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[Build Log] – The Red Dragon (i7 3770K, Xfire MSI Lightning 7970)

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  • Water Cooling
  • Build
  • Overclocking
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August 22, 2012 9:41:19 PM

Welcome to phalanxs's Build

The Red Dragon


Background

First off, I know I should have created this build log prior to starting the build. Opps, my mistake! My build is almost complete; however, I would like to share it with the community.

Project Name: The Red Dragon

The project name The Red Dragon, was chosen after the Guild Wars 2 (Logo). One of the reason why I built this PC was for the upcoming MMO Guild Wars 2. As, you can see, my case is covered in Red Dragons! :sol: 

Theme: Red and Black

The color theme is predominantly black and red. I chose these colors for two reasons. 1. My wife and I are OSU Buckeye fans (Yes, I know they their colors are Scarlet and Gray! However, black looks better than gray on computers, in my opinion!). 2. I cannot say right now, as it has to do with the project. You will find our shortly – which I will update this reason.


Hardware List and Status


I will update the status as they change. All future updates on this build will be annotated in the Main Components sections and in the Updates Section.


Legend:

This is the legend of all my components.
  • Blue: I have already received it.
  • Green: Item has been ordered.
  • Purple: I am still deciding/researching the item, or not sure if I should purchase it.
  • Orange: Updates.


    Main Components

    Case:
  • Mountain Mods Extended Ascension with side windows, tri-front fans, and quad-top fans.
  • Status: -Delivered-

    CPU:
  • Intel Core i7-3770K Ivy Bridge 3.5 GHz
  • Status: -Delivered-

    Motherboard:
  • EVGA Z77 FTW
  • Status: -Delivered-

    RAM:
  • G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 16GB (4 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM (PC3 12800)
  • Status: -Delivered-

    Media Drive:
  • Samsung 22X DVD Burner
  • Status: -Delivered-

    Graphics Card:
  • EVGA GeForce GTX 690

  • Status: -Delivered-
  • Update: Well, it turns out the GTX 690, will not fully function with my three monitors, nor if I plan to run 3x 120Hz. Since this is a dual GPU card, the RAM is split between each GPU 2GB each. I am actually bottleneck myself, as I will cap out in games. So, after more research and talking with a few OCN members, the MSI Lightning 7970's is my best option as it is the best card for multiple monitors. I have purchased 2 MSI 7970 Lightnings.

    Power Supply:
  • Corsair Professional Series Gold 1200 Watt High Performance Fully Modular ATX Power Supply
  • Status: -Delivered-
  • Corsair Professional Series Gold 1000 Watt High Performance Fully Modular ATX Power Supply – Will use this one for the main components except for the video cards.
  • Status: -Waiting to order-

    Storage:
  • OS Drive: Kingston HyperX 3K SH103S3/120G 2.5" 120GB SATA III MLC
  • Game Drive: Kingston HyperX 3K SH103S3/120G 2.5" 120GB SATA III MLC
  • Data Drive: Seagate Barracuda 7200RPM 1 TB SATA
  • Status: -Delivered-



    Water Cooling Components

    Radiators:
  • 2x Black Ice GTX Xtreme 360 Radiator – Black

  • Status: -Delivered-
  • Update: I thought I had punctured the radiators. There was what I thought to be water spots on the radiator fans, but it turns out it was oil from the bearings. Right now, I am using 2x XSPC RX360 - Triple 120mm high performance radiator. From the research I have done, there seems to be minimal difference between the GTX 360 and the RX 360.

    Pumps:
  • 2x Alphacool VPP655 Variable Speed Pump
  • Status: -Delivered-

    Reservoir:
  • RP-452X2 Dual 5.25" Reservoir Rev 2.0
  • Status: -Delivered-

    CPU Water Block:
  • Koolance CPU-370SI Intel Liquid Cooling CPU Block
  • Status: -Delivered-

    GPU Water Block:
  • Koolance VID-NX690 GeForce VGA Liquid Cooling Block

  • Status: -Delivered-
  • Update: I am no longer using the GTX 690. I purchased 2x EKWB MSI 7970 Lightning water blocks and 1x EKWB Bridge.

