Project Thief - CaseLabs TX10-D Dual Workstation/Gaming Build - Gulftown and SB-E

[trickson]

Just so awesome!
Man I hate my life! Things like this make me wish I was never born!

 

[stren]

Just so awesome!
Man I hate my life! Things like this make me wish I was never born!

Man now you're making me feel bad lol!

I personally don't like the rotary snakes and I would rather see a 90-degree fitting off the ram blocks with tubing that criss-crosses to 45-degree fittings on the Mosfet block. And if you know anything about me, I am a stickler about short tubing runs, but I just hate the rotary snakes that much.

Was the 40mm extension too short or something? I know Enzotech makes their extensions in different lengths - maybe you could add a couple together to make it work?

So I tried the criss cross option however it looks busy once you add in tube for the cpu only loop:

What do you think?

 

[trickson]

Man now you're making me feel bad lol!



So I tried the criss cross option however it looks busy once you add in tube for the cpu only loop:

http://i.imgur.com/2Dfoal.jpg

What do you think?

I think it is beautiful! I just wished my life wasn't such shit is all man. But yeah nice setup!

 

[theJesus]

I agree that it looks busy.

 

[t_ski]

I agree. I wasn't thinking the CPU lines were going through there like that.

 

[stren]

I agree that it looks busy.

I agree. I wasn't thinking the CPU lines were going through there like that.

Thanks I agree - I hope you'll like the results of this update then:



Got some more parts today:

3 ssds and a bunch of fittings:

This meant I could do some leak testing with the gpu/motherboard/ram loop. Still missing the other gpu for now though, but the important thing was to see if the ram block connections were good:

You can see water on the bottom right of the board. The GPU didnt' have it's spare ports sealed tightened down properly. Didnt' see that leak for a few minutes as it was dripping down the back of the block and was mainly hidden by the card and the block. You can see it coming out and filling up the pci-e socket:

The bitspower crystal linke sli fittings were part of the order too. The closest one in this photo leaked initially as it had fallen out of the o-ring. They're not that sturdy so it's a bit concerning that they might fall out. We'll have to see how it goes.

The top view is much nicer now though:

With red dye the crystal links won't look so out of place.

That's all for now. Case should be back from powder coating with another 14 gentle typhoons on tuesday, so expect a big update then Until then the board can dry out a bit I need more time for working on the backplates and the reservoirs.

 

[MT Alex]

Yup, that looks much cleaner. Nicely done.

 

[HammerON]

Agree. Looks cleaner and will look pretty cool with the red dye

 

[RcRon7]

Those Crystal links look really nice on there. Even if you don't have red fluid in there I wouldn't think it would take away from the look very much.

Where did you find that Liquid Tape? I have never heard of that before. I could use that in a build I'm doing now.

 

[theJesus]

Lookin' good

 

[t_ski]

Lookin' good

Agreed

 

[stren]

Yup, that looks much cleaner. Nicely done.

Thanks

Agree. Looks cleaner and will look pretty cool with the red dye

Yeah I hope so - I wonder if I should remove the snake and use two of the crystal links with a 90 degree adapter

Those Crystal links look really nice on there. Even if you don't have red fluid in there I wouldn't think it would take away from the look very much.

Yeah - from the side view too, you won't see the crystal links much anyway

Where did you find that Liquid Tape? I have never heard of that before. I could use that in a build I'm doing now.

Home depot in the electrical section, amazon has it too. It comes in different colors too.

Lookin' good

thanks

Agreed

I'd also like to welcome my newest sponsor - DT Waterblocks. I'll be using and reviewing their new cpu waterblock the "5Noz".

This is the lowest restriction block out there - from Martin's Preview:

It'll be interesting to see how it does vs the raystorm which is one of the top blocks out there.

 

[HammerON]

Yeah I hope so - I wonder if I should remove the snake and use two of the crystal links with a 90 degree adapter

You might want to try that. I think it might look a bit better.

I will be looking forward to your results using the DT5Noz...

 

[stren]

You might want to try that. I think it might look a bit better.

I will be looking forward to your results using the DT5Noz...

