First Water Cooling loop - Advice on everything please!

[Surfie]

Hi Guys,

Just looking at building a water cooling loop (fairly simple, straightforward and hopefully designed to be functional AND look good).

At this point I have quite literally *NO* idea about how it works, beyond the theory on the different components that make up a simple loop of this nature.

What I am looking for here, is some advice on what the best components are, and roughly how much I should be expecting to spend to build a loop of this nature (If quoting in $'s, please advise WHICH one - i.e. USD, AUD etc.... so that I can convert somewhat accurately). Also, if I am missing bits, please let me know!

I intend on updating this post with the bits that I am looking at getting, as suggestions are made to me.

Type of loop: Clear tubing, with Compression fittings (I heard that these are the easiest ones to use for newbies like me!).

Pump: ??? NFI (No Flipping Idea)

Reservoir: EK Bay Spin Reservoir Acetal CSQ - link: http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=20485

Fans: Excluding the normal airflow fans, 2 Corsair SP 120mm fans.

Radiator: XSPC RX480 Radiator - link: http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=207_160_297_1270&products_id=14662

Video Card Cooler: XSPC Razor GTX 680 Full Coverage Waterblock - link: http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=21375

CPU Block: XSPC RayStorm CPU Waterblock for Intel - link: http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=18563

Other connectors: ??? Still NFI.

Case: ThermalTake Overseer RX-1 (lol - i'm a noob! Seriously, opinions on a case replacement would be welcome)

The loop I have planned: Res -> Pump -> video card -> CPU block -> Rad -> Res

Any and all help is greatly, greatly, GREATLY appreciated guys. I *am* a complete newbie to this, and I really want to get the best value for money (but I don't mind spending big *IF* the part is worth it).

Thoughts and suggestions are greatly valued.

Thanks all!

Surfie

Edit: Added in pieces which I am looking at as potentials.

Edit 2: Updated the Radiator to a better option (I think?), added option for case since my thermaltacky is noooooobish.

 

[Surfie]

Oh, and if i'm missing anything, please let me know about that too... I don't want to ruin my perfectly good system through a simple oversight!

Also, I have heard of issues whereby hoses may break/leak. How common is this? How can it be avoided? What sort of maintenance is required for water cooling systems?

 

[chiewleong]

hi, i'm also new to WC, just about 4 month experience of WC.
i think that u can try XSPC D5 EX240 kit.
it come with the essential component that u want to start a simple loop.
just u need to change the tubing to a better one as my tubing seem like plasticized after 4 month use.
for the gpu block, if ur 680 is reference design u can try XSPC Razor 680.
if not, i have no idea. i'm also looking for gtx560ti and too bad it doesnt have full cover, just only universal.
thats all from me to share with u.

 

[Surfie]

Hi Chewie,

Nice tip about the kit. I'll go take a look at it now, and see how it works out price wise.

Obviously you have been doing WC a bit longer than me. Do you find that you have to perform any regular maintenance?

Surfie

 

[chiewleong]

regular maintenance... i think 6 month change coolant once.. reccomended by my local dealer. though u can change it even once a year, provided ur coolant didnt change colour or cloudy.
according to my local dealer, pls choose the correcr tubing eg thermochill tubing, tygon free plasticizer. eventually all tubing still plasticized, just matter of time.
one more thing, what is ur casing? mine is cooler master haf 912 which i found that not very WC friendly... rad place exterior and fan inside the case which so so so ugly...
btw, chewie, remind me of chewbacca... :-D

 

[Surfie]

My case is ThermalTake Overseer RX1 (link: http://www.thermaltake.com.au/products-model.aspx?id=C_00001803), and the H100i fits in nicely with no real hassles, so I suspect that I should be ok with a 2 fan Rad, provided that the fans are not massively oversized.

When you say that the tubes plasticize, what exactly do you mean by that? And why is it bad?

Thanks

 

[chiewleong]

i'm not very good to describe and explain it. i think it is a material that make plastic or PVC more flexible. From time, it will leach out and flow in the whole loop and might block the cpu and gpu block and render their optimum performance, worst case spoil it.
I hope that more experienced users or real pro on WC can explain to us.

 

[Nurf]

You should take a look at Tom's video on the XSPC D5 kit, but one 240 rad won't be enough for a cpu+gpu loop. You need a minimum of 3x120 or preferably 4x120.
The GT stealth rad you listed has a very high fin density (30 Fins Per Inch), meaning you need very high rpm fans to push air effectively through. Something like the xspc ex240 is a much better option.

 

[tinytomlogan]

CPU and GPU no a 240 wont be enough not even a 60mm thick one.

