DreamCatcher AM3 - THE LAST VERSION!

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jedihobbit
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DreamCatcher AM3 - THE LAST VERSION!

Post by jedihobbit »

Now that more than just the CPU is AM3 (also now a 955BE instead of the 945) in DreamCatcher decided to change the title again. :rolleyes: In addition my "bling" tastes have dramatically changed. I've migrated away for lots of copper to nickle. :lol:

So to start here be the specs........

Mobo: MSI 785GM-E65
CPU: PII X4 955 w/ Cuplex XT di
PSU: MODU82+ EMD525AWT
GPU: XFX GTX 285 w/ EK-FC285 GTX Block
HDD: Seagate 7200.10 ST380815AS 80GB
Memory: F3-12800CL7D-2GBPI (may get a second set for 4 x 1GB)
OS: M$ XP Pro SP3 (Looking to go Win7 soon)

As usual things don't always go as planned. Origianlly had planned to run 2 x XFX GTX 285s in SLI in another build and mount the EK block on the BFG 285 that was my RMA swap for the dead 280. However it turns out that the water block is a rev 1 and would not fit the 285, but it would fit the XFX 285.

The last several weeks has seen building going at a snail's pace as I’m split in three directions, but hope to pick up speed soon. Did manage to get some of the components transferred over.......

To get things rolling decided to mount the EK water block to the XFX GTX285, which shows my change in bling. Before, I was totally wowed with copper, now it is on to “nickel” for a base color. Zalman can be tagged as the culprit as I’ve always loved their copper coolers, and now the transformation is also because of them. I’m now into the NT series of the cpu coolers which is a “burnish” nickel. On a side note I was originally going to use the BFG 285 OC that was the RMA for the WC’ed 280 but it is Rev2 with the water block rev1. However, was lucky in that the XFX unit was the older PCB layout.

Now on to the “conversion”……..

Here we have the 285 bare and ready for the big drag, EK provides a 1mil and a 0.5mil “sheet” of thermal tape. Because of the limited amount of material a large number of wee squares were required to be cut and applied. For me the only positive was I shanghaied a friend to do that part!!

Image Image

Now on to apply the TM, try to get everything to line up when sticking them together, and tighten the screws. Unlike other coolers I’ve used no spring loaded screws were used so care was taken in tightening everything up. Here are several pictures of it together, some smaller details, and just shots for S & Gs.

Image Image Image Image Image Image

Next up was mounting the water blocks on the 785 and I won’t bore you with the “assembly” part as that has changed from the prior two times. Mobo, water blocks and gpu at the beginning, the 955BE, and the cpu and nb coolers in place. Finished it off by seeing how the gpu looked.

Image Image Image Image[vimeo][/vimeo]
DreamCatcher v4.0 DOA >> SG01 Evo, TA790GXE, PII X4 945 (AQ H2O Cooled), BFG GTX280 H2OC, Seagate 7200.10 ST380815AS 80GB, 2 x WD5000KSs, TWIN2X4096-8500C5DF, MODU82+ EMD525AWT, XP Home SP2
Kermit v4.0 VIRUSed >> Ultra MX6, 785GM-E65, PII X4 955 @ 3.70GHZ(air), XFX GTX285, Raptor X, F3-12800CL7D-2GBPI, OCZ700MXSP ModXStream Pro, XP Home SP2
Oz1a v2.0 >> XFX MDA72P7509 750a, PI X2 8870BE @ 3.00GHZ(air), 2 x XFX GTS250, WD 250GB, F2-8500CL5D-2GBPK, Tt TR2 600W, XP Pro SP3
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Re: DreamCatcher AM3 - THE LAST VERSION!

Post by jedihobbit »

BTW took this opportunity to correct the orientation of the NB coolers top plate.

From

Image

To

Image

Can you see the difference???
DreamCatcher v4.0 DOA >> SG01 Evo, TA790GXE, PII X4 945 (AQ H2O Cooled), BFG GTX280 H2OC, Seagate 7200.10 ST380815AS 80GB, 2 x WD5000KSs, TWIN2X4096-8500C5DF, MODU82+ EMD525AWT, XP Home SP2
Kermit v4.0 VIRUSed >> Ultra MX6, 785GM-E65, PII X4 955 @ 3.70GHZ(air), XFX GTX285, Raptor X, F3-12800CL7D-2GBPI, OCZ700MXSP ModXStream Pro, XP Home SP2
Oz1a v2.0 >> XFX MDA72P7509 750a, PI X2 8870BE @ 3.00GHZ(air), 2 x XFX GTS250, WD 250GB, F2-8500CL5D-2GBPK, Tt TR2 600W, XP Pro SP3
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Re: DreamCatcher AM3 - THE LAST VERSION!

