[Questions] Upgrading an air cooled rig to a fully custom watercooled rig

[B1NARY]

Hey everyone,

 

I need some help with some watercooling parts for the upcoming upgrade I want to do on my rig, which is aircooled.

 

Here are the spec of the current build :

 

CPU : Intel Core i7 4930K

MOBO : Asus Rampage IV Extreme Black Edition

GPUs : DUAL ASUS GTX 780 OC DIRECT CU II 3GB @ 2-Ways SLI

CASE : NZXT PHANTOM USB 3.0 EDITION WHITE AND RED.

 

I currently have a corsair H100i all in one watercooling kit for the CPU.

 

I want to replace it for 2 fully customized watercooling loops, one for my CPU/Mobo and one for my graphics cards, do you think it's worth it ? Or that one loop is enough for all that ?

 

After a little bit of research, I choosed thoses parts for the CPU/GPUs/MOBO thanks to the EKWB configurator :

 

For the GPUs : EK-FC780 GTX Ti DCII ACETAL + NICKEL    (http://www.ekwb.com/shop/ek-fc780-gtx-ti-dcii-acetal-nickel.html)

+ Backplate EK-FC780 GTX DCII BACKPLATE (http://www.ekwb.com/shop/ek-fc780-gtx-dcii-backplate-black.html)

 

 

For the CPU : EK-Supremacy EVO - ACETAL + NICKEL (ORIGINAL CSQ) (http://www.ekwb.com/shop/ek-supremacy-evo-acetal-nickel-original-csq.html)

I didn't get what the CSQ mean, can someone help me with that too ? And it seems that I need some sort of mounting plate to mount that block to a socket 2011 CPU, is it included or do I need to buy it on the side ?

 

 

For the motherboard : EK-FB KIT ASUS R4BE - ACETAL + NICKEL (http://www.ekwb.com/shop/ek-fb-kit-asus-r4be-acetal-nickel.html)

 

Now here's the part where I need help :

 

1) Do all theses parts match one with an other ? (in term of what they are made of) 

2) Should I only stick to one type of metal in both loops in order to avoid corrosion ?

3) Do you think that a case like a CORSAIR 900D would be a great choice for this right ? (dual loop CPU MOBO / GPUs, so 2 pumps, 2 res etc...)

4) Can you recommand me a great pump and a great reservoir and great rads ?

5) Any great fittings ? And how many of them should I buy ?

6) What should I cool the rig with ? Distilled water or coolant or ... ?

 

Thanks in advance for the help !

[BloodWithIce]

Dual pump res are not necessary,
for the materials the less metals you mix, the less the chance of corrosion will be.
You can use more than one metal (copper is gonna be there anyway due to the rads)
The 900D is big, really really big, I had a loop similar to yours and I got away with a 750D (note it's hard to fit 60mm thick rads on top, so you better getting triple xt45 and maybe a double monsta for the front)
Great pump: D5 VARIO (make sure you get the vario so you can adjust the speed) great res: anything that you like really, if you're gonna go with the 900d PLEASE don't buy dual bay res because they look shit, T virus is really nice imo. Good rads: XT45, UT60, Monsta, Changer V2 (UT60 made by phobya which I am using right now), RX360 is also nice.
Fittings: 2 for each component and whatever fits your colour scheme. Go for G1/4 because it's the one that has larger compatibility
Tubing: Primochill tubing with G1/4 ID (inner diameter)
Distilled water and get coloured tubing, last thing you want is stained and clogged blocks.

Have fun

[B1NARY]

Wow thanks for the fast respond, and the great advises ! As I have an EATX mobo, I was afraid that such a loop wouldnt fit a 750d you know... I have a phantom case which is  222 x 624 x 541 mm and the corsair 750d is 235 x 546 x x 560 mm... And I can't fit nor a pump nor a res in my current case ... So I don't know about the case yet... Do you have any pics of the build you made with the 750d by any chance ?

 

EDIT :

 

I have found something that would be easier for me to install, a res-pump combo, the EK-D5 Vario X-RES 140 (incl. pump). But I want a bigger res, like the RES X3 250. Anyone knows if it's possible to have the same mount for the pump on the res x3 250 ?

