Getting started with a Custom loop. My shopping list.

[orcinhell]

Hi guys. I know this is a long post but being new to custom loop I want to be thorough. I have read the guides but want to post just to make double sure before I pull the trigger.

 

So this came about from wanting to keep my system as quiet as possible. I have spent money on new fans, a PSU and a new case (Define R5). After all of this my GPU still is way too loud and screams like a banshee under load.  So I have been looking for a way to address it, while there are all in one solutions the cost is high enough I might as well commit to a loop imo. The only reason I stayed away was cost, getting to play with a loop and construct one has me really excited.

 

My plan is to ease into it, setting up just a CPU loop to begin with. Then when I upgrade my GPU ill also get a water block most likely in 3 months or so. Keeping the initial cost down and getting some experience. I want to keep the R5 as I love the case, I also want to keep the sound proofing and the sleek look so mounting at the top is out. The R5 without its top covers looks really bad imo. There are a lot better cases that pull off top mounting way more elegantly. So I did research and almost positive this will work. Crossed out in red are the rads space I don't want to use, The green lines indicate the sizes I plan to use in the spots. I can mount a extra rad at the back but figure this will be enough and Ill just keep the back as a exhaust.

 

 

The 280 is what I plan to add first, along with the basics. I was considering a res/pump combo but I saw a few posts here advising against them for different reasons. I want to keep initial costs down while not being so tight that I am only costing myself in the long run. I might get things like compression fittings in the future but for now this will do. I am sure the system will evolve over time.

 

$69    XSPC EX280 Dual Fan 280mm Radiator 

 

$65    EK Supremacy MX Acetal CPU Waterblock

 

$49    EK DCP 2.2 Liquid Cooling Pump

 

$19    Swiftech MCRES Rev2 Micro Reservoir

 

$15    XSPC FLX 13mm (1/2") ID, 19mm (3/4") OD 2M

 

$16 XSPC G1/4 13mm 1/2" Black High Flow Barb Fitting x8

 

 

Total cost 233 I plan to use distilled water with a chemical to keep the growths out. Small black zip ties just to start with, I was going to buy proper rings to fit but figured by the time I do add the GPU with its block I will be pulling the loop apart and most likely will switch to compression fittings then. As of right now its 72 dollars I don’t need to spend.

 

While I am sure I can spend more on a pump, rad with better fittings etc by the time I do that I have a system that is going to cost a truck load to setup. With this I can upgrade slowly and become comfortable with custom loops working with cheaper parts that are not going to ruin me if I break them for any reason. When I add the GPU I will also add a 140mm rad at the bottom, giving me 1 280 and 1 140, I am not sure if I will go push, pull or even push pull it depends on performance and how quiet the system will be. I am no crazy overclocker either so having my case full of rads seems overkill, I have a conservative overclock on my CPU (3770k @ 4.3) and the GPU will always be ultra conservative also no custom bios or anything. I also made sure and all connections are G1/4 and the tube is right for the barbs. 

 

What do you guys think? Is my approach decent? I was considering a kit but sort of takes the fun out of selecting your own parts. The pump seems decent I know the d5 (I believe) is king but at 115 dollars were I am it’s also expensive.

 

Edit: After receiving advice the pump might not be good I think ill spend a bit more and go with something like this... Using the 5.25 bay I can keep my Fan controller mounted as well as add a res there.

 

XSPC Single Bay Reservoir V2 http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=207_160_299&products_id=30671

 

I would use a right angle barb to run the line down too the pump and run the out cpu to the res most likely. As for the pump I am not sure a d5 is 115 and a ddc is 99... does the brand matter? if so what do you guys recommended. I was leaning towards this just to be done with it. But it is 119.

 

http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=207_160_296&products_id=21315

[gazabi]

More than enough for cooling just a cpu. Most of these parts can be kept for the evolution of your water cooling loop. The only thing I am iffy about is the pump, i know you don't want to spend as much money on a d5, but the ddc should be able support future upgrades that the DCP can't. The ddc is cheaper than the d5. Good build overall.

[orcinhell]

More than enough for cooling just a cpu. Most of these parts can be kept for the evolution of your water cooling loop. The only thing I am iffy about is the pump, i know you don't want to spend as much money on a d5, but the ddc should be able support future upgrades that the DCP can't. The ddc is cheaper than the d5. Good build overall.

 

I am happy to spend a lot more on the pump and res for a more elegent solution, space is tight and finding something that looks good and performs well is worth it imo. I was looking at something like the EK XRES 140 D5 PWM Pump/Reservoir Combo (link below) at 169 but people were saying combos tend to leak so that turned me off it. As for size something along that lines would be perfect. I am more then open to opens around this price range. While it makes the build more expensive not having to upgrade down the road is going to only save me money.

 

 

http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=207_160_296&products_id=29628

[Harry76]

@orcinhell Um can i please have the link to your cart because i use PCCG as well and i cant seem to get my shit under $400

[orcinhell]

@orcinhell Um can i please have the link to your cart because i use PCCG as well and i cant seem to get my shit under $400

 I use pccasegear and also ple.com.au but here is a link to just all the pccasegear stuff. they are mostly the same price the rad is on preorder however and they don't stock that exact pump but have one from another brand.

