bit-tech.net

Amazing water-cooled PC in a desk

Published on 16th May 2011 by Antony Leather

Congrats to L3p for finishing this amazing scratch-built mod.

One of the most amazing scratch-built PCs we've ever seen has been completed over the weekend. Tired of heat-related issues and having a large, heavy PC, forum user L3p (also known as Peter Brands from The Netherlands) installed cutting-edge, high-end hardware and a water-cooling system into his desk.

The project, entitled L3p D3sk - Silent Workstation, began in November last year, and Peter also picked up first place in our monthly modding competition Mod of the Month too.

The desk was custom-built and L3p drilled down into his house's foundations to find a cool home for the system's huge water-cooling radiator. The incredible PC uses an Intel Core i7-980X Extreme Edition that's been overclocked to 4.5GHz, 6GB of Corsair Dominator GT DDR3 RAM, an Asus Rampage III Extreme motherboard and more water-cooling hardware than you can shake a stick at.

L3p will be talking to us in detail about his project soon, so watch this space as there's more to come. As always, pictures say far more than words but we're sure you'll agree with us when we say: 'Wow.'

To see more of L3p's project, head over to his project log and let us know what you think of the mod in the forum.

Click to enlarge

61 Comments

Discuss in the forums Reply

Material 16th May 2011, 17:00

Quote:

He drilled down into his house's foundations to find a cool home for the system's huge water-cooling radiator

This is the bit that really blows my mind.

d3m0n_edge 16th May 2011, 17:01

Must be a real pain when upgrading hardware like the CPU, graphics card or motherboard. Still wicked though, was sitting in awe for about 5mins in admiration.

WildThing 16th May 2011, 17:15

Truly awesome build imho! Well done L3p.

HourBeforeDawn 16th May 2011, 17:15

ya I have a very similar monitor setup, what sucks about have one large monitor landscape and two side monitors has portrait is that one (if he happens to be running AMD Radeon cards) eyefinity doesnt work >.< at least I havent been able to get it to work and stupid Cyberlink Power DVD still wont open when it detects a monitor in portrait mode which is just soooo stupid.

Anyhow love the looks it makes but must be pretty distracting at night but then again when hes using the computer he probably has a switch to turn off the lighting effects.

bulldogjeff 16th May 2011, 17:30

Looking at this and some of the other projects coming through, Mod of the Year is going to be better than ever. Attilla is going to turn out another classic and Waynio isn't far off finishing Stealthlow. The scratch build that K3nny done is awesome, Ang3l has popped out another brilliant build and there's probably a few more that I've forgotten to mention. I followed this build right from the start and it's absolutely brilliant now that it's finished.

Baz 16th May 2011, 17:35

sun-tan optional?

Combatus 16th May 2011, 17:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by bulldogjeff
Looking at this and some of the other projects coming through, Mod of the Year is going to be better than ever. Attilla is going to turn out another classic and Waynio isn't far off finishing Stealthlow. The scratch build that K3nny done is awesome, Ang3l has popped out another brilliant build and there's probably a few more that I've forgotten to mention. I followed this build right from the start and it's absolutely brilliant now that it's finished.

I was thinking just the same thing this afternoon! I've seen at least 10 world-class projects this year and we're not even half way through the year yet!

Lance 16th May 2011, 17:54

I keep thinking to myself that watercooling is just too expensive.

Then I see something like this and I just think "BUT ITS SO WORTH IT"

Amazing build, been watching from the begining and its truely exceptional.

Pete J 16th May 2011, 17:56

That is incredible.

B1GBUD 16th May 2011, 17:59

I think I just jizz'd

bulldogjeff 16th May 2011, 18:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by Combatus
I was thinking just the same thing this afternoon! I've seen at least 10 world-class projects this year and we're not even half way through the year yet!

I don't envy you at he end of the year trying to sort through them all. At this rate it'll be a total nightmare working out whats going in and what isn't.

feathers 16th May 2011, 19:04

Nice build. I'm warning people about the dangers of FESER UV coolant. It's 10 x more electrically conductive than their bi-distilled water and if it leaks it will DESTROY your computer. I switched to a competitor's coolant some years ago (made from vegetables apparently).

d3m0n_edge 16th May 2011, 19:47

I haven't had any major fry-ups when using Feser 1 UV Coolant... I hope I won't. Been using it for over a year now with regular changes. Had a few major splashes on the graphics card and motherboard when changing the fluid for a renewal when it happened (PC was off at the time). Working ok so far and has been for a long while, but I'm intending on switching coolant just to be on the safe side.

