WARMACHINE 1.5 - Design Phase!

[DaIceMan]

Did you bust out the hole in the bottom of the case, or are you just using the space that's there for airflow?

Also, I would mark right where that big wad of cables comes out of the PSU and promptly punch a 1" hole right to get all those cables out the back. Not sure how much of the tjharlow 1200 build you watched, but the guy really has it figured out how to build one of these things. Even has me thinking I need to watercool a system in one.

Also... I would move the drive cage with the fan housing up. I'm using mine as a wind tunnel to the video card on my 900. Gives you more room for the cables, and there really isn't a huge demand for air on the power supply.

[Skippman]

The bottom of the case hasn't been modified. I'm going to just use the stock airflow as I don't think the PSU's going to get that hot. I have the hard drive fan mounted there just to blow extra air on the PSU in case.

As for the cables on the PSU, I planned to do that. I was just mouting it to see how close the fit would be. behind the drive cages. Remember, I've backspaced it to make room for the radiator in front of it so mounting depth was an issue.

I plan to sleve the cables running from the Sentry sometime soon. I'm looking into that braided loom stuff to see if I can pretty it up. I'm trying to find some of those cable guides in black. That way I can keep the power supply cable neat and properlly bent. I also wondered how they'd work for holding the water loop in place.

[martini161]

I don't think the PSU's going to get that hot.

famous last words...

[Skippman]

You mean having a 120mm case fan blowing on it isn't sufficiant? The one at the back of the HD cage is pointed right at it. There's also an inch of clearance between the bottom of the PSU and the case itself thanks to the rubber stops. I could flip it if I have to but it'll mess with the cabling.

I've decided to just get the GTZ. It's a better looking block, more efficent, and expandable. Is Artic silver 5 ok to use?

[DMB2000uk]

If you already have arctic silver available to use, then by all means go for it. But if you are buying fresh, You should look into getting hold of some Tuniq TX2. I have tested a few and I rate that the best (granted it was only a degree or two better than AS5, but every little helps right?).

As for the PSU, if you have air being helped into that 1" space then I guess it would be alright, it wont be as good as the PSU being the other way round, so maybe keep an eye on the PSU temps (having something running in your systray is the easiest way).

Dan

[Skippman]

I have a G-15 keyboard. I wish someone would come up with a plug in to monitor the system temps so I could have them handy while gaming.

[martini161]

i believe riva tuner and core temp can do that...

[Skippman]

Just read about that and your right. I thought about running one of the temp probes from the NZXT down to the power supply but I don't think that'll give me an accurate reading.

I also have to decide on a coolent. I wanted something UV reactive but I don't know what to get. That red stuff I linked to earlier looked kinda cool.

[DMB2000uk]

The Feser One series of coolant is pretty good.

Dan

[Skippman]

Is antifreeze a ok choice for this type of application. I forgot to order coolent on my last order and the stuff wouldn't be here by build day. (Wednesday)

[Alathald]

I've been looking at using some stuff called DEI Radiator Relief...bit like Water Wetter but supposedly better. But yeah antifreeze will work as well.

[Skippman]

I ended up going with Feser One F1 coolent with the UV reactive die. It seems to have a good rep, antibacterial, daielectric, and anticorosive.

At idle with the room at 23.4C last night the proc was idling at 32C. At 60% load playing Fallout 3 for 3 hours it was up to 55C. Thats my current rig with just the Zalman fan at stock voltages and clocks. Wondering what I'll get when I OC with the water cooler.

[Skippman]

DANGIT! Stupid fan controller won't show the fan RPMS! ARGH! Gonna likely have to get all new case fans.

[martini161]

why do you need to read RPM's? as long as it controls the fan speed doesnt seem like it should matter

[Skippman]

That's just it, I don't think it is. At least I couldn't get it to. What a PITA.

I got the brackets attacted for the radiator. Scratched the case just a bit but nothing that you'll see when the fan housings are back in place. Now I understand I need to flush the radiator before I install it. Is that correct? How do I do that? Dicecca's how to didn't cover that. Also, how do I get the bubbles out? I guess I have to run a T-Line?

[Bio-Hazard]

You should always flush out new parts just to be sure that there isn't something inside them leftover from the manufacturing processing.

Parts that can be easily taken apart should be disassembled and checked and those that can't should be flushed with 50/50 mix of white vinegar and distilled water (works best when the mix is hot) with a finial rinse of distilled water.

As for getting all the bubbles out, just fill the loop and let it run, they'll work themselves out over time. It does help to tip the case in all directions from time to time to ensure that there isn't any air stuck somewhere in the loop.

[Skippman]

So, for the radiator, how would I do that? It's got coils so I can't just fill it up. I'd have to run the pump I guess.

[Bio-Hazard]

It'd be easiest to flush with it removed from the case and do it over the kitchen sink.................

Just fill it up and shake the crap out of it a few times with the finial one using pure distilled water...............

[martini161]

i find it also helps to flush a bunch of straight distilled water before the water and vinegar to get the big crap out

[Skippman]

So I bought that Sentry LX from NZXT. It doesn't work with my Antec fans that came with my Antec 1200 case. They have built in speed control yet this thing won't adjust them at all.

So, I've spent $50 on the Sentry, and another $20 on 4 pin to 3 pin adapters to get nothing but a lit display that shows nothing. Had I know this before I bought the unit, I'd have saved the $70 and just left the fans alone. I'm pretty upset about this. Now I also have to pay shipping to return it to the vendor I bought it for putting me out yet again.

I've posted on the NZXT forums numerous times trying to get NZXT to support thier product, and have heard nothing back from them. It's become obvious to me that there is zero customer support for an obviously defective product. I'll never purchase another NZXT product, nor will I recommend them to any of my friends or co-workers. Quite the opposite. I will activly try to disuade them from ever using an NZXT product again.