$$Money to burn$$ ?

[Omi7k]

Not really, but i guess its a start. I have been doing a lot of research and perhaps i may be at a point that i am overthinking it. So i'm leaning to the forums experts to help me. I have done the Corsair Hydro X and EKWB configurator. I'm not afraid of the cost (1300'sh) but i do want to spend the money on the right product(S). i know i can go a million different routes but i need your support as a decider. Am i safe with going either Corsair or EKWB? Should i go with Hardware labs, or XPCS. I want the best rads, pump reservoir combo, fittings with best CPU block. (White/Black Theme)

 

So far for my following pc components: 

Aorus z390 Master

i9-9900k

eGVA 2080ti XC Ultra

Lian Li XL Dynamic Rogue White. / QL Corsair RGB's fans (9). 

 

How would you do it?

 

 

[Nakedpeanut]

Mix and Match. But you can get a good custom loop for $500-600 easy.

What is your end goal?

Looks or cooling performance? 

Do you want hard tubing, RGB, distro plate, how many radiators and what size?

 

 

[Omi7k]

30 minutes ago, Nakedpeanut said:

Mix and Match. But you can get a good custom loop for $500-600 easy.

What is your end goal?

Looks or cooling performance? 

Do you want hard tubing, RGB, distro plate, how many radiators and what size?

 

 

Performance for OC'ng 

hard tubing ( widest )

i  have RGB's QL corsairs x9

Distro side plate is an option. dont want to compromise pump

since i'm have the lian li xl.. 360x3

[Mick Naughty]

Well you won’t be getting a Corsair gpu block. So ek or heat killer are my choice for that. I prefer the looks of the ek cpu blocks. 
Id get any pump combos or a regular pump and get a distro block for that case. 
Id like alpha cool rads for 120mm stuff. The crossflow versions. I like the smooth finish of them too unlike ek and xspc though I like them all performance wise. 

[Nakedpeanut]

 2 x 360  will be more than enough for your rig (but I see now why your budget is so high  )

You need to think of aesthetics space wise, and if running that much tubing (for 3 rads) will look good and the difficulties (planning) involved.

Additionally you need to consider rad thickness, particularly for the side mount as the top and bottom will interfere if you get it too thick.

 

I agree with Mick, get an EK GPU block, then pick a CPU block that matches your aesthetic, has decent flow rate with good fin density (I like the XSPC raystorm but it's not the prettiest).

I prefer a D5 combo pump with fan bracket mount.

 

I would honestly aim for something like this with bottom intake and top exhaust:

1 hour ago, Omi7k said:

Performance for OC'ng 

hard tubing ( widest )

i  have RGB's QL corsairs x9

Distro side plate is an option. dont want to compromise pump

since i'm have the lian li xl.. 360x3

 

[fonzz1e]

6 hours ago, Omi7k said:

Performance for OC'ng 

hard tubing ( widest )

i  have RGB's QL corsairs x9

Distro side plate is an option. dont want to compromise pump

since i'm have the lian li xl.. 360x3

afaik if u want 3 rad, the distro plate have to be on the front (and they're not cheap)

 

EK https://www.ekwb.com/shop/ek-quantum-reflection-pc-o11d-xl-d5-pwm-d-rgb-plexi

Radikult https://www.ebay.com/itm/Dynamic-UNO-XL-Front-Panel-Acrylic-Water-Cooling-Reservoir-for-D5-pump-011-XL/223705892576

Edited July 2, 2020 by fonzz1e
updated XL distri

[HM-2]

1. You won't see any performance boost with 3 rads over 2 on a single GPU and CPU. It will also make you runs much harder and IMO looks much uglier.
2. I would probably look at the likes of Hardware Labs for radiators, especially if you want to run fans at low speed for silent operation.
3. If you want a D5 over a DDC, you're limited to either a front mounted distro, getting one from Radikult or building your own.
4. 16/12mm hard tubing is the widest you can routinely get fittings for.