Woodspoon 16th May 2011, 20:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by feathers
Nice build. I'm warning people about the dangers of FESER UV coolant. It's 10 x more electrically conductive than their bi-distilled water and if it leaks it will DESTROY your computer. I switched to a competitor's coolant some years ago (made from vegetables apparently).

Funny, I've spilled it several times on major components and never had an issue and it's a heap load cheaper than fluidxp that I used to use.

Nexxo 16th May 2011, 20:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by feathers
Nice build. I'm warning people about the dangers of FESER UV coolant. It's 10 x more electrically conductive than their bi-distilled water and if it leaks it will DESTROY your computer. I switched to a competitor's coolant some years ago (made from vegetables apparently).

Pussy. Real men use Fluorinert. :p

Feser and other similar non-conductive fluids are fine as long as you don't spill it in your PSU. That is the only place where it will cause shorts, due to the high voltages zapping about in there. Only Fluorinert is really 100% non-conductive --and costs a fortune.

As for the desk: it's a desk! It's a PC! It's a desk and a PC! It's freedom in a cup! Er, desk...

ledbythereaper 16th May 2011, 20:31

So so awesome, yet so so impractical for LAN parties.

Zurechial 16th May 2011, 20:32

This is my favourite large-scale PC modding/crafting project that I've yet seen. I had planned to do something similar myself on a smaller scale before, but it would never have lived up to the quality and execution of this.
Major kudos!

l3p 16th May 2011, 20:50

This really is the crown on my 8 months of work.
A special about my pc on Bit-Tech ... i only could have dreamed that when i started this !

Ferrero94 16th May 2011, 21:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by ledbythereaper
So so awesome, yet so so impractical for LAN parties.

Bring the lan party to you :D?

dunx 16th May 2011, 21:47

I have a m-itx i7-870 build in a drawer of my desk. To hide it's bare,ugly RS.

LoL

dunx

earlydoors 16th May 2011, 21:48

Would love to see a video of this in action

Combatus 16th May 2011, 21:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by bulldogjeff
Quote:
Originally Posted by Combatus
I was thinking just the same thing this afternoon! I've seen at least 10 world-class projects this year and we're not even half way through the year yet!

I don't envy you at he end of the year trying to sort through them all. At this rate it'll be a total nightmare working out whats going in and what isn't.

I may have to enlist some help this year! We always include projects that have been featured in Custom PC and on bit-tech, plus several that never quite made it for various. It's always fun doing it though!

[PUNK] crompers 16th May 2011, 21:58

yeah and some better lit pics! great idea, I've considered doing this to my glass desk but with air cooling

l3v1ck 16th May 2011, 22:05

That looks awesome!

-SambaL- 16th May 2011, 22:16

Best ever if you ask me.
Shame though that in this occasion there aren't nearly enough components to fill the entire desk with. =P

l3p 16th May 2011, 22:18

There still some little mod waiting for that space in the middle ;)
But now first a little break ^^

Skiddywinks 16th May 2011, 22:40

Anyone else get a semi?

blinkieleblind 16th May 2011, 23:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skiddywinks
Anyone else get a semi?

Semi? fully turgid here

thetrashcanman 16th May 2011, 23:15

dammit! i was going to do something like this, now i'm just going to give up before i've even started

feathers 16th May 2011, 23:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nexxo
Quote:
Originally Posted by feathers
Nice build. I'm warning people about the dangers of FESER UV coolant. It's 10 x more electrically conductive than their bi-distilled water and if it leaks it will DESTROY your computer. I switched to a competitor's coolant some years ago (made from vegetables apparently).

Pussy. Real men use Fluorinert. :p

Feser and other similar non-conductive fluids are fine as long as you don't spill it in your PSU. That is the only place where it will cause shorts, due to the high voltages zapping about in there. Only Fluorinert is really 100% non-conductive --and costs a fortune.

As for the desk: it's a desk! It's a PC! It's a desk and a PC! It's freedom in a cup! Er, desk...

Nar, fraid you're wrong there. A friend lost his PC last month when Feser leaked from CPU block on to GPU. Fried motherboard and GPU. Caused a fire which filled the room with white smoke. I know someone else who had an expensive mobo destroyed by the same coolant. It's 10 x more conductive than the bi-distilled water. But of course anyone who wants to try it out and see is welcome to. Post your results here!

feathers 16th May 2011, 23:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by Woodspoon
Quote:
Originally Posted by feathers
Nice build. I'm warning people about the dangers of FESER UV coolant. It's 10 x more electrically conductive than their bi-distilled water and if it leaks it will DESTROY your computer. I switched to a competitor's coolant some years ago (made from vegetables apparently).

