[Build Log] Project Rampage II

[congrade07]

​

Final Build Video

Project Rampage Images:



Front View of the Mobo






MSI 680GTX Twin FrozrIII SLI with Koolance VID680/EVGA 680GTX Baclplates


After more than a year I complete Project Rampage, I am back again. Not much changes in my components. It will be more of a change of casing and addition of radiators to this built. Color scheme of sleeves might change but will be making use of the remaining, red/black/white sleeves I have.

Links to various Project Rampage Logs and Achievements

VR Forum Project Rampage Build Log

Winner of Guru3D Rig of the Month March 2013

ASUS ROG Project Log Forum

Overclock.net Project Rampage Build Log

Official ASUS ROG Case Modding Forum

Above links are places where I would share my project logs and gather information on technical issues faced during the period of building Project Rampage.

Shortcuts to various build progress

Custom Spraying GT15s
Building Caselabs STH10
Back Panel Fittings
Poweradjust 2 Mounting Plate Prototype
Hex Radiator Grill
Poweradjust 2 Mounting Panel
Side Panel
DIY Lightbox


Project Rampage II Details

This project log will consists and document the progress of Project Rampage II. There will be frequent updates of the progress and sharing on technical issues faced and modding ideas to the fellow forum members.

I had made my order of Caselabs STH10 and its color will be the same as my current 800D which is black and white.

I had requested for the color of the interior to be full black. I did thought of getting total white but white will be harder to conceal stuffs. So I requested for custom color combination and It will look like my 800D but with upgraded and increase of space.

Rig's Components:
Intel i7 3930K
ASUS Rampage 4 Extreme
Corsair Vengence 1600 8 X 4 GB
Gigabyte 780TI GTX X 3 (Triple SLI)
Kingston Hyper X 3K 120GB SSD (Sponsored)
ADATA XPG SX900 128GB SSD
OCZ Vector 128GB SSD
2TB Seagate Green
Seasonic X1250
Caselabs STH10

Current Watercooling Components
Koolance RIVE Waterblock
Aquacomputer Aquaero 5 water block X 2
Aquacomputer Kyrographics Acrylic Glass Nickel 780 TI X 3
Aquacomputer 780TI backplate X 3
Swiftech MCP655 (Speed Control) X 2
Bitspower D5 Mod Kit Matt Black X 2
Bitspower D5 Pump Top X 2
EK 250 X2 Reservoir X 2
Lamptron Touch (controlling LED strips)
Aquacomputer Aquaero 5 Pro (fan controls/LED Controls)
Aquacomputer Aquaero 5 XT (fan controls/LED controls)
Aquacomputer Poweradjusts Mounting Kit
Aquacomputer Poweradjusts 2 USB X 3 -5 (pump controls/fan controls)
Aquacomputer Stainless Steel Filter
Aquacomputer Flow Sensor
Aquacomputer LED Amp (custom)
Bitspower Compression / Rotaries / Extenders Fittings (silver shining)
Koolance QDC / SLI Vid Connector Fittings (silver shining)
Phobya Extenders (silver shining)


Proposed Changes of WC Components

4 Radiators:
Phobya G Changer V2 360
Alphacool Monsta 360
Alphacool Monsta 480
Additional D5 Pump with Bitspower Mod Kit/ Bitspower V2 Pump Top
Dual DDC with Heatkiller dual DDC Top


Proposed Fittings and Tubing
E22 10/12mm Acrylic Tubing (Clear)
Bitspower Multi Link Adapter C47 X 36

Proposed Blocks/ Backplate
Aquacomputer Aquaero 5 Waterblock X 2

Fans
Gentle Typhoons X 11
Enermax Magmas X 12
Corsair Airflow Ram Cooler (for

Filters
Demciflex Caselabs Btm Chamber X 2
Demciflex Caselabs Flexbay 360 X 1
Demciflex Caselabs Top X1

For the fans setup, I am minimizing the use of fans as my rig is in my room and so is my baby as well. Dont wish to have a turbine or engine room and disturb my baby's sleep. So I propose to set all of my raidator fans as Push only.

