Project Strawberry Anaconda - Watercooled Build Log

[cherryguy]

Hey, I am slightly new to these forums. I decided a week or two ago to blow all my money on a water cooled gaming rig. This is my first build and a few people suggested doing a build log so I am. I have already ordered every part I need... Heres what I'm waiting for in the mail.

Case: Thermaltake Level 10 GT (VN10001W2N) Black Steel SECC / Plastic ATX Full Tower Computer Case with Four Fans-1x 200mm Colorshift side fan, 1x 200mm Colorshift top fan, 1x 200mm Colorshift front fan and 1x 140mm rear fan

Motherboard: MB ASUS|MAXIMUS V EXTREME Z77 1155

CPU: INTEL|CORE I7 3770K 3.5G

GPU: EVGA|02G-P4-2680-KR GTX680 2GB

PSU: SEASONIC|SS-850KM



Memory: 8Gx2|CORSAIR CMZ16GX3M2A1600C10



Sound Card: Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Titanium Fatal1ty Professional [REFURBISHED]

Radiator: Black Ice GTX Xtreme 480 Radiator - Black



Fans: X4 Scythe Gentle Typhoon 120mm x 25mm Fan - 4250 RPM



Pump: DD12V-D5 Pump Variable Speed by Laing



Power Staion: Bitspower X-Station Power Extension II - Red LED

Reservoir: DangerDen-RAD-Reservoir

So I received my MOBO, GPU, CPU, PSU, AND Sound Card, oh and memory.

Heres some pics of a test bench build.

 

[C12Friedman]

Holy crap, I want that rig...

What watercooling system are you looking at here?

 

[cherryguy]

Holy crap, I want that rig...

What watercooling system are you looking at here?

A Black Ice GTX Xtreme 480 Radiator. With 4 5400 rpm Gentle Typhoon Fans

 

[nukemaster]

Waiting to see pics of this beast.

I have that sound card, works great under 7, but if you plan Win8 in the future, watch out the drivers are not ready yet.

 

[scopey86]

Is there any reason you're going for the HWLabs Black Ice series? They're kinda overpriced price to performance ratio wise. Maybe you could save yourself some scratch by going for an XSPC RX480 or Alphacool Nexxxos UT60 480?

 

[cherryguy]

Is there any reason you're going for the HWLabs Black Ice series? They're kinda overpriced price to performance ratio wise. Maybe you could save yourself some scratch by going for an XSPC RX480 or Alphacool Nexxxos UT60 480?

With this whole build I seemed to like to buy brand name than other stuff. I simply liked the name black ice. I know the Nexxxos is cheaper though.

 

[cherryguy]

Waiting to see pics of this beast.

I have that sound card, works great under 7, but if you plan Win8 in the future, watch out the drivers are not ready yet.

Thanks for the heads up.

 

[mocchan]

Woots thank for linking! Excited to see pictures!

 

[cherryguy]

I am recieving my MOBO, GPU, CPU, PSU, and Sound card. Should I post unboxing pics?

 

[Motopsychojdn]

Aye, all pics are good pics in a log
Btw, Xspc and Alphacool are both respected brand names, the RX series are one of the best rads out atm,
But having a Rad named after an AcDc album is kinda tempting hehe
Moto

 

[cherryguy]

Updated! Also, my motherboard main power is not staying well connected, its very loose and the slightest movement will screw it up... any suggestions?

 

[mikolrayne]

Damn! I love your case, mate!!!

 

[nukemaster]

Updated! Also, my motherboard main power is not staying well connected, its very loose and the slightest movement will screw it up... any suggestions?

Check to ensure it is seated all the way. Maybe see if you can tighten each connector(in the plug) with small pliers or tweezers(while the power supply is unplugged.). I have done this with molex connectors(old ones that has been used allot) that had contact issues.

I am surprised with such a good power supply that that would even be an issue.

 

[cherryguy]

Check to ensure it is seated all the way. Maybe see if you can tighten each connector(in the plug) with small pliers or tweezers(while the power supply is unplugged.). I have done this with molex connectors(old ones that has been used allot) that had contact issues.

I am surprised with such a good power supply that that would even be an issue.

Its not a contact issue exactly, The problem is with seating it. The clip isnt snapping in place, as if its bent to not have any tension to it.

 

[nukemaster]

Rock and push that connector in. It may just be the NEW connector tightness.

You clearly know how much force to apply. If you have another power supply, you can try it to see if it fits better. At least that would run out the board.

I remember an old Compaq laptop that has USB ports so tight it thought it was a defect or something, but it wore in to be normal.

For electrical contacts(i will keep it clean here), tighter is better

 

[cherryguy]

Hmm... I have tried rocking it and eventually after about 5 mins I can atleast power it on even though I can obviously see the connector is not seated correctly.

Although.... instead of RMAing the PSU, I would rather just buy a cable to replace the faulty one (if that is indeed the culprit). But I cant seem to find any cables, just extension cables.

 

[nukemaster]

No way it would take THAT long to get the power cable to fit so yeah. it is a problem for sure.

Contact Seasonic. Good chance they will just send you one.

http://www.seasonicusa.com/contactus.htm

 

[cherryguy]

No way it would take THAT long to get the power cable to fit so yeah. it is a problem for sure.

Contact Seasonic. Good chance they will just send you one.

http://www.seasonicusa.com/contactus.htm

I sent over an email to usa support. Hopefully they will just send a cord without requiring me to send them anything :/

 

[cherryguy]

Update: Water cooling parts came and I ended up not having enough tygon tubing. I had 6 feet. Also, the compression fittings I got for some reason don't fit well over my tubing wich is 1/2 inch ID and 1/8 inch OD.. the fittings are for 1/2 inch ID and 5/8 inch OD....

 

[Motopsychojdn]

Hehe, always overorder tubing, lesson learned for next time,
**1/2 inch ID and 1/8 inch OD** Typo?
**Edit, its either a typo or your tubing is inside out hehe
Moto

 

[nukemaster]

Hehe, always overorder tubing, lesson learned for next time,
**1/2 inch ID and 1/8 inch OD** Typo?
**Edit, its either a typo or your tubing is inside out hehe
Moto

Doctor Who(TARDIS) tubing?



/NERD

 

[Motopsychojdn]

Hmmm,
New and improved, **Quantum tunnel multiphasic tubing**,
sends your coolant through 27 other dimensions offering unrivalled performance,
**must be used in conjunction with a hadron collider class particle accelerator (not supplied)
Moto

 

[Motopsychojdn]

Maybe post some pics and let us see the fittings/tubing, might shine a little more light on things,
Moto

 

[cherryguy]

Hehe, always overorder tubing, lesson learned for next time,
**1/2 inch ID and 1/8 inch OD** Typo?
**Edit, its either a typo or your tubing is inside out hehe
Moto

Ah yes, typo, its a 1/8 inch wall.

 

[cherryguy]

Going to buy 12 feet of tygon tubig, some better fittings, and 3 kill coils Any other things I should buy from frozencpu.com?