[Build Log] EREBUS - X99, 900D, H2O

Introduction

Hello and welcome to project Erebus. My previous project, Aether, was a Crossfire R9 290X, watercooled Corsair 450D build. Erebus will be bigger and faster. The plan with this project is to create a silent, powerful gaming machine based on the X99 platform. 4K graphics and fully-watercooled, with rigid tubing.

Main components

• Case: Corsair Obsidian 900D
  
• Motherboard: MSI X99S SLI Plus
  
• CPU: Intel Haswell-E i7-5820K
  
• GPU: 3x XFX AMD R9 290X
  
• Memory: Corsair 16 GB DDR4 Vengeance LPX 2666
  
• Display: iiyama 4K FreeSync and 144 Hz FreeSync monitors
  
• PSU: Corsair AX1200i
  
• Cabling: Custom-sleeved with E22 Teleios

Watercooling components

• Radiators: 2x Alphacool NexXxoS UT60 Full Copper 480mm
  
• Pumps: 2x Alphacool VPP655 (Laing D5)
  
• CPU block: Alphacool NexXxoS XP³ Light (Black Chrome edition)
  
• GPU blocks: Alphacool NexXxoS GPX
  
• Reservoir: Alphacool Cape Corp Coolplex Pro 25 LT
  
• Fittings: Alphacool HT 16mm HardTube compression fitting G1/4
  
• Tubing: Alphacool HardTube 16/12mm plexi clear
  
• Coolant: Custom Mayhems purple pastel

• Fans: 16x Corsair SP120 Quiet Edition
  
• Fans: 3x Corsair AF140 Quiet Edition
  
• Fan controller: Lamptron CM615
  
• Flow sensor: Aquacomputer High Flow USB

Peripherals

• Keyboard: Corsair Vengeance K70 RGB UK
  
• Mouse: Corsair Vengeance M65 RGB

Confirmed sponsors

I would like to thank my kind sponsors for making this project possible.

http://i.imgur.com/EbzIFS2m.jpg

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Updates

1. Corsair parts arrived
   
2. Motherboard arrived
   
3. Test build
   
4. Alphacool parts arrived
   
5. Coldzero part fitting
   
6. Lamptron fan controller and 5.25" bay stealth mod
   
7. GPU block fitting
   
8. Fans, radiators and blocks
   
9. Rigid watercooling loop
   

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Custom gaming computers by Darwin PC

Darwin PC on Facebook

Corsair parts arrived!

I don't think anything could quite prepare me for the immense size of the 900D. I'm considering adding coasters for mobility, or perhaps I'll use some of those appliance rollers...

http://i.imgur.com/uy3mwxgl.jpg

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The motherboard arrived. MSI X99S SLI Plus. I love the look of it all in black.

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Hi guys,

A quick update to confirm the project will be using both 4K FreeSync and 144 Hz FreeSync displays.

More updates coming very soon...

I also started a test build. I'll be using a Corsair H105 until the loop is fitted. More pics coming soon...

http://i.imgur.com/UZWxlzzl.jpg

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Can't wait to see the OC on the 5820k! And just out of curiosity, if it's not being too indiscreet. How does one go about getting sponsored for building systems? I've seen this a few times and I had no idea this was even a thing. Is it tied into E-sports?

Aether build color scheme was amazing. Looking forward to see what you'll be doing with this. :)

Cheers,

Can't wait to see the OC on the 5820k!

Me neither - I'll get it overclocked as soon as possible!

How does one go about getting sponsored for building systems?

You need to approach a company with your plans and examples of previous work.

Aether build color scheme was amazing. Looking forward to see what you'll be doing with this. :)

Thank you :)

Alphacool parts arrived!

http://i.imgur.com/BHH5gQEl.jpg

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Finally making some more progress on the project. I fitted the awesome Coldzero kit for the 900D. Very impressed with the quality and engineering of the parts.

