Jump to content

Toxic Envi - 900D, 4930K, R4BE, EKWB, WC


Gary Murphy

Recommended Posts

I decided to try out the 240GB ASUS Raidr Express. 

 

RAIDR Express is the world’s first and only PCIe-based SSD that features two BIOS chips and an onboard hardware flip switch, letting you alternate between legacy and UEFI modes.

 

mCVo5Js.jpg

 

The card itself is small and the appearance is a sleek red and black.

 

x2Mwk4d.jpg

 

The card even includes an attractive backplate to cover the PCB card.

 

kQL060h.jpg

 

Here the card is mounted on the motherboard between the two GTX 780 Ti video cards.

 

EUbGNVF.jpg
 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Replies 29
  • Created
  • Last Reply

ASUS recently released the ROG Front Base Dual-Bay Gaming Panel and I will be using this for fan control and one-click overclocking. 

 

zaPU3XS.jpg

 

Here the unit is mounted in the front panel, along with the NZXT Hue. The bottom empty bay will be closed off with the 900D cover.

 

1iXGPya.jpg

 

I also installed a custom illuminated back plate created by ColdZero. It fills the empty space left when I removed the hard drive bays.

 

Lhy4dHS.jpg

 

With all of the hard drive bays removed, I decided to mount the SSD drives on the side of the 5.25" bay assembly. First, some holes had to be cut for the cables to pass through.

 

IFsRVS4.jpg

 

Both SSD units mounted cleanly and with minimal cables being seen.

 

ObIDpbS.jpg

 

To keep a clean appearance, I closed off the back of the 5.25" bay area so that all cabling is covered.

 

s1qNL01.jpg

 

I mounted the motherboard into the case to prepare for wiring and tubing configuration.

 

muRxSWw.jpg
 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Here are the power cables before any sleeving is done. These are primarily the 24-pin main, 4-pin CPU, 8-pin CPU, and 4 PCI-E cables.

 

QWcbeEn.jpg

 

I am using the MDPC-X toxic green and black sleeving material. I really dislike heatshrink material since it is rather difficult to get them lined up correctly. For this build I decided to try the heatshrinkless method that was developed by LutroO and demonstrated in his videos. This was by far the easiest method to do and rather enjoyable too. It took me easily half the time to finish the 24-pin compared to the traditional heatshrink method.

 

I am using some of his stealth cable combs to help dress the cables.

 

Here is a shot of the 8-pin CPU power and 24-pin main power cables.

 

yfd72PC.jpg
 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Made some more progress this week.

 

Reassembled the top filter with the powder coated cover and installed it back on the computer. I love the complementing colors!

 

enkMzVk.jpg

 

Here is another shot of lighted back cover piece with the NVIDIA logo.

 

JuAiJUx.jpg

 

Connected the top 8 PWM fans to the PWM splitter that will connect to the motherboard. You can see the reservoir fill port on the back of the motherboard tray.

 

x7yY4Ep.jpg

 

The ASUS ROG Front Base and NZXT Hue are just waiting to be powered up and used.

 

3dirXeA.jpg

 

The mid-plate shelf is ready and the pass-through ports drilled. I should be installing it this weekend.

 

H2YeTli.jpg

 

Here is the current state of the build.

 

ZlHFV8X.jpg

 

Close-up of the motherboard area with the sleeving installed. The heatshrink-less method is by far easier and faster than the conventional method. Love the end result!

 

DO2M9F7.jpg
 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I mounted the pump in the bottom compartment. You can just see the non-vibration foam pad I placed between the pump and the case bottom to minimize any pump vibration effects.

 

YWo7bHh.jpg

 

For the case bottom I decided to use EK-ZMT tubing since it will be hidden and the bends are difficult. Here is the tubing prior to any installations.

 

6h0Srfu.jpg

 

This tubing is very nice and solid. I highly recommend it!

 

I installed the second 8-way PWM splitter behind the pump. This splitter will be used to connect the lower 6 PWM fans to the motherboard.

 

dkVM2t3.jpg

 

I was also able to mount the mid-shelf in place and secure it. Cleanly hides the lower compartment with all the PSU cables and pump.

 

ebHnvko.jpg

 

Here is a shot with the lower side panel closed.

 

Du5QNOH.jpg

 

The tubing is completed for tonight! Here is a side shot of the pump with all the tubing connected. The section of tubing in the front left of the shot is a drain tube with shut off valve and stop fitting.

 

hYNLecZ.jpg

 

Front shot of lower tubing.

 

OC92AiR.jpg

 

Purchased the Primochill Rigid Acrylic Bending Kit shown below. This kit includes some Acrylic Cleaner, cotton gloves, cleaning cloth and tubing insert.

 

rgLnNng.jpg

 

Was surprised to find that the tubing insert was hollow and not solid.

