Build Log - Inwin 909 - 8700K - Duncans RGB Aussie PC

SHUNKZ · Mar 20, 2018

Hey,

My Experience

I have built a fair few basic assemble PC's but never challenged myself to this extent. I am a diesel fitter so I have a general understanding of how important it is to research and understand the functionality before assembly. So I am basically not that experienced.

Aim of the Build and this Forum:
Achieve an overkill PC for gaming and streaming. I would like a simplistic look that's neutral in colour governed only by the RGB lighting, this will enable me to change the theme of the build with a flick of the switch.

I will try to keep this as detailed as possible but if you have any questions please don't hesitate to ask.

I will be asking heaps of questions along the way and encourage any advice/support.

PC Components:

https://au.pcpartpicker.com/list/zwhQV6

CPU Intel - Core i7-8700K 3.7GHz 6-Core Processor
MB Asus - ROG MAXIMUS X HERO ATX LGA1151 Motherboard
RAM G.Skill - Trident Z RGB 32GB (4 x 8GB) DDR4-3200 Memory
SSD Samsung - 960 EVO 1TB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive
GPU Asus - GeForce GTX 1080 8GB ROG STRIX Video Card (2-Way SLI)
GPU Asus - GeForce GTX 1080 8GB ROG STRIX Video Card (2-Way SLI)
Case Inwin - 909 SILVER ATX Full Tower Case
PSU EVGA - SuperNOVA G2 850W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply
OS Microsoft - Windows 10 Home Full 32/64-bit
Fans 5 x NZXT Aer RGB120 61.4 CFM 120mm Fans
Fan Controller NZXT GRID+ V3 Digital Fan Controller
LED's NZXT HUE+ Extension Kit
LED Controller NZXT Hue+

Water Cooling Components:

Radiator Rear EK-CoolStream XE 360 (Triple)
Radiator Front EK-CoolStream SE 240 (Slim Dual)
MB and CPU Monoblock EK-FB ASUS M9H Monoblock - Nickel
GPU Monoblock 2 x EK-FC1080 GTX Strix - Nickel
GPU Monoblock Back Plate EK-FC1080 GTX Strix Backplate - Black
GPU 3-Slot Parrallel Terminal EK-FC Terminal X2 3-slot - Plexi
Tubing 6 x EK-HD Tube 12/16mm 500mm
Fittings 10 x EK-HDC Fitting 16mm G1/4 - Black
Pump/Reservoir Combos 2 x EK XRES 140 Revo D5 PWM Glass Pump/Reservoir Combo

Extra Special Tools

DIY Bending Kit EK-HD Tube D.I.Y. Kit 10&12mm
Delid Tool Rockit 88 Delid & Relid for LGA 1150 & 1151
Vinyl Cutting Tool American Crafts DIY Shop Craft Knife (Souced from local Craft Shop - Spotlight)
Grinder Grinder with a cutting disc on it for cutting the acrylic

Extra Special Components

Liquid Metal Liquid Ultra 2nd Gen Metal Liquid Thermal Paste
CPU Silicon Permatex Ultra Black RTV Silicone Gasket Maker Sealant
Cosmetic Case Mod Acrylic White Acrylic Sheet Australian (Sourced from local hardware store - Bunnings)
Cosmetic Case Mod Vinyl Matte Black Vinyl (Similar to what you use on your school books)

