Project Log: TUF Amethyst

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you are everywhere!

looking good man

thanks!

with patience & time, everyone can do it.

 

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Update #7

TUF Amethyst Motherboard Sponsor. ASUS SG

Unboxing of Pumps:

- Hopefully they will be as durable as what people at OCN claims as my initial choice was Swiftech's 352x2 but due to not liking Mealstrom bay res design, I went with D5s
- Decided to go with Aquacomputer D5 with speed control as the price is cheaper than ppc & frozencpu has to offer.
- It comes with a simple bubble wrap around the pump & nothing else, just the bare vario.
- Although most pump tops or pump res does comes with O-rings supplied but good to note that aqc ones doesn't provide any.
- The length of the molex cable is about 1m in length, specifically planned massive build without the need of buying additional extension cables.
- It also comes with a single wire 3pin rpm read out of about 0.6m in length.
- The speed control is what I desired, a simple red knob well labelled with speed 1~5. Simple for old man to understand & use.

GPU Back Plate:

- Initially was thinking to get GTX 780 ref card just for eye candy active aqc backplate but I will like to use solid bridge rather than any other solution.
- Bridge is definitely the most solid/rigid solution to linking the blocks up & active backplate is not compatible with bridges.
- It comes in vacuum packed like bacons & uses really thick plastic. Looks very professional indeed.
- Practically zero defects that I can see or maybe my eyes blur blur at night but the super fine/smooth hairline finish is just speechless.
- The design is simplicity, industrial, ageless & pure beauty.
- It comes supplied with screws for the installation but no installation guide whatsoever but should be easy, so no worries for me.
- I always thought its a sticker at the back of aqc backplate but I was way wrong, they are actually deflashed stainless steel inserts. I was really astound by their standards.
- My initial plan was to remove the sticker & to do a color change but the inserts are permanently glued on.
- Consulted Sven & was told large force is needed & the risk is high in damaging the insert or the backplate as they are designed not to be fallen off during actual heating operation.

 

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Moar Color Change for Pumps:

- Will be installing the pumps onto Koolance RP-45x2 & they will look nice as stock but I prefer them to stand out a little more for the amount I paid for it.
- CF partial OD to maintain its industrial look nature.
- Sleeved the cables & swapped out the connectors to black.
- The bare wires are showing along the bents as the molex wires are twice the thickness of normal ones.
- Thought of using sata sleeve but it don't give the tight weave I always aim in my sleevings.

Even Moar Color Change:

- After some serious thoughts last night & I mean really long pause kind of deep thoughts.
- I eventually settled that having a black back plate on my purple armor mobo kit gonna be an eye sting ultimately.
- I kept molesting the finish several times even feeling them on my face.
- Finally I decided that I will be keeping the logo part while spraying the other side of the river instead.
- My aim is to have a splash of purple to match the theme but retain the stainless steel industrial look contrasting out from the natural hairline black.
- After discussing with Sven, I can actually get him to ship me another set of backplate with the logo came separately but... the stainless steel insert on purple doesn't contrast out the feel I have an eye for.
- The prep work for spray is horrible as I wouldn't want to sand the surface in case I want to revert it back.
- Spraying on anodized surface is bad, really really bad. bubbles, clouding, pigmentations, whatever u can think of from a failed spray job.
- I practically redid 4 times before getting to look acceptable.
- (Alcohol cleanse > masking > spray > wait 3hrs for result > thinner bath > masking > spray) x3 times.
- I refuse to give up as I already set my eyes on the end result as a whole.
- Finally it is done this very afternoon with acceptable flaws as compared to the previous 3 tries.

Next update will be long long again. Too much prep work like rinsing, sleeving & many more.

Thanks all for viewing~

 

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Update #8

TUF Amethyst Motherboard Sponsor. ASUS SG

Unboxing of Radiators:

- Waited for my radiators almost 2 months & finally.
- I thought the box was an oversized one but actually was the radiators which are oversized.
- The sheer wait of this box is killing my back.
- Packing of the radiators are simple & elevated within its own box with foam packing.
- A couple of damaged/warped fins but just simple nose plier fixed the issue.
- One thing I realised is the fins are significant thicker than any radiators I have used.
- Most radiators I have handled will crisp or tear when I use a plier to straightened the fins but definitely not this giant.
- Do watch out that AMS 360 radiator's width is 140mm instead of all competitors' 120mm.
- Few reasons I went with this radiator is for the full modularity / stainless steel frame / ports placements
- Have exchanged emails with Sven & confirmed the performance difference of AMS Alu vs Cu is negligible but with my mind set for a long term investment. This won't be a wrong purchase.
- The rest will be expressed in pictures, quality is just beyond words from me.

