Components

[StealthArsenal]

Hello all,

Looking to get more in depth into watercooling. I don't pretend to know all that much, but I do understand the concepts and the need to use good quality components (this would seem obvious to anyone who is a pc enthusiast). With that said, lets start with my current system specs.  Keep in mind that I will be upgrade this rig to Skylake later this year when all is released. I also have a EVGA Supernova 1000G2 I will be using in this rebuild.

Case - NZXT H440
CPU - i7-3770k @4.3 ghz with H100i
Mobo - Gigabyte Z77-UD5H
Mem - 16gb DDR3-1333
GPU - 2 x EVGA GTX 970 FTW+
SSD - Kingston Hyper X 240gb
HDD - 2 x 1TB WD Black
PSU - Seasonic X-760
Fans - Noctua NF-F12

With all that out of the way, I currently own a Swiftech MCR-220 Quiet Rad without res. I am planning to water cool the cpu and both gpu's.  I am not planning on setting the water cooling up in the H440 but rather a Corsair 780t.  Here is what I have speced/been looking at:

 

• GPU Blocks w/Backplates and 4 straight fittings - $337 - EKWB
• CPU Block - Supremacy Evo (Might even go to the new MX) - $72.95
• Triple Rad - Swiftech Extreme Triple 120 - $67.95
• Tubing - $27.80
• XSPC Photon 170 with D5 - $149.99 or Swiftech Maelstorm -$139.99
• Alphacool Compression 45s - 41.70 (6 total)
• Swiftech Straight Compression - 15.96 (4 total) might not need these if I use retractable on GPU
• Alphacool 90 - 13.90 (2 total)
• Retractable - 14.99
• Kill Coil - 6.99
• Drain - 12.79

Thoughts on this? Should I look at something different? Everything is price from EKWB or Performance PCS.

 

In addition here is my proposed loop configuration:

 

 

Based on this, I think I can use the following compression fittings:

1 - (240mm Rad to Pump): 45-degree at the Radiator and 90-degree at the pump
2 - (240mm Rad to GPU No. 2): 90-degree at GPU and Straight at radiator
3 - (GPU Link): Retractable and/or straight fittings utilizing extra tubing
4 - (GPU No.1 to 360mm Rad): 45-degree at GPU No. 1 to straight at Radiator
5 - (360mm Rad to CPU): 45-degree fittings
6 - (CPU to Res): Not sure how it will mount but it could be two 45's or a 45 at CPU and straight at pump.

 

I need to do a double check on fittings and such.  Might have to change some fittings for just blanks.

 

Thoughts on this plan?

 

Thanks

Chris

[Awkward Turtle]

Seems ok to me, just make sure you use decent tubing like primo chill advanced LRT, stuff if really good. Also Can't stress enough how important it is to have a couple of drains in the lower part of the pc.

Good job so far, would love to see pics once finished.

[StealthArsenal]

I did forget to mention tubing size and such.  I was looking to run 10/13 (3/8" to 1/2").  I was looking at the Koolance UV Green tubing, but performance-pcs has Primochill pro lrt (pro not the advanced) on sale at $.99 a foot. 

 

As an aside, I do realize the EK Supremacy MX block is new, but thoughts on that block versus EVO?  From what I am reading, they are fairly close in performance.  I was wondering if the Evo is now just more of paying for the flagship (i.e. name).

[StealthArsenal]

It would seem now that EK is not going to revise their 970 FTW waterblock for the FTW+ 970.  With that said, I am reconsidering my watercooling idea and switching it up to a Swiftech H240-X.  Thoughts on this, or should I maybe consider something else?  The way I look at it, I could install the H240-X and then add the Swiftech radiator I already own into the mix and call it a day.  This does leave a bit of a sour taste in my mouth as I was prepared to WC my entire new right, but it just seems a bit anticlimactic now to build up a custom loop.

 

Thoughts?