Status of Build
[strike]-Organise Parts[/strike]
[strike]-Design Acrylic/Vinyl covers for the case[/strike]
[strike]-Fit 1 x GPU Manifold with liquid metal[/strike]
-Fit 1 x GPU Manifold with liquid metal
[strike]-Fit GPU Rad and Fans[/strike]
[strike]-Delid CPU with liquid metal[/strike]
[strike]-Fit CPU with liquid metal[/strike]
[strike]-Fit Motherboard/CPU monoblock[/strike]
[strike]-Fit Motherboard to case[/strike]
[strike]-Fit 1 x GPU to case[/strike]
-Fit 1 x GPU to case
[strike]-Exchange 850W PSU for 1000W Platinum PSU[/strike]
-Design Loop when pumps arrive.
[strike]-Purchase and Fit 2 x Front fans for the CPU radiator to make it pull from outside the case in.[/strike]
[strike]-Purchase and Fit 3 x thin fans to 360mm radiator to make GPU radiator push pull.[/strike]
[strike]-Fit PSU[/strike]
[strike]-Fit Fan controller.[/strike]
-Fit second GPU.
-Hard line Tubing.
-Fit 1 x Pump/Reservoir combo into the top of the case.
-Fit 1 x Pump/Reservoir combo to the bottom of the case
-Cable Management.

jimthenagual · Mar 20, 2018

I'll be tracking this one, another custom loop!!

What are your plans for a drain port?

SHUNKZ · Mar 20, 2018

Computer Components Arrived

SHUNKZ · Mar 20, 2018

Water Cooling Components Arrived

SHUNKZ · Mar 20, 2018

Fitted 360mm Radiator and 3 x NZXT Fans - The cable distaster is starting

SHUNKZ · Mar 20, 2018

jimthenagual :

I haven't decided on 2 x single loops or 1 x series loop. If I opt for the single loop the drain port will be at the bottom of the case on a 90 degree swivel pivoting from the end of my lower pump. For the fill port I will be drilling a hole in the top of the case, running a line from the top pump/reservoir into the whole at the top of the case, it will look nice with the fittings used. P.S. I have updated the parts list to add in the Pump/Reservoir combos I am picking up today.

Fill Port
This youtube link at 3:30 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2diroAjMx-w

Drain Port
This youtube link at 1:30 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_g4uFiekk3o&t=266s

SHUNKZ · Mar 20, 2018

Fitted the GPU monoblock to one of the GTX 1080's, using liquid metal as the thermal paste. Second GPU will be fitted at the end (Using it in my current PC)

SHUNKZ · Mar 20, 2018

Acrylic cutting and vinyl to cover the PSU and bottom fan holes (The bottom fan holes will have one of the pump reservoirs on top of it). Consists of 3 separate pieces. The GPU hole will have one of the NZXT fully customizable LED Strips behind it lighting up the acrylic - GRUMPY CAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

SHUNKZ · Mar 20, 2018

Just finished deliding the CPU. :S Lets hope I put the correct amount of liquid metal on it.

urbancamper · Mar 21, 2018

Dare I say...this so sexy.

SHUNKZ · Mar 21, 2018

urbancamper :

haha thanks mate

I am about to come to a stand still with the looping and cable management. When I get all components fitted and ready for the loop I will start asking around.

SHUNKZ · Mar 21, 2018

Fitted the RAM and delided CPU onto the MB with the EK monoblock.

rubix_1011 · Mar 21, 2018

That is a pretty thick radiator. You may wish to turn the fans around into pull orientation and vent out the top, rather than trying to push out the top. Just my suggestion.

Otherwise, great build...keep adding info!

SHUNKZ · Mar 21, 2018

rubix_1011 :

Hey Mate,
You actually raise a really good point.

I think your suggestion is a great idea however I don't really want to remove the RGB Fans which i will have to do, they only mount one way. It is one of the main points of this build, I have spent a lot of time researching fan/LED controllers and keeping neutral colours in the case so the LED's do the customising.

As per the picture below I currently have the front smaller 2xCPU fans(Radiator) are pulling from inside the case to outside the case. The rear fans(radiator) are also pulling from inside the case to outside the case. I have blanked out the 2 fan holes at the bottom because I want to mount one of my pumps there.So I basically have no fresh air flow into the case.

Is this really a bad thing having no fresh air flow?

Is push pull onto the thick radiator going to address your concerns?

Options I think may improve thick radiator air flow and fresh air case flow, please suggesst some more ideas.

