The Little Unicorn

Posted:
April 19th 2009
Updated:
Viewed:
14,948 times
Rating:
Superb (7.7)
Voting Graph 27 votes total
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Key Features:
High Rated Intel CPU NVIDIA Graphics NVIDIA SLI Custom Paint Job Small Form Factor Water-cooled
System Specs:
  • i7 920 @ 4GHz 1.35v
  • Asus Rampage II Gene
  • Swiftec Apogee GTZ
  • Swiftec QP220 Res w/Scythe SlipStreams 110CFM
  • Swiftech MCW-NBMAX Northbridge Cooler
  • BFG GTX 280 SLI
  • 3GB Corsair XMS DDR3-1600
  • Antec Quattro 1000w PSU
  • Antec P180 Mini
Performed Mods:
Removed Top 5 1/4 Bay, Removed Hard Drive Cages and Shelving, Painted interior white
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31 Comments on The Little Unicorn

#1
MKmods
Case Mod Guru
looks very clean.. Nice job.
I like the DVD below
Posted on Reply
#3
Drizzt5
do u have enough dvd's?
Posted on Reply
#4
fatguy1992
Very nice, the only thing i'd suggest is get a better water block?
Posted on Reply
#5
The Nemesis
Thanks everyone!

Going Blue Ray now :)
fatguy1992Very nice, the only thing i'd suggest is get a better water block?
This block is not as good as the Apogee GTZ I use in my other rig indeed. It's a sufficent setup though considering available space and the mild 4Ghz OC. :)
Posted on Reply
#6
MRCL
Lol at first I was like wait a minute... wheres the friggin pump and stuff? But eh. Google cleared that up. So this kit does a good job then?

Overall very nice system. A bit... cramped, but it still looks very clean.
Posted on Reply
#7
The Nemesis
The2LGamerI voted 1/10 because:

...
uh, ok.
Posted on Reply
#8
Unregistered
fatguy1992Very nice, the only thing i'd suggest is get a better water block?
Its the Swiftech unit, so the pump is integrated into the actual waterblock, clever little space saver for such a small case ;)
Posted on Edit | Reply
#9
Bjorn_Of_Iceland
Very nice in fitting that rad there. Clever! Gave me an idea.. ^^
Posted on Reply
#10
tzitzibp
why don't you reverse the rad, cut the hoses short and thus increase heat transfer!

just an idea...

white is... refresing! not sure about the green tubing, though!
6/10!
Posted on Reply
#11
_jM
I just realized there is an ass load of DVD's behind that case! Holy smokes! How many you got... almost looks like the wife's collection of Disney movies!

I give you a 8/10 for hardware and putting together a neat little monster you have there, great job with the space you have.
Posted on Reply
#12
Unregistered
tzitzibpwhy don't you reverse the rad, cut the hoses short and thus increase heat transfer!

just an idea...

white is... refresing! not sure about the green tubing, though!
6/10!
he'll be leaving it as it is due to the fact that if you disconnect anything or trim the tubing you void your warranty with swiftech.
#13
Studabaker
kyle2020he'll be leaving it as it is due to the fact that if you disconnect anything or trim the tubing you void your warranty with swiftech.
It would be wise then to use different hoses instead of cutting them :D
Posted on Reply
#14
Unregistered
depends if you can get the original tubes off without damaging them in any way :ohwell:
#15
_jM
Im sure it wouldn't be that hard. The hard part would be trying to bleed a fully enclosed WC set-up like that.
Posted on Reply
#16
The Nemesis
tzitzibpwhy don't you reverse the rad, cut the hoses short and thus increase heat transfer!

just an idea...

white is... refresing! not sure about the green tubing, though!
6/10!
The green coils is what came with the swiftec unit. I've got white on the way ifg I don't just change the tubes.
StudabakerIt would be wise then to use different hoses instead of cutting them :D
I was thinking the same thing, just undecided as to what. I use PrimoFlex Pro LRT on my other build.
kyle2020depends if you can get the original tubes off without damaging them in any way :ohwell:
Yeah they come off easy.
_jMIm sure it wouldn't be that hard. The hard part would be trying to bleed a fully enclosed WC set-up like that.
It's pretty quick, the rad has a top fill reservoir.

Thanks for all the comments guys
Posted on Reply
#17
kaosII
I love this case and motherboard. Full featured micro atx!!! Very cool.
So my critique, ie.thefreedictionary.com/critique - #1 work of art.
Add a little more red, change the water-block, maybe some red cool-sleeves instead of green, if they are even necessary.
But, with that said it won't be as tidy with a new block, cuz you are gonna need a pump.
There is something to be said about the all in one system, as far as simplicity goes. So maybe just some red or white cool-sleeves.
If temps are good why mess with it.

I have the Antec Quattro 1000 psu, and you NEED to get some air down there
some how. Unless of course you have a fan down there and I just don't see it.
In either case you get a 10 from me.