If by "the best", you mean "the highest performance come what may, but also super nice aesthetics", then you would probably want:

• 2x EKWB XE360s (the one at the top will be a VERY tight fit though)
• EKWB front distro plate, or a D5 pump/res combo with fan mounts
• Watercool Heatkiller IV CPU block
• Watercool Heatkiller GPU block
• 3 fans intaking on the side

[Omi7k]

13 minutes ago, HM-2 said:

1. You won't see any performance boost with 3 rads over 2 on a single GPU and CPU. It will also make you runs much harder and IMO looks much uglier.
2. I would probably look at the likes of Hardware Labs for radiators, especially if you want to run fans at low speed for silent operation.
3. If you want a D5 over a DDC, you're limited to either a front mounted distro, getting one from Radikult or building your own.
4. 16/12mm hard tubing is the widest you can routinely get fittings for.

If by "the best", you mean "the highest performance come what may, but also super nice aesthetics", then you would probably want:

• 2x EKWB XE360s (the one at the top will be a VERY tight fit though)
• EKWB front distro plate, or a D5 pump/res combo with fan mounts
• Watercool Heatkiller IV CPU block
• Watercool Heatkiller GPU block
• 3 rads intaking on the side

Thank you kind Sir, for validating quite a few things i have been considering and those of you as well that have taken time to post. i'm still undecided if i want a distro plate. if no, i could have a 360 on the side instead at the top, but at the same time i'm considering a vertical mount for my GPU, i think the may cause  a problem with a bottom rad. In terms of CPU block i do agree EK are nice, but may go with Corsair for white Aesthetic. 

[HM-2]

So checking the info on the EKWB distro, you won't get a 60mm XE up top, instead being limited to a 40mm PE due to space limitations.

 

If you want to vertically mount a GPU, you're limited to about a 30mm lower radiator (+25mm fans). The best 30mm radiator hands down is the Hardware Labs Black Ice Nemesis 360GTS, again especially at lower fan speeds. In fact the GTS will beat just about every other rad on the market regardless of thickness at fan speeds under 1000RPM. 

 

I believe that you can get 3x360GTS in an O11D XL, though I expect that the dual-flow design of them means that the side radiator is a tight squeeze. You might actually be better off with their crossflow version as it's a bit narrower, it might also make tubing runs a bit easier too. The only challenge is that these are very high restriction rads, so you need to be careful with pumps (in fact it might well work better with a DDC than a D5 due to the higher head pressure).

 

The EK blocks are really good looking but their performance is distinctly average.

[Omi7k]

Any recommendations on fittings? is a program that i could build my layout to see how many elbow joints etc. i would need. I can see it now, i need more of these and that! project halted. I'm going for 16/12mm hard tubing. 

[Omi7k]

8 hours ago, HM-2 said:

So checking the info on the EKWB distro, you won't get a 60mm XE up top, instead being limited to a 40mm PE due to space limitations.

 

If you want to vertically mount a GPU, you're limited to about a 30mm lower radiator (+25mm fans). The best 30mm radiator hands down is the Hardware Labs Black Ice Nemesis 360GTS, again especially at lower fan speeds. In fact the GTS will beat just about every other rad on the market regardless of thickness at fan speeds under 1000RPM. 

 

I believe that you can get 3x360GTS in an O11D XL, though I expect that the dual-flow design of them means that the side radiator is a tight squeeze. You might actually be better off with their crossflow version as it's a bit narrower, it might also make tubing runs a bit easier too. The only challenge is that these are very high restriction rads, so you need to be careful with pumps (in fact it might well work better with a DDC than a D5 due to the higher head pressure).

 

The EK blocks are really good looking but their performance is distinctly average.

Any recommendations on fittings? is there a program that i could build in my layout to see how many elbow joints etc. i would need. I can see it now, i need more of these and that! project halted. I'm going for 16/12mm hard tubing. 

[-rascal-]

10 minutes ago, Omi7k said:

Any recommendations on fittings? is there a program that i could build in my layout to see how many elbow joints etc. i would need. I can see it now, i need more of these and that! project halted. I'm going for 16/12mm hard tubing. 