Thanks yeah I agree on this, we'll see what Monsoon come up with - I'm hoping it will look better than this still


Meanwhile the frame came back from powder coating - unboxing pics:

2 motherboard trays are better than one:

Some accessories:

These are only the frame parts - the exterior skin is still at smasher's place:

"Super Mounts" - From top: 120x4, 140x4, 180x3 and 5 way hard drive flex bay mount (120x5)

Pedestal front and back:

Frame top and bottoms for case and pedestal:

 

[stren]

man you guys are quiet!

I have a video that I'm trying to put together of building the case. Here's a shot of assembling the pedestal pieces:

- Unfortunately no more photos of the pedestal, but essentially there's a front and back and a top and bottom, each of the four joins look like the pic above.
- They get screwed together with 7 screws along the top and one on each corner (side).
- Screw the top and bottom to the front, and then add the back on.
- Then start work on the main case. Start with the center and work outward. Here's the motherboard compartment - the two inner vertical sheets and the top and bottom sheets.

- Assemble the two vertical sheets to the top sheet (8 screws):

- Then add the other bottom sheet (8 screws):

- Then put the case down on it's front and add the back (34 screws)

- Then put the case back on it's side so you're ready to easily add the front panel:

- Screw in the front panel to all the other pieces (36 screws) and put the case on top of the pedestal.
- Screw in any flex bay mounts and accessories
- Screw the case to the pedestal (4 screws) and it should look like this pic below

- Add the motherboard trays to the motherboard back plates and attach the handles (6 screws total)
- Add the hinges for the doors
- Rearrange any back panels
- test your super mounts fit
- Clip on the exterior frame panels
- start building or clip on the frame

Here's mine without the exterior panels, don't worry the black plate covers will dissapear by the end of the build (18 bay waterfall reservoir to come)

 

[HammerON]

Wow!!! That is an amazing case (and very huge)

 

[stren]

Wow!!! That is an amazing case (and very huge)

Haha yeah it's massive - can't wait to get it done


So I got the opportunity to tour this new workshop close to downtown that just opened. It has all the workshop tools you could never afford to buy yourself, and you can buy day passes or month passes depending on how long you need. So this resolves all my issues with manufacturing the waterfall reservoirs myself, as well as opening up possibilities like custom waterblocks...

It was the launch weekend so there was a free bbq (there were plenty more people later on)

Wood shop room, saw stop tablesaw, planer, chop saw etc. bunch of other stuff that isn't shown:

Large CNC Mill for wood:

Sand Blaster:

Vinyl cutter so you can print your own stickers:

Forgot to take a photo of the 3D printer, but here's an 150W laser that cut through some hefty steel plate:

There's two other lasers good enough for acrylic/wood, and a third one is apparently on the way:

Spray paint booth, they have an oven for powder coating, but not all the rest of the powder coating tools yet:

Metal press and folding machines:

Other metal machines, bandsaw, grinders and a lathe:

Metal lathe:

Old school mills:

CNC mill - can you say custom waterblocks!

Electronics room - not much here, bunch of soldering irons, power supplies and scopes:

So what do you all think I should do with this opportunity?

I definitely want to:
- make the custom metal backplates for GPUs
- make the waterfall reservoir
- make some custom waterblocks for parts that aren't ultra high performance e.g. raid card, memory blocks etc.

 

[RcRon7]

Wow, that's fantastic. I wish we had something like that here in Maryland. I would have to get a monthly pass.

 

[manofthem]

Just found this thread, and I'm loving the build for sure, very nice. Thanks for all the great pictures that you've been adding, too; keep on sharing.

Along the lines of what trickson said earlier, it makes me jealous.

 

[streetfighter 2]

Too cool.

 

[stren]

Wow, that's fantastic. I wish we had something like that here in Maryland. I would have to get a monthly pass.

I wish I had time to make use of a monthly pass

Just found this thread, and I'm loving the build for sure, very nice. Thanks for all the great pictures that you've been adding, too; keep on sharing.

Along the lines of what trickson said earlier, it makes me jealous.

Glad you're enjoying it

Too cool.

Thanks

Hopefully they'll be a few more awesome updates this week

 

[HammerON]

Haha yeah it's massive - can't wait to get it done


So I got the opportunity to tour this new workshop close to downtown that just opened. It has all the workshop tools you could never afford to buy yourself, and you can buy day passes or month passes depending on how long you need. So this resolves all my issues with manufacturing the waterfall reservoirs myself, as well as opening up possibilities like custom waterblocks...

