First time watercooling set-up

[uofaboy]

Hey guys,

 

I'm new to this forum but I've been an avid follower of LinusTechTips for a while now. Up to this point, I've been assembling my own pc since I was 12 and have always used air cooling. I'm currently employing the closed loop liquid cooler, Corsair H100i and it has served me well for the time being but with plans to do some overclocking (as I've never really bothered to do so in the past), I feel that water cooling will help in that endeavor, not to mention the decreased sound. 

 

I currently have purchased this set-up and am awaiting for them to arrive to set-up: 

 

XSPC RX360 D5 Water Cooling Kit (comes with a 360mm radiator) + Copper CPU Block + Bay Res

XSPC UV Red 2M flex tubing,

7/16" Chrome Compression fittings

EKWB Strix Nickel + Acetal GPU Water blocks X2 (for SLI)

And another AX360 white radiator

I plan to use Corsair SP120mm fans on the radiators

 

I plan to use the components on my Intel i7 4790K + GTX 980 Sli + Corsair AX860 build.. 

 

Am I missing anything? Thanks in advance! 

[airdeano]

@uofaboy

welcome to the Linus Tech Tips forums!

 

what case are you using?

for a CPU/2x GPU loop the RX360 and RX240 would be sufficient for comfortable

temperatures and low fan speed (sub 1100 rpm). 

[uofaboy]

@uofaboy

welcome to the Linus Tech Tips forums!

 

what case are you using?

for a CPU/2x GPU loop the RX360 and RX240 would be sufficient for comfortable

temperatures and low fan speed (sub 1100 rpm). 

 

Thanks Airdeano! 

 

I'm using the Phanteks Enthoo Primo case.. I heard it is specifically designed with watercoolers in mind. Would you advise not using the second radiator then? Thanks.

[airdeano]

@uofaboy

 

i'd use the RX480 in the roof and call it a day. for awesome overkill and sub

800rpm fan speeds, 2x RX480 for giggles.

but for starters, the RX480 is plenty. i had 2x 480 in a 780 SLI and in 25° ambient

the GPUs max heat (with 1.375v OC) 58° and fans stayed 800rpm. the CPU was

different as it stayed 70° on 1.375v (4770k)

if the 360 is already purchased, then go with that and upgrade with RX480 in the

roof and the RX360 in the floor if you can't send the RX360 back.

[uofaboy]

I was planning also on externally mounting the radiators but the Primo case doesn't have pre-made holes for tubing.. I think I will go with the 2x 480.. I tend to always go for "excess" rather than minimum... 

[airdeano]

@uofaboy,

you won't be disappointed. roll with the first one and get it dialed in and then

upgrade to the 2nd 480. and you'll prolly poop can the bay res and go tubular:

 

/

[uofaboy]

I actually didn't intend to get the XSPC kit with the bay res.. I accidentally chose the non-photon version.... but I'm browsing tubular ones now... any suggestions on size? I'm liking the nice white/red contrast!

[airdeano]

although the primo is huugggeeee! it can get cramped pretty quick with 2x GPU.

one can either sacrifice on reservoir size, make something large fit, remove the

ODD support plate or some have carved the res bracket to make the fit.

 

i liked the photon, but it was too fragile to use. the primochill looks better (@Whaler_99)

and is mildly narrow. koolance makes a pump top/tube res kit, too. has multiple

tube heights for fitment. and then there is bitspower and others.

 

[uofaboy]

I feel that there are so many options with the Primo case... lots of expandability choices.. I've already removed the hdd bays and maybe the 5.25" drive bays but I still need to plan out some more... I do want to have a clean, efficient loop (shortest as possible)..  what's your opinion on Bitspower? I've done some research on EKWB and XSPC but don't really know about Bitspower, Koolance and such.. 

[Overkilled]

Nice!

[airdeano]

I feel that there are so many options with the Primo case... lots of expandability choices.. I've already removed the hdd bays and maybe the 5.25" drive bays but I still need to plan out some more... I do want to have a clean, efficient loop (shortest as possible)..  what's your opinion on Bitspower? I've done some research on EKWB and XSPC but don't really know about Bitspower, Koolance and such.. 

 

bits has been at this a long time. koolance has been involved since their existence longer than ek/XSPC.

it pretty much is the look/price as they all function the same.

[uofaboy]

Yeah, I saw that -- Bits has alot of WC stuff... I ended up getting most of my compression fittings from them. 

[uofaboy]

So I got all my parts and now, I am ready to start! Wish me luck! I will post pictures as I go.

[uofaboy]

GPU Water block installation.