Questions for Water Cooling in Corsair Air 540

[MasterToxos]

Hello everyone! I have been lingering on these forums looking for answers but I cannot seem to find one to my issue. My current build:

 

Case: Corsair Air 540

MOBO: Asus Sabertooth z77

CPU: Intel i7 2600k

GPU: Nvidia GTX 560ti 448 classified (needs desperate upgrade!)

 

So my question is: I can fit 2 radiators since I will be doing a major pc overhaul (new DDR4 Ram soonish, new GPU that I would like liquid cooled (possibly an 880 if it comes out in September like all the rumors say), CPU (of course might get an upgrade once I get new DDR4) and of course a new MOBO to match the pins for DDR4. My issue is that I can either fit the following configurations:

 

2 x 280x60mm radiators (one on front and one on top) OR

 

1 x 360x30mm on the front AND 1 x 240x30mm on top.

 

The top would benefit a 280 but I can only fit it if the front has one too (and make them thick cuz why not!?) but I wanted to know what config I should go for. I know I did not specify FPI at all but maybe you guys could help there too! I do want a slightly quiet build which is why I am contemplating the XSPC RX360 for the front and the RX240 on top but the alphacool 280 for front and top are also quite nice looking and seem like very good choices too. My current choices are (feel free to criticize too!):

 

WaterBlock: Koolance CPU-380I

Fans: Noctua Industrial PPC NF-F12 2000RPM

Tubing: primochill primoflex advanced LRT (Not sure what color yet!)

Pump: MCP 655 type-variant (Swiftech most likely)

 

Since I just gradumatated from Koledge, I figured I would go all out on this so my budget for this is around 800 (which is why I picked the really awesome but pricey noctua fans).

 

Thanks and I hope to hear from this awesome community soon!

 

EDIT: I forgot to mention that I was looking at the EK 260PE too but those may need more RPM fans but I am not sure if the noctuas are good enough for that increased density. Thanks. 

[Shaqo_Wyn]

@MasterToxos

 

Go with low fpi rads. You can have a 360x60 in the top and a 240x60 in the top. Alphacool UT60's would be my recommendation.

 

[Jodomcfrodo]

I have a air540 watercooled so if you have any questions just ask.

I'm kinda worn out and can't focus on what you wrote too well.

Rad compatibility: You can fit a 60mm in the front with the fans mounted outside if you do not have a top rad.

You can not fit a 280mm rad up top unless the front rad is a 30mm I believe.

I run 2 45mm rads, a 240mm and a 360mm. Seems to work well. 

Fair warning, I had to band the hot swap bay on the bottom of the case to make the fitting coming from the bottom of my 360mm fit.

 

Sorry if this is nonsensical, just tired ATM. 

[MasterToxos]

@Shaqo_Wyn

 

That is a VERY nice set up! I am very glad I saw that. As for the front fans, what did you do with the filter? I live at home and it isn't the dustiest of places but it isn't a clean room lol. Do you not need a push pull since the fans are low fpi? thanks

 

@Jodomcfrodo

 

Um that did make sense but some of that I had kinda mentioned go get some rest and come on back! 
 

My biggest issue is having enough TDI for water cooling 2 GPU's, 1 CPU, Mobo (if Asus makes a board with a block that ISN'T made of aluminum...) and maybe RAM because EFF IT THATS WHY

[patrickjp93]

@MasterToxos

 

Go with low fpi rads. You can have a 360x60 in the top and a 240x60 in the top. Alphacool UT60's would be my recommendation.

 

-snip-

What are the fans I'm seeing on that rad?

[Shaqo_Wyn]

That is a VERY nice set up! I am very glad I saw that. As for the front fans, what did you do with the filter? I live at home and it isn't the dustiest of places but it isn't a clean room lol. Do you not need a push pull since the fans are low fpi? thanks

Oh no, it's not mine. All credits go to DampMonkey on overclock.net. I hope to do something similar if I don't go for another case by mid next year. The filter is connected to the front panel if I'm not mistaken so you can still run it with the rad in front.

It's the other way around for the fpi. High fpi rads benefit from push/pull or fans at higher RPM. Up to 60mm thickness and the UT60's being low fpi you won't need push/pull if you have some good static pressure optimized fans.

What are the fans I'm seeing on that rad?

They're SP120's. Again not my build. Not trying to pass it off as my own either.

