Cheapest way to make a custom loop.

[Midniteb0ne]

I want to make a custom loop and only want to cool my CPU.

What is the cheapest way to make one. I don't have any CNC machine or some other specialised tool.

[Overlandr]

Have a look at JayzTwoCents on youtube for stuff like this about water cooling. https://www.youtube.com/user/Jayztwocents

[Kaicer]

7 minutes ago, Midniteb0ne said:

What is the cheapest way to make one.

Aliexpress

[Brooksie359]

Honestly I wouldn't cheap out too much on a custom loop. If you want to save money then dont do a custom loop. 

[RollinLower]

6 minutes ago, Kaicer said:

Aliexpress

this! 

even if you tried, you really couldn't make components cheaper than the ones you can find on there.

[KarathKasun]

Buy a broken CLC (or get one for free), disassemble it, clean it, remove the impeller, add a pump/reservoir, and replace the tubes with standard soft tubing of the proper size.

[ch3w2oy]

I would honestly just use an AIO on just a CPU. I'm in the process of building a custom loop for the CPU and GPU and I'm gonna be close to $500 when said and done. But I'm buying the parts for a great deal from someone that never used them, brand new it would come out to a little more than that.. 

 

Check out:

https://www.ekfluidgaming.com/ek-kit-a240

 

They have a version for both AMD and Intel. But reviews state that it's similar to an AIO, performance wise, and that it's really only worth it if you're adding a GPU block at some point.. 

[Windows7ge]

Unless you're willing to risk the cost of your hardware I wouldn't cheap-out on the watercooling gear out of fear of leaks.

 

If you're on a budget but want to step up to watercooling I'd consider using a pre-built solution from manufacturers like Corsair. There are some other manufacturers that make some that are upgradable for things like GPUs (only some compatible models).

[Tristerin]

Aliexpress:

 

$23 for pump/res combo (or $12 if you want to go uber cheap)

$6 for more than enough hoses

$12-14 for a CPU block

$16 for a 240mm aluminum radiator

Use distilled water 66% balance antifreeze (do your own research on this)

 

And yes, I have all these items sans the CHEAPEST pump/res combo at my house for an aliexpress build (using 80mm rads for this build however)

[Tristerin]

And I am doing a build log, called Project Dwight in the build log section - Im not a camera guy but the pics will give you an idea of what you can get at those price points.

 

And if it burns up my PC from a leak, we will all learn together about Aliexpress loops lol.

[Midniteb0ne]

On 4/2/2019 at 9:04 PM, Tristerin said:

And I am doing a build log, called Project Dwight in the build log section - Im not a camera guy but the pics will give you an idea of what you can get at those price points.

 

And if it burns up my PC from a leak, we will all learn together about Aliexpress loops lol.

 

 

On 4/2/2019 at 9:02 PM, Tristerin said:

Aliexpress:

 

$23 for pump/res combo (or $12 if you want to go uber cheap)

$6 for more than enough hoses

$12-14 for a CPU block

$16 for a 240mm aluminum radiator

Use distilled water 66% balance antifreeze (do your own research on this)

 

And yes, I have all these items sans the CHEAPEST pump/res combo at my house for an aliexpress build (using 80mm rads for this build however)

Thanks this really helps.

 

[Tristerin]

23 minutes ago, Midniteb0ne said:

 

 

Thanks this really helps.

 

No problem at all.  Do yourself a favor and plan in advance because it takes around 1-2 months (Im 2 months in and second GPU block still not here as the first one got crushed in transit) to get all the materials you need.  Couple pointers Ive learned (still learning):

 

Can use zip ties instead of clamps to save a buck

 

Copper and aluminum CAN be mixed.  Galvanic corrosion WILL occur the quickest if copper and aluminum are TOUCHING (shouldn't be the case in a closed loop).  It is much slower when not touching.  To stop this, research 66% battery water from a auto parts store, mixed with 33% propylene glycol (antifreeze) or ethylene glycol (other antifreeze) - I cant remember which tbh don't have my notes in front of me.  This provides a few things instead of buying the additives - nothing can live in Antifreeze, so no biocide required.  antifreeze comes with corrosion inhibitors, so no corrosion inhibitors required.  Antifreeze is by far cheaper.

 

Make sure your tubes are of the quality that you want, so they don't discolor, or pale up etc.  I used brewery tubing.

 

Try to get matching pagodas, so you don't have to use different size tubings or mate them together.  Each point is a place for a leak to start.

 

Use a rubber something under your pump so it absorbs the vibration to further dampen the sound.

 

Rinse all of your stuff multiple times to get any sort of debris out - its coming from the worst place ever to buy things like this, China direct.  I washed one of my 80mm radiators and I was surprised by the amount of particles.