Build Log

I recently underwent a career change, and as a result, work has become quite hectic. This is why I've temporarily slowed down my progress on my security training. However, with some extra cash in hand, I've decided to embark on building a new desktop! My current rig is nearly five years old, so it's time for an upgrade.

I've chosen to venture into water cooling, mainly for the added challenge. While today's air cooling solutions can perform nearly as well as a full custom loop, I want the exhilaration of pushing water through a machine and the satisfaction of completing an all-out build. It's a childhood dream come true, you know?

So, this marks my first build log, where I plan to document my journey of building this beast as someone who's never even glanced at a water cooling component before.

Goals

As usual, I like to establish a set of goals for any project. When it comes to building a machine, it's easiest to set goals based on the workloads it will be used for. My workloads include:

Running lots of virtual machines
Local Kubernetes for experimenting with new technologies
Engaging in graphically intensive development workflows (Unity3D and EDA tools)
Occasional gaming when I want to try out a new title
The ability to experiment more with hash cracking as I delve deeper into cryptography
Anticipating the need to learn machine learning for my career, having a home rig for experimentation would be beneficial

My goals for this build are:

Achieving a balance between single-thread performance and a high number of threads
Selecting a powerful graphics card without going overboard
Opting for high-end memory capacity with room for future expansion
Building a full custom water loop for the thrill and learning experience
Ensuring the ability to expand hard drive capacity significantly, starting with a single M.2 drive
Incorporating plenty of RGB lighting because I enjoy cable routing, and I might even share the finished product on r/cableporn when it's done.

Parts Selection

Starting with the CPU, I've always stuck with Intel, but AMD has been dominating the market recently. So, I've decided to go with Team Red this time and selected the AMD Ryzen 9 3900X. It offers great performance.

Next, for the graphics card, I'm aiming for a 2080Ti to take full advantage of CUDA cores, as most EDA tools exclusively use CUDA. I don't want to splurge on a Titan, nor do I want a pure 'workload' GPU since I also plan to game on this rig. However, I'm holding off on choosing the specific 2080 Ti until I decide on the water block.

Now, let's move on to selecting a motherboard. I need one with an AM4 socket and onboard Wi-Fi. PCPartspicker helped me narrow it down, and I ended up choosing the MSI MPG B550 GAMING CARBON WIFI ATX AM4 Motherboard for its RGB lighting control. I'm open to changing it if something better comes along during the rest of the build.

The motherboard has four RAM slots, and I plan to start with 32GB, with the ability to expand. So, I've selected Corsair Vengeance RGB Pro 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR4-3600 CL18 Memory. It's a good balance between performance and aesthetics.

For storage, I'm going with a blazing-fast M.2 drive, the ADATA XPG SPECTRIX S40G RGB 2 TB M.2-2280 NVME Solid State Drive.

For the power supply, I'm planning ahead for potential multiple graphics cards and additional cooling components, so I've chosen a 1200W PSU. I've also gone for a fully modular option with the Rosewill 1200 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply.

As for the case, since it's my first time building a water-cooled rig, I want plenty of space to work in and lots of tempered glass to showcase the RGB glory. After some research, I settled on the Lian Li O11D XL-W ATX Full Tower Case. It's known for being spacious and ideal for water loops.

Now, let's delve into the cooling loop. I spent a significant amount of time researching this aspect, although I didn't document it all. I watched numerous videos and read blogs, and here are some key takeaways:

Use PETG tubing for its durability and ease of handling.
Avoid mixing metals in the cooling loop; either go with copper or nickel-plated aluminum. I opted for aluminum for cost-effectiveness.
Invest in high-quality fittings; don't cut corners here.
Tubing diameter doesn't significantly affect performance, as long as it matches the chosen fittings.
Most water-cooling components have 1/4" holes.
Aim for at least 120mm of radiator per component in the loop.
The coolant isn't just water; it contains additives to prevent microbial growth and corrosion.
When bending tubing, use an insert to maintain shape.