    Case Fans:
  • 20x YATE LOON 120mm Case Fan - D12SH-12 – Direct form Yate Loon
  • Status: -Delivered-

    Radiator fans:
  • 12x Scythe DFS123812-3000 "ULTRA KAZE" 120 x 38 mm Case Fan
  • Status: -Delivered-

    Silver Coil:
  • 2x Danger Den Silver Coil Strip
  • Status: -Delivered-

    TIM:
  • Gelid Solutions GC-3 Extreme Thermal Compound
  • Status: -Delivered-

    Cleaner:
  • ArctiClean 1 & 2 (Thermal Material Remover and Surface Purifier) - 60ml Kit
  • Status: -Delivered-

    Tubing:
  • 2x PrimoChill PrimoFlex PRO LRT 10ft Tubing 1/2"ID 3/4"OD with 1/8" Wall
  • Status: -Delivered-

    Fittings:
  • 14 x XSPC G1/4" Thread 1/2" ID x 3/4" OD Low Profile Compression Fitting
  • 2 x Enzotech G1/4" Thread 90-Degree Rotary 1/2" ID x 3/4" OD Compression Fitting
  • Status: -Delivered-

    Cutter:
  • Danger Den Premium Tube Cutter - Designed For 3/4" OD
  • Status: -Delivered-

    Distilled:
  • 2x 1 Gallon Distilled Water
  • Status: -Delivered-



    Monitoring and Control Components

    Fan Controller:
  • NZXT Sentry Mix - LED Illuminated Fan Controller With Six 50W Channels
  • Status: -Delivered-



    Miscellaneous Components:

    Power Light:
  • Lamptron Red/Black tailed LED
  • Status: -Waiting to order-

    HDD Activity Light:
  • Lamptron Red/Black tailed LED
  • Status: -Waiting to order-

    Power Switch:
  • Lamptron Illuminated Anti-Vandal Switch - Red/Black (Momentary)
  • Illimunated Switch Connection Cable (1000mm)
  • Status: -Waiting to order-

    Reset Switch:
  • Lamptron Illuminated Anti-Vandal Switch - Red/Black (Momentary)
  • Illuminated Switch Connection Cable (1000mm)
  • Status: -Waiting to order-

    Monitor:
  • 3x Yamakasi Catleap 27 inch IPS
  • Status: -Delivered-

    Triple Mount:
  • Deluxe Triple Monitor Stand Free Standing up to 28"
  • Status: -Delivered-

    DVI Converters:
  • 3x Accell B087B-007B DisplayPort/Mini DisplayPort to DVI-D Dual-Link Adapter with 3D Support
  • These are used to convert the Catleaps form DVI-D to Singe DVI - Mini DP for the MSI Lighting 7970; as they do not have a dual link DVI port.
  • Status: -Delivered-

    USB Hub:
  • 4 Port High Speed USB 1.1 2.0 Octopus Hub Adapter Black
  • Used to connect the DVI converters for Catleap
  • Status: -Delivered-

    Sleeving:
  • Mod/smart High Density Kobra Sleeve – 3/8in. Mini-Spool (50 feet) – Red
  • Status: -Delivered-

    Heat shrink
  • 48 pc Heat shrink tubing wrap sleeves Assorted Sizes
  • Status: -Delivered-

    Funnel
  • Plews 75-068 Plastic Super Funnel
  • Status: -Delivered-

    Case Fan Grills:
  • Custom ordered
  • Status: -Ordered-

  • Status: -Delivered-


    Conclusion

    First off, thank you to Tom's Hardware and everyone that has contributed in my influence to build a new PC with water cooling! :bounce: 
    I enjoy building computers and have done so for years now, but this is my first water cooling build. I have learned quite a bit from my research and from the community. I have been following Tom's Hardware since the beginning of this year and signed up because of several DIY projects, as well as, water cooling builds. I am extremely excited and this build!

