[Build Log] Zeuligan build - white leather Be Quiet! Dark Base Pro 900

[MrRavens]

Daaw you guys are making me tear up with this back and forth lol.

[Zeuligan]

I dislike ugly cables as much as I love sleeved cables. The "mess" that the front IO brings to a mod like this is a challenge. Not a challenge I want unanswered. The choice is simple, either sleeve them and deal with the routing problem of that many cables. Short cables to increase the problem or solve it by hiding them all together. 

 

I decided to kill two birds with one stone and hide them together with some of the last unworked parts of the backside.

 

 

 

Masked and measured on a 3mm acrylic to make an L-shaped base.

 

 

 

More than one part included in my master plan to hide all the cables. Masked and cut them with my Dremel Moto Saw that I'm beginning to love more and more.

 

 

 

Acrylic cement is the right way to go to join acrylic. Just need to be careful not to spill on the surfaces of the pieces as that will ruin them.

 

 

 

My mini-clamps are awesome for this kind of work. Put the L-shape under pressure while waiting for the Acrylic cement to set.

 

 

 

All 4 base pieces done. Two L-shapes, one top cover and one small surprise for the backside of the case.

 

 

 

Really happy with both my plan and the result. Snug, tight and straight. Just as we like it. It will work as a cable canal and hide the IO front cables. Next step is to make the pieces sexy...

 

 

 

I love that carbon fiber look. I also decided, before wrapping to create the two L-pieces with a twist. To make it a little harder. I will show you what I had in mind in next few steps.

 

 

 

 

Top cover with a small cut out for a rivet I don't want to move and my small surprise piece for the backside.

 

 

 

 

Drilled some holes for mounting and created two fastening clips to use inside the HDD-ladder.

 

 

 

 

I managed to align the 2 different pieces exactly in pattern with the previously created carbon fiber backplate. This creates one fluid pattern for the entire backside. Took some measuring, but extremely happy that I took that extra time. Looks amazing and is one of those details I will know I did. It also creates a solution for hidden cable management that I'm very happy with.

 

 

 

Voila! The backside cable management with a hidden cable canal as well as one fluid carbon fiber backside.

 

 

And the surprise?

 

 

There is a small indentation in the backside of the case. Decided to give it a white carbon fiber accent.

 

What you think, how did I manage with this mod?

[Zeuligan]

Nothing as scary as tearing a 800$ ASUS GTX1080Ti GPU apart and voiding warranty, but that is also part of the thrill. I love the look of EKWBs Acrylic and Acetal water block. With the GPU mounted vertically there is no need to spend time on a custom backplate, so went with the black backplate from EKWB.

 

 

 

Such a beautiful card, even if the cooling capability and noice levels can be discussed.

 

 

 

Small screws requires small tools. Few screws to remove the backplate, but don't let that fool you. The work starts once the backplate is removed. Two small bowls to keep the screws sorted while dissembling.

 

 

 

There it is. The inside backside of the amazing ASUS Fe GTX1080Ti. 20! screws to be removed to release the big and heavy frontside. I went counter clockwise and did the 9 GPU screws last. Also counter clockwise. No particular reason, I just tend to go counter clockwise when I remove stuff and go clock wise when I put things together. That way I can more easily keep track of all the progress.

 

 

 

 

This is how it looks, once all the 20 screws are removed and both halvs of the card is visible.

 

 

 

Simple and clear instructions included by EKWB. Just follow it and do one thing at a time and it's really uncomplicated. Only thing I felt was a little unclear was the reference to the LED. But after checking EKWBs website again, it states that LED is not included but is optional. If you want the plate to light, order that LED or you will need to break your card apart again, once you want to add it. I left mine without, due to that reason.

 

 

 

Thermal pads added according to the instructions. Just a scissor and some measuring needed. Anyone can do it.

 

 

 

Much better. THAT is how a real ASUS GTX1080Ti should look like. With a beautiful water black keeping the awesomeness cooled. Used Grizzly Kryonaut as new paste to keep it cool.

 

 

 

Backplate mounted and card is done and EKWB logo unpeeled Will look amazing mounted in my custom vertical GPU bracket.

 

 

 

Block photographed by my GF with a real camera. I just love the black and transparent combination. ASUS and EKWB awesomeness. Like 1 + 1 = 3.

