My New PC Build-Aventum 3

i thought i'd post the DS "build blog" of my freshly ordered Aventum 3.  i've been lurking/giving advice around here for over a year now, biding my time to drop the hammer on an expensive b-day gift to myself.  the day has arrived and after several emails back and forth between Alex and myself, we've dialed in the build and i've made the purchase. 

i thought it might be nice for some of you if i gave more insight/detail into my experience.  it's been a pleasure dealing with Alex directly.  despite being very busy with the Canada site expansion, he's been running back and forth between me and the engineers with compatibility questions on special order parts, so that i could get the system configured the way i want it.  i was advised to order a "base config" online and then submit the completed order to Alex upon completion.  i only needed to type the instructions into the "build comments" section at the bottom of the configurator to send to Alex for special order components.  after confirmation, i sent Alex my order information. there was no local pickup option on my order form, so i called DS to arrange for it (and not be charged for the freight shipping).  this was easily accomplished, but they do charge a $35 local pickup fee in lieu of the shipping charges (better than $400). 

here is the base config:
Chassis Model: Special Deal Hot Seller - Aventum 3
Exterior Finish: Black Metallic Matte Finish
Trim Accents: - Not Available
Processor: Intel Core i7 6700K 4.0GHz (Codename Skylake) (Unlocked CPU) (Quad Core)
Motherboard: ASUS Z170-DELUXE (Intel Z170 Chipset)
System Memory: 16GB DDR4 2800MHz Corsair Dominator Platinum DHX (Extreme-Performance)
Power Supply: 1000W Corsair HX1000i (Digitally Controlled Power)
Expansion Bay: - No Thanks
Optical Drive: DVD-R/RW/CD-R/RW (DVD Writer 8x / CD-Writer 8x)
Storage Set 1: 1x SSD PCI-E Card (400GB Intel 750 Series) (NVM Express) (Extreme Performance)
Storage Set 2: 1x SSD (1TB Samsung 850 EVO)
Storage Set 3: - No Thanks
RAID Config: - No Thanks
RAID Card: - No Thanks
Internet Access: High Speed Network Port (Supports High-Speed Cable / DSL / Network Connections)
Graphics Card(s): 2x SLI Dual (NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 Ti 6GB (ASUS Strix Edition)
Sound Card: Integrated Motherboard Audio
HPC Processor: - No Thanks
Extreme Cooling: H20: Hardline: Digital Storm Acrylic Tubing Custom Cooling System (Video Cards + CPU)
H20 Tube Color: - Not Applicable, I do not have a custom HydroLux liquid cooling system selected
Chassis Fans: Upgrade All Fans to Corsair Airflow Performance Edition (Up to 6 Fans)
Internal Lighting: Remote Controlled LED Lighting System (Multiple color options and lighting effects)
Airflow Control: Digital Storm Thermal Management Control Board & Software
Chassis Mods: - No Thanks
Noise Reduction: - No Thanks
LaserMark: - No Thanks
CPU Boost: Stage 2: Overclock CPU 4.5GHz to 4.8GHz (Requires High-End Motherboard Selection)
Graphics Boost: - No Thanks, Please do not overclock my video card(s)
Memory Boost: - No Thanks, Please do not overclock my memory
OS Boost: - No Thanks, Please do not tweak the services on the operating system
Windows OS: Microsoft Windows 10 Professional (64-Bit Edition)
Recovery Tools: Windows Recovery Toolkit (Bundled with Windows CD)
Virus Protection: FREE: McAfee AntiVirus Plus (1 Year Service Activation Card) (Not Pre-installed) ($35 Value)
Office: - No Thanks
Game: - No Thanks
Display: - No Thanks
Surge Shield: - No Thanks
Speakers: - No Thanks
Keyboard: - No Thanks
Mouse: - No Thanks
NVIDIA SHIELD: - No Thanks
Branded Gear: - No Thanks
Priority Build: - No Thanks, Ship Within 15-20 Business Days After Order Is Successfully Processed
Warranty: Life-time Expert Care with 3 Year Limited Warranty (

Looks awesome man. Mine too was a bday present to myself and I am so glad I bought it!!

Yeah I have a friend of mine that owns an Audio/Video company and he has been after me for a while to do some video editing for him on the side. I might take him up on that offer now.

Sweet build db188!! I hope all goes smoothly for you!!

Unfortunately, I don't believe the Gentle Typhoon's come in 140mm: http://www.nidec-servo.com/en/digital/g_fab/. There is a Vardar 140mm fan, but it is a slow one: https://shop.ekwb.com/ek-vardar-f1-140-1150rpm

From what I recall of the Martin's Liquid Lab testing, the NB-eLoop were very close to the Gentle Typhoon's noise, although I believe Martin personally had a preference for the noise profile of the GT.

