's a little pricey & damaging my motherboard to install it i don't fancy.

 

I've decided to upgrade my peripherals, I've been using the same gear for a while now, so I'll treat myself, I'm buying these within the week.

• Corsair K70 Black Anodized
• Corsair M40 Raptor (Once released)
• Corsair MM200 Mousepad Standard

I'm in the process of completing my power supply cables, I've completed 2/3 PCIE cables & just have the third, Molex & Sata cables remaining.

[Akula]

Wow nice decision on keyboard and mouse and do you enjoy cherry mx red switches?

 

Yeah i haven't used MX Red's for some time now, I've been using my Ducky Brown/Blacks for the past year, so it will be different :o

[jecho]

$$$$$...looks really nice

[Nicktrance]

Yeah i haven't used MX Red's for some time now, I've been using my Ducky Brown/Blacks for the past year, so it will be different :o

 

Apparently the K70s will come with blue and browns too (move to 8:27) :)

 

[Akula]

Apparently the K70s will come with blue and browns too (move to 8:27) :)

 

Thanks for the video, yeah i heard rumors of this, lucky i was about to pull the pin on the K70 in Red's.

Hopefully they release the K70 Anodized Black in Blues :o

[NinjaSushi2]

Looks good bud.

[Akula]

Looks good bud.

 

Cheers bud ;)

[NinjaSushi2]

Here here. I'm too lazy to finish my build at the moment sadly. :(

[byalexandr]

Take that blue off of the capacitors on the GTX 680s! Paint them black or something! It ruins the gorgeous look.

[Akula]

Take that blue off of the capacitors on the GTX 680s! Paint them black or something! It ruins the gorgeous look.

 

Considered, don't fancy blowing my warranty prior to see if the cards even work though.

[NinjaSushi2]

Take that blue off of the capacitors on the GTX 680s! Paint them black or something! It ruins the gorgeous look.

Sharpy marker. lol

[Akula]

Update : 14/06/2013

 

Changed the back-end of the loop around a little, not exactly happy with it, but it's less visible that my initial plan when it's mounted on my desk.

Waiting on a few extra extensions then I'll fill the loop.

 

Let's hope i don't have any DOA products :o