How would you make a loop with these components?

njallday

New member
So I'm pretty much set on my water cooling components for my first ever wc'ed build, but I'm kinda stuck on the loop. I was just wondering what you would feel is the tidiest way to make this loop with my components. Feel free to voice your opinion on different components, I'm all for suggestions. One thing I'm simply not a fan of is bay reservoirs or bay combos. I just feel it looks silly with the sagging tubes because you have to pull it out to fill, and I do need an optical drive so Tom's fill port trick wont work on my Switch 810 due to the amount of bays. I also don't like the clashing look of the XSPC black metal front plate with my matte Switch's finish. So enough with my explanations, here is what i have decided on:

-XSPC RS 360 (only doing CPU for now, and if later on I want my GPU added, an RX 240 is always an option)
-XSPC Raystorm (Well, it's amazing in price, looks, and performance)
-EK DCP 4.0 Pump (quiet and I think it looks nice)
-EK Res combo for the 4.0 pump (well, it's made for the pump :p)

So I was just wondering if the below loop would work, as I'm not sure if mounting the pump/res is even possible there. Also, I'm not 100% about the barbs being at the front, but since the rad is only 35mm and I'm only using pull on the top for fans, I'm pretty sure 2 90 degree fittings will fit just fine.

So, any suggestions?
 

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You're better off getting a more powerful pump if you want to add the GPU later.

As for the rad, go for the EX360 over the RS
 
The thing about the EX is that it has a higher FPI if I'm not mistaken, which would mean higher rpm fans. I've taken into account all the XSPC rad series and I think the RS is fine. If other people hop on board with you about it I might give it a go. I've actually seen a few people dissuade others from using the EX series. Also, regarding the pump, is there any pump you would recommend other than a D5. It's just the thought of spending an extra $50 on a pump based on a maybe doesn't sound too great to me.
 
Yes, but with decent fans, which you should be having anyway, the EX should generally perform better. What fans do you have btw?

As for the pump, D5 only really. I think if there's any chance of you upgrading to graphics too, you may as well go for the D5. Better $50 extra now than $120 when you do have to do the GPU, plus you'd have wasted the money on the current pump. If you could get the DC-LT by alphacool, that will do for the CPU on its own, and you wont lose as much if you do have to get the D5 later. Up to you though.
 
I've yet to get my rad fans, but I was thinking Bitfenix Spectre Pros, Scythe GT 1450s, or Corsair SP 120 quiets, possibly Gelid Wings. The thing about the Scythes and Corsair, I honestly just find them both ugly. I suppose it doesn't matter because they will only be seen in the top grill of the Switch. I suppose with the EX I would need a higher static pressure which could call for something like an Akasa Apache, which is advertised to have a really good static pressure. Anyway, tell me what you think lol.

And yeah you kinda sold me on the D5. I mean I might as well, I'll be pretty happy when I wanna add a graphics card.
 
Bitfenix Spectre Pros arent great for rads. The GTs are the best from that list. Also consider the Silverstone APs as they're good on rads, and still look good.

the Akasa, Scythe and Silverstones would all be fine on the EX, so whichever you prefer the look of.

I'd personally only use Corsair, Scythe, Silverstone or Noctua on rads anyway, so if it was my I'd still be going for the better performing EX over the RS.
 
And yeah you kinda sold me on the D5. I mean I might as well, I'll be pretty happy when I wanna add a graphics card.

If you think the D5 is ugly, you can look into the Bitspower mod kit, altho that is relatively expensive it makes the pump look much nicer.
 
Yeah I forgot the Air Perpetrators. I think I'll pick those up. The main thing with this loop is how would you suggest I mount the pump/ res? I know you can get clips for a tube res to mount on the drive cage(think most come with them), but I'm not positive on how mount the pump as I think some tubing that passes over the graphics card to reach a pump on the floor wouldn't look great.
 
One thing I'm simply not a fan of is bay reservoirs or bay combos. I just feel it looks silly with the sagging tubes because you have to pull it out to fill, and I do need an optical drive so Tom's fill port trick wont work on my Switch 810 due to the amount of bays. I also don't like the clashing look of the XSPC black metal front plate with my matte Switch's finish.

If there is really no other easy way, I guess i may have to get it.
 
Oh sorry, i missed that bit.

Could always drill holes and mount the res a few cm further back so you can keep the original covers on - that would worsen the excess tubing issue however. You can easily enough clean things up though, and you only need a few cm excess to be safe.
 
After further investigation, the hot swap bay is easily removable, sort of naive of me to think it wasn't. So that leaves 4 bays, 1 for optical drive, 2 for bay res, and 1 for the fill port trick:lol:. What I think i might do is spray one of the metal covers that come with the xspc res so it blends with the Switch's coat (like in the NZXSPC mod). I could always bring one of the bay covers to the hardware store to match the color or just go Satin Black like Tom said the Matte Switch looked like in the review.
 
or to just get the system up and running, settle on the bay res and then look forward to
the next upgrade..

airdeano
 
Looks good. Although I think you should get a better pump and the EX360. If you'll only add one GPU, you should even be fine with one 360mm rad.
 
Again, if you don't like bay res's, don't buy one.

The thing is, mounting a pump on the floor would look ridiculous with the tubing if the GPU isn't in the loop, and I can't really think of a way to mount the pump another way. I can just do what I said in my previous post and I'll be happy.
 
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