Project: POWERTHIRST

[Luthien]

Where to begin?

Well, I haven't built a computer in around 10 years. I've bought a couple since then; a laptop and a netbook, both of which are, shall we say, somewhat lacking in power. I've decided it's time to get back into this myself, and what better way than to mod a case that's 1 of only 500?

The case that will become POWERTHIRST:
http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab231/sarenaerin/SDC10223.jpg
http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab231/sarenaerin/SDC10224.jpg
http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab231/sarenaerin/SDC10226.jpg
http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab231/sarenaerin/SDC10227.jpg
http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab231/sarenaerin/SDC10228.jpg
http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab231/sarenaerin/SDC10229.jpg
http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab231/sarenaerin/SDC10230.jpg

For those who don't know, the case is a CoolerMaster Cosmos Black, and mine even came with a rare power supply:
http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab231/sarenaerin/SDC10269.jpg
POWERTHIRST: Now with gratuitous amounts of cat-ergy!

I don't have all the parts yet, but I do have the reservoir:
http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab231/sarenaerin/SDC10246.jpg
http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab231/sarenaerin/SDC10247.jpg
http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab231/sarenaerin/SDC10245.jpg

I also have a piece of Paua Shell and some Hematite beads and Malachite beads, the uses of which will be revealed later:
http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab231/sarenaerin/SDC10233.jpg

The problem with the Paua Shell was the hole left in it by the metal link it was attached to. This was solved through the use of simple materials:
http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab231/sarenaerin/SDC10243.jpg
Yes, you are looking at the picture correctly. The hole was filled with J-B Weld and then I used nail polish to paint over it. I put a clear coat over the whole piece to make it shine.

Next I made some measurements on the front of the case:
http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab231/sarenaerin/SDC10248.jpg
http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab231/sarenaerin/SDC10251.jpg
http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab231/sarenaerin/SDC10252.jpg

Now all the measuring and the Paua Shell make sense:
http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab231/sarenaerin/SDC10257.jpg

POWERTHIRST: Now with gratuitous amounts of reflection:
http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab231/sarenaerin/SDC10258.jpg
http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab231/sarenaerin/SDC10261.jpg

Now it's time to make the first cut. The top of the case before:
http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab231/sarenaerin/SDC10267.jpg

And after:
http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab231/sarenaerin/SDC10268.jpg
This opening will be fitted with a piece of acrylic later on in the project.

[nevermind1534]

Looks nice so far

And I like the name.

[msmrx57]

Nice lookin start. :up: If this is going to be a powerful computer I've found that cat-ergy output tends to be rather sporadic. ;)

[x88x]

Very nice. I love the Cosmos case design. Nice power source too, great upgrade from the normal hamster power source. ;)

[StormRider]

kind of a shame to maul such a pretty case.
ah well, if a soldier lives in a war zone, he gets attacked with guns and tanks. If a computer lives in a modder's house, it will be attacked with dremels and wire-cutters:D

[LiTHiUM0XiD3]

startin to look like crystal meth in a can! yum! lolz nice case.. cant wait to see what ya can pull off with an already gorgeous case...

[artoodeeto]

Nice lookin start. :up: If this is going to be a powerful computer I've found that cat-ergy output tends to be rather sporadic. ;)

Not if you set up the cat such that he's in the sun all afternoon, storing energy like a battery, then you harness that energy later. Very reliable I've found. :)

I love the reservoir - I have one of those too, although it's blue. Sadly I didn't have space for it in my current build, but I'm saving it for the next one...looking forward to seeing the progress on this!

[mDust]

It looks like someone's been hump-catting...

Have you picked out a flavor for this yet?

[Waynio]

Nice start :), subbed :up:.

[Luthien]

It looks like someone's been hump-catting...

Have you picked out a flavor for this yet?

Yes, I've picked a flavor. POWERTHIRST: It's now available in women.

[Luthien]

Tuesday, I ordered almost everything I need for this build.

