Hello,
First off you need to know that this is going to be entirely in English as I want as many people as possible to be able to take part of this. I also want my sponsor EK to be able to read and understand the text I have provided to each picture here.
This is a work in progress and I will try to keep it updated as best I can. A computer is after all a "never ending upgrade" (at least for some of us).
What is this build you might ask? Well, it's a build around the x58-chipset from intel with a powerful CPU, two powerful graphics cards running simultaneously in SLI, powered by a monster PSU, housed by a massive steel cage and cooled by a silent and elegant water cooling solution.
It all started with upgrading my GPUs from GTX 470 to GTX 570. Since I previously had full cover blocks for my GPUs, I had to get new blocks in order for them to fit my new GTX 570. I figured, since I already have disassembled the loop, I might just as well go big upgrade whatever I feel necessary. So, this ended up in a few new things being purchased:
- My heatkiller 3.0 full copper block has been replaced with a EK Supreme HF Full Nickel.
- My two EK copper+acetal GTX 470 blocks have been replaced with two new acetal+nickel blocks for GTX 570.
- I figured backplates would be cool, so I got a couple of those too.
- My previous Thermochill PA120.3s have been replaced with new XSPC RX360s. The reason for this can summed up with a quote from skinneelabs: "One of the bigger gripes many including myself have with the PA is the never-ending radiator flux. Even though I always quick flush before looping a radiator up, the PA was like the gift that kept giving, only the gift was flux and you did not want it." So after having to deal with this never ending flux for way too long, I decided to replace them.
I am going to use the same pump, barbs and tubes from my previous build. The pump is a MCP350 with a XSPC top+res mounted.
The computer parts are these:
- Asus Rampage 3 Extreme
- Zotac GTX 570
- Intel Core i7 930
- Coolermaster Real Silent Pro Gold 1200W
- Corsair Obsidian 800D
- Corsair DDR3 1600mhz CL8 ram + fan
- Intel X25-M 160GB G2
- Western Digital raptor 300GB
- Western Digital Caviar Green 1TB
- Old Samsung drive 500GB
I have all of the components above, sitting either in the case, on my desk or in their respective packaging waiting to be used. I am however still (2011/02/03) waiting for a few parts to be replaced/delivered:
- As I said I bought 2 new XSPC RX360 rads. However, it turned out one of them had a leak so it has to be replaced. I should be getting my replacement some time next week (hopefully monday/tuesday)
- My water cooling parts from EK (CPU + 2x GPU + 2x Backplate) will arrive tomorrow (2011/02/04)
- It turns out that my XSPC res/top is defective because it cracked when I put the fittings in. I have contacted XSPC about this and it will be replaced. It should be here along with the radiator next week.
After I have received all of those parts, I will be able to finish this build!
Hopefully this "introductory" post has not been way too long and boring to read. Below you will find pictures from day one of the renovation till now.
Special thanks to EK for the sponsorship and Paul at XSPC for the excellent support!
Note: comments to this gallery can be made in Swedish or English! I would also like to apologize before hand for some of the bad pictures. I do my best, but I am not a pro and my camera isn't that good either!
