Theory crafting my first loop

[Magicnanners]

Hello all,

 

I’m in the process of theorizing my first loop and wanted to get some advice and make sure I’m on the right track. My current build is as follows:

Case: Fractal Define R4 midtower circa 2014

CPU: 5700X3D

GPU: 3080 FTW 

The biggest single rad I can fit would be a 280mm though I’m not certain on thickness, haven’t had a chance to measure yet. Would that be enough cooling capacity or would I be better off adding a 120/140mm on the rear exhaust? 
 

Also, if anyone has a recommendation for a budget AM4 block, looking for something under $100US.

 

Thanks in advance!

[thrasher_565]

do you have a 3080 wb?

cheap $20 block works fine

[ChrisLoudon]

On 5/4/2025 at 3:25 AM, Magicnanners said:

Thanks in advance!

Hi buddy,

 

see below link for a bit more info on compatibility with the R4. Looks like there might be a bit of botchery but that's sometimes part and parcel of water cooling.

 

https://www.overclock.net/threads/fractal-design-r4-radiator-compatibility.1391696/

 

If this is your first loop then don't worry too much about getting it right first time. If you get the bug, it certainly won't be your last and chances are, you'll tinker around with it over a few iterations before moving onto the next project. My first outing into water cooling was with an o11 Dynamic and its been through 4 or 5 different loops.

 

Just remember, water cooling is now predominantly a fashion show exercise rather than a performance enhancing one. If you're going for looks, then yeh, whack a 120/140 rad at the rear.

 

I tend to find the best looking builds 'fill' the case nicely rather than blocks / pipes / pumps looking lost.

 

Are you starting with soft tubing or going balls-deep with hardline?

[Magicnanners]

On 5/9/2025 at 1:59 AM, thrasher_565 said:

do you have a 3080 wb?

cheap $20 block works fine

Yeah, I bought it used and the seller included an EK Vector block & backplate, it was the jumping off point for this whole ordeal haha.

On 5/14/2025 at 3:36 AM, ChrisLoudon said:

Hi buddy,

 

see below link for a bit more info on compatibility with the R4. Looks like there might be a bit of botchery but that's sometimes part and parcel of water cooling.

 

https://www.overclock.net/threads/fractal-design-r4-radiator-compatibility.1391696/

 

If this is your first loop then don't worry too much about getting it right first time. If you get the bug, it certainly won't be your last and chances are, you'll tinker around with it over a few iterations before moving onto the next project. My first outing into water cooling was with an o11 Dynamic and its been through 4 or 5 different loops.

 

Just remember, water cooling is now predominantly a fashion show exercise rather than a performance enhancing one. If you're going for looks, then yeh, whack a 120/140 rad at the rear.

 

I tend to find the best looking builds 'fill' the case nicely rather than blocks / pipes / pumps looking lost.

 

Are you starting with soft tubing or going balls-deep with hardline?

Yes, the R4 seems like it's going to be a bit of a cluster, but I'm fairly confident I can jank it together without too much trouble. I'm gonna check out that thread though, thank you for sharing! I'm mainly building a loop because I've wanted to try it since I started building computers but I never had a real need until now with this 3080 the fans can be super loud under load and I'd like to quiet things down a bit. Plus there's the bragging rights of being confident (or dumb) enough to pipe water around your electronics haha.

 

I've since found a good deal on a corsair block for my cpu, and found what I'm hoping is a killer deal on some rads on marketplace, BNIB EK 120,240, & 280mm rads for $60 shipped. Fingers crossed it's not a scam but sellers profile looked legit and worst case I paid with PayPal so I can always go that avenue. I'm sticking with soft tubing for now, I know my limits haha.Plus I've always preferred the look of soft tubing but I am a sucker for the early 2000's gamer aesthetic so what do I know haha.

 

I'll be sure to post pics of my build when I finally get it put together, thank you for your insight!