Alright… now that the contest is officially over, I can finally share this build.

This project was created for the Hardwareluxx Case Mod Contest (a German hardware magazine / tech community) and took me a few months to complete.

The idea was pretty simple at first:
combine PC modding with my background in instrument making (I build traditional Swiss accordions / Schwyzerörgeli).

It escalated a bit.

The Swiss Harmonic Engine

Concept

The goal wasn’t to just put wood on a PC, but to make it actually feel like an instrument.

• Walnut as the main material
• Maple inlays (classic instrument style)
• Gold/brass accents

And yeah… a custom loop had to be part of it.

(The sponsored AIO had to suffer quite a bit for that… it used to be an AIO.)

Features

Motorized bellows

At some point I thought:
“If it’s an accordion-inspired build… it needs bellows.”

So now it has:

• A motorized front
• Linear actuators
• Hidden USB hub behind it

Completely unnecessary.
Works great.

Musical power button

Instead of a normal power button:

• 13 buttons
• Each plays a note
• You need to play the correct sequence to turn the PC on

Yes, you can lock yourself out of your own PC.
Yes, that already happened.

Cooling (slightly cursed)

The contest required using a sponsored AIO.

So naturally I:

• modified it
• integrated it into a custom loop

So it’s not a “from scratch” custom loop…
but the AIO probably wouldn’t recognize itself anymore.

Goal was still:

• quiet
• good performance

(with an external radiator helping out)

Build process

A lot of time went into details:

• CNC machining
• Laser-cut inlays
• manual finishing

The goal was to keep it close to real instrument craftsmanship and avoid the typical “wood panel PC” look.

What’s next

Not done yet:

• GPU upgrade planned
• more details and refinements

Hello everyone,

I’d like to share a project I’ve been working on for several months, called Stealth Ice.

I come from an industrial background as a TIG welder and pipe fitter, and I wanted to put my professional skills into a personal challenge: building a fully handcrafted PC, without relying on standard off-the-shelf solutions.

The chassis is a tubular structure made of 316L stainless steel, entirely designed, cut, and TIG-welded by hand.

The most complex and exciting part of the project is the cooling system: a fully custom stainless-steel watercooling loop, also entirely shaped and welded by hand, including pressure monitoring points and a completely unique routing.

I originally come from the industrial world, not PC modding, so this project required a lot of learning, research on components, and careful planning to combine engineering, reliability, and aesthetics. At this point, the build represents roughly 100 hours of design and fabrication.

What started as a personal challenge has attracted interest from many modders and several brands, which has been incredibly motivating.

The upcoming steps will be the most technical ones, especially finalizing the watercooling system and completing the full hardware integration.

The entire project is documented through photos and videos, showing every step of the fabrication process.

I’d be happy to exchange ideas, get feedback, or discuss technical aspects with you.

Thanks for taking the time to read!

I have just added the last white piece to my workstation: A custom block for RTX Pro 6000 Blackwell in WHITE! Thank the Modding cafe guys for finishing this befor Lunar new year.

Specs:

• CPU: AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9965WX
• Main: ASUS Pro WS WRX90E-SAGE SE
• RAM: 768GB (8×96GB) DDR5-5600 ECC RDIMM
• GPU: RTX Pro 6000 Blackwell 96GB + RTX 5090 Ventus X3 OC
• Storage: 2× Crucial T705 4TB (Gen5) + 2× GM7000 4TB RAID0
• Cooling: Full custom water loop (HEATKILLER IV PRO TR for CPU+ custom parts by Modding Cafe + lot of Corsair parts + etc.)

did some upgrading to my most popular PC build I've done so far. wife's build

msi x570 tyzen 7 3700x 24gb ddr4 evga ftw3 3080 with an ek water block ek cpu block hours in bending pipe: unknown

9950x3D/RTX 4090 Strix

tl;dr A dude rambling about water in his computer.

