[Build Log] Project Starlight – Evolv mAtx Glass, 6800k, GTX 1080, Liquid Cooled

[Str8f4c3]

Hey Everyone! My name is Dawson and thanks so much for checking out my build log! This will be my fourth build, second time liquid cooling, and first time using a form factor other than ATX. The goal of this build is to find a case that has excellent craftsmanship and subtle aesthetics (and will therefore need no exterior modification) and modify the interior to create a unique but clean look. That being said, let’s get on with the specs:

 

Core Components:

CPU – 6800k

GPU – Gtx 1080

RAM – 32gb G.skill Ripjaws 4 2666mhz

Mobo – Asus X99-M WS

PSU – Corsair RM1000i

Storage – Samsung 960 Evo 250gb, Intel 750 Series 400gb PCIE, 2x Samsung 850 EVO 250gb in RAID 0

Case – Phanteks Evolv Micro ATX Glass, Anthracite Grey

 

Liquid Cooling:

Blocks – EK Nickel Plexi for CPU, GPU, Intel SSD

Pump – Alphacool VPP755 with EK X-Top Revo Plexi

Radiators – EK SE240 and EK SE360

Fans – 5x Noiseblocker BlackSilent Pro

Reservoir – Singularity Computers Protium Medium – Polished Acrylic with Black rings

Fittings – TBD, Bitspower 16mm of some colour most likely

Fluid – TBD, leaning towards Mayhems X-1 Purple at this point

 

Miscellaneous:

Cables – Scratch-Built using Mainframe Customs Black Sleeving and Gosumodz Alliance Combs

Lighting – TBD

Control – Aquaero 6 PRO with Flow and Temp Sensors

Nanoxia CoolForce Cable Combs

 

Modification list:

 

Create a custom, inverted motherboard tray from aluminum

Create a custom rear case panel to clean up the aesthetics

Modify the GPU bracket (for what I won’t say yet…) ;P

Powder coat all interior parts matte black

 

That’s all for now, but I’ll just leave the obligatory group photo below for now:

 

 

Thanks for looking!

[Str8f4c3]

Reserved

[Shiv78]

Subbed!

[Blaze0303]

Looks promising! 

[Str8f4c3]

14 hours ago, Shiv78 said:

Subbed!

 

9 hours ago, Blaze0303 said:

Looks promising! 

Thanks Guys!

[Darkmatter35]

Possibly the last intel platform enthusiasts will buy. I wanted to move toward your cpu/mobo setup but now I might opt for amd 

[Str8f4c3]

3 hours ago, Darkmatter35 said:

Possibly the last intel platform enthusiasts will buy. I wanted to move toward your cpu/mobo setup but now I might opt for amd 

Thanks for checking out the log, I'm interested to hear why you say this.

[Str8f4c3]

Update #2 – Cutting some holes

Over the past couple of days I’ve been able to get some preliminary work done for the mods, as well as take some photos of the components, though I haven’t been able to rummage through and edit them yet. I was also able to test everything on my super sick test bench:

 

 

Now, on to the mods. The first thing on the to-do list was to disassemble the case.

 

 

 

From here, I reversed the top panel so that the radiator mount offset carries over to the inverted layout. Unfortunately, I did not get any photos of this. After that, I masked and cut out a large portion of the rear panel, which will be replaced with 2mm aluminum, along with the motherboard tray.

 

 

 

Rough Cut:

 

 

All filed up. This was done with a Dremel.

 

 

After this, I took measurements and ordered (hopefully) all the aluminum needed, I also picked up some screws and standoffs as well as some other bits and pieces from McMaster. That’s all for now, thanks for looking!

 

[Str8f4c3]

Update #3 – Component Photos

 

Update #3 – Component Photos

 

I got around to editing the photos I took, enjoy!

 

6800k. Processors are really frickin hard to photograph.

 

G. Skill Ripjaws 32gb kit. The heatspreaders are really nice on these, the photos certainly don’t do them justice. Too bad I’ll be replacing them with Monarch modules.

 

Samsung 960 EVO 250gb. The plan is for this drive to handle the OS and Main Applications.

 

Intel 750 Series 400gb. I don’t have a big storage library, so this will do for bulk storage. It’s mostly going to be for show anyway. I also have two 850 EVO 250gb drives going in the build, those will be used as a RAID 0 scratch disk for the little PS and Premiere that I do. 

 

GTX 1080. I’m sure most of you have probably seen a million and two of these on the forums, this will be more than sufficient for my needs.

10/10 Unboxing experience.

The founders coolers are really nice.

 

X99-M WS. Even after the X299 Announcement, this is still the best mAtx Board on the market IMO.
 

 

On to some water cooling gear! Let’s start with EK:

Supremacy X99. 

Intel 750 Series SSD Block. The plan is to flat-out steal L3P’s idea and make an acrylic top for this so that it matches the rest of the components.
 

EK-FC 1080 GTX. I’m on the fence regarding whether to polish these blocks, we’ll see a little later on down the road.

 

Singularity Computers Protium. Everything about this reservoir is great, the quality and aesthetics are so understated that they will literally fit in any build, can’t wait to use it. 

 

Aquacomputer Aquaero 6 PRO and Flow Sensor. Again, super high quality parts, worth every penny. 
 
 

 

And finally, the case. Unfortunately my setup is not large enough to properly capture this, so I will leave a single photo below and figure something out before I need to shoot the final photos.

 

In the meantime, I received my aluminum panels, and upon opening the package realized that I completely forgot to measure and order one piece, so that will put the project on hold for a day or two (which isn’t awful considering finals and work will hold it up as well).

Thanks for looking!

[Tech_Dreamer]

awesome

[Str8f4c3]

21 hours ago, Tech_Dreamer said:

awesome

Thanks!