Some of it came in today, so now I get to start working on the cooling.

http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab231/sarenaerin/SDC10270.jpg

Bitspower 1/2" Barbs with a Black Matte Finish:
http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab231/sarenaerin/SDC10274.jpg
http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab231/sarenaerin/SDC10276.jpg

Danger Den Fillport:
http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab231/sarenaerin/SDC10273.jpg

Black ICE GTS Stealth 280 Radiator:
http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab231/sarenaerin/SDC10277.jpg

Yate Loon High Speed 140s with Green LEDs:
http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab231/sarenaerin/SDC10272.jpg

7/16" PrimoFlex Pro LRT UV Green Tubing:
http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab231/sarenaerin/SDC10284.jpg
http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab231/sarenaerin/SDC10286.jpg

EK Supreme HF Water Block:
http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab231/sarenaerin/SDC10282.jpg
http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab231/sarenaerin/SDC10279.jpg
http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab231/sarenaerin/SDC10280.jpg
My Water Block is being customized right now by Kayin at FlameProof Design. I'll put up pics once it's finished.

[mDust]

I love opening packages of newly arrived computer parts...the factory fresh smell...shiny, untouched water blocks and fittings...ahhhhhhh... I wish I could just do that all day, every day!

[StormRider]

I love opening packages of newly arrived computer parts...the factory fresh smell...shiny, untouched water blocks and fittings...ahhhhhhh... I wish I could just do that all day, every day!
but you'd have to order $5K of parts every day:mad:
I like the new toys. :lick:

[Luthien]

Yeah, it really is great getting to open up all the new stuff. I have other things coming in the next day or so...cpu, hdd, board, ram...can't wait 8)

[Luthien]

The Water Block customization is finished. As promised, here are the pics of my EK Supreme HF Black Edition:
http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab231/sarenaerin/SDC10287.jpg
http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab231/sarenaerin/SDC10290.jpg
http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab231/sarenaerin/SDC10293.jpg
I'll post pictures with the LEDs lit up later tonight.

I did some of the set-up for the cooling today. Here's the case with the CoolerMaster 120s removed:
http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab231/sarenaerin/SDC10296.jpg

Here's the case after I installed the radiator, the Yate Loon 140s, and the fillport:
http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab231/sarenaerin/SDC10297.jpg
http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab231/sarenaerin/SDC10299.jpg
http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab231/sarenaerin/SDC10298.jpg
http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab231/sarenaerin/SDC10300.jpg
http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab231/sarenaerin/SDC10301.jpg

[SXRguyinMA]

good work! just one thing...lookin at those pics....dont you want the fans pulling air from the case through the rad then blowing it out? not pulling air from outside then pushing it through the rad and into your case?

[Kayin]

Case looks to be set up as positive pressure. It's engineered for best CPU temps possible, even if the MOSFETs get a bit warmer air as long as they get air it's OK.

[SXRguyinMA]

well it just makes sense to me to have the hot air blowing out of the case not in :?

[Kayin]

I do believe it'll make sense when it's done.

[SXRguyinMA]

well you know a lot more about airflow and such than me, so I'll wait and see :D

[Luthien]

Here's the pics of the EK Supreme HF Black Edition with the LEDs working:
http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab231/sarenaerin/006.jpg
http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab231/sarenaerin/007.jpg
http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab231/sarenaerin/011.jpg

[LiTHiUM0XiD3]

Case looks to be set up as positive pressure. It's engineered for best CPU temps possible, even if the MOSFETs get a bit warmer air as long as they get air it's OK.



lolz high end cases still havent figured it out yet then :P
a case should have 0 pressure... but wicked airflow heh :)

that water block looks like its filled with MAN-ERGY!!!

[StormRider]

the awesome scale is suffering from overload

[Luthien]

Powerthirst also comes in Women, so how do you know the block is filled with Man-ergy?