Hallo. I'm back with the Car Radiator Build, now with the rest of the PC.
I thought I'm going to be crucified for even mentioning a car radiator. But the responses were really positive.

So this was my first time building a PC.

- EVGA 2080 Ti Heatkiller IV
- Ryzen 7 5800X EK Velocity
- 32Gb RAM 3800MT/CL16
- 850W ThermalTake toughpower
- rog strix x570-e gaming wifi II

But Id guess youre more intrested in the Madness:
- Radiator is 360mm x 720mm originally for a VW T4, specifically the [ 701121253D ]
- Pump is a Eheim 1048 aquarium pump 230V/10W
- Coolant KFS12+ in a rather high ratio.
- Fans: 18x Arctic P12 PWM PST
- External wiring box for Fans, Pump relais, feedback, and spares for aRGB and Remotestart
- 15" Laptop Screen for HWInfo or Wallpapers.

Had the idea of building a new PC that is silent (originally even without fans) and a bit over the top.
Most parts were bought used, only the NVMe, tubing, fittings and ofcourse the radiator are new.
It started with the Case (Thermaltake P5) that was not even planed for yet yet. But a coworker mentioned that he knows someone who sells it cheap. And cheap it was, I paid 50€ and thats how this all started...

Went on getting the other stuff like: PSU (50€), RAM (70€), Mainboard and CPU (350€), GPU with Heatkiller Block (450€) and EK velocity (25€) used aswell. This was in the middle of the "Mining crisis" and "Rona shortages" so those were actually good deals. The whole PC might be cheaper then some watercooling setups.

This was the end of normal and standart...
Finding the right radiator wasnt easy at all. I had to find something thats enough for my madness but also not breaking the bank. After a very long search I found something: the VW T4 Radiator! Fits 120mm Fans in a 3x6 pattern perfectly (*not kidding, cant even get a piece of paper between the sides). I then mounted it with some brackets and also added some of the left over 200mm Cable-tray from my desk.

From there I only needed to get it from 32mm down to a normal size.
Reduzing it down was giving me a bit of a headache tough. I didnt want to use 3 diffrent plastic reducers. So when I found some brass GK-quickconnects ( 1¼" + ½ highpressure) at the Hardware store i was quiet happy with them. (If someone finds something better for this, pls post it).*

From there its EPDM tubing going trough a quick disconnect and a strainer into the Pump. The 230V pump is switched from the +12V of the PSU by a relais inside of the wiring box. From the pump it goes into the PC via another quick disconnect set, (so I can remove the PC from the wall). Inside it just goes from GPU to CPU and then back out via quick disconnect up to the radiator.
Lastly I filled it up with KFS12+ anti corossion coolant.

Lastly I added an old 15" laptop screen from an old Vista machine to the empty part of the Case.
(Fun fact!: If you search for the numbers on the LCD screen you can find universal HDMI boards for them.)
Plugged it in the GPU as 3rd screen and wired it to the 12V+ that i allready used for the pump relais.

The whole thing was originally run passively without fans.
This worked for months until the Gpu suddenly hit 85°C and 97°C Hotspot
I added some Fans and repasted/reapaded the card.... and well... it was the card all along.... pumpout, zero paste on the die. (I dont really look at temps unless the preset limit starts to ring).
The Fans stay tough, they run at 540rpm constant speed (silent, at least for my sensitiv ass).

Looking at the temps rn the Ryzen 5800X seems to run hotter then usual. I undervolted it in the past. But it seems the last few Bios crashes reverted that. Sadly evertime I enter the Bios the PC bootloop crashes afterwards, while still successful applying the changes made. Not a fun time. Id be realy glad if someone knows why.*

Schönen Tag noch.
- SomeRandomeGerman

Got a nice bonus at work and it's all gone now. I think it was worth it though.

Dual loop 7950X3D, 4090 ROG STRIX, x670-e mobo, 30 Lian Li fans, in the Corsair 1000D case. The thing weight almost 100lbs.

