[BUILD LOG] Project Tiny v1.0

KeYoKe

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Greetings all,

It has been 6 years since i ventured into custom built rigs. Throughout these 6 years, I have been changing and playing with new hardware, cases, cpu coolers ranging from air to AIO WC like nobody business :s13:

I still remembered when i got my first AIO cooler (Corsair H70) from one of the bro in HWZ. Times have changed and now is the RGB era where RAMs, SSDs, PSUs, and even AIO CPU Coolers are RGB.

I have also been considering to start my journey in custom WC rigs couple of times, but stopped myself as the initial starting cost is quite high and requires lots of work and time.

However, I am unable to resist the poison (sad to say :s22:) and overhaul my entire rig to go with ITX form factor as space savings is my main concern as my fiance is moving in very soon.

Lets kick off this build log with hardware selection of my rig.

Hardware Components:
Asus Z270i Strix w/ Intel I7 7700K
EVGA GTX 1080 Founders Edition
GSkill Trident Z RGB 2 x 8GB DDR4 2400MHz
Samsung PM961 OEM 512GB M.2 PCIE SSD
Corsair SF600 80+ Gold Power Supply

Case Selection:
Case selection is a very tough choice for me taking into consideration of the form factor, cooling performance and number of radiator it supports

I went with Lian Li PC-Q37 (Thanks to Corbell for bringing the case in for me) in the end as I love the looks of it and also gotten some advise on the airflow of similar design case (Lian Li PC-O11) from Royfrosty

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18485458_10155380844064703_2850598663148031892_n.jpg


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Hardware fitted in for temporary use:

18485608_10155380840344703_165190555424794799_n.jpg


Will like to take this opportunity to express my special thanks to Royfrosty, Cedesria and Op_Valkyrie for the advises and guidance provided thus far
 
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KeYoKe

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Watercooling Part Selection:

Aquacomputer Cuplex Kyros Nickel/Nickel
Bitspower GTX 1080 Reference Acrylic V1 RGB
EKWB XRES 100 D5
Harware Labs 240GTS U Flow Radiator x 2
Bitspower fittings and Drain Valve
Bitspower PETG Tubing
Mayhem White Coolant
Scythe Gentle Typhoons 3K RPM
Scythe Kaze Jyuni Slim Fans 2K RPM
Custom sleeved cables from Cedesria

WC parts are ordered from Performance-PCs and Bitspower and fans are from Taobao

Update 2nd May 2017: Ordered WC Parts from Bitspower and Performance-PCs and delidded I7 7700K
18557152_10155380839674703_4522870020836938119_n.jpg


Update 12th May 2017: WC Parts arrived at my doorstep, and also collected custom sleeved cables
18451533_10155380850469703_1431761688100570281_o.jpg


18447683_10155380841894703_2127728669251406270_n.jpg


Delidding i7 7700K

18447318_10155380839389703_7708228192624446171_n.jpg


18485797_10155380839549703_5013581970118134204_n.jpg


18556351_10155380839664703_717585304559920668_n.jpg
 
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KeYoKe

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Update 15th May 2017: Mounted CPU Block and GPU Block

CPU Block looks surprisingly good on the motherboard
18485578_10155380849989703_3876911668532203240_n.jpg


Today is a really sad day for me as GPU Block is a bit too wide causing the side panel unable to close. Cons of having a small case :(

18485833_10155380843164703_9138281911343129926_n.jpg


Contacted Bitspower to purchase this to solve the problem:
bp-vgamdlac-cl--1024x768-3.jpg


Also the GPU block has some manufacturing error for 2 of the standoff holes which the standoffs cannot be screwed in:

18485625_10155380841269703_6964507653735013668_n.jpg


18486327_10155380843154703_7912272038795196732_n.jpg


Highlighted this issue with bitspower and they will be sending a replacement together with the VGA Multi direction link with no questions asked

Really great service from bitspower!
 
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KeYoKe

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Update 16th May 2017: Tried out bottom fans and bottom rad fitting:

Another cons of having small case. GPU Block too close to bottom rad with bottom slim fans
18519739_10155380966524703_2956078066979037997_n.jpg


Current solutions:
1. Fit the slim fans at the bottom and custom cut PVC air filter and stuff it in between the ventilation holes at the bottom
18485834_10155380976079703_2944665708812709659_n.jpg


2. Order PVC air filter and magnetic strip at taobao and customise the bottom air filter to cover the entire bottom of the case and fit slim/normal thickness fans at the bottom of the case.