[Luthien]

UPS delivered today :D
http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab231/sarenaerin/SDC10305.jpg
The Power Supply is an XFX Black Edition 750W.

The video card (had it already) is an XFX Black Edition 4890.
http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab231/sarenaerin/SDC10316.jpg

Crucial Ballistix Tracer 240-Pin DDR3 w/green LEDs - 1GB each for a total of 4GB:
http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab231/sarenaerin/SDC10318.jpg

3 Western Digital Caviar Black HDD - each are 640GB 7200 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s:
http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab231/sarenaerin/SDC10313.jpg

Board is an ASUS Crosshair IV Formula AM3 AMD 890FX SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0:
http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab231/sarenaerin/SDC10309.jpg

CPU is an AMD Phenom II x6 1090T Black Edition Thuban 3.2 GHz:
http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab231/sarenaerin/SDC10322.jpg

Time to go build...

[biggoofy]

It's going to look sick with the green LEDs and the green tubing, can't wait.

[Luthien]

http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab231/sarenaerin/SDC10324.jpg
http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab231/sarenaerin/SDC10325.jpg
Right now, the stock cooling is in place, but that will change asap. I've got to get better clips for my res.

http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab231/sarenaerin/SDC10329.jpg
http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab231/sarenaerin/SDC10334.jpg

[x88x]

Mmmm, preeetyy. 6-core goodness. :D I really think you should have upped to the 2GB DIMMs though, and gotten another 4GB either now or later.

[StormRider]

that, or gone with a 1TB drive(you actually would have paid less(I think))

[Luthien]

The internal drives have a 1.28TB capacity. I also have a 1TB external drive. I will probably upgrade the RAM in time, but the 1GBs were a better deal, and when compared to what I'm used to, they're good for now.

Currently setting up Windows 7 Ultimate X64. Got a RAID 5 configuration.

[Kayin]

Machine is running RAID5, that means it can drop a drive and not lose anything. A single 1TB drive can't do that, and this is faster as well.

TBH, the only other setup around here I can name that will beat this is my 4x Fujitsu SAS6 drives on my Intel SAS card that I use when I absolutely, positively MUST be the fastest mofo in the room. This isn't just speed, it's speed with safety. Along with an external backup, it's pretty nice...

And for the 2x2GB set, there's two advantages to this-one is lower density helps in OCing, the other is that even my game was written on 4GB of RAM. Not much besides 3D modeling REQUIRES it. That or really heavy Photoshop.

[Luthien]

Just a quick note: POWERTHIRST is not abandoned. I just can't do more work until I get the money to pick up a few more parts :(

[diluzio91]

4gb is good for most things... lol... havnt seen a green lit mod in a while... after reading your a girl the nail polish makes more sense, as does the turquoise case badge

[Luthien]

Yeah, green's not done so much anymore, but it's always been my favorite color. I was surprised nobody asked if I was a girl after the nail polish trick.

[x88x]

I was surprised nobody asked if I was a girl after the nail polish trick.

TBH, I didn't actually notice that until someone mentioned it...I guess I was skimming over that portion of the buildlog, and I just saw 'used [x] to paint it and put a clear coat of [x] over it', and didn't think the look closer at what you actually used. /shrugs Besides, unfortunately, most of the people in this hobby are male, so I guess we all just start from the assumption that everyone if male. /shrugs Also, I imagine nobody wanted to be the 'OMG R U GRL!?!' (not in those words I'm sure, but still). :P

[diluzio91]

most of the people in this hobby are male, so I guess we all just start from the assumption that everyone if male. /shrugs Also, I imagine nobody wanted to be the 'OMG R U GRL!?!' (not in those words I'm sure, but still). :P

SH****T.... that was me this time i suppose... :facepalm: lol

[Luthien]

It's all good. I know it's mostly male around here. I don't know why more girls aren't into modding, but it's their loss.

