First time Water Cooling

[Moondrelor]

Hello,

 

So I want to make an actual build with custom water cooling, and hard tubing, symmetrical bends and none of this flimsy crappy tubing. I want to start off with a very basic water cooling set up, instead of going to get a closed water cooler for my cpu I want to start a open water cooling setup so that in the future when I decided to start cooling my gpu's on water blocks I can very easily make the transition. 

 

I would like some help setting up this because I do not know anything about water cooling, what blocks are best and pumps are best and what reservoirs are best. Any help is appreciated.

 

The build I'm going to do is in a Enthoo EVOLV ATX and I'm using a EATX board with 980ti's in sli and a 5820k.

 

Thanks fella's!

 

:edit

I'm looking to use a 360 radiator btw. to jam up in the top of my case.

[The Cool n00B]

Check out EK and Swiftech and XSPC and Alphacool

[TheCaptain53]

@Moondrelor, have a look at the build log LTT did of their hardline build. Link at the bottom.

After the build, they go on to say that soft tubing is MUCH easier to work with, and that they wouldn't recommend hardline to a new watercooler. JayzTwoCents says otherwise, but he has years of watercooling experience, so take what he says with a grain of salt in terms of the difficulty of building it. For this reason, I would say do a soft tubing build first, then when you have more experience, move to a hardline build. 

 

[Enderman]

EK predator 360

[Moondrelor]

they go on to say that soft tubing is MUCH easier to work with, and that they wouldn't recommend hardline to a new watercooler

 

 

That's something I am willing to tackle. I hate soft tubing looks. It's hideous. 

[TheCaptain53]

That's something I am willing to tackle. I hate soft tubing looks. It's hideous. 

Fair enough. I personally don't mind, but aesthetics are subjective.

 

At any rate, have fun building.

[Moondrelor]

Fair enough. I personally don't mind, but aesthetics are subjective.

 

At any rate, have fun building.

Appreciate =)

[SonoDanshi]

That's something I am willing to tackle. I hate soft tubing looks. It's hideous. 

I went hard line on my first attempt and it came out looking halfway decent - it just takes a significantly longer amount of time to put the loop together due to measuring, marking, re-measuring, re-marking, measuring, bending, swearing, starting again. But you soon get the hang of it. LTTs main issue - as far as I saw it - was that they basically had 0 excess tubing to play with. As a novice you are going to make mistakes - I ultimately wasted 3/4 of 1 tube getting my first 2 bends right, but after that it all went smoothly.

 

That said though, if I read things correctly in your original post you want to start cooling the CPU first and then expand the loop to include the dual GPUs? That is the strongest case going for using soft tubing as you can install quick disconnects to easily expand the loop to cover other things. With hardline tubing, you'd either need to simply scarp the majority of the tubing and bend some new stuff when you add in the GPUs or create a second dedicated loop with a new pump/res/rad to go with it.

 

One last point on your choice of radiator... A 360mm rad represents the absolute bare minimum for cooling 3 components, so don't expect fantastic cooling performance from it if you decide to stick with the single radiator.

[Moondrelor]

That said though, if I read things correctly in your original post you want to start cooling the CPU first and then expand the loop to include the dual GPUs? That is the strongest case going for using soft tubing as you can install quick disconnects to easily expand the loop to cover other things. With hardline tubing, you'd either need to simply scarp the majority of the tubing and bend some new stuff when you add in the GPUs or create a second dedicated loop with a new pump/res/rad to go with it.

With that being said.

 

The case I'm trying to use is an Enthoo EVOLV ATX, I can fit a 360 rad in the top and in the front if I'm not mistaken. Would 2, 360 rads be enough with of course noctua fans.

 

Also, I guess I'm going with the company EK? They seem reputable. What kind of blocks are the best type?

[Moondrelor]

How's this?

[SonoDanshi]

With that being said.

 

The case I'm trying to use is an Enthoo EVOLV ATX, I can fit a 360 rad in the top and in the front if I'm not mistaken. Would 2, 360 rads be enough with of course noctua fans.

