Quadriplegic Steam Punk First-Time PC Build Case Modification View 31 TG Custom Loop Copper

SteamPunk Custom PC Copper Watercooling by Quadcapable

Preface

I began this build over a year ago with the assumption I could have it completed within a few months. A year later and after several RMA resolutions and a very tricky timing bios issue is finally my daily driver. Because of my disability (quadriplegic), there have been some additional issues when trying to communicate my ideas to the actual hands putting the computer together. Luckily, I have been able to have some very good people assist me, get frustrated with me, but in the end get the job done. Many of the components were taken from a computer purchased by the Department of Veterans Affairs for my use along with some of my own purchases.

Design

I want to incorporate Alice in Wonderland and Steampunk into the build and thought the best way to do that was to use one half-inch copper tubing along with the push to connect fittings by Sharkbite. I also painted the case to make it look more antiqued and added a decorative backdrop inside the case to bring the exterior and interior together. The lighting effect is meant to incorporate an Edison bulb glow to the interior.

CPU

I chose the I7-8700 K based on my personal workload. I typically use my computer as a workstation for video editing (minimally) and a lot of streaming and gaming. My stream has offset to a different computer for rendering, etc. I have managed to overclock the CPU on all six cores to 5. 2 GHz stable at 30°

Motherboard

At first, I had chosen the Asus Hero, but after having to RMA that board I upgraded to the Formula X. this board was also an RMA as apparently, my first 8700 K was shorting out my motherboards. After a couple of months of Postal Service back and forth. I had a CPU and motherboard that really like each other and managed to POST and load Windows.

Memory

from all of the forms, I have read this particular combination of CPU and motherboard work well with 3200 MHz RAM. I chose the RGB Trident Z because of the lighting effect along with the great reviews of that particular RAM. There were some timing issues initially and I had to disable fast booting power to synchronize everything for startup.

Storage

Samsung 960 Evo 250 MB for the operating system and any programs I run daily. Initially, I will have a second m.2, but for now, I am backing up to a secondary SSD which only shows signs of lag when rendering large videos.

GPU

The 1080 from MSI came with the build from Department of VA, so I transferred to this case. It manages to run every game I have at 144 MHz refresh rate FPS. Unfortunately, with the prices of GPU’s. I will have to wait on the 1080 TI so that I can update this graphics card. But I am very happy with the 1080 Aero OC 8 GB from MSI. I overclocked with MSI Afterburner 2075 MHz 11200 euros for the memory at 32°C. 1043mV

Case

I chose the case because of its rigidity and that it can be gutted relatively easily and allow for more customization.

PSU

Fully modular with a great control panel enough power to launch a rocket ship. 1200 W may be overkill for this particular build. The PSU was also from the Department of VA computer. I think that the HX or AX 650 and up from Corsair would be just fine.

Watercooling

 

I recommend water cooling hands-down over any other type of cooling readily available to the average consumer. I chose a rather difficult way of and permitting cooling, but if you were to use flexible tubing. You would be able to get by with a lot less of an expense. AIO coolers are a simple but effective way to meet most cooling demands. The Kraken G 12 helps with incorporating your GPU for cooling without breaking the bank. If you are considering a loop for your build. I advised to keep it very simple and you will find you may end up with something like I have.

 

My temperatures for the CPU under-load the PC never goes over 50°C and at 29°C idle. Previously using air cooling temperatures Were around 65°C idle, and around 79° while gaming. I also de-lidded the CPU so that also assisted with the lower temps. My 1080 always ran over 80° no matter what settings were applied. With the water cooling, it stays at 30°C with overclocking and under stress.

Build Log

Contact

Quadcapable

 

 

 

