Building *Built 1st water cooling loop

[jrb0031]

Budget & Location: >$1,500 USD

Aim: AAA gaming, modded MC

Monitors: 1x 2160p@144Hz

Peripherals: N/A

Why are you upgrading? Upgrading cooling system for new CPU/mobo

 

//BREAK//

Post UPDATED w/ purchased parts list.  Total investment ~$1,275 USD.

 

Desired end-state is pump/reservoir mounted to the bottom-rear of the front radiator, and loop as follows (like this):

> pump/reservoir to CPU,

> CPU to top radiator,

> top radiator to GPU,

> GPU to front radiator, 

> front radiator to pump/reservoir. 

 

I have a Phanteks Enthoo Pro M case and 7x 140mm Noctua iPPC fans to start with, and I have purchased the parts list below.

 

Primary Components:

• (Tubing) EK-Tube ZMT Matte Black 12/16mm
• (Radiator) 2x EK-CoolStream CE 280 (Dual)
• (Pump/Reservoir) EK-Quantum Kinetic TBE 160 VTX PWM D-RGB - Acetal
• (Pump/Reservoir Bracket) EK-UNI Pump Bracket (140mm FAN) Vertical
• (GPU) EK-Quantum Vector FTW3 RTX 2080 Ti D-RGB - Nickel + Plexi
• (GPU) EK-Quantum Vector FTW3 RTX 2080 Ti Backplate - Black
• (CPU) EK-Quantum Magnitude D-RGB - 115x Nickel + Plexi
• (CPU) EK-Quantum Magnitude Accent - Black

Enabling Components:

• 2x EK-Quantum Torque Rotary 45° - Black
• 5x EK-Quantum Torque Rotary 90° - Black
• 2x EK-Quantum Torque 6-Pack STC 12/16 - Black
• EK-AF Ball Valve (10mm) G1/4 - Black
• EK-AF FillPort G1/4 - Black
• EK-Quantum Torque Plug - Black
• 2x EK-Quantum Torque Plug w/Badge - Black
• (Spare O-Rings) Outer G1/4 Fitting O-Ring (6pcs)

Addt'l Items:

• (Fill Bottle) Filling Bottle (1000mL)
• (Leak Test Kit) EK-Leak Tester
• EK-CryoFuel Clear (Premix 1000mL)
• EK-CryoFuel Clear (Concentrate 100mL)
• EK-ATX Bridging Plug (24 pin)
• Phobya G1/4" Inline Temperature Sensor, 50cm, Matte Black

(Current setup below, not pictured w/ new CPU/mobo.)

 

[jrb0031]

Still unsure of the right mix of "enabling components", but I have found an Entho Pro M loop I'd like to model...  I'll use hardline, but the run from Pump>CPU>Top Rad>GPU>Bottom Rad>Pump seems doable...  I'll be adding a mount to the parts list:  EK-UNI Pump Bracket (140mm FAN) Vertical

 

EK Water Blocks - Stunning EK Fluid Gaming builds emerging... | Facebook

[jrb0031]

The final configuration/ordered parts list is based on the below "diagram".  Everything should be delivered by next Friday but I can't say if I will follow up with final pictures or build updates.  I ultimately decided to stick with soft tubing mainly to reduce the learning/time investment and risk with my first loop.  I softened the blow by telling myself the all-black look will be very "dark knight" and I can upgrade to acrylic later on, maybe when I upgrade the GPU.   

I will run a 90° adapter > standard fitting > 8±2 inch ZMT > standard fitting > ball valve/plug setup off an excess/side pump plug and this will serve as my "drain port" that can be neatly tucked away in the PSU shroud and pulled out as needed...  I also decided to go w/ the VTX PWM DDC pump based off aesthetics and I hope I am happy with it... 

[jrb0031]

It is done.. 

[Ravendarat]

Looks good man, have you actually powered it up and tried it out yet or are you still leak testing

[jrb0031]

1 hour ago, Ravendarat said:

Looks good man, have you actually powered it up and tried it out yet or are you still leak testing

Thanks. Everything seems to be okay. I used an EK leak tester for ~30mins with no drop in psi before I decided to fill it up. Here is is finally running! Whew!