outcaster - My Planetside 2 Computer!

[L4G]

Hello PSU!

Ive been reading and pondering about a new computer for a while now and I stumbled on the world of CustomPC, some of you may know it.

Anyway I decided I would get my pc built sooner rather than later ... you never know when a rainy day might turn up and take all my money for boring things!

The general bits and pieces which should make it go...

Coolmasters ATCS 840
Intel i7 2600K
Asus Maximus Extreme-Z
Corsair Dominator GT (8GB)
Corsair 120GB Force GT SSD
Gainward 1280mb GTX 570 Phantom
BeQuiet Dark Power 850W (MDPC'd)


And the interesting cooling bits...

EK Supreme HF Nickel
EK Dominator Nickel
EK FC5X0 GTX Plexi & EK GTX 5X0 Backplate
EK Coolstream RAD XT 360
Laing DDC w/ EK X TOP-V2
****** 150 Balancer Nickel/Silver


A little list of mods...

Internal White Paint Job
Removal of HDD Cage
99% Cable Sleeving ... MDPC (http://www.million-dollar-pc.com/)!
Cable Management
Side Panel Window for System
Side Panel Window for Sleeving


I started by taking it back to the bone..

http://www.frasersfoods.co.uk/redmanc/werner/840frame.jpg
http://www.frasersfoods.co.uk/redmanc/werner/stockmobotray.jpg

Whilst waiting for the paint to arrive I started a little block installation..

http://www.frasersfoods.co.uk/redmanc/werner/mobo006.jpg
http://www.frasersfoods.co.uk/redmanc/werner/mobo0011.jpg
http://www.frasersfoods.co.uk/redmanc/werner/gpublock.jpg

A then the weather cleared up so a tidy up in my shed was needed to make way for some primer..

http://www.frasersfoods.co.uk/redmanc/werner/primer01.jpg
http://www.frasersfoods.co.uk/redmanc/werner/primer02.jpg

Thanks to my lack of batteries and a willingness to buy anymore my camera has been dead for the last few days resulting in a disgraceful lack of photos. Nevermind I have some pictures of my latest progress..

http://www.frasersfoods.co.uk/redmanc/werner/sleeving001.jpg

This is my idea of cable management ... do I have it right ??
http://www.frasersfoods.co.uk/redmanc/werner/sleeving002.jpg
http://www.frasersfoods.co.uk/redmanc/werner/sleeving003.jpg

The paint job has gone quite well although in a rush to see what it looks like I haven't left it long enough to dry so there are a few knocks and bruises already but I guess that just means more case mods to come :p:p

http://www.frasersfoods.co.uk/redmanc/werner/case001.jpg
http://www.frasersfoods.co.uk/redmanc/werner/case002.jpg
http://www.frasersfoods.co.uk/redmanc/werner/case003.jpg

[L4G]

So heres five little photos for you ... WARNING they are garbage due to the fact that its late
and my lighting is terrible but that would be making excuses wouldn't it!

I've been working on the Power Supply sleeving for a few days now and its gone well.

Erm warranty voided :cablefire:

http://www.frasersfoods.co.uk/redmanc/werner/psuopen.jpg

Remember to mark your wires BEFORE you start removing them no matter how excited you are about it!
http://www.frasersfoods.co.uk/redmanc/werner/wires.jpg

If you are sleeving for the first time these are the tools you really need!!
There is the lovely MDPC crimper in there somewhere.
http://www.frasersfoods.co.uk/redmanc/werner/sleevingtools.jpg

TADA!!
http://www.frasersfoods.co.uk/redmanc/werner/sleeved01.jpg

I'm 97% happy with how this has turned out I love the sleeve,
just waiting to see if the power supply still works and I think I need to heatshrink again after a little more practice :D
http://www.frasersfoods.co.uk/redmanc/werner/sleeved02.jpg

[L4G]

So after 4 hours +, 5 new crimps, more shrink, 1 Lamptron modding tool atx pin remover.

I took these pictures!1

http://www.frasersfoods.co.uk/redmanc/werner/psutester01.jpg
http://www.frasersfoods.co.uk/redmanc/werner/psutester02.jpg

Oh the big blue light means its working!!!

[Traak]

If your cooling system doesn't get the water temperature back down to close to room temperature after it goes through the radiator, consider getting a much bigger radiator, or more of them.

