Easy + Cheap GPU Custom Loop?

[Tim Drake]

Okay so I was wondering if someone could help me put together a quick parts list for a cheap (and idiot proof like flex tubes or something idek what i'm talking about when it comes to custom loops) custom loop for my GTX 980 as someone offered me a Hydro Copper for $85 + shipping.

[Majestic]

H220X?

[SpaceNugget]

do you want to include your cpu in the loop? remember, a sale on something you weren't going to buy doesn't save you any money. grab a swiftech d5 and some fittings + hose + a T joint for fill/res if you want the cheapest and simplest option. a 120mm rad will be fine if you are just doing a single card. but if you plan to include your cpu in the future or really add anything else to it. get a medium thick 2x120 rad if you can make one fit in your case.

[Tim Drake]

do you want to include your cpu in the loop? remember, a sale on something you weren't going to buy doesn't save you any money. grab a swiftech d5 and some fittings + hose + a T joint for fill/res if you want the cheapest and simplest option.

Nah just GPU

 

do you want to include your cpu in the loop? remember, a sale on something you weren't going to buy doesn't save you any money. grab a swiftech d5 and some fittings + hose + a T joint for fill/res if you want the cheapest and simplest option.

I was already going to liquid cool and wtf speak english plz lol

[Tim Drake]

H220X?

How would I connect it to the Hydro Copper?

[Majestic]

How would I connect it to the Hydro Copper?

 

The H220X has fittings. You drain the H220X, disconnect the CPU block and connect the GPU heatsink. Then you fill it up again.

 

But tbh, you can just add the CPU in the loop since the H220X comes with a CPU block. You just need to order some extra hose and a couple of fittings.

[Tim Drake]

The H220X has fittings. You drain the H220X, disconnect the CPU block and connect the GPU heatsink. Then you fill it up again.

 

But tbh, you can just add the CPU in the loop since the H220X comes with a CPU block. You just need to order some extra hose and a couple of fittings.

It sounds like it would be the best option but it seems the NZXT Kraken G10 method is best value tbh..

 

Thanks anyway

[SpaceNugget]

It sounds like it would be the best option but it seems the NZXT Kraken G10 method is best value tbh..

 

Thanks anyway

if you are getting a kraken then you cant use the hydro copper. the kraken is an all in one cooler it has a pump+block that goes on the graphics card instead of a regular cooler.

[Tim Drake]

if you are getting a kraken then you cant use the hydro copper. the kraken is an all in one cooler it has a pump+block that goes on the graphics card instead of a regular cooler.

Yes I know this..

 

I'm not stupid

 

P.S The kraken G10 is a bracket for a water cooler to be used on a GPU, it is not a pump or a block..

[SpaceNugget]

so are you using the hydro-copper or not? I thought that was the entire point of the thread?

[Majestic]

so are you using the hydro-copper or not? I thought that was the entire point of the thread?

 

Seems pretty weird indeed. Besides, those all-in-one GPU coolers are really iffy. You can run into VRM/VRAM cooling problems.

[Tim Drake]

Seems pretty weird indeed. Besides, those all-in-one GPU coolers are really iffy. You can run into VRM/VRAM cooling problems.

I went through it with @Faceman and generally there is no problems and if there is they can be solved with DIY heatsinks.

[Majestic]

I went through it with @Faceman and generally there is no problems and if there is they can be solved with DIY heatsinks.

 

Yes, making DIY heatsinks is a lot less work than just draining a H220X.

 

No offense, but you have to know what you're doing with stuff like that. You seem like the kind of guy that just wants to slap stuff together and expect it to work. So buy stuff accordingly.

[Tim Drake]

Yes, making DIY heatsinks is a lot less work than just draining a H220X.

 

No offense, but you have to know what you're doing with stuff like that. You seem like the kind of guy that just wants to slap stuff together and expect it to work. So buy stuff accordingly.

Em no it's not?

 

I put a thermal pad on and stick a heatsink to it.

 

No offence, but didn't you glue things in school?

 

With a H220X I need to know what fittings to buy, how to fit them, test the loop so my system doesn't get water damage, look up tons of tutorials so I don't fuck up, know what a hose is etc.

 

Like do you just ignore these things or?

[Agent181]

All that should of been said has already been posted but just make sure to watch videos before you kill your hardware.... Water cooling may seem easy but it can go wrong very fast if you have no idea what your doing

[Tim Drake]

All that should of been said has already been posted but just make sure to watch videos before you kill your hardware.... Water cooling may seem easy but it can go wrong very fast if you have no idea what your doing

Agreed which is why i'm not doing this method.

[Agent181]

Agreed which is why i'm not doing this method.

If you ever do decide to do any water cooling or have questions I'm around always, I made 9 water cooling rigs already for customers, and by water cooling I don't count AIOs that's simple unless your expanding a swiftech aio

[Tim Drake]

If you ever do decide to do any water cooling or have questions I'm around always, I made 9 water cooling rigs already for customers, and by water cooling I don't count AIOs that's simple unless your expanding a swiftech aio

Thanks <3

[Majestic]

I put a thermal pad on and stick a heatsink to it.

 

No offence, but didn't you glue things in school?

 

If it was that simple, there would be no issue. But you're removing most of the active cooling of the card, and you're just assuming (based on nothing) that whatever heatsink you place on it will be a sufficient replacement for active cooling for extended playing periods. That's one assumption that could cost you, and is the reason you have to know what you're doing. 

 

Has nothing to do with elementary shit.

[Tim Drake]

If it was that simple, there would be no issue. But you're removing most of the active cooling of the card, and you're just assuming (based on nothing) that whatever heatsink you place on it will be a sufficient replacement for active cooling for extended playing periods. That's one assumption that could cost you, and is the reason you have to know what you're doing. 

 

Has nothing to do with elementary shit.

The NZXT G10 comes with a fan..

 

The heatsink is to assist the fan do what it already can making temps even better.

 

The hardest part is screwing everything in in the right order.

[Majestic]

The NZXT G10 comes with a fan..

 

That is only positioned at one side and does not have the shroudlike effect of a blower-style cooler. So it's impossible for that thing to hit both the VRM's and VRAM chips as well as an aftermarket cooler of your original fan.

 

You're lucky the VRM's are atleast under the fan of the G10. Otherwise it would've been a no-go.

[Tim Drake]

That is only positioned at one side and does not have the shroudlike effect of a blower-style cooler. So it's impossible for that thing to hit both the VRM's and VRAM chips as well as an aftermarket cooler of your original fan.

 

You're lucky the VRM's are atleast under the fan of the G10. Otherwise it would've been a no-go.

I know this though which is why i'm doing it.

 

 

As seen by these two images, the fan covers up almost all of the VRMs and VRAM so cooling for it is not a problem especially with those heatsinks.

[Faceman]

That is only positioned at one side and does not have the shroudlike effect of a blower-style cooler. So it's impossible for that thing to hit both the VRM's and VRAM chips as well as an aftermarket cooler of your original fan.

 

You're lucky the VRM's are atleast under the fan of the G10. Otherwise it would've been a no-go.

VRAM doesn't get hot enough to worry about, and the G10 does a heck of a lot better job of cooling the VRMs than the blower style cooler.  Even going from blower style cooler to G10 reduces VRM temps by as much as 20C(R9 290).  Probably by 10C on the GTX 980.  Adding heatsinks so so simple and costs less than $12 to do.  Place thermal pads over VRMs, heatsinks over thermal pads, done.  Spending $12 in making your own heatsink drops temps by another 20-30C.