Project Log: Gears of War

[Scu84St3v3420]

Introduction:

So I decided I should start a work log for my upcoming build this Spring. I just built my first custom gaming PC in over a decade Spring of this year and have fallen back in love with pc gaming all over again after over a solid decade of console gaming.

My current build is sitting in a Fractal Design Meshify C TG and being cooled by a CoolerMaster ML240R AIO and rocks a LOT of RGB equipment to accomplish my color theme currently. And for most of the year that was perfectly satisfying, then I started looking at custom loop builds and playing on EKWB's custom loop builder...

I had initially planned to mod my current case with my current setup, but have since decided that I want to go all out on this build. This is will be my first time building a custom loop as well as modding a case, so I wanted to document it in a work log.

Currently I am in the process of buying hardware for the build and should have acquired everything by the end of January. Then I will start purchasing the items I will need strictly for modding the case, which I hope to have everything by the end of February.

I live in Vermont so I will have to wait until Spring to be able to spray paint. Additionally I plan on upgrade to Zen 2 when it launches this Spring as well as the (assuming) X570 platform. Going to be looking to grab (assuming again) a Ryzen 7 3700X and Asus ROG Crosshair Hero VIII. I am of course assuming those will be the names of each of those higher end components.

Current Build:

Now onto the plans for my upgrades...


Parts List:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant
CPU: AMD - Ryzen 5 2600X 3.6 GHz 6-Core Processor (Purchased For $229.99)
Thermal Compound: Thermal Grizzly - Hydronaut 3.9 g Thermal Paste ($14.29 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Asus - ROG STRIX X470-F Gaming ATX AM4 Motherboard (Purchased For $214.99)
Memory: G.Skill - Trident Z RGB 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3200 Memory (Purchased For $216.99)
Storage: Patriot - Burst 240 GB 2.5" Solid State Drive (Purchased For $35.99)
Storage: Samsung - 970 Evo 250 GB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive (Purchased For $106.99)
Video Card: Asus - GeForce GTX 1080 8 GB ROG STRIX Video Card (Purchased For $669.99)
Case: Fractal Design - Define S2 Blackout – TG ATX Mid Tower Case ($165.46 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA - SuperNOVA G3 650 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply (Purchased For $109.99)
Operating System: Microsoft - Windows 10 Home Full - USB 32/64-bit (Purchased For $119.99)
Monitor: Asus - ROG SWIFT PG278QR 27.0" 2560x1440 165 Hz Monitor (Purchased For $613.66)
Keyboard: Asus - ROG Claymore Core Wired Gaming Keyboard (Purchased For $159.99)
Mouse: Asus - ROG Gladius II Wired Optical Mouse (Purchased For $94.69)
Other: Bitspower G1/4" Mini Valve with Black Handle, Matte Black, Body ($32.99 @ Amazon)
Other: EKWB EK-CoolStream XE 360 (Triple) Liquid Cooling Radiator (Purchased For $120.99)
Other: EKWB EK-CoolStream XE 360 (Triple) Liquid Cooling Radiator (Purchased For $120.99)
Other: Bitspower G1/4" to Enhance Multi-Link Fitting for 12mm OD Tubing, Matte Black, 4-pack ($33.99 @ Amazon)
Other: Bitspower G1/4" to Enhance Multi-Link Fitting for 12mm OD Tubing, Matte Black, 4-pack ($33.99 @ Amazon)
Other: Bitspower G1/4" to Enhance Multi-Link Fitting for 12mm OD Tubing, Matte Black, 4-pack ($33.99 @ Amazon)
Other: Bitspower None Chamfer PETG Link Tube, 12mm OD, 1000mm, Clear, 4-pack ($34.99 @ Amazon)
Other: Bitspower None Chamfer PETG Link Tube, 12mm OD, 1000mm, Clear, 4-pack ($34.99 @ Amazon)
Other: EK Water Blocks EK-FC1080/ 1070/ 1060 GTX Strix Backplate - Black (Purchased For $24.94)
Other: Bitspower T-Block Fitting with Triple G1/4" Female, Matte Black ($14.99 @ Amazon)
Other: Bitspower G1/4" Temperature Sensor Stop Fitting, Matte Black ($15.99 @ Amazon)
Other: Bitspower G1/4" Temperature Sensor Stop Fitting, Matte Black ($15.99 @ Amazon)
Other: CableMod WideBeam Hybrid LED Kit 60cm - RGB/W ($39.95 @ Amazon)
Other: Bitspower G1/4" to Enhance Multi-Link Adapter Fitting, 90° Rotary, Matte Black, 4-pack ($72.99 @ Amazon)
Other: Bitspower Flow Sensor, Matte Black ($46.99)
Other: Bitspower G1/4" 5mm Male to Male Fitting, Matte Black, 4-pack ($25.99 @ Amazon)
Other: PrimoChill Liquid Filling Bottle - 1000mL ($9.99 @ Amazon)
Other: Klipsch R-15PM Powered Monitor - Cherry (Pair) (Purchased For $279.00)
Other: Thermaltake CL-W153-AL00BU-A ID 10mm x OD 12mm hard tube Pacific Hard Tube Bending Kit ($69.99 @ Amazon)
Other: EKWB EK-CSQ G1/4" Plug with EK Logo, Black, 4-pack ($24.99 @ Amazon)
Other: EKWB EK-Vardar EVO 120ER PWM 120mm Fan, 2200 RPM, Black, 2-pack ($54.99 @ Amazon)
Other: EKWB EK-Vardar EVO 120ER PWM 120mm Fan, 2200 RPM, Black, 2-pack ($54.99 @ Amazon)
Other: EKWB EK-Vardar EVO 120ER PWM 120mm Fan, 2200 RPM, Black, 2-pack ($54.99 @ Amazon)
Other: EKWB EK-AF G1/4" FillPort, Black ($14.99 @ Amazon)
Other: EKWB EK-Velocity CPU Waterblock, AMD CPU, Nickel/Plexi (Purchased For $93.95)
Other: EKWB EK-CryoFuel Solid Premix Coolant, 1000mL, Electric Purple ($36.39 @ Amazon)
Other: EKWB EK-CryoFuel Solid Premix Coolant, 1000mL, Electric Purple ($36.39 @ Amazon)
Other: EKWB EK-CryoFuel Solid Premix Coolant, 1000mL, Electric Purple ($36.39 @ Amazon)
Other: EKWB EK-CryoFuel Solid Premix Coolant, 1000mL, Electric Purple ($36.39 @ Amazon)
Other: Swiftech Maelstrom D5 Reservoir Pump Combo - 200mm ($159.95)
Other: EK-FC1080 GTX Strix - Nickel (Purchased For $167.47)
Total: $4588.62
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2018-11-22 04:03 EST-0500


