First Time Water Cooler

[Drackeo]

Hey im planning on doing my first watercooling loop. Im just wondering if im missing anything? Or if i have some mismatched parts that wont work at all. Keep in mind i am migrating some parts from my current "budget" build
Or any better recommendations to make!
http://pcpartpicker.com/user/ShawnWilliams/saved/NKB6Mp

[Elfuego]

Also you are brave going rigid right off the bat . Kudos for that one.

 

Firstly Get an EK Supremacy EVO

Secondly, do yourself a favor and get a D5 Vario + Pump top (I use an EK one).

You may want to get some PTNuke or Similar.

 

Get a Mayhems blitz cleaning system to clean all the components before you start. I would also advise getting a water filter (non essential, but especially with the dirtier rads they are worthwhile).

Also check those rads just to make sure they arent Alumnium (I am fairly sure they are copper but can't check atm).

 

Also double check that GPU block, I am not sure if that is a reference PCB...

 

Aurora coolant is not meant for long term use IIRC.

 

I can't comment on that case and that rad setup as I havent built in one for ages.

 

Personally I would go with Noctua fans or Corsair SPs but it wont make a big difference. You can probably find some Antec Diamond or even better some Gelid Extreme Pro Thermal paste, which should be an improvement.

[Drackeo]

-snip-

 

Ive helped my friend build his cooling loop before and that was soft tubing. so i have some basic experience with watercooling loops lol. 

 

What pump and cpu block specifically would you suggest? I looked on EKWB's site and it just confused me tbh lol lots of different "Supremacy Evo's". And whats the D5 Vario + pump? For the PT Nuke i have some already lol

 

What kind of coolants are designed for long term use? 

 

The EKWB configuration tool thing came up with that GPU block for the 390 so idk i guess it works? Also had people say to do that on this thread: http://linustechtips.com/main/topic/441390-new-gpu/

[Elfuego]

All the supremacy EVOs are the same block; its only cosmetic differences.

 

Personally for my build I went with the full nickel. Although the Red Acetal top was really tempting (I have a rampage V). I woul get an X-RES Pump and Reservoir combo.

 

I have a Primochill 360mm Tube Res + EK Top + D5 with a custom mounting system that works - but its not very easy to work with. I had to make custom mounting brackets and everything because Primochill's mounting hardware sucks!

 

Something like this is nice and easy to use; and looks fairly nice.: https://shop.ekwb.com/ek-xres-140-d5-pwm-incl-pump

 

I would go coloured tubing and distilled water + PT Nuke/Mayhems Biocide. If you need to drain it the coolant is super cheap, and buying new tubing is a lot cheaper than having stained everything and having to b uy a whole new load of equipment. After initialrun for a couple weeks (to flush out the gunk thats invariably there, so a quick drain, check and refill and you should be good for 6-12 months at a time (As long as you topup with Biocide and Distilled)

 

Also get that Mayhems blitz. For the Filter I use: https://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=WC-115-AQ

[Drackeo]

-snip-

 

ohhh you ment a pump res combo! I just dont like the look of those lol Plus i want to separate the PSU and pump from sight with a PSU cover like in the NZXT 340. Have tubing going right through the cover. I just think it would look amazing. 

 

As for the fluid and tubing, i want a pastel/mat color. Blue tubing is shiny and not really the color im looking for. 

[Elfuego]

Well get an EK Top and a D5 Pump and then some other res, Personally I would get the combo and just bury it in the basement.

 

Something like this might work: https://shop.ekwb.com/ek-xtop-d5-pwm-plexi-incl-pump.

 

Alternatively get the combo and make a custom shroud (just for ideas, I am not saying you should)

 

In my case I attached it buthave the pump below the window so its invisible.

 

I use Primochill blood red soft tubing, but tubing is what it is; I am sure you can find some if you look. Else get some premix that uses Dyed nanoparticles rather than a pre-mixed dye. It wont gunk up nearly as much. Else get the Aurora and you are just gonna have to clean your loop out every month or two .

[Drackeo]

-snip-

 

would this work? http://www.performance-pcs.com/swiftech-mcp655-series-12-vdc-d5-water-pumps-with-speed-control.html

Its a D5 pump also. Plus if im going to just hide it no biggie right?

[Elfuego]

Yes its fine as a pump; But you need to add a Pump top (Personally I use the EK One - Because EK Is easy to get here). XSPC are also top notch.

 

I would avoid primochill everything bar the tubing because of my experience with their CTR Phase II Res Mounting System (I mean Nylon Screws and a flimsy acrylic bracket on a £100 Res, you are shitting me right). Plus the End caps are not wonderful. The thing weighs around 800g when full of water. And they think a bit of Acrylic (2mm thick) and a nylon screw gonna hold that + the weight of the pump (probably another 500g.

Srsly terrible implementation

[Drackeo]

Yes its fine as a pump; But you need to add a Pump top (Personally I use the EK One - Because EK Is easy to get here). XSPC are also top notch.

 

I would avoid primochill everything bar the tubing because of my experience with their CTR Phase II Res Mounting System (I mean Nylon Screws on a £100 Res, you are shitting me right)

 

what is a pump top?

[Elfuego]

what is a pump top?

One of these:

 

https://shop.ekwb.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/650x/040ec09b1e35df139433887a97daa66f/e/k/ek-d5-x-top-plexi-red-1_600_1_1.jpg

 

it improves the flow rate, is MUCH easier to mount and looks nicer. I also find the pumps dont vibrate half as much.

[Drackeo]

One of these:

 

https://shop.ekwb.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/650x/040ec09b1e35df139433887a97daa66f/e/k/ek-d5-x-top-plexi-red-1_600_1_1.jpg

 

it improves the flow rate, is MUCH easier to mount and looks nicer. I also find the pumps dont vibrate half as much.

 

OHHH so i need one to put fittings ans stuff on it okay. Thats why some are the small round things lol

[Elfuego]

OHHH so i need one to put fittings ans stuff on it okay. Thats why some are the small round things lol

 

You dont "need" to for fittings, but its a lot more elegant and less faff.

[Drackeo]

http://www.performance-pcs.com/watercool-wcp-d5-vario-12v-pump.html

+

http://www.performance-pcs.com/xspc-acetal-top-for-laing-d5-multiport.html

 

for the pump.

 

and then: http://www.performance-pcs.com/mayhems-pastel-coolant-1-liter-blue-berry.html

for the coolent. Its the same stuff that Jay from Jayztwocents used for skunkworks. 

 

-edit- Also the fluid has PT Nuke mixed in already 

[Elfuego]

http://www.performance-pcs.com/watercool-wcp-d5-vario-12v-pump.html

+

http://www.performance-pcs.com/xspc-acetal-top-for-laing-d5-multiport.html

 

for the pump.

 

and then: http://www.performance-pcs.com/mayhems-pastel-coolant-1-liter-blue-berry.html

for the coolent. Its the same stuff that Jay from Jayztwocents used for skunkworks. 

 

Looks solid; Any D5 Vario + XSPC or EK Top is plenty good.

 

Have fun with dat system.

 

Id also look at XSPC Rads; they tend to be cleaner than most (But you cant get them for love or money in Britain at the moment [or at lest when I bought mine])

[Drackeo]

Looks solid; Any D5 Vario + XSPX or EK Top is plenty good.

 

Have fun with dat system.

 

I plan on it