1. Add in 3 extra thin fans onto the rear radiator to make it push pull??? However this still doesn't bring fresh air into the case?
2. Add in 3 extra thin fans onto the rear radiator to make it push pull??? Move the tank reservoir from the bottom of the case so there will be 2 at the top of the case, then mount 2 x extra intake fans at the bottom of the case. This wont look as good but may be a happy medium.

Current Plan for Case Cooling

rubix_1011 · Mar 21, 2018

Adding some responses to your questions, in-line:

I think your suggestion is a great idea however I don't really want to remove the RGB Fans which i will have to do, they only mount one way. It is one of the main points of this build, I have spent a lot of time researching fan/LED controllers and keeping neutral colours in the case so the LED's do the customising.

Understood, but you are trading cooling efficiency for aesthetics by doing this.

As per the picture below I currently have the front smaller 2xCPU fans(Radiator) are pulling from inside the case to outside the case. The rear fans(radiator) are also pulling from inside the case to outside the case. I have blanked out the 2 fan holes at the bottom because I want to mount one of my pumps there.So I basically have no fresh air flow into the case.

Radiators restrict airflow, it's as simple as that.

Is this really a bad thing having no fresh air flow?

In short, yes, it is kind of a bad thing to not have enough cool airflow through your case. You have other components in the system that are NOT being watercooled, and with reduced airflow, they will actually suffer and run hotter. Think hard drives, motherboard power management modules, chipset, etc.

Is push pull onto the thick radiator going to address your concerns?

Not entirely, but thick radiators with single fans tend to do marginally better when in Pull configuration rather than Push. Push creates more air resistance against the fan blades, reducing airflow. Pull avoids this by simply exhausting air through the radiator. I am looking at your case and I have to say, that rear exhaust shield looks extremely restrictive, also.

Options I think may improve thick radiator air flow and fresh air case flow, please suggesst some more ideas.

1. Add in 3 extra thin fans onto the rear radiator to make it push pull??? However this still doesn't bring fresh air into the case?

This would definitely help your radiator's cooling potential, and I can recommend Scythe Slip Stream fans...they are about 12.5mm thick...I use these in pull on my radiator.

2. Add in 3 extra thin fans onto the rear radiator to make it push pull??? Move the tank reservoir from the bottom of the case so there will be 2 at the top of the case, then mount 2 x extra intake fans at the bottom of the case. This wont look as good but may be a happy medium.

In all honesty, you have more radiators than you likely really need, but I'm not going to tell anyone not to over-rad a cooling loop. In reality, you're going to get airflow into the case provided you aren't creating too much restriction and also still have good exhaust ventilation. Your focus would need to be 'good circulation of air' inside the case over other components...i.e., focused fans or directed airflow. Also, it looks like the front 280 rad is proposed to be 'exhaust' based on the arrows...make that intake and make it pull.

SHUNKZ · Mar 21, 2018

@rubix_1011 Thanks so much for all of your feedback.

After reviewing your points and doing some more research I have come to this conclusion.(Supporting Links below).

Fan Configuration
-Push Vs. Pull - Pulling through the radiator is slightly better if not the same in temperature terms (Mixed Reviews), anyway no overwhelming evidence of huge temperature difference's. However pulling through the radiator is better for dust management, once the dust builds up temps will obviously rise. So pulling as you suggested is better, but not enough to sacrifice the aesthetics.
-Push/Pull - As you suggested, better in all aspects with large temperature improvements especially with the thickness of my radiator.

In conclusion:
-GPU Radiator Fans - I am going to run the rear 60mm thick radiator as push/pull exhausting out the rear of the case. I will source some Scythe Slip Stream 12.5mm fans, thanks.
-CPU Radiator Fans - As you suggested. I am going to buy new fans and fit them to the radiator (Fans that I can flip around, simple black non RGB). I will move the NZXT RGB's to the bottom of the case to increase air flow.
At the bottom is a visual, each arrow relates to a single fan.