Placement of Components

Radiator
2 X Radiator - Bottom Chamber
1 X Radiator Top Chamber
1 X Radiator Flex Bay

Reservoir
Motherboard Chamber

Pumps
Motherboard Chamber

 

[congrade07]

Did up a sample of how my STH 10 will look like


Same color scheme as my current Corsair 800D but just different casing.

For my order of Caselabs STH10, I had order the following additional accessories.

- 2 X 480 Radiator Stand
- 1 X 360 Flex Bay Radiator Mount
- Silverstone USB 3 I/O Panel
- 3 X 5.25 Inch Bay Mounting (Short, adjustable)

As you can see from the sample image of how my STH10 will look like. The ventilated doors will only be at the bottom chamber. I am intending to mount all of my radiators down at the bottom chamber.

My top chamber will be used to mount all of my 5.25 inch devices which includes the following.
- Aquacomputer Aquaero 5 Pro
- Aquacomputer Poweradjust Panel (Poweradjust 2 USB X 2)
- DVD Optical Drive
- Lamptron Touch (still considering if I should migrate this to the new casing as LED light controller)

Reason for the device to be mounted at the top is to be able to hide all of the unsightly cables, temperature probes and PSU cables at the top leaving the mid chamber free from unwanted sight of cables.

I might also create custom mounting holes for HDD cage to be place at the top chamber as well. But for now, I only have 1 X HDD and 2 X SSD which all can be mount behind the mobo panels.

Right now I am considering the following radiator to add on to my current radiator which is EK XTX 360 and EK XT 240 (Will replace my EK XT240)

1. Alphacool Monsta 360
2. Alphacool Monsta 480
3. XSPC RX360
4. EK XTX 360
5. EK XTX 480
6. EK XT 360
7. EK XTX 480

I am intending to install either 3 X 360, 2 X 360 with 1 X 480 or 2 X 480, 1 X 360 Radiator. I might be overkilled in getting 3 Radiators, but that is put in place just in the even I decided to add in my GPUs in my loop.

 

[congrade07]

After I made my purchase of the Caselabs STH10 I had a lot of ideas. As this case has endless and massive amount of space.

I had finalized a few things.

- Radiators (1 x XSPC RX360, 1 x EK XTX 360, 1 X EK XTX 480)
2 X 360 rads, 1 X 480 rads doing Push Config.

- Radiators to be mounted at the bottom chamber and RX360 be mounted at the flex bay

- drain loop be at the bottom of the casing (Using T Joint Fitting to create the drain loop)

- Mid and bottom chamber have their own pair of Quick Disconnect. This will allow easier draining and removal of radiators.

- DIY a lightbox

- DIY frosted LED light bar at the front panel side vents

- Using E22 tubings and Bitspower C47 fittings

- Coolant will be using Mayhem Pastel Red. Should be able to reuse them as just used them around 1 month only. I have additional 1 bottle of the pastel red concentrate.

- All 5 inch devices to be mounted at top chamber with PSU.

- Planning to install a HDD Cage at the top chamber
(Will have to check with caselabs if its possible)

 

[congrade07]

Had gotten a 1 X XSPC RX360 radiator, so now I am considering to get either a EK XTX360 or EK XTX480.

Proposed Radiator Mounting
Flexbay 120 X 3 (Front): XSPC RX360
Bottom Chamber (Bottom): EK XTX 360 and EK XTX 480 or double EK XTX 360.

As I have a XTX 360 and RX360 rads and do not wish to replace them. If I were to place 480 and 360 together, it would seem the 360 is a bit out of place. So I might as well install dual 360 at the btm to make it look "Balance".

Fans config I am planning to go Push config only as the rig be in my room with my baby sleeping in it. Really hoping dont wish to turn my bedroom into a turbine room. For those with babies will know, babies wake up at the slightest sound... I dont even dare to cough at times cause my baby cfm will wake up and cry and my wife would give me the Death Glare....


