Fractal Design, Node 804 Chassis & Kelvin S24 Cooler Build/Mini-Review, Updated 01/09

[Saracen]

Saracen, apologies mate it was intended as a bit of light hearted humour/banter between fellow competition winners and not a serious comment as I think you've taken it. No Hexus member deserves to win more than you for the years of outstanding service you've given, so if you feel my post comes across as offensive and not as I meant it please delete it. Apologies once again.

No offence taken, jim.

But the instant I got the email, the thought that this would come up crossed my mind.

I DID take yours as lighthearted (I noticed the smileys ) but nonetheless, I suspect you said jokingly what some will have thought seriously. So we might as well get it out there.

[jimborae]

No offence taken, jim.

But the instant I got the email, the thought that this would come up crossed my mind.

I DID take yours as lighthearted (I noticed the smileys ) but nonetheless, I suspect you said jokingly what some will have thought seriously. So we might as well get it out there.

Phew that's a relief, all good then

Back on topic, my build is done so I will hopefully get my review up this weekend!

[Hicks12]

Finally posted mine up
http://forums.hexus.net/reader-revie...ml#post3462757

Was disappointed with the S24 but the case I am very happy with

[DDY]

Phase 2 complete! I wanted to do a more detailed write up but I'm strapped for time these days.

Firstly, I upgraded to a GTX 980. Specifically the Inno3D Hercule3X because it has a reference board and most importantly was the cheapest GTX 980 at the time.

The choice of card was a toss up between the GTX 980, Fury and 390X. The 980 came out on top with its superior efficiency, since my goal was to build a near silent rig, the less heat I dump in to the water cooling system the better (thus quieter).

Secondly, the fun bit, the rig was plumbed with the lovely blue stuff.

CPU Block - EK Supremacy MX Acetal
GPU Block - EK FC980 Reference Full Cover
Rad #1 - Magicool G2 Slim 240mm
Rad #2 - The 240mm rad pulled from the Fractal Design Kelvin S24 kit
Rad fans - 4x Corsair SP120 Quiet Edition
Pump - Alphacool D5 (vario) VPP655n (decided not to use the DDC as seen in an earlier teaser photo)
Res - EK D5 X-RES 140 CSQ Acetal

The only thing that I'm not too happy about are the fans, I wanted four Scythe Gentle Typhoon fans but I couldn't find them anywhere for a reasonable price. I settled for the Corsair SP120 Quiet Edition fans, they're supposed be good quiet radiators fans with their high static pressure, but I'm not impressed, maybe I'm too fussy. They're noisy at 12v and near silent at 5v, which is great, but the motors make a horrible whirring noise. Fortunately most of that whirring is blocked by having the rig sat under my desk, but if I were to move the machine to someplace more conspicuous, the fans will have to go.

As with cooling performance, with the four SP120 fans at 5v and D5 Vario set between speed 1 and 2, the system is near silent. Cooling an i5-2500k at 4.2GHz and a GTX980 both under simulated max load, the 2500k tops out at 58°C and the 980 at 48°C - very pleased with that.

On the side, I 3D printed two components for the build. The first is a bracket that takes up a front 120mm fan slot that the EK RES hangs on. The second is a column for the graphics card to keep it from sagging under the weight of the water block.

Picture time.

WC parts line up


GTX 980 Block'ed


CPU Block'ed too


3D Printed bracket, I would normally chuck a print like this and start again because it's poorly printed, note the gaps in the top layer. The part is still structurally sound and as no one's going to see it inside the case, I kept it. This bracket takes the place of a front 120mm fan in the RHS compartment, it provides a mounting point for the EK RES.


This shot makes me wonder why Fractal decided on a non-removable dust filter fitted to the top panel. With fans blowing up, dust isn't going to get in and a filter will only impede air flow. (filter was 'modded out' in phase 1)


RHS compartment, yeah, I still haven't bothered tidying the cables, what's the point. Note the DIY fan controller wrapped in white electrical tape and SSD sitting atop the PSU. The only fans on this side are the rad fans, cooling performance is good enough as it is - no need for any more noise makers.


LHS compartment, note the 3D printed column keeping the GTX 980 straight, the column is bolted to the chassis though a vent hole. In addition to the two rad fans, there are two front Scythe S-Flex SFF21D fans running on 5v.


Rear, if you've forgotten what a parallel port looks like.


Obligatory front-left-top photo.


I built a wooden frame for the machine to sit on, fits perfectly on top of the cable nest, much space saved.


Discreet, quiet, but hernia inducing maintenance...


Bonus photo for those still reading, the pump of the Kelvin T12/24/36 taken apart. That's a Alphacool DC-LT in there.


Well, that's my Node 804 build complete. Thanks for reading 8)

[darmz]

really nice build mate