Air Flow
I think I have fixed the air flow by moving the RGB LED fans to the bottom of the casue pulling fresh air into the case.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjYli6itP38
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJmE13sG9PI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UyC3lZ5WFMk

urbancamper · Mar 21, 2018

First I have to say...sexy. There may be one issue here though. I have never made a custom loop, but with all that stuff your adding, do you really think you should just have an 850w gold rated power supply. With the sli setup, all the fans, the cpu, and the pumps, evo and hard drives, oh and the lighting. Plus the fact that you will be overclocking the system, a 1000w power supply may be a better option.

Now I know what your going to say. You calculated your power needs. With all the money you have spent, do you not think it would be safer to insure you have all the power you need plus a little extra. Oh and you might want to make it a platinum.

SHUNKZ · Mar 22, 2018

urbancamper :

You are 100% correct. I originally calculated the PSU with out all of the lighting and didn't add anything to the GPU overclocking. Recalculated now its around 861W :S Hope they will swap it.. I have also added another section to the original post identifying outstanding things to do and issues.

rubix_1011 · Mar 22, 2018

Liquid cooling pumps do not draw that much power, usually between 12-25 watts. Most lighting is LED, which is also low draw. However, overclocking does increase your power draw and while your system won't be using 100% of the full power draw all the time, when it does, you will want to ensure that you have a power supply that can safely deliver that power and without fluctuations.

SHUNKZ · Mar 22, 2018

rubix_1011 :

Good point! I went with the "Corsair HX1000i 1000W 80PLUS Platinum Full Modular ATX Power Supply". Its the cheapest platinum at my computer store where I bought the 850W, anything but this was ridiculous in price.

For the fans, they didn't sell scythe so I went with Noctua. I researched the highest static pressure I could find.
CPU Radiator Fans x 2 - "Noctua 120mm NF-F12 industrialPPC IP67 PWM Fan (Max 2000RPM)"
GPU Thin Radiator Fans x 3 - "Noctua 120mm NF-A12x15 PWM Fan"

rubix_1011 · Mar 22, 2018

I had only mentioned the Scythe Slip Streams (12.5mm thick) as part of the push/pull config, if you decided to do so, and really only on the pull side.

They don't have the static pressure to push through most radiators, but they can certainly pull well through them.

SHUNKZ · Mar 23, 2018

rubix_1011 :

Ok, so about the fan plan I thought we had sorted !!! Wait for it.......... I received my pump/reservoir combos. I can't fit 2 at the top. I can barely fit 1 at the top, it just squeezes in on its side which I will have to make a steel bracket for. So the other pump/res will have to go down to the bottom of the case and I will have to run the loop in series (I know its overkill but I want to use them, because I cant return them).

So the LED fans I was going to put at the bottom are now gone, I moved one next to the motherboard. The pump is in there place. I purchased the industrial grade Noctua fans, vinyl'd the centre of them, painted the stupid rubber vibration corner tips and painted the wiring .. Geez... Those silly noctua fans, I wish they were black instead of that silly cream colour.

After many hours working out the loop and incorporating your ideas to fix air flow and apply pull onto the CPU radiator's, this is the outcome, only outstanding thing is the push pull for the GPU radiator (Waiting for the paint to dry).

rubix_1011 · Mar 23, 2018

I really do like your attention to details...coming along slowly, but definitely getting there.

urbancamper · Mar 23, 2018

Do you really want to have the reservoir sitting on top of everything? Is there any way you can have them placed side by side on the bottom of the case? I get that it would mean some extra routing, however it would also be more protective of all those pretty parts. I took a look at a bunch of custom loop pictures in both edge pics and google pics. When I say bunch, I mean hundreds. Not one of them had the reservoir directly above the internals. I believe there is a good reason for that. You might want to think about this a little.

urbancamper · Mar 23, 2018

Also as pretty as that case is, it has crappy airflow. I kind of think you picked the wrong case for this. Of course it's easy being an armchair quarterback, so what do I know.

Build Log - Inwin 909 - 8700K - Duncans RGB Aussie PC

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