 

CPU Block http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=207_160_878_879&products_id=30873

 

Rad http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=207_160_297_1270&products_id=21059

 

Pump http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=207_160_296&products_id=23981

 

Res http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=8509&cPath=299

 

Barbs http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=207_160_300_1319&products_id=21848

 

Tube http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=207_160_853&products_id=22667

 

I think going with all pccasegear it works out a few bucks cheaper.

[gazabi]

 I use pccasegear and also ple.com.au but here is a link to just all the pccasegear stuff. they are mostly the same price the rad is on preorder however and they don't stock that exact pump but have one from another brand.

 

CPU Block http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=207_160_878_879&products_id=30873

 

Rad http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=207_160_297_1270&products_id=21059

 

Pump http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=207_160_296&products_id=23981

 

Res http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=8509&cPath=299

 

Barbs http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=207_160_300_1319&products_id=21848

 

Tube http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=207_160_853&products_id=22667

 

I think going with all pccasegear it works out a few bucks cheaper.

I still think you should get the ddc pump. Plus I cant see the res, it says product not found.

[orcinhell]

I still think you should get the ddc pump. Plus I cant see the res, it says product not found.

 

So I had a think about it, and I moved my spending goal to 300, this allows me to get a better pump the Alphacool Laing DDC310, and also get a more suitable res. I went with that res because I hope to mount it straight on top with the Laing DDC Acetal Top. I think i need something like a double sided G 1/4 connection to screw into the top of the pump and the bottom of the res, not sure if caps are included to screw off all those spare G1/4 on the res but at any rate they are cheap. I am yet to sort out How I plan to take care of draining it all as I want to be able to drain it easily not put it together then when I do need to drain it go o shit. If anyone has any idea's then that would be great!

 

 

45 Phobya Balancer 250 Black Nickel --- http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=207_160_299&products_id=23511

69 Alphacool Laing DDC310 Single Edition Black --- http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=207_160_296&products_id=30095

19 Alphacool Laing DDC Acetal Top --- http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=207_160_1285&products_id=25066

16 XSPC FLX Tubing Black 1/2ID 3/4OD 2m --- http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=22667&cPath=853

62 EK Supremacy MX CPU Waterblock --- http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=30874&cPath=879

65 XSPC EX280 Radiator ---- http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=207_160_297_1270&products_id=21059

16 XSPC G1/4 Black Chrome 1/2 Barb Fitting x 8 ---- http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=207_160_300_1319&products_id=21848

6 PCCG 99.9% Pure Silver Coil ---- http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=207_160_301&products_id=29270

 

Total 298

 

Edit: looking at the pump cover it has 2 out ports I could put a quick release on it and then have a spare bit of tube that I can plug into it for draining as it will be sitting at the bottom of the case and should be if not close too the lowest point.

[gazabi]

 

So I had a think about it, and I moved my spending goal to 300, this allows me to get a better pump the Alphacool Laing DDC310, and also get a more suitable res. I went with that res because I hope to mount it straight on top with the Laing DDC Acetal Top. I think i need something like a double sided G 1/4 connection to screw into the top of the pump and the bottom of the res, not sure if caps are included to screw off all those spare G1/4 on the res but at any rate they are cheap. I am yet to sort out How I plan to take care of draining it all as I want to be able to drain it easily not put it together then when I do need to drain it go o shit. If anyone has any idea's then that would be great!

 

 

29 Alphacool Cape Fuzion Core 10 Acetal Black --- http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=24512&cPath=299

69 Alphacool Laing DDC310 Single Edition Black --- http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=30095&cPath=296

19 Alphacool Laing DDC Acetal Top --- http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=25066&cPath=1285

16 XSPC FLX Tubing Black 1/2ID 3/4OD 2m --- http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=22667&cPath=853

62 EK Supremacy MX CPU Waterblock --- http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=30874&cPath=879

55 XSPC EX240 Radiator ---- http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=207_160_297_922&products_id=18731

12 XSPC G1/4 Black Chrome 1/2 Barb Fitting x 6 ---- http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=207_160_300_1319&products_id=21848

6 PCCG 99.9% Pure Silver Coil ---- http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=207_160_301&products_id=29270

 

Total 268

 

Edit: looking at the pump cover it has 2 out ports I could put a quick release on it and then have a spare bit of tube that I can plug into it for draining... 

 

Looks good, but one suggestion. Instead of having a bulky quick disconnect on that pump top for draining, why don't you put a valve fitting, they are smaller and cleaner looking. I found one but you will need a male to male adapter, i gave a link for that too.

 

valve: http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=207_160_300_1364&products_id=19001

male to male fitting:http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=207_160_300_1402&products_id=24023

[orcinhell]

Looks good, but one suggestion. Instead of having a bulky quick disconnect on that pump top for draining, why don't you put a valve fitting, they are smaller and cleaner looking. I found one but you will need a male to male adapter, i gave a link for that too.

 

valve: http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=207_160_300_1364&products_id=19001

male to male fitting:http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=207_160_300_1402&products_id=24023

Thanks alot for the help!