Part selection

[Jerakl]

I'm going to transfer my build into an enthoo Pro.

I'm just going to cool my gpu/cpu.

Specs

i7-4700k

880 ti (yeah m8)

I'm going to get the windowed version, so I want a cylindrical res that looks nice and a decently quiet pump.

Oh yeah, it's going to be red themed so take that into account please.

Also, what type of fans are better for rads, static pressure or airflow.

And what's the best type of fittings.

Thanks for the help, because I don't know much about watercooling!

If you need any more info feel free to ask,

[ddbtkd456]

I'm going to transfer my build into an enthoo Luxe

I'm just going to cool my gpu/cpu.

Specs

i7-4700k

880 ti (yeah m8)

I'm going to get the windowed version, so I want a cylindrical res that looks nice and a decently quiet pump.

Oh yeah, it's going to be red themed so take that into account please.

Also, what type of fans are better for rads, static pressure or airflow.

And what's the best type of fittings.

Thanks for the help, because I don't know much about watercooling!

If you need any more info feel free to ask,

 

120mm or 140 mm fans?

[Shaqo_Wyn]

I'm going to transfer my build into an enthoo Pro.

I'm just going to cool my gpu/cpu.

Specs

i7-4700k

880 ti (yeah m8)

I'm going to get the windowed version, so I want a cylindrical res that looks nice and a decently quiet pump.

Oh yeah, it's going to be red themed so take that into account please.

Also, what type of fans are better for rads, static pressure or airflow.

And what's the best type of fittings.

Thanks for the help, because I don't know much about watercooling!

If you need any more info feel free to ask,

Best fittings. Compression fittings. Bitspower

 

Best fans: static pressure optimized

120: NF-F12's, NB E-loops, NB PL-2, Corsair SP (IF you don't mind the crazy noise).

 

140: NF-A14, NB PK2 or PK3.

[Jerakl]

120mm or 140 mm fans?

  

Best fittings. Compression fittings. Bitspower

 

Best fans: static pressure optimized

120: NF-F12's, NB E-loops, NB PL-2, Corsair SP (IF you don't mind the crazy noise).

 

140: NF-A14, NB PK2 or PK3.

What to performance/cost increase ratio.

Also, EK WB 4 life

[Shaqo_Wyn]

  

What to performance/cost increase ratio.

Also, EK WB 4 life

Haha, I don't really understand your reply. EK water blocks 4 life, agreed. Compression fittings? Bitspower. Their selection of straight, angled, adapter and extension fittings is unmatched in both colors and aesthetics/clean-ness (this is of course IMO). 

[Jerakl]

Haha, I don't really understand your reply. EK water blocks 4 life, agreed. Compression fittings? Bitspower. Their selection of straight, angled, adapter and extension fittings is unmatched in both colors and aesthetics/clean-ness (this is of course IMO).

Sorry, I meant the fans. What is the performance increase/ cost ratio of using 140 mm fans instead of 120mm?

[ddbtkd456]

  

What to performance/cost increase ratio.

Also, EK WB 4 life

 

Honestly....its a preference matter...one person might say this another person might say that....listen tho..

Screw Nocuta fans...they will ruin your build..

1. Are the quiet? Yes
2. Are they completely overpriced? Yes
3. Are they ugly to look at? Yes

Both for 120mm and 140mm I would go with Rosewill HyperBorea fans...they are about 9-10 dollars a piece and are just as good and quality as Nocuta fans.

 

For compression there really is no compression better then others...some might say that the bitspower ones are the best? If your going for a EK part build I would honestly get some EK compressions to match it.

 

Also if it fits in your case try and go with a 140/280 radiator for the 140mm fans, they spin slower which in turn creates less noise then 120 mm....plus you can turn them up past a 120mm limit.

[Shaqo_Wyn]

Sorry, I meant the fans. What is the performance increase/ cost ratio of using 140 mm fans instead of 120mm?

There isn't one, really. The choice between 120mm and 140mm fans should be made based on your needs/what your case can accommodate. Especially when we're talking about fans for rads, it's not recommend you use 120mm fans on a 140mm rad or the other way around. If you use fans that are too big or too small you won't create a good enough seal with the rads and you'll lose a lot of the air and performance.