Theme: Gears of War

Colors: Nvidia Green and Electric Purple

Goals: Silent Overclocking and appearance



Mods:

1) Paint fittings and plugs (Nvidia Green)

2) CableMod custom PSU cables (Nvidia Green/Electric Purple)

3) Paint case (Nvidia Green)

4) Paint Fractal Design logo on PSU shroud (Electric Purple)

5) CableMod purple anodized thumb screws

6) Paint Gears of War logo on front panel (Large top center) (Electric Purple)

7) Paint text: SCU84ST3V3420 on side of PSU shroud (Electric Purple)

8) Etch TG panel: Gears logo large (Center)

9) Cut removable portion of PSU Shroud to fit Radiator/Fans

10) Paint EK, Ryzen, Nvidia and ROG logos (Small) on bottom edge of front panel (Electric Purple)

11) Paint SSDs (Electric Purple)

12) Custom Plexi rear panel cover (Nvidia Green)

13) Paint Radiator Fins (Nvidia Green) and Perimeter (Electric Purple)

14) Place Gears of War Figures within the case

15) CableMod white LED kit and CableMod UV LED kit


Here are images that I will be converting into Vinyl Graphics for Paint and Etching Stencils: (Image 1: Paint Stencil for PSU Shroud) (Image 2: Paint and Etch Stencil for Front Panel and Glass Panel, though it will be larger than displayed)

Similar Stencils will be made up for the small front panel logos.

Side Notes: I will be purchasing custom mixed spray paint for the Nvidia Green and using a paid service to get my vinyl stencils made.


Recent Purchases: (Also purchased my GPU Block and Backplate, waiting on delivery this coming week)

Final Words:

For now I will be updating this log as parts come in and if I decide on any additional plans. Once I actually start building I will try to document as much of the process as I can. Thanks for stopping in, please feel free to leave comments.

Cheers!

 

[Scu84St3v3420]

*UPDATE 12/19/18*

So I have made this month's purchases and put another decent dent in the hardware list.

New Hardware:

(1) EK-XRES Revo D5 PMW RGB Res/Pump Combo

(1) Fractal Design Define S2 (Black)

(6) EK-Vardar EVO 120ER (Black)

Comments:

I am now past the halfway mark on the watercooling purchases for this build, now there are only 2 more items that are over $40 left on the list and I can begin spreading out smaller purchases where smaller amounts of spendable cash are available. I should have everything ready to go for beginning of February as far as the water cooling hardware.

