Aigomorla's Watercooled CM690 Requests

[aigomorla]

Well everything is now offical. Today i took the case out of the box, and started to strip it down to the frame. Going to need to do some light moding, and then the fun begins. I will document and record all the tools i use as well as the mods being done so others can mimic if they want.

After i do the moding i'll paint the interior. I found out its not very hard to do.

I ordered the last bit of my parts from jab-tech, and sidewinders. I'll be starting the water build most likely this weekend. So look for it if you guys want to see how i tweek out a CM690

I will post up a shopping cart of all the items i use so members can quickly find it as well. Hopefully a lot of people will get a good grasp on how easy it is to setup a watercooled system with great parts to destory air cooling.

Im trying to also keep the system as much in budget as possible as well. (Yeah, i know of such a word in my vocabulary.)

The hardware: Q6600 (B3) @ 3.6ghz :] 400fsb x 9
Abit IP35-E Motherboard
Q6600 (B3) <--- sorry, i cant afford to drop a G0 in this system. I need them all crunching as much possible.
2 GB OCZ ram <picked up on black friday for 29 dollars AR>
Antec Neo 550W <coming out of retirement hope it still works>
eVGA 7600GT <its going to be a crunch box, and not a full game rig>
80Gb SATA Drive <dont need anything fancy for a crunch box>

Watercooling Parts: <All Internal Build>
Swiftech MCR320 or HWLabs 360GTS <these are very large radiator> the GTS is only if MCR doesnt fit.
Swiftech MCP-355 /w OCLabz Plex Top <i have a EK base +res combo, i can substitue if you guys request>
Swiftech MCRes
Swiftech ApogeeGTX /w Copper Top <I have a D-tek Fusion /w Nozzles also @ request, i bought the new EK Supreme for my U2>
Swiftech MCW30 <northbridge>
Swiftech MCW60 <GPU, Should easily handle a 8800GTX Ultra in the loop. 2 in SLI would be pushing it tho>

So anything special you guys want me to pay extra attention on when building?

 

[thilanliyan]

Where are you mounting the rad?

 

[aigomorla]

Originally posted by: thilan29
Where are you mounting the rad?

Top mounting. I only need to secure fan 1 and 3 for a good mount. I'll lose the top usb and eSATA, but the cooling power alone will be well worth it over a 120x2.

 

[thilanliyan]

So you gotta mod the top right? The 690 only has a 2x120 space up top?

 

[aigomorla]

Originally posted by: thilan29
So you gotta mod the top right? The 690 only has a 2x120 space up top?

yeah... you need to cut a bit of the top. But i figure it wont be too much since theres already a hole there. Also might be a good way to show people what a nibbler is. If it gets kinda messy i'll bring out the dremel.

 

[thilanliyan]

After making the 3x120 fit, it will eat into the 5 1/2 inch drive space?

 

[aigomorla]

Originally posted by: thilan29
After making the 3x120 fit, it will eat into the 5 1/2 inch drive space?

LOL... it seems like your the only one interested. Im guessing your going to go for this project after you see how i do it. :]

After i mount the 120x3 i will eat the top 5 1/4 space.

I dont really need it because i have 4 others i can use. The fans will all be connected via Sunbeam Multi fan plug. I'll show it later on the build. I wanted to keep it all internal, because internal builds are the cleanest, and also offer the most bling.

The hardest part about this i feel will be bleeding. Remember top mounted radiators with barb pointing down are the hardest to bleed fully.

 

[PCTC2]

Originally posted by: aigomorla

LOL... it seems like your the only one interested. Im guessing your going to go for this project after you see how i do it. :]

I'm interested. I check in because I want to possibly mod my P182 or P190 to fit an internal MCR320 across the top and then rear-mount a MCR220 using a rad-box.

Don't worry aigo. You helped me decide my w/c rig a long time ago and I think finally I'll have the money to buy it....

 

[aigomorla]

Fedex is dropping off the package on friday.

I should have a picture of all the parts soon. A Few luxuries i added, is EK barbs to replace all the plastic ones. I dont like plastic because it makes the tubing harder to put on and take off. Also metal barbs tend to seal better.

If your a newbie playing with barbs, i recomend you guys getting the d-tek barbs. They seal better then all the other vendors. The most common mistake newbies will make is overtightening a barb so the seal slips out. Then it leaks. And you guys who know water know the rest of the story.

Since i see most of the questions so far is about mounting the radiator, and how i am going to pull it off, I'll spend a bit more time on the mounting section when i do my project on friday.


