First Custom Loop

[SOBstick]

I'm doing my first custom loop, do my parts make sense/do I need anything else?

 

I'm planning to put the rad in the frount of the case and use some be quiet fans I already have. I want to add another rad and CPU block later on.

 

Build:

meshify C

7700k

3080 - this one https://www.overclockers.co.uk/palit-geforce-rtx-3080-gaming-pro-oc-10gb-gddr6x-pci-express-graphics-card-gx-05e-pl.html

32GB RAM

3TB SSD

 

 

Thanks.

[Skiiwee29]

You have the wrong fittings for your tube size. Your tube is 10/16 and the fittings you have selected is 12/16. Also, you should get yourself a few 90s and 45s just to be safe as custom loops can look good on paper and in your head when planning, but rarely ever go as planned without additional fittings to make the runs work properly. 

[SOBstick]

Thanks, they sell these fittings but no tubung the right size

[Hairless Monkey Boy]

If you haven't already, you should consider going with HWlabs rads, which are better than EKs, and Barrow fittings, which are way cheaper. That's what I did. You can see my build in my sig.

[SOBstick]

Just now, HairlessMonkeyBoy said:

If you haven't already, you should consider going with HWlabs rads, which are better than EKs, and Barrow fittings, which are way cheaper. That's what I did. You can see my build in my sig.

I'll take a look. thanks.

[Stahlmann]

9 minutes ago, Skiiwee29 said:

You have the wrong fittings for your tube size. Your tube is 10/16 and the fittings you have selected is 12/16. Also, you should get yourself a few 90s and 45s just to be safe as custom loops can look good on paper and in your head when planning, but rarely ever go as planned without additional fittings to make the runs work properly. 

Not a big problem with soft tubing, which is the better choice for beginners anyway. With soft tubes you can easily get away without any angled fittings whatsoever.

 

Other than that, like @Skiiwee29 said buy the right fittings for your tubing.

 

I also recommend EK's ZMT (Black matte) tubing. I tried the duraclear tubing with ek's "mystic fog" cooling, which doesn't have any color tint. But the clear tubing went brown-ish within 2 weeks. So i switched back to the ZMT, which also looks great combined with EK's torque fittings. Plus like the ZMT says it's Zero-Maintenance-Tubing. The best you can use if you want to keep your loop looking good for longer.

 

If you already have be Quiet fans than noise is likely a big concern to you. In that case stay away from EK's rads. They're optimized for high-rpm / high-pressure fans, which yours are not. I'd strongly recommend the "HW Labs Nemesis GTS 360". They're specifically designed for low noise fans and are much better at cooling with slower fans than EK's rads. I use them myself and the temps/noise levels came out great in my build. (Details in my signature)

[Hairless Monkey Boy]

2 minutes ago, Stahlmann said:

I also recommend EK's ZMT (Black matte) tubing. I tried the duraclear tubing... But the clear tubing went brown-ish within 2 weeks.

I second this. My clear tubes have a yellowish discoloration. It's not super noticeable when the lights are on, but I know it's there.

 

I intend to replace them at some point, and I'll go with something more stable like the ZMT.

[SOBstick]

4 minutes ago, Stahlmann said:

Not a big problem with soft tubing, which is the better choice for beginners anyway. With soft tubes you can easily get away without any angled fittings whatsoever.

 

Other than that, like @Skiiwee29 said buy the right fittings for your tubing.

 

I also recommend EK's ZMT (Black matte) tubing. I tried the duraclear tubing with ek's "mystic fog" cooling, which doesn't have any color tint. But the clear tubing went brown-ish within 2 weeks. So i switched back to the ZMT, which also looks great combined with EK's torque fittings. Plus like the ZMT says it's Zero-Maintenance-Tubing. The best you can use if you want to keep your loop looking good for longer.

 

If you already have be Quiet fans than noise is likely a big concern to you. In that case stay away from EK's rads. They're optimized for high-rpm / high-pressure fans, which yours are not. I'd strongly recommend the "HW Labs Nemesis GTS 360". They're specifically designed for low noise fans and are much better at cooling with slower fans than EK's rads.

