Project W2 - Dual Chamber, Rigid Tubing, Simple and Clean

[Glent]

Introduction

 

Hey, it's been a while since I posted a build. Today I'm sharing a build I've assembled for my son. The emphasis is on looks rather than power, it's a mid range type of system for some light gaming. Perhaps in the future it'll be upgraded. Anyhow, if you’re familiar with any of my work, you'll know I’m a fan of dual chamber cases. I've bolted some together and created a few scratch builds in the past. 

 

Like most of my past builds this one came about, during a random conversation with my son. He took pen to paper and provided me a rough image of what he would like. I'll be honest I was not keen with his preferred Color choices of red, white and black. I've used them myself in the past it's very difficult to balance them correctly.

 

The case I used was the  Cooltek W2, not a common case and depending on your region, I believe it's also distributed as "Jonsbo W2". The core of this build was to reuse, recycle and essentially make use of parts I had to hand. I actually had everything minus the CPU. As far as his mum is concerned, that's all I bought since hahaha

 

Current progress shot

 

•  
  

• Case: Cooltek W2 (AKA Jonsbo W2)
  

• Motherboard: MSI Z87 GD-65 Gaming
  

• CPU: Intel 20th Anniversary G3258
  

• GPU: MSI R9 270X
  

• RAM: 2x 4GB Mushkin Blackline (Temp addition)
  

• SSD: Kingston HyperX Savage SSD 240GB
  

• HDD: TBC
  

• PSU: Generic 500W/Fully Modular
  

 

 

 

•  
  

• Radiators: 240mm Slim (From Raijintek Triton)
  

• Fans: 3 x NoiseBlocker 120mm
  

• Pump: XSPC D5 with EKWB Plexi Pump top
  

• Reservoir: Raijintek Triton
  

• Fittings: Primochill Rigid Ghost
  

• Tubing: Primochill Rigid PETG tubing clear
  

• CPU Block: Raijintek Triton
  

• GPU Block: Alphacool GPX 270 MSI 270X
  

• Lighting: Deepcool 2x RGB
  

• Other: E22 FG01 Fan grilles 1x120, 1x 240mm
  

• Cables: E22/Telios Self Sleeved
  

 

 

The first thing to do was make a cut, in the left side panel and mock up the parts, and then explore the watercooling loop route

 

In keeping with the theme to reuse and recycle any parts I had here, was the idea to tweak the Raijintek Triton, which is an AIO system that can be expanded. However what I wasn’t aware of, was the sealed fittings on both the radiator and the main block, they’ve used some sort of sealant and the only option was to apply some heat. They came out easy enough and with no issue on the radiator side, however the plexi block did not fair well and the threads where destroyed. I don’t have another to try again but I suspect with more care and less heat, it would be possible to remove them without any major damage to the threads.

 

 

 

The following images, are made up with placeholder parts, fittings, cabling and such. The theming does not take place until the later stages

 

 

After re-tapping the threads into the main block, I began to plot tubing route.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 The IN and OUT on the Raijintek block lined up mm perfect will the GPU block below, but I must confess the tubing route caused me some concerns, and was a case of trial and error.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 All was well for the first few fills and drains. To actually fill and drain the loop, I only used the main port on the block. I didn’t want to run a drain line or add any extra clutter inside. On the third run, the pump gave up and died.

 

I had some other parts to hand, pump, res, water block and such but I’d really become fond of the Raijintek block/res combo and opted to leave it as part of the build. A pump was now needed and rather than make use of the rear chamber, and add extra clutter I fitted it into the floor and adjusted the loop. Not an ideal workaround, but it works… 

 

This will be my 5th time using rigid tubing and I have to say it doesn’t get much easier when working with double bends and tricky corners!

 

 

 

 

 

 

I really tried to push a black and white only theme to my son, but he was keen to keep some red in their and later on, I think you'll agree he made the right call.

 

 

 

I must have remade the tube from the GPU to rad about 10 times, but the double bend was a real challange

 

 

 

I’ve had the Alphacool GPX block for a little while now, and appreciate for some people it’s just not to their taste. Personally I like it but somewhere down the line it might have a visual tweak, on that note if you ever have an rounded head (on any product)  then grabs the wife’s nail glue, it  works great!

 

 

 

With the loop finalized, I set about replacing some of the more tired pieces such as the fittings as well as purchasing some sleeving, tools and grilles.

 

 

http://techicize.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/20150515_134701.jpg/

 

 

 

As mentioned earlier balancing colours is tough, I felt like a bold red MSI on the case front would help to keep things in check.

 

 

 

Over the last few days I’ve been working on the sleeving and adding the lighting into the case. I’d say I’m nearly done pending a few possible changes here and there. 

 

I’ve got to do some work on the backside of the case as we’re adding a window on that side too.  The cables combs are a fantastic addition, but the cables still need some adjusting

 

 

 

 

 

 

Random Kingston Rex Photo

Incidentally I'd like to add some white or red, Kingston HyperX Savage ram but I don't have the funds just now.

Final photos to follow

[Aytex]

im gonna go in the corner and cry

 

Great build!

[SkywardKkalox]

Looks nice!

[DildorTheDecent]

Kingston head looks class. 

[Trik'Stari]

I'd really like to know your opinion on that Raijintek AIO's performance in an expanded system @Glent.

[Dacho]

very nice 

[Glent]

im gonna go in the corner and cry

 

Great build!

 

Hehe thanks

 

Looks nice!

 

Kingston head looks class. 

 I picked it up at UK lan a few years back, it's pretty cool

 

I'd really like to know your opinion on that Raijintek AIO's performance in an expanded system @Glent.

We have not tested it a great deal. At stock both the CPU and GPU are below 25c, and  after quick oc to 4.6Ghz , it pushes the idles up to 36c, maxed at 54c load. I will do some more a report back

 

For the specs the looks are awesome!

This is it, hes just a light gamer for now, once he becomes a hardcore PC gamer...which I know he will, we will upgrade

 

very nice 

Thanks

 

 

Well I had planned to do a bunch more of small detailing work with vinyls on the exterior. Some subtle MSI circuit board and even some etching on the window but my son just wants to play so maybe I'll pick those ideas up in the future. But for now that'll do, time to plan my next mod...as Im itching to do another

 

Few more images. The back side of the case isn't what I had in mind but it's not to bad and carries the colours of the theme well

 

Thanks for reading

[SageC]

Very clean, I've never really thought about running the possessor and graphics card in a parallel loop and I definitely haven't seen anyone do it before but it looks really awesome.

[SkywardKkalox]

That cable managment though...

420/10!