Also im assuming you guys are okey with me using the apogeeGTX /w copper top? I told you guys at request i can throw in a d-tek fusion with nozzles. I tend to recomend the D-tek more then the GTX now due to it being less restrictive. But with the nozzles, it should perform = or better then the GTX. The d-tek /w nozzles however is MORE EXPENSIVE then the GTX.

I have the GTX /w Copper Top which isnt really budget, but its a spare block i have which is why im throwing it on.

Also, no one wants to see the EK DDC pump/res top? :T


Ask away people, i need to know what area's i need to take more pictures in to make things clearer for you guys. :]

 

[Zepper]

Hmmm, taking a case designed for max air cooling and turning it into a water box... Again I say, "Hmmmmm."

.bh.

 

[thilanliyan]

Take as many pics as you can!!!

Preferably lots with the parts in their places.

I'd like to see how this turns out. I only finished my case a couple of months ago but this might be fun too.

Also, could you tell me how much room there is between the inside-top of the case and the top row of motherboard standoffs?

 

[PCTC2]

Seeing all the steps for your case mod, and before/after pics with and without radiator would help!
When you mod the top, how are you going to deal with the mesh openings on the inside, and then the outer top?

I'm getting the same block with the same copper top. You going to use a T-line this time for easy draining?

 

[aigomorla]

Originally posted by: Zepper
Hmmm, taking a case designed for max air cooling and turning it into a water box... Again I say, "Hmmmmm."

.bh.

trust me, its not as bad as watercooling an antec 900 :X

Originally posted by: thilan29
Also, could you tell me how much room there is between the inside-top of the case and the top row of motherboard standoffs?

sure thing, right now the case is in the garage, so when i have time tomorrow i'll get those messurements for you.

Originally posted by: PCTC2
I'm getting the same block with the same copper top. You going to use a T-line this time for easy draining?

no i gave up on using T's in favor of Y's. But the way i planned the water loop and layout, i dont think i can add a Y and keep it clean.

Also because of how low the rad + fans will be i might end up having to use a Copper L. You can pick those up at almost any hardware store, and there far less restrictive then a regular L. If i do use the Copper L's i'll teach you guys how to seal them and use them effectively.

Hopefully everything i do for this case can be reproduced by a 13 yr old. But if your under the age of 18, i suggest you get a parental gardian to know what your doing. The nibbler also migh require and adult because cramping that can take some hand strength.

 

[PCTC2]

Originally posted by: aigomorla

Hopefully everything i do for this case can be reproduced by a 13 yr old.

Psst. Got quite a few years on that. But I sort of hope that a 13 year old can't use a nibbler effectively and then build a custom watercooling rig. I also hope a 13 year old can't afford one.

 

[aigomorla]

Originally posted by: PCTC2

Originally posted by: aigomorla

Hopefully everything i do for this case can be reproduced by a 13 yr old.

Psst. Got quite a few years on that. But I sort of hope that a 13 year old can't use a nibbler effectively and then build a custom watercooling rig. I also hope a 13 year old can't afford one.

lol... my cousin is assisting me, and she's 13.

 

[thilanliyan]

I forgot to add...I'd really like to see how you cut and finish the extra fan hole you need at the top so if you could take pics of that it would be great.

 

[aigomorla]

okey From TOP of the case to the center of the mobo top standoff, its about 40mm. I might have some problems adding the MCR320 + fans and have access to the barbs on the CPU.

The BlackICE GTS might be used instead of the MCR320, which im not super happy about, but its still better then the MCR220.

 

[thilanliyan]

Originally posted by: aigomorla
okey From TOP of the case to the center of the mobo top standoff, its about 40mm. I might have some problems adding the MCR320 + fans and have access to the barbs on the CPU.

The BlackICE GTS might be used instead of the MCR320, which im not super happy about, but its still better then the MCR220.

Yeah see this is the problem I ALMOST had with my setup...even with the GTS in my P180. Once I added the fans, getting to the 4-pin ATX connector on my Gigabyte DS3 was a REALLY tight fit and the wires are bent 90 degrees right now but it seems fine so far.

I can't even use any motherboards with any VR heatsinks at the top of the motherboard such as some of the Asus Republic of Gamers boards because there just wouldn't be any room for the fans. This may be because the P180 is a somewhat narrow case though...narrower than my Antec Super Lanboy anyway.

 

[aigomorla]

blah i have a few ideas where i can fight this.

If worst comes to worst, i could mount the fans vertically and cut open the side.

Then duct the fans so they draw cool air and push it up top though the rads, or have the fans pull air from the duct and spit it out the side.

Wont be able to tell you what i finally do until tomorrow. Thats when my package arrives.