However, mounting of normal thickness fans will require slight clearance from the ground for airflow which can be solved by lifting the case off the ground for 5-10mm
 
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KeYoKe

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Update 18th May 2017: Bitspower shipment arrive for the VGA Multi Direction Link with replacement GPU Block

18555927_10155385435394703_8721577662148119488_n.jpg


Bitspower VGA Multi Direction Link:
18486421_10155385435524703_8821071147853558202_n.jpg


GPU Mounted with the water block:
18527634_10155385435124703_5600507237715242808_n.jpg


18556937_10155385434979703_2954536909545644629_n.jpg


THE MOMENT OF TRUTH:

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IT FITSSSSSSSS!!!!
 
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KeYoKe

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Update 22nd May 2017: Started WC components fitting, case and fan modding, and pipe bending

1. 10a.m - Started modding case for fitting a radiator at the bottom. Drilling job is very tough as there are ventilation holes at the bottom. Drill bit will slide around causing some severe scratches at the bottom of the case (luckily these scratches are covered by the bottom mounted fans

Result of the modding, the severe scratches are hidden under the fans :s13:

18623552_10155402079009703_186803539356398200_o.jpg


2. 1p.m - Sprayed the top Gentle Typhoons 3K RPM fan blade white and lunch

3. 2p.m - Started reservoir/pump fitting. Drilled holes at the case, but drilled holes doesnt align with the mounting holes, took multiple attempts to enlarge the drilled holes and filing and managed to fit 3 screws in (instead of 4)

4. 3p.m - Started pipe bending and top rad fitting

Still incomplete. But below is a picture of the progress for the day.
Need to order a few more fittings from bitspower
 
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KeYoKe

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Update 26th May 2017: New Bitspower Fitting, and the build carries on

As mentioned in my previous post, there is a lack of 90 degree fitting to be used from CPU block to bottom radiator. And the build carries on

During the wait, my hoot from taobao arrive, which consist of PVC fan filter and magnetic strip for me to custom cut the bottom air filter so that i can fit a standard height 25mm fan at the bottom.

18698089_10155415100979703_8021227243384698989_n.jpg


Also cut 8 pieces of 5mm thick rubber feets so that i can elevate the case a little for the bottom fans to take in air:

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Finally, done with the customised bottom fan filter:
18698228_10155415100844703_1114385401996623158_n.jpg



Fans changed to 1850RPM instead of the initial 3K RPM is the vibration it produce cause the whining sound when mounted on the bottom of the case even when i adjust the fan speed to 50%.
Tried to buy a longer m4 screw and washer to mount the bottom fans to the radiator to try to reduce the vibration of the fans, but failed:

18698099_10155415279624703_350414957565343295_n.jpg


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Also sprayed the 4 x Gentle Typhoons 1850RPM fan blade to white:
18740106_10155415100929703_2851445529102282370_n.jpg
 
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KeYoKe

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Update 27th May 2017: Completed all pipe bending and proceed with filling of coolant and leak test:


Only 1 fan is fitted in due to the need to fill more coolant the following day as the air clears out in the loop

18582024_10155399035179703_1174842829775254595_n.jpg


18765791_10155415122454703_1822370357630459598_n.jpg


Update 28th May 2017: Completed leak test and fitted in the fan and NZXT Hue+:


Completed build without the NZXT Hue+
18698405_10155415136949703_3557366998254626275_n.jpg


With NZXT Hue+:
18698274_10155415200179703_5086005197952814330_n.jpg
 
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KeYoKe

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Conclusion:

This case is not very easy to work with due to limited space (small form factor) and alot of modding has to be done in order for me to mount the bottom rad, and res.

Even to mount 2 x 25mm fans at the bottom, the fan filters that came with it doesnt work. So have to customise it.
Despite that, the 3K RPM Gentle Typhoons whining noise is really :s22: even when the fan speed is reduced to 50%, so i have to resort to changing the fans to 1850RPM.

Overall, it is a very tiring but yet fun process. Lots of patience required, which i admit i do not have (sadly speaking lol :s13:). This rig takes me 4 weeks from planning to completion.

Special thanks to royfrosty bro for the guidance and assistance provided thus far, Cedesria and Op_Valkyrie bro for the advises.

Also not forgetting Bitspower, Corbell (for the Lian Li Case) for helping me so much on this build
 
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KeYoKe

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Project Tiny completed on 28th May 2017!!
 
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