Complete Water Cooling Kit? / Acrylic tubing with XSPC D5/Res combo?

[atoff]

UPDATED QUESTION:   http://linustechtips.com/main/topic/359942-complete-water-cooling-kit/?p=4881186

 

Can anyone please help me out with the best bang for buck water cooling kit?  

 

I finished my PC build just a couple of weeks ago, and low and behold my Swiftech H240-X that I regretted getting in the first place started to leak.  

I noticed it was really loud, then noticed the water level was low.  I went to record a video (

) to post here just to ask if it was normal, but then I noticed the water at the bottom of my case and drops of water on my PSU shroud.  I quickly shut my PC off, and pulled the cooler out.  Can't tell where the leak is coming from.  Out of the case, it doesn't seem to be dripping anymore.  

 

Anyway, I don't know what to do with this thing, but I do know that with Swiftech's support I can picture myself waiting a very long time to get it back, and my CPU didn't come with a stock cooler.  

 

 

I figured I'd look for a setup, but they're so damn expensive.  

 

This block looks really cool.  http://www.performance-pcs.com/ek-supremacy-mx-cpu-waterblock-custom-modded-plexi-nucleus.html But at $80, there's still EVERYTHING else to go.  I'd also like a cylindrical reservoir over the blocky ones.  

 

My specs: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/Cr6sf7

 

Appreciate any help you guys could give me.  I've already kicked myself enough for buying this 240x, when I could have spent the money on a better setup.  

 

 

[BrandonTheCat]

My H100i GTX is probably the best cooler I've had in a long time. I'd consider it over a Swiftech anyday of the week. : http://www.amazon.com/Corsair-Performance-Liquid-Cooler-CW-9060021-WW/dp/B00SV7IEJI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1430694206&sr=8-1&keywords=H100i+GTX

 

Anyways if its a DIY Liquid cooling setup you are after, EKWB is the best thing I can recommend. That and XSPC.

 

Cheers for the custom CPU blocks. Those look really cool and I've never seen them before ^^

[atoff]

My H100i GTX is probably the best cooler I've had in a long time. I'd consider it over a Swiftech anyday of the week. : http://www.amazon.com/Corsair-Performance-Liquid-Cooler-CW-9060021-WW/dp/B00SV7IEJI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1430694206&sr=8-1&keywords=H100i+GTX

 

Anyways if its a DIY Liquid cooling setup you are after, EKWB is the best thing I can recommend. That and XSPC.

 

Cheers for the custom CPU blocks. Those look really cool and I've never seen them before ^^

 

Thanks. 

To be honest, and I know this is shallow, but I'm after looks.     I'm sure all of these AIO's can suit my needs, but I'd like something that looks unique.  I was looking at EKWB and XSPC, but I'm really not sure what to get / what I need, what's current, and what the prices SHOULD be.  My searching lead me to a few articles with people quoting prices around $180-200, but when I'm piecing them together it's more like $300+.

[W-L]

-SNIP-  

 

From my guess the tank got crack by the screw when it was installed probably over torqued. As for custom watercooling loops they do look the best I personally love them but it is not cheap, if you want the best value usually a custom CPU kit from EKWB or XSPC is a good base to build off of to add a GPU block or other components. Most kits are in the region of $300-400 to get you off the ground.

[DarrenP]

-snip-

It's not cheap to do a full loop. You're looking at like 200 bucks in blocks for your GPU's, 100 for a cpu block, another 100-200 on rads, and likely another 100 on pump + res, and then fittings, oh hell fittings could be another 100 bucks too. 

[Enderman]

Yeah I always recommend against getting the swiftec AiO coolers, they are really bad

 

EK and XSPC make some of the best watercooling kits, you can find them for about $300 on average

they use very high quality parts, definitely the way to go if you want something better than a sealed AiO

[atoff]

From my guess the tank got crack by the screw when it was installed probably over torqued. As for custom watercooling loops they do look the best I personally love them but it is not cheap, if you want the best value usually a custom CPU kit from EKWB or XSPC is a good base to build off of to add a GPU block or other components. Most kits are in the region of $300-400 to get you off the ground.

 

I think you're right, considering that it's not leaking from the hoses, and the fact that it was pooling up around that screw, it has to be the tank. 

 

It's not cheap to do a full loop. You're looking at like 200 bucks in blocks for your GPU's, 100 for a cpu block, another 100-200 on rads, and likely another 100 on pump + res, and then fittings, oh hell fittings could be another 100 bucks too. 

 

Making me weep man.  I'm not going to cool anything other than the CPU for now.  Cooling the GPU's is going to be way too pricey.  I'd rather spend that money on other things.  

 

Yeah I always recommend against getting the swiftec AiO coolers, they are really bad

 

EK and XSPC make some of the best watercooling kits, you can find them for about $300 on average

they use very high quality parts, definitely the way to go if you want something better than a sealed AiO

 

They were so highly recommended from all the forums I had read through, and the videos I'd watched on youtube.  So sad.  It actually looked pretty decent in my case too, aside from the ugly block.  

 

I remember someone posting a D5 kit for about $250.  I can't find it anymore, though I'm not even sure if it was any good, but it was from XSPC I believe. 

[Enderman]

They were so highly recommended from all the forums I had read through, and the videos I'd watched on youtube.  So sad.  It actually looked pretty decent in my case too, aside from the ugly block.  

 

I remember someone posting a D5 kit for about $250.  I can't find it anymore, though I'm not even sure if it was any good, but it was from XSPC I believe. 