[Vx0x]

5 hours ago, Zeuligan said:

Nothing as scary as tearing a 800$ ASUS GTX1080Ti GPU apart and voiding warranty, but that is also part of the thrill. I love the look of EKWBs Acrylic and Acetal water block. With the GPU mounted vertically there is no need to spend time on a custom backplate, so went with the black backplate from EKWB.

 

 

 

Such a beautiful card, even if the cooling capability and noice levels can be discussed.

 

 

 

Small screws requires small tools. Few screws to remove the backplate, but don't let that fool you. The work starts once the backplate is removed. Two small bowls to keep the screws sorted while dissembling.

 

 

 

There it is. The inside backside of the amazing ASUS Fe GTX1080Ti. 20! screws to be removed to release the big and heavy frontside. I went counter clockwise and did the 9 GPU screws last. Also counter clockwise. No particular reason, I just tend to go counter clockwise when I remove stuff and go clock wise when I put things together. That way I can more easily keep track of all the progress.

 

 

 

 

This is how it looks, once all the 20 screws are removed and both halvs of the card is visible.

 

 

 

Simple and clear instructions included by EKWB. Just follow it and do one thing at a time and it's really uncomplicated. Only thing I felt was a little unclear was the reference to the LED. But after checking EKWBs website again, it states that LED is not included but is optional. If you want the plate to light, order that LED or you will need to break your card apart again, once you want to add it. I left mine without, due to that reason.

 

 

 

Thermal pads added according to the instructions. Just a scissor and some measuring needed. Anyone can do it.

 

 

 

Much better. THAT is how a real ASUS GTX1080Ti should look like. With a beautiful water black keeping the awesomeness cooled. Used Grizzly Kryonaut as new paste to keep it cool.

 

 

 

Backplate mounted and card is done and EKWB logo unpeeled Will look amazing mounted in my custom vertical GPU bracket.

 

 

 

Block photographed by my GF with a real camera. I just love the black and transparent combination. ASUS and EKWB awesomeness. Like 1 + 1 = 3.

Why do you keep mentioning that its an asus card? It is just a FE card.. They are all the same.. And also great work!

[MrRavens]

Ok ok...is it necessary that even your THERMAL PADS are so clean!? Sheesh!  Unless they came that way. I remember cutting them, that's all. xP 

[KrZaj]

Actually it would be smarter to get founders edition card from evga. You will not void warranty by removing the cooler. But it's late for that.... Also really cool build. I follow it from the start. Keep it up!

[Zeuligan]

3 hours ago, Vx0x said:

Why do you keep mentioning that its an asus card? It is just a FE card.. They are all the same.. And also great work!

As it's a Fe or reference card, yes they are the same, but it is an ASUS reference card and I like ASUS, so that's why I keep mentioning it
Here's the box

Thx for your feedback and glad you like the work, makes me happy!

 

2 hours ago, LtRavens said:

Ok ok...is it necessary that even your THERMAL PADS are so clean!? Sheesh!  Unless they came that way. I remember cutting them, that's all. xP 

LOL, Actually, they are precut from EKWB, but clean is good

 

42 minutes ago, ImHyperstyle said:

wow that's actually insane and you're like really skilled.

Thank you so much! It is my first mod, so would do some parts so much different, but practice makes perfect, so I hope next build is even better
Very happy you like it. Thx /bow
 

[Zeuligan]

1 hour ago, KrZaj said:

Actually it would be smarter to get founders edition card from evga. You will not void warranty by removing the cooler. But it's late for that.... Also really cool build. I follow it from the start. Keep it up!

I got a really good deal on the ASUS card when I bought it. Saved almost 200$ from the EVGA (that was my first choice for the reason you write) so I thought it was worth the risk of the warranty. 

Thx, again, have had so much good comments from you since start. Much appreciated. 

[MrRavens]

3 hours ago, Zeuligan said:

LOL, Actually, they are precut from EKWB, but clean is good

 

Haha! I was about to say. Great none the less. xP

[Zeuligan]

I decided to ditch my sleeved extension and go for a more slick cable management solution with a custom cable comb in carbon fiber. To route cables first and cut the end once done. More sleeve and cable needed, but easier to route the cables. 

 

 

This is what needs to be sorted. I thought of several different ways to solve this, but decided to use the holes in the motherboard tray and also make the cables the heros.

