WC on the cheap

[RobM]

Is it even possible to WC on the cheap? I mean really on the cheap and still have something that looks half decent through a windowed side panel.
I would really love to get a proper custom loop on the go but simply cannot stretch to the cost of whats available.
Looking on the bay shows parts hold value very well.

Maybe I will just have to use plumbcenter and go copper lol

 

[Greenback]

That depends on what you class as cheap and expensive, what you want in the loop, if it's just a cpu you're just a good going with an AIO

 

[RobM]

That depends on what you class as cheap and expensive, what you want in the loop, if it's just a cpu you're just a good going with an AIO

got an AIO, its just I sit here looking at my PC wishing it had a nice looking loop in it

 

[Thelosouvlakia]

I used to like a WC on the cheap like you but then I took an arrow to the knee...

Now I'm just happy to see the ugly puke brown noctua fans spin on that heavy heatsink...
Just saying... If you want WC... even more... good looking WC you have to spend quite some money at least in one of those EKWB kits

 

[AlienALX]

Yeah it's possible. You can get a pump for a tenner and if you look hard you can find deals on fittings and a WB. I will knock up a list later.

 

[Excalabur50]

I was just about to say that AienALX is the one to ask as he just did it and well

 

[AlienALX]

Right what is it you are looking to WC? like what CPU etc? I will need to know this to spec the correct block etc.

 

[RobM]

Right what is it you are looking to WC? like what CPU etc? I will need to know this to spec the correct block etc.

current setup is an APU from amd on fm2+ board using antecs AIO
one option I think would be to replace the awfull looking black ribbed tubes with some hardline
gpu is r7 but that is about to change to an rx470 that I won on christmas day.
Ideally I would like to cool both cpu and gpu with an ability to retain and re-use with a zen sometime in the future

 

[AlienALX]

Hard line will cost you a fortune in fittings dude. There are no hard line fittings that are cheap. You would be better suited doing it with tubes and finding a deal on fittings.

Note anything I link you to will be from overseas. Everything in the UK is a joke for prices.. Unless you find a sale.

First up pump.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/331686925931?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

It's G 1/4 so compliant with most res/loops. It has a ceramic shaft and hauls some ass with water. Be careful when you prime it though, as it's kinda deep inside and will act funny if it's not primed properly. Most people use them fitted to a barrel/tube res but you can use others.

For the res.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/60mm-Cyli...807770?hash=item211c7bfa1a:g:830AAOSwnHZYURNT

With that particular res you can use a G 1/4 coupler and literally screw it straight into the pump.

You can use this too.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/200ml-Acr...825930?hash=item4b009cd74a:g:BFgAAOSwdj9XTvlb

If you want to save more cash.

For the water block.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-Water...283904?hash=item2c9fe71a40:g:ZNwAAOSwyQtVzDZx

For the radiator... I would not advise using any cheap rad. Make sure what you get is copper, or at least purporting to be copper. I recommend using a Mayhem for £33.

https://mayhems.co.uk/radiators/mayhems-havoc-360-mm-radiator/

OK fittings. These vary wildly, however wait and buy them all at once and buy more than you think you need. For example a quick look brought me to these.

https://www.overclockers.co.uk/monsoon-chain-gun-fitting-1-2-x-3-4-multi-pack-blue-wc-195-mo.html

That's a four pack on sale, they are usually that much each. You could probably get away with three packs or so.

You may need to take the loop 90', so again make sure you plan well and prepare well. Those Chainguns may not fit straight into the CPU block side by side, so you may need to go 45' also.

Believe me, the planning is in the hose type/thickness and the fittings. The rest is easy, but you would need to find a sale on that day and order your hose/fittings at once.

Due to not skimping on the rad or fittings (the two main culprits for leaking) it still won't be "cheap" but you should end up right around a smaller AIO and spank it for cooling and noise.

The cheap loop I did comprised of fittings that were all in the sale (four packs of Chainguns and some £1 fittings I got from WCUK) with a cheap pump, second hand EK block and a 240mm Water Cool Heat Exchanger I got for £45 in the sale. It came to around £110 total.

For coolant I use XSPC as it has no glycol in it and so far has remained nice and clear and red.

You could always pick up a second hand rad etc. They don't fetch much used.

 

[RobM]

cheers buddy appreciate you spending time, gives me plenty scope just need to do this without her indoors noticing haha

 

[AlienALX]

cheers buddy appreciate you spending time, gives me plenty scope just need to do this without her indoors noticing haha

GLWT. Water cooling is anything but subtle dude. Especially when you have a leak lmao. Also, make sure the CPU block can swing out if you need to drain it !