[Luthien]

Oh, sweet irony...I start classes for the summer next week, and a couple of weeks after class starts I get school money:D

Why is this ironic? Well, it means I'll have the money to pick up what I need to get back to work on PowerThirst, but I'll be doing schoolwork too so I won't have much free time :(

[diluzio91]

Oh, sweet irony...I start classes for the summer next week, and a couple of weeks after class starts I get school money:D

Why is this ironic? Well, it means I'll have the money to pick up what I need to get back to work on PowerThirst, but I'll be doing schoolwork too so I won't have much free time :(

Thus is the life of a modder. lol... blue storm will probably take me 4 months just for parts after the chassis is done...

[x88x]

Oh, sweet irony...I start classes for the summer next week, and a couple of weeks after class starts I get school money:D

Why is this ironic? Well, it means I'll have the money to pick up what I need to get back to work on PowerThirst, but I'll be doing schoolwork too so I won't have much free time :(

Ah, I know the feeling...though, normally for me it's the other way around...classes started, so I have no money because I just paid tuition.. :P Good luck with your summer classes.

[Luthien]

Ah, I know the feeling...though, normally for me it's the other way around...classes started, so I have no money because I just paid tuition.. :P Good luck with your summer classes.

I'm lucky: I get money cuz of financial aid. (But some of it's loan $$$ I'll have to repay after I graduate :( )

Thanks, and good luck w/your classes, too.

[Luthien]

Sometime soon I'll be getting in the rest of what I need to complete PowerThirst. The work may be slow because of school, but I will be working on it as much as I can as soon as the parts come in the mail.
:)

[Luthien]

I now have everything in that I need. I took pictures but haven't been able to upload them yet. I'll get them on here asap.

[Luthien]

So much for getting the pics posted asap...Sorry about that, but school's kept me pretty busy. As promised, here's the pics. Better late than never, right?

The Y-Joint needed for some of the tubing:
http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab231/sarenaerin/SDC10385.jpg

2 new video cards (5770s) that are replacing the card I had:
http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab231/sarenaerin/SDC10386.jpg
http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab231/sarenaerin/SDC10387.jpg
http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab231/sarenaerin/SDC10388.jpg

2 more Yate Loon 140s (for the rad) and a 120 (replacing a stock fan):
http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab231/sarenaerin/SDC10389.jpg

24-pin extension:
http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab231/sarenaerin/SDC10391.jpg

Stronger res holders:
http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab231/sarenaerin/SDC10393.jpg

And Hawthorne (supplier of cat-ergy power) looking on from the window in the door:
http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab231/sarenaerin/SDC10397.jpg

[SXRguyinMA]

lookin good! I think those 5770's are defective though...you should just send them to me and I'll test them, and I'll even send you my pair of 3870x2's to use in the meantime :D

[x88x]

Nice new hardware. :D

[Luthien]

Thanks guys.

It's all installed now. The outside work is all that's left before it's finished.

[Luthien]

Well, I tried to do a new update (with lots of pictures) but photobucket is officially giving me the double bird.

I will attempt it again tomorrow.

[Luthien]

Okay, let's try this again...

The motherboard with the air cooling removed & the cpu cleaned:
http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab231/sarenaerin/SDC10408.jpg

With thermal compound and the standoffs in place:
http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab231/sarenaerin/SDC10409.jpg

With the water block in place:
http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab231/sarenaerin/SDC10411.jpg

Kitten in a dustpan (kept staring at me as if I'm insane as I went in and out of the house with the motherboard and the camera):
http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab231/sarenaerin/SDC10407.jpg

There are no pictures of the process of putting the water cooling in. It involved a lot of cat wrangling and creativity. Here's what it looks like all put together:
http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab231/sarenaerin/SDC10413.jpg
http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab231/sarenaerin/SDC10414.jpg

All lit up:
http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab231/sarenaerin/SDC10416.jpg
http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab231/sarenaerin/SDC10417.jpg
http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab231/sarenaerin/SDC10419.jpg
http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab231/sarenaerin/SDC10418.jpg