 

Also, I guess I'm going with the company EK? They seem reputable. What kind of blocks are the best type?

2x 360 will be more than enough. I have 2x 280mm rads and my top GPU (the hottest) idles as 6c above ambient and only gains 12c under load.

 

EK are a top company for blocks. You can't go wrong with the Supremacy Evo CPU blocks.

 

How's this?

No idea. That image host is blocked by my work, so I can look at it when I get home or someone else can comment.

[Moondrelor]

2x 360 will be more than enough. I have 2x 280mm rads and my top GPU (the hottest) idles as 6c above ambient and only gains 12c under load.

 

EK are a top company for blocks. You can't go wrong with the Supremacy Evo CPU blocks.

 

No idea. That image host is blocked by my work, so I can look at it when I get home or someone else can comment.

Shopping Cart

  Product Name Unit Price Qty Subtotal   Continue ShoppingUpdate Shopping Cart EK-Supremacy EVO - Nickel $ 77.99 $ 77.99 Remove item EK-RES X3 250 $ 62.99 $ 62.99 Remove item EK-XTOP Revo D5 PWM - Plexi (incl. pump) $ 119.99 $ 119.99 Remove item EK-CoolStream CE 420 (Triple) $ 99.99 $ 199.98 Remove item EK-HD PETG Tube 12/16mm 500mm (2pcs) $ 8.49 $ 25.47 Remove item EK-Ekoolant Pastel WHITE (concentrate 250mL) $ 21.95 $ 43.90 Remove item EK-ACF Fitting 12/16mm - Black $ 7.49 $ 74.90 Remove item

[SonoDanshi]

--snip-- 

The compression fittings you have selected are for soft tubing, so will not work with the PETG you have chosen. You'll need these instead.

 

Also as far as I am aware the case you have selected can't fit a 420mm radiator, so you'd want to look at a couple of 280s or 360s (or combination of the 2).

[Moondrelor]

The compression fittings you have selected are for soft tubing, so will not work with the PETG you have chosen. You'll need these instead.

 

Also as far as I am aware the case you have selected can't fit a 420mm radiator, so you'd want to look at a couple of 280s or 360s (or combination of the 2).

Oh yeah, that's correct, I selected the wrong rad, my bad. Haha

[Moondrelor]

 

Shopping Cart

  Product Name Unit Price Qty Subtotal   Continue ShoppingUpdate Shopping Cart EK-CoolStream XE 360 (Triple) $ 99.99 $ 199.98 Remove item EK-HDC Fitting 16mm G1/4 - Elox Black $ 7.99 $ 79.90 Remove item EK-Supremacy EVO - Nickel $ 77.99 $ 77.99 Remove item EK-RES X3 250 $ 62.99 $ 62.99 Remove item EK-XTOP Revo D5 PWM - Plexi (incl. pump) $ 119.99 $ 119.99 Remove item EK-HD PETG Tube 12/16mm 500mm (2pcs) $ 8.49 $ 25.47 Remove item EK-Ekoolant Pastel WHITE (concentrate 250mL) $ 21.95 $ 21.95 Remove item

Grand Total $ 643.88 Subtotal $ 588.27 Shipping (UPS (3 days) with tracking) $ 55.61
 

[SonoDanshi]

Grand Total $ 643.88 Subtotal $ 588.27 Shipping (UPS (3 days) with tracking) $ 55.61

Looks good. You could conceivably drop 1 radiator for the initial purchase if you are only going to cool the CPU and then expand that when you buy the GPU blocks at a later date. I am still having trouble thinking of a way to make it expandable, and all I keep coming back to it throwing away most of the tubing when you add in the GPUs...

[Moondrelor]

Looks good. You could conceivably drop 1 radiator for the initial purchase if you are only going to cool the CPU and then expand that when you buy the GPU blocks at a later date. I am still having trouble thinking of a way to make it expandable, and all I keep coming back to it throwing away most of the tubing when you add in the GPUs...

Well, I've looked a few builds with flexible tubes and it looks if you route it nicely and neatly it can look pretty good still. So I'm debating to go with the flexy tubes now. lol

Would I need two pumps for 2 360 rads? Or is one good enough? Would more current = better cooling?

