G.Skill Z5i with a steampunk aesthetic

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Grimm's Workshop
Darren Gatewood
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Member since
PC builder, modder, ER nurse
Plano, TX, United States
www.jawa.gg
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44,615
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145
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Most Recent Build

 Hyte Y70 x Zenless Zone Zero mod
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Best Build

 A touch of steampunk
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I'm treating the Z5i as an open case currently. The tempered glass is so dark you can't see anything inside, and this build was meant to be seen.
I'm treating the Z5i as an open case currently. The tempered glass is so dark you can't see anything inside, and this build was meant to be seen.
PSU cables are handmade with MDPC-X sleeving. Every wire in the case is shortened or modded in some way.
PSU cables are handmade with MDPC-X sleeving. Every wire in the case is shortened or modded in some way.
The rear door won't close fully due to the size of the block. But I like being able to see the interior, so I'm just leaving the doors off for now.
The rear door won't close fully due to the size of the block. But I like being able to see the interior, so I'm just leaving the doors off for now.
I added walnut accent panels to the GPU block so it would fit with the EK Lignum hardware.
I added walnut accent panels to the GPU block so it would fit with the EK Lignum hardware.
There's a temp plug in one of the reservoir's ports, but the Bykski gives me flow rate (and just looks cool).
There's a temp plug in one of the reservoir's ports, but the Bykski gives me flow rate (and just looks cool).
Making the cables myself really helped, there's almost zero excess cluttering things up.
Making the cables myself really helped, there's almost zero excess cluttering things up.
The wood is 1/8" walnut plywood. It's the type used for laser cutting, but I used normal power tools.
The wood is 1/8" walnut plywood. It's the type used for laser cutting, but I used normal power tools.
Changed the branding/logos on the PSU.
Changed the branding/logos on the PSU.
I also painted the RAM, although it's hard to see when it's installed.
I also painted the RAM, although it's hard to see when it's installed.
Mounting the FLT80 required moving the radiator down a bit, but it's otherwise a great fit.
Mounting the FLT80 required moving the radiator down a bit, but it's otherwise a great fit.
I used a Dremel to allow for the D5 pump in the rear. Also had to remove some of the floor to allow the radiator to shift downwards.
I used a Dremel to allow for the D5 pump in the rear. Also had to remove some of the floor to allow the radiator to shift downwards.

G.Skill Z5i with a steampunk aesthetic

For my personal rig I wanted to challenge myself. The Z5i is a beautiful case, but is tough to build in; space is tight and thermals are pretty bad. I wanted to continue the steampunk theme I've used in previous builds, and incorporate some of the EK Lignum hardware. This build required case modding, custom cables, watercooling, and even a little woodworking. It took a LOT of blood, sweat, and Dremel cutting discs, but the end result is a high-end build that runs cool and quiet.

Detailed parts list: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/JLbxXk
Color(s): Black Brown
RGB Lighting? Yes
Theme: Steampunk
Cooling: Custom Liquid Cooling
Size: Mini-ITX
Type: General Build

Hardware

CPU
$ 694.87
AMD - Ryzen 7 5800X3D
Socket: AM4
Cores: 8
Motherboard
$ 415.29
ASUS - ROG Strix Gaming (X570-I)
Chipset: X570
CPU Socket: AM4
Size: Mini-ITX
Memory
$ 209.95
Corsair - Vengeance RT (3600MHz) (Black/RGB)
Type: DDR4
Capacity: 32 GB
Graphics
ASRock - Radeon Taichi X
Chip Manufacturer: AMD
Chip: RX 6800 XT
Interface: PCIe x16
Storage
Kingspec - XG7000
Form Factor: M.2
Interface: PCIe x4
Capacity: 4 TB
Storage
$ 199.99
Western Digital - WD Black SN850
Form Factor: M.2
Interface: PCIe x4
Capacity: 1 TB
PSU
$ 274.99
EVGA - SuperNOVA GM
Wattage: 550
Form Factor: SFX
Efficiency: 80+ Gold
Case
$ 139.99
G.Skill - Z5i
Type: Mini-ITX
Side Panel: Tempered Glass
RGB: Yes
Case Fan
$ 43.98
Lian Li - Uni Fan SL140 V2 (2x)
Size: 140 mm
Cooling
Bykski - (A-AR6900XT-X) For Asrock RX 6900XT/6800XT Phantom Gaming D / Taichi
Type: GPU Waterblock
Cooling
$ 30.83
Corsair - Hydro X Series XF Hardline 12mm OD (Black)
Type: Fittings
Cooling
$ 72.99
Corsair - Hydro X XR5 (Slim)
Type: Radiator
Size (WxHxD): 280 mm (2 x 140 mm)
Cooling
EKWB - EK-CPU Lignum - Walnut
Type: CPU Waterblock
Cooling
EKWB - EK-HTC Lignum 12mm - Walnut (11x)
Type: Fittings
Cooling
$ 228.09
EKWB - EK-Quantum Kinetic FLT 80
Type: Pump/Reservoir Combo
Accessories
Bykski - Digital display Flow Meter (B-TFC-CS-X)
1,333
10
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