Funny, I've spilled it several times on major components and never had an issue and it's a heap load cheaper than fluidxp that I used to use.

I've never tried Fluid XP.

Using Thermochill EC6.

yodasarmpit 16th May 2011, 23:52

Great work, can't wait for the remaining space filler.

Dark Satellites 17th May 2011, 03:23

Tasteful use of the Coaster for the wineglass = Noted

willyolio 17th May 2011, 05:39

lol, here's my el cheapo version: http://forums.bit-tech.net/showthread.php?t=190072

but this mod is seriously beautiful. I love how he managed to stick the hard drives so far away and still not show any cables at all.

Jake123456 17th May 2011, 08:25

I'm gonna stick my neck out and say this is one of the best Mods I've ever seen on Bit-Tech.

V3ctor 17th May 2011, 08:27

He totally won my vote... He just made me want to do the same thing with my pc... :O

liratheal 17th May 2011, 09:16

Holy **** that's awesome.

kaiser 17th May 2011, 09:36

Quote:

Feser and other similar non-conductive fluids are fine as long as you don't spill it in your PSU. That is the only place where it will cause shorts, due to the high voltages zapping about in there. Only Fluorinert is really 100% non-conductive --and costs a fortune.

Lets not get silly here, any leak on live electronics is NOT good and all precautions should be taken to avoid it. A properly set up loop shouldn't leak at all, especially if its thoroughly checked.

niro 17th May 2011, 09:42

Have to say that is the most amazing watercooling system I have ever seen. Us mere nubes can only dream of owning a system like that

[USRF]Obiwan 17th May 2011, 09:58

I have a question: The distance between the HD's and the motherboard is over a meter. (i am guessing here ) Then routing the SATA cables through the table. The cables must be at least 120cm long. Isn't this bad for the data transport from HD to Mobo and back ?

Necrow 17th May 2011, 12:20

I always thought the G69T projects were the ultimate, however this is now a serious contender for one of the greatest projects of all time.
G69T has some difficult competition lol

Zurechial 17th May 2011, 13:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by feathers
Quote:
Originally Posted by Nexxo
Pussy. Real men use Fluorinert. :p

Feser and other similar non-conductive fluids are fine as long as you don't spill it in your PSU. That is the only place where it will cause shorts, due to the high voltages zapping about in there. Only Fluorinert is really 100% non-conductive --and costs a fortune.

As for the desk: it's a desk! It's a PC! It's a desk and a PC! It's freedom in a cup! Er, desk...

Nar, fraid you're wrong there. A friend lost his PC last month when Feser leaked from CPU block on to GPU. Fried motherboard and GPU. Caused a fire which filled the room with white smoke. I know someone else who had an expensive mobo destroyed by the same coolant. It's 10 x more conductive than the bi-distilled water. But of course anyone who wants to try it out and see is welcome to. Post your results here!

Quote:

Originally Posted by kaiser
Lets not get silly here, any leak on live electronics is NOT good and all precautions should be taken to avoid it. A properly set up loop shouldn't leak at all, especially if its thoroughly checked.

I'm with kaiser on this.
Even the best, least-conductive coolants will absorb metallic particles from the block surfaces and radiators they come into contact with, making them conductive over time.
You're probably okay if spilling non-conductive coolant by Feser and the likes on your gear straight out of the bottle or if you get a leak/burst within a few months of building the loop; but over time that coolant will become as dangerous to electronics as tap water.

mattbailey 17th May 2011, 16:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by ledbythereaper
So so awesome, yet so so impractical for LAN parties.

Just host the party then!

l3p 17th May 2011, 17:15

Thanks for all the comments guys !!

Quote:

Originally Posted by [USRF
Obiwan]I have a question: The distance between the HD's and the motherboard is over a meter. (i am guessing here ) Then routing the SATA cables through the table. The cables must be at least 120cm long. Isn't this bad for the data transport from HD to Mobo and back ?

