Project: It's moving and upgrade time for the black and blue hard line build. Case Labs SMA8.

[r.perez]

This build is 90% complete. Here are some updated photos: 

 

 

 

Last year I built a black and blue themed hard line 6700k system in the Phanteks Enthoo Evolv TG edition. I have decided it's time for an upgrade including some larger living quarters (with beefed up cooling) and going SLI.  I am also considering a CPU and Mobo upgrade but that hasn't been decided yet. 

Here is the build in its current form: 



And the first modest parts order arrived today: 



But there are many more exciting parts on the way. Here's a teaser: 




The original version of the Phanteks build was my first time using rigid tubing, but I have learned much along the way. I am striving as close to perfection as possible for this next build. Hope some of you will follow me along the way. 

 

Final parts list: 

CPU: Intel Core i7 7700k Overclocked to 5ghz 

Mobo: ASUS ROG Maximus IX Formula
Ram: 4x 8GB Corsair Dominator 3600mhz DDR4

GPU 1: EVGA GTX 1080 FTW

GPU 2: EVGA GTX 1080 FTW

Storage 1: 512GB  Samsung 960 Pro m.2 SSD 
Storage 2: 1TB Samsung 850 Pro SSD

Storage 3: 1TB Samsung 850 EVO SSD
Power: EVGA Supernova G2 850W
Cables: Custom Cable Mod Cables 
Custom Loop:

2 x EK PWM D5

2 x EK 250mm X3 Reservoir 
2 x EK GPU Block
1 x Supremacy Evo Nickel 
 

Edited July 27, 2017 by r.perez
Updated photos and title

[Max_Settings]

Dang bro you bought an SMA8? You could of gotten a serious upgrade for just what that case cost

[r.perez]

6 minutes ago, Max_Settings said:

Dang bro you bought an SMA8? You could of gotten a serious upgrade for just what that case cost

True. But this case should last me for at least 5 years of builds if not 7-10. I contemplated many different choices, some cheaper, some more expensive (Phanteks Elite) but settled on the SMA8 as the one. My build before this one was a $6k TJ07 X58 build: 

[r.perez]

With 2 pumps and 2 1080s in SLI, I might need a beefier CPU. I already have a number of expensive Cable Mod cables for my EVGA G2 850. Will those cable sets work if I were to upgrade to the 1000W version of the G2? 

[r.perez]

The case arrived today as did the 2nd video card. 

 

 

I dismantled the gpu GPU loop in my current build in order to test the card (it was bought used) and make sure it works. So far so good. Running Heaven Benchmark for an hour without any stablility issues. 

 

 

I have some video editing to do for work tomorrow but I will most likely finish assembly on the case. More pics and parts coming tomorrow. 

[r.perez]

Made some progress today. Assembled the case, installed the front fans and mounted the reservoirs. Drilling into a $700 case is a bit nerve racking, but I am happy with the results. 

[r.perez]

Before I drill a pass through hole in my expensive AF case, does this fill port idea look good? Thoughts? 

[r.perez]

Fill port is installed! 

 

 

 

 

And one half of the EK FC parallel SLI block is also complete. 

 

[Tech Learner]

How hard was the tubing setup?

[r.perez]

55 minutes ago, Tech Learner said:

How hard was the tubing setup?

Are you asking about the difficulty of using rigid tubing? 

 

It's easy once you get used to it. You need patience at first and need to let yourself get a feel for the material, how long it needs to be under heat to bend, etc. I do some bends by hand, for the really difficult ones (like the 180 in the old build), I use the monsoon bending kit. My advice is to buy way more tubing than you think you'll need. I use PETG and it's fairly cheap. You can get 12x3' tubes for $36 US. 

[r.perez]

Made a lot of progress today...

 

Decided to buy a new mobo and CPU and sell the old ones. This has the added benefit of giving me a working computer while building the new one. 

 

Installed the waterblock on the second GPU and then installed the mobo. 

 

Also installed the 360 rad and 560 rad. 

 

[r.perez]

Alright, last update until tomorrow. 

The pass throughs for the pumps are installed. 2 more pass throughs to go. 


 

[r.perez]

It's alive! Far from done and had a mini crisis with a faulty EK FC Terminal that leaked like a sieve. Still have a ton of work to do including either redoing the tubing for the GPUs or seeing about a replacement terminal block from EK . I also need to clean up the wiring a lot, install my SSDs and figure out something with the wiring for the lighting which is a mess. I also need order another set of GPU cables from Cable Mod. Long 4 days working on this and a ways to go but it's always good to see a computer boot the first time, water leaks aside.

 

Decided to go with a more modest hardware upgrade to better fit the theme so I picked up a Z270 ROG Maximus IX Formula and a 7700k. Motherboard is running great although I had to use the funky perpendicular M.2 slot as the M.2 standoff for the standard slot was missing from the package. Why isn't this just installed under the cover plate exactly? 

 

[thrasher_565]

 

your front middle fan is not on haha

 

3 hours ago, r.perez said:

It's alive! Far from done and had a mini crisis with a faulty EK FC Terminal that leaked like a sieve. Still have a ton of work to do including either redoing the tubing for the GPUs or seeing about a replacement terminal block from EK . I also need to clean up the wiring a lot, install my SSDs and figure out something with the wiring for the lighting which is a mess. I also need order another set of GPU cables from Cable Mod. Long 4 days working on this and a ways to go but it's always good to see a computer boot the first time, water leaks aside.

 

Decided to go with a more modest hardware upgrade to better fit the theme so I picked up a Z270 ROG Maximus IX Formula and a 7700k. Motherboard is running great although I had to use the funky perpendicular M.2 slot as the M.2 standoff for the standard slot was missing from the package. Why isn't this just installed under the cover plate exactly? 

 

 

[r.perez]

Drilled and tapped M3 threads on the motherboard backplate cover to mount Phanteks SSD mounts. 

 

[CyberFern0]

On 7/22/2017 at 0:04 AM, r.perez said:

Are you asking about the difficulty of using rigid tubing? 

 

It's easy once you get used to it. You need patience at first and need to let yourself get a feel for the material, how long it needs to be under heat to bend, etc. I do some bends by hand, for the really difficult ones (like the 180 in the old build), I use the monsoon bending kit. My advice is to buy way more tubing than you think you'll need. I use PETG and it's fairly cheap. You can get 12x3' tubes for $36 US. 

how many mm

 

is 1000mm enough

 

or is just 500mm enough

[r.perez]

There is still a little bit of work to do on the build but it's about 90% done. 

Comments, critiques and suggestions welcome. 

Here are some teaser shots: 

 

 

 

[r.perez]

Added white acrylic to the mid plate today. Almost there...

[r.perez]

Got the parallel block working without leaks!