First watercooled build

I am planning to watercool my computer and wanted your oppinions on the parts that I've picked so far.

I haven't ordered yet so other suggestions are very welcome!

first of all you find the specs of my pc in my signature. I am going to watercool my MSI 7950 and my i5 2500k, both will be overclocked.

Luckely the MSI 7950 twin frozr uses a reference 7970 pcb so I will be able to use a full cover waterblock.

here are the parts I've picked so far:

SWIFTECH H220 (wich will be expanded)

Radiator Alphacool NexXxoS UT60 Full Copper 280mm

gpu waterblock: EK-FC7970 - Nickel EN Acetal CSQ

gpu backplate: EK-FC7970 Backplate - Black CSQ

3meter Tubing PrimoChill PrimoFlex Advanced LRT 3/8 ID - 5/8 OD - Crystal Clear

4x Fittings Alphacool HF G1/4OD 10mm (3/8 ID - 5/8 OD)

2x 90* fittings Alphacool revolvable 10mm (3/8 ID - 5/8 OD)

Radiator fans: NOISEBLOCKER 140MM NB-BlackSilentPRO PK-2

Total 430€

I will be using distilled water.

My budget is 400-450€

links:

http://www.highflow.nl/watercooling-sets/cpu-sets/swiftech-h220-all-in-one-cpu-cooler.html

http://www.highflow.nl/radiatoren/140mm-140-280-420-560/alphacool-nexxxos-ut60-full-copper-280mm-14177.html

http://www.highflow.nl/water-blocks/gpu-blocks/ati/ek-fc7970-nickel-en-acetal.html

http://www.highflow.nl/water-blocks/gpu-blocks/toebehoren-gpu-backplates-mounting-kits-etc/ek-fc7970-backplate-black.html

http://www.highflow.nl/slangen/3-8-slangen-5-8-od/primochill-primoflex-advanced-lrt-3-8-id-5-8-od-crystal-clear-pflexa-58.html

http://www.highflow.nl/aansluitingen/fittingen/alphacool/alphacool-hf-screw-connector-g1-4od-10mm-3-8-id-5-8-od-chrome-17086.html

http://www.highflow.nl/aansluitingen/fittingen/alphacool/alphacool-hf-screw-connector-90-g1-4od-revolvable-10mm-3-8-id-5-8-od-chrome-17080.html

http://www.highflow.nl/fans/ventilatoren/noiseblocker/noiseblocker-140mm-nb-blacksilentpro-pk-2.html

Also will I need these 2 things?

http://www.highflow.nl/koelvloeistof/toevoegingen/feser-base-fb-corrosion-blocker.html

http://www.highflow.nl/koelvloeistof/toevoegingen/petras-tech-ptnuke-phn-concentrated-biocide-10ml.html

Hi,

first of all: don't use distilled water unless you know how much and which additives you need to add. Use a prepared solution. There are several around from Koolance, Mayhem, Primochill and many more.

16/10 is a perfect size, I just build my first loop too and thx to the people here I made the right decisions.

With that budget of yours I would definitely go with a cpu block + good pump/res!

MoYo · September 3, 2013

Hi,

first of all: don't use distilled water unless you know how much and which additives you need to add. Use a prepared solution. There are several around from Koolance, Mayhem, Primochill and many more.

16/10 is a perfect size, I just build my first loop too and thx to the people here I made the right decisions.

With that budget of yours I would definitely go with a cpu block + good pump/res!

Well that's also why I asked If I need to buy those additives, how much should I use of them? a couple of drops I guess?

What pump and res would be good? I don't want to go over 450€

JORDANonPC · September 3, 2013

If you are doing a custom loop don't cheap out and a swiftech h220 expanded will look incredibly ugly wait until you have enough money for both a cpu and gpu block and a res and pump with rads rather than expanding an all in one

Graveworm · September 3, 2013

Well that's also why I asked If I need to buy those additives, how much should I use of them? a couple of drops I guess?

What pump and res would be good? I don't want to go over 450€

really choose a "ready-to-use" koolant. Somehing like this: http://www.aquatuning.de/index.php/cat/c1089_Transparent.html

It will take care of all the additives you need.

Since you are talking € i guess you are from AUT/GER/EU so i chose the German link.

As Ghost would say:

A D5 Pump is one of the best you can get, you can get them from several Companies most of the time just branded. Those are the best. Res is not so important, you can get tons of different versions, depends on what you like and what fits your system /scheme

Graveworm · September 3, 2013

If you are doing a custom loop don't cheap out and a swiftech h220 expanded will look incredibly ugly wait until you have enough money for both a cpu and gpu block and a res and pump with rads rather than expanding an all in one

same as I said, really buy a cpu block and pump / res. You can get get good blocks starting at around 40€ so think about it!

And for a nice pump even with antivibration kit and top cover + Res you are at around 100€.

jd2195 · September 3, 2013

As suggested above go full custom loop, get a cpu block, res, pump and rads, it will look much better. As far as pump and res go you could go for a 5.25" bay combo one, but I do not think they look as good as tube reservoirs so you go for something like this:

http://www.frozencpu.com/products/16242/ex-res-373/Bitspower_Single_D5_Pump_and_150_Reservoir_Combo_-_Installed.html

which I think looks much nicer. If you do not want to go for a combo or go for a different one I would suggest getting a d5 pump or mcp655 pump; they are basically the same thing and are the highest regarded pumps I believe and if you go for the vario edition you can control the speed to help keep it quiet.

