Loramentum - A watercooled, wall mounted rig - Fan and lighting upgrade! 27/01/17

[Maki Role]

any updates on this? @Maki Role

 

Wow it's really been quite a while hasn't it?  I've just been so busy recently that I haven't been able to make a large amount of progress sadly, that and I'm having to be careful with funds this month.  I recently added the fill/drain ports to the build, although there isn't really much to photo there as they're just holes.  I'm picking up the fans tomorrow for the build, along with another radiator for my other project (which is progressing equally slowly right now).  It's annoying but there isn't much I can do right now, once I get the fans though I'll be able to get all the parts running on water properly.

 

I'm also working on the custom cables right now.  Turns out they're surprisingly complicated thanks to the tiny lengths I've chosen.  Because the 24pin is only 12cm long or so, trying to prevent the wires from crossing over in an ugly fashion isn't particularly easy.  Hopefully I'll be able to get this part really on the road this week though.

 

Sorry for those following (seriously 125 !) that this isn't a content update, but fear not, I'm just taking my time with this one.  Got to do it right after all.

[carolkarine]

Wow it's really been quite a while hasn't it?  I've just been so busy recently that I haven't been able to make a large amount of progress sadly, that and I'm having to be careful with funds this month.  I recently added the fill/drain ports to the build, although there isn't really much to photo there as they're just holes.  I'm picking up the fans tomorrow for the build, along with another radiator for my other project (which is progressing equally slowly right now).  It's annoying but there isn't much I can do right now, once I get the fans though I'll be able to get all the parts running on water properly.

 

I'm also working on the custom cables right now.  Turns out they're surprisingly complicated thanks to the tiny lengths I've chosen.  Because the 24pin is only 12cm long or so, trying to prevent the wires from crossing over in an ugly fashion isn't particularly easy.  Hopefully I'll be able to get this part really on the road this week though.

 

Sorry for those following (seriously 125 !) that this isn't a content update, but fear not, I'm just taking my time with this one.  Got to do it right after all.

 

what about cable stitching?

[Saladin]

what about cable stitching?

@Maki Role Or a cable comb http://www.icemodz.com/webshop/#!/~/product/category=5474654&id=34728375

[Monti]

I really like the different way to pipe the coolant through the system.

[Maki Role]

I really like the different way to pipe the coolant through the system.

 

Yeah it has to be one of my favourite parts about watercooling.  There's simply so much variety and room for expression, means you can always come up with something unique and exciting.

 

@Maki Role Or a cable comb http://www.icemodz.com/webshop/#!/~/product/category=5474654&id=34728375

 

 

what about cable stitching?

 

I will actually be sewing the cables, the issue isn't in keeping them ordered as such, it's the fact that the pinout reverses between the PSU and the motherboard.  In a normal build this isn't an issue at all as you can simply lead the cable around and twist it (it's practically a 1:1 pinout in that arrangement).  The difficulty here is that because the cable is so short and entirely visible, the wires that cross look rather unsightly, and they have to at some point.  I think I've come up with a good solution though, just going to take some time and practice.

[asimrc]

Hi everybody!

 

Been following LTT for a while now, figured I should finally make an account in order to get involved with the community.  As a bit of background, I'm a student from the UK with a passion for modding and watercooling in particular.  Some of you may know me from reddit, where I'm an active member of /r/buildapc and a moderator at /r/watercooling, I'm also found on Bit-Tech under the same name.  I haven't actually been modding for that long, I probably started seriously not more than a couple years back.  Since then I've caught the bug and can't wait to launch into new projects the moment one is finished!

So to kick things off I thought I would share with you my current work in progress rig:

The idea behind "Loramentum" was to make a rig that could be wall mounted but at the same time watercooled.  The challenge comes from how I also wanted the rig to be portable so that it could be taken to LAN events and to/fro home and university.  Naturally a simple mini-ITX rig in say an EVGA Hadron could have sufficed here, but I wanted to try something new and a bit more novel, at the expense of being a bit more portable.

 

The main construction itself is formed from a single piece of machined acrylic, which will not only provide the structure to the components, but also feature water channels for the coolant.  Protection during transport will be provided by a flight case that I'll also be building.

 

First up I'd like to thank EK Waterblocks who will be providing much of the watercooling equipment used in this build, I'd also like to thank Intel for sending me an i7 4770k to use in this build!

