Building my loop; advice appreciated

Shiozawa

New member
I'm new to watercooling and PC building in general. I'm looking to build my own custom loop. I realize the closed loop would be easier, but I want this build my way. I'm just looking to see if the parts I have picked out with go with my build.

This is my build. At this time I'm only looking to watercool the CPU. Block, res/pump, rad, fittings, tubing, silver, anti-kink coil (asthetics), and quick disconnect (w/ male).

Will this work? Is there anything else I should know about? In the future, I'm looking to include the GPU; will the rad and pump be strong enough for that? What is the best loop? I was thinking res/pump > rad > CPU > repeat. Push/pull fan? Should I pull the air from outside the case through the rad or use the warmer air inside the case and push that through the rad? With the silver do I still need anything else added to the distilled water?

Thank you or any help you can provide and I'm sorry for my newness.
 
I would have concerns about running the custom loop like you've suggested. My main concern is the radiator choice. A 240x40 will be fine for a CPU but adding a GPU will mean you'll have to push some serious air through it to get good temps. That is possible, especially with the 38fpi rad you have chosen but frankly it is going to sound like a jet engine.

Almost everyone agrees on OC3D that the point of water cooling is to keep things quiet whilst getting good temps and looking cool. With that in mind I think your plan to watercool in the phantom (which has limited rad space unless you mod it) should be kept to cooling the CPU only with a low FPI rad (like an Alphacool NexXxoS) and slow spinning fans. So have a think about it.

Also I would highly suggest that you don't go for a pump/ res drive bay combo. They can be the loudest pump mounting option. Better to get a d5 and a separate res if you want to really do it properly : )

Regarding your other questions:
1. Loop order doesn't really matter as long as the res feeds the pump; radiator first or blocks first etc makes no difference.
2. If you really want to maximise the effect of fans then pull is regarded as more effective in general at lower speeds (<1200rpm) and push more effective above that but you'll probably have that decided for you by the mounting options, always go for a bigger radiator before worrying about extra fan mounting for push pull or fan orientation.
3. Don't try to defeat physics with your airflow. If your radiator is in the roof then let that be the exhaust. Hot air rises etc.
4. I'd add a little of some branded corrosion inhibitor to your water along with the kill coil if you want to mix it yourself. These days I just tend to buy a litre of premix given that it only costs a few £$.

Let us know what direction you want to go in.

M&P
 
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