 

RaFMSXX.jpg

 

For accurate bends, I also got the Monsoon Hardline Pro Mandrel Kit - 3/8 x 1/2 (13mm). Now this is a very professional kit with some of the nicest tubing angles I have seen. It includes 45 degree, 90 degree, 180 degree and 360 degrees angles machined out of aluminum. The tubing insert in this kit is solid!

 

iZa6erJ.jpg
 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Wow! This was my first experience with working on acrylic and it was definitely tedious and demanding. I have done many builds using the flexible tubing and they were a breeze. A typical flexible tubing installation took only about an hour or two and it was done. No mess or confusion.

 

You must respect the PETG acrylic tubing and take your time if you want the result to come out decent. I spent the past two days measuring and bending the tubes for this build and learned a lot. I purchased eight 36" tubes for this project and ended up only using four of them. I only had a few 'mistakes' and they were short sections, so the waste wasn't all that bad.

 

Here is some shots of the tools I used for the cutting and bending of the tubing.

 

The Kawasaki heat gun was a dream to use; so quiet and it heats the material evenly.

 

3cKEFhJ.jpg

 

I used a dremel to 'fine tune' some edges and smooth out some of the rough edges left after cutting.

 

eM1Q4DQ.jpg

 

For a smoother end, I used some sandpaper wrapped around a block of wood.

 

0iCQs0Z.jpg

 

To get inside the tubes, I used some good ole' pipe cleaners.

 

DhyKoMp.jpg

 

Here is that trusty dremel after a few tubes are completed. You can see some of the mistakes in the background.

 

wmq0hlC.jpg

 

Here are some of the fittings used to connect everything. Twenty of the Primochill Revolver fittings and a good assortment of Bitspower compression fittings.

 

bnt6olO.jpg

 

After two days, here is the result. I have a fan ring off and disconnected some wiring and memory during the installation.

 

4uwVfBy.jpg

 

Used a handy funnel for the filling process.

 

sWSEpqr.jpg

 

Now for the leak testing phase. Only the pump has power applied and it is whisper quiet!

 

Qee2zlq.jpg

 

You just cannot have too many paper towels in this phase.

 

kdRMGET.jpg

 

The only leak occurred in the first 30 seconds and it was on the reservoir. The bottom rubber gasket of the glass was not seated fully and a small amount of water leaked. Took about 15 minutes to disassemble and re-seat the gasket. Now fully watertight!

 

MERneBD.jpg

 

I will let the test continue for another 24 hours to ensure everything is fine. In the past 4 hours there has not been a single leak of any acrylic tubing or their fittings!
 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Well, it has been over 15 hours and not a single drop from any fittings or tubing!

 

I thought it was time to add a little color to the toxic green right side case panel and the front panel.

 

I used a high quality vinyl applique of the NVIDIA logo to match my theme.

 

Here the applique is being centered on the panel.

 

4cDramO.jpg

 

The vinyl backing slides easily off, while the applique remains firm.

 

FgwO2ys.jpg

 

Applique centered and ready for the case.

 

lNHflir.jpg

 

Now for the front panel. Without a small graphic at the bottom it looks too plain.

 

1HUMRs5.jpg

 

I created a smaller version to match where the Corsair logo was and centered it appropriately.

 

U0bnLQx.jpg

 

Here the magnetic side panel air filters have been re-installed.

 

hqRpkQZ.jpg

 

Here are some shots of the exterior with the new artwork.

 

E4pOltT.jpg

 

FdsTac8.jpg

 

TsgMmbF.jpg

 

HOq2Hjo.jpg
 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have to agree with the majority and have come to dislike the bright red SSD cases. It really detracts from the overall black/green scheme.

 

I played with a few ideas and came up with one that does not void the manufacturer's warranty but still covers the red appearance.

 

I created some vinyl decals that completely cover the SSD but are removable if the drive fails. This keeps the warranty intact should I need to replace a faulty unit in the next 3 years.

 

Kgu4RSL.jpg
 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I spent the past 2 weeks preparing for and attending QuakeCon 2014 in Dallas, TX. The event was a large success and the case was well received.

 

This build was designed and built for the Classic Case Mod competition held at QuakeCon every year. This event draws modders from all corners of the globe and the competition is fairly tough. There are 3 categories (Classic, Scratch-built and Id/Bethesda-themed) and the entries included a wide-ranging variety of projects.

 

I came in 1st place for the Classic Case Mod category! I won in 2012 with my QuakeCon 800D build and I was a judge for the 2013 contest.

 

Now that the competition is over, it is time to sit back and play some games on this new build!!

 

Here are some photos of the completed project...

 

oLyxNlp.jpg

 

aRDz1pl.jpg

 

SMuHquu.jpg

 

yCT4zWx.jpg

 

uArabw7.jpg

 

jIwu8mV.jpg

 

NtRit3y.jpg

 

IGj66Bn.jpg

 

C2uV7i1.jpg

 

lQgmkJr.jpg
 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue..