Help on 1st Watercooled Build

[vern021]

I need help on my planned watercooling.... Actually my plan isn't finished yet so I need your help guys.

 

Currently I've already got my bitfenix ronin, fx-8320 and gigabyte ga-990fx-ud3. I'm already getting to my other components: 2 R9 290(or the rumored GTX 890/880 990/980), MX100 256GB and a Corsair RM850.(Note: I will upgrade my CPU and MOBO once broadwell came out)

 

My initial plan with my WC build is to get the XSPC Raystorm 750 HX RX240 Kit and get another HX RX240 radiator and two Swiftech Komodo R9-LE GPU Blocks..... and that's pretty much it. My build is based on a green color scheme since my peripherals are all green(and yes, I'm using green against red).

 

I need help in picking out other components and have some few questions:

 

1. Is my WC good? Any opinions?

2. What's better? Rigid tubing or just regular tubing? What's harder to do maintenance from the two?

If rigid tubing:

What brand of tubing should I look at and what are the fittings that I need to get?

If regular tubing:

What brand of tubing should I look at and what are the fittings that I need to get? Are there benefits on getting 45 degree and 90 degree adapters?

3. For the GPU cooling, what's better, parallel or series?

4. Can I have different radiator brands?(I don't know if it's okay)

5. Can I add a 120mm radiator that can be installed at the rear?(I think I need more rads)

6. Can you guys suggest components?(this is my excuse of somewhat giving me tips of what should I buy )

[wtfxmitchell]

i read wc as in toilet....

[vern021]

i read wc as in toilet....

let me change the topic title then. hahahaha

[HeathCliff]

-snip-

 

1) Ultimately, WC comes down to aesthetics. Sure you have more headroom to OC, but you tend to run into the 'wall' for the components' maximum performance quite easily. Also, depending on your config, you can get it damn quiet for what its worth. 

2) For a beginner, regular tubing. I would recommend Primochill's Advanced LRT tubing as it's pretty much one of the best on the market. For fittings, use compression ones. EK and bitspower make some awesome fittings, but if you are strapped for cash, use monsoon fittings.

3) Depends on your loop. If it composes of the 3 parts that you stated, I'd go with parallel, as it looks somewhat better and doesn't really make much of a difference to performance. For a short loop, it doesn't really matter what you go with, the performance difference will be negligible. 

4) Yup. Make sure that they fit your cases' radiator mounts

5) Depends on the clearance. Usually, the most common areas to install a rad is in the top and front. If you have room left over, fill whichever places you wish. I'd go with a 280 in the top and a 240 in the front. It should be more than adequate for your loop.

6) EK! (EK fanboy representing )

[Shaqo_Wyn]

1. Is my WC good? Any opinions?

2. What's better? Rigid tubing or just regular tubing? What's harder to do maintenance from the two?

If rigid tubing:

What brand of tubing should I look at and what are the fittings that I need to get?

If regular tubing:

What brand of tubing should I look at and what are the fittings that I need to get? Are there benefits on getting 45 degree and 90 degree adapters?

3. For the GPU cooling, what's better, parallel or series?

4. Can I have different radiator brands?(I don't know if it's okay)

5. Can I add a 120mm radiator that can be installed at the rear?(I think I need more rads)

6. Can you guys suggest components?(this is my excuse of somewhat giving me tips of what should I buy )

 

You mean RX240 right? 

 

1. Your plan sounds fine. Personally I'd say go with a 360 + 240 if you can fit it.

2. Flexible tubing is easier to install, drain and maintain. Primochill Advanced LRT 1/2 ID 3/4 OD, ideally Bitspower compression fittings of the same size. Angled fittings like 45s and 90s just make for cleaner, short runs and easier WC install.

3. Doesn't matter much in terms of performance. Just do the one that makes more sense for you, for two GPU's I recommend serial.

4. Yes, just don't get rads with aluminum inside. 

5. A rear rad isn't always worth it because it also adds more restrictions and tubing + fitting needs to your loop. If you can't have a 360 somewhere, go for it.

6. Alphacool XT45 / UT60, Bitspower compression fititngs, Primochill Tubing, D5 vario pump, Noiseblocker E-loop fans, EK pump/res, water blocks up to you.

[vern021]

1) Ultimately, WC comes down to aesthetics. Sure you have more headroom to OC, but you tend to run into the 'wall' for the components' maximum performance quite easily. Also, depending on your config, you can get it damn quiet for what its worth. 

2) For a beginner, regular tubing. I would recommend Primochill's Advanced LRT tubing as it's pretty much one of the best on the market. For fittings, use compression ones. EK and bitspower make some awesome fittings, but if you are strapped for cash, use monsoon fittings.

3) Depends on your loop. If it composes of the 3 parts that you stated, I'd go with parallel, as it looks somewhat better and doesn't really make much of a difference to performance. For a short loop, it doesn't really matter what you go with, the performance difference will be negligible. 

4) Yup. Make sure that they fit your cases' radiator mounts

5) Depends on the clearance. Usually, the most common areas to install a rad is in the top and front. If you have room left over, fill whichever places you wish.

