Getting Away from AIO Coolers

[BigDaddyKong]

I am looking at picking up a full kit to cool my CPU. I have two choices, an XSPC with an AX360 rad and dual D5 reservoir pumps, or a NexXxoS XP³ Light block with a UT 60 360mm rad and single D5 reservoir pump.

Which would be the better setup? I can't cool my non reference 7970's now, so I am going to keep using my HAF X case for a while longer.

Also, coolant to order. The choices listed are Feser One, XSPC E6, or EK coolant. My other thought was just to get UV blue tubing, and just use distilled water, with biocide drops and dropping a kill coil in the res.

I don't plan to get new graphics cards until next year at the earliest. When I do, I will expand the loop and put them inside and get a different case. The Gigabyte Ghz edition cards I have don't have a full water block anywhere at this time. I need to keep a good airflow case to keep them cool, 70C full load in crossfire.

For fans, I am going to use the Corsair SP 120's I have on my H100 in a push config to start.

 

[tinytomlogan]

You dont need dual d5 pumps - at all. For your loop you dont even really need a single one lol.

If you are just cooling your CPU both kits are mahoooosive overkill but that will mean you can run some SP120 quiet editions WITH the fan speed reducers and so it makes next to no noise.

If you add two GPU's in youll need to get an extra 240 rad added in to keep the fans low still.

 

[NeverBackDown]

First off get a new case before you get into water, will make it so much easier to expand the loop later on instead of having to take it all apart and move it just to put it back together... plus the case is quite difficult to watercool in.

Depending on what hardware you want to cool i would suggest a few cases for you.
NZXT H440, Switch 810, Phantom 530
Corsair 750D,350D, or a 540 air(slim rad and a thick rad only)
Fractal Design Arc Midi R2,Arc Mini R2, Arc XL

Any of these cases could easily support a CPU and dual GPU loop.

Edit: Also forgot to mention the Phanteks Entho Primo case!

 

[RadeonHDx]

^^ I agree with this ^^

But you also could do a small amount of modding and make the dual 200mm fans into a 360 and then use the 240 in the bottom for the extra cooling horsepower you'll probably need for a CPU + dual GPU configuration.

Something like this: http://www.hardwarecanucks.com/forum/case-mods-worklog-gallery/57425-chomie-haf-x-watercooled-rig.html

Then again if you don't want to do quite as much modding, or any at all for that matter, just go get a new case .

 

[BigDaddyKong]

^^ I agree with this ^^

But you also could do a small amount of modding and make the dual 200mm fans into a 360 and then use the 240 in the bottom for the extra cooling horsepower you'll probably need for a CPU + dual GPU configuration.

Something like this: http://www.hardwarecanucks.com/forum/case-mods-worklog-gallery/57425-chomie-haf-x-watercooled-rig.html

Then again if you don't want to do quite as much modding, or any at all for that matter, just go get a new case .

Thanks for posting up the link. I like that, but it needs a few tweaks.

I think I will order the UT60 kit with the single pump since I did not get any warnings about that block.

I may setup a drain T out the back to start with and make it easy to tear down. I like to tinker, so I don't mind the work.

 

[Dragolu]

Hey Kong
Glad you are going with the ut60, as it is a great radiator. Dual pumps would be overkill for almost any loop, especially for a CPU only one. The only reason to do it would be redundancy in case of failure and even that may be a little on the paranoid as long as you connect the pump to the motherboard and configure the bios to shut down in case of failure.
Also don't go with colored fluids, i made that mistake on my first water-cooling attempt. It has been said ad nauseum but the truth is that you almost never get the color you want, the dye stains everything if it leaks and you will have to deal with gunk precipitation. I tried several before giving up. I would definitely go with colored tubing and distilled water which is what i finally did. I wish i had listened from the start and saved myself some heartache.
Be careful with EK waterblocks, especially if nickel plated. I have had problems with the nickel peeling off, even after this was supposed to be fixed. From now on its copper only for me.
Good luck

 

[BigDaddyKong]

Thanks. Parts are ordered, I wanted the dual D5 for backup, but I decided against it.

Thanks for the advice everyone.

Keep up the great vids Tom.

 

[NeverBackDown]

Make a build log! Watercooled rigs always get a lot of attention on this forum

 

[BigDaddyKong]

Will do. I had a friend that is currently building a 900D rig, so I think I want something slightly different than him. I think I am going to go with a 750D.

My plan right now is I think I am going to go ahead and install a second rad to add the video cards in later. I want full cover blocks, so I need to wait until I upgrade my 7970's. They are the Gigabyte Windforce Ghz A cards.

My plan is to use a set of quick connects on one side of the small radiator, that way I can just use a pair of hemostats, clamp the tube, disconnect it, then snip it to length, and then use the quick connect to hook the cards back to the rad in less than 5 minutes when I am ready with minimal coolant loss.

Well, NCIX has the 900D for 279.99 with free shipping and no tax for me.

http://us.ncix.com/products/?sku=79369&promoid=1363

At that price, I could not pass it up. Once it gets here, I will decide on rads, considering 2 480s, maybe 80mm.

Can a single D5 handle that with 2 video cards and CPU ok?

 

[RadeonHDx]

Good choice on the case.

And yea, a single D5 can handle a CPU and Dual GPU's no problem at all.