First time watercooling

Dawelio

Active member
Hey guys,

So some of you may have seen my previous threads already... but I'm planning on building a new PC for myself in the Corsair 380T and I'm gonna go for watercooling.

Now many of you will probably say that it will be difficult etc due to being a first time watercooling... I'm aware of that and still want to give it a go.

So the planned build is as follows:

ASUS P8Z77-I Deluxe
Intel Core i7 3770K
16GB Corsair Vengeance Pro
ASUS GeForce GTX980 4GB
Silverstone S Gold Series 750W (their small PSU with short cable kit)
Corsair Neutron GTX 240GB
Corsair 380T

Now, I know I can fit a 240 rad on the side and a 120 in the back. Although the 240 can max be 30mm thick.
I've also come across a reservoir, the Swiftech MCRES Micro Rev2.

Now, I have no idea what tubing, fittings, pump, water, cpu & gou block I'll go for. This is where I want advice and help from you guys.
Want as tidy reservoir and pump as possible. Powerful enough for this system, but as quiet as possible. I'd also like it to have adjustable speed.
I'd also like to have a full gpu block, that covers the entire card (for asthetics/looks).

The build is going for a black and blue theme. Mostly black though, 75% black and 25% blue kind of).

The budget for it would be around £200-300, max £400 (for the watercooling alone).

I appreciate all the help and advice!

Thanks!
 
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I wouldn't personally do any custom loops in that tiny case. If you really want it I guess no one can stop you, but I'd go either for a larger case to get some proper sized rads to fit. or go for something like the Corsair H105.

Fitting a full cover GPU block in that budget is kinda tight. Either go all out or go home. Those 120 rads are really not contributing to the loop at all.

So yeah. I'd rethink it a bit. Good luck though. :)
 
I doubt you will see a decent performance benefit even if you manage it. Either that, or the fans need to be tripping balls in order to cool that.
 
Thanks guys for replying!

Ahh well, I thought I could have managed it though, in that case.
This case is different, migh be a bit bigger, but thought I could do the 380T, cause of this one:
http://forum.overclock3d.net/showthread.php?t=66432

Probably a dumb question, but would a BitFenix Prodigy or the Corsair 250D be any better?... or do you recommend me scratching that idea completely, and better off going with an Fractal Design Define Arc Mini R2?...

The same components though, just might opt to go for an mATX motherboard in that case and a different CPU. Or even just leave it like that, since I already have it.

What do you guys recommend?... I will bascially use for it gaming (Battlefield 3 & 4), some video editing, photoshop CS6, maybe some 3D in photoshop, movie streaming, web browsing, music etc etc... so yeah, that is that.
 
I have the Define Arc Mini R2. Fantastic little case and its been a great thing to learn how to do a custom loop in. I'd also look at a Phanteks Enthoo Evolv.
 
I have the Define Arc Mini R2. Fantastic little case and its been a great thing to learn how to do a custom loop in. I'd also look at a Phanteks Enthoo Evolv.

Yeah, actually just looked through your build dude... very nice indeed! :)
And you were actually a little bit that made me decide to go that route, since I've seen that you are well regarded on this forum and seeing you have the case.... hmmm... well... I think that it speaks for itself ;)

That case isn't all that bad, but I prefer looks and I like the Arc Mini R2 a lot more. For it's clean looks etc etc.

It was my actual first thought before I saw the 380T. But will probably go Mini R2 route now though for watercooling.

Still, have a lot of research to do, due to all the stuff I mentioned in the OP.
 
Looks like the Define Arc Mini can hold 2 x 240 rads. Iif you plan to cool your GPU with water aswell I suggest you go for 2 rads. As thick as possible.

As for the other stuff. In a small case like that a pump/res combo would probably be preferred. As for tubing and fittings. When I put together my rig I just made sure everything was G1/4" which is standard. With compression fittings it's no hassle. Tubing, just don't take the cheapest you can find and you'll be ok. Masterkleer and Tygon both make good tubing.

The blocks are really not that big a difference. Perhaps a couple of degrees but it's up to what you like. EK, XSPC, Alphacool, Watercool to name a few.

Basically it boils down to preference. You'll be the one staring at the thing all day long :)
 
Looks like the Define Arc Mini can hold 2 x 240 rads. Iif you plan to cool your GPU with water aswell I suggest you go for 2 rads. As thick as possible.

As for the other stuff. In a small case like that a pump/res combo would probably be preferred. As for tubing and fittings. When I put together my rig I just made sure everything was G1/4" which is standard. With compression fittings it's no hassle. Tubing, just don't take the cheapest you can find and you'll be ok. Masterkleer and Tygon both make good tubing.

The blocks are really not that big a difference. Perhaps a couple of degrees but it's up to what you like. EK, XSPC, Alphacool, Watercool to name a few.

Basically it boils down to preference. You'll be the one staring at the thing all day long :)

Thanks for the reply!

Yes, I'm planning on going atleast that. More like 360 rad in the top and 240 rad in the front. Perhaps a single 120 in the bottom, but not entirely sure about that one though, not sure how much difference it will do in all honesty... in comparison to noise ratio overall in the build.

In a small case like that, are you referring to the Mini R2 or 380T?... so what pump/res combo unit would you recommend then?...

So compression fittings should be the same then?, G1/4"?...

Yeah yeah, that is true... however, I do want recommendations for people that are experienced and actually know this stuff. Compared to do it all myself, a newbie to it all. Basically, not go and get a car when you want something more robust like a tank, if you know what I mean?...

But what would you recommend then when it comes to tubing and water?...
Clear water with colored tubing, clear tubing with colored water or both colored?...

@barnsley - Do you have the Mini or the Mini R2?...

Thanks!
 
Thanks for the reply!

Yes, I'm planning on going atleast that. More like 360 rad in the top and 240 rad in the front. Perhaps a single 120 in the bottom, but not entirely sure about that one though, not sure how much difference it will do in all honesty... in comparison to noise ratio overall in the build.

In a small case like that, are you referring to the Mini R2 or 380T?... so what pump/res combo unit would you recommend then?...

So compression fittings should be the same then?, G1/4"?...

Yeah yeah, that is true... however, I do want recommendations for people that are experienced and actually know this stuff. Compared to do it all myself, a newbie to it all. Basically, not go and get a car when you want something more robust like a tank, if you know what I mean?...

But what would you recommend then when it comes to tubing and water?...
Clear water with colored tubing, clear tubing with colored water or both colored?...

@barnsley - Do you have the Mini or the Mini R2?...

Thanks!

Skip the 120 rad, only more resistance in the loop, with no considerable gain. You can put a fan in the bottom for aesthetics. Or put HDD's/SSD's so you can free up the front.

Yeah normally all components use G1/4" so stick with the standard and you'll be fine. Yeah I was referring to the Fractal Design Mini. Pump/res combo dunno, since I don't use them. EK makes pretty neat ones. There are tons of reviews waiting for you to read up on ;)

As for colors and stuff, totally up to you. Personally I use transparent tubing with distilled water, no dye. Mayhem's make good dye. However if you use a dye for a long time, especially red, then the dye can make the tubing and components reddish/pinkish aswell. This I've only heard someone say so can't be 100% on that. Remember you can always use LED's as a way to highlight for eg the reservoir, instead of using dye.

Hope it clears something up.
 
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