[x88x]

Looks great. I'd worry about the small tubing overlap on the barbs on that Y-fitting...doesn't necessarily mean there isn't enough, but I would worry. :P

[SXRguyinMA]

Looks awesome! I love how that resi came out with the UV lighting :D

[Luthien]

Looks great. I'd worry about the small tubing overlap on the barbs on that Y-fitting...doesn't necessarily mean there isn't enough, but I would worry. :P

Thanks. I was nervous about it because it was my first time water-cooling. It hasn't leaked anywhere and the tubing is on there really well, so hopefully it'll all stay in place.

[Jolly-Swagman]

Looking great, nice WC setup and some awesome hardware!

[diluzio91]

Looks great. I'd worry about the small tubing overlap on the barbs on that Y-fitting...doesn't necessarily mean there isn't enough, but I would worry. :P

Seconded... I would squish em down a little more and zip tie them... But LOOKING GOOOOD!:D

+rep

[Luthien]

I suppose I could zip tie them but they are on pretty tight. The tubing was a smaller size than the barbs. It was heated up and stretched over the barbs.

[x88x]

Ah, ok. If it took that much to get it on, it's probably fine.

[Luthien]

Yeah, it's still running fine, but thanks for asking about it.

I have had a big setback, though. I had a hard drive fall victim to lightning. Hooray for multiple drives. Got to do a new install of everything. At least I'm down with the summer semester. As of today, I'm free from class for two weeks, so maybe I can get some work accomplished on this project.

[diluzio91]

you should add a pair of these into the loop for your gfx cards... http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=59_240_579&products_id=26928

[Luthien]

you should add a pair of these into the loop for your gfx cards... http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=59_240_579&products_id=26928

Thanks. It's a great suggestion, but I don't have the money to spare right now. It's on my maybe one sweet day list.

[Luthien]

CPU is up from 3.2. It's now at 3.61

[Luthien]

It's been too long since I've posted anything about POWERTHIRST. I still intend to finish this work-log. The build is pretty much complete except for some exterior work. I'm not sure what to do with the side panel, but hopefully I'll decide on something definite soon and get back to work on it.

[SXRguyinMA]

:pics: :D

[Luthien]

The last pics I posted were about where I got to on the work. Next time I do anything, there will be pics.

[Luthien]

I still haven't decided on the side panel design, but I know of one thing at the top of the case that is going to be re-worked: power and reset buttons. My cat has a love of sleeping on top of my computer, with the unfortunate consequence of sometimes pushing the buttons when she gets up there.
http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab231/sarenaerin/Mobile%20Uploads/0_IMAG0025.jpg
Cute, but unhealthy for the computer. She actually managed to mess up my overclocking one time:eek:
The buttons are going to be replaced, this time behind the front panel of the case.
I haven't ordered the mounting plate and switches yet, but these are the ones I'm looking at buying.
http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/images/products/MNPCTech-BilletMount1622-BK.jpg
http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/images/products/Vandal-Delrin-Dot-GN.jpg
http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/images/products/Lamp-16mm-BK-GN-Dot.jpg

[Snowman]

Messed up your overclock, cooked cat..... now i want some chinese food.. sheesh.. Can't wait to see an update

[Luthien]

Since you mentioned Chinese food...I couldn't resist
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z8zEfYbsrr0&feature=related

[blaze15301]

why arent you using clamps on your tubing and barbs? wont your stuff leak?

[x88x]

why arent you using clamps on your tubing and barbs? wont your stuff leak?

Mine don't.

[Luthien]

why arent you using clamps on your tubing and barbs? wont your stuff leak?

It's smaller tubing (7/16") forced over larger barbs (1/2"). The ends of the tubing were heated with a heat gun and put over the barbs. When it cooled, it sealed. It hasn't leaked so far.

[Luthien]

So I am done with classes but still can't get back to work on my project right now. Got some health problems going on.