Hey, so, this is my first posting here, and also my first attempt at a water-cooled build of my own, and my first attempt at a little modding.
As many have, I have chosen the Bitfenix Prodigy ITX-case, as I love the looks and the water-cooling I have seen in other similar cases ends up looking awesome.
I tried to take pictures along the way, but occasionally I went a little rogue and did a bit of work without documenting.
CPU: Intel 4690K
Motherboard: ASrock Z97E-ITX
Memory: Avexir Blitz 2x4 GB 2400 MHz
Storage: Samsung 840 Pro Series 250 GB SSD
GPU: ASUS GeForce GTX 770 2GB
PSU: Corsair RM550
Case: Bitfenix Prodigy Mini-ITX White
Other:
EK 770 Waterblock
EK CPU Universal Waterblock
3 x Bitspower 90 degree rotary
10 x EK 90 degree rotary
1 x EK res/pump-combo
1 x Black Ice stealth 120 mm rad
1 x Black Ice nemesis 240 mm rad
10mm/12mm acrylic tubing
EK male and female double O-ring fittings
3 x blue Dead Silence fans 120 mm
1 x corsair SP120 mm blue fan
Corsair blue-sleeved power-cables
I wanted a build that would be pretty to look at from all sides, so most of the parts were chosen for aesthetics. Initially I was uncertain about the Avexir-memory, as they have a yellow glow, but they ended up looking pretty nice to break up the blue when the computer is turned on.
I started cutting out windows and removing the original plastic front. I then drilled a hole for the 120 mm fan in front, and cut the honey-comb on the inside to increase the airflow.
Trying to even out the edges, and put a white layer of paint on the side panels, with a picture to compare before and after:
These were the original windows I chose, but I did end up changing them for clear acrylic instead of blue acrylic
In the pictures you can see how the rads fit, and where most of the general components end up. In the pictures there is a RM650 PSU, but I changed that out for a RM550 later because of the length, and there would be no reason at all for a 650 in this build.
In the following pictures the side-panels are mostly ready, and you can see how components will show through the windows. Also, the blue fan in the front looks pretty good, and when the blue lights in the fan turns on, it will be a great effect with the blue acrylic panel being installed in front of it.
This is the completed interior, and keep in mind that the lower right corner will be completely hidden, so the mess of wires down there won't be seen at all.
This is the piece of white aluminum that I cut out in order to completely hide the wires.
Also wanted to show of the back of the pump where it connects to the first rad, and the intake from the GPU. It was a bit complex down there because of the placement of the intake and output, and the position of the pump, but yet kind of an elegant solution. Not that it shows up much when the side-panels are on.
The windows have now been attached to the glass, but I did realize that I made a little miscalculation when measuring, so there will have to be some holes on the right, towards the back, that will just have fake screw-tops in them, as it hits part of the case inside if the screws were full length, and it is a part of the case I don't really want to cut, as I am worried that would mess with the integrity of the case.
These are the pictures of the final result, although I will probably end up calming down the blue a bit, as the LEDs were a little brighter than I had thought. The new front is cut from an aluminum panel, and gives the case a more sleek look to it, combined with the new vandal power switch. I went with blue water, to compliment the rest of the build, and all in all, I feel that I managed to keep with my original idea.
This build was a bit of a challenge to me, as it was my first ever water-cooled build, and even more so because I went with the acrylic tubing. But in the end I am really satisfied with the result, and it now stands on my desk as my little pride and joy. Also, it is great how easy it is to transport compared to my other Corsair Air 540 Cube.