 

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Another Round of Color Test:

- The stainless steel side of the radiators will be a serious competitor to my focus point on the Gryphon's layout.
- I have nothing practically in my showroom area displaying stainless steel except for chrome.
- Having the principle of not side tracking of my designed theme for Amethyst, I gave up the idea to chrome them which will eventually be complicated.
- Chroming is a irreversible process from what I know thus it will only be the very last option for me on this build as my intention for this radiators is to last as long as possible.
- Buying of the stainless steel frame is available but not needed if I didn't screw up myself.
- Dismantling them was abit of a struggle after the 4nos of countersunk s/s bolts but no injury is incurred during the process.
- The pure copper core is just pure pron & zero soldering as promised which rid it of the standard radiator's stench or stain.
- As usual, the moment I spray something, rain will definitely follows.
- Did 2 times spray after thinner bathing & the result seems promising.
- I masked the fan mounting area leaving only the viewable area for color change.
- Also took the liberty to color mod the GPU backplate with a river to divide the black & purple.
- Masking it was really a chore, not to mentioned about redoing this for the 3rd time.

Thanks all for viewing~

 

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Update #9

TUF Amethyst Motherboard Sponsor. ASUS SG

Fabricating Pump Mod Kit:

- Finally, after near one month of work projects & bad eye infection, I can get to touch my pc again.
- Decided to go for mod stuffs as priority again.
- Went to shop for material at hardware store & found sus 316 hollow & solid bar but priced at $120.
- The material is sufficient for 4pcs of mod kit but I will go with 2pcs for a start, like to have buffer always when coming to machining.
- Its been years, since I last touch lathe machine, probably 6yrs when I first joined the company.
- Started to do some drawing first as usual. Note that the dimension is not the exact but altered to my satisfaction during the machining stage.
- Did a warm up with the hollow & the first cut tells me that I should have chosen aluminium instead.
- Sus 316 is awefully heavy due to its material density & definitely much much harder to cut.
- I just hate oxidation of alu that's all..
- Lucky for me, the material I got doesn't have much excess but still a challenge.
- The cap was the challenging part, especially the custom fit thread which have so tiny little room.
- For those who does machining on frequent basis, the pic will explain.
- The knurling was another nightmare due to my tool being almost blunt/flat which I have to go really really slow to achieve the result I wanted it to have with the torque.
- The cap's taper was changed from 35 to 25degrees, dare not go further as internal chamber will start to show in another 5~6mm.
- All radius, chamfers, tapering with radius really worn me down.
- I took the liberty to finish up the cap by screwing in onto the hollow section instead of doing the proper clamp/clock but the result is still good given my thread was done proper.
- I didn't use coolant as that will masked my sight. I used tapping fluid instead but it creates lotsa smoke when I do fast cuts.
- The way of securing the mod kit to the pump will be a M3 set screw.
- Cable exit will be from the top cap center which is easier to drill & can screw on the cap easily.
- Too much talking & complaining as it took me 4hrs to fabricate just 1 set on manual lathe.
- The machining pics are taken with phone camera as my hands are greasy with tapping fluid.
- Let the pics talk~

 

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Inspection of Pump Mod Kit:

- Initially wanted machine the first piece as a test/sample piece but I guess its done perfectly.
- Didn't miss any details & sizing have been done but will be shown later part when I have completed the 2nd piece to make proper presentation.
- I seemed too kiasu on the thickness but nothing beats the sense of overkill.
- Hopefully I can finish the kit up by next week~

 

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Thanks again for viewing~

 

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Update #10

TUF Amethyst Motherboard Sponsor. ASUS SG

Pump & Res:

- Gonna start with the unboxing of Koolance RP452x2 V2.
- Quality is top notch, the milling marks are not noticeable even on tight places.
- Decided to dismantle this modular res to pieces for rinsing.
- Found quite some bit of o-ring grease around the groove areas.
- The most unpleasant thing is the stench of the whole res which smells like urine.
- Koolance didn't maintain the use of same device for dismantling of this res but still manageable.
- Did a proper wash down with baby detergent to remove & stench.
- Air dried & commenced with assembly of the res including doing the serial dual pump setup required.
- The most important note is to use Koolance's supplied O-rings for the D5 as they are thicker.
- Some users didn't read through manual & went with D5 o-ring which sprung a leak later.
- I changed the o-ring to Viton as usual.
- Assembly back all O-rings wasn't difficult as long as you don't stretch them during rinsing stage & they will fit back the groove easily.
- I set both D5 to 90% as I read somewhere 90% & 100% doesn't have much diff but it will prevent D5 overwork.
- The rpm cable is truly a nuisance especially when I don't need it & aqc gave a stock length of 750mm.