I had also contacted Bitspower Taiwan and will be ordering fittings directly from them. Shipping is a lot cheaper than PPC and discounts is given if quantity hit a certain amount. Below list is items which are shared by me and another guy whom is working on his WC loop also. But his items are more pricier than mine. So I guess my pockets will burn a smaller hole than his.

Lets have a look what we are ordering muahahaha....



Bitspower Order List
1. G1/4" Silver Shining Multi-Transfer Adapter BP-WTP-C03 X2
2. G1/4" Silver Shining Multi-Link Adapter BP-WTP-C47 X44
3. G1/4" Silver Shining Temperature Sensor Stop Fitting BP-WTP-CT X1
4. G1/4" Silver Shining Stop Fitting BP-WTP-C06 X15
5. Silver Shining T-Block BP-TMB X1
6. G1/4" Silver Shining CaseTop Water-Fill SET BP-WTP-C04 X8
7. Crystal Space L-Block BP-LB-CL X2
8. G1/4" Silver Shining T-Rotary IG1/4"X2 Extender BP-TR-C X1
9. silver dual g1/4 extender 20mm BP-WTP-C72 X2
10. silver mini snake style dual g1/4 extender BP-MSR X5
11. silver aqua pipe 1 BP-WTP-C17 X1
12. dual d5 mod top Pom version BP-2D5TOPP-BK 1
13. dual/single d5 upgrade kit 250 black Pom cap BP-D5TOPUK250P-BKCL X1
14. z cap II with 3 g1/4 BP-WTZPC2-BK X1
15. silver anti cyclone adapter BP-WTP-C46 X1
16. g1/4 silver d-plug set mini BP-WTP-C28 X5
17. Silver valve with black handle BP-MVV-SLBK X1
18. silver anti twist adapter BP-DR-C X2
19. O-Ring Kit For Bitspower Dual D5 MOD TOP (Deep Red) BP-ORK2D5MT-DRD X2
20. O-Ring Set II BP-WTP-O502-BK X1
21. G1/4" Silver Shining Mini Dual G1/4" Extender BP-WTP-C42 X2

 

[congrade07]

-Reserved for updates 05-

 

[congrade07]

-Reserved for updates 06-

 

[Preety]

What is the estimated build costs of the components?
Where do you purchase them from?

 

[congrade07]

What is the estimated build costs of the components?
Where do you purchase them from?

A lot of the components were from my previous built which was build last year with a total cost close to 8 - 10k for the whole setup which includes the peripherals and audio systems.

For internal PC components, I am reusing most of them but will have the intention to do Tri SLIs if possible. All of my PC components were purchased locally in Sim Lim Square.

For WC components, I have to purchase most of them (almost all of them) from US, Euro and Taiwan.

For the watercooling components, I had spent around 3 - 3.5k which includes the material cost of the case mods for the previous built.

For current proposed built, I need to spend at least another 600 - 800 more on the WC parts alone not including the caselabs casing which is priced around 1.2k SGD

 

[congrade07]

Today went down to Sim Lim Tower to purchase the following items.

- SKIL Heat Gun
- 1500 & 2000 Grit Sandpaper
- Small File for filing the tubes
- 4 X Gentle Typhoons AP15

As for now I am leaning towards for push or pull config only. If I were to mount Push Pull config, I believe my wife will kill me for having a turbine in our room.

Beside the noise factor, the the width of the Fans + Rads would be 25mm + 80mm + 25mm X 2. It will be 260mm back to back which I believe STH10 internal frame width is only 246mm.

If I were to do pull or push config, the total thickness of the rads and fans are only 210mm which gives the rads some breathing space.

But I might be considering to acquire 3 more Gentle Typhoons to my EK XTX360 to do push and pull config which are mounted in the flexbay of STH10.

By the way, thank you knightraven for selling me the QDC which now in total I have 5 pairs.

I have two more female QDC coming from US. The female threaded QDC which I ordered from Hong Kong is OOS.