 

 

 

Printed a template for 24 pin and the outlines to match the rubber grommet outline for the motherboard tray.

 

 

 

Drilled 24 holes with my Dremel Workstation and a 3.2mm drill. Fairly good precision with that station. Almost a little surprised. The variable speed helped to prevent the 5 mm acrylic to crack.

 

 

 

 

Base shape done with 24 good holes.

 

 

 

After sleeving the cables in MDPC-X I need 4mm holes, so used my Bosch and drilled with a 4mm drill in all the previously made holes. Bugs me I can't find a drill for my Dremel that is 4mm. Will need to stort that for next project.

 

 

 

Final test of the fit and size of the holes. Very happy, this will be awesome. Perfect size and glad it didn't crack after all those holes.

 

 

 

Cut away the inner part of the rubber grommet and sanded down the edges to fit the shape. This could be really good.

 

 

 

Carbon fiber vinyl on this piece as well. Will blend with the build and make the sleeved MDPC-X cables pop.

 

 

 

Glued the finished carbon fiber cable comb onto the rubber grommet. Spilled a little, but was easy to remove with some pure alcohol.

 

 

 

 

After adding a second cable comb with 14 holes (8+6) for the GPU and adding a 14 slot black Alphacool aluminum cable comb to keep the dual GPU cables together and a 24 slot comb this part is done.

[Zeuligan]

I have reached a mile stone and that is real assembly. I thought I would drop a few pictures on the status so far. Most of the parts should now be finished and it's about putting everything together. 

 

Left to do is all the hard tube bending and component installation, but that is fast. I would love to hear what you think so far. Please drop a comment, question or just a hi. Would love to answer any questions you have. 

 

 

 

 

 

[iLoveWagons]

Excellent workmanship I hope you'll provide a nice compilation of before/after pics of your build

[Zeuligan]

31 minutes ago, ewmin3m said:

Excellent workmanship I hope you'll provide a nice compilation of before/after pics of your build

Thank you so much. I will try to take as many photos as possible once I'm done. 
I added fluid for a leak test yesterday (14h in to my 24 leak test) and so far so good. 
 

[Tech22]

On 11/13/2017 at 2:11 AM, Zeuligan said:

Thank you so much. I will try to take as many photos as possible once I'm done. 
I added fluid for a leak test yesterday (14h in to my 24 leak test) and so far so good. 
 

This..... This is the definition of clean! Your build is absolutely AMAZING! You must have so much dedication posting at 2:11 AM!

[Zeuligan]

1 hour ago, Tech22 said:

This..... This is the definition of clean! Your build is absolutely AMAZING! You must have so much dedication posting at 2:11 AM!

Thank you so much. Your comment warms my heart

[Zeuligan]

After creating the cable comb plates attached in the mother board rubber grommets I had to sort the rest of the backside cable management. I tried a few versions av acrylic combs, but realized that they would become to thick or crack to easy. 

 

 

 

This is what I need to stort I'm not sure if I finally reached a point where I had taken on to much. So many cables. Oh well, might as well get started. One cable at a time.

 

 

 

After a few different tries I ended up with an aluminum bracket idea. Just small stripes of aluminum sheets bent into the right size and shape. I hand bent a first version and measured the size needed for my cables. 24+8+6+7. The last 6 is 4 fans, 2 front panel cables and the white PWM cable for the cable hub.

 

 

 

Cut 3 equal aluminum stripes and bent them with a plier into shape. Filed all edges and corners soft to reduce the risk of messing with the cables. Don't want to put aluminum into a cable.

 

 

 

Carbon fiber vinyl was a challenge to wrap such a small and fairly soft item, but after some tries I found a good methods. 1 down 2 to go.

 

 

 

Three equal sized and wrapped cable management clips. This could work, but would these small clips actually hold all those cables. Had I measured correctly?

 

 

 

Not bad, not bad at all. Folded the two GPU cables under the 24pin cables to keep an intact look of the cables. I like the soft curve the GPU cables give. Need to fix the fans for the top radiator, the 4th fan mounted in the backside and the front fans.