Type	Item	Link
CPU	Intel – Core i7-8700K 3.7GHz 6-Core Processor
Thermal Compound	Arctic Silver – 5 High-Density Polysynthetic Silver 3.5g Thermal Paste	$5.65 @ OutletPC
Thermal Compound	ARCTIC – MX-2 4g Thermal Paste	$4.39 @ OutletPC
Thermal Compound	Thermal Grizzly – Conductonaut 1g Thermal Paste	$15.99 @ Newegg Marketplace
Motherboard	Asus – ROG MAXIMUS X FORMULA ATX LGA1151 Motherboard	$413.99 @ SuperBiiz
Memory	G.Skill – Trident Z RGB 32GB (4 x 8GB) DDR4-3000 Memory	$399.99 @ Newegg
Storage	Samsung – 960 EVO 250GB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive	$117.89 @ OutletPC
Storage	ADATA – Ultimate SU800 512GB 2.5″ Solid State Drive	$132.89 @ OutletPC
Video Card	MSI – GeForce GTX 1080 8GB Video Card	$689.99 @ SuperBiiz
Case	Thermaltake – View 31 TG ATX Mid Tower Case	$79.99 @ Newegg
Power Supply	Corsair – Professional Gold 1200W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply
Operating System	Microsoft – Windows 10 Home OEM 64-bit	$92.99 @ B&H
Case Fan	Noctua – NF-A14 industrialPPC-3000 PWM 158.5 CFM 140mm Fan	$27.39 @ Newegg Business
Case Fan	Thermaltake – Riing 12 LED Blue 40.6 CFM 120mm Fan	$11.19 @ OutletPC
Case Fan	Noctua – NF-A4x20 PWM 5.5 CFM 40mm Fan	$14.95 @ Newegg Marketplace
Monitor	BenQ – XL2730Z 27.0″ 2560×1440 144Hz Monitor
Monitor	BenQ – XL2411 24.0″ 1920×1080 144Hz Monitor	$263.94 @ Amazon
Keyboard	AZIO – MK RETRO Wired Standard Keyboard	$105.98 @ Amazon
Headphones	SteelSeries – Arctis 3 (Black) 7.1 Channel Headset	$75.59 @ Newegg
UPS	CyberPower – CP1000PFCLCD UPS	$129.95 @ B&H
Other	Quadstick FPS	Purchased For $599.00
Other	Alphacool Eisblock XPX CPU Waterblock, Titan Grey	Purchased For $77.99
Other	XSPC Razor RGB GTX 1080 / 1080TI GPU Waterblock (For Reference Cards Only)	Purchased For $99.00
Other	XSPC D5 Photon 270 Reservoir / Pump Combo	Purchased For $85.00
Other	XSPC EX240 2 x 120mm, Dual 120mm Multiport Split Fin Copper Radiator – Black	$56.99
Other	XSPC EX360 High Performance Radiator (Supports 3 x 120mm Fans)	Purchased For $63.41
Other	SharkBite U248LFA 90 Degree Elbow Plumbing Fitting Pipe Connector, 1/2 In, PEX Fittings, Push-to-Connect, Copper, CPVC	Purchased For $7.86
Other	Asiahorse Wireless RGB LED 120mm Case Fan,Quiet Edition High Airflow Adjustable Color LED Case Fan for PC Cases, CPU Coolers,Radiators system,3PACK	Purchased For $34.99
Other	Bitspower Premium Master Hard Tube Fitting MHT16 6 Pack – Abrasive Black	Purchased For $32.95
Other	Enzotech G1/4″ 90° Rotary Fitting, Chrome, 4-pack	$21.92
Other	Bitspower G1/4″ to Enhance Multi-Link Fitting for 16mm OD Rigid Tubing, True Brass, 4-pack	Purchased For $51.99
Other	Bitspower G1/4″ Stop Fitting, Matte Black, 4-pack	Purchased For $18.49
Other	Touchaqua G1/4″ Dual O-Ring Tighten Fitting for 16mm OD Hard Tubing (For Use with Bitspower Rigid Tubing Only), Glorious Black, 4-pack	Purchased For $22.95
Other	Super Bright Computer LED – Asiahorse RGB Multi Color 2pcs 12inch Magic LED Strip Light	Purchased For $7.99
Other	x2 Asiahorse Wireless RGB LED 120mm Case Fan,Quiet Edition High Airflow Adjustable Color LED Case Fan for PC Cases, CPU Coolers,Radiators system,3PACK	Purchased For $69.98
Other	Kingwin RGB LED Strip Lights, LED Light Strip For Computer Case, PC, Laptop, Home, Office, and Background Lighting. Ultra Bright 5050 SMD Strip Lights, 12 Inches [Asus Aura RGB Compatible]	Purchased For $9.03
Other	CoolForce Aluminum PC Cable Comb for 24 Pin Sleeved Motherboard PSU ATX Extensions	Purchased For $14.99
Other	Rockit 88 Delid & Relid for LGA 1150 & 1151	Purchased For $45.99
Other	upHere Sleeved Cable – Cable extension for power supply with extra-sleeved 24 PIN 8PIN 6PIN 4+4 PIN 500mm Length With COMBS, Black(19.7 inch/50 CM)	Purchased For $27.99
	Prices include shipping, taxes, rebates, and discounts
	Total	$4278.15
	Generated by PCPartPicker 2018-04-07 19:48 EDT-0400