Not Another Node 202 - The Water Tower

[DefinitelyTech]

So I finished a $1000 Threadripper Workstation build a while back, and as you see in the video, some problems arose and I had to push the budget a little higher to accomodate a lost mounting bracket.

 

But now, I have gotten into the ITX craze and currently live in a two bedroom apartment, as well as my wife would like to split the office in two. I need to downgrade my System Volume but still have the gaming/editing power necessary for my daily driver activities, including steaming and gaming (same system), video editing, 3D Modeling, and system simulation for my masters thesis.

 

Added due to confusion:

Since Threadripper does not have a ITX motherboard I do have to settle for an 8core/16Thread CPU. Since the 9900k is WAY OVERPRICED, the 1700-1800X will have to do.

 

ENTER ITX BUILD:

 

CPU: AMD - Ryzen 7 1700X 3.4 GHz 8-Core Processor  
CPU Cooler: Noctua - NH-L9a-AM4 33.84 CFM CPU Cooler 
Motherboard: ASRock - B450 GAMING-ITX/AC Mini ITX AM4 Motherboard  
Memory: ADATA - XPG GAMMIX D10 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3000 Memory  
Storage: Intel - 660p Series 1 TB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive
Video Card: EVGA - GeForce GTX 1070 8 GB FTW DT GAMING ACX 3.0 Video Card 
Case: Fractal Design - Node 202 HTPC Case w/450 W Power Supply  
Case Fan: Noctua - NF-A12x15 PWM 55.44 CFM 120mm Fan  
Case Fan: Noctua - NF-A12x15 PWM 55.44 CFM 120mm Fan

 

Updates will come often as I have done a lot up until this post

 

THE BUILD

Spoiler

 

- Graphics Card Shown in picture is Asus Poseidon GTX 780. It is place holder until 1070 comes in mail.

- Also using Holiday bonus to get 1TB m.2 drive so currently there is a 240GB SSD and 2.5” 1TB HDD installed

 

Unfortunately the temps are atrocious with everything closed. I was even able to flip the noctua fan to exaust air instead of direct heat onto the motherboard.

 

i then installed a new be quiet! Silent Wings 3 fan to exhaust more air as best as possible while still keeping a quieter profile.

 

 

UNFORTUNATELY system temps do improve but with the Noctua cooler recommending stock for 95W+ TDP The system still barely throttles at the set 75C. This is with fan at 100%. Also with the case fully assembled and fans at 100% the system is quite loud at 45dB. 

Well loud for me since I rarely wear headphones.

This is where things really get interesting. Fixing thermal throttling and noise the expensive way.

WATERCOOLING!

 

Planning the Loop

 

Spoiler

So my first thought was how am I going to get a pump into the Node 202. But after some research it seems people are able to dissassemble AIOs and use the waterblock/pump for dual block designs. Most notibly there is are two video in German that use a Silverstone block and a be quiet Silent Loop block.

 

Even though it was damn near impossible finding the be quiet aio, I chose it for noise dampening. And the threads a confirmed to be G1/4”.

 

I have also seen several cases where the node 202 GPU section can fit a 30mm rad with slim fans and a waterblock GPU. Some slight modding may be needed but I am comfortable with a dremel.

 

 

Test fit with an EK SE240 Radiator. Only 27mm thick with the Noctua slim fans allows for an snug fit for a GPU+Waterblock with some airflow.

 

There is a slight hole (seen in left side of above picture) that can be modded between the Motherboard and GPU. This can allow for a more circular flow of the loop during the planning stage and allow me to not have to expand the right hole next to the PSU and force a run of 2 tubs through it.

 

The Radiator will act as a resevoir just like a normal AIO.

 

NOW we have to think about maintenace. Filling and Draining the loop will be difficult but with the recent rising trend of quick release fittings this can be done quicker. I have two options:

 

GREEN: CPU/GPU

RED: Fittings & Quick Release

YELLOW: Tubes & Flow Indicator

BLUE: Radiator

 

OPTION 1: 3 Way Flow Indicator with Quick Disconnect at Top

 

 

This creates a faux resevoir and once the loop is done bleeding, the disconnect can be release leaving no air in the system. But having that much hardware may look aesthetically terrible as well as space consuming.

 

OPTION 2: Just Quick Release Disconnect

 

 

This will be the best looking run but connect and disconnecting this will introduce air into the loop more. While not a lot of air, it is a small loop and I worry what this may do to the temps.

 

I am leaning toward Option 2 purely because of aesthetics, but Option 1 has the best maintenance plan.

 

 

 

Update 3 posted in comments below

[JammyCreedog]

Cant wait to see the mini-itx threadripper.  Good luck and post lots of pretty pictures please.

[DefinitelyTech]

1 hour ago, JammyCreedog said:

Cant wait to see the mini-itx threadripper.  Good luck and post lots of pretty pictures please.

Unfortunately It wont be a mini itx threadripper. Although a great idea for a future project, there is no X399 mini ITX motherboard. I had to settle for a 8 Core Ryzen processor

 

Edit 1:

After thinking about it, It may totally be possible with the Salvo S401 case, and a riser cable. I will 100% have to find a way to custom watercool the processor with a 120mm rad, and a mini itx graphics card.

 

Edit 2:

So the above plan is not possible since the motherboard can only support 6.7" wide motherboards. the smallest X399 is 9.6" only leaving around 2.4" for the PSU width.

Edited December 29, 2018 by Marenoc

[DefinitelyTech]

Update #3!!

 

So it all comes down to this, and Im excited to have it put together. This update is mostly pictures as I am actually in class most of the day. If you prefer video format a link is at the end of this post.

 

Decided to go the route with a 3 way Flow Indicate and a Quick Release Fitting from Alphacool. Everything looks great and the be quiet! Silent Loop dissessembled and mounted extremely easy.

 

The EK SE240 Rad and Noctua slim 120mm fans fit snug after taking out the front usb 3.0 ports. I may be able to reinsert this front i/o with 90 degree slots. With the graphics card installed, there is a good 6-8mm of space free for airflow.

 

Everything up top is plumbed together.

Graphics Card connecting to rad is last connection needed! Leaving these out to flush everything one last time with distilled water.

 

Everything is connected and the loop has been bled to the best of my ability. After leak testing for 30hrs, nothing shows signs of leaking. Just running Distilled Water but plan to add EK Cyrofuel via the quick release disconnect to add the growth and corrosion additive (even though everything is copper & nickel plated copper).

 

Video Build:

 

Decided to take out video as I did not ask mods permission to post. It does contain a psuedo-advert. If you would like to see please PM me and I will send you link.

 

[DefinitelyTech]

IT POSTS!

[Kalm_Traveler]

just had to pop in to say you sir are crazy    

 

I moved my TV PC rig from a small 'ATX' setup to this Node 202 (new mb, psu, cpu cooler of course) yesterday and it was a huge PITA just getting the parts all together.

 

Can't even imagine trying to add water cooling but my hats off to you for sure!

[DefinitelyTech]

On 1/19/2019 at 12:08 PM, Kalm_Traveler1 said:

just had to pop in to say you sir are crazy    

 

I moved my TV PC rig from a small 'ATX' setup to this Node 202 (new mb, psu, cpu cooler of course) yesterday and it was a huge PITA just getting the parts all together.

 

Can't even imagine trying to add water cooling but my hats off to you for sure!

Honestly, this is one of the most fun builds I have ever done.Definitely took weeks of planning and research, as well as patience to make everything fit and neat. There are some slight things I would like to make changes with it, like the power supply, but it definitely happy with the finished product.