[Bean86]

ATTENTION: you wont be able to fit 2 360 rads at the same time into the Enthoo Evolve ATX as they would interfere at the front top edge (look at the video on the enthoo homepage and you'll see what I mean). I managed to fit 2 360s in my Corsair 780T but only once I removed everything incl. optical drive cage.

Also regarding cages, you'll only be left with 3 options to fit 2.5" storage as all the 3.5" mounting options will be blocked by the radiator if you fit one in the front (even if you use a 240 if I remember correct).

PS 1 good pump is sufficient.

PPS not sure if you'll be able to fit the 250 res in there, best chance is squeezed inbetween the sidepanel and GPU but not certain there's enough space

[Moondrelor]

ATTENTION: you wont be able to fit 2 360 rads at the same time into the Enthoo Evolve ATX as they would interfere at the front top edge (look at the video on the enthoo homepage and you'll see what I mean). I managed to fit 2 360s in my Corsair 780T but only once I removed everything incl. optical drive cage.

Also regarding cages, you'll only be left with 3 options to fit 2.5" storage as all the 3.5" mounting options will be blocked by the radiator if you fit one in the front (even if you use a 240 if I remember correct).

I'll be using the SSD mounts on the back of the case. I won't need those drive cages at all. Ew drive cages. Lol.

 

So then if I did a 360 at the top and a 280 at the front would that work out? 

 

 

Also, is it best to buy reference GPU's when water cooling? I think I might just go ahead and tackle the whole project and water cool two 980 ti's

[Bean86]

just watch the video again and consulted the manual, a 280 might work up front with a 360 up top (aslong as the top one isn't too thick and only push OR pull).

I'm going to get the EVGA 980 ti hydro copper myself, unfortunately I just missed the recent short stock they had over the weekend so will need to wait again

Technically you can get whatever GPU you want as long as the block is compatible - some GPU use non reference PCBs that don't work with some blocks

PS according to the end of the video you should be able to fit the res between the side panel and GPU but it doesn't mention a max width, also behind the front rad not sure how much height is available whit a top rad

[Moondrelor]

just watch the video again and consulted the manual, a 280 might work up front with a 360 up top (aslong as the top one isn't too thick and only push OR pull).

I'm going to get the EVGA 980 ti hydro copper myself, unfortunately I just missed the recent short stock they had over the weekend so will need to wait again

Technically you can get whatever GPU you want as long as the block is compatible - some GPU use non reference PCBs that don't work with some blocks

PS according to the end of the video you should be able to fit the res between the side panel and GPU but it doesn't mention a max width, also behind the front rad not sure how much height is available whit a top rad

Thanks, I appreciate all your help =)

[Bean86]

You're welcome, this is the closest picture I could find to your idea http://www.overclock.net/t/1492889/yt-phanteks-enthoo-evolv/210#post_23310911

[QBtech]

Finding the block is usually the challenge with non reference pcb.

If you want to make it easy on yourself get a reference. However non reference pcbs have a tendency to clock higher due to better power delivery etc. I would advise you to try and find the model you want, try to find a block, double check, buy or select another card and repeat.

The other way around works more quickly: find a block, buy a card that is supported. Just always doublecheck ive had it happen that it was listed as supported but it didnt fit. Buying reference or one with a waterblock pre-installed is the safest route!

[Moondrelor]

You're welcome, this is the closest picture I could find to your idea http://www.overclock.net/t/1492889/yt-phanteks-enthoo-evolv/210#post_23310911

is it just me or does that not look so good?

[Moondrelor]

Finding the block is usually the challenge with non reference pcb.

If you want to make it easy on yourself get a reference. However non reference pcbs have a tendency to clock higher due to better power delivery etc. I would advise you to try and find the model you want, try to find a block, double check, buy or select another card and repeat.

The other way around works more quickly: find a block, buy a card that is supported. Just always doublecheck ive had it happen that it was listed as supported but it didnt fit. Buying reference or one with a waterblock pre-installed is the safest route!

Thanks =)