In the photos you might also notice my dolly trolley. It has made working on the system so much easier!

http://i.imgur.com/rHhz2XVl.jpg

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Current test build until I fit the loop:

http://i.imgur.com/1mFRB1il.jpg

Lamptron fan controller and 5.25" bay stealth mod.

http://i.imgur.com/45S1DZvl.jpg

Before...

http://i.imgur.com/4MBgh59l.jpg

Out comes the Dremel...

http://i.imgur.com/gEddzE0l.jpg

After...

http://i.imgur.com/BMq4IO3l.jpg

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Fitting two of the three R9 290X with Alphacool blocks.

http://i.imgur.com/eKvZN2ol.jpg

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Happy to say I'm back up and running after successfully fitting the loop. I'll be catching up with logs for a while!

http://i.imgur.com/CqHmjSLl.jpg

Spraying the Corsair SP120 and AF140 fan rings. No primer - I just sanded with about 200 grit paper, cleaned thoroughly and sprayed several thin coats. I'm happy with the paint, it has a good matt finish.

http://i.imgur.com/TJvC3fWl.jpg

Tower of fans...

http://i.imgur.com/G5TmcLTl.jpg

With painted rings

http://i.imgur.com/8xVKYVnl.jpg

Flushing the (2x) Alphacool UT60 480mm rads, ready for fitting.

http://i.imgur.com/k1LFx41l.jpg

Fitting the top rad. I had to solder a female-female adapter for the 8-way fan splitter.

http://i.imgur.com/V9xodHdl.jpg

Top rad fitted. Also fitted the GPUs, CPU and MOSFET blocks. My planned tubing routes are marked by pipe-cleaners.

http://i.imgur.com/NwzgmEBl.jpg

Drilled some holes - two in the midplate for tubes to pass through to the lower section, one above the res for a rear fillport, and a couple to mount the res holders further apart.

http://i.imgur.com/VDkPO91l.jpg

Both rads now fitted. I also used carbon fibre vinyl on the fans.

http://i.imgur.com/ueXsgSGl.jpg

More coming soon!

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Custom gaming computers by Darwin PC

Darwin PC on Facebook

Cutting, bending and fitting the rigid tubing. The tubing is 12mm ID / 16mm OD, which meant the bend radius was quite large.

This post shows a test fill with clear coolant - this will soon be replaced with a custom Purple pastel coolant from Mayhems...

Tools for cutting and bending

http://i.imgur.com/uuOp5S1l.jpg

First tubes in place - reservoir inlet and outlet, and fill port routing to the rear of the case

http://i.imgur.com/rdzWTwFl.jpg

90º bending mandrel. As it turned out, a tighter bend radius was needed...

http://i.imgur.com/Vpn51Phl.jpg

Improvised tight bend 90º jig, using the original mandrels for alignment, and a plastic bottle cut and nailed down for the bend itself

http://i.imgur.com/GWqS8ILl.jpg

Bending a tube with the new tight 90º jig

http://i.imgur.com/hIBVLHCl.jpg

Another improvised jig, used to secure the bent tube while bending again in a perpendicular plane. This gave perfectly-aligned bends

http://i.imgur.com/XHiguH5l.jpg

An improvised tight radius 45º jig, again using the mandrels as guides for the tubing

http://i.imgur.com/TJVotx9l.jpg

All bends done, tubing prepped and finished, and fitted in the system

http://i.imgur.com/FS2R574l.jpg

Test filling the loop with clear coolant. This was followed by a (successful) extended leak test. The coolant will soon be replaced with a custom purple pastel coolant from Mayhems​

http://i.imgur.com/idctohFl.jpg

Currently Blitzing the system before I fill with a custom Mayhems purple pastel coolant. More pics shortly.

I'll also be showing the finished build at the Alphacool stand at Insomnia 55, if you'll be there come and check it out!

Awesome! Make sure you find some of the Corsair guys and have them come check it out. Harry has a nice camera. ;):

Cheers Jon, will do :)

After several months planning and work, the project has finally reached completion. The ultimate 4K gaming computer with trifire R9 290X, X99 and DDR4 RAM. Full rigid watercooling loop including dual D5 pumps and two 480mm radiators.

Thanks to Alphacool for displaying the finished system at Insomnia Gaming Festival 55. That was a lot of fun! And a special thanks to all the sponsors for this project: Corsair, Ebuyer, Alphacool, iiyama, E22, Mayhems and Lamptron.

Custom gaming computers by Darwin PC

Darwin PC on Facebook

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Here you can see I brush Plasti-dipped the I/O ports black...

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On display at i55

http://i.imgur.com/Y6xsFIlh.jpg