It was the launch weekend so there was a free bbq (there were plenty more people later on)

http://i.imgur.com/0vK2gl.jpg

Wood shop room, saw stop tablesaw, planer, chop saw etc. bunch of other stuff that isn't shown:

http://i.imgur.com/jZdqrl.jpg

Large CNC Mill for wood:

http://i.imgur.com/fpxZml.jpg

Sand Blaster:

http://i.imgur.com/uXT7gl.jpg

Vinyl cutter so you can print your own stickers:

http://i.imgur.com/uXSe8l.jpg

Forgot to take a photo of the 3D printer, but here's an 150W laser that cut through some hefty steel plate:

http://i.imgur.com/uJLy7l.jpg

There's two other lasers good enough for acrylic/wood, and a third one is apparently on the way:

http://i.imgur.com/tOMlel.jpg

Spray paint booth, they have an oven for powder coating, but not all the rest of the powder coating tools yet:

http://i.imgur.com/XDPB8l.jpg

Metal press and folding machines:

http://i.imgur.com/ly2Eol.jpg

Other metal machines, bandsaw, grinders and a lathe:

http://i.imgur.com/QPmjEl.jpg

Metal lathe:

http://i.imgur.com/zVTf0l.jpg

Old school mills:

http://i.imgur.com/GHpdVl.jpg

CNC mill - can you say custom waterblocks!

http://i.imgur.com/5zIgDl.jpg

Electronics room - not much here, bunch of soldering irons, power supplies and scopes:

http://i.imgur.com/WMYtgl.jpg

So what do you all think I should do with this opportunity?

I definitely want to:
- make the custom metal backplates for GPUs
- make the waterfall reservoir
- make some custom waterblocks for parts that aren't ultra high performance e.g. raid card, memory blocks etc.

As I do not currently have room for a workshop, this would be awesome I have been wanting for a while to build my own case, just do not have the tools to do it.

 

[stren]

As I do not currently have room for a workshop, this would be awesome I have been wanting for a while to build my own case, just do not have the tools to do it.

Yeah likewise, I have a bunch of wood tools, but not much more than that, so this really opens the doors of possibilities wide!


Alright here's an update. Can you say gentle typhoooooooooooooooooooons?

Don't worry they're not all for me. I only have 14 of those plus the 10 I already own.

My waterblocks also came in, thanks again to DT Waterblocks, here they are next to my spare rasa (both my raystorms are still in systems)

You can see there's plenty of room for fittings. On the back you can see the copper base plate is pretty chunky - this should mean it should distribute heat better laterally through the plate but worse directly through it. Not sure the right trade off, but this copper block is the largest I've seen both in terms of area and thickness.

Here's some results from Martin's testing:

Temps in comparison to the raystorm:

Restriction:

Performance is about as good as it gets, but there is some refinement in the mounting system needed. Considering this is their first block produced and it’s not only keeping up but lower in restriction than the other blocks says a lot! Overall, I see it as a block with a ton of work and emphasis put into the design and quality of the block itself. That 5Noz is something very special and it’s very refreshing to see a design done very differently from the norm that also performs extremely well.

It should be noted that the mounting mechanism now has thumb screws. Next update I'll show you a pic of it mounted.

Anyway the other big news on this update is the exterior panels. Here's some close up shots of the color, it's a dark metallic grey flake with a smooth finish to the touch:

Even closer:

And as much as I can loosely hang on the case without it being clipped on. You can see one motherboard has also been mounted. The TX10 makes EATX look like a MITX lol.

Working with Smasher and Jim on this has been a delight and I highly recommend them

 

[Aquinus]

Very cool. I'm really digging the chassis more than anything else. The thing honestly looks like a server rack on crack. Very nice, job so far. I've been loving my SB-E, I'm sure you'll enjoy yours.

Keep up the good work and I look forward to more pictures and its completion. Cheers!

 

[stren]

Very cool. I'm really digging the chassis more than anything else. The thing honestly looks like a server rack on crack. Very nice, job so far. I've been loving my SB-E, I'm sure you'll enjoy yours.

Keep up the good work and I look forward to more pictures and its completion. Cheers!

Yeah it's a new type of case, almost a hybrid between a server rack and a high end gaming/workstation case with all the water cooling possibilities you can dream of. CaseLabs have done an awesome job with it.