Weed out overnight at Microcenter. This is the first part to start the build. I wanted a 30 80 but wasn't going to wait outside for nothing. This part alone set the tone for the rest of the build....
So shiny! *Fingerprint anxiety ensues*
Thanks to the GF for this one! Struck out at Microcenter waiting overnight for the pre-order and she was able to reserve one on her phone that next morning! ❤
Monoblock and motherboard installed! I wish the monoblock's instructions were correct. The thermal pad locations and thicknesses were wrong.... 😑
Desk version one! Got my monitor in and repurposed some Craigslist find plant stands for speaker stands!
Front panel distribution plate installed!
I'm a "fan" of good airflow... I'm sorry....😅
I was determined to make a second radiator fit, so I had to get creative! The clearance for mounting the radiator on the back side is millimeters with the fans.... now I understand why the XL case exists... lol
My first stainless steel pipe bends... this is going to be harder than I thought...
Definitely the hardest pipe bends of the build. These how to connect to the back side radiator and go around the pump on the front distribution plate
While they were very difficult to bend they do look good though!
Day 1 of pipe bending complete. This literally took me eight hours and 1 season of an anime to finish.
Day 2 when a little smoother! First set of Pipes done until the GPU waterblock arrives!
Here's my intial start up! The ram RGB lighting did not want to cooperate...
I absolutely hated the factory PSU cables so I quickly place an order for some custom cable modem cables! (Please ignore the GPU sag)
The GPU sag annoyed me and the gpu was too big and obstructing a lot of air flow. With how my fans are set up a vertical GPU Mount was actually more efficient. And it gets rid of the sag...
I actually think this build looks better with the RGB lighting off...
What's an awesome custom PC without an awesome custom desk?! I'm sorry Ikea but you just weren't cutting it...
Built the custom desk because I was determined to have a receiver in my desk for a full surround sound. Notice the tabletop is not on the desk and that is for a reason....
Because the table top is way too heavy!!! Originally I was going to do a butcher block top and then the GF was like "Granite would be cooler... "She was right...
Gaming Battlestations now really coming together! My first time doing monitors in this orientation. I actually really liked it.
Another picture of the setup this time with a shelf up top for decorations!
Waterblock arrived! Time to tear apart the GPU! My first time doing this so wish me luck!
Actually, not that bad..... the instructions were actually pretty good this time.
Back plate installed! I don't want to talk about my battle with the fingerprints...
So I had to completely butcher the back of my PC. This waterblock was actually about 5 mm or so longer which didn't fit with my front pipes. And I was not remaking those front pipes...
I absolutely love the look of the stainless steel piping! Definitely worth all the heartache it gave me!
PC Tower altogether, and I even got that pesky RGB on the ram to play nice...
My final setup! "welcome to the jungle" plays in the background.... Hope you all dig it as much as i do! i hope this inspires others with their own setups!