12/26/2023
This is the rebuild of my current X299 Dark system. I wasn't happy with the original build and I also wanted to liquid cool the GPU as well. So I started with the CableMod basic set of cables for a normal pc, I needed 2 packs because of the need for multiple PCI-E 8/6-pin connectors.
The EK GPU block is the Active Backplate Set for the Evga 3090 FTW3 Ultra that my wife purchased as a Christmas gift. It is quite a beefy unit by itself, I'm am glad it wasn't going into a horizontal situation. The amount of weight is kinda crazy and it would definitely sag if you didn't support it in some way.
I then decided to replace the radiator I had for something way more substantial. I got myself 1 360mm x 54mm Koolance 30FPI radiator for the bottom front of the case and a 420mm x 30mm 30FPI Koolance radiator for the rear of the case. After mounting the 6 Corsair QL fans on each radiator in the push-pull configuration to optimize air movement past the radiator. It became fairly apparent that Corsair hates people and decided to have 2 wires coming from each fan to make as much spaghetti in the back of your case that it becomes unmanageable! I decided to take things into my own hands and do it correctly. I took every connector off each end, cut a bunch of heat shrink ends, cut lengths of braided expandable tubing for all 18 fans to make each fan only carry one "wire" from each fan while leaving enough length at the end to be plugged into the Commander XT unit. Also having to purchase a Commander XT for each of the 6 fans was an additional cost to get the system to work correctly, something that should be included with a 3 pack of fans. All in all the Corsair system is awesome and awesomely expensive and incomplete. They have fixed the wires part with the Link system now, but the cost is still stupid expensive.
I then did several other wires that I could cover up with that sleeving to keep it looking as good as I could the front audio connector and the front panel switches got covered because they were easy to get done after all the other ones I did.
I got the radiators and fans mounted inside the case where they belong, added the top fans and the rear exhaust to the rear panel. I decided to add a fan on the floor of the tear chamber to keep the air moving around.
I then started to figure out the tubing path, added the top fill port along with a fabricated resivoir mount and a fabricated PSU bracket to relocate it lower into the case to accommodate the large plug the 1600W monster takes. I took each bracket out to my garage and gave them a nice sanding to get marks out of the metal and then sprayed each with self etching primer, several layers, and then sprayed with semi-gloss black with sanding n between each spray.
I didn't include the card block installation because it was my first attempt at doing it and I was concerned about forgetting something if I was not completely focused on it. Next time I will for sure include those pictures now knowing it isn't as crazy to do as I initially thought.
I spent some time testing each of the fan banks making sure I didn't miss any connections on the fans after taking each of them apart. I then put the card back into the system and got the tubing bent to make the final 2 connections in the systems loop. I highly recommend using a leak tester for any liquid cooled system, it will save you time and hassle. Pouring liquid into your system when you have a fill port on the top of your system is a wonderful thing, makes life easier for sure.
This won't be the last system in this case so you will probably see it again in the future, but I will most likely be moving things around again.