    Also, a special thanks to Dwood for creating my customized Guild Wars 2 fan grills.

    Subscribe and adventure with me through the building of The Red Dragon. :hello: 

    Please feel free to comment. :D 

    Here is the link to my original thread.


    Updates

    07/16/2012 - Purchased 2x XSPC RX360 - Triple 120mm high performance radiator
    08/03/2012 - Purchased 2x MSI Lightning 7970
    08/02/2012 - Purchased 2x EKWB MSI Lightning 7970 water block
    08/02/2012 - Purchased 1x EKWB Bridge
    08/08/2012 - RMA 1x MSI Lightning 7970 - Deffective
    08/08/2012 - Issued replacement MSI Lightning 7970
    08/13/2012 - Received replacement MSI Lightning 7970
    08/13/2012 - RMA 1x MSI Lightning 7970 - DOA
    08/14/2012 - Received replacement MSI Lightning 7970
    08/17/2012 - Received Triple Monitor Mount
    08/22/2012 - Installed Fan Grills, configured wire management, and closed the case
    08/23/2012 - De-bezeled monitors
  • More about : build log red dragon 3770k xfire msi lightning 7970

    August 22, 2012 9:41:57 PM

    Assembling Components







    Rotated the front 180 degrees. Did not like how it looked. I may go back to it in the future.



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    August 22, 2012 9:43:44 PM

    Components that make up The Red Dragon







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    Related resources
    Can't find your answer ? Ask !
    August 22, 2012 9:54:18 PM



    lol, this was an idea I had to block as much dust as possible going into the PC from the intake fans using women's leggings! It did not work out the way I projected! :D 
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    August 22, 2012 10:00:13 PM

    Motherboard

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    August 22, 2012 10:00:27 PM

    GTX 690 Waterblock **I no longer use this video card**


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    August 22, 2012 10:00:47 PM

    Adding more components










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    August 23, 2012 12:32:25 AM

    24 hr Leak Test



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    August 23, 2012 12:49:29 AM

    Beginning stages of wire management










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    August 23, 2012 1:00:16 AM










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    August 23, 2012 1:11:39 AM










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    August 23, 2012 1:23:06 AM








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    August 23, 2012 1:45:15 AM








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    August 23, 2012 2:08:04 AM

    Previewing Sides of case





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    August 23, 2012 2:22:55 AM


    Yamakasi Catleap 27" ISP











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    August 23, 2012 2:38:18 AM

    MSI Lightning 7970 and EK Water Blocks










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    August 23, 2012 2:52:25 AM







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    August 23, 2012 3:07:42 AM




    Video Cards installed and running



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    August 23, 2012 3:22:22 AM

    Triple Monitor Review for Catleaps

    Merchant: EastMountLCD.com
    Product: Deluxe Triple Monitor Stand Free Standing up to 28"
    Price: $95.95

    I was really surprised with the fast shipping and the quality of the mount. I have never heard of this company, so at first, I was a little reluctant to order.

    First off, the build quality of this mount is solid! The base of the mount is really sturdy and well made. The mount itself seems to be powder coasted of some sort. It comes with an adjustable pole (for the height of the monitors) which attaches to the base and the arm is assembled with 3 pieces. Adjusting the mount and monitors is very easy for rotating, pivoting, and side to side with a lever locking mechanism. Also, one neat feature I like about this mount, is the cut-out in the pole for your cables!

    All the necessary hardware is provided in the box. The instructions were easy to read. It took me less than an hour to assemble the mount and attach the monitors.

    Cons:

    As of right now, the only thing I noticed, is the arm is not angled much. This does not bother me, but I know some users would like a cockpit feel with a wider angle.

    I still have some adjustments and cable management to do, but I am not going to bother with it too much since I am de-bezeling the with in the next week or so. In the mean time, if I have any issue with the mount, I will let the community know.

    Overall, I am happy with my purchase, and I highly recommend this mount; especially at this price!