 

 

 

Seven awesome be quiet! Silent Wings 3 to sleeve. They come sleeved, but I want MDPC-X Carbon-BTI sleeve on all fans and extras (pump, radiator leds etc). Here is actually something I noticed. It's better to get un-sleeved fans for re-sleeving. Why? They 4 cables are still glued together. That makes it super fast to sleeve as you don't have to mark each individual fan cable. Just unplug the pins, add sleeve, put it back in the connector.

 

 

 

The carbon fiber sleeve really works with the look of the fan blades.

 

 

 

I managed to sleeve all 7 fans in less than 30min. Mostly due to the fact mentioned above about the fan cables. Only need to fasten them in the case and route the cables to finish the backside cable management.

 

 

 

If the sleeves are easy, this feels daunting. So many cables Oh well, one at a time and this should be doable.

 

 

 

To ensure that I put the right cable in the right place I measured all the cables. One fast beep and good to go. Will ber very exciting to see the finished result.

 

 

 

Decided to hide the over clocking switch for the be quiet! Dark Power Pro 11 as a lid for my backside cables. Unfortunately I broke the acrylic angle when adding the last cables, so need to fix that.

 

 

 

Backside done. The vertical white lines is mirroring the hard lines in the case, that I will show in next update. 

[MrRavens]

Wow. Is this back of the case going to be windowed? Not that you don't need to put in effort lol, just wondering. 

[Zeuligan]

16 minutes ago, LtRavens said:

Wow. Is this back of the case going to be windowed? Not that you don't need to out in effort lol, just wondering. 

Haven't planned on it, but not a bad idea

[MrRavens]

2 minutes ago, Zeuligan said:

Haven't planned on it, but not a bad idea

Oh god...I gave this man ideas. Inb4 the window is some next level window lol.

[Zeuligan]

As I did a vertical GPU bracket in a previous mod I ended up with more than a little sag on my GPU. The structural integrity of the perforated case wall isn't enough to keep the GPU up. 

 

As I want to keep the build as clean as possible a big GPU brace was out of the question and fishline solutions unthinkable.

 

Quote

How do you solve a brace that should be small and preferably invisible?
You make one in acrylic!

 

This was also something that I had in mind already when creating my custom floor. The placement of the pump top and reservoir.

 

 

 

I cut a small piece from 5mm acrylic and sanded edges down. Rounded corners and drilled a hole just shy of 13mm to keep a tight fit to my 13/10 Hard tube. To ensure that physics keeps the brace in place I also warmed the part after the hole and bent it about 10°.

 

 

 

After some sanding it was possible to squeeze it on the hard tube and it fit's tight and almost to good. I did one version with a beveled edge to keep a o-ring beneath the brace, but that didn't turn out either good or good lucking. Snug was the way to go. The shape and size of the hard tube was my original idea, but after a final test fit I came to the conclusion it will look better if it's shorter, so the finished loop design, this bend is about 50% of the height.

 

 

 

This is how the GPU brace is positioned and the weight of the GPU will squeeze the brace in place due to the bend I did.

 

 

[snpr1992]

@Zeuligan I've been following this build for a couple of months now and I can't help but be super impressed.  The acrylic work you have done is fantastic.  I look forward to seeing what the finished product looks like.

[Zeuligan]

48 minutes ago, snpr1992 said:

@Zeuligan I've been following this build for a couple of months now and I can't help but be super impressed.  The acrylic work you have done is fantastic.  I look forward to seeing what the finished product looks like.

That is most kind of you to say

Acrylic is a very, sexy material. I like it, but it's a challenge to cut straight with hand tools and not sure I like cutting long straight lines with my Moto-saw. I will fix some tool for next mod for this purpose as I tend to work a lot more with Acrylic in future mods. 

Very glad you say you like that part. 

[Rosinbole]

Holy hecking shit mate, that's fucking amazing

[Zeuligan]

Just now, matias_a_etersen said:

Holy hecking shit mate, that's fucking amazing

Thank you  What do you like the most the GPU brace or something else?

[iLoveWagons]

I was wondering if you'll be doing something to the front door/panel of the case? and perhaps even the top of the case to improve air flow.

 

I just finished my build in this case, but i'm not quite satisfied how the air flows in and out of the case; too many right angles for the air to pass through.

I was thinking of milling a pattern into the top panel and the front to make the air flow more linear.

 

I was looking at the Fractal design Meshify C front mesh panel, which comes off, but I don't think that piece is sold separately; that could've been an easy insert.

 

Any thoughts on this ?