Then I can start making purchases for modding supplies and hopefully by the time I have all of those rounded up I will have gotten my tax return and Zen 2 will have launched (wishful thinking). As well by that time winter will have ended and should be able to paint and mod the case and begin building.

Final Thoughts:

I will post pics of the new hardware once it arrives and I will begin making a mock up for the loop in paint or a similar app. As always please feel free to leave comments.

 

[psy81]

I'm looking forward to this... love Gears of War so my expectations are super high! No pressure lol

 

[Scu84St3v3420]

I'm looking forward to this... love Gears of War so my expectations are super high! No pressure lol

I hear you man, I remember playing the crap out of the very first Gears of War on Xbox 360... I ended up ranking in the top 10,000 in the world for that one and top 5,000 in the world for the second and then I stop playing them online until 4. So I have very high expectations for myself as well... I was considering some UV clear coat on the green components of the build internally for a Lambent effect.

No mods done yet obviously, but here is a little teaser of some of the WCing gear installed in the case... It's a tight squeeze lol, might be able to get a piece of paper between those two rads...

 

[Scu84St3v3420]

*UPDATE 12/27/18*

I didn't specify this in my previous update, my parents graciously purchased the EK-XRES Revo 140 D5 RGB Pump/Res Combo as a gift for me for Christmas. Additionally I ordered 90% of the fittings I am expecting to need for the build and those have also arrived, unfortunately the Ball Valve fitting I ordered arrived damaged and I have to RMA it with Amazon tomorrow to get a replacement. This leaves me at 1-2 more orders for the liquid cooling hardware and then onto purchasing materials and such for modding the case.

Here is a pic I took today with the res/pump with some fittings attached just placed inside of the case unmounted to start getting an idea of how I am going to go about building the loop. And already I can tell the run from the pump to the front rad is going to be a bit of a headache and might require some additional fittings to make it tolerable.

Please note the ball valve pictured is being sent back for replace and is coming off of a T fitting.

Additional Comments:

I should also not that I still intend to purchase a larger tube from EKWB for the Res/Pump Combo to fiill out the case a bit more, as well I have decided I might want to add a multi-port top to the setup for ease of filling as well as an inlet for the loop. And as always please feel free to leave comments...

Cheers!

 

[psy81]

I'm a big fan of the Fractal Design case... lol your rads are super thick but hey if it fits its all good

 

[Scu84St3v3420]

I'm a big fan of the Fractal Design case... lol your rads are super thick but hey if it fits its all good

So far I too really am a fan of their cases, this is my second one from them. Yea those 60mm thick rads look like monsters, but it's a BIG case (to me at least) so might as well fill it out.

 

[Scu84St3v3420]

*UPDATE*

Sorry for the lack of updates in the last few months, winter got to me and I just sat on Hulu for 3 months or gamed... LOL