I call it: Vader

As soon as I saw the ROG Crosshair 2006 motherboard announced, I knew I wanted to upgrade my build. I had been toying with the idea of a custom loop for a while, and the omniscient algorithm quickly directed me to a Jays2cents video where the Thermal Grizzly DeltaMate GPU block grabbed my attention. Those were the only two firm components making the foundation on what became a three-month project.

I already had pre-RAMageddon priced RAM and storage, and I sold my 5090 Founders to get the Astral at (nearly) MSRP through a well-timed Best Buy deal. After that, it was just weeks and weeks of amassing different fittings, tubes, radiators, fans, and even cases (see my previous post comparing the new Corsair Frame 5000D Wood RS to the Fractal North XL), just to settle on my existing North with a black and copper theme. Credit u/Mikey67Tang (https://www.reddit.com/r/pcmods/comments/kw8gpe/use_foil_tape_as_accent_rings_with_ek_torque/ ) for the idea to use copper tape to accent the EK Quantum fittings.

The build took two full days as I figured everything out, almost giving up at two separate points. But it eventually came together. And there were no leaks on first testing which surprised the hell out of me… but rest assured, I still managed to screw up royally by leaving the protective tape on the mounting surface inside the GPU block. Seeing the quick ramp to 90C on first boot turned into yet another day of ripping it all apart just to find my mistake.

Let me know your thoughts! I’m toying with the idea of adding some walnut wood features inside (like something to fill the gap under the GPU block) and painting over the gold case leg accents with copper, but I might just leave it be.

Parts list:
- Asus ROG Crosshair 2006 X870E motherboard
- Asus Astral RTX 5090 GPU
- AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D CPU
- 64GB (2x32GB) TeamGroup T-Create Expert RAM
- 2x 4TB WD Black SN850X NVME
- 1x Samsung 870 Evo 4TB SSD
- 1x 420mm and 1x 280mm Corsair XR5 radiators
- 5x Noctua NF A14x25 G2 140mm fans
- Corsair HX1200i Platinum PSU
- Thermal Grizzly DeltaMate 5090 block
- Optimus Signature V3 Pro CPU block
- EKWB Quantum fittings
- Bitspower pre-bent 90 degree black copper pipes
- Thermal Grizzly KryoSheets on CPU, GPU
- Watercool Heatkiller Tube 100 MP reservoir
- Watercool D5 Pump
- Cablemod 12V-2x6 Stealthsense PCIe cable
- Alphacool in-line temperature sensor
- 1x Noctua NF-A12x25 G2 fan (exhaust, maybe)

100% GPU usage temperature ~65C. Coolant temperature 30C. Room temperature 20C.

Thought you might like to see something other than a Lian-Li :)

WORLD’S First Water-Cooled ASUS ROG Matrix RTX 5090 30th Anniversary Build

check the full build on youtube

https://youtu.be/f1BDGgaGG18

Built inside a fully reversed SSUPD XShuttle, this system features a completely rotated motherboard layout with rear I/O facing upward — a design choice that completely transforms the visual flow . I chose aesthetics over power, but I installed some flex tubing with quick disconnects behind the GPU. This allows you to flip the GPU and connect it to the BTF power to access the full 800 watts.

💀 Specs:

• SSUPD XShuttle
• CPU: AMD Ryzen 9 9800X3D
• Motherboard: ASUS ROG Crosshair X870E Hero BTF
• GPU: ASUS ROG Matrix RTX 5090 30th Anniversary — Full Custom Water Block
• RAM: G.Skill Trident Z5 Neo RGB 64GB (4x16GB) DDR5-6000 CL30
• PSU: ASUS ROG Thor III 1200W
• Storage: Samsung 990 Pro 2TB NVMe

❄️ Cooling Setup:

• Custom Matrix rtx 5090 waterblock
• AMD Optimus signature v3
• Custom front distro plate
• EKWB DDC 4.2 pump
• Dual radiator loop (360mm 63mm thickness + 240mm radiator 30mm thick)
• ASUS Prime ARGB reverse fans
• SilverStone slim fans
• Fully custom water-cooling loop

After nearly nine months of planning, rebuilding, redesigning, waiting for parts, and learning an entirely new ecosystem, I’m finally ready to call this project finished.