I ordered from linkecomputer which is based in Hong Kong. I email and asked if they still have stock for it. They told me there are stock for it. After I paid, they email me notifying me that the stock had the wrong SKU on it and was the male variation. So had no choice but to make a refund for it.

But right now I have 5 pairs QDC and the plans for them are.

2 Pairs QDC - Bottom Chamber Radiators
2 Paris QDC - Flex Bay Radiator
1 QDC - Use as spare

Right now, I had also increased the numbers of fittings needed as I am leaning towards creating the same parallel fitting design on my board but with different design.

I am leaving the design aside for now till my E22 tubings arrive.

Currently a buddy of mine had help to order a total of 25m of E22 tubings for four of us. I am ready to bend some stuff.

 

[congrade07]

I had also done up the layout of flow and components placement for the new build.

Components Layout


Tubing Loop Layout



The above loop layout is almost identical to my current loop. But I be using the acrylic tubing to create some special bends in my built.

 

[congrade07]

I am placing an order of $800 worth of fittings from Bitspower Taiwan. Experience learnt, not all Bitspower items are worth getting as some are even overpriced compared to the resellers in US such as Performance PC.


Fittings I ordered include C47 X 40pc, and some other rotaries extenders.

I had also gotten most of the tools needed for this upcoming built. I have to purchase a small wooden plant, and a can of color spray for my newly bought Gentle Typhoons.

Estimation Arrival of Parts:
Monsta 480mm Rad: 1st week of Sept
Monsta 360mm Rad: 1st week of Sept
Bitspower Fittings: 1st week of Sept
Koolance QDCs: 2nd week of Sept
E22 Tubings: No news as for now but items shipping to Vpost UK now

Items yet to purchase or plan:
Lightbox
Light Bar Strip (for front panel)
Fan Hub (Might be getting Deep Cool 4 X 3pin Fan Hub)
120mm Fan Grill X 4
Spray paint for fans

 

[congrade07]

For Project Rampage II, I had purchased most of the stuff/ equipment for the built.

I had ordered fan hubs, fittings, cable management clips, fans from Performance PC. It is due to arrive very soon, hopefully this week.

For my fittings, I had also placed my order of close to $450 worth of fittings today from Bitspower Taiwan.

As the Bitspower C47 Silver Shining are out of stock at the moment. I will have to wait for the stock to replenish before they are able to mail over by EMS.

For Bitspower Silver Shining C47 fittings alone, I had ordered 36 pieces of them. I had also order 8 additional pieces of Bitspower 90D Rotaries and 4 pieces of mini D Plugs from Performance PC.

Reason I gotten the 90D Rotary and D Plugs from PPC, is because Bitspower Taiwan are selling much more expensive compared to PPC.

I had also bought all of my fans for my built.

11 X Gentle Typhoons AP15 (7 Reused from current built)
3 X Enermax Magmas

Fans Assignment
480mm Monsta Radiator - 4 X Gentle Typhoons
360mm Monsta Radiator - 3 X Gentle Typhoons
360mm EK XTX 360 Radiator - 3 X Gentle Typhoons
Top Intake - 3 X Enermax Magmas
Rear Intake - 1 X Gentle Typhoon

Airflow
I am creating a Positive Airflow in my rig which all of the fans will be doing intake (Except for btm chamber radiator fans).

In order to keep the dust at bay, I am ordering Demciflex Filters for my built. Demciflex had served me very well for the last 2 years on my HAF X and current Corsair 800D.

I will show the steps on dismantling Gentle Typhoons in the next post with some pictures. Hoping that with the pictures link, it could give some guidance to people who are trying to paint their Gentle Typhoons.

 

[congrade07]

Painting Gentle Typhoons
I had took some images for reference, hope it will be useful for fellow forum members/modders who are keen in coloring their Gentle Typhoons.

Removal of Sticker (voiding of warranty)


Use a lighter/ heat gun to heat up the stickers to ensure no residue left behind for easy removal of the sticker.