"Temperature creep" of liquid coolant is the number one limiting factor of liquid-cooling system overclocking possibilities. A system that can return the coolant back down to room temperature, or very near it, will ensure maximized overclocking capabilities.

Ideas on liquid cooling maximization. (http://www.planetside-universe.com/forums/showthread.php?t=37567&highlight=koolance)

You can even get a radiator that is about the size of one of the sides of your case, strap an array of fans to it, and bolt it to the side of your case, if you want to not extend the form factor of your rig too much.

Yes, I know, some people think that doing any modification at all is not for the cool people, but, remember, also, the cool kids in school were always the sluts, sexual deviants, and drug addicts.

More cooling=better results. No matter what the cool kids say.

[L4G]

Got a little bit carried away as Ive said with the installation of things so thought id post some pictures before I finished it and you saw nothing :)


I hate that I have had to used anti-kink springs but that pipe just wouldn't stop kinking not matter what length it was cut to!!!
http://www.frasersfoods.co.uk/redmanc/werner/281011001.jpg

Ive moved the BLu-Ray to the bottom 5 1/4" bay so make room for the radiator fittings and because disc drives at the top are sooo predictable :D
http://www.frasersfoods.co.uk/redmanc/werner/281011002.jpg

Ive installed two of the HDD's with scythe HD stabilizer II's but think i might purchase some hiromu or whatever they are called as they look a lot better, also want one for the SSD (over kill but i'm worth it ;))
http://www.frasersfoods.co.uk/redmanc/werner/281011004.jpg

Whilst being VERY tired last night I was messing around with tubing and for some reason which now makes no sense what so ever to me I came up with this superb idea !! :idea:
http://www.frasersfoods.co.uk/redmanc/werner/281011005.jpg

Removed the Res from its temporary home, I'm going to install it underneath the 5 1/4" bays with the oulet dropping vertically into the pump. Also going to buy a 90deg fitting for the radiator outlet to attach to the res.
http://www.frasersfoods.co.uk/redmanc/werner/281011006.jpg


As you all know I'm new to this world and I am a little concerned about fittings, when the hose is installed should the compression fittings close flush to the screw fitting or should there be a little gap...

Thanks for looking and commenting again :)

[Bags]

I like this thread.

[Vancha]

I like this thread.

Yes.

Though..."Outcaster"?

[Peacemaker]

Gorgous.

[L4G]

I like this thread.

Thanks Bags, I should be posting some more updates when I get some new bits and pieces.

Yes. Though..."Outcaster"?

Indeed! named after the greatest Planetside outfit of all time ;)

Gorgous.

Thank you Peacemaker, hopefully it will get better as time goes on.

[Traak]

http://www.pugetsystems.com/submerged.php#update3

I'm doing THIS tonight.

Now that's pretty.

However, I do have the same beef with it: Their liquid heats up substantially during use, indicating, again, that they are not cooling it adequately, because it is not being kept at room temperature.

Use a big car or truck radiator to cool the coolant. It should be at room temperature no matter the load on the system.

[SuperMorto]

I too love this post, I will have to get some pix up of my new computer, but im also going one better, im building a new room for PS2!!!!! :D :D

Nice PC btw :)

[L4G]

http://www.pugetsystems.com/submerged.php#update3

I'm doing THIS tonight.

Good luck with that then !
That is above my station so far ;)

Now that's pretty.

However, I do have the same beef with it: Their liquid heats up substantially during use, indicating, again, that they are not cooling it adequately, because it is not being kept at room temperature.

Use a big car or truck radiator to cool the coolant. It should be at room temperature no matter the load on the system.

TBH the watercooling radiators which are around these days do the job fine, no need for a crazy big car radiator unless your on a tight budget :)

I too love this post, I will have to get some pix up of my new computer, but im also going one better, im building a new room for PS2!!!!! :D :D

Nice PC btw :)

Thanks for having a look, definately need to see the new PS2 room .... however I am putting an extension on the house so do I win again ?

[Traak]

TBH the watercooling radiators which are around these days do the job fine...


If by "just fine" you mean lowering the coolant to room temperature, then you are wrong. I know they are getting rid of some heat.

But maybe you aren't really concerned with ultimate efficiency, which is understandable. Most people aren't. And the big car radiator has nothing to do with budget. It's more effective. Why would something more effective fail to appeal to you?

If the coolant isn't entering the system at room temperature, but climbs higher as the computer is used, the radiators are not getting the coolant temperature down as far as they can.