[acidprototype]

1) They are all made by the same manufacture and from the same material which is good.
2) Using nickel, copper and brass in the same loop is fine, its only when you use aluminium in the loop with copper/brass that corrosion occurs.

3) The Corsair 900D is fantastic for what your planning, all the more room for pumps and res and all the rads!!!

4) Pumps - Any D5 pump with the variable speed dial on the back, more pressure than the DDC and alot more quiet and cooler to. Reservoirs - Im currently using a xspc res for a D5. If you use a 900D you can use any type of res although if i had more room i would use an EK res. I just really like the quality from them. Radiators - Alphacool all the way. Complete copper design which gives better temps over a brass rad. Plus there are so many options in terms of fan size 120mm 140mm 180mm etc and thickness 30mm 45mm 60mm and 86mm. Couldn't recommend them more.   

5) I use EK fittings in my loop and I use a couple of extenders from bitspower. Any of those fittings I can stand behind. 

6) Distilled water with PT Nuke or a silver kill coil. Use coloured tubing and distilled water. Coloured fluids usually clog up you blocks and stain everything.

[B1NARY]

Thanks for the answer acidprototype, do you know any great res-pump combo ? With a big reservoir like the RES X3 250 from EK for example ? Thanks in adavance

[airdeano]

1) Do all theses parts match one with an other ? (in term of what they are made of) 

2) Should I only stick to one type of metal in both loops in order to avoid corrosion ?

3) Do you think that a case like a CORSAIR 900D would be a great choice for this right ? (dual loop CPU MOBO / GPUs, so 2 pumps, 2 res etc...)

4) Can you recommand me a great pump and a great reservoir and great rads ?

5) Any great fittings ? And how many of them should I buy ?

6) What should I cool the rig with ? Distilled water or coolant or ... ?

 

Thanks in advance for the help !

 

welcome to the Linus Tech Tips forums!

 

1. yes, just stay away from any aluminum internals for ease of use.
2. you can, but you'd spend more for no reasons.
3. thats is one choice, there are others. radiator support is the biggest concern minimum of 360x 60 and 240x 60 to cool overclocked CPU/2x GPU. if GPU BIOS hacking (voltage increase) then 480x 60 and 240x 60
4. rads - alphacool, pump - D5, reservoir is looks
5. first time user would suggest barbs for cost and ease of determining tubing layout, then use comps/angles/extenders for upgrades
6. first time user would suggest distilled until final look is achieved and then any colors or dyes/tubing.

[acidprototype]

Thanks for the answer acidprototype, do you know any great res-pump combo ? With a big reservoir like the RES X3 250 from EK for example ? Thanks in adavance

any dual bay res/pump combo will have a large capacity, I was going to suggest the EK res. Others like the http://www.xs-pc.com/water-pumps/d5-photon-270-reservoirpump-combo  are good to  

[B1NARY]

 

welcome to the Linus Tech Tips forums!

 

1. yes, just stay away from any aluminum internals for ease of use.
2. you can, but you'd spend more for no reasons.
3. thats is one choice, there are others. radiator support is the biggest concern minimum of 360x 60 and 240x 60 to cool overclocked CPU/2x GPU. if GPU BIOS hacking (voltage increase) then 480x 60 and 240x 60
4. rads - alphacool, pump - D5, reservoir is looks
5. first time user would suggest barbs for cost and ease of determining tubing layout, then use comps/angles/extenders for upgrades
6. first time user would suggest distilled until final look is achieved and then any colors or dyes/tubing.

 

 

Thanks airdeano Any good cases then ? Because I'm running out of ideas... And about barbs fitting, I don't really see how this works, any hints on that ?

 

 

any dual bay res/pump combo will have a large capacity, I was going to suggest the EK res. Others like the http://www.xs-pc.com/water-pumps/d5-photon-270-reservoirpump-combo  are good to  

 

That's a really nice one !! Thanks for the tip !

