First Time Watercooling PC

[dima202]

Hello, this is my first time building a watercooled setup, so I would appreciate any comments on what I have planned so far.

I will be using my old hardware and some new:

 

Hardware:

Case: NZXT Switch 810 (Ordered from Amazon)

Mobo: P6TDeluxe V2 (2 of the dimms don't work anymore)

CPU: Intel i7 930

GPU: Radeon HD7970 Asus DCII (Just ordered, upgrade from HD 5850)

 

Water Cooling Parts:

ex-blc-1106

EK Radeon HD 7970 DCII VGA Liquid Cooling Block - Acetal (EK-FC7970 DCII - Acetal)

   Selected Options

• Select an Optional Backplate: EK 7970 DCII Backplate - Black ($34.99)

1 $147.94 $147.94 ex-mis-02

1/2" ID - (5/8" OD) PVC Clear Tubing 10 $2.00 $20.00 ex-rad-332

Alphacool NexXxoS UT60 Full Copper Dual 120mm Radiator 1 $74.99 $74.99 ex-blc-1444

EK Supremacy Universal CPU Liquid Cooling Block - Clean Nickel (EK-Supremacy Clean CSQ - Nickel) 1 $76.99 $76.99 ex-tub-480

Bitspower G1/4 Thread 90-Degree Rotary 1/2" ID x 5/8" OD Compression Fitting (BP-90R3CPF-CC4) 8 $17.99 $143.92 ex-tub-147

Bitspower G1/4" Thread 1/2" ID x 5/8" OD Compression Fitting (BP-CPF-CC4) 16 $7.49 $119.84 ex-tub-683

Bitspower G1/4 Thread 90-Degree Rotary 1/2" ID x 5/8" OD Compression Fitting - Silver Shining (BP-90R2LCPF-CC4) 5 $16.49 $82.45 ex-tub-1782

Bitspower Black O-Ring - (10 Pack) (BP-WTP-O10-BK) 3 $2.49 $7.47 ex-tub-1632

Bitspower Silver Shining Quick-Disconnected Male w/ Inner G1/4 (BP-QDMIG14) 1 $19.45 $19.45 ex-tub-1631

Bitspower Silver Shining Quick-Disconnected Female w/ G1/4 Thread (BP-QDFG14) 1 $15.95 $15.95 ex-tub-155

Bitspower G1/4" Chrome Stop Plug w/ O-Ring (BP-WTP-C06) 5 $2.99 $14.95 ex-rad-336

Alphacool NexXxoS XT45 Full Copper Triple 120mm Radiator 1 $79.99 $79.99 ex-pmp-214

Swiftech MCP655-PWM-DRIVE 12v Water Pump Module - PWM Enabled (Single Version) 1 $94.99 $94.99 fan-674

Scythe Gentle Typhoon 120mm x 25mm Fan - 1850 RPM (D1225C12B5AP-15) Hot Item !! 10 $17.95 $179.50 ex-tub-154

Bitspower Dual G1/4" Male / Male Fitting (BP-WTP-C08) 2 $4.99 $9.98 ex-tub-1034

Bitspower G1/4" Mini Valve - Black Sparkle (BP-MVV-BK) 1 $18.99 $18.99 ex-tub-950

Bitspower G1/4 Female to Female Extender - 25mm - Silver Shining (BP-WTP-C73) 1 $6.99 $6.99 ex-tub-705

IandH Silver KillCoils - Antimicrobial .999 Fine Silver Tubing / Reservoir Strip 1 $6.99 $6.99 ex-liq-154

IandH Dead-Water Copper Sulfate Biocidal PC Coolant Additive - 15 mL 1 $4.99 $4.99 ex-pmp-122

Bitspower D5 / MCP655 Extreme Pump Mod Top V2 - Acetal (BP-D5TOPP2EX-BK) 1 $59.95 $59.95 ex-pmp-120

Bitspower D5 / MCP655 Pump Mod Kit - Black Sparkle (BP-D5MA-BK) 1 $49.95 $49.95 ex-tub-808

Phobya G1/4 Pressure Safety Valve Fitting - Black Nickel (71126) 1 $8.99 $8.99 ex-tub-772

Bitspower G1/4 Male to Female Extender - 15mm - Silver Shining (BP-WTP-C60) 16 $5.49 $87.84 fan-cab-66

CabCool 4-pin 12v Molex to 6-Port 3-pin Power Hub 2 $9.99 $19.98 ex-res-528

FrozenQ PC NovaCore 220 Reservoir - UV Cathode - Black Rails 1 $64.99 $64.99

 

Update:

Finally pulled the trigger, subtotal is: $1,468.47

 Stay tuned, I will take photos of my current case configuration and after the water cooling parts are installed.