 

Even when talking, about case fans it's up to you whether you want 120's or 140's. One could argue that 140mm fans move more air at lower rpm and are therefor quieter but what fans you use matters way more than the size of them. It's up to you if you consider $25 for Noctua's or other premium fans worth it for the superior performance. I know I do. 

[Jerakl]

Honestly....its a preference matter...one person might say this another person might say that....listen tho..

Screw Nocuta fans...they will ruin your build..

• Are the quiet? Yes
• Are they completely overpriced? Yes
• Are they ugly to look at? Yes

Both for 120mm and 140mm I would go with Rosewill HyperBorea fans...they are about 9-10 dollars a piece and are just as good and quality as Nocuta fans.

 

For compression there really is no compression better then others...some might say that the bitspower ones are the best? If your going for a EK part build I would honestly get some EK compressions to match it.

 

Also if it fits in your case try and go with a 140/280 radiator for the 140mm fans, they spin slower which in turn creates less noise then 120 mm....plus you can turn them up past a 120mm limit.

I think the pro can fit a 420mm rad at the top. I might just go for a 360 though.

[ddbtkd456]

I think the pro can fit a 420mm rad at the top. I might just go for a 360 though.

 

A 420 would give you more efficient cooling....as for @Shaqu_Wyn I have no problem with what you said...however it does make a difference on the radiator that you choose based on how cold you want your system. I would go for the 480 just because it will be quieter to push the same amount of air thru the radiator...plus you shouldn't diss a pro

[Shaqo_Wyn]

A 420 would give you more efficient cooling....as for @Shaqu_Wyn I have no problem with what you said...however it does make a difference on the radiator that you choose based on how cold you want your system. I would go for the 480 just because it will be quieter to push the same amount of air thru the radiator...plus you shouldn't diss a pro

What matters in terms of cooling is rad surface area and having the right fans for your rads. My point was 140mm fans for 140mm rads, 120mm fans for 120mm rads.

 

P.S: Ain't nobody trying to diss you bruh .

[Najuno]

A 420 would give you more efficient cooling....as for @Shaqu_Wyn I have no problem with what you said...however it does make a difference on the radiator that you choose based on how cold you want your system. I would go for the 480 just because it will be quieter to push the same amount of air thru the radiator...plus you shouldn't diss a pro

 

The temp is depending on more factors than just the sheer size of a radiator... sure when you put more heat into the loop the better a bigger radiator will spread it. But as a matter of fact there is a lot more to it than that. Because it only gets as cold as your environmental temp is. And how good you can discharge your heat depends on the FPI ratio, on the flow ratio and the radiator size, active or passive cooling of the loop and how much fluid you have and to go pro here, how you put the loop together. The size of the tubing isn´t that  important, everthing from 1/4" ID is okay. What really matters in a water cooled loop is the temp. Delta btw...

 

But I don´t know if I can take the OP here really serious. I´ve seen some CPUs before but never an i7 4700K and the nVidia GTX880 (not to mention that it´ll probably take 4-6 weeks after launch until the first waterblocks will be launched) will launch in Q3 or Q4 this year. At this point no one knows if there will ever be a GTX 880Ti...

 

@ OP read the How it´s made thread here in the forum first please and don´t expect other people to do all the research for you... or if you can afford it bring me your PC when it´s time and I´ll built that for you I built custom PCs on a professional level .

 

http://linustechtips.com/main/topic/5435-watercooling-faq-some-basic-qa/

[ddbtkd456]

The temp is depending on more factors than just the sheer size of a radiator... sure when you put more heat into the loop the better a bigger radiator will spread it. But as a matter of fact there is a lot more to it than that. Because it only gets as cold as your environmental temp is. And how good you can discharge your heat depends on the FPI ratio, on the flow ratio and the radiator size, active or passive cooling of the loop and how much fluid you have and to go pro here, how you put the loop together. The size of the tubing isn´t that  important, everthing from 1/4" ID is okay. What really matters in a water cooled loop is the temp. Delta btw...