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“Houston we have lift off!”

Finally got around to starting the leak testing before cramming it into the SG01. As I had a question about what a leak test really is, I ended up doing what Bubba suggested over in my DC v4.0 thread.

Before my entire leak testing was done static……I’d run the pump long enough to get most if not all the bubbles out and then turn off the PSU. Why?? Came from the old school of “if you don’t have the power supply hooked up to the mobo when running you will bork it.” However I was reassured that if I had a load on the PSU besides the pump I should be alright. So out of the F/S box I dug out an older 600W unit, plugged in the Aquaduct 240 and a couple of fans and turned it on. 1-1/2 hours later still running and no leaks. Guess a 12 – 14 hour run should be sufficient??

Any way you have the mobo plumbed up getting ready to hookup to the pump/rad/fan assembly, the test starting, a couple of shots of the Ek block (sure is purrddy with the blue coolant), and an overall view of the “test system”.

Image Image Image Image Image

As mentioned earlier there was a slight issue with the NB and Mosfet cooler that comes with the MSI 785GM-E65…… the two coolers are connected with a heatpipe! It wouldn’t be a biggy except I want to keep the stock Mosfet cooler in place. Again I did some engineering by “Kliens”……snip and tuck!!

Image Image Image

Sure hope I don’t have to RMA this board!!

Now on to the system with no name to do some engineering on the fly there.
DreamCatcher v4.0 DOA >> SG01 Evo, TA790GXE, PII X4 945 (AQ H2O Cooled), BFG GTX280 H2OC, Seagate 7200.10 ST380815AS 80GB, 2 x WD5000KSs, TWIN2X4096-8500C5DF, MODU82+ EMD525AWT, XP Home SP2
Kermit v4.0 VIRUSed >> Ultra MX6, 785GM-E65, PII X4 955 @ 3.70GHZ(air), XFX GTX285, Raptor X, F3-12800CL7D-2GBPI, OCZ700MXSP ModXStream Pro, XP Home SP2
Oz1a v2.0 >> XFX MDA72P7509 750a, PI X2 8870BE @ 3.00GHZ(air), 2 x XFX GTS250, WD 250GB, F2-8500CL5D-2GBPK, Tt TR2 600W, XP Pro SP3
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Re: DreamCatcher AM3 - THE LAST VERSION!

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Now it has begun……….making the blivit that is DreamCatcher AM3!

Image

And then ass_u_me_ing things would fit as before bit me. :toimonster: Remember me mentioning earlier how the mosfet fan clearing the CPU water block was different for each board I dealt with? This time it became an issue……….I’ve gone from the fan sitting on top of a thumb screw to this spacing.

Image

When I started putting the mobo assembly into the case and hooking up the bulkhead connectors a discovery was made. The intake tube to the CPU block was too short! So had to drain the system and replace it. #-o

Image

Also decided to install the memory and mount the memory cooler. Here is where hardware changed a bit. Because of having a death wish I’ve ordered different memory for “the build without a name” so ended up using both 2 x 1GB kits here. Then I go and hid this nice looking G. Skill with a Corsair Dominator cooler.

Image Image

Because I had to replace the intake tube and shorten the one that goes from the CPU to the GPU it was decided to do a short version of a leak test.

Image Image

Because of having to change out the tubing the coolant level was low and this brings me to the main thing I do not like about the Aquaduct 240. One needs to remove the whole top plate to fill it.

Image

The leak test has run for about 2 hours now with no leak so going to turn it off and let sit static. Time to crash as I want to get up early to finish fitting the stuff in the case and start painting some parts of no name build.
DreamCatcher v4.0 DOA >> SG01 Evo, TA790GXE, PII X4 945 (AQ H2O Cooled), BFG GTX280 H2OC, Seagate 7200.10 ST380815AS 80GB, 2 x WD5000KSs, TWIN2X4096-8500C5DF, MODU82+ EMD525AWT, XP Home SP2
Kermit v4.0 VIRUSed >> Ultra MX6, 785GM-E65, PII X4 955 @ 3.70GHZ(air), XFX GTX285, Raptor X, F3-12800CL7D-2GBPI, OCZ700MXSP ModXStream Pro, XP Home SP2
Oz1a v2.0 >> XFX MDA72P7509 750a, PI X2 8870BE @ 3.00GHZ(air), 2 x XFX GTS250, WD 250GB, F2-8500CL5D-2GBPK, Tt TR2 600W, XP Pro SP3
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Re: DreamCatcher AM3 - THE LAST VERSION!