    I hope this helps everyone who is seeking a monitor stand for one, two, or three monitors.

    So, with out further adieu...check out the pictures!






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    August 23, 2012 3:36:12 AM










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    August 23, 2012 3:41:57 AM










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    August 23, 2012 3:49:38 AM


    Yes, the monitors are not leveled, but as I started earlier, I am de-bezeling them within the week.


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    August 23, 2012 3:53:49 AM

    Received my Fan Grills









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    August 23, 2012 3:56:10 AM

    Installation of Fan Grills (26)

    Well, I finally was able to basically finish The Red Dragon before the Head start Launch of Guild Wars 2 on 8/25/2012. I still have a bit of wire management left. However, I need to pickup so more zip ties.

    Well, I have 26 fan grills and a total of 32 fans in the system.










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    August 23, 2012 3:57:19 AM

    **Reserved**
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    August 23, 2012 4:00:58 AM

    **Reserved**
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    a c 150 K Overclocking
    August 23, 2012 4:13:33 AM

    Quote:
    Again, read the legend. The colors mean different status. There is a method to my madness! :lol: 

    Crazy! :p 

    You posted pics of it :l
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    August 23, 2012 4:24:03 AM

    amuffin said:
    Crazy! :p 

    You posted pics of it :l


    The reason why I posted the pictures is it was originally part of my build. As I stated in the first sentence, I should have created the build log as I was building it. However, I have updated some of the parts and annotated it in the build log and updates section.
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    a c 150 K Overclocking
    August 23, 2012 4:55:19 AM

    How loud is this thing!??

    26 ultra kazes......
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    a b K Overclocking
    August 23, 2012 7:36:58 AM

    With 12+ of those 3000 RPM Scyth Ultra Kraze in addition to the other 10+ fans, you better put that computer in the basement lol. Seriously, that Kraze is extremely loud with just 2-3, you got 10+..... I wouldnt be surprised if the computer sounds like a vacuum.
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    August 23, 2012 11:54:10 AM

    amuffin said:
    How loud is this thing!??

    26 ultra kazes......


    Actually, it is not that loud. When I am listening to music or gaming, I honestly don't hear it. I will take a video and post it for you to hear. Check back for the video! ;) 

    hehe, I have 12 Ultra Kazes, six on each radiator. The rest are 2200 RPM Yate Loons.
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    August 23, 2012 11:59:50 AM

    jacknhut said:
    With 12+ of those 3000 RPM Scyth Ultra Kraze in addition to the other 10+ fans, you better put that computer in the basement lol. Seriously, that Kraze is extremely loud with just 2-3, you got 10+..... I wouldnt be surprised if the computer sounds like a vacuum.


    lol, I hear you! Like I was telling amuffin, it is really not that loud. At first, when I was receiving peoples input on what fans to get, they steered me away from the Ultra Kaze saying, "They are too loud, go with another fan." I am happy with the fans I have. I thought about replacing the rest of my fans for all Ultra Kazes, but that would be overkill and not needed! :D 

    I have already been planning upgrades for my PC...more to come on the upgrades later. ;) 
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    a b K Overclocking
    August 23, 2012 2:44:48 PM

    Why all the fans if you are liquid cooling ?
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    August 23, 2012 2:47:59 PM

    phalanxs said:
    I have already been planning upgrades for my PC...more to come on the upgrades later. ;) 



    What could you possibly upgrade?
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    August 23, 2012 2:53:22 PM

    Three reason:

    1. For extreme overclocking.
    2. For extra cooling on top of the liquid!
    3. More of an aesthetic look. I did not want a solid case all the way around, nor did I want windows all the way around. I actually like the look of the fans, and most importantly, so I can utilize the GW2 fan grills! :) 

    When I built this PC, I already had how I am going to upgrade it in mind. More will come on my upgrade later. However, for now, The Red Dragon is almost complete.