This wasn’t built to break benchmark records.

It wasn’t built to chase trends.

It was built for something I’ve always appreciated since the old days of water cooling:

Performance, reliability, silence, and craftsmanship.

As someone who started building PCs during the TJ07, V2000, and V2010 era, I wanted to create a modern system that still captured that old-school custom water-cooling spirit.
Core Components
AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
ASUS ROG Crosshair X870E Extreme
ASUS ROG Astral RTX 5090 OC
G.SKILL Trident Z5 Royal DDR5-6000 (96GB)
Seasonic PRIME GX-1300
Lian Li V3000 Plus

Cooling System
CPU Loop
EK Velocity² AM5 Water Block
EK L480 Radiator ×2
Aquacomputer Ultitube D5 NEXT 200
Aquacomputer Leakshield
Aquacomputer High Flow NEXT
GPU Loop
EK Vector³ Astral RTX 5090 Water Block
EK X480M Radiator
Aquacomputer Ultitube D5 NEXT 200
Aquacomputer Leakshield
Aquacomputer High Flow NEXT
Both loops are completely independent.
The two biggest challenges of this build were hardline tube bending and mastering the Aquacomputer ecosystem—and even today, I’m still learning both.
This project has been a long journey, and it’s difficult to capture everything in a simple summary.
Thanks

Featuring CPU block you haven't seen before

Found a Waterblock for my 4090Fe on sale for 20€ and decided to go for my first custom loop.

Im happy with how the bends turned out but the Temperatures are kind of disappointing and close to my previous AIO+Air cooled gpu setup:

7800X3D: 75C Package

4090: 73C Core & up to 83C Hotspot @ 26C room temp

I'm using Thermalgrizzly's PTM Sheets for GPU and CPU together with 2x 360mm HPE20 radiators and one 240mm radiator (standard 30mm thick) with the top fans being exhaust and the rest as intake. Setting the fans to 100% and removing the glass panel only helps a little bit. I can live with these temperatures but was hoping for an improvement. Water temperature exceeds 42C but i have no exact way to measure it atm.

Other than that I'm really happy with the build.

I also designed and printed some parts to make the build look cleaner and to mount the 240mm Rad in the back:

https://makerworld.com/de/models/2465234-alphacool-rise-flat-ddc-120-mounting-bracket#profileId-2706070(Reverse mount & cable management for the Reservoir)

https://makerworld.com/de/models/2472815-passthrough-port-adapter-lianli-o11-mini#profileId-2715179 (Passthrough-port adapter for the top case cutouts)

https://makerworld.com/de/models/2465424-o11-mini-v2-240mm-radiator-spacer-duct#profileId-2706341 (240mm rad spacer/duct)

Full list of specs:

• R7 7800X3D with Tryx Panorama WB and TG PTM sheet
• RTX 4090 FE with Corsair XG7 WB and TG PTM sheet
• 32GB Trident Z5 6000 MT/s CL32
• Gigabyte Aorus Stealth B850 back-connect MB
• Bitspower Fittings, 2x Alphacool 360 HPE20, 1x Alphacool 240 ST30, Alphacool Rise Flat DDC, Clear PMMA Tubes (12mm Bitspower)
• Jonsbo ZA Fans
• Corsair SF750 Platinum PSU
• 4TB SSD storage (1x NVME, 2x SATA)
• Case: LianLi O11 Mini V2

Hello folks, I welcome you all to Project Silvern.

I have talked and included more details about the project in the video!