Yeah a lot of people recommend it without knowing all of the problems it has

I have seen multiple other people also have leaks, and its common sense that a pump stuck to a metal radiator will make tons of noise

 

Here are a bunch of WC kits from NCIX, there are several for less than $250 which is pretty good

[atoff]

Yeah a lot of people recommend it without knowing all of the problems it has

I have seen multiple other people also have leaks, and its common sense that a pump stuck to a metal radiator will make tons of noise

 

Here are a bunch of WC kits from NCIX, there are several for less than $250 which is pretty good

 

It was actually really quite when I first installed it.  I had to put my hand on the pump to make sure it was running.  After a few days, that's when the "magic" happened, and it started sounding like a fishtank.  

 

Anyway, I think I'm going to go with this kit: http://www.performance-pcs.com/hot-xspc-raystorm-d5-photon-ax240-watercooling-kit-19205.html

 

I tried pricing everything separately, but couldn't get it that low.  The one with v2 radiator is $20 cheaper, but I don't know, might do that.  I really wanted that fancy block I posted.  It's too bad I can't swap it out with the block that comes with the kit.  

[atoff]

So, I just ordered the XSPC D5 pump/reservoir combo.  I decided to forgo the kit, and buy parts separately, since I had some gift cards I could use at Amazon for the radiator and block.   Anyway, I'm starting to think the combo pump and reservoir may have been a bad idea.  The holes are on the bottom, and it's going to be a mess of tubing across to the CPU.  So, question, would it be possible to use acrylic tubing with this pump/reservoir?  It would at least look really nice.

Also, would this radiator / pump be enough for 2 GPU's and a CPU?  

 

 I have zero experience with water cooling btw.

[W-L]

So, I just ordered the XSPC D5 pump/reservoir combo.  I decided to forgo the kit, and buy parts separately, since I had some gift cards I could use at Amazon for the radiator and block.   Anyway, I'm starting to think the combo pump and reservoir may have been a bad idea.  The holes are on the bottom, and it's going to be a mess of tubing across to the CPU.  So, question, would it be possible to use acrylic tubing with this pump/reservoir?  It would at least look really nice.

Also, would this radiator / pump be enough for 2 GPU's and a CPU?  

 

 I have zero experience with water cooling btw.

 

Yes that pump is more than capable of running a full system loop of that nature, as for the tubing run on the combo unit it does come out the sides which are not as convenient to run tubes to but you can always use 90 degree fittings, I personally have that reservoir with soft tube so if you want an example I can always provide a picture of the tubing run.

 

For the acrylic tubing you will need to use hardline fittings and not the regular soft tube compressions.

[atoff]

Yes that pump is more than capable of running a full system loop of that nature, as for the tubing run on the combo unit it does come out the sides which are not as convenient to run tubes to but you can always use 90 degree fittings, I personally have that reservoir with soft tube so if you want an example I can always provide a picture of the tubing run.

 

For the acrylic tubing you will need to use hardline fittings and not the regular soft tube compressions.

 

Thanks, would definitely appreciate a pic of how you have yours set up if you don't mind!  I ordered the 170mm res.  The 270 was only $15 more, but I have a feeling it might be cramped in my case (Enthoo Luxe).    Do you know if I'd be able to use the pump / reservoir separately?  As in, if I decided to buy another cap for the pump, the reservoir would be useless right?

 

I was just reading up on the acrylic tubing.  Sounds risky and pricey, but man, it looks so much better!  

[W-L]

 

Thanks, would definitely appreciate a pic of how you have yours set up if you don't mind!  I ordered the 170mm res.  The 270 was only $15 more, but I have a feeling it might be cramped in my case (Enthoo Luxe).    Do you know if I'd be able to use the pump / reservoir separately?  As in, if I decided to buy another cap for the pump, the reservoir would be useless right?

 

I was just reading up on the acrylic tubing.  Sounds risky and pricey, but man, it looks so much better!  

 

For the Pump combo unit unfortunately you will not be able to separate with an adapter like some others but the pump removable for maintenance and if you need to replace it since it's just screwed on with a large compression ring. As for hard tubing cost wise it's not too far off from soft tubing but it's more labor and time since all the bends need to be made and if anything needs to be changed in the system new pieces will most likely need to be created. 

 

I currently don't have my side panels on I'm still waiting on a cable splitter before closing things up again:

http://linustechtips.com/main/uploads/gallery/album_1149/gallery_4038_1149_803542.jpg

Edited May 5, 2015 by W-L

[atoff]

 

 

 

For the Pump combo unit unfortunately you will not be able to separate with an adapter like some others but the pump removable for maintenance and if you need to replace it since it's just screwed on with a large compression ring. As for hard tubing cost wise it's not too far off from soft tubing but it's more labor and time since all the bends need to be made and if anything needs to be changed in the system new pieces will most likely need to be created. 

 

I currently don't have my side panels on I'm still waiting on a cable splitter before closing things up again:

http://linustechtips.com/main/uploads/gallery/album_1149/gallery_4038_1149_803542.jpg

 

 

Well that actually looks really nice, thanks.  I'm hoping mine fits where I intend to mount it, GPU's might be in the way, but since I don't have any optical drives, maybe I can find a way to make it happen a little higher up.   I'm thinking I should have probably purchased the motor and res separately, so that I could have the option of using them independently, but oh well, I'll find a way to make it work.  

[W-L]

Well that actually looks really nice, thanks.  I'm hoping mine fits where I intend to mount it, GPU's might be in the way, but since I don't have any optical drives, maybe I can find a way to make it happen a little higher up.   I'm thinking I should have probably purchased the motor and res separately, so that I could have the option of using them independently, but oh well, I'll find a way to make it work.

If your pressed for space you can get those rad adapters to mount the reservoir on the front rad but you will need to remove that aluminum backplate to allow for extra flow and use only the top and middle ring to hold up the pump/res. GL though love to see it built up. (: