My new system.. with "how-to" on building/putting it together.. in progress..

[-silencer-]

Before anyone comments, my primary use of my computer is terrain database & software compiling, 3D rendering, and video/audio encoding.. so this machine is NOT overkill and is actually necessary for one of my contracts to have more rapid progress (It takes an average of 210 hours straight to compile a terrain database I work on with my Q6600/8GB memory). I've usually gone with higher-end builds in the past, but this is the first time since 1996 that I've gone this far. I'll post my 1996 build later in the thread, as I kept receipts for all parts and I laugh/cringe at the prices/parts that went into it. It was worth it for years, as I know this machine will be as well, especially since I'll be using this for my business contract as well to make up the cost quite easily.

I'll be releasing photos as parts arrive, detailed plans and progress as I construct the case, notes on decisions I've made and why, and final system results/benchmarking. I will NOT be upgrading to new videocards just yet, since I don't need them for my work and I don't see the point of upgrading from my current DX10 cards (8800GTX / 9600GT) to GTX285/295 or HD4870x2 when DX11 cards will be out later this year. Also, since I'm watercooling most of my machine, I only want a single-PCB videocard (which means no GTX295) - that way I can put a waterblock on it and make it only use a single slot on the motherboard.. as my future plans include using all 6 slots on my board. This machine will be about 80% complete by the end of this month, with a couple future upgrades (videocards with 2nd watercooling loop, gaming NIC, and pci-x8 multi-array RAID controller with RAID0 SSDs) down the line.

Enough with the babble.. here's the first two sneak shots..



..kudos to anyone who can name the model number of every part there. Once everything arrives, I'll get a group shot of the boxes, a shot of the unwrapped parts, and continue my documentation of the process of building a custom watercooled & overclocked computer. And yes, I'll be building a custom case from the ground up (minus the purchase of a Lian Li motherboard tray, HDD racks, and PSU plate).

Thanks to the following sources for providing the parts (with generally what I ordered from them for this build).. all great sources for computer stuff that I've used in the past and will likely use in the future:
Intel representative family member: processor.
Newegg.com: Most computer components.
Performance-PCs.com: Case parts & watercooling supplies.
PetrasTechShop.com: Watercooling supplies & UV cold cathodes.
FrozenCPU.com: Watercooling, thermal, and case parts.
DangerDen.com: Watercooling supplies.
Xoxide.com: Fans!
Dell.com: Monitors.

[heffner]

Looks like Christmas! How come they only sent 1/2 a case? ;P

I always wanted to try the aquarium computer (filled with mineral oil)...maybe some day.

I hope it turns out as sweet as it looks!

Cheers

[suicidesspyder]

Nice it seems like the way your doing this your making it so we can all buy the same stuff as you and build it step by step by you. So like i say bring on the video camera and bring on the teaching. Im sitting here patiently waiting your instructions of how-to-build this awesome computer lol.

[Starbuck_Jones]

Glass from Dell. Very nice

[pinotnoir]

Hey we have the same motherboard, ram, and LCD from what I can see in the photo. Not sure about the drives.

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Looks like Christmas! How come they only sent 1/2 a case? ;P

I'm building the case out of MDF/acrylic/glass.. for a custom cooling system but also as a sound suppressor. Therefore, I only ordered a Lian Li motherboard tray, 2 HDD racks, and a power supply plate. Once the rest arrives, I'll finish the design of the case and post notes on it.. then off to Home Depot for case material purchases.

[sqeaky4100]

Almost my exact build, seriously, all the way down to the dual 24" 2408s haha.

Except I went with the EVGA x58 mobo.

And I'm using the AMAZING CM 932 HAF case. ( seriously, this thing is slick )

I'm going to start my build once my final Velociraptor 300gb comes in for the Raid 0

Im going on air though, for some reason I just prefer it.

[-silencer-]

Almost my exact build, seriously, all the way down to the dual 24" 2408s haha.

Except I went with the EVGA x58 mobo.

And I'm using the AMAZING CM 932 HAF case. ( seriously, this thing is slick )

I'm going to start my build once my final Velociraptor 300gb comes in for the Raid 0

Im going on air though, for some reason I just prefer it.

Well, two of those packages are 300GB WD Velociraptors....

I picked the Rampage 2 Extreme because it's one of the few motherboards where a good aftermarket waterblock maker has blocks for the mosfets..

(and the 2x 2048's are only half the monitors i'll be using. )

As for water.. I'm going over 4GHz on the CPU... hence the CPU, X58 northbridge and ICH10R southbridge, and 2x mosfet voltage regulator waterblocks.. and 4x120mm radiator.

[keyclone]

i love checking out these threads. gives me ideas for my own system (but i've got the thermal take liquid cool atm)

[-silencer-]

i love checking out these threads. gives me ideas for my own system (but i've got the thermal take liquid cool atm)

My decisions for the water cooling were based heavily on threads I've read here:
http://forums.extremeoverclocking.com/t282232.html
I was considering going with a full Danger Den system, as they make quality components, but it seems like I was able to piece together a custom system that's a step ahead of what I could have gotten from any single manufacturer. Since all components use standard G1/4" threads, I'm swapping in all 1/2"ID-3/4"OD compression fittings for a very clean appearance but excellent hold for leak prevention:

Swiftech GTZ cpu block w/LGA1366 adapter
EK Asus Rampage 2 Extreme X58/ICH10R block
EK Asus Rampage 2 Extreme Mosfet blocks
Feser TFC X-Changer 480 radiator w/4x120mm Yate Loon 2200rpm fans
Laing DDC-3.2 with EK X-Top Rev.2 acrylic top pump & Petra Tech gel vibration dampener
Koolance 200mm (~550mL) 4-port reservoir w/120mm bracket
14x Bitspower black sparkle compression fittings 1/2"-3/4"
Tygon 3603 1/2"ID, 3/4"OD tubing
Feser One Blue UV coolant
IC Diamond 7 thermal paste
Teflon tape for thread sealant installing compression fittings

When I add two DX11 videocards later in the year, I'll add:
2x EK Full-cover graphics waterblocks
Laing DDC-3.2 with EK X-Top Rev.2 acrylic top pump & Petra Tech gel vibration dampener
Feser TFC X-Changer 480 radiator w/4x120mm Yate Loon 2200rpm fans
10x Bitspower black sparkle compression fittings 1/2"-3/4"

When this system is complete, it'll have two water loops all sharing off one reservoir so I'll only need to refill/change water at one location. The goal is for high performance while keeping noise to an absolute minimum, which is why I'm having two 4x120mm radiators for a total of 8 fans - with a fan controller to tune the noise/performance ratio.

A few more boxes arrived today. Technically I have everything I need to test the computer *without* the watercooling system (or constructed case), so I'll probably get started. I'd like to have it all tested and ready on air cooling before I void the warranty on a $400 motherboard by ripping the heatsink off the northbridge, southbridge, and mosfets to install the waterblocks.

Taking pics in a few..