[acidprototype]

no worries mate

[B1NARY]

Sorry to bother you again acidprototype, but some people said dual bays reservoirs + pumps are shitty, but aren't there good ones ? Because it'll be a good solution that would make me save the price of buying a new case. It's option A dual bay reservoir, or option B, the EK res pump (http://www.ekwb.com/shop/reservoirs-and-acc/res-pump-combo/ek-d5/ek-d5-vario-x-res-100-incl-pump.html) which is 15 cm tall that would fit in the 5.2'' bay cage like so :

 

Which solution is best ? The green one or the blue one (bay res or ekwb res pump combo) ? I can't put the res and the pump in the drives bay because I have 2 drives and tubes wont be able to pass... 

What would you recommand ?

 

 

And concerning fittings, Barbed fittings look pretty "weak" to me, because you just put the tube on it and that it ? Compared to compression fittings where you also have a ring to screw on, aren't those safer ?

Last but not least, in terms of tube diameter, does it matter ? I guess the bigger the diameter, the better the flow ? 

[acidprototype]

Sorry to bother you again acidprototype, but some people said dual bays reservoirs + pumps are shitty, but aren't there good ones ? Because it'll be a good solution that would make me save the price of buying a new case. It's option A dual bay reservoir, or option B, the EK res pump (http://www.ekwb.com/shop/reservoirs-and-acc/res-pump-combo/ek-d5/ek-d5-vario-x-res-100-incl-pump.html) which is 15 cm tall that would fit in the 5.2'' bay cage like so :

 

Which solution is best ? The green one or the blue one (bay res or ekwb res pump combo) ? I can't put the res and the pump in the drives bay because I have 2 drives and tubes wont be able to pass... 

What would you recommand ?

 

 

And concerning fittings, Barbed fittings look pretty "weak" to me, because you just put the tube on it and that it ? Compared to compression fittings where you also have a ring to screw on, aren't those safer ?

Last but not least, in terms of tube diameter, does it matter ? I guess the bigger the diameter, the better the flow ? 

In terms of bay res/pump combos being 'bad' im not sure what the other people are talking about. Bay res/pump setups and tube res/pump setups can work for different people, with different space constraints.

Alphacool has one http://www.alphacool.com/product_info.php/info/p1223_Alphacool-Repack---Single-Laing-D5---Dual-5-25-Bay-Station.html

EK has one http://www.ekwb.com/shop/reservoirs-and-acc/res-pump-combo/ek-d5/ek-bay-res-d5-vario-incl-pump.html  

To make it easier I'd go with an EK bay res combo. Just make sure you get a pump that has the variable speed on the back and it will be nice and quiet. 

On the concern of barbed fittings, they are fine for the most part. Cheaper than compression fittings but don't look as good IMO. Using tubing with them, you slide the tubing over then get a clamp of some sort hose clamp http://www.pchemlabs.com/files/images/clamp1b.jpg  or similar from PC water cooling shops http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=23542&cPath=1316 but you can also just use zip ties if you going for that ghetto look hahaha

I use EK compressions cause i got them cheap and they look visually more clean and appealing to me http://www.ekwb.com/shop/accessories/fittings/compression-fittings/for-10-13mm-3-8-1-2-tubing/ek-csq-fitting-10-13mm-g1-4-nickel.html but i know other people that use Bitspower fittings to, so what ever fitting type (barbed or compression) you choose you have alot of options either way.

In terms of compression fitting being more 'safer', they can be but barbed fittings can be just as safe. Its all down to getting the right hose diameter and installing the hose correctly on either a barb or a compression. Compression fittings are just barbed fittings with a built in clamp basically. 

Compression - http://img.gawkerassets.com/img/17y2tmzlvcjo1jpg/original.jpg

Barbed - http://www.yoyotech.co.uk/filedepository/productimages/cooling/water%20cooling/fittings/thumbnails/71207-1_600_600_120917054921.jpg 

Tubing diameter doesnt really matter. If you get bigger tubing you wont really see a difference in flow, the water is moving so fast and in such a small loop that flow is basically the same from 3/8ID-1/2OD tubing to 1/2ID-3/4OD tubing. However, the bigger the tubing the harder it is to make neat tight bends, if you need to make any. I use 3/8-1/2 personally and ive never even worried about if my fluid is getting enough flow. 

I hope that this helps, sorry for the wall of text. Id want to give you as many options and info that I can.