So if "just fine" is the status quo, then yeah, they are just fine.

[SuperMorto]

Thanks for having a look, definately need to see the new PS2 room .... however I am putting an extension on the house so do I win again ?

Yes you do, until I build a cinema at the bottom of my garden then ill take the trophy! :)

But yea loving the pix, its nice to share you creations :D

[L4G]

So guys and girls, im waiting for a couple of new deliveries.
One from our Slovenian friends at EK and another from the guys over at Scan .. should should have picked this one up but I free delivery through bit-tech for the wins!

Not a massive update but I haven't been completely ideal this past week or so.

Yukky stock cables...
http://www.frasersfoods.co.uk/redmanc/werner/vgacablestock.jpg

... mhmm another shot of yukky cables!
http://www.frasersfoods.co.uk/redmanc/werner/vgacablestock2.jpg

Ahhh MDPC goodnessS!
http://www.frasersfoods.co.uk/redmanc/werner/vgacablesleeve.jpg

All sleeved and shrunk! I also painted the connectors with the trusty sharpie!
http://www.frasersfoods.co.uk/redmanc/werner/vgacablesleeve2.jpg

Got a fan controller, mounts and some adaptor fittings on route!

[L4G]

I going to spend more time this weekend hopefully sleeving some other cables So hopefully ill get it even better this time. But in the mean time .. UPDATE!!

Sleeved my dads glasses and my own ... sweeet!
http://www.frasersfoods.co.uk/redmanc/werner/glasses.jpg

Got my fan controller .. bit disappointed that the brushed effect goes horizontal and the case it goes vertical but I might have semi solution when it comes to fitting it.
http://www.frasersfoods.co.uk/redmanc/werner/fancontrol01.jpg
http://www.frasersfoods.co.uk/redmanc/werner/fancontrol02.jpg

Got my adaptors from EK shame they don't do black nickel adaptors yet but I don't think the difference to noticable to the untrained eye.
http://www.frasersfoods.co.uk/redmanc/werner/adaptorfittings.jpg

Shocking photo of the leak test which is going on behind me but it almost midnight and im tired!
http://www.frasersfoods.co.uk/redmanc/werner/leaktest01.jpg

[Rbstr]

Traak, you need to learn the word "Sufficient". It means good enough.
Basically, there's no elegance in simply herp-derping a car radiator to a computer.
Not only that but a giant car radiator on a tiny computer water cooling system like this is the definition of inefficient. A radiator like that has an immense amount of internal flow resistance and excess water volume that a PC simply doesn't need. And you've got to have a pump that works considerably harder to push the water through the thing.

CPU's just don't need to run at room temp. Most handle 50-60C under load very well. Unless you've got some crappy quality other junk around the CPU, 100C shouldn't be a problem. We're talking metals and oxides with reasonably good temperature stability. 100C doesn't promote much inter-diffusion in these kinds of systems either.

A 2500k, for instance, has a 95w max thermal output...you're talking a 100watt light bulb worth of heat.

[L4G]

Last night I made a quick dash to the hardward shop to replace my pump and then rushed home only to have more sense and leave the reconnecting of the loop until this morning!


~Here is my new pump with the same haircut as it's predecessor had!
http://www.frasersfoods.co.uk/redmanc/werner/1711Pump01.jpg

And thanks to some nice sun shine outside I thought It would be better to get some pictures of the loop in day light so please enjoy :)

http://www.frasersfoods.co.uk/redmanc/werner/1711Loop01.jpg

HDD's and SSD mounted ... When looking at the hard drive on their old mounts (http://www.scythe-eu.com/en/products/pc-accessory/hard-disk-stabilizer-2.html) I was unimpressed an though to myself, why invest in a thing of such beauty and compromise for the sake of money! It grows on trees you know!!
http://www.frasersfoods.co.uk/redmanc/werner/1711Loop02.jpg

http://www.frasersfoods.co.uk/redmanc/werner/1711Cpu01.jpg

And finally thanks to those who reinforced my idea for the fan controller mod ideas have been and gone and now modding is occuring!

http://www.frasersfoods.co.uk/redmanc/werner/1711FanBus01.jpg

Thank you for watching and commenting all those who have ... say hello if you haven't :)

See you soon with another update!