Here's the link: http://www.overclock.net/t/1404897/lightbox/user/365188

[MasterToxos]

Ohhh my bad! Well it is a very nice build haha. The filter is magnetic and it covers the screw holes, so maybe he drilled through that? I am just curious as to how to do that since I do like that type of set up and the rads were one of the top performers here: http://www.techpowerup.com/forums/threads/bundymania-user-review-triple-radiator-360-roundup.157540/

Another question. Are the noctua industrial PPC's good enough for the static pressure so I do not need push pull (also since they are lower fpi)?

Yet another question! I was looking through reservoirs and I have no idea where I will be mounting it which then leads to the whole where am I going to put one. I thought about putting one in front of the graphics cards but replacing the GPU's might be kind of a pain since I would have to take off the reservoir for that. Maybe in the back?

EDIT: Found this reservoir that adds onto the mpc655! (not my case though yet!)

Can anyone verify that the pump from EK is the same as the mcp655? I can see it is a D5 Variant

[Shaqo_Wyn]

Ohhh my bad! Well it is a very nice build haha. The filter is magnetic and it covers the screw holes, so maybe he drilled through that? I am just curious as to how to do that since I do like that type of set up and the rads were one of the top performers here: http://www.techpowerup.com/forums/threads/bundymania-user-review-triple-radiator-360-roundup.157540/ 

 

Another question. Are the noctua industrial PPC's good enough for the static pressure so I do not need push pull (also since they are lower fpi)?

Alphacool makes some of the best rads at the moment. 

 

IPPC's are some of the best static pressure fans out there. You'd also be fine with the standard NF-F12's. Another great option is Noiseblocker E-loops (B12-3 or B12-P).

 

The MCP655 and D5 variant are the same pump. Swiftech just uses a different name for it. Essentially they're all rebranded versions of the Liang D5 pump. 

[MasterToxos]

Alphacool makes some of the best rads at the moment.

IPPC's are some of the best static pressure fans out there. You'd also be fine with the standard NF-F12's. Another great option is Noiseblocker E-loops (B12-3 or B12-P).

The MCP655 and D5 variant are the same pump. Swiftech just uses a different name for it. Essentially they're all rebranded versions of the Liang D5 pump.

Regarding the pump, that is what I thought! Thank you for clarifying.

Regarding the fans, those noiseblockers are looking mighty fine for about the same price point. I will research more about them for a more educated decision. Now i have to start thinking on a color scheme and that white build you posted is pushing me to do a black and white build with a hint of red.

EDIT: Out of the noctua ippc and the noise blockers, which is quieter? My pc now is quite loud and i would like a much quieter pc since my headphones are open ear.

[Shaqo_Wyn]

Regarding the pump, that is what I thought! Thank you for clarifying.

Regarding the fans, those noiseblockers are looking mighty fine for about the same price point. I will research more about them for a more educated decision. Now i have to start thinking on a color scheme and that white build you posted is pushing me to do a black and white build with a hint of red.

EDIT: Out of the noctua ippc and the noise blockers, which is quieter? My pc now is quite loud and i would like a much quieter pc since my headphones are open ear.

Definitely the Noiseblockers. I recently saw this post on another forum comparing a bunch of rad fans including B12-3's and NF-F12's. They also test AP15's and AP45's, they were the winner but those fans are quite ugly IMO and they're pretty hard to find these days. 

[MasterToxos]

Definitely the Noiseblockers. I recently saw this post on another forum comparing a bunch of rad fans including B12-3's and NF-F12's. They also test AP15's and AP45's, they were the winner but those fans are quite ugly IMO and they're pretty hard to find these days.

Hmm.. yeah everywhere I am looking has the Gentle Typhoons out of stock, but I will keep searching. If money was no issue, what fan would you go with for the thick and chunky radiators? I am thinking about having every cooling component be white and the wiring and such be red, but still brainstorming. I hope to order stuff by sometime this weekend depending on how the search goes (maybe I can post pictures too unless that is against the forum guidelines)

EDIT: could you send me the link that compared the fans? I can't find it!

So after much research, these are my liquid cooling components (or options):

Water Block: Koolance CPU-380I

Fans: Between Noctua PPC, Gentle Typhoon (assuming I can find any ), or the noiseblockers.

Tubing: primochill primoflex advanced LRT (Not sure what color yet!)

Pump: MCP 655 type-variant (Any ideas on the best set?)

Reservoir: EK D5 XRES 100 (small but efficient! I can also find it with the pump too so thats kinda nice)

Fittings: Still need help specially with the sizing!

Radiators: 1 240mm Alphacool UT60 and 1 360mm Alphacool UT60

I am also thinking about picking up some sort of splitter for all these fans.

[Thomas1208]

@MasterToxos

 

Go with low fpi rads. You can have a 360x60 in the top and a 240x60 in the top. Alphacool UT60's would be my recommendation.