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Well it seems I’ve just wasted 24+ hours this weekend!!!! So it was leak tested twice over two days (out side the case) then assembled today in the case getting all the wire management and bling snit just right. So I power the sucker up and no video! I can't tell if it is booting or not as there are also no audible beeps, peeps, or screams (other than mine of course). Don't even have the power led or hdd led showing anything. However all fans and the water cooling system is running. Just for S & G's checked the +12 at the four-pin mobo connector and the gpu and they were right on the money. Anyway this setup was running fine on air in another box (one my Kermit versions). On a side note.....after toasting the assembly I reassembled it with the original components in its first incarnation with water cooling just to be folding. Had the same results. While I don't really feel like it and time is short guess I take everything apart and test it on the Tech Station to see what happens. That way I can change things out piece by piece easier. :toimonster: :toimonster:
DreamCatcher v4.0 DOA >> SG01 Evo, TA790GXE, PII X4 945 (AQ H2O Cooled), BFG GTX280 H2OC, Seagate 7200.10 ST380815AS 80GB, 2 x WD5000KSs, TWIN2X4096-8500C5DF, MODU82+ EMD525AWT, XP Home SP2
Kermit v4.0 VIRUSed >> Ultra MX6, 785GM-E65, PII X4 955 @ 3.70GHZ(air), XFX GTX285, Raptor X, F3-12800CL7D-2GBPI, OCZ700MXSP ModXStream Pro, XP Home SP2
Oz1a v2.0 >> XFX MDA72P7509 750a, PI X2 8870BE @ 3.00GHZ(air), 2 x XFX GTS250, WD 250GB, F2-8500CL5D-2GBPK, Tt TR2 600W, XP Pro SP3
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Re: DreamCatcher AM3 - THE LAST VERSION!

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BTW I did clear the bios (cmos jumper) more than once.....even took the battery out! :( And yes remembered to put the jump back! :rolleyes:
DreamCatcher v4.0 DOA >> SG01 Evo, TA790GXE, PII X4 945 (AQ H2O Cooled), BFG GTX280 H2OC, Seagate 7200.10 ST380815AS 80GB, 2 x WD5000KSs, TWIN2X4096-8500C5DF, MODU82+ EMD525AWT, XP Home SP2
Kermit v4.0 VIRUSed >> Ultra MX6, 785GM-E65, PII X4 955 @ 3.70GHZ(air), XFX GTX285, Raptor X, F3-12800CL7D-2GBPI, OCZ700MXSP ModXStream Pro, XP Home SP2
Oz1a v2.0 >> XFX MDA72P7509 750a, PI X2 8870BE @ 3.00GHZ(air), 2 x XFX GTS250, WD 250GB, F2-8500CL5D-2GBPK, Tt TR2 600W, XP Pro SP3
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Re: DreamCatcher AM3 - THE LAST VERSION!

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Guess I’ll go ahead and show you the pix I took while putting it together that ended in the non-boot. Decided to do a bit of wire management differently, usually I put everything together and then try to find hiding places for the excess cable. However this time I tried putting know cables and wires away neatly as I went along. It seemed to help sum but let’s face it, it is a mATX so you can hid only so much.

We’ll start with trying to figure out where to hid stuff up to and including some views that show what I consider to be 90%+ completed. Between trying to get rid of bubbles and trying to place cables the ability to disconnect from the Aquaduct sure was a plus. Now I just got to get it to run!!! I can’t handle the “show and no go” mode. As some have asked “why?” - I threw in a picture to show why the tubing is on the left side as I would have had to use at least on 90 degree elbow to miss the PSU hanger.