[airdeano]

first off - welcome to the forums..

the 60mm thick radiators can/will fit the 810 chassis, but maily depending on motherboard

obstructions (MOSFET 'sinks, memory slot/'sinks). googled switch 810 RX360 and

many issues and workarounds. so this info will apply also to the UT radiator.

late model quick disconnects (QDC) now have "spill-proof" sealing. this allows connection

and disconnects without coolant leak/loss. plug QDC into receptacle attached to a

hose and now it'll allow evacuation of coolant. i would not use the pump to discharge

the coolant, gravity works easier without electricity and pump failure. with drain line

attached, a vent on top will allow quicker discharge. there will always be residual coolant

in low lying and low level nooks and crannies. 100% drainage is not going to happen..

angle fittings (unless completely rigged) will not contribute to much of a pressure drop,

no worries. tbh, too much "fine-line" issues and all is mainly based on aesthetics.

if worried about restriction, then use straight fittings and large loop connections. and that

isn't as well as the more tubing, the more head pressure needed.. lesser of two evils..

as for temperatures.. a lot of different variables can change the end result.. but..

if on air-cooling you have CPU temperature of 70°, ambient 25° delta 45°

not far off with water-cooling you have CPU temperature of 45°, ambient 25° delta 20°

tying a GPU might affect the overall temps by 15°-30° depending on overclocks and

ambient as well.

airdeano

[dima202]

Thank you, I will give it a week more of thoughts and planning and will post here with my final build asap :)

Very nice and clear explanations, I actually decided on xt45 alphacool for top and ut60 for bottom.

 

Will post more questions as they come up here if you don't mind.

 

Can I use the back of radiator on xt60 as a drain? I want to connect a drain valve and quick disconnects to the front of the case and since the lowest point is really the radiator, I was thinking of using it for that purpose.

[airdeano]

 

Can I use the back of radiator on xt60 as a drain?

 

that's why it was put there on the UT/Monsta models for venting and draining.

 

airdeano

[dima202]

that's why it was put there on the UT/Monsta models for venting and draining.

 

airdeano

 

I am thinking of making a quick disconnect somewhere on top for easy access which I can blow using my electrical duster to force liquid out into the drain that will be connected to ut 60 drain port.

So first I will just let gravity do the work and then I will disconnect somewhere on top between xt45 and res. put in my electric duster into the pipe and let the liquid drain.

Very worried my drain is not going to work :(

[Ghost]

I am thinking of making a quick disconnect somewhere on top for easy access which I can blow using my electrical duster to force liquid out into the drain that will be connected to ut 60 drain port.

So first I will just let gravity do the work and then I will disconnect somewhere on top between xt45 and res. put in my electric duster into the pipe and let the liquid drain.

Very worried my drain is not going to work :(

You can tilt the case so the port is the lowest point. Then it will drain fully.

 

You have to remember to open the reservoir though so that air can get in as the water gets out.

[airdeano]

I am thinking of making a quick disconnect somewhere on top for easy access which I can blow using my electrical duster to force liquid out into the drain that will be connected to ut 60 drain port.

So first I will just let gravity do the work and then I will disconnect somewhere on top between xt45 and res. put in my electric duster into the pipe and let the liquid drain.

Very worried my drain is not going to work :(

 

be very careful of building pressure in these types of systems. the rads, blocks and pump

can handle it, but the fittings, tubing and small O-rings are not.. nuttin' like pressure and

 

KAAAA_BLUIE! coolant, dys and what not over everything..

 

airdeano

[Ghost]

be very careful of building pressure in these types of systems. the rads, blocks and pump

can handle it, but the fittings, tubing and small O-rings are not.. nuttin' like pressure and

 

KAAAA_BLUIE! coolant, dys and what not over everything

http://www.specialtech.co.uk/spshop/customer/Phobya-14-Thread-Pressure-Release-Valve--Silver-pid-14394.html

 

:o

[dima202]

Reserved!