Starting with water blocks, I faced limited availability due to the specialized nature of these components. For the GPU block, I selected the Watercool HEATKILLER® IV for RTX 2080 Ti - ACRYL Ni-Bl RGB, which is compatible with various GPUs on the market.

Regarding the GPU itself, I researched the best cards for water block installation. EVGA was highly recommended, but unfortunately, they were sold out everywhere, with the available options being exorbitantly priced. So, I opted for the Asus GeForce RTX 2080 Ti 11 GB Dual OC Video Card. The only downside was its stock fan, which I plan to replace anyway.

For the CPU block, I went with the EKWB EK-Velocity CPU Waterblock, Digital RGB, AMD CPU, Nickel/Plexi. EKWB is a reputable brand, and this block offers both performance and aesthetics.

When it came to radiators, finding ones with nickel fins proved to be a challenge. I decided to go with a slightly larger 360mm radiator that was in stock, the Thermaltake CL-W013-AL00BL-A Pacific DIY LCS RL360 Radiator, from another reputable brand.

For cooling the radiator, I picked up three 120mm highly-regarded static-pressure fans, the EK Vardar F3.

Now, onto the pump and reservoir configuration. I initially considered a combo unit but stumbled upon something intriguing called a distribution plate. It simplifies loop construction and takes the guesswork out of component placement. Some distribution plates even come with a built-in pump that doubles as a reservoir. After researching various options on the market, I discovered that Lian Li recently released plates specifically designed for the case I chose. I opted for the massive front-mounted LIAN LI O11D DISTRO-PLATE G1 DESIGNED BY EKWB WITH DDC 3.1 PUMP. It should ensure straight tube runs and looks stunning.

To complete the build, I'll need additional fans, so I grabbed a set of RGB fans, the upHere 7x 120mm RGB Kit.

Finally, for fittings and tubing, I selected 16/12 PETG tubes, purchasing twice as much as needed to account for any mistakes. To match, I bought two Thermaltake Pacific Chrome C-Pro G1/4 PETG 16mm OD Compression Fitting 6 Pack CL-W213-CU00SL-B, which come highly recommended.

I know I'll require a few fan splitters, but I have some lying around, so that's sorted. I also bought pre-mixed coolant since it's my first time and I want to avoid any mistakes. Additionally, I invested in a bending kit, which includes cutting tools, tools for preparing tube ends, bending jigs, and inserts for bends.

Part List

Component	Part
CPU	AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
GPU	Asus GeForce RTX 2080 Ti 11 GB Dual OC Video Card
Motherboard	MSI MPG B550 GAMING CARBON WIFI ATX AM4 Motherboard
RAM	Corsair Vengeance RGB Pro 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR4-3600 CL18 Memory
Memory	ADATA XPG SPECTRIX S40G RGB 2 TB M.2-2280 NVME Solid State Drive
PSU	Rosewill 1200 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply
Case	Lian Li O11D XL-W ATX Full Tower Case
GPU Block	Watercool HEATKILLER® IV for RTX 2080 Ti - ACRYL Ni-Bl RGB
CPU Block	EKWB EK-Velocity CPU Waterblock, Digital RGB, AMD CPU, Nickel/Plexi
Pump+Res+Distribution Plate	LIAN LI O11D DISTRO-PLATE G1 DESIGNED BY EKWB WITH DDC 3.1 PUMP
Fans	upHere 7x 120mm RGB Kit
Tubing & Fittings	Thermaltake Pacific Chrome C-Pro G1/4 PETG 16mm OD Compression Fitting 6 Pack CL-W213-CU00SL-B
Cooling Fans	EK Vardar F3
Coolant	Pre-mixed coolant
Bending Kit	Included cutting tools, tools for preparing tube ends, bending jigs, and inserts for bends

With all the components selected, I'm eagerly awaiting their arrival for the assembly phase!