 

Have you done any custom loop water cooling before?

If this is your FIRST time, hard tubing is not recommended...

IMO, best to try soft tubing first, as it is more "forgiving", then move onto hard tubing once you get the hang of it.

[Omi7k]

10 minutes ago, -rascal- said:

 

Have you done any custom loop water cooling before?

If this is your FIRST time, hard tubing is not recommended...

IMO, best to try soft tubing first, as it is more "forgiving", then move onto hard tubing once you get the hang of it.

Yes, its been about 6+ years. but i did put together a CPU water cool system with XSPC components. from a manufacturing brand stand point wanted to see if there was any special recommendation on fittings and would hurt if a program for support was available

[-rascal-]

22 hours ago, Omi7k said:

Yes, its been about 6+ years. but i did put together a CPU water cool system with XSPC components. from a manufacturing brand stand point wanted to see if there was any special recommendation on fittings and would hurt if a program for support was available

 

Ah I see...

I don't have first hand experience with Corsair products, but rather a decent amount with Ekwb stuff, and *some* experience with Swiftech water cooling products.

 

Just to clarify, EKwb's PE radiators are 38mm thick.

Looks like the top and bottom of the case has up to 65mm of clearance.

Assuming a single set of fans eat up 25mm, that leaves 40mm of space left for a radiator.

[SolarNova]

I would go with.

 

EK blocks

Bitspower / Barrow Fittings (including drain port)

Bykski in-line Flow meter

Glass tubing

Glass res

A D5 pump

HardwareLabs Rads

Noctua Fans

 

Thats pritty much the best u can get for performance , longevity, and aesthetics.

 

Working with glass tubing ull need to spend more on fittings as u can do bends , with the exception of 90degree ones which u can buy pre bent.

You will also need to make sure u have a few tools at hand to cut and grind/polish the tubing, but in the end glass tubing last a lot longer than soft tubing or Acrylic or PETG, doesnt stain either. And overall just has a nicer look.

 

 

[Omi7k]

I heard Thermal Take has a nice tool kit for water cooling and cutting. Any recommendations?

[Mick Naughty]

2 hours ago, Omi7k said:

I heard Thermal Take has a nice tool kit for water cooling and cutting. Any recommendations?

Assuming you are doing hardline it’s not bad. 

[HM-2]

7 hours ago, Omi7k said:

Any recommendations on fittings? is there a program that i could build in my layout to see how many elbow joints etc. i would need. I can see it now, i need more of these and that! project halted. I'm going for 16/12mm hard tubing. 

I would honestly map it out in something like Photoshop. You can plan things in CAD program like Fusion 360 too, but that relies on either a) someone having already made models of all your components or b) you having the time and inclination to painstakingly model them yourself. 

 

Bitspower fittings are regarded as the best, they also offer the widest variety, but they're hideously expensive. I think I was looking at over £300 for fittings alone with my build. Barrow are great value and pretty well regarded. EK represent a decent middle ground between the two.

[-rascal-]

17 hours ago, Omi7k said:

I heard Thermal Take has a nice tool kit for water cooling and cutting. Any recommendations?

 

That's what I have heard as well.

They offer two kits, one for ID 1/2" (12mm) x OD 5/8" (16mm) hard tubing, and another for ID 10mm x OD 12mm hard tubing.

https://www.thermaltake.com/pacific-hard-tube-bending-kit.html

https://www.thermaltake.com/pacific-12mm-10mm-hard-tube-bending-kit.html

[Slyceth]

Are you looking for quietness?

[jasonc_01]

So you want something like this?

 

I personally think Corsair's hydro x line is trash. Built down to a price for the same money as Ek/heatkiller/bitspower. Their fittings and rads seem fine, but I think there overpriced.

 

Stick with Ek/heatkiller/alphacool ect, for block's and rads. 

 

Ek fittings are ok but their rotary fittings feel like absolute trash, very loose feeling. Doesn't inspire confidence. 

 

I would go with bitspower fitting as an a+ but Barrow, bykski and Darkside (dazmode) are good as well. All pretty similar if not identical manufacturing.