TBH Id start by changing that god aweful case first....


ThermalTACKY ownership is the sign of a n0000b

 

[RFM-PC]

As Tom said that Rad is not good enough for a GPU and CPU loop, especially when it's thinner than normal.

 

[FTR.4500MHz]

You can't start walking if you didn't learn to crawl....

First of all i would recommend gettin a case that can at least fit a full size 360 rad (60mm thick) that would be mininum requirement. Cooling a cpu and a gpu on a thin 240 rad isnt enough a goes against the sense of watercooling a computer (performance and SILENCE). So take your time, do some research and then make a wise decision!
Since its your first shot at watercooling you can also just start by doing a cpu loop to get some exp., the money you will save can be reinvested in a decent case for example....
You will be able to add your gpu in the loop in a near future if your build is planed futureproof and with cooling capacity headroom.


Cheers !

 

[Surfie]

Oh hi Tom!

Ohhh - that kinda hurts, since the case is actually the newest part of my rig (ok, so i'm a noooooooooob - I thought I covered that already!)....

So, if we want to start with the case, what would be your top three recommendations Tom?

Thanks

Surfie

 

[Surfie]

You can't start walking if you didn't learn to crawl....

True, true. I figured getting a Corsair H100i would count as getting my feet wet (or crawling in your analogy). Boy was I wrong on that one!

First of all i would recommend gettin a case that can at least fit a full size 360 rad (60mm thick) that would be mininum requirement. Cooling a cpu and a gpu on a thin 240 rad isnt enough a goes against the sense of watercooling a computer (performance and SILENCE). So take your time, do some research and then make a wise decision!

Is there some rule of thumb for figuring out what size Radiator you need? The #1 thing i've taken away from this thread so far is that my understanding of water cooling and the radiator requirements for it is very, very off (#2 being that my case is crap. lol)

Since its your first shot at watercooling you can also just start by doing a cpu loop to get some exp., the money you will save can be reinvested in a decent case for example....
You will be able to add your gpu in the loop in a near future if your build is planed futureproof and with cooling capacity headroom.

This is a great idea, and one which I have considered in the past. I assume that with this, one would still need to plan out the addition of a GPU cooler at some point, as well as make allowances in the res and pump power (and radiator size) to ensure that there is enough water in the loop....

And still no one has mentioned the maintenance involved!

Thanks for all the responses so far guys - I love it!

 

[tinytomlogan]

Plenty of reviews on the front page dude......

 

[FTR.4500MHz]

I wouldnt consider "getting your feet wet" if you buy a "ready to use" solution like a H100i since all you do is screw it in your case and slap the pump/block combo onto your cpu.
To start i would recommend you something like an XSPC Raystorm D5 RX360 CPU Water Cooling Kit.
Since the kit comes with a D5 pump you will still have enough pumping power if you add a second radiator and a gpu block in your loop later on.
But first of all find a case that can fit the RS360!

 

[Whaler_99]

A rough sizing guide is a 120mm of rad per block plus 120mm. So, for just a CPU, a minimum you want is a 240mm rad. Add in a single GPU, 360 rad. Second GPU, you are up to a 480 or a 360 plus a 240. Remember, a bit more is better, will allow you cool better and run fans slower. FPI - lower FPI on a rad means you fans can spin slower (quieter) and get the same results as higher speed fans on a high FPI rad. Thicker rad is usually better...

Like some have mentioned, one of the kits to start is really a good option. XSPC and Aquatuning make some nice ones.

Reviews Tom's videos, he has a lot on various watercooling options on various cases...

 

[Deejeta]

CPU and GPU no a 240 wont be enough not even a 60mm thick one.

TBH Id start by changing that god aweful case first....


ThermalTACKY ownership is the sign of a n0000b

damn you TTL you beat me to the thermaltake joke.

Surfie, watch some of the OC3D videos on youtube of good cases. TTL is the man at explaining the ins and outs of the cases - watercooling options etc. If its your first time and you have nfi then perhaps go with something similar to what someone else has done.
Thick rads, good pump, high sp/low rpm fans and tidy tubing. Fittings well choose whatever suits you really imho. Ive gone from compression to barb and now back to compressions. As long as you loop is as short as possible and tidy you'll be right. Use angles in stead of putting strain on your hose as well, and buy a couple more than what you need in case you want to change something along the way.
Best of luck.

 

[chiewleong]

You can't start walking if you didn't learn to crawl....

I agree with you. That's why i suggested XSPC D5 EX240 just to get the feet wet.
When I have Phantom 820, I will add a loop for GPU and a rad (which i still consider 240 with 30mm or 60mm thickness).
Thanks for you all and the advice.