PC Building

[eebiii]

Starting a new build Friday after work. Will try and post pics as I am moving along. 

Was having a hard time with what case I wanted to go with. It was between the NZXT H9 Elite and Corsair 5000T. I went with the H9 because there just isn't enough room in the 5000T to do what I want. The double chamber in the H9 allows me to do some of my piping behind the back panel and hides the pump, drain, etc. I went with the Corsair XD7 because the water plate I found for this case was only designed for a ddc pump and I wanted a D5, especially running 2\two 360mm Rads. And if I went with another plate, I would have to put the pump in front, and it just wouldn't look as clean IMO.

I am using 10 fans in this build. There will be a push-pull setup for top radiator with the bottom 360 and back 120 being the exhaust. I want to take advantage of the top cutout in the case where you can showcase some fans or a water plate. 

I have been using those TT RGB fittings in my last couple build and it turns out nice, so I am going to stick with it one more time and have clear XL8 HydroX coolant and some RGB pipes. 

This will be my first build in a while where I have no EK parts in it at all. Only things not pictured are the Bykski CPU block, coolant and some fittings.

Nzxt H9 Elite

Asus TUF x570-Plus WiFi

AMD Ryzen 9 5900X w/ Bykski block

Corsair Vengeance Pro 64GB (4x16gb) DDR 4 3600

MSI RX 6950 XT Gaming X Trio w/ Bykski block

2TB WD Black m.2

Nzxt 1000w PSU

Corsair HydroX XD7 RGB

Thermalright 120mm fans (x10), 3 in reverse

TT Pacific RGB Plus Rigid Tube fittings

Nzxt Vertical GPU mounting kit

Alphacool NexXxos 360mm Radiator (x2)

[BigAl01]

This should be an interesting build.  Who's gonna be the lucky one to own it?

[mengelag]

Can't wait to see the finished build!

[Albrecht-CARL]

Sounds like an awesome build! The H9 Elite’s dual-chamber design should make for a super clean setup, and the push-pull fan configuration will keep things cool. Looking forward to seeing the progress pics!

[eebiii]

Throwing a few pics up but it changes all the time. Push -pull config on top kind of went out the window as the I am 1/4" short on top of case for standard fan. I think I have a different idea for it.

[BigAl01]

I see you're not afraid to drill a few holes here and there.  Good pictures by the way.

[eebiii]

Yes sir! I will drill holes where needed. I have some rubber gaskets for those holes but can't find the box. 

[BigAl01]

I know all about not being able to find something that you're sure you have on hand.

[Bmacek01]

The 5900X with 64GB of RAM is an interesting choice.

I take it you have some workloads besides the obvious gaming?

I like the 6950XT.  It should show some nice thermals with the water cooling block.

[eebiii]

This is being setup as a pure gaming rig. But can pretty much handle everything you throw at it. I originally was building it for a for a kid that wanted 350-400 fps in Fortnite but since then things have got tight on his end so now I have to find a new buyer.

[BigAl01]

That's one reason I don't build computers for friends anymore.  I only charged for the parts that I bought - not for my labor - and yet, this one guy could only afford something like $100 per month towards the machine.  Then, when they break something, they come looking for you to help them for free.  I don't have a business, it's only a hobby.  Everything I do in retirement is on a volunteer basis.  Now I only give away older machines at my LAN parties on an 'as-is' basis.

[eebiii]

I am 100% in agreement with you @BigAl01 and I have dealt with it a lot myself. I can usually sell my builds pretty quickly sometimes not so quick. The ones I hold on too, I use to build on other projects, competitions, etc. and have given some away also. Plus, if you get me started on something, I go until complete. Most people do not think about the hours of research to build one of these water-cooled systems the right way. And that is on really any build. But they will attempt it once, not tell you about the month of micromanagement to put it together and that it still doesn't run right. So, I set a fair price and stick with it. Everything else is just nonsense talk because I am doing all of the building. So, I lose some sales for calling them out on their BS and they walk because they are trying to low ball me. Same old song and dance.

[eebiii]

Going to fill the loop soon and start wiring.

My office has become a nightmare!Ill clean later! 🙂

[eebiii]

My wife came in a started picking me apart on some of the build last night and started talking about taking the plastic off from inside the case that I forgot about. And then it dawned on me!!!! I forgot to take the plastic off the CPU block. ####!! Now this is probably the 3rd or 4th time I have done this over 15 years. But it sux! I just get into too much of hurry and get things lined up and move on. Anyway, I got it everything apart and sure enough it was on there. Removed it and put everything back together. Back on track.

[BigAl01]

Even the most experienced builder can make a nubie mistake.  It hasn't happened to me of course..... 🙂

[eebiii]

A good friend of mine and I are going to try this soon. Already have the nozzle kit and he has compressor. I was going to try it on this build, but I think using some old blocks, rads, pump etc. without components attached would be better so I am comfortable first. I could see myself using this method every time. 

Vacuum filling your loop : r/watercooling

[BigAl01]

I like that idea.  Filling the system is one reason I've not jumped into this water cooling frenzy.  But another reason is the cost of water blocks and associated hardware.  I bet the vacuum pump would cost at least $50 USD.

You are wise to try it first on a test setup.  I would look for a secure way to hold that nozzle into the coolant tank so it doesn't jump out and suck in air.

[cpurpe91]

This is a beautiful machine. Are those fans on the distribution block? The clear thingy? I may have the wrong terminology.

[BigAl01]

No, 'thingy' was added to the technical description of many products in 2025.  You're fine.

[cpurpe91]

That's great.