    I need to finish up some minor cable management, add the 2 bay covers, and overclock my CPU to 4.8 - 5.0. :D 
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    August 23, 2012 2:54:59 PM

    bruce555 said:
    What could you possibly upgrade?


    A lot!

    Here are some ideas:

    Expand case, better water cooling, and so on. More will come on upgrading soon. ;) 
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    August 23, 2012 2:57:53 PM

    Sleeve your fan wires. Also you should try to hide some of the peripheral wires, other than that nice work.
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    August 23, 2012 3:03:08 PM

    cyansnow said:
    Sleeve your fan wires. Also you should try to hide some of the peripheral wires, other than that nice work.


    Thanks cyansnow!

    Yeah, need to get more zip-ties and sleeves. Any suggestions on how I can hide some of the peripheral wires? This is my first time building a PC like this, so I am still "novice" to cable management. I attempted to hide it as best as possible, but maybe there is another approach.
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    August 23, 2012 3:13:01 PM

    phalanxs said:
    Thanks cyansnow!

    Yeah, need to get more zip-ties and sleeves. Any suggestions on how I can hide some of the peripheral wires? This is my first time building a PC like this, so I am still "novice" to cable management. I attempted to hide it as best as possible, but maybe there is another approach.



    Anchors and clamps - http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php?main_p...

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    August 23, 2012 3:23:50 PM

    kanoobie said:
    Looks sick so far! Was wondering if there is a way to remove/reduce the look of the bezels on the Catleap monitors; similar to something in this picture from QuakeCon: http://www.tomshardware.com/picturestory/603-26-quakeco...


    Thanks kanoobie!

    Yes there is a way to remove the bezels. I had to remove them to remove the original stand so I could use the VESA mount. Next weekend, I am removing the bezels permanently. I will post pictures when it is done! :D 
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    August 23, 2012 3:32:04 PM

    nice, looking forward to seeing those pictures
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    a c 337 K Overclocking
    August 23, 2012 4:02:10 PM

    spentshells said:
    Why all the fans if you are liquid cooling ?


    You still need fans to cool the hardware that requires airflow like motherboard components, RAM, HDDs, etc. He might not need as many but they are still needed.
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    August 23, 2012 4:05:56 PM

    Jesus, this is exactly what I'd do if I had the money... :p , congrats! Enjoy GW2 ;) 
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    August 23, 2012 4:23:47 PM

    joedjnpc said:
    Jesus, this is exactly what I'd do if I had the money... :p , congrats! Enjoy GW2 ;) 


    Thanks joedjnpc!

    I hope my build log will inspire others who are debating whether they should build a PC or buy one pre-built, to go ahead and build one. :D  I started looking on the forms earlier this year, and reading other members PC build logs inspired me! Rubix and other members in the community have answered a lot of my questions regarding water cooling (as this is my first time). Also, I needed to update my PC so I would be able to handle GW2 and other games without a problem. ;) 
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    a b K Overclocking
    August 23, 2012 5:05:06 PM

    rubix_1011 said:
    You still need fans to cool the hardware that requires airflow like motherboard components, RAM, HDDs, etc. He might not need as many but they are still needed.


    That stuff doesn't require airflow as the parts that produce all the heat are being water cooled. Really nice stuff though right.
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    a c 337 K Overclocking
    August 23, 2012 6:05:12 PM

    Your motherboard MOSFETs and voltage regulators still produce a decent amount of heat which is normally dissipated by fans and your typical CPU air cooler. RAM and HDD's don't get that hot, but if you don't cool them in some fashion, or have good case airflow, they will continually to get hotter. Even the caps and other components on a board like the chipset coolers put out a significant amount of heat...if you contained this in a case, you'd still over heat these components.
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    August 24, 2012 4:27:40 AM




    Here is what it use to look like:



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    August 24, 2012 4:28:16 AM

    De-Bezeling Yamakasi Catleaps

    Well, I finally de-bezeled my Yamakasi Catleaps. Wow! Does it look so much better. :thumb:

    I am still debating if I should cover the silver lining with black electric tape or leave it. What do you think?











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