These ones? What's the difference? Just the tube placement?

https://www.watercoolinguk.co.uk/p/Black-Ice-Nemesis-Radiator-GTS-360-Black_44924.html

https://www.watercoolinguk.co.uk/p/Black-Ice-Nemesis-Radiator-GTS-360-XFlow-Black_44931.html

 

[Stahlmann]

5 minutes ago, SOBstick said:

These ones? What's the difference? Just the tube placement?

https://www.watercoolinguk.co.uk/p/Black-Ice-Nemesis-Radiator-GTS-360-Black_44924.html

https://www.watercoolinguk.co.uk/p/Black-Ice-Nemesis-Radiator-GTS-360-XFlow-Black_44931.html

 

The only difference is where your fittings/tubes go. Choose the one that fits into your planned layout. X-Flow ones can be a great addition as a top radiator imo.

[SOBstick]

Are there any specials tools I'll want? Or youtube vids to check before I start the build?

[Stahlmann]

Also i just noticed you use a meshify c. The only place to fit the res is on the front rad. You'll also need the adapter bracket for that. And check if you have enough clearance in the front with your GPU installed.

[Stahlmann]

4 minutes ago, SOBstick said:

Are there any specials tools I'll want? Or youtube vids to check before I start the build?

JayzTwoCents is a great content creator that knows all about water cooling. I'd just watch a few of his builds (as they typically all involve custom loops). In terms of tools i found it useful to have a allen-key set on hand. Otherwise sharp scissors or a tube cutter like this.

 

Also a quick heads-up: Tightening these fittings with ZMT tubing in it sometimes took a lot of force in my build. (To the point where i almost needed a wrench ) Idk if that's normal but afaik they should be tightened all the way to make sure the tube stays where it should and is properly sealed. Maybe the other guys can comment a bit more on that.

[For Science!]

7 minutes ago, Stahlmann said:

Also i just noticed you use a meshify c. The only place to fit the res is on the front rad. You'll also need the adapter bracket for that. And check if you have enough clearance in the front with your GPU installed.

Nah, pump/res can also be put horizontally under the GPU on the PSU shroud.

[For Science!]

13 minutes ago, SOBstick said:

Are there any specials tools I'll want? Or youtube vids to check before I start the build?

Jayztwocents old video, emphasis on old videos - his new stuff doesn't fit the bill imo

Der8auer is more recent and does things good imo

 

Drain port is not necessasry for soft tubing, but I would still recommend it. If you have an Asus board you may be interested in getting a 2-pin temperature probe so you can control fans based on fluid temperature.

 

1 L of coolant is probably cutting it close.

 

Either sharp scissors or garden shears are recommended for soft tubing.

 

A means to jump your PSU, if you feel squeamish maybe buy a jumper, but a paper clip works fine too.

[SOBstick]

Thanks a lot, you guys are great.

[SOBstick]

I still want to go clear tubing for now, I'll fix it later if needs be but how's this?

 

 

You think it's worth switching my be quiet fans for these?

https://www.watercoolinguk.co.uk/p/WCUK-Spec-HWL-Black-Ice-Nemesis-GTS360-Black-Radiator-and-Game-Max-Fans-With-Controller-Value-Kit_75664.html

 

[For Science!]

41 minutes ago, SOBstick said:

I still want to go clear tubing for now, I'll fix it later if needs be but how's this?

 

 

 

You think it's worth switching my be quiet fans for these?

https://www.watercoolinguk.co.uk/p/WCUK-Spec-HWL-Black-Ice-Nemesis-GTS360-Black-Radiator-and-Game-Max-Fans-With-Controller-Value-Kit_75664.html

 

Those fans look rubbish dont do it.

 

Other considerations is to get 1 liter of distilled water too, while HWLabs radiators are fairly clean out of the box, its still good practice to wash with hot tap water first, and then give a final rinse with distilled water to remove minerals (Calcium, would be the main one in UK). Waterblocks and pumps are generally clean enough to use directly into the loop. I do not recommend acid cleaning unless you have a problem (i.e. Mayhems Blitz), but with that opaque fluid, you may find you will develop an issue, so you could exercise some foresight and get some for when the opaque fluid inevitably clogs the system.

[fonzz1e]

tbh avoid duraclear, it has plasticizer that'll leech into your cpu/gpu blocks after some time

i went with 10/16mm EPDM tubing & 2 rads, 60 days now loop still clean

 

use clear coolant on your 1st loop, at least wait about 6 months before u decide to change to opaque fluids

with clear coolant u can see if there's any build up on your blocks

 

i have read too many horror stories on blocks with opaque fluids, u have to drain & dismantle to clean the gunk opaque left behind

[fonzz1e]

17 hours ago, SOBstick said:

Are there any specials tools I'll want? Or youtube vids to check before I start the build?