ASTRA project (scratch-build)

[neSSa]

Hi friends, 

It’s been a while, this crazy year and COVID have messed with my plans. But, I’m not giving up so easily! I’ve been preparing a few projects for a while and it’s finally time to get going with the first one. 

 

 

 

It’s a scratch-build competition project, water-cooled, filled with top-quality hardware and made out of full aluminum cut with CNC. For now, here’s the teaser pic announcing the project and a partial list of hardware which goes in it. As always, I promise a lot of good photos, a few videos and lots of fun! By each day, you will find out more

 

BR, neSSa

[neSSa]

So let's get started, the list of hardware is still not absolutely clear due to the fact that the expected premieres of the new GPU have been moved to next month, so I will edit the list in a timely manner. Mostly the hardware is next::

 

MB  - Z490 Asus ROG Maximus XII Extreme

CPU - Intel i9 10850k

GPU - Asus STRIX RX 5700 XT

RAM - Patriot Viper 4 Blackout Series DDR4 4X32Gb 3600 Mhz

SSD - Patriot Viper Gaming VP4100 1TB M.2 2280

PSU - Cooler Master SFX 850w

FANS - Cooler Master & EKWB

EKWB LC parts (Magnitude CPU block, DDC pump, 360PE rad, Torque fittings, Vector GPU block etc...)

 

Reservoir/distro plate will be custom made by SS Mods

 

Basically, you can see the conceptual sketch in the photos below, this was from the very beginning of the project development, later I will take you through the total preparation and production.

 

 

[neSSa]

And so it started working out the project, I put all the hardware in one place and started to put the dice together

 

 

 

[neSSa]

I managed to establish the final dimensions of the MB try and the whole circuit that includes the GPU and PSU, the maximum thickness will be ~ 100mm

 

[neSSa]

EKWB parts has arrived, thank you for support!

 

[neSSa]

And short video about EKWB Magnitude CPU block

 

 

[sub68]

8 hours ago, neSSa said:

EKWB parts has arrived, thank you for support!
 

these pics are great

what is your camera

[neSSa]

30 minutes ago, sub68 said:

these pics are great

what is your camera

 

Thank you, this is Canon M50 with 50mm lens.

[sub68]

6 minutes ago, neSSa said:

 

Thank you, this is Canon M50 with 50mm lens.

not bad *looks over at 14 year old canon xti*

tbh skill is number one I get complement that my photos are awesome and I go like this was done on a 14 year old camera people sometimes don't know how to respond

[neSSa]

17 minutes ago, sub68 said:

not bad *looks over at 14 year old canon xti*

tbh skill is number one I get complement that my photos are awesome and I go like this was done on a 14 year old camera people sometimes don't know how to respond

I am a professional photographer, I worked as a photojournalist for 22 years, I have a lot of cameras, but this is my favorite for photographing hardware. If you have skills, the camera doesn’t matter.

[sub68]

1 minute ago, neSSa said:

I am a professional photographer, I worked as a photojournalist for 22 years,

oh wow

1 minute ago, neSSa said:

but this is my favorite for photographing hardware

makes sense m50 is small but good enough

2 minutes ago, neSSa said:

 If you have skills, the camera doesn’t matter.

so true

[neSSa]

Patriot VIPER DDR4 and M.2 have arrived, thank you for support!

 

[neSSa]

And short video about this beautiful "dark" RAM and M.2 

 

 

 

[neSSa]

Beautiful and EXTREME - ROG Maximus XII 

 

 

And short unboxing video

 

 

[Jason 57]

Finally parts are coming along!

 

Sadly I can't see the videos when I am at work. I am sure it looks great, if the photos are anything to go by!

 

[neSSa]

Result of the work on the foot-stand for the ASTRA project, progress...

 

[neSSa]

This is progress in preparing the distro/reservoir for making ...

 

[neSSa]

EKWB Magnitude CPU block perfectly fit on this MB

 

[neSSa]

Stand is almost finished

 

[neSSa]

This RAM fits perfectly, I love the dark hardware configurations. Patriot VIPER Blackout 128Gb DDR4, Asus MXIIE and EKWB Magnitude

 

[RyanTechnuts]

It's SOOOO prettttty...

[neSSa]

Files to create a foot are ready

 

[neSSa]

Cooler Master MASTERFAN SF120m, so nice and powerful, non-RGB fan!

 

[neSSa]

Stand parts are done

 

[neSSa]

After a lot of delays in the procurement of GPU solutions, the decision on the Asus STRIX RX 5700 XT fell. I know that many will say that it is not good enough as the Nvidia 30 series, but it is good enough for gaming, which is what the ASTRA project strives for.