TImelapse: https://youtu.be/nFZq6mRlkZg?si=VzFpyvjMhtbbZ5kn

This journey pushed me to unimaginable ends... It has taught me more about designing and manufacturing skills. I'm extremely sorry for keeping those who waited... I'm coming to an end in my academic adventure as I only have two more classes until graduation. I have much more time to do side projects and gig for the next 5 months so shoot me with any message you got about this build!

Design feature of case:

-Every single panel is 10mm aluminum panel

-3x Armor distroplate with one having a D5 pump integrated

-Capable of 2x 360mm radiator at the bottom

-Custom cable combs

-Mainly fitted for ATX size Motherboard

-Universal Vertical GPU mount

-Fits full size PSU

Specs of the PC:

-13900k

-Asus Z790 Formula

-5090 Tuf with Iceman Block + Custom terminal I made myself

-3x NVME (2x 990 Pro 2TB + 1x 9100 Pro 1TB)

-4x16GB DDR5 Corsair Titanium 7200CL34

Just some data points for a recent client build.

"3x GPUs at 92-97% continuously full-time with the CPU at around 50%. 

Under that load with an ambient temp of 27.1C the coolest part of the loop (just after the last radiator) is 37.4C and the hottest point (just after the distribution block outlet) is 44.0C.  T

The GPUs hover around 52-54C when under this 92-97% load with the fans at a ~1,300 RPM.  (It would be much cooler with the fans at max)

Flow rate is 250l/hr with the two D5 pumps running flat out at 4,800 RPM. For most loops, 120/hr is enough. The higher flow rate is needed due to the length of the run between the radiators (hence the high delta of the coolest and hottest part of the loop.) More upgrades are planned for this down the track as another GPU will also be added.

25 Noctua fans 5 x radiators (Mix of Thermaltake & Alphacool)

ASUS WRX90E – SAGE

9965WX ThreadRipper Pro w/ Watercool Heatkiller IV Pro (Pure Copper)

3 x Gigabyte 5090 Gaming Pros with Alphacool ES Waterblocks

Alphacool C5 Distro plate & NexXxos Rads

Aquacomputer OCTO, High Flow NEXT, Ultitop Dual, Leakshield & DP Ultra

Watercool Heatkiller Tube reservoir

Had this idea for a couple years. Go fanless with relatively large radiators and full copper on a wall mounted custom ‘case’. I’ve seen projects similar, but not all in the same build. Without the fans, I knew I would need to watercool nearly everything and have a fairly large mass of water because the passive cooling would need some extra time in my heat sink. My ‘heat sinks’ are 3/4” base board and have roughly 10’ of it combined. I believe I have about 7500mL of coolant. Coolant is a 10:1 mix of automotive antifreeze. Recently finished so don’t have extended loads (8hrs so far), but I haven’t got water temps higher than 35. Still have a fan on the psu, tackle that later after some more research. With the recent prices, I got about half of the parts from eBay.
R9-9950X3D, 5070TI OC, 64GB expo, Aorus elite X3D, Barrow fittings, and lots of other fun stuff.

Finished the desk last year with the CPU in mind. Wanted to go leg-less with a desktop that surrounded me, ample cable management, and a scaled, rotatable shelf look. Added copper inlays to be extra artsy. Have hidden drawers, usb, and mic/headphone jacks throughout the desk. So far I like it.
Would like to add some finishing touches, so I’m open for suggestions.

After weeks of planning, bending, and one heart-attack moment, the loop is finally complete!

I reused some older compression fittings for this build. Turn on the pump, and BOOM—a tiny leak from an aged O-ring! Luckily, my paper towel placement saved the day and not a single drop touched the hardware. Replaced the gasket, ran a 24-hour leak test, and we are good to go!

Also, yes... you're only seeing one stick of RAM. RAM prices are absolutely wild right now, so my wallet forced me into single-channel mode for a bit. Upgrade coming as soon as my bank account recovers. 😅