need help for watercooling

[abyssmale]

hey guys

 

i'm planing to build my first custom PC... i've done some research and here is the specs :

 

CPU : Intel Lga 1550 i7-4770K

Mobo : asus Maximus VI Formula

Ram : Corsair Dominator Platinum 1600Mhz 32Gb (4x8)

GPU : msi Gtx 780 Ti Gaming edition in 2 way sli

SSD : Samsung 840 evo 240Gb

HDD : WD Black Caviar 2Tb

PSU : Corsair Ax1200i

Sound Card : Asus Xonar Phoebus

Case : Corsair 900D or Corsair 800D

 

i want to make a watercooled system include CPU,Mobo and GPU...

but the problem is , i never build a watercooled system.. i watched a couple video from linus tech tips about watercooling,

but i want to make sure a couple things in my mind such as :

 

How many radiator i should use ?  :huh:

How Big radiator i should use ?  

Is my PSU powerfull enough for build this pc, include overclocking?   :blink:

 

i want a powerfull silent and also cool system...  

 

so guys, please help me with this problem....     

[C_Mike]

Power supply is more than capable, tbh you could make do with a sub100w supply.

 

General rule of thumb for radiators is 120mm for each component being cooled plus 120mm so you'll need about a 360mm and a 120mm radiator or a 2 x 240mm radiators, anyone correct me if this is wrong

[abyssmale]

Power supply is more than capable, tbh you could make do with a sub100w supply.

 

General rule of thumb for radiators is 120mm for each component being cooled plus 120mm so you'll need about a 360mm and a 120mm radiator or a 2 x 240mm radiators, anyone correct me if this is wrong

should i pick, 1 360mm triple fan radiator and 480mm quad fan radiator since i'm using 900D... is it overkill?

[nj4ck]

From my own experience, I'd say be careful with the "120mm radiator per part cooled"-rule. If I had done that with my OC'ed R9 290 and 4670k @ 1.35V, my temps would probably be appraching 80°C on the CPU and 60°C on the GPU, under load. Currently temps are 75°C CPU and 53°C GPU, with a 360mm and a 120mm radiator. I'd recommend going with something like a 360+240mm setup or even 2x360mm for that setup, especially considering the fact that you can get a lot more rad space for just a few extra bucks, when stepping up from a 240mm to a 360mm, for example. 

[abyssmale]

is it true... bigger radiator is better.. and more radiator is better?

[abyssmale]

From my own experience, I'd say be careful with the "120mm radiator per part cooled"-rule. If I had done that with my OC'ed R9 290 and 4670k @ 1.35V, my temps would probably be appraching 80°C on the CPU and 60°C on the GPU, under load. Currently temps are 75°C CPU and 53°C GPU, with a 360mm and a 120mm radiator. I'd recommend going with something like a 360+240mm setup or even 2x360mm for that setup, especially considering the fact that you can get a lot more rad space for just a few extra bucks, when stepping up from a 240mm to a 360mm, for example. 

so what do you think...? what the ideal temp for gpu to run on a game? if i put 360mm rad and 480mm rad do you think its overkill or not?

[loccilucas]

so what do you think...? what the ideal temp for gpu to run on a game? if i put 360mm rad and 480mm rad do you think its overkill or not?

If you want a silent machine no amount of rads is overkill, more rad space=lower rpm fans=quiter operation. Get as many rads as your budget will allow basically. 

[nj4ck]

so what do you think...? what the ideal temp for gpu to run on a game? if i put 360mm rad and 480mm rad do you think its overkill or not?

360+480 is definitely a mild overkill, 360+360 should be pretty balanced for you. There is no real ideal temp, the colder the better is the rule here. I'm guessing you'll probably be looking at GPU temps in the mid 40's with that setup, which would be totally fine.

[abyssmale]

If you want a silent machine no amount of rads is overkill, more rad space=lower rpm fans=quiter operation. Get as many rads as your budget will allow basically. 

 

 

360+480 is definitely a mild overkill, 360+360 should be pretty balanced for you. There is no real ideal temp, the colder the better is the rule here. I'm guessing you'll probably be looking at GPU temps in the mid 40's with that setup, which would be totally fine.

okay radiator solve!! yeah!!... now pump... any tips? what should i buy? i really don't know about pump...  :wacko:

[nj4ck]

okay radiator solve!! yeah!!... now pump... any tips? what should i buy? i really don't know about pump... :wacko:

depends on what your budget is. I personally cheaped out on the pump and got an EK-DCP 4.0 (haven't regretted it, so far), but most people will recommend the D5 or the Laing DDC. Since this is your first WC-build, I'd suggest you go with a pump-res combo just to save you some cost and make the whole thing less complicated. here's an example: http://www.ekwb.com/shop/reservoirs-and-acc/res-pump-combo/ek-d5/ek-d5-vario-x-res-140-incl-pump.html

otherwise, think ahead of time and plan how you're going to be mounting the pump. You will likely have to drill some holes somewhere in the case and think of a way to dampen the vibrations of the pump, so that they don't get passed along into the case. I recommend foam sandwiches, but I'm not sure of how to mount the D5 or DDC on one, as I don't own one of those.