Close Look at the C Clip


I used two tweezers and a magnet to remove the C Clips. Magnet is used to attract the C Clip it if the C Clip were to fly out (It does happens very often)

Holding onto the fan blade, I used one tweezer to hold one side of the C Clip and used the other to ply it open. Do note that the C Clip will be very likely to fly away so make sure get the magnet close to the C Clip when removing.

If you lose your C Clip = $20 down the drain.

Dismantled Gentle Typhoons


After dismantling you will have the following parts. Pls keep them in zip lock bag to prevent any item lost.

- Gentle Typhoon Frame
- Gentle Typhoon Fan Blade
- 2 X Ball Bearing (one with fan blade, one removal from the rear of the fan frame)
- 1 X Spring
- 1 X C Clip

Completed Gentle Typhoon


After dismantling the fan blades, use the spray paint and paint the blades. One tip, paint the blades in thin layers. Wait for each layer to dry before applying the next.

After the blades are painted, fix the blade back to the fan frame. Do remember to use the magnet as well when fixing the C Clip.


Thank you for viewing.

 

[congrade07]

Did some planning and for my final Aquaero 5 Pro and Poweradjust 2 setup would be as followed:

On Aquaero 5 Pro
Aquaero 5 Channel 1: 4 X AP15 (480 Monsta)
Aquaero 5 Channel 2: 3 X AP15 (360 Monsta)
Aquaero 5 Channel 3: 3 X AP15 (360 XTX Push)
Aquaero 5 Channel 4: 3 X AP15 (360 XTX Pull) *will have to purchase 3 X AP15

On Poweradjusts 2 USB
Poweradjust 2 USB 1: D5 Pump 01
Poweradjust 2 USB 2: D5 Pump 02
Poweradjust 3 USB 3: Enermax Magmas Top Intake


Was busy spraying color on my newly bought AP15 and Enermax Magmas for the past two days.

Gentle Typhoon and Enermax Magmas



Came home today and guess what arrives. My Female Koolance VL3N Barb had arrived. Been waiting for the past 1 week plus for it. Right now I have a total of 5 pairs of QDCs, I might order 2 more pieces of VL3N Female Threaded and 1 more piece VL3N-MG Male Thread to have 6 sets of QDC with 1 pc as draining tool.

Koolance VL3N 3/8 Barb


Koolance VL3N Quick Disconnects (G1/4 Threaded, Compression, Barb)

 

[congrade07]

Was busy the whole weekend, and looking forward for my Caselabs STH10 arrival.

It finally arrives yesterday evening.

Rushed home like a young boy to open his present. When got home, I saw the package lying at the doorstep. Freaking huge package.

Opened the package and found out something amiss....

Some of the parts that I had ordered separately are all in white instead of black.

I had custom the black and white colors, Exterior all white except for flexbays are all black.

Interior wise, all black.

The parts that I ordered all came in white,

- HDD Cage
- Short 5.25 Adjustable mounts X 3
- 480 Radiator Stand X 2


Even the 4 sets of 5.25 mounts are white too....

Worst case is, the HDD cage is bent!

I had yet to fix them up and yet so many issues. So discouraging.....

So I sent them email notifying them about this issue and hope they could give me a solution...

As I need to drill some holes for reservoir mounting, I cannot fix up the whole case yet.

So visually, I see no errors or faults on the casing so I am hoping nothing goes wrong with the panels.

 

[congrade07]

In order to be able to fix up the case, I will need to get the Chassis Divider holes to be done. I had no confidence in getting it done without scratches onto the case so I had to send it down to MOPC today.

At MOPC, all thanks to Kenclass he had helped to give me more ideas in my built include the mounting of holes.

Instead of just drilling 2 X M3 Holes for the reservoir clips, Kenclass suggested me to drill G 1/4 holes instead.

In total 3 X G1/4 holes were drilled which I will further explain the use of them later.

As for now, I am waiting for the replies of Caselabs and hope they can help to resolve the issue by replacing the parts...