 

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Assembly of Mod Kit:

- Will like to highlight that color seems off from the actual as it was taken at late night.
- Dressed up the pumps after the color changed is completed.
- Hide the rpm cable into the mod kit.
- Adjust the molex length needed to reach my psu while hiding away the extra length into the mod kit as well.
- Koolance RP452x2 provided a led cable management canal but I used it to managed the molex instead.
- Love caselab's anti-vibration 5.25" bay kit. Quick release yet sturdy.

Thanks all for viewing~

 

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Update #11

TUF Amethyst Motherboard Sponsor. ASUS SG

Random Stuffs:

- Been busy but try to inch forward whenever time permits.
- Did some loose ends in order to prep up the installation stage.
- However, in the event of stretching this project to achieve the satisfaction, I have procured more stuffs.
- I just realised the undies of jr is sexposed on some of the photos on this update.

Radiators Grew:

- 3 Radiations have been lying around for too long & they decide that its time to bear 1 more family member.
- Someone texted me saying it looks gay to have 3x 360 in a M8 & the button is pushed for the 4th.
- Did all the prep work on them including spraying the needed parts & rinsing them.
- Currently sun bathing.
- Nothing much came out of the rinsing process other than unnoticeable dust particles.
- Its expected due to its solderless/fluxless assembly but Sven advised to rinse nonetheless.

Aquero & PA:

- PPCs have contacted FedEx & both came to the decision to have missing order cancelled & refund me in PPCs store credit.
- I did a fresh order with less 10% & alone with the $300usd refunded store credits made me really itchy.
- Ultimately did order it to have a go with it.
- I deter from FC this project initially as I want a very clean look in the mobo chamber.
- Getting this in will mean roping in tonnes of additional cable works.
- I will challenge the AQ5Pro & PA2 to a open display in the mobo chamber while most people does a box to cover the clutter.
- Hopefully I don't give up or disappoint in the final presentation.
- I do realise adding this toy in will only deduct points for internal layout but less 10% discount gave me the push.
- The assembly requires some thinking for the PA2 as no installation manual was provided.
- AQ5Pro assembly was easy & smooth, overall nothing worth highlighting.
- The only complain was AQC switched the use of countersunk aln screw to alan cap screw.
- Figured out that aligning the PA2 Led to each hole requires some cheating on the screws & this could be the reason why countersunk alan screws was swapped out.
- AQC also didn't supplied the complete set of washers but I do have some on hands which easily solved the issue.
- Was lucky AQC supplied s/s screws & washers which are same as mine.

 

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Unboxing AQC Cuplex Kryos XT:

- Will only cover the interesting parts while the rest will be covered by pictures.
- Quality top notch & heavy weight, really heavy.
- 1 pieced of oversized o-ring is provided to swap out the original o-ring within the block jet flow area.
- I read it online that the oversized o-ring will cause permanent distortion/budge to the plate within but does increase cooling performance by about 4degrees.
- Was surprised AQC only gave a "sampling pack" of PK1 thermal paste.

 

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Unboxing of AQC KryoGraphics & Kryoconnect:

- Really a piece of art & can't believe me only to unbox them till now.
- Have seen nothing similar or coming close to any of their standards.
- I honestly thought the radiators alone are sufficient to create the high but their blocks gave me the climax.
- Just some water mark left from their pressure testing which should be able to remove easily.
- Look at the TThicknesssss of their nickel plating, it actually smoothens out the milling marks which is astounding.
- The laser engraving & chamfered acrylic glass top is speechless.
- The only disappointment was it doesn't seems to come with any thermal paste.
- Thoughtful part will be the tox screwdriver provided.
- Ordering the kryoconnect have to be careful, u have to match the provided number provided on aqc webshop to each block.
- Will think of something for the kryoconnect later to have it blend in to this build.

 

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Tubings & Coolant:

- Fired off with Primochill LRT Advanced Pearl UV Purple & Mayhems Pastel Rhaspberry purple.
- Realised both tubings & coolant are darker than I expected them to be but still gorgeous.
- Will be good to have different tones of purple to have it coming close to Amethyst.

Dust filtering up M8:

- Got the Demciflex needed to shield up M8 from dust.
- Really really fine & not sure if it will affect the air-flow but went with it anyway.
- Decided to have it done at the underneath of top cover & front cover (Intakes).
- Really easy to apply & does looks gorgeous/professional.
- Forgot to mention that I have added a 31mm extended top for my M8 which is needed for later plans.