Great job!!
Posted on Reply
#20
The Nemesis
Okay took some advice I changed the tubing to Danger Den White UV Bue 3/8 in ID 5/8 Outer ID. Since I changed the tubing I went ahead and added Swiftech MCW-NBMAX Northbridge Cooler because this board has high Norbridge temps. Temps are about 10'c cooler than they were previously. Working on windowing out the side panel now.
Posted on Reply
#21
tzitzibp
The NemesisOkay took some advice I changed the tubing to Danger Den White UV Bue 3/8 in ID 5/8 Outer ID. Since I changed the tubing I went ahead and added Swiftech MCW-NBMAX Northbridge Cooler because this board has high Norbridge temps. Temps are about 10'c cooler than they were previously. Working on windowing out the side panel now.
Looks better, man!

8/10
Posted on Reply
#22
alexp999
Staff
Nice! But I would be worried about those GTX 280s, not only are they really close with little room for intake, but the exhaust of the Rad is blowing at them too :eek:

How are the temps for them?
Posted on Reply
#23
Bjorn_Of_Iceland
Poor thin MCR240 :( a core i7 and an x58 northbridge for it.. hehe
Posted on Reply
#24
The Nemesis
tzitzibpLooks better, man!

8/10
Thanks!!
alexp999Nice! But I would be worried about those GTX 280s, not only are they really close with little room for intake, but the exhaust of the Rad is blowing at them too :eek:

How are the temps for them?
The rad exhaust actually helps with the overall internel air flow. Warm air is better than no air. The rear 120mm and the top 200mm get all the warm air from getting trapped in the case.

Temps are about the same as they were when they were in my other build but it was a Tri-SLI. 56' idle 83 max @ load. I am however considering running a single GTX280 or pair of4890's
Bjorn_Of_IcelandPoor thin MCR240 :( a core i7 and an x58 northbridge for it.. hehe
My idle core temps went up 7'c but the 10'c drop in idle northbridge temps was worth it. I've got a My first i7 920 will do 3.8Ghz 1.275v & 3920Mhz 1.32v. I'm gonna put it in and stay @ 3.8GHz 24/7. The chip will do 4.2GHz @ 1.425v but that will be far too much for the current cooling.
Posted on Reply
#25
MKmods
Case Mod Guru
First, very nice job on how clean the design is..Excellent work.

And the GPUs have to be cooler that way with so much unrestricted airflow (its not like the airflow from the rad is hot)

I used/modded one of those Swiftech all in one coolers and while it didnt work the best (was ok) the cool thing is there is a reg DDC pump in there and with the addition of a aftermarket top it can be used to its full advantage.

Its REALLY cool to see a great job get better and better (I wish I could keep one of my comps together long enough to refine it like this one)
Posted on Reply
#26
alexp999
Staff
The NemesisTemps are about the same as they were when they were in my other build but it was a Tri-SLI. 56' idle 83 max @ load. I am however considering running a single GTX280 or pair of4890's
What settings were the fans on for those temps?

And 4890s would probably be hotter! :eek:
Posted on Reply
#27
The Nemesis
MKmodsFirst, very nice job on how clean the design is..Excellent work.

And the GPUs have to be cooler that way with so much unrestricted airflow (its not like the airflow from the rad is hot)

I used/modded one of those Swiftech all in one coolers and while it didnt work the best (was ok) the cool thing is there is a reg DDC pump in there and with the addition of a aftermarket top it can be used to its full advantage.

Its REALLY cool to see a great job get better and better (I wish I could keep one of my comps together long enough to refine it like this one)
Thanks,

I'm think that reservoir that serves as a top for pump will fit if I go to one Video card or a dual card. I tried my PA 120.2 but push pull won't fit with long vga cards. I'm working on some Ideas so there will be another refit. :0
alexp999What settings were the fans on for those temps?

And 4890s would probably be hotter! :eek:
75% fan speed 675 core 1475 shader 1200 memory. The cards ran 700 core 1525 shader 1300 memory 24/7 when they were in tri sli.
Posted on Reply
#28
alexp999
Staff
Wow they are getting a bit hot then especially for that fan speed :/
Posted on Reply
#29
yaxpak
Ugly case, but excellent setup! Most hardware is some of the best stuff out there. Great job man, I gave you an 8!
Posted on Reply
#30
The Nemesis
Okay guys, another refit. The Swiftec H2O 220 didn't mount well and the temps weren't always great when overclocked. I wasn't currently using my old corsair nautilus so I removed the Laing DDC pump from it, used the radiator res combo from swiftec kit and added an Apogee GTZ water block. I dropped the push/pull fan configuration as all it did was increase noise and I needed the extra space for tubing. I'm currently considering yet another refit to include either the swiftec micro res or XSPC reservoir top for Laing DDC Pump to go along with a better rad like PA 120.2 or Fessor Xchanger Dual.
Posted on Reply
#31
icon1
the white tubes really looks good, nice job mate.. it looks clean :)
Posted on Reply
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