$500 DIY Water Cooled PC Challenge - Scrapyard Wars Episode 2e

The video "$500 DIY Water Cooled PC Challenge - Scrapyard Wars Episode 2e" documents a complete overhaul of a Core 3000 case, where the team upgrades the power panel, adds a fan and power bar, and performs a case swap. The build begins with the removal of a riveted hard‑drive cage, cleaning the dusty case, and planning to raise the pump and radiator to clear the power supply. Using epoxy, a full pack of Sugaroo, and a copper piece from Metal Mart, the crew drills a hole for copper tubing, cuts a cap for the socket, and mills the CPU block surface. Silicone sealant is applied to the reservoir and the team plans to solder tubing onto the CPU block. The project is scheduled to finish in 8 hours, with a total score of 50 points across creativity, effectiveness, aesthetics, acoustics, and overall. The build showcases a patented power panel with a single power cable, a monitor, speakers, and a power supply. The case is opened to reveal the main components, including a copper coil cooling system (CCS) that the builder calls the "Uber Cooler Magic Machine 5000." The builder demonstrates the system’s functionality, noting that all bays are populated with drives or bay covers, an eSATA port, two USB 2.0 ports, and air intakes that fold out on two hinges. The copper coil is described as stable, and the builder claims a 10/10 score for acoustics. The cooling hump is located on top of the system, with zip‑tied tubing attached to the copper pipe. The CPU block uses saw‑off tubing soldered to a custom CNC‑cut water block, saving about $40 on fittings and bringing the total water‑cooling cost to $198. The system runs on an Intel i7‑930 CPU, reaching 87 °C after 7 minutes of load. The builder thanks the judges and invites viewers to watch the next episode.

Viewers praise the video for its clear demonstration of the build process and the detailed explanation of the cooling system. Comments highlight the team’s use of epoxy and Sugaroo, the effective use of a copper coil, and the overall 10/10 acoustics score. Some viewers note the video’s pacing and the lack of a detailed points breakdown, but overall the sentiment is positive, with many commenters expressing enthusiasm for the next episode. The video’s high view count and strong comment engagement suggest that the audience appreciates the technical depth and the practical value of the DIY water‑cooled PC build.

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