First Custom Loop build

luongo27

New member
After following Barnsley's Hermann build, I fancied a go at this water cooling business. I was looking for a kit to start with, but I needed a 280mm radiator and reservoir that wasn't bay mounted. I couldn't find one that checked those boxes and was AMD compatible. In the end I just pieced together my own kit for about £160. I'm also expecting some grief for water cooling on the FM2+ socket :)

All the new kit arrived Wednesday, and I've been putting it together over the last two to three days. It went pretty smoothly apart from a minor leak at the very start of leak testing, which was down to a fitting not being fully tightened on the radiator. Did about 20 hours of leak testing before I decided to put it back together.

I'm pretty happy with how it's turned out, don't think it's too bad for my first go. Anyway I thought I would share.

New Parts
  • MIPS Iceforce HF cpu block
  • Alphacool NexXxos ST30 280mm radiator.
  • Primochill 3/8 white tubing.
  • EK Water Blocks 2.2 pump & res combo.
  • Thermochill 3/8 compression fittings.
  • Two 140mm Yate Loon fans.
  • EK lime green coolant.

Here's photos I took along the way:

WC1000_zps6044fafc.jpg

All the kit ready to go.
WC1001_zps4cd5ffc8.jpg

Mips Iceforce CPU block.
WC1002_zpsdf54c9d2.jpg

Radiator and fans mounted to case bracket.
WC1003_zpscde1b551.jpg

Which then drops in easily from above :)
WC1004_zpse5dfb5ed.jpg

CPU block mounted.
WC1005_zpsf5c9f76f.jpg

Some leak testing, don't worry there was more paper towel, just not when i took the photos.
WC1006_zps080434c3.jpg

More leak testing.
WC1008_zpsd29d5ff2.jpg

Finished shot, with my reflection as a bonus.
WC1007_zps170f8bd7.jpg

Another finished shot.
 
very nice build for a first time water cooled build very tidy I like the use of the ek pump I use the same pump res and the layout you went with you could at some point water cool the card with out pulling it all apart and from what I can see you have the rad fans in pull that will help wen you come to dust the rad out

well done mate
 
Glad you guys seem to like it, it was good fun putting it together.

you could at some point water cool the card with out pulling it all apart
Definitely a consideration when I next need to upgrade. I've got the spare tubing and fittings :)

Why white tubing?
Was originally going to go with green tubing but I've seen some nice builds recently with white tubing and really liked the look.
 
I looked up that CPU block.. :drool: so sexy! The intel one is also very unique. Only problem is they are a little more on the expensive side but imo well worth it for the looks.
Nice first loop! Simple but effective.
 
I looked up that CPU block.. :drool: so sexy! The intel one is also very unique. Only problem is they are a little more on the expensive side but imo well worth it for the looks.

Strangely I picked it up mainly because it was half price from Aquatuning. Was pretty much the cheapest AMD block down from £60 to £30. Definitely the only one I liked the look of at that price point.
 
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