[B1NARY]

Thank you a lot, you've been really helpful so far ! That's really nice from you

 

Back to the topic, I've seen the difference myself with a little bit of research, but I think i'll go with compression fitting, just for the look, even if they are more expensive, but I want to set up something really nice looking

 

Regarding the res pump, I think I'll go with the one from EKWB with the D5 vario

 

Last but not least, in term of connecting the two cards together in the watercooling loop, i'd like to know if I should get an SLI bridge for watercooling, or if I should get normal compression fitting with rigid tubing in between.

 

And also if I should do a parallel setup between the two cards or not (in terms of efficiency not look) ?

 

EDIT : I found a mod that would allow me to mount my rad on the bottom of the case like so :

 

 

 

 

I just need to undo the rivets and screw the removable HDD cage back in, easy enough ! But the rad will be a 2*120mm , is it enough ? This one fits perfectly inside :

 

http://www.xs-pc.com/radiators-ex-series/ex240-dual-fan-radiator

 

In the end, I made a quick scheme with Photoshop to show what I want to do, and I need to know what you guys think about it :

 

 

 

[Columbo]

I am curious what your speed on your  Intel Core i7 4930K is right now with your Corsair 100i. Every person I know that has ever built a custom water cooling solution has ended in disaster. They run really well for a few months and a leak or something catastrophic occurs. I like the concept of sealed system and all in one solutions vs. people creating their own sealed systems. I have yet to meet a custom builder who understands dollar cost averaging or diminished returns on investment. If your water cooling solution idea could double the stock performance of your CPU and GPU it would make sense. 

 

I read some of the reviews of their products from retailers customers. http://www.xs-pc.com/north-america/ This confirmed my suspicion of self made custom water cooling solutions. I think you are better off keeping your Corsair 100i and sticking with stock cooling with your GPU's. Running Tripple SLI would make more sense than a water cooled SLI solution. It would probably cost less as well. 

[B1NARY]

With my corsair H100i my I7 4930k runs at 4.5GHz overclocked at 1.424V which results in a ~ 40°C in idle, and 55°C while underload. I'm happy with it, I didnt push it too far, but i'm just theory crafting here, nothing is bought yet, just making plans you know ^^

I don't really "need" custom watercooling in terms of performance, my computer runs everything at ultra, doesn't lag at all etc, but I just want to do it for fun, and for esthetic purpose only, even though my GPUs aren't liquid cooled, so I think I could push them even more

And I don't see myself buying an other GTX 780, because as I mentionned, I don't need it ^^ But anyway, any exemple of disasters ? Can't find the reviews you are talking about

[acidprototype]

Thank you a lot, you've been really helpful so far ! That's really nice from you

 

Back to the topic, I've seen the difference myself with a little bit of research, but I think i'll go with compression fitting, just for the look, even if they are more expensive, but I want to set up something really nice looking

 

Regarding the res pump, I think I'll go with the one from EKWB with the D5 vario

 

Last but not least, in term of connecting the two cards together in the watercooling loop, i'd like to know if I should get an SLI bridge for watercooling, or if I should get normal compression fitting with rigid tubing in between.

 

And also if I should do a parallel setup between the two cards or not (in terms of efficiency not look) ?

 

EDIT : I found a mod that would allow me to mount my rad on the bottom of the case like so :

 

 

 

 

I just need to undo the rivets and screw the removable HDD cage back in, easy enough ! But the rad will be a 2*120mm , is it enough ? This one fits perfectly inside :

 

http://www.xs-pc.com/radiators-ex-series/ex240-dual-fan-radiator

 

In the end, I made a quick scheme with Photoshop to show what I want to do, and I need to know what you guys think about it :

 

 

 

You're most welcome B1NARY, always happy to help a starting water cooler. I had heaps of questions when i started so keep them coming.

EK has a SLI bridge connector for there water blocks see here http://www.ekwb.com/shop/blocks/vga-blocks/multiple-block-connectivity/fc-connection-parts.html 

They have both serial and parallel connecting blocks so you can choose which one you want. There is little difference between serial and parallel in terms of degrees. So i suggest getting an EK connecting block for your build, they look great and do the same job if you were going to do it individually with separate tubing.