 

 

 

Can you post an image of the second chamber of the case? where your PSU is please.. i'd like to see where you placed the pump and res

[Shaqo_Wyn]

So after much research, these are my liquid cooling components (or options):

Water Block: Koolance CPU-380I

Fans: Between Noctua PPC, Gentle Typhoon (assuming I can find any ), or the noiseblockers.

Tubing: primochill primoflex advanced LRT (Not sure what color yet!)

Pump: MCP 655 type-variant (Any ideas on the best set?)

Reservoir: EK D5 XRES 100 (small but efficient! I can also find it with the pump too so thats kinda nice)

Fittings: Still need help specially with the sizing!

Radiators: 1 240mm Alphacool UT60 and 1 360mm Alphacool UT60

I am also thinking about picking up some sort of splitter for all these fans.

Fans: go with Noiseblocker Eloop B12-3's or B12-P's.

Pump: Swiftech MCP655-PWM or Alphacool D5 vario.

Tubing and compression fittings: 1/2 ID 3/4 OD for both, you need 2 fittings per component. Best looking fittings: Bitspower. Other good brands: EK, Koolance, Monsoon.

Can you post an image of the second chamber of the case? where your PSU is please.. i'd like to see where you placed the pump and res

Link to the pictures of the owner of this rig: http://www.overclock...box/user/365188

[MasterToxos]

Fans: go with Noiseblocker Eloop B12-3's or B12-P's.

Pump: Swiftech MCP655-PWM or Alphacool D5 vario.

Tubing and compression fittings: 1/2 ID 3/4 OD for both, you need 2 fittings per component. Best looking fittings: Bitspower. Other good brands: EK, Koolance, Monsoon.

Sir yes sir! Haha but for realzies, thank you for your help! Now once i get off worj I will start planning how to set up the loop and then I will probably ask if it will work well. I think I may go with the noiseblocker 12-4 unless you say I shouldn't because of something (I found an article that said that they run slower than box specs so might as well get higher rpm ones). Can't wait to start ordering later today! Woo!

My loop is going to look a bit ridiculous for about a month before I add the gpu's haha so 2 rads for processor cooling for about a month... I wonder what temps I will get on it though. It wil also be white and black until I get new components that may be red and black.

[Shaqo_Wyn]

Sir yes sir! Haha but for realzies, thank you for your help! Now once i get off worj I will start planning how to set up the loop and then I will probably ask if it will work well. I think I may go with the noiseblocker 12-4 unless you say I shouldn't because of something (I found an article that said that they run slower than box specs so might as well get higher rpm ones). Can't wait to start ordering later today! Woo!

You're welcome   . The reason I said get the B12-3 is because you don't really need more than 1900RPM. A good sweet spot in terms of noise and performance would be 1400RPM or lower. For some reasons the B12-4's are louder than the B12-3's at the same RPM's. The B12-3 still reaches 1800RPM @12V. If you really want more RPM, get the PWM versions. 

 

Here are both @1500 RPM:

 

B12-3: http://youtu.be/QVfQpnhbe-M?t=3m3s

 

B12-4: http://youtu.be/-ILC81Bh5Eg?t=1m29

 

My loop is going to look a bit ridiculous for about a month before I add the gpu's haha so 2 rads for processor cooling for about a month... I wonder what temps I will get on it though. It wil also be white and black until I get new components that may be red and black.

 

Your temps will be insanely low . Potentially low 40s under load. 

[MasterToxos]

You're welcome . The reason I said get the B12-3 is because you don't really need more than 1900RPM. A good sweet spot in terms of noise and performance would be 1400RPM or lower. For some reasons the B12-4's are louder than the B12-3's at the same RPM's. The B12-3 still reaches 1800RPM @12V. If you really want more RPM, get the PWM versions.

Here are both @1500 RPM:

B12-3: http://youtu.be/QVfQpnhbe-M?t=3m3s

B12-4: http://youtu.be/-ILC81Bh5Eg?t=1m29

Your temps will be insanely low . Potentially low 40s under load.

Indeed! And oh, must have been an old post or somethjng then. Alright b12-3 it is!

I am at work planning all of this because they are hardening my code so I'm left doing nothing haha.

Anyway, ok so my plan is to get the res/pump combo from the picture from before. My loop:

Pump->processor->top radiator->(would be gpus here once they come out)-> bottom radiator-> back to pump. I might go through the back to go from one rad to the other because... well... it would be weird to see 1 tube from a radiator straight to another haha.

Another option for now would be from pump to radiator to processor to gpu to other rad to pump.

