Zooka's WC Build: 800D, 2600K, SLI GTX580 (Build Log)

Hey guys,

First WC build here. I'm overwhelmed for certain but in a good way, I think. I'm putting together the following rig and planning a single loop for the CPU and 2xGPU's with some moderate CPU overclocking.

(updated)
Case: Corsair 800D
CPU: Intel i7 2600K
Mobo: ASrock Z68 Extreme 7
GPU's: 2x EVGA GTX580 Hydro Copper
Mem: 16GB Corsair Vengeance DDR3 1600
PSU: Corsair AX1200
SDD: Crucial M4 256GB
HDD: 1TB WC Caviar Black

WC Single Loop
Rad 1: XSPC RX360
Rad 2: XSPC RX240
Rad Fans: 5x1800RPM Gentle Typhoons
Pump: Koolance PMP-450
Resovoir: Koolance RP-452X2
CPU Block: HEATKILLER® CPU Rev3.0 for Socket 1155/1156
Tubing: Danger Den UV Black Primoflex Tubing
Fittings: Standard 1/2 Inch Barbs
Fan Controler: Lamptron FC5V2

I've been reading FAQ's and build logs all weekend and my brain is fried, but before heading to bed I thought I'd get this thread started so that I can hopefully get my WC components planned and purchased within the week.

I suppose my first question is this, if I'm cooling the CPU and both GPU's with a moderate CPU overclock can I get away with a 3x120 and a 1x120 1x140 or will I need more head room? I've seen an 800D case mod that would allow me add a 2x120 rad internally along with 3x120, but that would require some cutting and riveting. Of course there's always the option of hanging a rad on the rear of the case but hey, isn't the 800D big enough already? lol

What about mounting a 140 Rad in the bottom where the 140 original fan is? You just have to go sure the tube holes are keeping unobstructed but normally it should fit. And so you don't have to bother with modding and eventually risk the stability of your case unless you need to go on a 240.

That's a definite possibility and one that would make for the easiest solution (I meant to say 1x140 instead of 1x120 in the original post), I just wasn’t sure if a 360 and a 140 would be sufficient for a 583 TDP build that I plan to OC.

I know there are a lot of other factors involved here but I figured that if I’m already pushing any limits it might behoove me to get a larger 2nd internal rad if I can make it work. Kinda out of my element here though so I may be missing a bigger picture.

SkinneeLabs for an XSPC RX360 with 10C delta-T: about 575watts using 1800rpm fans.

Adding another 140 would help give you a little more head room...but I'd strongly suggest good fans (1800-2000 rpm)

Or yes, BIX GTX360 would work, but RX360 is ~$10 cheaper..I'd even suggest the TC PA over the BIX.

..............................................................?

No problem, I think your best bet is to go with one of those thicker rads if you are going to pull this off with the temps you want. I knew the new TC's were coming out at some point...but wasn't 100% if they were completely phasing out the PA's...I thought they would go a rename and redesign...maybe not.

You can go with a thick 140 as well, you should be set: http://www.performance-pcs.com/cat [...] s_id=28868 or something similar. You really want as much surface area as you can get in the size rad you have to work with...that will ultimately be the difference in your build...that, and some decent fans.

Yeah....I've seen that thread before. That might give you some incentive and ideas...I definitely think it's worth it, but for each person, that differs somewhat.

Nice work on the homework...you can get all sorts of ideas by poking around on the web. Overclockers and XtremeSystems have some really great ideas and advanced concepts...it's where I always go for new ideas on stuff I don't know about. I'd be over there a lot more, but I don't have the time and energy to keep up with what they have. It's something I spend a few hours doing when I have extra time, which usually doesn't happen too often. Plus, I really like helping people out at Tom's...there are a lot of people that find us here via Google or just from reading articles, but didn't always have a real solid water cooling group. Several of us got together and pushed to get a dedicated forum to manage...and here we are.

The one thing I've found on Tom's vs other forum sites is the ability for people to help integrate users that have little-to-no knowledge on subject matter in many cases. There are a large number of forums hosted here, whereas on other sties, there are only dedicated forums for cooling/watercooling or overclocking...maybe both if you are lucky. Here, we are able to field a lot of entry level questions and get people started and if we need to, reference some of these other forums for some examples or confirmation of data being presented.

Heh, sorry, just assumed you were joking before. I figured the "New WC build" topic with abbreviation would be obvious in the Water Cooling section of the forums.

