Topic: Project MiniMe - World's Smallest Watercooled mITX PC - COMPLETE 22/03/2010 (Read 36588 times)

oliverw92 · « **Reply #30 on:** March 13, 2010, 02:06:59 PM »

Update #21

Ok so the original ETA of the 14th is not gonna happen! I managed to wire up my CD drive and fan up the wrong way and something blew up and burnt in each one. I have fixed the CD drive (one of the tracks had exploded - i think it is a build in safety measure) by soldering it up again and it now works! However the enermax cluster is well and truly dead except for the LEDs. I also realised that with two drives it is necessary to use right angle sata cables. However i still have an update for you!

My dead 4670 got replaced with a 5670! Thanks eBuyer.

XFX have done a really nice job on the aesthetic design. The nickel plated backplate, black heatsink cover and black pcb really go well together.

The fan is very very quiet during operation. It also runs ridiculously cool! I am running at 3% fan speed and it loads out at 50C.

And with a nice aluminium background.

XFX even nickel-plated the X-clamp!

My original pics didn't do Duniek's block justice.

I bought a few more fittings so when i come to assembling it for the last time i have some options as to how i run the tubing.

I love black velvet as a backdrop!

The sweetest fitting i have ever owned! It is a Bitspower black shining rotary T.

Should have polished it first.

White 1/2" OD tubing.

White coils.

Unfortunately my custom PCB decided it would be fun to die. So I bought in a load of coloured 2pin and 3pin connectors to replace the PCB. Yes, that means no fan control now, unfortunately.

Purple is the pump, red is the CD drive and the two white ones are the two fans.

Finally, I bought a 320GB WD Scorpio Black 7200RPM 2.5" laptop drive. Fastest i could get for a reasonable price.

I am now just waiting for a replacement fan and some sata cables!

oliverw92 · « **Reply #31 on:** March 20, 2010, 05:17:07 AM »

Update #22

Leak testing the pump and rad after soldering up a hole in the rad and checking over the pump internally.

Nothing leaked, thankfully!

So bare and empty!

New acrylic t-block isn't leaking like the last one either.

Starting the final assembly. PSU and drives installed.

Nice to finally have a working CD drive in there!

Bottom section completely complete and ready for wiring!

Unfortunately this was the easiest part, and it wasn't that easy!

I had some issues with clearance, so as a precaution i cut the heatshink down incase i had to revert to air cooling on the chipset.

Done on the band saw.

Here you can see my issues. There is no room to get all the tubing through and actually put it on the fittings.

At least the cd drive fits!

I'm liking the look of the white tubing, its just a shame i can't get it all in!

RAWWWW bitspower man!

He's gonna bling you up yo!

Yeah you can tell i got a bit bored trying to figure out the tubing issues.

oliverw92 · « **Reply #32 on:** March 22, 2010, 06:43:28 PM »

Update #23 - Project Complete!

It has been a bumpy long ride of 9 months since this project started! There have been so many set backs it is unreal. I have finally overcome the curse that has plagued me for the past few months, and i now present to you:

MiniMe - The World's Smallest Watercooled PC!