 

But I don´t know if I can take the OP here really serious. I´ve seen some CPUs before but never an i7 4700K and the nVidia GTX880 (not to mention that it´ll probably take 4-6 weeks after launch until the first waterblocks will be launched) will launch in Q3 or Q4 this year. At this point no one knows if there will ever be a GTX 880Ti...

 

@ OP read the How it´s made threat here in the forum first please and don´t expect other people to do all the research for you... or if you can afford it bring me your PC when it´s time and I´ll built that for you I built custom PCs on a professional level .

 

http://linustechtips.com/main/topic/5435-watercooling-faq-some-basic-qa/

 

Pretty much have to agree with this. I've suck months into planning out my loop and I even have house plumbing experience.

[Jerakl]

What matters in terms of cooling is rad surface area and having the right fans for your rads. My point was 140mm fans for 140mm rads, 120mm fans for 120mm rads.

P.S: Ain't nobody trying to diss you bruh .

From what I understand a 360mm is 120mm ?

The temp is depending on more factors than just the sheer size of a radiator... sure when you put more heat into the loop the better a bigger radiator will spread it. But as a matter of fact there is a lot more to it than that. Because it only gets as cold as your environmental temp is. And how good you can discharge your heat depends on the FPI ratio, on the flow ratio and the radiator size, active or passive cooling of the loop and how much fluid you have and to go pro here, how you put the loop together. The size of the tubing isn´t that important, everthing from 1/4" ID is okay. What really matters in a water cooled loop is the temp. Delta btw...

But I don´t know if I can take the OP here really serious. I´ve seen some CPUs before but never an i7 4700K and the nVidia GTX880 (not to mention that it´ll probably take 4-6 weeks after launch until the first waterblocks will be launched) will launch in Q3 or Q4 this year. At this point no one knows if there will ever be a GTX 880Ti...

@ OP read the How it´s made thread here in the forum first please and don´t expect other people to do all the research for you... or if you can afford it bring me your PC when it´s time and I´ll built that for you I built custom PCs on a professional level .

http://linustechtips.com/main/topic/5435-watercooling-faq-some-basic-qa/

I was trying to type this on my family iPad. I meant 4770k and GTX 880 ti (unreleased). This won't be for a while as 1. The GPU isn't out yet and 2. I don't have any money at this point in time.

The reasons for me posting this is because I want to have it planned out. I like planning ahead.

[Shaqo_Wyn]

From what I understand a 360mm is 120mm ?

Yep, also known as a triple 120mm radiator. 

[Jerakl]

Yep, also known as a triple 120mm radiator.

So a 280mm rad would be for 140mm fans? Or a double 140 radiator?

[Najuno]

I was trying to type this on my family iPad. I meant 4770k and GTX 880 ti (unreleased). This won't be for a while as 1. The GPU isn't out yet and 2. I don't have any money at this point in time.

The reasons for me posting this is because I want to have it planned out. I like planning ahead.

Okay I understand that and planning is important... but how can you plan with a GPU that no one knows if it ever will be released... it don´t get the picture here somehow .

 

As a rule of thumb for a custom CPU loop you will probably end up between 450-650 USD depending on the quality of the single parts.

[Jerakl]

Okay I understand that and planning is important... but how can you plan with a GPU that no one knows if it ever will be released... it don´t get the picture here somehow .

 

As a rule of thumb for a custom CPU loop you will probably end up between 450-650 USD depending on the quality of the single parts.

880 is q3/q4. 880 ti is me speculating. If they not release that then 880. We just leave GPU WB out for now

[ddbtkd456]

So a 280mm rad would be for 140mm fans? Or a double 140 radiator?

 

Right simple break down

 

120 mm rads = 120/240/360/480

140 mm rads = 140/280/420/560/840 (They currently do not make a 5x140mm radiator to my knowledge)

 

That should help you or a simplier way is fan mm x number of fans

 

for instance

 

360 = 120 mm (fan size) * 3 fans on a radiator

[Najuno]

880 is q3/q4. 880 ti is me speculating. If they not release that then 880. We just leave GPU WB out for now

Anyways... whatever card you go with if you build a custom water cooled loop with CPU and GPU (no RAM or mainboard) with 2 good rads and all heatsinks it´s going to be between 800-1000 USD. Just to give you a direction on how much money you should plan.