 

[ArchAngel777]

I am curious to see if your IP35-E can handle 400x9 without powering off on small FFT. I have seen 4-5 reports of the IP35-E shutting off because too much current is going through it, mine included. Thermals are not the issue either. So, I will be interested to see if yours decides to shut off.

Also, can't wait to see the pics and what not...

 

[aigomorla]

Originally posted by: ArchAngel777
I am curious to see if your IP35-E can handle 400x9 without powering off on small FFT. I have seen 4-5 reports of the IP35-E shutting off because too much current is going through it, mine included. Thermals are not the issue either. So, I will be interested to see if yours decides to shut off.

Also, can't wait to see the pics and what not...

really? this is the first time ive heard about this.

At anyrate, this B3 Q6600 can do 3.6 @ 1.52Vcore if i remember correctly. So i'll guess i'll give it a shot.

I can also take a picture of bios option if you guys want as well to see how im tweeking the board. The reboots kinda sound like a mosfet overheating problem. I was planning on using some enzo ram sinks and some microcool mosfet sinks to help cool the board down.

 

[ArchAngel777]

Originally posted by: aigomorla

Originally posted by: ArchAngel777
I am curious to see if your IP35-E can handle 400x9 without powering off on small FFT. I have seen 4-5 reports of the IP35-E shutting off because too much current is going through it, mine included. Thermals are not the issue either. So, I will be interested to see if yours decides to shut off.

Also, can't wait to see the pics and what not...

really? this is the first time ive heard about this.

At anyrate, this B3 Q6600 can do 3.6 @ 1.52Vcore if i remember correctly. So i'll guess i'll give it a shot.

I can also take a picture of bios option if you guys want as well to see how im tweeking the board. The reboots kinda sound like a mosfet overheating problem. I was planning on using some enzo ram sinks and some microcool mosfet sinks to help cool the board down.

It isn't a published issue. I have only seen the issue with others who have B3 or B2(?) Q6700 and Q6600. One user (RLM or RLM2007 from Extreme Systems) had his Q6700 in his Quad GT (965) and could run it at 3.6Ghz for hours without a problem. He upgraded to the IP35-E and started experiencing shutdowns. His temperatures were also under control... The higher he ran the voltage to the CPU (1.5ish) the quicker it would shut down on him. I have the SAME exact issue. I never could solve it, neither could he. He upgraded to another motherboard and another CPU. I still run mine at 3.6Ghz as it has no real world implications. Still, I would love to figure it out. I know for a fact it has nothing to do with thermals of the MOSFETS, NB, SB or CPU. All of those are well within spec. So... I just dropped the issue. But since you are going to IP35-E with a B3, you will help me determine if I am going to RMA my board.

 

[Realguns]

Wow, all I was going to do was ask where to mount my radiator and saw this thread/article.
Been cooling for yeas now. I actually prefer my cool box. Thats a Comair Rotron 200mm fan and a Ford F150 heater core. It has a wire that connects to ground and the fan is quiet but if let free it sounds like a jet and will blow a small matchbox car over! God forbid the cat puts a paw in it. The Box is actually a 4 way pipe box with a plexy top.
Fan fits on one side and the radiator on the other.

This makes it easy to water cool as all you need is two holes in your box but makes it extremly hard to move the system.

I bought a Cooler Master 810 $100 on E-bay brand new. and an going to cool the processor with an MCR220 $25 from an HardOCP member. I bought two AeroCool turbine fans and planning on mounting the fans to the top with the rad under those. Plenty of room in this case. Fans will be flush with the top.

How hard is it to clear the air from the Rad? I use a Via 1300 and love that water movement. Secret is to use a 3/4" I.D. tube to the inlet. Lets the pump get the water moving.

 

[aigomorla]

Top mounted radiators are very difficult to bleed properly. Ask anyone with a top mounted setup, and they'll probably curse there head off when they bleed the system.

Anyhow.. some teasers. FedEX came:

First wave of packages:
http://i125.photobucket.com/al...aigomorla/IMG_0826.jpg


Sidewinders's package didnt arrive today. Im hoping it arrives tomorrow.


Heres my dog looking at me all funny because i got a bit excited to see new h2o gear.
http://i125.photobucket.com/al...aigomorla/IMG_0827.jpg


A few members also asked how my desktop setup was.
http://i125.photobucket.com/al...aigomorla/IMG_0829.jpg


Thats what i use in the comfort of home. :]




You guys wanna see pics of that ek supreme and ek x-res?

 

[aigomorla]

an update, i havent been able to get some time in right now. An emergency came up at work last night, and ive been having to keep a tab on it the whole day today.

:\ Definitely will start later possibly today. or tomorrow at the latest.