The cables are even 200cm. That was one of the things i thought it would give troubles.
But after 4 months running with 100cm sata+100cm sata extension i still didn't have any problem at all.
There is one thing that can give problems, that are all the 12V cables with extensions.
The voltage wil lower cause of the lengths.
Thats why im using a 700W and a 800W psu now, no problems at all :P

feathers 17th May 2011, 19:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zurechial
Quote:
Originally Posted by feathers
Quote:
Originally Posted by Nexxo
Pussy. Real men use Fluorinert. :p

Feser and other similar non-conductive fluids are fine as long as you don't spill it in your PSU. That is the only place where it will cause shorts, due to the high voltages zapping about in there. Only Fluorinert is really 100% non-conductive --and costs a fortune.

As for the desk: it's a desk! It's a PC! It's a desk and a PC! It's freedom in a cup! Er, desk...

Nar, fraid you're wrong there. A friend lost his PC last month when Feser leaked from CPU block on to GPU. Fried motherboard and GPU. Caused a fire which filled the room with white smoke. I know someone else who had an expensive mobo destroyed by the same coolant. It's 10 x more conductive than the bi-distilled water. But of course anyone who wants to try it out and see is welcome to. Post your results here!
Quote:
Originally Posted by kaiser
Lets not get silly here, any leak on live electronics is NOT good and all precautions should be taken to avoid it. A properly set up loop shouldn't leak at all, especially if its thoroughly checked.

I'm with kaiser on this.
Even the best, least-conductive coolants will absorb metallic particles from the block surfaces and radiators they come into contact with, making them conductive over time.
You're probably okay if spilling non-conductive coolant by Feser and the likes on your gear straight out of the bottle or if you get a leak/burst within a few months of building the loop; but over time that coolant will become as dangerous to electronics as tap water.

Agree. And since it is clear even by looking at the labels on feser one versus feser bi-distilled that the feser UV is 10 x more conductive then at least by choosing the least conductive you are protecting your hardware for longer. My Thermochill EC6 is more than 12 months old but still non-conducting (it leaked on to my upper 560Ti from cpu waterblock nozzle which had been improperly secured. The GPU was running happily even with a blob of sticky honey-like liquid that had dripped on to one of the power transistors.

Farfalho 17th May 2011, 19:42

Don't care about being polite... I just had an erection and jizz right afterwards!

l3p 17th May 2011, 20:11

Take it easy, don't want it to get the name "Jizz D3sk" :P

GravitySmacked 17th May 2011, 20:25

Wow amazing build!!

Do you have a high-res copy of this picture:

http://images.bit-tech.net/news_images/2011/05/amazing-water-cooled-pc-in-a-desk/2-1280x1024.jpg

Would make an amazing desktop wallpaper!

GravitySmacked 17th May 2011, 20:33

Scratch that found them, awesome!

http://tweakers.net/gallery/45974/fotoalbum/?MapID=16028

kylew 18th May 2011, 08:10

Why are people calling scratch built things "mods"? :?

He hasn't modified anything, he's scratch built it.

The_Beast 18th May 2011, 08:55

So cool I don't even have words to descr.......

Fizzban 18th May 2011, 12:04

Definitely one of the best builds I've ever seen. It's amazing!

paulp 18th May 2011, 14:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lance
I keep thinking to myself that watercooling is just too expensive.

Then I see something like this and I just think "BUT ITS SO WORTH IT"

Amazing build, been watching from the begining and its truely exceptional.

I like the idea, and it looks incredible, but I wonder how much it costs. I imagine that just the radiator could be installed in a much simpler desk and sold for much less. This to will come after the initial marketing phase

mars-bar-man 18th May 2011, 20:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by kylew
Why are people calling scratch built things "mods"? :?

He hasn't modified anything, he's scratch built it.

Spoil sport.

Is it not a computer case that's been 'modified into a desk?

b3z 19th May 2011, 18:22

Wow that is absoutley amazing, must of taken you a long time

kylew 20th May 2011, 01:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by mars-bar-man
Spoil sport.

Is it not a computer case that's been 'modified into a desk?

Not if it's been scratch built it's not!

Waynio 20th May 2011, 07:18

I can't be a total knob so congrats for making the front page Pete ;).
I'm completely turned off from mod comps with internet votes now but I'm not turned off modding :D;).

l3p 20th May 2011, 17:49

Thanks a lot Waynio ! :)

cport 22nd May 2011, 11:45

Tron PC!

l3p 23rd May 2011, 17:26

Yes TRON certainly is a very nice pc, but does it have anything to do with this post ? :)

Angel OD 29th June 2011, 12:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by cport
Tron PC!

I think he means " TIMMMIIIIIIEEE"

Beautiful mod... I'd just hate to have my ashtray sitting on it, as I am a master of burning holes in my own desk!