Sabertooth Switch

[brechan69]

Here's a pic of my current PC; custom loop by XSPC and EKWB, idle temps suck ass with the Corsair 700D (ambient temp is 25 degrees Celsius, running stock [3.4 GHz] config, idle temp as I post this is 35/ 36 degrees Celsius).
Not wanting to spend a fortune on a decent case; guess my only option is to dig out the jigsaw and Dremel, and do some more modding....and order a slimmer radiator from Daz (XSPC EX360), so that I can actually fit my 3 Triebwerk fans within the case.

[brechan69]

990FX Rebuild

Well folks; with living in an apartment, and the thought of trying to cut 4 1/2" fan holes through 1/8" aluminum, I decided [with much research and thought] to buy a new case to satisfy my airflow problems. Drastic I know; but in the end, I'd rather have a really cool case, than a case that's been hacked to bits [just to make things perfect for my needs].

Here is my [completed] shopping list for the re-fit [rebuild?]:

Corsair AX850 [modular] PSU
XSPC EX360 radiator
(3) Gentle Typhoon case fans
(3) TFC 120mm case fan Noise Absorbers
(2) 250ml bottles of Mayhem's Blue Nebula Concentrate
EKWB Multioption RES X2 200mm reservoir
last of all...
NZXT Switch 810 Hybrid Full Tower PC Case
(full video review can be found here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-LHjJ...ature=g-user-c )
The fellow that does the review only reviews cases that would the best for water cooling; he doesn't review crap, he tells it like it is (whether or not it's good for the manufacturer). If you're all interested, his You Tube channel can be found here http://www.youtube.com/user/TimeToLiveCustoms , and the main website (overclock3d.net) can be found here http://www.overclock3d.net/

Pics and video to follow

Short video I made today[my 1st video ever uploaded, and it shows :p] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wsMUYnPbcgU

[snef]

i have one with water cooling and its a real good case

i will post my rig today here

you will see how its the best watercooling case in this price range

a lot of space, excellent cable management and no need to mod or cut anything for a good size rad

[brechan69]

I agree
I've got 3 Triebwerk fans that I'd like to have inside the case, so picked up an XSPC EX360...discovered (very early) this morning; that if I remove the sliding latch at the top of the case, I can fit the radiator in the top and have the Triebwerk's bolted through underneath (while allowing lots of room for airflow inside the optical drive bay).

I'm trying to take my time with this rebuild; don't want to have things look messy (or gaudy), but functional and cool....can hardly wait to fill the system up with the Mayhem's Blue Nebula coolant

[bungwirez]

ya Brechan! I've got some Red Tharsis Aurora sitting here too just beggin to be used ... just need a little vacation time is all.

[brechan69]

see You Tube video above

I have discovered that I'll probably have to shoot for another string of LED lights, because the top string just doesn't do the coolant justice.

I know that I could sit and watch the coolant swirling around all day long [I've never seen anything like it before, too bad it's only good for a max of 6 months]...it is sooooooo cool!!

[DazMode]

Sound pretty quiet set up. Very low hum - good job!

[brechan69]

Thanks Daz for the recommended GT's, they [accompanied with NZXT 140mm fans] are some of the quietest fans I've ever used. As for the humming in the background; turns out, it's the hum from the EK DCP 4.0 pump sitting on the plexiglass base I constructed.

I'll have to see if there's a way to cut a hole directly underneath the pump [pump will not be sitting on anything, basically floating mid-air], which will probably cut out 90% of the noise from chassis.

[brechan69]

Pics as promised

Switch 810_01: upgrading components-Corsair AX850 [fully modular] PSU, Gentle Typhoon fans [x3], EKWB Advanced 200mm Tube Reservoir, TFC Fan Noise Absorbers, Mayhem's Aurora Blue Nebula coolant [x2/ 250ml bottles of concentrate], NZXT Switch 810

Switch810_02: a little bit of modding [a my new case] to allow for proper fan/ radiator clearance.

Switch810_03: cutting complete, not the straightest lines I've cut, but they will do the job [and be hidden from view].

Switch810_04: Experimenting with routing tubing behind motherboard tray; would work if I was using 5/8" tubing, instead of 3/4". Will consider this option for future upgrades [with additon of 7/16" compression fittings and elbows].

Switch810_05: I tried many different combinations...
EX360 + Triebwerk fans: motherboard mosfets [closest to rear wall] got in the way
RX360 [in roof of case] + Triebwerk fans...didn't like the look + would have to mod the top of the case [really didn't like this concept]
EX360 + GT's...everything worked, but really wanted to be able to use my existing RX360 [ had seen a video review of this case, and reviewer showed that an XSPC RX360 would work].

So; ended up with RX360 + GT's together in the top of the case [as shown], but as I'll show in my next post, it gets really tight by the 8 pin CPU power connector.

[Tristan]

Looking good so far. What colour is the coolant going to be?

[DazMode]

GTs are awesome, although low speed Triebweks are quieter.

[brechan69]

Continued build log

Switch810_06: GT is sitting so tight against the 8 pin CPU power connector; while it's not damaging the connector itself, can't even get a hair between them

Switch810_07: radiator and fans are installed,just have to figure out the tube routing...this shouldn't too long [right?]

Swtich810_08: I thought I would do a quick [12 hour] leak test using distilled water [instead of my valued new coolant]; also, I needed to determine if I had enough coolant to fill the entire loop. The bottle of Mayhem's concentrate says to add the 250ml bottle to 500ml of distilled water [x 2 = 1500ml total].
If the loop was going to be more than 1500ml total, I was screwed...fortunately, the loop only holds about 1000ml.

Switch810_09: A quick shot of what this [indeed special] coolant looks like when it's flowing inside the tubes and reservoir...I could watch it swirl all day long.


Switch810_10: Leak testing the loop with the Mayhem's Aurora Blue Nebula coolant. I must admit; I was a bit concerned about the 45 degree fittings, as they seemed rather loose [was afraid they were going to spurt coolant all over the place]. But after making damn sure they were on tight; and connecting all the other fittings [I still have cuts on my thumb/ fingertips], there wasn't a drop to be seen anywhere.

[Tristan]

Love the aurora coolant looks amazing.

[brechan69]

Just a few shots of the completed upgrade

Switch810_15: showing a shot of the front; tube routing from radiator [through drive bays], fan controller, and yes, a CD-ROM [we dinosaurs got to stick together, right Daz?].

Switch810_14: although picture is a bit out of focus [cheap digital cameras or shaky tripod], it shows just how much space taking the loop this way will take up...and why the drive bay had to be cut away [without the area cut away, the fan in the front would be starving for air].

Switch810_11: closeup of the tube res and coolant

Switch810_12: upgrading complete, doors on, coolant flowing smoothly

Switch810_13: PC is back home, beside my desk.

Will post a short video and comments about the upgrade process in my next post

[bungwirez]

thanks for the pron sir. she's got a beautiful glow.

haha. I finally gave up on hand tightening compression fittings.
just put some bits of rubber glove over my vice grip.