6) EK! (EK fanboy representing )

EK doesn't have a kit w/ a 5.25" bay reservoir in it. What I like about EK is their cpu block Even though I'm a beginner, rigid tubing seems pretty easy imo. My only concern about question number 2 is which type of tubing needs more maintenance. (I heard that PrimoChill have those plasticizer problems) PETG tubing doesn't have plasticizer problems right?

[HeathCliff]

EK doesn't have a kit w/ a 5.25" bay reservoir in it. What I like about EK is their cpu block Even though I'm a beginner, rigid tubing seems pretty easy imo. My only concern about question number 2 is which type of tubing needs more maintenance. (I heard that PrimoChill have those plasticizer problems) PETG tubing doesn't have plasticizer problems right?

 

If you plan on adding those GPUs to the loop, I'd probably stay away from the kits. They tend to be specialized for a loop only comprising of a CPU. It'll be better if you purchase the parts individually in an e-tailer that has the parts. Primochill has addressed the issue with their previous problem. Their new tubing is amazing. 

[vern021]

You mean RX240 right? 

 

1. Your plan sounds fine. Personally I'd say go with a 360 + 240 if you can fit it.

2. Flexible tubing is easier to install, drain and maintain. Primochill Advanced LRT 1/2 ID 3/4 OD, ideally Bitspower compression fittings of the same size. Angled fittings like 45s and 90s just make for cleaner, short runs and easier WC install.

3. Doesn't matter much in terms of performance. Just do the one that makes more sense for you, for two GPU's I recommend serial.

4. Yes, just don't get rads with aluminum inside. 

5. A rear rad isn't always worth it because it also adds more restrictions and tubing + fitting needs to your loop. If you can't have a 360 somewhere, go for it.

6. Alphacool XT45 / UT60, Bitspower compression fititngs, Primochill Tubing, D5 vario pump, Noiseblocker E-loop fans, EK pump/res, water blocks up to you.

I can't fit in a 360mm in my case(bitfenix ronin). I even have doubts that a 240 rad will barely fit at the front. (I hope it will) What's the difference of Alphacool rads and XSPC rads? As far as I can remember thicker rads means less FPIs right and does it really require to have a push-pull config with it? I'm reconsidering getting the alphacool monsta 240(correct me if I'm wrong)

 

EDIT: can I use noctua instead of the noiseblocker e-loop?

[vern021]

If you plan on adding those GPUs to the loop, I'd probably stay away from the kits. They tend to be specialized for a loop only comprising of a CPU. It'll be better if you purchase the parts individually in an e-tailer that has the parts. Primochill has addressed the issue with their previous problem. Their new tubing is amazing. 

Well the problem is NOBODY sells a goddamn bay pump/res combo here.  Also I don't really want to mod my case(I'm not sure about that statement because what I know is you need a holder for that and tube pump/reservoir combo is not available here).I don't think buying from frozencpu then shipping it here justify the cost($250-$500 on shipping..... really? Don't forget the customs :mellow: )

[Shaqo_Wyn]

I can't fit in a 360mm in my case(bitfenix ronin). I even have doubts that a 240 rad will barely fit at the front. (I hope it will) What's the difference of Alphacool rads and XSPC rads? As far as I can remember thicker rads means less FPIs right and does it really require to have a push-pull config with it? I'm reconsidering getting the alphacool monsta 240(correct me if I'm wrong)

 

Thicker rads don't automatically have low fpi (Black Ice GTX series for example) but this tends to be the case. Both the XSPC RX series and the Alphacool ST30 / XT45  / UT60 series are low fpi. Alphacool rads perform better because they're full copper. You don't need push/pull for thick low fpi rads if you have some good static pressure fans, but the Monsta is really thick. I don't recommend running Monsta rads without push/pull. A UT60 would be just fine and you can run it in push or pull.

[vern021]

Thicker rads don't automatically have low fpi (Black Ice GTX series for example) but this tends to be the case. Both the XSPC RX series and the Alphacool ST30 / XT45  / UT60 series are low fpi. Alphacool rads perform better because they're full copper. You don't need push/pull for thick low fpi rads if you have some good static pressure fans, but the Monsta is really thick. I don't recommend running Monsta rads without push/pull. A UT60 would be just fine and you can run it in push or pull.

Btw, in what part of the loop should the drain port be located? (I assume it's on the bottom right?)

[Shaqo_Wyn]

Btw, in what part of the loop should the drain port be located? (I assume it's on the bottom right?)

Yup, lowest point possible. Let gravity do the draining.

[vern021]

Yup, lowest point possible. Let gravity do the draining.

Ok thanks. Final question... Is 10ft worth of tubing will be more than enough for the loop?

[Shaqo_Wyn]

Ok thanks. Final question... Is 10ft worth of tubing will be more than enough for the loop?

 

Yup, although if it's your first time it can't hurt to have more. Primochill Advanced LRT 1/2 ID 3/4 OD comes in 25ft packs at about a $1.04 per feet.

[vern021]

Yup, although if it's your first time it can't hurt to have more. Primochill Advanced LRT 1/2 ID 3/4 OD comes in 25ft packs at about a $1.04 per feet.

noted.