Image Image Image Image Image Image Image
DreamCatcher v4.0 DOA >> SG01 Evo, TA790GXE, PII X4 945 (AQ H2O Cooled), BFG GTX280 H2OC, Seagate 7200.10 ST380815AS 80GB, 2 x WD5000KSs, TWIN2X4096-8500C5DF, MODU82+ EMD525AWT, XP Home SP2
Kermit v4.0 VIRUSed >> Ultra MX6, 785GM-E65, PII X4 955 @ 3.70GHZ(air), XFX GTX285, Raptor X, F3-12800CL7D-2GBPI, OCZ700MXSP ModXStream Pro, XP Home SP2
Oz1a v2.0 >> XFX MDA72P7509 750a, PI X2 8870BE @ 3.00GHZ(air), 2 x XFX GTS250, WD 250GB, F2-8500CL5D-2GBPK, Tt TR2 600W, XP Pro SP3
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Re: DreamCatcher AM3 - THE LAST VERSION!

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Well ladies & gents I give you DreamCatcher AM3……………

Not sure what the issue was but it must have been related to the NB cooler. I had taken it out as mentioned before and it wouldn’t boot in the Tech Station. For whatever reason something told me to “wiggle” the NB cooler and BAM it booted up! I went in and loosened the nuts holding it in place and did “some adjustments” and it seems to have resolved the situation….your guess is as good as mine.

After I had it running on the Tech Station, I mounted the mobo back in the SG01 and hooked up the minimum of stuff & it ran, next up was packing everything back together and powering up, then worked on the wire management. Think it is hit or miss there but “oh well”.

Image Image Image Image Image

So here it is “where it belongs”……….

Image Image

As it now stands I'm trying to do updates and that is when I found the one problem for now. Wanted to have a SATA combo drive in no name so stole the unit out of DC. It was replaced with an IDE unit from the old Kermit case. However for whatever reason it is not powering up or whatever. Also it had been painted green to match Kermit’s interior but now it is an “eye sore” here. So I guess that’ll be an upcoming project when I have the funding to do it.
DreamCatcher v4.0 DOA >> SG01 Evo, TA790GXE, PII X4 945 (AQ H2O Cooled), BFG GTX280 H2OC, Seagate 7200.10 ST380815AS 80GB, 2 x WD5000KSs, TWIN2X4096-8500C5DF, MODU82+ EMD525AWT, XP Home SP2
Kermit v4.0 VIRUSed >> Ultra MX6, 785GM-E65, PII X4 955 @ 3.70GHZ(air), XFX GTX285, Raptor X, F3-12800CL7D-2GBPI, OCZ700MXSP ModXStream Pro, XP Home SP2
Oz1a v2.0 >> XFX MDA72P7509 750a, PI X2 8870BE @ 3.00GHZ(air), 2 x XFX GTS250, WD 250GB, F2-8500CL5D-2GBPK, Tt TR2 600W, XP Pro SP3
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Re: DreamCatcher AM3 - THE LAST VERSION!

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Well in the “Can’t leave well enough alone” department just had another wild hair…….. seems I have the 150GB Raptor X “left over” from the old Kermit build. Happen to think it might be neat to cut a window in the “custom window” cover that is floating around so one could see the HDD as it is mounted in the top 5.25 bay. So why not replay the Seagate 80GB with the Raptor X and have its window show??? I have some EL wire sitting in the parts box of my 8+ year old unfinished build (Celtic Spirit) so use that to “illuminate” the drive??

This ugly M$ Paint “sketch” show about where it would go….what-da-ya think?

Image
DreamCatcher v4.0 DOA >> SG01 Evo, TA790GXE, PII X4 945 (AQ H2O Cooled), BFG GTX280 H2OC, Seagate 7200.10 ST380815AS 80GB, 2 x WD5000KSs, TWIN2X4096-8500C5DF, MODU82+ EMD525AWT, XP Home SP2
Kermit v4.0 VIRUSed >> Ultra MX6, 785GM-E65, PII X4 955 @ 3.70GHZ(air), XFX GTX285, Raptor X, F3-12800CL7D-2GBPI, OCZ700MXSP ModXStream Pro, XP Home SP2
Oz1a v2.0 >> XFX MDA72P7509 750a, PI X2 8870BE @ 3.00GHZ(air), 2 x XFX GTS250, WD 250GB, F2-8500CL5D-2GBPK, Tt TR2 600W, XP Pro SP3
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Re: DreamCatcher AM3 - THE LAST VERSION!

Post by ultimatedesk »

Love it man - great choice for fluid colour, and those plates on the graphics card looks soooo nice ;)
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