Any tips? I am thinking of putting the pump and res in the back where you cant see them unless the res is too cool and i can fit it somewhere on the front.

[Shaqo_Wyn]

*stealth quote* 

The thing you read about the RPM isn't wrong. If you watch the full video you'll see that the B12-3 only gets to 1800RPM at 12V while according to the specs it should be at 1900RPM @12V.

 

Loop order doesn't matter that much, just make sure your pump is directly above your pump which it will be because your using a pump res. How you route everything is up to you and how you like your aesthetics. 

[MasterToxos]

The thing you read about the RPM isn't wrong. If you watch the full video you'll see that the B12-3 only gets to 1800RPM at 12V while according to the specs it should be at 1900RPM @12V.

 

Loop order doesn't matter that much, just make sure your pump is directly above your pump which it will be because your using a pump res. How you route everything is up to you and how you like your aesthetics. 

 

oh... Shouldn't I get the higher RPM one then? Or will 1800 be enough for an overclock as well (possibly for both CPU and GPU's)? I am making a shopping cart now and I will post all the stuff I am buying and criticize please. Otherwise I will part with some chunk of cash tonight!

[Shaqo_Wyn]

oh... Shouldn't I get the higher RPM one then? Or will 1800 be enough for an overclock as well (possibly for both CPU and GPU's)? I am making a shopping cart now and I will post all the stuff I am buying and criticize please. Otherwise I will part with some chunk of cash tonight!

If your going for low noise, you probably won't be cranking the fans past 1400 rpm anyway. Plus the rads will give you great performance at this RPM. Definitely enough for an overclocked CPU and GPU(s).

[MasterToxos]

If your going for low noise, you probably won't be cranking the fans past 1400 rpm anyway. Plus the rads will give you great performance at this RPM. Definitely enough for an overclocked CPU and GPU(s).

So here is my part list so far:

CPU Waterblock: CPU-380I Water Block 1 $74.99

Radiator (Front): Alphacool NeXxoS UT60 1 $99.99

Radiator (Top): Alphacool NeXxoS UT60 1 $76.99

Radiator Fans: Noiseblocker b12-3 5 $22.95

Water pump/Res: EK D5 X-Res Top 140 w/D5 Vario Pump 1 $154.99

Tubing: PrimoChill PrimoFlex Advanced LRT-white 1 $25.95

Compression fittings: Bitspower G1/4 Thread 1/2" ID x 3/4" OD Compression Fitting - Black Sparkle $8.99

Anti-microbial: PT-Nuke Biocide $7.99

Fan Splitter: Swiftech 8-way PWM $9.99

 

Total: $700+ something IDC, NO REGRETS!

 

How many fittings tho? 2 per component, and I kinda want to buy the ones for the GPU's right now just in case they stop making them so 2 for CPU, 4 for radiators, 2 for pump, and 4 for total GPU's? or just 2? or maybe I should just get what I currently need...

 

Also, should I get something like PT-Nuke? It seems useful since I do not really want to buy a kill-coil but no algae would be good...

 

PS: Should I plug in the fan splitter to my CPU header since the motherboard will FREAK out if I do not have it plugged in?

[Shaqo_Wyn]

So here is my part list so far:

CPU Waterblock CPU-380I Water Block 1 $74.99

Radiator (Front) Alphacool NeXxoS UT60 1 $99.99

Radiator (Top) Alphacool NeXxoS UT60 1 $76.99

Radiator Fans Noiseblocker b12-3 5 $22.95

Water pump/Res EK D5 X-Res Top 140 w/D5 Vario Pump 1 $154.99

Tubing PrimoChill PrimoFlex Advanced LRT-white 1 $25.95

Compression fittings Bitspower G1/4 Thread 1/2" ID x 3/4" OD Compression Fitting - Black Sparkle $8.99

 

How many fittings tho? 2 per component, and I kinda want to buy the ones for the GPU's right now just in case they stop making them so 2 for CPU, 4 for radiators, 2 for pump, and 4 for total GPU's? or just 2? or maybe I should just get what I currently need...

Although I don't think Bitspower is going to stop making fittings anytime soon, whether you get em all now or later is up to you. You don't necessarily need 4 for the GPU, 2 is good. 1 for the in on the bottom card, 2nd for the out on the top card. You can use a Bitspower aqua pipe or EK FC bridge for connecting the two GPU's together.  

 

Since you didn't specify, don't forget that the tubing has to be the same size as the fittings.

 

Also have you thought about how you're going to control these fans?