 

So here's a hardware lowdown:

 

CPU: Intel Core i7 4770k

Motherboard: Asus Z87I-Pro

RAM: 16GB Corsair Dominator Platinum 1866MHz

GPU: Asus AMD R9 290

PSU: Corsair RM650

Storage: Samsun Evo in some undecided size (likely 512GB)

 

Cooling:

 

CPU Block: EK Supremacy Clean Gold

GPU Block: EK-FC R9-290X Acetal

Radiator: XSPC EX360 Crossflow

Pump: Laing D5 Vario with EK Clean Pump Top

Fittings: EK HD Adapters

Tubing: EK rigid acrylic tubing 10/12mm

Fans: Undecided but I'm likely to go for Noiseblocker eloops as they look simply fantastic

 

Concept Renders:

 

These were made using a combination of Autodesk Inventor and Blender, with the renders themselves being done in Cycles within Blender.  I find planning builds like this in 3D can be a great idea as it allows you to play with things like colour schemes and alternate parts very easily.

For the case I've decided to go for the carbon vinyl look.  Not only is it easier to work with, but most of the people I asked said they preferred it, which certainly works for me.  I'm planning on having the RAM heatspreaders and GPU Plate/IO shield gold plated so that they match the theme.  You'll notice from the renders that the reservoir is actually built into the structure itself, it's definitely one of the parts I'm most looking forward to finishing.

 

And now for some actual components!

I know you've all seen it before, but damn I love the look of these sticks.  Very different in person to how they appear in the promotional art though, the bars have much more texture to them, which is no bad thing.

Dat box...

Sockets make for some cool macro shots.

And just for a laugh, this is where I'm keeping the components for now... Yeah I know, I don't think I've ever seen an emptier Phantom before.

And the award for the loudest stock component ever goes to the 290.  I knew the stock cooler was pretty loud, but I was truly taken aback just by how much, it's insane.

Here's the machined part after a few goes with some coarser grit sandpaper.  I'll be slowly working my way up the grades, just need to order in some more of the high grit stuff first.

Rough fitting session with the rad, pump and an old GTX 590.  That card is monstrously sized, much larger than the 290 (or at least it feels it), thankfully the holes line up with the ports etc. on the 290.

 

Hope you all enjoy the project!  I'm looking forward to being able to post more updates as well as getting involved with the awesome community here.like it so much im going to copy your setup but all in pink

Edited May 15, 2014 by alpenwasser
spoiler tags :)

[HexaGuy]

like it so much im going to copy your setup but all in pink

 

Could you please remove the images when quoting someone?

 

 

-Everyone

[theathiast]

subbed

[Earache]

This is sexy, can't wait to see it progress!

[HueyTheGod]

I am absolutely amazed by it all. Those renders make me want to get into 3d design.

[d33g33]

I think this will be one of the best builds to date, on the whole internet. It really is amazing. (I'm so exceptionally jealous)

[Maki Role]

This is sexy, can't wait to see it progress!

 

Thanks man!  Hopefully I'll be able to get this one on the road a bit more pretty soon.

 

I am absolutely amazed by it all. Those renders make me want to get into 3d design.

 

Cheers man, I definitely suggest picking it up.  Not only is it really handy, but great fun once you get around things, feels great being able to put ideas down into something relatively tangible.

 

I think this will be one of the best builds to date, on the whole internet. It really is amazing. (I'm so exceptionally jealous)

 

Woah high praise indeed, just need to ensure that the final thing actually resembles the renders.  Whilst it's going pretty smoothly, I'm still unbelievably worried that it simply won't, still it's worth having something to strive for.

 

subbed

 

 

like it so much im going to copy your setup but all in pink

 

Haha sounds a like a good idea, love a good bit of pink, very much an underused colour.  There are a load of great builds featuring it now though, which is great to see.

 

Teaser guys!

 

Well I'm currently working on the wiring, naturally it's proving to be absolutely infuriating.  Working with 16AWG wire is both bliss and hell.  On one hand it's beautiful to train, and not very hard to crimp, but fitting it into the connectors is a nightmare.  Turns out the RM650 connectors are a fair bit smaller on the PSU side.  Mobo side they're fine and it slides in without complaint, not so much on the PSU side.  So I'm taking my time with it instead, I'll probably have the 24pin done in a few days.  For now though, here are a couple of fresh shots:

 

http://imageshack.com/a/img844/4029/aqvn.jpg'>

 

[NerdNinja]

24 pin done in a few days? That's taking your time all right. Looking great btw!

[Maki Role]

24 pin done in a few days? That's taking your time all right. Looking great btw!

 

Thanks!  Yeah I could have done the whole thing yesterday, but no doubt it wouldn't have looked quite right.  The cables are almost entirely on show from PSU to mobo so there's no room for error.