 

BTW a good way to save is i.e. buy your distilled water through a super market. In the online shops they sell a gallon for 20 USD in a super market you get a gallon for under 1 USD. And same with perma clamps for barb fittings and zip ties and stuff. Buy all that equipment at home depot and you will end up a bit cheaper. And there´s not really a difference in what you buy online.

 

All other stuff like barb/compression fittings, tubing, radiator and res/pumps just as the heatsinks themselves should be bought new and through trustworthy water cooling companies.

[Jerakl]

Right simple break down

 

120 mm rads = 120/240/360/480

140 mm rads = 140/280/420/560/840 (They currently do not make a 5x140mm radiator to my knowledge)

 

That should help you or a simplier way is fan mm x number of fans

 

for instance

 

360 = 120 mm (fan size) * 3 fans on a radiator

  

Thanks!

Anyways... whatever card you go with if you build a custom water cooled loop with CPU and GPU (no RAM or mainboard) with 2 good rads and all heatsinks it´s going to be between 800-1000 USD. Just to give you a direction on how much money you should plan.

 

BTW a good way to save is i.e. buy your distilled water through a super market. In the online shops they sell a gallon for 20 USD in a super market you get a gallon for under 1 USD. And same with perma clamps for barb fittings and zip ties and stuff. Buy all that equipment at home depot and you will end up a bit cheaper. And there´s not really a difference in what you buy online.

 

All other stuff like barb/compression fittings, tubing, radiator and res/pumps just as the heatsinks themselves should be bought new and through trustworthy water cooling companies.

Ok thanks! Could you direct me towards some good rads/fittings/tubing/pump/res manufacturers?

[Shaqo_Wyn]

So a 280mm rad would be for 140mm fans? Or a double 140 radiator?

Dual 140mm.

Ok thanks! Could you direct me towards some good rads/fittings/tubing/pump/res manufacturers?

Rads: EK, Aplhacool, Hardware Labs, XSPC

Fittings: EK, Bitspower, Monsoon, Koolance

Tubing: Primochill Advanced LRT

Pump: Swiftech MCP655 or any other Liang D5 rebrand

Pump/ tube res combo: EK or Bitspower

[ddbtkd456]

Thanks!

Ok thanks! Could you direct me towards some good rads/fittings/tubing/pump/res manufacturers?

Well I would need the components that are being watercooled for sure.

Rads: EK, Aplhacool, Hardware Labs, XSPC

Fittings: EK, Bitspower, Monsoon, Koolance

Tubing: Primochill Advanced LRT

Pump: Swiftech MCP655 or any other Liang D5 rebrand

Pump/res combo: EK or Bitspower

I agree with everything except the res...while it might not matter too much the tube res is always better especially when cleaning your system.

[Shaqo_Wyn]

I agree with everything except the res...while it might not matter too much the tube res is always better especially when cleaning your system.

I am talking about their tube rezzy's, should probably specify that.

[Najuno]

  

Thanks!

Ok thanks! Could you direct me towards some good rads/fittings/tubing/pump/res manufacturers?

 

There are many brands out there but from personal expirience Alphacool, EK and Phobya make really good radiators.

 

Fittings are always a bit more a matter of personal choice but Koolance, EK, Alphacool and Enzotech (they are great and look fantastic) are reliable brands.

 

Tubing same as for the fittings. Primochill and XSPC are the brands that I use for all builds.

 

When it comes to pumps most pumps are just rebrands for all named brands like EK. My favorite here is D5 variable Swiftech MCP655. Sure the DDC pumps are good as well and when you don´t have the space for a D5 a good solution. Important here is that the pump comes with a ceramic bearing and not steel.

 

Now as reservoir the opinions spread more than anything since there are so many variations out there. Bay res, stand alone tube res, pump/res combos. But Bitfenix, EK and all named brands are a save way to go.

 

I hope this helps you a bit more to plane your own full custom loop.