[Project] I Need a Theme

[Silverdusk]

What I hoped to accomplish with this build was to:

1). To create a watercooling platform that will outlive many generations of new parts and builds.

2). Challenge myself with new ideas, primarily watercooling and overclocking.

3). Put together a system that puts an emphasis on function over form, however with a few bells and whistles.

Basically, I'd like to make this my build thread once I have the last component. It's actually based off of HardwareLogic's very own Raid's build, in form and design. What is the saying "imitation is the biggest form of flattery."

But of course it won't be identical to Raid's and I'd like to add a few perks for myself, but I need a theme! I was thinking Medusa, but I really can't find any good looking art of Medusa on the web. Basically, I'm having a front acrylic panel etched with a design of my choosing. I've thought of waves, icebergs, mermaids and I am having a hard time finding nice art work, maybe I'm picky :)

So here is a list of what I have already.

Here's a list of parts so far.

CASE - Custom Danger Den Torture Rack ((basically Dennis at DD is cutting custom holes in the sides to fit the Thermochill's - Also once I've decided I'll have a front panel engraved with some design.))
CPU - Intel QC2Q6600 -w/GO
VIDEO - BFG 8800 GTS G92
RAM - 4GB Muskin XP2 8000 Redline
MOBO - Asus Rampage Formula
PSU - Corsair 620HX
DVD - Asus
DVDR - Asus 20x w/ Lightscribe
Speakers - Klipsch
Monitor - Samsung 193P 19" - Will upgrade to a 24" soon
Mouse - Logitech MX Revolutiion
Keyboard - Logitech Wave


Air Cooling:

2 SilenX IX 120mm Fans
Scythe Fan Controller
6 Yate Loon Blue LED Fans


Water Cooling

CPU Block - D-Tek FuZion w/ Quad Nozzle kit & Pro Mount
NB Block - EK S-MAX Acetal
GPU Block - EK (G92) Nickel Plated
Pump - 2 Swiftech Mp655
Radiator - 2 Thermochill PA120.3's
Resrvoir - (2) EK 400 Multi-option
Tubing - Tygon 3/8" ID by 5/8" OD black tubing.
Fittings - D-Tek and Bitspower compression fittings 3/8" ID by 5/8" OD

The computer is up and running great on a motherboard try, I'm just awaiting my Torture Rack to watercool and overclock her. Pictures to follow, I promise.

Here are a few pictures I have tinkered with for the etching design.

Lotus



Medusa



and here's a sci-fi Medusa..... sorta

[screwballl]

first, may need to crop the middle medusa picture to make it family friendly

second, regardless of what you get, once the next gen CPU sockets are out, you will not likely be able to use whatever system you buy, and GPUs are just as bad at this. They change the mounting every 3-5 years, pretty close to that AMD and Intel do, although both are doing well now keeping the LGA775 and AM2/AM2+ sockets and mounts going.

[Jokerswild]

I like the sci-fi Medusa.

[Stormcrow]

You could always try Gorgon in your searches instead of just Medusa. Perseus may also turn up some things.

[RA1D]

wow, this is going to be good...

[Silverdusk]

Originally Posted by screwballl

first, may need to crop the middle medusa picture to make it family friendly

second, regardless of what you get, once the next gen CPU sockets are out, you will not likely be able to use whatever system you buy, and GPUs are just as bad at this. They change the mounting every 3-5 years, pretty close to that AMD and Intel do, although both are doing well now keeping the LGA775 and AM2/AM2+ sockets and mounts going.

Ack .. sorry about the middle Medusa, it should be corrected by now. No no ..

I basically, wanted something as a platform that I could grow with over many new builds in the years to come. I feel I've accomplished that in many ways, but I also realize that I'll have to get different blocks as I move on to new mobos, cpus and gpus, but I should be able to reuse my pumps, radiators and reservoirs over and over. It was a sizeable investment. I have everything now, minus the case and that shouldn't be to much longer.
Thank you Stormcrow, I'll give those a try!

[RA1D]

Originally Posted by screwballl

second, regardless of what you get, once the next gen CPU sockets are out, you will not likely be able to use whatever system you buy

this is not true at all. the dtek fuzion block comes with two different mounting plates, one for intel sockets and another for amd sockets. if a new socket were to come out in the next few years, all it would take would take to stay compatible is a new mounting plate. the block itself would continue to be usable.

[screwballl]

Originally Posted by RAID

this is not true at all. the dtek fuzion block comes with two different mounting plates, one for intel sockets and another for amd sockets. if a new socket were to come out in the next few years, all it would take would take to stay compatible is a new mounting plate. the block itself would continue to be usable.

understood, I can see where you are coming from... I bet some companies would stand behind their products and send out a new plate free or at a reduced rate...
thats also why I like coolers like the Big Typhoon, it has a plate with a whoel bunch of holes so theres a chance it will still work with the new Intel 1207 socket or whatever comes next.

and silverdusk... no problem thats why I gave you a heads up. I have not seen any lifespan numbers for WC equipment compared to fan based equipment but of course fans have been the computer cooling method for longer than I have been alive (30+ years), and I have seen fans on 286's still running today and have run non stop since the day they were turned on (just saw one the other day, a server at work handling internal database flat files).

[Yellowhello]

Sounds very promising. Just a heads up, there has been a rumor that SilentX has some bogus dB ratings, so they may be a bit louder/push less air than they are rated.

[Stormcrow]

I've heard the same thing surprisingly, for high-end 120mm I'd recommend Scythe S-flex, Panaflo (Rexus) with the hydro-wave bearing if you can find them, or Antec Tri-Cools.