I think the compressions in the build will look great, loking forward to some build pics.

A concern that i have is that a 240 rad is not enough cooling for 2 high end graphics cards and a overclocked cpu. You need at least a 360mm rad to go along with that 240mm rad it to keep the temps down and not have your fans running at full blast to maintain those temps. Can you put any more rads inside of your current case apart from the bottom? The more surface area (rads) in your loop the lower your temps and the lower you can run your fans, keeping your system cool and quiet.

Im glad to see you looking into modding your case for water cooling, great work but as i said before you will need more rads to efficiently cool those GPUs and that OCed CPU. 

 

[Columbo]

With my corsair H100i my I7 4930k runs at 4.5GHz overclocked at 1.424V which results in a ~ 40°C in idle, and 55°C while underload. I'm happy with it, I didnt push it too far, but i'm just theory crafting here, nothing is bought yet, just making plans you know ^^

I don't really "need" custom watercooling in terms of performance, my computer runs everything at ultra, doesn't lag at all etc, but I just want to do it for fun, and for esthetic purpose only, even though my GPUs aren't liquid cooled, so I think I could push them even more

And I don't see myself buying an other GTX 780, because as I mentionned, I don't need it ^^ But anyway, any exemple of disasters ? Can't find the reviews you are talking about

 

Those are pretty impressive cooling numbers for a 6 core processor at 1.42v. I like the all in one solutions because they are sealed systems. The stories I have heard of custom built water cooling. Leaks, cracked tubes, clogged radiators. Some have had very good results but usually the money they put into the watercooling systems ends with some kind of plumbing problem like failed pumps. 

 

I was looking into upgrading myself to an all in one watercooling solution. Either a 280mm or a 120mm on the back of my case. The top of my case is cut for 140mm fans so 280mm. I have been pretty happy with air. I have been using the Thermalright 120MM type coolers since 2008. Right now the it's the XigmaTek Gaia 1283. I have have the Tuniq 120mm and my backup system is an old Q600 quad core running at 3.3Ghz with the Thermalright 120mm. It used to run at 3.6ghz but with years of overclocking, the volts were not worth keeping it at 3.6ghz. 

[B1NARY]

Well I think I may be able to put one on the top, like the one I got now, which is unfortunately 240mm ... 

 

It won't be enough right ? And I may encounter clearance problems with the top 8 pins connector of my motherboard if I take a too thick one ...

 

Maybe with a mod i'll be able to mount a bigger one on top, where there are 2 200mm fans ? I'll look forward to that !

 

And finally, if a custom loop isn't possible, I'll take two NZXT G10 + two CORSAIR H75 for my 2 GPUs mounted in the botton

[acidprototype]

There is nothing wrong with the 240mm rad you have now, if you use it with a 360mm rad it will be great. If you are worried about clearence I know that alphacool does a 30mm thick 360 rad that will fit just about anywhere where a 360 rad can fit.

30mm thick 360 rad - http://www.alphacool.com/product_info.php/info/p979_Alphacool-NexXxoS-ST30-Full-Copper-360mm.html 
45mm thick 360 rad - http://www.alphacool.com/product_info.php/info/p973_Alphacool-NexXxoS-XT45-Full-Copper-360mm.html

Going on about what you said before, you want to get a rad that will be thick but not so thick that it will interfere with the 8pin connector. It sounds like you're going to have fun modding your case for all dem rads YO!!!!

The AIO liquid cooling is an option but if you can properly water cool, it will be 10 times better. Plus you can say that you did it all custom and be happy with the fact that you can water cool just about anything.

[B1NARY]

Yeah I wish I could do a full custom loop, but it's a 750€ out of my pocket like that... And that is if I don't change my case ! Which is, ATM, not possible unfortunately  

 

On the other hand, the AIO liquid cooling could be much more affordable, around 200€, with a little bit of mods, which would also allow me to redo all the cable in my build with

sick red sleeved cables :heavy breathing:

 

Anyway, thanks again for the help, I'll try to make the best choices now that I have all the informations I need !

[acidprototype]

No worries, I'm glad to be of assistance. Hope it all goes well.