Define XL Case Mod / Dream AMD Build Watercooled!

[lowngcawt]

Hello!

 

So this is my first case mod and my 2nd time watercooling (first time was only a CPU loop)

It started out with me building a new rig for BF4; FX 8350 & 2x 7870 but then AMD released the R9 290 and i just had to buy it,

I started getting into Litecoin mining and "accedentally" bought another R9 290, but after a few weeks of mining with those two jet engine-ref coolers i decided it was time to do something about it!

 

The rig started out like this;

 

I then got my hands on a used FD Define XL for free (3€) that i decided to mod!

 

This is what i wanted to fit in the case:

Mobo: ASUS Crosshair v formula-z

CPU: AMD FX-8350 @ 4.8GHz

GPU: 2x Sapphire Radeon R9 290

RAM: Corsair Vengeance 1600MHz 2x4GB

PSU: AX1200i (yes it is RM750 on the pics, but i have changed it since!)

SSD: Kingston V300 120GB

Storage: Samsung 1TB

Case: Fractal Design Define XL Titanium Grey

 

CPU block: EK Supreme LTX AMD

GPU block: EK-FC R9-290X Original CSQ Nickel

Mobo block: EK-FB ASUS C5F-Z Acetal

Radiator1: Black Ice GTS 240

Radiator2: Black Ice GTS 240

Radiator3: Alphacool NexXxoS ST30 FC 360

Fans: Corsair SP120 Quiet Edition x7

Pump: EK DCP 4.0

Res: Phobya Balancer 250 nickel black

Coolant: EK Blood Red

 

 

Since the old Define XL has basically no watercooling support at all some small mods had to be done so i could fit what i wanted;

A 360 rad up top and two 240 rads in the bottom chamber, i knew it would be a tight fit but i was sure it would work! 

 

Started out with a window for the side panel (still have to cut out for the bottom rad fans!)

 

With that done, it was time to make room for that 360 rad in the roof!

I grabbed my friend the dremel and went nuts!

 

 

 

Perfect!
Now it was time to start the disassembly of my rig and draining the loop.

Notice the colour of the EK Blood Red coolant, it had turned into a really, really, reaaaally dark purple (Anyone knows why this happens and how to prevent this?)

 

 

Poor dusty fan

Remember this kids; cats + no sidepanel is a bad combination!

 

 

Both cards out!

 

 

Hdd cage out, time to drain the loop and remove rads.

 

 

 

 

There we go!

Now it was time for some waterblock mounting

 

 

Ready to remove the stock heatsink!

 

 

All naked

 

 

Much better!

Next in line: R9 290's

 

 

Tools needed for this install: multibit screwdriver and a scissor.

Am i the only one that loves the looks of these coolers? if only they werent so loud!

 

 

All naked and dirty, dont worry my love im going to clean you up and get you a new outfit!

 

 

FYI, If you are impatient, please dont attempt this as you will probably rip all your hair out trying to remove the protective films from the pads,
it is a real pain in the A** 

 

 

 

Looking Good!

Let's tie you up with your twin and put you where you belong!

 

 

Some Cabling started and top rad mounted!

this is going to look so good...

 

 

Tubing started, pump and one of the bottom rads mounted!

 

 

All tubes done and the 2nd rad at the bottom mounted, just barely fit! 

 

 

PSU PoV, super tight but it works.
Not looking forward to try and empty this loop, not a good placement of that T-fitting...

 

 

Getting ready to fill her up for leaktest!

(Was getting super late at this time, about 3 at night so i let her run while i went to sleep!)

 

 

Good Morning and no leaks!

 

Some more pics of her up and running:

 

 

Gotta love the SP120's <3

 

 

 

 

 

First of all, sorry about the not so perfect image quality, photos taken with my Nexus 5!

 

I am super happy with the results, what do you guys think? 

Feel free to ask any questions you might have!

[Kittke]

Nice

[lowngcawt]

Nice

 

Thanks!

[alby800]

Me like

[Tam3n]

Cool!

 

I also water cooled my R9 290s, though I mounted the 480 rad externally to my define r3 ^^

 

What kind of temps are you seeing? 

[lowngcawt]

Cool!

 

I also water cooled my R9 290s, though I mounted the 480 rad externally to my define r3 ^^

 

What kind of temps are you seeing? 

 

Thank you!

 

Temps on the gpu's were max 65C in a 30C room after about 24/h mining, gaming rarely pushes them over 50c.

CPU sits nicely at about 55C

[Bagmup]

Holy thermal paste Batman...

[Karumu]

very nice job! that loop loks sexy, and i didnt know there was a WB for the Crosshair V formula-Z i might just have to watercool when the new NVIDIA cards come out

[purplepenguin202]

Just get a wall mount or do something cool with those 290 coolers...  Methinks they could be reused as case fans

[CookieTheMonsta]

It looks even more awesome now

[lowngcawt]

very nice job! that loop loks sexy, and i didnt know there was a WB for the Crosshair V formula-Z i might just have to watercool when the new NVIDIA cards come out

Thanks alot!

Yes there is a WB for C5F-Z, but it was kindof hard to get my hands on one, had to wait almost 3 months for it to be made and shipped to me! (but that was in the middle of the r9 290 WB rush aswell so EK had alot to do)

 

Just get a wall mount or do something cool with those 290 coolers...  Methinks they could be reused as case fans

Good idea, i might do that!

But using them as case fans, nooooo way!

 

It looks even more awesome now

Thanks

[purplepenguin202]

If you undervolt them to zero I hear they're silent 

[CJPowell27]

looks great! You should polish those EK blocks

[lowngcawt]

looks great! You should polish those EK blocks

Thanks

Im not going to polish the blocks tho, i really like the frosted look with colored coolant!