I just ordered the remainder of the hardware for this build, here is the completely list of hardware for this build:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant
Motherboard: Asus - ROG Crosshair VII Hero ATX AM4 Motherboard (Purchased For $256.97)
Case: Fractal Design - Define S2 Black – TG ATX Mid Tower Case (Purchased For $127.19)
Other: Bitspower G1/4" Mini Valve with Black Handle, Matte Black, Body (Purchased For $32.99)
Other: PORTER-CABLE PC1500HG 1500-Watt Heat Gun (Purchased For $34.99)
Other: EKWB EK-CoolStream XE 360 (Triple) Liquid Cooling Radiator (Purchased For $120.99)
Other: EKWB EK-CoolStream XE 360 (Triple) Liquid Cooling Radiator (Purchased For $120.99)
Other: Bitspower G1/4" to Enhance Multi-Link Fitting for 12mm OD Tubing, Matte Black, 4-pack (Purchased For $33.99)
Other: Bitspower G1/4" to Enhance Multi-Link Fitting for 12mm OD Tubing, Matte Black, 4-pack (Purchased For $33.99)
Other: Bitspower G1/4" to Enhance Multi-Link Fitting for 12mm OD Tubing, Matte Black, 4-pack (Purchased For $33.99)
Other: Bitspower None Chamfer PETG Link Tube, 12mm OD, 1000mm, Clear, 4-pack (Purchased For $34.99)
Other: Bitspower None Chamfer PETG Link Tube, 12mm OD, 1000mm, Clear, 4-pack (Purchased For $34.99)
Other: EK Water Blocks EK-FC1080/ 1070/ 1060 GTX Strix Backplate - Black (Purchased For $24.94)
Other: Bitspower T-Block Fitting with Triple G1/4" Female, Matte Black (Purchased For $14.99)
Other: Bitspower G1/4" to Enhance Multi-Link Adapter Fitting, 90° Rotary, Matte Black, 4-pack (Purchased For $72.99)
Other: Bitspower G1/4" 5mm Male to Male Fitting, Matte Black, 4-pack (Purchased For $25.99)
Other: PrimoChill Liquid Filling Bottle - 1000mL (Purchased For $9.99)
Other: EK-RES X3 - Reservoir Replacement Multiport TOP (Purchased For $29.95)
Other: EK-RES X3 - TUBE 250 (204mm) (Purchased For $35.00)
Other: Thermaltake CL-W153-AL00BU-A ID 10mm x OD 12mm hard tube Pacific Hard Tube Bending Kit (Purchased For $69.99)
Other: Fractal Design Flex VRC-25 PCIE x16 Extender and Vertical GPU Riser (Purchased For $46.99)
Other: Bitspower G1/4" Low-Profile Stop Fitting V2, Matte Black, 4-pack (Purchased For $22.99)
Other: TeamProfitcom PWM Fan Splitter Adapter Cable Sleeved Braided Y Splitter Computer PC 4 Pin Fan Extension Power Cable 1 to 3 Converter 10 inches (2 Pack) (Purchased For $8.99)
Other: EKWB EK-Velocity CPU Waterblock, AMD CPU, Nickel/Plexi (Purchased For $93.95)
Other: EKWB EK-CryoFuel Solid Premix Coolant, 1000mL, Electric Purple (Purchased For $111.96)
Other: EK-Vardar EVO 120ER Black BB (500-2200rpm) - Black 2 Pack (Purchased For $140.85)
Other: EK-FC1080 GTX Strix - Nickel (Purchased For $167.47)
Other: EK-XRES 140 Revo D5 RGB PWM (incl. sl. pump) (Purchased For $204.84)
Total: $1947.95
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2019-04-18 14:24 EDT-0400


I will soon begin purchasing the stuff I need for modding and be actually onto building this beast. Hoping by the time I've finished modding and am on to installing that Zen2 will have launched. Also haven't committed to it yet, but I may also be grabbing a Strix 2080Ti OC as well and grab blocks for that and swap it out for the 1080.

Thanks for checking in guys, hope to start having pics/videos to upload in the coming month or so.

 

[Scu84St3v3420]

*UPDATE 5/1/19*

Alright so I thought I'd give an update as to what is going on with this project... I am honestly starting to get impatient on building, but the wait with be worth the while. I promise the actual build will begin soonish!


New Hardware:

ASUS ROG Strix RTX 2080 OC


Final Shopping List:

PCPartPicker Part List
Power Supply: SeaSonic - PRIME Ultra Titanium 850 W 80+ Titanium Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($209.68 @ Amazon)
Other: CableMod WideBeam Hybrid LED Kit 60cm - RGB/W ($42.95 @ Amazon)
Other: EK Water Blocks EK-Vector Strix RTX 2080 RGB Water Block - Nickel + Plexi ($184.99 @ Amazon)
Other: EKWB EK-Vector Strix RTX 2080 Backplate, Black ($48.99 @ Amazon)
Other: Armour Etch Cream, 10-Ounce(a Fast Acting,1bottle) ($18.77)
Other: NECA Gears of War 2 Series 4 Ticker Action Figure ($16.00)
Other: NECA Gears of War 2 Series 4 Ticker Action Figure ($16.00)
Other: UV Lighting ($70.00)
Other: green spray paint ($15.00)
Other: purple spray paint ($15.00)
Other: Custom Power Supply Cables ($272.30)
Total: $909.68
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2019-05-01 01:22 EDT-0400

I will also be slamming a high end AMD Ryzen 3000s series chip into this build upon release... Here is a teaser of the layout I have in mind so far:

Comments:

I am really excited now that cabin fever is starting to wear off and it is starting to get warmer outside. I will hopefully begin painting here in the coming month! Going full beast mode on a PC build has always been something I dreamed of doing since I was a teenager, so I'm starting to get really pumped to start building for sure. I do think I will also have to grab a few more fittings for the front panel rad since the ports are at the bottom of the case.

As always please feel free to drop a comment!

 

[Nemesis429]

Looking good. *patiently waits for build to be finished*