 

If you doing a distro plate keep you will be running a DDC pump, will be fine. They are basically all made by the same company. Also from experience with the distro plate, expect your tubing runs to be slightly off here and there. Though it should the Ek distro plate ports do not line up perfectly, maybe it was my ocd but it was annoying.

[Omi7k]

20 hours ago, Slyceth said:

Are you looking for quietness?

not necessarily. ultimately want to lowest temps possible. 

[Omi7k]

19 hours ago, jasonc_01 said:

So you want something like this?

 

I personally think Corsair's hydro x line is trash. Built down to a price for the same money as Ek/heatkiller/bitspower. Their fittings and rads seem fine, but I think there overpriced.

 

Stick with Ek/heatkiller/alphacool ect, for block's and rads. 

 

Ek fittings are ok but their rotary fittings feel like absolute trash, very loose feeling. Doesn't inspire confidence. 

 

I would go with bitspower fitting as an a+ but Barrow, bykski and Darkside (dazmode) are good as well. All pretty similar if not identical manufacturing.

 

If you doing a distro plate keep you will be running a DDC pump, will be fine. They are basically all made by the same company. Also from experience with the distro plate, expect your tubing runs to be slightly off here and there. Though it should the Ek distro plate ports do not line up perfectly, maybe it was my ocd but it was annoying.

Getting there but in white. Here are a few rads thinking of getting depending on GPU vertical route or not. 

 

Alphacool NexXxoS Monsta 360mm - White Special Edition (thinking about side panel vertical mount. or bottom rad

https://www.performance-pcs.com/water-cooling/radiators/alphacool-nexxxos-monsta-360mm-white-special-edition-ac-14193.html

 

Black Ice Nemesis 360GTX® Dual-Core Xtreme Profile Radiator - White (x2) 

https://www.performance-pcs.com/water-cooling/radiators/black-ice-nemesis-360gtx-dual-core-xtreme-profile-radiator-white-n360gtx-f2pw.html

 

Black Ice Nemesis 360GTS uUltra Stealth u-flow low profile- White  bottom for GPU vertical mount as Option B. 

https://www.performance-pcs.com/water-cooling/radiators/black-ice-nemesis-360gts-ultra-stealth-u-flow-low-profile-radiator-white-n360gts-f2pw.html

 

[HM-2]

59 minutes ago, Omi7k said:

Getting there but in white. Here are a few rads thinking of getting depending on GPU vertical route or not. 

How fast do you want to run the fans?

 

The Monsta is very much tiered towards push/pull. I'm not convinced you'd get one in the bottom of a Dynamic XL with even one set let alone two. 

 

The GTX is best suited to fans around 1000-1200RPM, but will outperform the Monsta at every speed with a single set of fans. It's only really topped by the EK XE360 in overall performance in 60mm rads.

 

The GTS is king of low-fan-speeds regardless of basically anything else. Other than the huge Hardware Labs SR-2 (which is also worth a look) nothing comes close to it in any thickness under 750rpm. However it's very high restriction.

 

 

 

In my own Dynamic XL loop I'm using a single GTS360 at the top and a GTX360 at the bottom.

[Omi7k]

7 minutes ago, HM-2 said:

How fast do you want to run the fans?

 

The Monsta is very much tiered towards push/pull. I'm not convinced you'd get one in the bottom of a Dynamic XL with even one set let alone two. 

 

The GTX is best suited to fans around 1000-1200RPM, but will outperform the Monsta at every speed with a single set of fans. It's only really topped by the EK XE360 in overall performance in 60mm rads.

 

The GTS is king of low-fan-speeds regardless of width. Other than the huge Hardware Labs SR-2 (which is also worth a look) nothing comes close to it in any thickness under 750rpm. 

yeah the SR-2 in white are out of stock  .. i think i'm leaning definitely leaning going towards either two SR-2's ( Top,Bottom) or GTS slim bottom for vertical GPU mount. 

Fittings: In terms of fittings do you try to aim for what you need but perhaps always getting more while trying to customize.