Umbra Aqua - Mac Pro Mod -Leak test, first boot 2.20.14

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Table of contents  - Gutting and first cuts

- Making windows

- Rad mounting system

- PSU mounting 

- Front I/O panel 

- Mounting Second Rad

- Road Trip to Frozencpu.com / Mounting Third Rad

- R&D timelapes  

- Reinforced Rad mounting

- Front Panel

- Bending Acrylic, A learning experience 

- Mounting Rear I/O, Fan and Finishing Rad shroud

 

 

 

Special Thank You:

 

Really special thanks to Evdokia Flook:

Thank you for donating the Mac Pro, all the video editing and banner. 

 

 

 

David from:

The Laser Hive   Laser Design, Cutting and Engraving at an affordable price

 

 

           

Name: 

Umbra Aqua, its latin for shadow water. How I came up with the name? Well the case is silver and I am so far planning to paint it two tone silver. So I guess you can say I went from shades to shadow. There you have it, Umbra Aqua

 

 

  Design

The Mac Pro case is one of the best built cases, so when it came to modifying

the case allot of thought had to go into it. Its actually an evolving process.
Ideas are thought out, tested for fit and positioned. In the end the idea is
evolved in to something that just fits so right. From the begging the objective
of the project was to create a case with a cooling solution that was future
proof. Through that main goal it was clear that water cooling was the best
solution. This project is designed around a full cooling solution (CPU, GPUs and
motherboard). At the same time keep the original thermal zones in the case. To
do such a task it was clear that the case was only going to except mATX form
factor. With the gained space the cooling solution would have room for a three
radiator design and keep the original thermal zones with in the case.


Phase One
In phase one the case will under go most of its evolving. Holes
will be made for radiators to be placed. Window will be cut out for access to
the CPU from the back. Large window will be cut out for ascetics. Mounting 
will be created for radiators. Wire management mapping will also be done at this
point and lighting.


Phase Two
The case will under go its most dramatic change at this point.
The project will get its colours at this point. Accent piece will be fashioned
and fixed. Also a surprise for the front optical drive bay area.


Phase Three
The project is unique because the case and cooling solution is
built then the hardware is added at the end. This will include all the water
blocks and computer components. The case is made to be future proof cooling
solution. When the computer hardware needs an upgrade the cooling is flushed,
water blocks are changed and its ready for anther three years.

 

 

 

 

Brief History

Umbra Aqua is a Mac Pro mod. When the Apple PowerMac G5 first came out I was inspired by the case. It was so clean the lines were beautiful and the thermal zones were a perfect idea. It was the first mod I had ever attempted. I had placed my PSU at the front and my hard drives were the psu was located at the back. I ordered modders mesh from MNPCTECH and also also painted my case. It was a crude attempt to make my PC look like a 

 

 

 

 

 

All gutted out ready to be modded. Mind you it took about three hours to take the Mac Pro apart.

 

 

First mod was to make the window cuts

 

Next up came the PSU cut out and the rear i/o

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CPU Cut out window

Side Panel Window

[CoolBeans]

Looks pretty cool so far. Are you going to keep the same apple components?

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I first cut out the Apple fan shroud stand off. The rough cut a piece to match from acrylic. 

 

Then I started making a frame for the rad to mount to.

 

Then I made the frame.

 

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Mounting the PSU was a breeze as I got the bracket from a LIan Li case.

 

As you can see the PSU is resting on a piece of rubber to cancel out some vibrations.

 

Front I/O

 

I also cut the from a Lian Li case. From the research I did on modding Macs, its seems that re-wiring the Apple front I/O is a pain in the ass. Not only that but most motherboard these days don't even use Firewire 400 or 800.

 

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Second Rad mounting

I got this swiftech Rad from NCIX.com. I needed a thin rad with high FPI. The second Rad will be mounted on the bottom of the case and will be the first rad in the loop after the pump / res. 

 

 

 

 

In the end I had to switch where the switech rad and the alphacool rad here placed. (pardon the pun) 

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Over the May two four weekend I took a trip down to frozencpu.com (Rochester, New York) to go pick up my parts in person. 