[MasterToxos]

Although I don't think Bitspower is going to stop making fittings anytime soon, whether you get em all now or later is up to you. You don't necessarily need 4 for the GPU, 2 is good. 1 for the in on the bottom card, 2nd for the out on the top card. You can use a Bitspower aqua pipe or EK FC bridge for connecting the two GPU's together.  

 

Since you didn't specify, don't forget that the tubing has to be the same size as the fittings.

 

Also have you thought about how you're going to control these fans?

 

Just updated my post   But I do think running it all off the CPU header (using AI suite I can control it too) would be best (both drive bays are taken so no fan controller for me there!)? I am triple checking that they are .5ID and .75OD for sure haha

[Shaqo_Wyn]

Just updated my post   But I do think running it all off the CPU header (using AI suite I can control it too) would be best (both drive bays are taken so no fan controller for me there!) I am triple checking that they are .5ID and .75OD for sure haha

If your motherboard can control 3-pin fans and handle 5 B12-3's that's fine. A fan controller would be nice though or a PWM splitter and PWM controlling the fans.

[MasterToxos]

If your motherboard can control 3-pin fans and handle 5 B12-3's that's fine. A fan controller would be nice though or a PWM splitter and PWM controlling the fans.

 

Yep! I had edited the post about the parts I think after you posted your comment so I do not believe you have seen the updated post but here it is:

 

 

So here is my part list so far:

CPU Waterblock: CPU-380I Water Block 1 $74.99

Radiator (Front): Alphacool NeXxoS UT60 1 $99.99

Radiator (Top): Alphacool NeXxoS UT60 1 $76.99

Radiator Fans: Noiseblocker b12-3 5 $22.95

Water pump/Res: EK D5 X-Res Top 140 w/D5 Vario Pump 1 $154.99

Tubing: PrimoChill PrimoFlex Advanced LRT-white 1 $25.95

Compression fittings: Bitspower G1/4 Thread 1/2" ID x 3/4" OD Compression Fitting - Black Sparkle $8.99

Anti-microbial: PT-Nuke Biocide $7.99

Fan Splitter: Swiftech 8-way PWM $9.99

 

Total: $700+ something IDC, NO REGRETS!

 

How many fittings tho? 2 per component, and I kinda want to buy the ones for the GPU's right now just in case they stop making them so 2 for CPU, 4 for radiators, 2 for pump, and 4 for total GPU's? or just 2? or maybe I should just get what I currently need...

 

Also, should I get something like PT-Nuke? It seems useful since I do not really want to buy a kill-coil but no algae would be good...

 

PS: Should I plug in the fan splitter to my CPU header since the motherboard will FREAK out if I do not have it plugged in?

 

I also am going with the 140mm top rather than the 100mm. I do know it will be a tight fit but I will FIND a place for it! preferably in the front so I can put an LED on top and watch the EK logo glowww

[MasterToxos]

Hmmm now I am starting to question whether the pump/res will fit in the bottom left of the case... maybe I should go for the 100mm x-res instead? Any thoughts?

I think I will be going with the smaller reservoir as I do not see any benefit from a larger one besides having an easier time monitoring and adding water to the loop. The only question remains is whether the bracket that comes with the kit will fit on the bottom left of my pc but if worse comes to worse, I will make a bracket myself or mod it somehow (maybe even drill into my case since it is only a 4mm hole ). Ordering parts today and will start building whenever they are all here! Pictures to come for anyone else who has any questions regarding the sizing of the Corsair Air JORDANS err... 540 Thank you very much @Shaqo_Wyn for all of your help (and patience... I am a very indecisive person). Pictures soon! EXCITEMENT! WOO!

UPDATE:

I have had a change of heart and am now frantically trying to find an EK Supreme plexi+copper CPU block lol... I decided I wanted EK parts for the blocks since they look so damn good!

EDIT: Nickle since copper is sold out everywhere. I know about Galvanic corrosion but anti-corrosive should help

EDIT EDIT: EVERYWHERE IS SOLD OUT FFFFFFFFFFFFFFF\

EDIT EDIT EDIT: Found 3 still left at NCIX! WOO so I ordered and now the waiting begins!

UPDATE:

Alright so stuff is in but one of the radiators leaked a bit (during leak testing). I do believe this was to my incompetence in using the longer screws rather than the shorter ones. Any suggestions on what I could do there?

UPDATE:

Also, I bought the fan splitter but I realized that the header for the splitter is 4-pin and the fans are 3-pin so I am having some interesting adventures trying to get that control from AI suite to work on that type of set up. Again if you have any ideas, please help! It is not too loud but it is still a bit louder than I would hope since the fans are running at full speed all the time.