First WC Project need advice

JAPowerUser · August 9, 2021

Hello Guys,

This is my first time watercooling my rig It's a crazy little project, I have my whole rig In a Ikea TV Cabinet without a PC case. I would like to watercool both my RTX 3090 Die + Vram and my 5950X.

You can see here the Current install and here is dimensions of the Cabinet
I am Thinking of going with 2x480 Rads or maybe 1 very think 480. what do you think ?

What I have found so far:
GPU Waterblock
CPU Waterblock
RAD 480mm 60mm thick enough ?

Any advice is good, what else do I need beside tubbing and fittings ? what pump should I go for ?
for fans I think I'll go for silence and since they will be hidden behide no rgb needed i'll surely go with Noctuas.

Thank you for your help

jaslion · August 9, 2021

That byski block is great for the back vram but doesn't cover all necessary components well or at all on the front of the card. Alphacool has a 2 sided block too I think that does do it. The cpu block is fine.

As for the read a single 480 is plenty here even a 360 works. But more will never hurt.

One issue here is that you are mixing metals and that is a no go. Yes you can do it if you have a anti corrosive agent in the loop but you have to keep up with that and readd it when instructed by whatever chemical you use.

Also don't forget about fittings, a pump, reservoir and tubes. I always recommend a D5 pump from howmever but for res, fittings and reservoir just get something with good reviews. Tubes really doesn't matter.

Now I do have some concerns with this system as from the 1 pic you sent I see no airflow anywhere at all? Where are you taking fresh air in and where is it going?

This is important to know as just because stuff is watercooled doesn't mean you don't need airflow for the other components in your system.

JAPowerUser · August 9, 2021

Hello @jaslion,

Thank you for you answer, Indeed I saw the Alphacool one but I dont really like the esthetics.

I'll try to make sure to not mix metals i'll take all copper, good advice i'll go for the D5 pump also a good reservoir not too big to fit the panel.

As for airflow I already drilled a cutout in the bottom for my actual 280MM CPU aio and it works perfect, What am planning is drill another two cutout to add 2 120-140mm fan to have fresh air enter once I have the 480mm rad I'll install it as exhaust.

what do you think ?

jaslion · August 9, 2021

2 minutes ago, JAPowerUser said:

Hello @jaslion,

Thank you for you answer, Indeed I saw the Alphacool one but I dont really like the esthetics.

I'll try to make sure to not mix metals i'll take all copper, good advice i'll go for the D5 pump also a good reservoir not too big to fit the panel.

As for airflow I already drilled a cutout in the bottom for my actual 280MM CPU aio and it works perfect, What am planning is drill another two cutout to add 2 120-140mm fan to have fresh air enter once I have the 480mm rad I'll install it as exhaust.

what do you think ?

Just a quick note having a aio where the rad is below the pump will wear it out quickly as the air gets trapped in the pump and causes a LOT more wear and tear on it. This does not go for a custom loop as all air eventually gets trapped in the reservoir.

As for the build:

Don't get the byski block it will cause heat issues as parts of the power delivery that HAVE to be cooled will not be and since there is not air movement there from the fans of the 3090 anymore you'll end up with issues/early death of the card.

Airflow wise I'd actually do something people used to do before and just make most of the bottom of the cabinet filled with as big fans as possible I'm talking 200mm + fans. These are slow moving silent fans. Then put the 480 as a exist either in the back or wherever it fits. With some luck and if the cabinet is properly sealed on all sides except where the air enters and exits you'd only need those big bottom fans as they'll push the air through the radiator due to the pressure build up in the case. The seal doesn't need to be perfect of the cabinet but the better it is the better it will work.

JAPowerUser · August 9, 2021

I see thanks for those precious advices.

Would you mind giving me a list to buy ? including everything i'll need to do this ? I know it's a lot of work i'll be very grateful if you can help me on this as it's my first loop I don't want to screw this up