 

I started cutting my holes for the third rad. This one will be placed above the PSU and if everything goes well it will be in push/pull

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I was working on the my loop flow and in the end I had to get the Koolance Pump top and Bitspower Z 150 clear. Found out the fit together which looks amazing. So here is a little video of me testing out the idea and checking for leaks. Enjoy

 

 

 

[zxcvbnmmssdh]

Looks like it will be good

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Reinforced Rad mount. 

 

When I was testing some parts, I relieved there was to much movement in the rad mounting frame. I had to deal with the issue ASAP so here is what I did.

 

First thing was to cut a piece to fit in front of the frame so it would not lean forward. Then I cut all the screws that were in the ways down to right hight.

 

 

To cut the screw to the right length I made a screw cutting jig.

 

Mounting the whole thing back together then filled down the area the nuts to hold the front on where going to go.

 

 

I am almost finished the front panel mounting so instead of putting it up in two parts I will just do it as one when its done.

[totjup5]

This looks awesome so far, i look forward to seeing more!

[alexxis98]

Great Build . I am from Greece and i am watching all your progress this days .Keep it up , looks great !

[Nicktrance]

This looks really interesting, looking forward to see more .

[Axis]

alot of atention to details!! i like this! very very much

 

looking forward for more updates man! :P

[legopc]

very very nice im subscribing 

[iamjsed]

wow this very nice... looking forward to see the final awesomeness of this build.

[Night]

Innnttteeerrressstinggg.... Verrryyyy innntttteerrrressstttiiinnggg.

[Tonny]

Really good keep it up waiting for more!!! 

[Korindo]

subbed on this one, looks awesome

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So I made the front panel in two pieces. I used a Lamptron FC-6 version 1. The version 1 has the screws in the front the mount the front and the side together. 

With all the time I have been spending on Sketchup I made my template from paper and tested the idea.  Then I cut the front panel from acrylic and the back plate from aluminium that came from a Lian Li case.  

 

Front Panel

 

 

Back Plate

 

I had to cut the little tabs that held the side panel to the case.

 

 

 

The next part was to prep the area it will be mounted to then cut my holes and lots of filing. 

 

Time to mount the front panel

[Marquee]

subbed on this one, looks awesome

 

Thanks :D

 

Really good keep it up waiting for more!!! 

Thanks. I think you might like the next update. Its the most challenge I have had on the build with my skills. 

 

Innnttteeerrressstinggg.... Verrryyyy innntttteerrrressstttiiinnggg.

 

excccellllentttt 

 

wow this very nice... looking forward to see the final awesomeness of this build.

 

Me too, I am so excited for the next phase

 

very very nice im subscribing 

 

Thanks, much appreciated  

 

alot of atention to details!! i like this! very very much

 

looking forward for more updates man! :P

 

This idea has been in my head for a very long time. Its actually a big stress revealer when I finally see my idea come together.

 

This looks really interesting, looking forward to see more .

More you shall have, Thanks

 

[Marquee]

Great Build . I am from Greece and i am watching all your progress this days .Keep it up , looks great !

Ευχαριστούμε, I glade you are enjoying it.

 

 

This looks awesome so far, i look forward to seeing more!

 

Should have anther small update by the end of the weekend. Do you guys like small update all the time or massive updates?

 

Looks like it will be good

 

I hope so to. 

 

Looks pretty cool so far. Are you going to keep the same apple components?

 

I am trying to use as much of the Mac Pro but this will be my personal RIG.

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This is my first video I edited my self. Also the first time I bent acrylic sheets. I like the way it turned out so I made a video.

* I did end up buying a heavy duty heat gun, in case you where wondering 

 

[ANIMAL_ORIGIN]

This is my first video I edited my self. Also the first time I bent acrylic sheets. I like the way it turned out so I made a video.

* I did end up buy a heavy duty heat gun, in case you where wondering 

 

CHEECH AND CHONG!!!! :D

[AxelPeeters]

Sir , u have acrylic bending skills