Custom Loop Worth the Hassle?

[dmanschramm]

Hi LTT forum,

 

I've recently been looking into watercooling and have been debating between whether it's worth putting in a custom loop to a system for gaming.

I am aware that there's some risk involved with watercooling and you have to drain the loop quite often... and I'm not sure if I should go out and purchase all of these parts only to cause more work. But I have never used done a custom watercooling loop. Does anyone have any thoughts on whether it's worth it or not? On the one hand it's super cool and efficient but on the other it's a lot of work (as far as I know).

 

Thanks,

Dmanschramm

 

 

EDIT: Also, do you think it's worth two AIOs as well such as the Kraken G10 and the Kraken X61 or a custom loop... or if either are viable options?

[ind3x]

The price/performance for custom water cooling is REALLY bad.

But if you've got some of the best hardware, like 4790k or even x99 stuff, and a CF 290x or titan X setup, then the custom water cooling might be adding some performance.

In general, if you don't feel like it, don't do it. The performance is better, but expensive. On the other hand a custom loop can be so beautiful. But it's a lot of work if you want to change any parts or move the pc.

[Vendetta]

If you feel like doing a custom loop is a hassle then it probably isn't for you, the performance gains are no where near worth the money spent on it so it is strictly something for enthusiasts who enjoy doing it.

[Enderman]

the only real reasons to do a custom loop are

1) you are rich

2) you want it for the aesthetics

3) you want to overclock lots for fun (not for performance, because if youre overclocking for performance a phase change cooler will perform better for cheaper)

[dmanschramm]

Is it true you have to drain it like very often? If it's something that I can do and forget about then perhaps it's more of a viable option.

[AlanTheEmu]

Custom water cooling is a thing you have to enjoy doing if you don't enjoy it don't do it. It's expensive as well just for a basic CPU/GPU loop it will probably set you back $300 and that's the bare minimum. Custom loops do look good IF you put time into making them look good and if you have never watercooled before I suggest using flexible tubing opposed to rigid tubing.

[_ASSASSIN_]

the only real reasons to do a custom loop are

1) you are rich

2) you want it for the aesthetics

3) you want to overclock lots for fun (not for performance, because if youre overclocking for performance a phase change cooler will perform better for cheaper)

haha what.

In what world do you live in where phase change is cheaper?

[Enderman]

haha what.

In what world do you live in where phase change is cheaper?

You can buy a phase change cooler for a few hundred bucks

A custom WC loop will be at least $500, usually more depending on the number of fittings you use and if you do hardline or not

[AlanTheEmu]

Is it true you have to drain it like very often? If it's something that I can do and forget about then perhaps it's more of a viable option.

Normally for distilled water with additives it will be once every 12 months. However if you want to add a new component or something goes wrong you will have to drain the loop and it can take hours to refill and bleed the loop again.

[_ASSASSIN_]

You can buy a phase change cooler for a few hundred bucks

A custom WC loop will be at least $500, usually more depending on the number of fittings you use and if you do hardline or not

the only close loop phase change coolers I have ever seen are 1K plus USD

[Enderman]

the only close loop phase change coolers I have ever seen are 1K plus USD

the only phase change coolers I have seen over $1000 are the ones built into a case like the one linus reviewed

[_ASSASSIN_]

the only phase change coolers I have seen over $1000 are the ones built into a case like the one linus reviewed

?????????

http://www.frozencpu.com/products/13091/ex-vap-20/Cooler_Express_2013_Design_Super_Evaporator_CPU_GPU_Cooling_Unit_w_Upgraded_Socket_Kit_-_All_Sockets_478_754_775_1155_1156_1366_2011_939_940_AM2_Xeon_CE-48-D-1C-1G.html?tl=g49c275s679

[Faceman]

@dmanschramm I'm a big advocate of the dual AIO setups. It costs a fraction of what a custom loop costs, and delivers about 80% of the performance. Not to mention, it's also able to move from GPU to GPU easily. No buying another $100+ waterblock every time you upgrade GPUs.

Check out my dual AIO water cooling guide:http://linustechtips.com/main/topic/233847-how-to-watercool-a-cpu-single-gpu-for-under-200-in-the-us/

[gamerking]

i would say no . the only reason to do it would be for looks or you want a challenge, if you doing decent overclocks and are having instability like vrms on gpu getting too hot . then it can be worth it . this was my problem the  stock cooler they were blistering but the gpu core was like 60c so i ended up water cooling so i can get more out of what i had . before on air my 970's couldnt even touch 1500mhz . under water its like 1600+ plus its nice having the core at 32c . if you do its around 600$ for d5  res cpu block and 2-3 rads and compression fittings . no 45's ect go with the kits ekwb are good . i went only tube res since the bays are a pain

[The Sweetroll]

Does no one care about the lower noice that comes with water cooling? I did my loop a bit over a year ago with my 3570k and GTX 780 and I've never overclocked either since I haven't felt the need to. But already the possibility of your PC being completely silent whatever you're doing on it is worth the cost in my opinion.

 

With the refilling of the loop you should just use some common sense. It's no point in doing it if your loop is completely clean. I've gone a bit over a year now and see no reason to refill my loop anywhere in the near future.

[dmanschramm]

Thanks everyone!