I am expecting a few shipments in the upcoming weeks when includes,

- 2 - 3 Koolance QDC,
- 40m of Red Sleeves
- 20m of Grey Sleeves
- 30m of White Sleeves
- 20m of Orange Sleeves
- PCI E Connectors (Red)
- Cable management clips
- PCI E Extension cables (80CM) X 4
- 1M LED Strips (White) X 2
- 3PIN Fan Cable (80CM) X 2
- Enermax Magmas X 4
- Heat Shrinks (Red/Black/White)
- ATX Modding Tools
- 3 Pin Male Connectors (Black)
- Bitspower Fittings (close to $800 of fittings combined with Hianyiaw)
- Demciflex Filters (For Caselabs STH10)

I had also bought additional fans recently.

5 X Enermax Magmas
1 X Corsair Airflow Ram Cooler

The ram cooler is to be used with my row of 3 Aquacomputer PowerAdjust 2 USBs. As there are no aircooling solution for the Poweradjusts so I intend to use the ram cooler to cool them.

In total now which includes my incoming orders of 4 X Enermax Magmas, I have the following number of fans.

- 12 X Enermax Magmas
- 11 X Gentle Typhoons.
- 01 X Corsair Airflow

I am intending to do Push and Pull for my 360 Front Flex Bay radiator, and Pull config for both rads at the bottom.

Fans Config
6 Magmas - 360 XTX Radiator (Flexbay - Push and Pull)
4 GTs - 480 Monsta (Btm Chamber - Pull)
3 GTs - 360 Monsta (Btm Chamber - Pull)
1 GT - Rear Exhaust
3 GTs/ Magmas Top Intake

I will have a total of 6 spare fans GTs/ Magmas which I will decide again when I gotten hold of the Monsta Rads. I am still hoping I could do a push and pull config for both the Monstas.

 

[congrade07]

Spent a total on 3.5 hours just to fix up the STH10. Took my time as I dont wish the screw driver to go flying and scratch the case.

Fixed up the Main Frame of the STH10, Its MASSIVE



After fixing it up, I started to plan for the relocation and placement of the HDD cage and 5.25 inch bays.

Completed STH10
™

 

[congrade07]

Reserved for updates

 

[congrade07]

Been buying all the stuffs required by this Project Rampage II for the past 3 weeks.

My orders from Demciflex had finally arrive today, and expecting for my Bitspower fittings to arrive today as well.

Been lurking at Tao Bao and hooting lots of modding stuffs there. It is modder's heaven there as they have lots and lots of items over there for modders.

I am just hoping that the quality of the sleeves to be on par with MDPC.

I had decided to hoot another Aquaero 5. I bought this off from a bro in VR Forum which he said he had no use for his Aquaero 5 XT. So I gladly told him I could have made full use of it.


Collected from him and found out that it came with black faceplate and also waterblock which is very sweet deal for me.

I also bought 1 X Poweradjust 2 USB, 1 X Aquaero 5 Waterblock and also some additional cheap phobya stop fittings and dual G1/4 transfer adapters which collected from Bro Inoran.

Right now I have dual Aquaero 5 with 3 X Poweradjust (Might hoot two more Poweradjust)


Some might comment that AQ6 is coming soon in Oct. But since I had bought AQ5 Pro and 3 X Poweradjust and their accessories, I dont wish to waste my time and money to puchase the AQ6 which I think will easily hit $300 for the highest end model.

I might be running both if the AQ5 Pro and AQ5 XT independently since I wont be utilizing the USB 2 ports anyway. I am not sure if its possible but I will tryout soon to test the working condition of the newly bought AQ5 XT.

I might be customizing the Triple Bay flex bay panels in order to hold the 5 X Poweradjusts (if I were to buy over the 2 X Poweradjusts) as the color of the mounting bay for Poweradjusts seems to have a ligher shade of black comparing to the rest of the faceplate of my STH10 and the Aquaero 5.

 

[congrade07]

Sneak peak at what arrive today at my door step.

Bitspower Fittings


My Haul


Jayson's Loot


My Platoon of Fittings (more in my current rig)


I guess I am more or less ready for the migration really soon.