Coming back to watercooling!

freshage

New member
Morning all,

I'm fairly new around here, despite having an account since 2007!

I'll keep this short, I used to moderate on WcUK and very much love watercooling. Then life took over, this was many moons ago! I've recently stuck to mATX builds as my PC is part of my home cinema setup. But the winter months are closing in and I want a project. So, I'm going full tower again and moving to X99 boards.

My main question is, what case? I'd like to stick a block on the i7 5930k and my 980 ti. So I'm thinking 2 radiators, bay res (inc pump). A loop like this:

res/pump > radiator > gpu > radiator > cpu > res/pump

A very basic loop and any pump should be powerful enough to push through that. Even if I stuck 2x 360's in it. In that light, I've got my heart set on a bay res, including a pump. However, open to ideas. The only thing that might change is me putting a second 980 ti in the loop.

The last time I watercooled was a e6600 and sli 7800GTX's all on a single 360 bolted onto a full tower Lian Li lol. So, I'm a bit out of date! However, I've been looking and the difference in temps between blocks is minimal at best, so my understanding is it's all down to aesthetics mostly.

I'd like a window in the case, so I can loop upon my pretties.

Just throwing it out there, I like the look of the Corsair 750D.

Thoughts?
 
Flow order doesn't really matter. Do any order/direction you feel works best for your case. Only exception is that the pump should always get fed water first, but you got that covered with the bay reservoir combo anyway.
 
Come on Fresh.... Thought you knew better than that!

No need to put the rad between blocks dear boy, make it tidy!

You can also easily get away with a single thick 360 tbh, if you want dual rads for the epeen then you could have a Corsair 760 T and have the normal roof rad then a 240 in the front. I think its prettier than the 750D too
 
I don't know why, but I'm still under the impression that a rad between blocks is best haha. Stubborn I guess.

Thanks for the case suggestion :)
 
Been looking at the 760 T, not a fan of the looks! I'm a Lian Li fanboy and have to admit, I love the simplistic brushed aluminium look. Also, sits along side my amp. So it would match.
 
You have to live with it matey, Ive still got one in the office with an AMD rig in it. Was just chucking other options at you.
 
Aye, saw a tidy little build in a 740d. Heavily modified. Could be a fun project!

What are the leading radiators these days then?
 
Aye, saw a tidy little build in a 740d. Heavily modified. Could be a fun project!

What are the leading radiators these days then?

I'm a sucker for Alphacool. They're very sturdy built and cheaper than most competitors. EK does some very aesthetic pleasing radiators, but they seem to have gotten more expensive lately.
 
Aye, saw a tidy little build in a 740d. Heavily modified. Could be a fun project!

What are the leading radiators these days then?

EK XE series are the best performing overall, while EK's paint looks good for a few seconds it is not very durable at all. XSPC AX by contrast have exceptional finish, cooling isn't anything exceptional but its certainly good. Alphacool are still king of making a huge variety of sizes, they've definitely stepped up their quality of finish lately too. If your a hipster then there is always Darkside or Mayhems etc

For the most part though, like fans, you are just comparing fractional differences in efficiency when more radiator area would increase the heat rejection or allow you to lower the fan speed. I'd go with the ones you find pretty and get lots :) Well, the most you can without compromising on the overall size you were aiming for.

JR
 
Awesome information. Thanks mate.

My latest question is the 980 ti block. Doesn't seem to be anyway, well, 1. Am I being blind? I know the titan x blocks can fit... But wanted something with 980ti slapped on it.
 
Awesome information. Thanks mate.

My latest question is the 980 ti block. Doesn't seem to be anyway, well, 1. Am I being blind? I know the titan x blocks can fit... But wanted something with 980ti slapped on it.

Is it specifically for a reference 980Ti?

I know that EK probably won't release one with 980Ti on it. I know it seems like an easy change, and it is. But as they have 5 different options for Titan X blocks already and 4 or 5 different backplates it would quickly make a lot of SKU's! And as they don't produce each 'part' to order it makes sense for them to minimize how many variations there are. I'm sure its a similar story with other manufacturers too. Most of the branding is very discrete, it would be hard to even notice in a system. An alternative backplate either from a vendor like EVGA or custom may be a nice touch.

You could always go with a none reference card such as a Strix, Twin Frozr 5, Wind Force 3 etc which aren't adorned with a model number. Assuming you haven't bought the card.

JR
 
Been looking at the 760 T, not a fan of the looks! I'm a Lian Li fanboy and have to admit, I love the simplistic brushed aluminium look. Also, sits along side my amp. So it would match.

How about a Lian Li PC-O8WX? Get a chunky 360 and you'll have a nice solid pc. Thermals aren't spectacular but they'd do the job.
 
Is it specifically for a reference 980Ti?

I know that EK probably won't release one with 980Ti on it. I know it seems like an easy change, and it is. But as they have 5 different options for Titan X blocks already and 4 or 5 different backplates it would quickly make a lot of SKU's! And as they don't produce each 'part' to order it makes sense for them to minimize how many variations there are. I'm sure its a similar story with other manufacturers too. Most of the branding is very discrete, it would be hard to even notice in a system. An alternative backplate either from a vendor like EVGA or custom may be a nice touch.

You could always go with a none reference card such as a Strix, Twin Frozr 5, Wind Force 3 etc which aren't adorned with a model number. Assuming you haven't bought the card.

JR

I've got the card, pre ordered it and was one of the unfortunate few who had to wait a week or 2 whilst stock caught up haha.

I've got the ACX 2.0 one. Wanted the windforce but the further delays put me off.

How about a Lian Li PC-O8WX? Get a chunky 360 and you'll have a nice solid pc. Thermals aren't spectacular but they'd do the job.

As much as I love Lian Li, it just doesn't want several hundred pounds on a case.
 
Looking at the 750D (I know, heart set on it, love the look!), if I put a 280 at the front, and then a 280 at the top. Along side a dual bay res (including pump), will I still be able to fit a DVD drive?
 
Looking at the 750D (I know, heart set on it, love the look!), if I put a 280 at the front, and then a 280 at the top. Along side a dual bay res (including pump), will I still be able to fit a DVD drive?

What on earth would you want a dvd drive for?

Grab a usb bluray writer and use that when you need it :P
 
Haha, I have a blu ray drive I use for blu rays. Could use a USB I guess... Would allow me to install a sexy 480 radiator up top, remove the drive bay and go for internal res and pump. Instead of a bay one...

Hmmm.

Also been doing further research, I really like the look and builds using acrylic tubing. So will certainly be going down that route!
 
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