[Kommandant33]

okay radiator solve!! yeah!!... now pump... any tips? what should i buy? i really don't know about pump...  :wacko:

Haha... Your OP says you have done research... but it doesn't look like you really have..

 

As per the first post, there is a rule of thumb that can be used as a guide - 240mm of RAD for the first component being cooled, then 120mm for each component after that. Now this is a very general rule, because you can get away with using thicker and more efficient RADs to cool more equipment and etc, but the rule of thumb just covers having skinny RADs and overclocked gear. 

 

For your first loop, I will advise not to worry about a MOBO block, too much of a headache for practically no gain, but I will leave that up to you.

 

For pumps, there is another rule of thumb; 1 single D5 pump is strong enough for 4 waterblocks. 1 D5 pump will be fine for CPU/GPU/GPU - no need to worry too much about RADs as they don't cause too much strain on the flow. You can add a second D5 and have them running in parallel for extra redundancy, but not a necessity.

Fittings are pretty personal, there are a few brands out there, I personally only use BP compression fittings.

 

Tube size - Skinnier tubes are better for tighter bends, but 1/2" tube in my experience is the most common.

 

Res - There are heaps out there. PB make a tube res that can house a D5 pump at the bottom, which is what I use for convenience, otherwise there are numerous bay res's that can house a D5.

 

Brands - Once again, a personal thing. I boycott EK due to the way they handled quality control issues a few years back, and got burned. Also their new circle blocks look like balls.

Aquacomputer - This is my preferred brand for most components, they have sexy full copper blocks.

XSPC - Generally on the cheaper side of things, but they make some good kits

Swiftech - as above.

BitsPower - my fav fitting manufacturer

Plenty more out there...

[abyssmale]

Haha... Your OP says you have done research... but it doesn't look like you really have..

 

As per the first post, there is a rule of thumb that can be used as a guide - 240mm of RAD for the first component being cooled, then 120mm for each component after that. Now this is a very general rule, because you can get away with using thicker and more efficient RADs to cool more equipment and etc, but the rule of thumb just covers having skinny RADs and overclocked gear. 

 

For your first loop, I will advise not to worry about a MOBO block, too much of a headache for practically no gain, but I will leave that up to you.

 

For pumps, there is another rule of thumb; 1 single D5 pump is strong enough for 4 waterblocks. 1 D5 pump will be fine for CPU/GPU/GPU - no need to worry too much about RADs as they don't cause too much strain on the flow. You can add a second D5 and have them running in parallel for extra redundancy, but not a necessity.

Fittings are pretty personal, there are a few brands out there, I personally only use BP compression fittings.

 

Tube size - Skinnier tubes are better for tighter bends, but 1/2" tube in my experience is the most common.

 

Res - There are heaps out there. PB make a tube res that can house a D5 pump at the bottom, which is what I use for convenience, otherwise there are numerous bay res's that can house a D5.

 

Brands - Once again, a personal thing. I boycott EK due to the way they handled quality control issues a few years back, and got burned. Also their new circle blocks look like balls.

Aquacomputer - This is my preferred brand for most components, they have sexy full copper blocks.

XSPC - Generally on the cheaper side of things, but they make some good kits

Swiftech - as above.

BitsPower - my fav fitting manufacturer

Plenty more out there...

lol yeah i search about the part but not the watercooling... so i can put D5 pump for 1 quad fan radiator 1 triple fan rad? i'm thinking about put 1 quad fan rad on a bottom and triple fan rad on top.. what do you suggest for 900D case..? i really want to make a really cool system... so it can last longer... but i'm also don't wanna put an overkill rad...

[abyssmale]

depends on what your budget is. I personally cheaped out on the pump and got an EK-DCP 4.0 (haven't regretted it, so far), but most people will recommend the D5 or the Laing DDC. Since this is your first WC-build, I'd suggest you go with a pump-res combo just to save you some cost and make the whole thing less complicated. here's an example: http://www.ekwb.com/shop/reservoirs-and-acc/res-pump-combo/ek-d5/ek-d5-vario-x-res-140-incl-pump.html

 

otherwise, think ahead of time and plan how you're going to be mounting the pump. You will likely have to drill some holes somewhere in the case and think of a way to dampen the vibrations of the pump, so that they don't get passed along into the case. I recommend foam sandwiches, but I'm not sure of how to mount the D5 or DDC on one, as I don't one of those.

yeah.. res pump combo its a good idea,, since i never build a watercooling system... lol thanks for the tips

[Kommandant33]

lol yeah i search about the part but not the watercooling... so i can put D5 pump for 1 quad fan radiator 1 triple fan rad? i'm thinking about put 1 quad fan rad on a bottom and triple fan rad on top.. what do you suggest for 900D case..? i really want to make a really cool system... so it can last longer... but i'm also don't wanna put an overkill rad...

1 D5 will be fine.

Like I said, RADs aren't the problem when you overload a loop, it's the blocks.

 

900D is a solid case. But I think the Enthloo Primo or whatever it is wins.

 

Most cool, clean looking builds that are featured and that get people excited about watercooling are almost ALWAYS never the builders first machine. It takes a lot of practice and knowledge AND money to build a decent watercooling loop.