Thanks all for viewing~

 

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Update #12

TUF Amethyst Motherboard Sponsor. ASUS SG

Fans & M8 Top Chamber:

- Decided to fire off a premature update due to questions from fellow enthusiast on AMS.
- Its purely the final presentation looks/appearance as AMS performance/price/ flow restriction is just doubtful.
- Hope you guys enjoy this update as much as I do on the appearance layout.

Fans Prep:

- In order to justify the shipping, I buy quite some weird weird unusual stuffs.
- Got a tube of bearing grease which is said to lengthen the fans' bearing & reducing the noise output.
- Spraying the fans have more or less ruin the max rpm output/static pressure/cfm/decibel.
- However applying the grease somehow makes me feels better than with singer oil.
- Sleeved up the fans & changed the connectors to black.
- Eventually decide to change out the enermax sticker to cf dark gray.
- All these here are just half of my total possession of magma.
- Still long way to go given my recent add on of AQ5Pro.

 

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M8 Top Chamber:

- As AMS span a width of 144mm, tube route options in M8 decrease drastically.
- In order to route the tubing back to the front without the use of a X-Flow rad this had to be done.
- Going for a clean loop with top rad wasn't easy & creativity have to be factor in.
- Caselabs did gave me a hard time as I did asked if 31mm extended top was available but they kept saying it will not be, next time I know right after receiving my M8, the top was suddenly invented & produced.
- Its my first time going hard tube laying & wasn't quite sure on it as I just don't feel safe using them.
- I have always been on the conservative side when coming to plumbing but decide to head on this time round just for the top chamber return route to front.
- The looks of copper fins with purple fans does makes the entrance a head turner.
- I kept returning to my guest room where I did the assembly to steal a glance at it & wife can't help but to ask if jr is in the guest room instead.
- When my wife saw it, she thought it was an engine but I told her its radiator.
- Definitely gorgeous & this form of feel I experienced on AMS is nothing close comparing to what I seen online.
- Did some quick & dirty snaps of the outcome for this prematured updates.
- Can't really hold back the amount of adrenaline I have for this build.
- It coming to 6mths+ from the stage of planning, sponsorship clinching & the first ever execution on M8.
- Hope you guys love it & let the pics do the rest.

Thanks all for viewing~

 

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ok. for my AQ5Pro & PA2 setup. Its a hoot first talk later process. Lessons learnt along the way.

For peeps who want to chiong this route with aqc $500sgd controller combo hoot. below is some pointers to note.

I am learning still & hope I am right. For peeps who knows better, do share/correct pls.

AQC controller for fans/pumps terms:
1) For all AQC controllers, pump & fan share the same 3pin power output.
2) Not advisable to connect 2 pumps to one controller.
3) Use 12v fans as a rule of thumb for the below.
4) If you PWM your fans using Aquaero, set minimum pwm rpm to 20% lower of your fan max rpm.
5) If you slow down your fans alot, the unused energy is converted(burnt) to heat.

PA2 fan/pump connectivity:
1) 1x 3pin power output only.
2) Max fan(12v) to 1x 3pin power output is 3.

AQ5Pro fan/pump connectivity:
1) 3x 3pin power output.
2) 2x 4pin pwm power output.
3) Max fan(12v) to 1x 3pin/4pin pwm power output is 3 w/o water block(53093).
4) Max fan(12v) to 1x 3pin/4pin pwm power output is 4 with water block (53093).

My Max fan for AQ5Pro + 3x PA2:
1) I will connect my 2x D5 to 1 per PA2 nulling any fan connectivity to 2x PA.
2) Remaining 1x PA will power 3x fans from its single 3pin power channel.
3) AQ5Pro with water block will power 20 fans from its 3x 3pin + 2x 4pin pwm power channel.
4) This will give me 23 fans connectivity.

For more fans connectivity users:
1) AQ5Pro as Master with water block(53093).
2) AQ5LT as Slave with water block(53093).
3) Total of 6x 3pin & 4x 4pin pwm power output channel.
4) Using 1x 3pin from each controller to power 2x pumps.
5) Leaving 4x 3pin & 4x 4pin pwm power output channel for fans.
6) 8 Channels will be able to connect 32 fans.
7) Each controller can then be further expand with 6x PA2 if fans connectivity is still not sufficient.

Linking up of PA2 to AQ5Pro via aquabus high:
1) AQ5Pro have 4pin 1x High & 1x Low aquabus.
2) PA2 have 2x aquabus 3pin.
1) Connect AQ5Pro to 1st PA2.
2) Connect 1st PA2 > 2nd PA2 & so on.

The rest that I didn't mention should be pretty straight forward.