[Hamma]

Nice! :thumbsup:

[Infektion]

looking great! I'm curious to why you're using 3/8, I mean, I know they are better for corners, but 1/2 looks so damn sexy!!!! What you could do is get 1/2 bits and use slightly smaller tubes, then boil the ends and slide them in the bits... SEXY, and TIGHT. =D

[L4G]

I'm using 3/8 because when I placed the order they only had 3/8 fittings in stock (which in fact they didn't because i ordered 14 and they had 4) :D

Ill have a look at some 1/2 for my next build, im already planning it for my the rig im writing this on :)

Thanks for looking and while im here

http://www.frasersfoods.co.uk/redmanc/werner/1811FanBus01.jpg

[L4G]

Update Time!

For the life of me I cannot find the second faceplate I had spare so the fan controller mod is on hold now :)

I've taken a few new shots of the build as it is. Ive got it running now and its quiet, cool and fast which is what I wanted.

http://www.frasersfoods.co.uk/redmanc/werner/3011update01.jpg

A few shots of the top of the case, I really like how the finish has turned out, and I thought I'd try some different things with my camera.
http://www.frasersfoods.co.uk/redmanc/werner/3011update02.jpg


http://www.frasersfoods.co.uk/redmanc/werner/3011update03.jpg


http://www.frasersfoods.co.uk/redmanc/werner/3011update04.jpg

I've used exsisting hole in the 230mm fan to guide some fan wires.
http://www.frasersfoods.co.uk/redmanc/werner/3011update05.jpg

welcome to organised chaos! to the top is the fan housing which I have soldered to the wires as I cut it without thinking.. :solder:
http://www.frasersfoods.co.uk/redmanc/werner/3011update06.jpg

I've used a few of the cable management clips with mdpc screws and they work great.
http://www.frasersfoods.co.uk/redmanc/werner/3011update07.jpg

Ive added a full 24 pin housing. although I cannot see it knowing that it is there makes me feel better.
http://www.frasersfoods.co.uk/redmanc/werner/3011update08.jpg

There is still work to be done, but i'm very pleased with myself up to now.
Thank you for looking!

[Hamma]

Looking Awesome! :D

[Bags]

When I put my computer together in a week I'll be sure to post a screen shot of it to make yours look even better by comparison!

[L4G]

When I put my computer together in a week I'll be sure to post a screen shot of it to make yours look even better by comparison!

haha yeah what ive learnt about making a computer this way is that it is never truely finished ;)

[Bags]

My future cable management (or lackthereof) will probably make your skin crawl!

muauahauua

[SKYeXile]

ah water cooling looks cool, pain in the ass though.

[duomaxwl]

That's beautiful man. I like how organized and clean it looks. Makes me wish I had gone with a modular power supply.. and a bigger case. I'm a winner at cable management.
http://i.imgur.com/zBDS9.jpg

[Traak]

A radiator like that has an immense amount of internal flow resistance and excess water volume that a PC simply doesn't need. And you've got to have a pump that works considerably harder to push the water through the thing.

A car radiator, due to the fact that it has more internal volume, is easier to pump water through. Car radiators have FAR more flow capacity than a computer cooling system radiator, and, if mounted vertically, would assist the cooling system just through gravity flow (hot coolant rising to the top of the system, cooling as it comes down the radiator tubes, exiting to be reintroduced to the system from the bottom). But that wasn't really my focus. The point was that ultimate cooling performance of a room-temperature system will be found by reducing the coolant temperature back down to room temperature each time it passes through the system.

And as to the aesthetics: I understand a car radiator is big and clunky. I was commenting on ultimate heat dissipation, not aesthetics so much.

Cooler coolant equals more performance potential, and a car radiator will cool the coolant more thoroughly than a small computer cooling system radiator. How it looks would depend on the craft of the individual modder, but that wasn't really the point. Or even if it is necessary. But if we were talking about "necessary" in the first place, he wouldn't be using liquid cooling, in the strictest sense of "necessary."

[Oryon22]

Man I can't wait to put my computer together. Looks great!

[L4G]

http://www.frasersfoods.co.uk/redmanc/werner/outcasterbuild004.jpg

oooo LED's!

[L4G]

http://www.frasersfoods.co.uk/redmanc/werner/outcasterbuild009.jpg

why did I start cutting on the good side .... yes the dremel jumped .... yes there are big scratches .... no its not the end of the world,
we mod on!

http://www.frasersfoods.co.uk/redmanc/werner/outcasterbuild010.jpg