Many thanks to EliteGeek91 for helping me choose an EK block.  I have about 10 blocks from Danger Den spanning the last 4-5 years, but was interested in a different look and needed some direction with this new company.  Thanks bro.  So, I am leak testing tonight, should have some benches soon...this will be a permanent cruncher for our team.  EK released their lineup for 7XXX series just this week.
SEE PAGE 2 for updated pictures:
 
Specs currently: 
3930k  w/Swiftech Apogee HD
3x 7970 w/Ek Acetal Nickel EN block
MCP 655
EK water bridge // Crossfire connectors
2 x Black Ice 240 Rad
Intel X-25m 120GB
Seagate 1TB Barracuda
Gskill Ripjawz 16GB (1600)
Bitspower compression fittings 3/8  - 5/8
Antec 1200 TPQ (Had it lying around, will work nicely with a second 7970)

Danger Double Wide Acrylic
 
 
Block was a cinch to install.  Plenty of thermal padding available.

 
 
Got the card in about 30 minutes ago

 
Now leak testing:

 
Here is the great little res that houses my pump, tucked underneath. Again, it is the perfect (imho) size for this rack:
 


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Amazing set up! Cant wait to see benches! And anytime man, I'm always here to help!

Sexy looking machine Johnny excited to see what numbers you pull with that beast great job!

Slick build. I always use EK for my blocks if possible, excellent makers. How are the temps?

Come on...no BR yet? He stated he is using it for crunching!
Love everything I am seeing right now.
Great job J.U.

Thanks for all the kind words guys.  Yellow...I am still leak testing.  I will be done today around 4pm or so pacific then give her a proper boot up and temp check!  I named this one the AcryliCruncher;)
 
I will post temps a bit later tonight.  I need to do my reading on which OC program to use.  I heard that using the latest Afterburner caused problems.  Might just go with the CCC for this.  Last thing I wanna do it burn this lovely card today lmao.
 
If anyone hears of what people are using to OC these new 7970's please let me know.

atfrico


Come on...no BR yet? He stated he is using it for crunching!
Love everything I am seeing right now.
Great job J.U.

It's not a green card, remember. 

EliteGeek91

atfrico


Come on...no BR yet? He stated he is using it for crunching!
Love everything I am seeing right now.
Great job J.U.

It's not a green card, remember. 

 
Hehe, thanks, but I really wasn't looking for a BR:)  I just wanted to share my little experiment with my friends who would appreciate it.  I cannot wait to let the crunching begin but also am interested in seeing how this thing OCs.  I can find a nice program for the 7970 too.
 
It's been about 15 hours now, so I will crank this up and see how it does.  The more I look at that EK block, the more I think that I may be getting those for all my future cards.  I REALLY like the looks of it. 

Okay guys. Initial results for testing are in:
 
Running Furmark/Kombuster I was able to max out the slider on the CCC (Catalyst Control Center) without any voltage increase:
 Voltage: 1.174V  Temp: 47-50C under full load
 

 
Not bad.  I will now work with Afterburner and see what some more juice will do!

Okay, so I had to download the latest Beta of AB:  2.2 Beta 11 then modify the .cfg to open up the clock going past 1125.
 
Now running the Core clock at 1200 (925 default) with NO voltage increase.  Stable.
I will keep pushing until I find the max I can run at 1.17V.  So far, so good.

3D Mark 11/Vantage Scores soon?

that is a nice finish pass on that block. Must be a huge flycutter

nateman_doo


that is a nice finish pass on that block. Must be a huge flycutter

Only you would look at how a block would be finished

loveha


3D Mark 11/Vantage Scores soon?

 
Yup, should have them up by Tuesday.  Of course, when I get finished with a fun PC project, the career that pays the bills requires more attention!  Arg.
 
 

Beautiful setup, love the EK block!

I ordered another Black Ice X II Rad that should be here later this week for the other side.  I don't like the idea of having my 3930 and 7970 overclocked on the same loop with one just 240 Rad.

loveha

Only you would look at how a block would be finished

I can't help it.  That is the ideal finish step, being a single pass.  Having a limited machine of mine, I can't have that sort of luxury, so I have to finish them differently.  I am building one that should remedy that though...

Well, 2 weeks later and I am still waiting on my replacement Black Ice Xtreme II 240 Rad.  Somehow, I got a bum rad (the screw holes were over drilled) and I am waiting for a new one in the mail.  In the mean time, my second beauty just arrived:
 
 

 
Frozen CPU is awaiting their shipment of the block Acetal +EN block.  I am hoping to have the new block, EK water bridge and new rad here by end of next week.  THEN I can run the benches.  Sorry it's taken so long...you can imagine having this stuff sitting here and not being able to use it is KILLING me.  Either way, I will be back up and crunching soon.
 
It wouldn't be such a PITA, but since the DD Torture rack is designed for HW Labs rads, those are the only ones that will fit the tube holes on the side (The spacing between in and out holes is much less with those).
 
Here is the prob with the holes.  Bottom is first HW labs rad (correct holes).  Top is the one I just got (HUGE holes):

Okay, new radiator came today.  Danger Den and Hardware Labs have EXCELLENT support and 2 day shipped me a new radiator.  Thank you!!
 
Next, these arrived:

Also, I had this beauty laying around and am considering moving the build to it.  Should have this rig back up with Benches next week!
 

Johnny_Utah


Also, I had this beauty laying around and am considering moving the build to it.  Should have this rig back up with Benches next week!

 Wish I had another Acrylic case just lying around. Would make me want to do another build.

I had used it for a previous build after purchasing from Sledgehammer (EVGA member).  I wanted to make sure the build would do the case justice.  I think now it will:)

Leak testing.  I hadn't any experience with EK items before, including the SLI bridge.  Wasn't too bad to install.  But when there are more parts and more seals....there is always a greater chance of leaks, which is the only thing that scares me.  However, running about 5 hours now, no sign of water (fingers crossed).
I also picked up the XFX Black Edition 1000w (Seasonic) to put  in later.  Really nice looking and performing unit.
 

Leak testing. 
 

that looks great, awesome setup.

agedrig


that looks great, awesome setup.

 
Thanks my friend!  I am currently having some issues right now using TRIXX or Afterburner.  Apperently, this ZEROCORE agent (which basically draws no power from card when not used) is messing with my temp readings. In crossfire, when the second card isn't used, it shuts itself off, and those monitoring programs don't know what to do.  In addition, the drivers for these cards are new and not the best.  Having one card was flawless!  A bit frustrated right now, but I will continue messing around.  Hopefully they will release more drivers for this new lineup soon.

Awesome setup mate :)  I take it the drivers for the Crossfire are a bit poor at the moment?  I found that with two 5970's I had :(  

philld0


Awesome setup mate :)  I take it the drivers for the Crossfire are a bit poor at the moment?  I found that with two 5970's I had :(  

 
Yeah, with one card everything worked fantastically.  Now with two, a good number of driver issues.  VERY frustrating.