can somebody explain to me the sorcery of custom watercooling

[inactive account]

SO TAKING A TRIP ON THE NCIX SITE INTERESTED IN CUSTOM WATER COOLING BECAUSE IT SOUNDS BAD ASS AND USUALLY LOOKS ALL WILLY NILLY COOL

 

and then when I come here I'm just completely dumb founded

 

 

so it'd be nice if someone could like give me a guide to all of this and what not...

 

Also how does one liquid cool a GPU?

[Prastupok]

At this stage in the game... it's nothing more than some ePeen. You get cooler temperatures, and by extension, better overclocks... but all current parts can do fine on air cooling.

 

However, a lot of us love doing it because we can.

[spartaman64]

you need a gpu block to draw heat from the gpu into the water then a radiator and fans to push the heat into the air. a pump keeps the water circulating and a reservoir makes sure you dont run out of water. tubs connect the parts and water flows though the tubes and fittings keep the tubes in place and thats about it

 

you dont really need to get a coolant distilled water works just as well and you need distilled in case the loop leaks so it doesnt destroy your components and coolants are usually non conductive as well

 

it doesnt really seem too difficult but then again i never made one myself but the theory is simple enough

[FloRolf]

there are like 10000 youtube channels about this out there.You don't learn watercooling in a simple thread.

[,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,]

Watch some videos. Also beginner kits are nice if you know nothing. I personally started off with a hardline loop because I'm badapples.

[ImBleu]

You get blocks for your CPU, GPU and sometimes Ram & Motherboard too, this allows heat to dissipate from the component to the radiator through the loop.

 

You connect fittings to the blocks which then goes to piping then ends in another fitting which connects to either the next component (if multiple GPUs or CPU+GPU setup) and then on to a pump, radiator and reservoir. 

 

 

Basically, You need the blocks for whatever component(s) you are watercooling, radiator(s), a pump (D5 is recommended) and a reservoir (to store excess water). Between each of these parts just run pipes that have fittings on each end, think of it as plugging things into each other in a way. 

 

As for the order, you should generally have the pump and reservoir consecutively after each other.

[DarkBlade2117]

Honestly, if it was up to me Id build one of those $300 Custom PCs and practice water cooling on it and reuse the parts. So if there's a leak you find a way to fix it so it don't happen again ect.. I don't know how well,it would work but atleast ifmit failed,you for say lost. $300 pc instead of (just spitting out random numbers) your $1500 build. Watch tons of videos.

[inactive account]

You get blocks for your CPU, GPU and sometimes Ram & Motherboard too

I never knew you could water cool ram...?

[d3sl91]

SO TAKING A TRIP ON THE NCIX SITE INTERESTED IN CUSTOM WATER COOLING BECAUSE IT SOUNDS BAD ASS AND USUALLY LOOKS ALL WILLY NILLY COOL

 

and then when I come here I'm just completely dumb founded

 

 

so it'd be nice if someone could like give me a guide to all of this and what not...

 

Also how does one liquid cool a GPU?

 

1. Do you like spending loads of money on your computer when you don't need to?

2. Do you like spending loads of time and energy (days and weeks) learning and troubleshooting?

3. Do you like building/upgrading/fixing your computer as much or more than using it?

 

If you said NO or "ehhhh....maybe" to any of these. DONT DO IT. 

 

If you said HECK YES! Then watch youtube videos from SingularityComputers, Linus Himself, and others for about a month, and then quadrupal check your parts before ordering. 

[ImBleu]

I never knew you could water cool ram...?

 

You can - whether it completely helps is arguable but it's an option.

[inactive account]

1. Do you like spending loads of money on your computer when you don't need to?

2. Do you like spending loads of time and energy (days and weeks) learning and troubleshooting?

3. Do you like building/upgrading/fixing your computer as much or more than using it?

 

If you said NO or "ehhhh....maybe" to any of these. DONT DO IT. 

 

If you said HECK YES! Then watch youtube videos from SingularityComputers, Linus Himself, and others for about a month, and then quadrupal check your parts before ordering. 

will do

[d3sl91]

will do

And totally do not mean to scare you away. It's just a very expensive and time consuming thing, and I'd hate to see new folks get into something they regret. 

 

A simple CPU only loop, will be about $400, for example. Versus an AIO from corsair for $100, that will perform similarly. 

 

http://www.reddit.com/r/watercooling/

[Syh]

And totally do not mean to scare you away. It's just a very expensive and time consuming thing, and I'd hate to see new folks get into something they regret. 

 

A simple CPU only loop, will be about $400, for example. Versus an AIO from corsair for $100, that will perform similarly. 

 

$400? What parts are you using in that loop? Sounds a bit more than you'd really have to spend on a simple loop.. unless you're going for aesthetics.

[Bosco]

$400? What parts are you using in that loop? Sounds a bit more than you'd really have to spend on a simple loop.. unless you're going for aesthetics.

 

Isn't that the point of watercooling? all dem sexy tubes

[GrimNeo]

I think it looks cool but never really would spend all the money for it. Jayz skunkworks is awesome.

