'Practise' Custom Loop

[Fattoxthegreat]

This might seem silly, but I've been mulling over the idea of building a budget PC in order to try my hand at a custom loop. I wouldn't want to not know what I was doing and potentially ruin expensive hardware. The idea is of course to buy cooling components that I can reuse in a later build. Might seem pointless, but the learning experience is more valuable to me than the finished computer.

 

The CPU waterblock is not an issue, but I was wondering what GPU I could buy that would be both inexpensive and easy to find a custom waterblock for? I know they make these "One size fits all" blocks that only cool the GPU and not the VRegs or RAM, but I am more looking for a block that cools everything. The overall cost of both is the only concern, so if I need to buy a more expensive card to get a cheaper block or vise versa then so be it.

 

Also willing to hear reasons why this idea is stupid entirely.

 

Thanks in advance.

[Freaky_spider]

i suppose you could buy a 770 with a 780 (TI) PCB and get a 780 (TI) WB and then later buy a 780 (ti)

 

(if that excists at all)

[spwath]

I wood just do a loop with no components to practice

[79wjd]

I dont really think its worthwhile to buy a test card and a test block...installing a block is pretty straightforward--remove the cooer, clean up and reapply paste, apply VRAM heatsinks if necessary, and then install the block. 

[Fattoxthegreat]

I dont really think its worthwhile to buy a test card and a test block...installing a block is pretty straightforward--remove the cooer, clean up and reapply paste, apply VRAM heatsinks if necessary, and then install the block. 

 

Actually, even though I think it would be nice to get to try evey part of building a custom loop, that part is not really my main concern. My main concern is filling the loop and circulating the coolant to bleed all the air. It seems rather involved and I've seen a few people Youtube screw this part up nearly frying their hardware. Also messing up and spilling the coolant everywhere ruining Christmas for everyone.

[79wjd]

Actually, even though I think it would be nice to get to try evey part of building a custom loop, that part is not really my main concern. My main concern is filling the loop and circulating the coolant to bleed all the air. It seems rather involved and I've seen a few people Youtube screw this part up nearly frying their hardware. Also messing up and spilling the coolant everywhere ruining Christmas for everyone.

Just run an empty loop then. Also, if you run the pump without powering on any of the components theirs no risk of frying anything--other than the pump...but thats only going to happen if you run it dry. 

[Fattoxthegreat]

Just run an empty loop then.

Valid point. Can't really argue with that.

[aduman]

Actually, even though I think it would be nice to get to try evey part of building a custom loop, that part is not really my main concern. My main concern is filling the loop and circulating the coolant to bleed all the air. It seems rather involved and I've seen a few people Youtube screw this part up nearly frying their hardware. Also messing up and spilling the coolant everywhere ruining Christmas for everyone.

 

Just watch loads of videos and read some articles and you should be fine. I was afraid of attempting to water-cool my system but now I feel pretty confident!

 

LTT is always here to help you too.