[リチャード]

I am extremely interested in this...

 

Mmh... yes, very.

[GeekySole9354]

Hey, you still here? We need an update!

[AMD Lover]

Holy Crap mor pics... PLEASE IM BEGGING YOU  :mellow:

[MxMieL]

Hey Dude! This is awesome! MOAR updates!   Just wondering what is the dimensions of the case? Might plan one like this. Only problem is I have no experience in modding.  :mellow:

[Victorious Secret]

Every time I read builds like this I feel very inferior and wish I could just pay someone to make the PC for me because good grief, I know I would never have the patience or skill to do something like this.

 

Great build! 

[Maki Role]

I am extremely interested in this...

 

Mmh... yes, very.

 

 

Hey, you still here? We need an update!

 

 

Holy Crap mor pics... PLEASE IM BEGGING YOU  :mellow:

 

Let's see if we can rectify this eh?

 

Hey Dude! This is awesome! MOAR updates!   Just wondering what is the dimensions of the case? Might plan one like this. Only problem is I have no experience in modding.  :mellow:

 

Thanks!  I actually haven't planned the exact dimensions of the case yet, although the board itself is 550x470, should give you a decent idea, it's pretty big really.  As for experience, bah learn on the job!  Whilst people call it modding, it's really just a bit of DIY, plan and know your limits and you'll be able to go far, and by know your limits, I mean know how to push them.

 

Every time I read builds like this I feel very inferior and wish I could just pay someone to make the PC for me because good grief, I know I would never have the patience or skill to do something like this.

 

Great build! 

 

Cheers man!  I had never even built a PC until ~3 years ago (had been running on an iMac), so anything is possible, no point closing the doors before even exploring the room.  That being said, there are plenty of really talented guys out there who will happily take on commissions, after all it keeps their hobby fresh and can be a great opportunity to try out new things.

 

 

 

 

I see it's been quite a while since I posted an update.  In fact it's been a bloody long time.  I've just been so busy over the last couple of months that finding the time to work on this and Azure Redux has been basically impossible.

 

I had meant to have the wiring all done by now, but I ran into some interesting complications.  Trying to make a direct cable from the PSU to the motherboard simply looked rubbish.  It's not long enough to twist, and since the pinout isn't 1:1, it became a messy fan.  So to counteract this, I'm changing a part of the design to allow for a very short cable that corrects the pin layout, and making a 1:1 extension instead.  This should keep things very neat and similar to the original design.  I haven't made it yet, but I'll hopefully make some progress there over the weekend, shouldn't be a huge job really.

 

So as not to leave you hanging, I took some more pictures!  I managed to get round to making the fill and drain ports, I also received the fans and coolant dye the other day.  I've decided to go for the black Phobya NB e-loops, which I must say look stunning in person, they should fit in with the build very nicely.

 

 

 

 

 

Now that I have the time, expect more regular updates!

[リチャード]

 

 

Bp? That thing's gonna leak, bro.

 

 

 

Jokes aside, I'm glad you're back. Looking forward to more updates.

[Tearass]

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now that I have the time, expect more regular updates!

 

 

YEAH FOR NOISEBLOCKERS! 

These (not the black ones however) are the fans I'm really considering!

[Maki Role]

Bp? That thing's gonna leak, bro.

 

 

 

Jokes aside, I'm glad you're back. Looking forward to more updates.

 

Hehe, at least this one wouldn't take weeks to fix, although knowing my recent hiatus, actually that's possible 

 

YEAH FOR NOISEBLOCKERS! 

These (not the black ones however) are the fans I'm really considering!

 

I've been considering using them for quite a while, just haven't really had the need to (can't really justify their expense for the sake of switching fans).  My main rig has gentle typhoons, love them to bits, shame they're not being produced any longer.  In any case, I'll like some Noiseblocker e-loops over some Noctuas any day (well, unless they're going in pull that is).

[McMurderMonkey]

Bp? That thing's gonna leak, bro.

Jokes aside, I'm glad you're back. Looking forward to more updates.

SAVE THE MARINE LIFE!

[MxMieL]

Thanks!  I actually haven't planned the exact dimensions of the case yet, although the board itself is 550x470, should give you a decent idea, it's pretty big really.  As for experience, bah learn on the job!  Whilst people call it modding, it's really just a bit of DIY, plan and know your limits and you'll be able to go far, and by know your limits, I mean know how to push them.

Thanks ! I'll plan it now! I'll better practice some cutting..