Completed Prolab's "Blacklab" WC project

[Prolab]

Guys/Gals,

Finally, im ready to WC my rig. Started more than a year ago as a budget video encoder + light gaming.






Then, throughout the last 6 months or so - slowly started making some changes (since, i cant really leave anything alone).



I know. Its looks very puny inside the HAF X. Stayed with the case for a few weeks or so, then changed my mind. Again.

So bought a 800D with WC in mind...




So i started collecting WC parts. Then Xmas and Boxing Days sales came around. Damn, my wallet is hurting but a bigger step into a better rig...





Then the HWC get together came up. Talked to a few guys and learn more about WC, the what ifs and not. Ive gotta say, im glad i came out that night. Learned some things and made a few acquintances.

Then the 6950 hack came out and decided, to pull the trigger and sold my 4890. Then, bought a few more WC parts...








And the last few weeks, bought more parts from Gary and Daz. Thanks guys for an awesome service and fast shipping.





Still waiting for the 6990 review, so for now, im just WC the CPU. But will WC the GPU if i decide to keep the 6950 or sell and move up to the 6990. Now, im just waiting for NCIX to deliver my tubing, fans and ill be posting and updates for the Blacklab.

[Prolab]

Well, finally got my sleeves from MDPC-X. And started practicing on sleeving.

I found an 3-pin ext for my xigmatek fans but i couldnt for the life of me take out the wires after i use mdpc tool to press the tab in. So i went to look at my 655 and decided to sleeve it. I cut the sleeve to about the same length from the tip of the 655 to the solder points of the pins. But i messed up heating the shrink tube and the sleeve shrunk as well.

So this is what it looked like:




I need more practice .

BTW, how do you get rid of this tab right above the wires? Ive tried prying it off with a really small screwdriver and my teeth and its a no go .






More updates to come. Still deciding what wires i want to sleeve and color combination. As well, im still waiting on some sleeves from MDPC.

[Prolab]

Okay, another update...

Taking it fan apart...




I tried sleeving my 2 intake fans. First one was okay:




But i think the second one was better:




Here's the 2 fans already assembled and sleeved:




Unto the rads and rad fan. Here's one of the fans with the rubber isolator/vibration kit:




Then starting to assemble it. Then i notice, i cant screw the middle fan. Turns out, the vibration kit are a bit too thick and it offsets the fan from the ran mounting hole.




So i had to install the vibration kit on the 2 most outer fans. Then left the middle fan as it is. Here they are assembled.




Starting to take the rig apart.




Dont have a masking tape so had to use duct tape to mark where to drill:




Now, with the tripple rad on top:




Another look from the front:




Another view:




Had to move the BR player and SSD to the lower slots:




Now with the block, fittings and pump:




Tubing now in place:




The pump temporarily in its place:




One more look before leak testing:




And another:




So, double checked my fittings, tubing and location of the pump and block. Made sure their all tight and fit. Start pouring water, and my CPU block starting to leak!

Turns out, i screwed up putting the mounting plate and o-ring in place. And i cut the o-ring in half, SOB .

So i had to stop everything, cleaned off the excess water and ordered from EK 5 spare o-ring. So the rig is on hold till i get it. Hopefully by next week .

[ZZLEE]

Nice build log :) :)

Try Home hardware and ask fore a O ring or faucet kit might do the trick temporarly till you get the part.

Or hit up a plummer friend if you have one.

[Prolab]

Originally Posted by ZZLEE

Nice build log :) :)

Try Home hardware and ask fore a O ring or faucet kit might do the trick temporarly till you get the part.

Or hit up a plummer friend if you have one.

Oh, thanks for the hint. I can find this at home depot or rona can i and Its a universal o-ring yes?

[ZZLEE]

O rings vary some bring one with you to compare in the store. Get as close as you can to the same size.
When you install it make sure you have extra thread space just in case itis not.

I would still order some propper ones and keed a few on hand fore feuter need.

[Prolab]

Okay, so finally after a week of waiting parts, re-installing the o-ring a few times and little blunder here and there, she's finally completed.

Leak testing after 2nd installation of o-ring:




After 3rd...



And testing all the fans after resleeving them:




Here she is after leak testing and checking everything out (i apologize, my camera is from 2005. Horrible CMOS).

[ZZLEE]

Looking Pritty.

Hows your Temps ?

Watch North Bridge and South Bridge temp as you Overclock.
might need some fan action on them.

[Prolab]

Thanks!

Temps are quite good. Load temp with p95 (ambient temp is 23 C), is around 45 C. It used to be around 60 C with my coolit ECO.

My mobo temp (according to HwTemp is around 28 C). Im leaving it like so for a week before i start OC it again .