For future photo uploads....

[airdeano]

http://www.specialtech.co.uk/spshop/customer/Phobya-14-Thread-Pressure-Release-Valve--Silver-pid-14394.html

 

:o

 

g-man, those are great, but these are closed (and pretty much filled full) systems.

the pop-off should be a puke-tank to catch dispersed fluid when system is over

pressure. if not.. ZZZzzZZZZ electrical problems.. those pop-offs are great for

gas/air usage, not a fluid.. would have been nice that a tube could vent to it at least.

 

airdeano

[Ghost]

g-man, those are great, but these are closed (and pretty much filled full) systems.

the pop-off should be a puke-tank to catch dispersed fluid when system is over

pressure. if not.. ZZZzzZZZZ electrical problems.. those pop-offs are great for

gas/air usage, not a fluid.. would have been nice that a tube could vent to it at least.

 

airdeano

Screw it into the fill port at the top of your res instead of the blank fitting.

[airdeano]

Screw it into the fill port at the top of your res instead of the blank fitting.

 

yes and then the "escaping" something is going?? where?? i run my reservoir pretty

full 95-99% full.. i guess run that back a bit to 90% so only air is burped from the system

in case of over pressurized..

 

airdeano

[Ghost]

i guess run that back a bit to 90% so only air is burped from the system

in case of over pressurized..

That's the idea. ;)

 

It would be moist air but its still not squirting out water.

[dima202]

Just got the switch 810 case and put in my old pc parts and it's such a wonderful case.

I've built many cases for work, friends and myself. Never has the case looked so clean and comfortable to work with.

Can't wait to start water cooling it!

Here is my latest revision...

 

About to pull the trigger, any last comments before I do?

 

Update:

I just noticed that I was ordering 16 male to male connectors and instead I wanted male to female!

Man, glad I caught it.

[airdeano]

you might wanna check PPC.com as they have a lot of those same parts a little cheaper

and FedEx is usually 2-day for the same or better than USPS.

 

airdeano

[dima202]

Thanks airdeano, unfortunately many items are out of stock. Guess the price is just to good ;)

I was thinking about the pressure valve and the reservoir. This particular reservoir only has one hole on top and I am not sure if I can reverse the top and bottom.

 

If the design allows for this than great.

In case it does not, can I install a T fitting on the top or something?

 

The top 360 radiator will be going back into the reservoir to the top as it would be the shortest route.

 

Dima.

[Shyxlol]

Remember that you have to fill up your loop probably using the top port of your reservoir. So make sure that you can put your reservoir upside down or you're gonna have a bad time filling up your loop (like putting your case upside down like 4-6 times or something like that to fill up).

[dima202]

I will soon post lots of pictures and videos, problems, solutions, etc...

For now, here is my current state of the build:

[dima202]

My review of

FrozenQ PC NovaCore 220 Reservoir - UV Cathode - Black Rails 1 $64.99 $64.99

This reservoir had the potential to be a very cool.
Instead I had problems fitting the legs and I must have gotten a defective unit as it also leaked.
The legs are some kind of plastic.
Screws that hold the top and bottom circular mountings stripped the threads with very little force.

The mounts for res to case are flimsy and I broke one of the legs.

Overall I had a very bad experience with this product. I've heard so many good things about FrozenQ, but this was just such a let down.

Drove to Microcenter and bought the simplest reservoir I could find, which was the swiftech MCRES Micro Rev2
Could not be happier.

[dima202]

My mcp-655-pwm also came defective, the pwm does not show anything in bios or speedfan.

It also runs very poorly and after extensive testing I am sure the pump is not working to specs.

Here are videos I made showing the flow rate of the pump:

and the previous video I posted "Questioning My Watercooling Performance"  shows the flow of everything connected.

I contacted frozencpu and we came to a resolution that I can order a new pump and return this one which will be refunded.

 

P.S. Even with this horrible flow rate my i7 o/c to 3.8ghz I am getting high 40s C idle and 80 C on full load. HD 7970 is 30 C idle and highest I've seen is 45 C full load.

 

Can't wait to install the replacement.

[dima202]

The EK waterblock mounted to my ASUS HD 7970 DCII with back plate.