Yeah, if you want the most stable system, it's best to prioritize ripple over efficiency. A few Watts extra heat coming out of the PSU isn't going to kill you.

Just make sure there is enough clearance for the NB fans. They are 29mm thick versus the typical 25mm thickness, which all Corsair fans are.

Looking at the performance on the EK-Vardar F3-140ER, it looks like the most impressive 140mm fan out there. Unfortunately, it currently under recall but a fixed design should be hitting the market soon.

Edited by  - 06 Oct 2015 at 1:51am

WOW

I love those DS fans! What a build.

thx for the views and replies to all. 

i don't know if it's kosher to post this, but the rads used in the AV3 are XSPC EX Series, a line of "thin" radiators, in the sizes: 1x560mm, 1x420mm, and 1x360mm.  thin rads typically have low density FPI (fins per inch).  the fins are what matters where cooling is concerned.  now, the fact that there is so much combined (you always want the most rad your case can handle) radiator here is what (should) make overall cooling awesome.  typically you'd want to run high static pressure fans through rads.  the thicker the rad, the more static pressure is needed = more rpm/better fan.  i can see why with these thin rads that it might be okay to run typical air case fans through them, but it still concerns me.

with so much rad, i can run the fans at lower rpm/voltage (5 or 7v) most of the time and get a quieter machine as a result. 

i've been handed off to John (thx for all the help again Alex), who handles all incoming orders and any changes before it goes to the engineering department and the final order is processed.   John is currently checking on the fan change i'm considering to the Noise Blocker's (thanks forum member NoName).   

 

It's always a tradeoff. When you go with tighter fin density on radiator, you need more pressure, and when you need more pressure, that includes higher RPMs usually to push enough air through the fins.

If you don't push enough pressure through the fins, the performance of the radiators will dramatically drop.

We use these radiators because you can have a very quiet system and get great thermal performance. The advantage of having so many radiators is the benefit of this, especially combined with the high-performance pump we use.

The difference between options is very, very minor when you compare temps. I don't have the exact numbers here with me.

@db188, if you want us to use different radiators, please let me know via email and we can definitely accommodate. We will need to check if they will fit/work with the AVENTUM 3.

i'm only cooling 3 well-oc'd components (cpu+graphics cards), so i'm not really worried about how much rad i have (there's more than enough with this rig as is).  i was more concerned about using air fans on the rads and the case intakes (since it's blocked by the hard drive bays).  hopefully those NB's will fit, because i'm really leaning towards getting them over using the Corsair AF's.  i initially had a question for Alex about only using a single pump/res config with all that rad and he assured me they had no flow restriction problems and cooling was great.


Edited by db188 - 06 Oct 2015 at 5:01pm

If I remember, it's basically like a D5 Vario but with a better looking design. I'll have to check with the team and get back to you.

Hehehe

Well, you're doing everything up front. My strategy was to get a computer I can live with and then, over time, upgrade the components to get the ultimate system.

I've seen them use Bitspower D5 top for a while now. Not sure if they'll switch over to the new EK-XTOP Revo D5.

I've seen both Swiftech and EK offer PWM versions of the D5 pump, as well.

So, if you'd like to move on to the thermal interface material...

http://overclocking.guide/thermal-paste-roundup-2015-47-products-tested-with-air-cooling-and-liquid-nitrogen-ln2/

https://shop.ekwb.com/ek-tim-indigo-xs-intel-115x

Edited by  - 06 Oct 2015 at 8:51pm

@db188,

I can't seem to find supply for the 280GTS? Not sure where we could get some, places like www.Performance-PCs.com do not have it in-stock either.

http://www.performance-pcs.com/black-ice-nemesis-280gts-ultra-stealth-u-flow-low-profile-radiator.html

The pump we use is the following (excuse the smaller reservoir, we use a larger one): https://shop.ekwb.com/ek-xres-140-ddc-3-2-pwm-elite-incl-pump

For the radiators, the 560GTS and 280GTS can fit, but NOT the 420GTS as it gets in way with the fluid port connects with the water block on the rear of the PC.

We won't be able to use any other rad than the 420mm XSPC on the top as the entire water block channel on the back fits into that radiator.

Let me know via email on your order. Thanks!

i met with the Fremont, CA location manager (Jericho) last week to drop off the fans i had bought separately and got a chance to look around a bit.  he was kind enough to spend some time talking with me and listening to some ideas i had.  he also wheeled in another customer's Aventum 3 build for inspection.  i didn't want to touch it (not being my own) but i got a chance to look in and around the machine.  someone's getting an awesome rig! 

Jericho was really cool.  he said he would send me some in progress build pics and here they are:

Shaping up to be quite the beast!