Sorry I don't go into the watercooling forums. This thread was on the front page of Tom's Hardware.

Good news, the bulk of my parts arrived!



Unboxed the 800D and everything appears to be in order at first glance. Tossed the AX1200 in for a quick shot.



Be back after a quick workout to see if I can shore up that WC parts list, and I should probably clear this stuff off the kitchen table before my wife gets home.

looks pretty good!

Mmmmmm....MountainMods...so pretty.

There are some others as well, but I've even seen some that are more expensive and don't look as good.

Digging the 2x RX360's in there.

One thing I see as being a major issue is the length of the PSU vs. the one you linked to...that AX1200 looks a little longer than the TX950 in the other build...maybe its an optical illusion...not sure. Either way, that RX360 is squeezed in there pretty good.

Seriously? Almost 2"? Day-um.

Seeing all these recent builds is making me want to start work on my bench project I've been putting off. I ripped apart an old P2 Gateway box (when they actually made PC's out of real metal) and kept the steel back to use as the top. Anyways...not hijacking.

I'm really curious to see how this build comes together...and I think I'm going to round up as many Tom's build logs and add them to the sticky for user reference...or another thread...WAIT!! I think I can sticky topics...I'll do THAT!

You don't necessarily need a fan controller...but they are nice if you like dropping fan speeds down lower when you don't want all the extra noise.

Yeah...no kidding. But, that RX240 should do well down there...That PSU is massive, by looking at the comparison between it and the 240.

Leftover parts...

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/551260/leftovers.jpg


Keep those parts if you haven't already binned them, I see brackets for future modding projects right there
*Edited to capitalise an 'I'**
Moto

Update: Cutting complete, piece of cake! Love my Proxxon I lined the outside and inside of the case with trash bags to allow for easy cleanup. Metal dust abounds!

My cutting angles may look a little wonky in the pic on the right hand side but that's just because the tape isn't running perfectly parallel. Now I just need to do a little sanding before putting the RX240 in there for a test fitting. Because this part of the project went so well I may end up doing a few more cuts to maximize airflow through the bottom of the case for the 240, but we shall see.

Proxxons are awesome - I'm glad I replaced my dads Dremel with one. Cuts and drills in a fraction of the time!

While I'm impatiently waiting for more parts to arrive does anyone have any suggestions on displays for a triple monitor setup? I probably won't be buying them right away but that's the plan for early 2012, hence the 3072MB Hydro Copper 2's. Before buying monitors I'm pretty certain the wife is going to have me replacing all of our window blinds and painting the kitchen cabinets. Good times

I couldn't find one at any local retailers as Dremel seems to have the market pretty much cornered. I swear they're like "Kleenex" in that regard. Pretty sure I just went to Amazon to find mine. Either way, I love it. I've used it for dry wall, wood work, sculpting projects and most recently slicing up my 800D of course. The one thing I could use is a better case for the tool and all the attachments I've picked up along the way.

Hey, you scratch her back, and she doesn't bother you, right? My girlfriend gets mad when I devote more time to my computer than her, but sometimes it needs it

I've found Dell's E and P-series displays to be really nice - I currently have a P2411H and 3xE2011Hs scattered between my desktop, laptop, and my gf's desktop/laptop. The colors are vibrant thanks to the LED backlighting, but the screen still has a matte display. I turn my brightness settings all the way down (hurts my eyes), but it still looks great.

Just to differentiate the two, the E and P monitors use the same displays (I believe - they look the same), but the P series has a fully adjustable stand (height, tilt, and rotation to portrait) whereas the E's only have tilt stands. They're VESA 100 compatible though, so almost all mounts will work.

I've also used Asus's VG236H (the 23.6" 3D monitor), and it's sharp. The colors were fantastic - the only issue it had was there was some minor bleeding on the top and bottom edges when the monitor was blacked out. It was also a bit heavy thanks to heatsinks since it got hot (due to the 3D), but I'd imagine that the display looks the same on their other monitors without all the weight.

Yeah, I purchased mine on Amazon, and I use the cheap Dremel attachments. The keyless chuck is great and it's pretty tight - http://www.amazon.com/Proxxon-3847 [...] 140&sr=8-2

Which is why I wouldn't recommend the U-series (Ultrasharps) - the IPS displays don't look as good when gaming from what I hear, but that's not what they were intended to do. The P and E series monitors have 5ms response times.