 

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-5960X 3.0GHz 8-Core Processor  ($995.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: EVGA Classified EATX LGA2011-3 Motherboard  ($376.79 @ Mwave)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws 4 series 32GB (4 x 8GB) DDR4-2666 Memory  ($359.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Kingston HyperX 3K 480GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($249.99 @ Adorama)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 500GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($238.98 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Western Digital WD Black 4TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($231.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Storage: Western Digital WD Black 4TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($231.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX Titan X 12GB Video Card (3-Way SLI)  ($999.99 @ Best Buy)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX Titan X 12GB Video Card (3-Way SLI)  ($999.99 @ Best Buy)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX Titan X 12GB Video Card (3-Way SLI)  ($999.99 @ Best Buy)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA P2 1600W 80+ Platinum Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($328.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 Pro - 64-bit (OEM) (64-bit)  ($134.89 @ OutletPC)
Case Fan: Corsair Air Series AF120 Quiet Edition 39.9 CFM 120mm  Fan  ($15.95 @ OutletPC)
Case Fan: Corsair Air Series AF120 Quiet Edition 39.9 CFM 120mm  Fan  ($15.95 @ OutletPC)
Case Fan: Corsair Air Series AF120 Quiet Edition 39.9 CFM 120mm  Fan  ($15.95 @ OutletPC)
Case Fan: Corsair Air Series AF120 Quiet Edition 39.9 CFM 120mm  Fan  ($15.95 @ OutletPC)
Case Fan: Corsair Air Series SP120 Quiet Edition (2-Pack) 37.9 CFM 120mm  Fans  ($25.98 @ OutletPC)
Case Fan: Corsair Air Series SP120 Quiet Edition (2-Pack) 37.9 CFM 120mm  Fans  ($25.98 @ OutletPC)
Case Fan: Corsair Air Series AF140 Quiet Edition 67.8 CFM 140mm  Fan  ($19.98 @ OutletPC)
Case Fan: Corsair Air Series AF140 Quiet Edition 67.8 CFM 140mm  Fan  ($19.98 @ OutletPC)
Case Fan: Corsair Air Series AF140 Quiet Edition 67.8 CFM 140mm  Fan  ($19.98 @ OutletPC)
Case Fan: Corsair Air Series AF140 Quiet Edition 67.8 CFM 140mm  Fan  ($19.98 @ OutletPC)
Case Fan: Corsair Air Series AF140 Quiet Edition 67.8 CFM 140mm  Fan  ($19.98 @ OutletPC)
Case Fan: Corsair Air Series AF140 Quiet Edition 67.8 CFM 140mm  Fan  ($19.98 @ OutletPC)
Other: Black Ice GTS Nemisis 560 Radiator ($103.00)
Other: Black Ice GTS Nemisis 480 Radiator ($80.00)
Other: Black Ice GTX 280 Radiator ($60.00)
Other: EK D5 Pump / Res Combo ($153.00)
Other: EK D5 Pump / Res Combo ($153.00)
Other: EK X3 Res 250mm Tube ($20.00)
Other: EK X3 Res 250mm Tube ($20.00)
Other: EK Titan X Nickel / Acetal Block ($126.00)
Other: EK Titan X Nickel / Acetal Block ($126.00)
Other: EK Titan X Nickel / Acetal Block ($126.00)
Other: EK Titan X Blackplate ($35.00)
Other: EK Titan X Blackplate ($35.00)
Other: EK Titan X Blackplate ($35.00)
Other: Mayhems Pastel Sunset Yellow (x4 1Ltr) ($80.00)
Other: Primochill Revolver Fittings x13 ($142.00)
Other: Primochill PETG 10/13mm Tube 4pk ($17.00)
Other: Bitspower 90* Swivel Fittings x6 ($66.00)
Other: Bitspower 45* Rotary Fitting x1 ($12.00)
Other: Bitspower Drain Valve x2 ($40.00)
Other: Bitspower Multi-Link (GPUs) x8 ($92.00)
Other: Bitspower Plug x8 ($40.00)
Other: Bitspower Q Block  x1 for Drain ($14.00)
Other: EK Supremacy EVO CPU Block ($73.00)
Other: Bitspower 3/8" Compression Fittings x8 ($72.00)
Other: CaseLabs SMA8 - With Accessories ($644.00)
Other: CaseLabs SMA8 Radiator Mount 560 x2 ($60.00)
Other: CaseLabs Triple Fan Flex Bay  ($40.00)
Other: Custom Sleeved PSU Set - Sanctum Sleeving ($450.00)
Other: Tygon 3/8" WC Tube - 5ft ($22.00)
Other: ModMyToys Fan Distributor - 3x ($15.00)
Total: $9336.21
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-05-12 23:14 EDT-0400

[d3sl91]

$400? What parts are you using in that loop? Sounds a bit more than you'd really have to spend on a simple loop.. unless you're going for aesthetics.

 

Nope, just standard equipment. Again, that's another factor in custom loops. If you want a cheap loop, get an AIO. Otherwise, don't "cheap out" on cheap connectors, low power pumps and hose from home depot. 

 

I have an

XSPC Raystorm CPU block. 

XSPC D5 Vario Pump

XSPC D5 Bay Res

EK Compression Fittings (Standard ones). 

EK 90deg Adaptor (necessary for my case).

Koolance QDC Set (for draining)

BlackIce Stealth GT 360mm Radiator.

3x Corsair SP120 Fans

NZXT Sentry Mixx 2 - For controling fans.

 

The cost if I was to buy right now, is ~350 (not including fan controller). In many situations, more adaptors are needed etc.