Graveworm · September 3, 2013

As suggested above go full custom loop, get a cpu block, res, pump and rads, it will look much better. As far as pump and res go you could go for a 5.25" bay combo one, but I do not think they look as good as tube reservoirs so you go for something like this:

http://www.frozencpu.com/products/16242/ex-res-373/Bitspower_Single_D5_Pump_and_150_Reservoir_Combo_-_Installed.html

which I think looks much nicer. If you do not want to go for a combo or go for a different one I would suggest getting a d5 pump or mcp655 pump; they are basically the same thing and are the highest regarded pumps I believe and if you go for the vario edition you can control the speed to help keep it quiet.

or you could go for something like this, which I use in the rig of my wife since it was the first loop and it made understanding and building it up very easy.

http://www.aquatuning.de/product_info.php/info/p15272_XSPC-X2O-750-Dual-5-25-Bay-Reservoir-Pump---Black-V4.html

It is a Pump/Res Combo which needs 2x 5,25" Bays. Though cracks here don't think much of it as in terms of reliability. But it would fit perfectly in you budget.

MoYo · September 3, 2013

As suggested above go full custom loop, get a cpu block, res, pump and rads, it will look much better. As far as pump and res go you could go for a 5.25" bay combo one, but I do not think they look as good as tube reservoirs so you go for something like this:

http://www.frozencpu.com/products/16242/ex-res-373/Bitspower_Single_D5_Pump_and_150_Reservoir_Combo_-_Installed.html

which I think looks much nicer. If you do not want to go for a combo or go for a different one I would suggest getting a d5 pump or mcp655 pump; they are basically the same thing and are the highest regarded pumps I believe and if you go for the vario edition you can control the speed to help keep it quiet.

I would love to get something like that but that's more than half of my budget. But yeah if I'm going with pump and res I don't want something like a pump/res combo as that is uglier than the h220 in my oppinion so I'm going to search for something like that.

jd2195 · September 3, 2013

I would love to get something like that but that's more than half of my budget. But yeah if I'm going with pump and res I don't want something like a pump/res combo as that is uglier than the h220 in my oppinion so I'm going to search for something like that.

That was just a suggestion. I think EK res/pump combos are cheaper.

MoYo · September 3, 2013

I will probably buy my watercooling stuf here http://www.highflow.nl/?sl=EN

The site is in english too.

here is the list I have picked for a custom loop: it is still missing a res and pump but I am still looking for the right ones. prefferably a tube reservoir.

http://www.highflow.nl/index.php?dispatch=wishlist.view

The quantity of the products is not correct though

MoYo · September 3, 2013

Can I just buy the D5 pump and this? http://www.highflow.nl/reservoirs/tube-reservoirs/bitspower-dual-single-d5-top-upgrade-kit-150-black-pom-cap-bp-d5topuk150p-bkbkcl.html

Is this just the bracket to hold the pump in place or is the res included?

edit: nvm I need this too http://www.highflow.nl/pompen/laing-swiftech/tops/bitspower-d5-mcp655-mod-pump-top-v2-pom-bp-d5topp2-bk.html

DrainDoc · September 3, 2013

If you are going to use distilled water, just add this to a gallon.

airdeano · September 3, 2013

I am planning to watercool my computer and wanted your oppinions ...

congratulations, you've come to the place to find those answers.

not to be a kill-joy, but if buying the H220 to just add-to is not a good play IMO. you'll

find mixing the different FPI radiators will use different fan profiles and will not play

well together.

i don't see a reservoir in the build list. and if using the H220, that's is the best "fix"

for its ills. so you should look deeper to a reservoir to be included.

route wise, i'd look for an Alphacool ST/XT 240 to add to the UT 280 (or 240 to use

the same fans), reservoir bay or tube with a DDC or D5 pump.

lucky dog on the 7970 PCB (6-pin and 8-pin) had four TFIII 7950 and all were

2x 6-pin. sold them for 2x 7970.. the blocks will look pretty good.

airdeano

first of all: don't use distilled water unless you know how much and which additives you need to add.

dunna know here you live, but distilled water here in the states (not de-ionized) is far

less expensive then any "pre", "post" or labeled coolant. i use it to flush, shake-down

and test a loop before adding the expensive stuff (if using it). and especially for first

time users to keep costing down, before settling into a them or look. and most of the

"dyes" can just be added to a distilled loop and get the same results.

distilled runs $3USD for 4-liters which is far enough three-times over for a simple loop.

plus, just add a simple kill coil (under $4USD) usually aides in all of the "killing the bad

stuff" most users need.

no need to buy pre-coolants, coolants or what-not until the final setup is done and ready

for the necessary fluids. then you'll know how much to use and buy.

airdeano

MoYo · September 4, 2013

congratulations, you've come to the place to find those answers.

not to be a kill-joy, but if buying the H220 to just add-to is not a good play IMO. you'll

find mixing the different FPI radiators will use different fan profiles and will not play

well together.

i don't see a reservoir in the build list. and if using the H220, that's is the best "fix"

for its ills. so you should look deeper to a reservoir to be included.

route wise, i'd look for an Alphacool ST/XT 240 to add to the UT 280 (or 240 to use

the same fans), reservoir bay or tube with a DDC or D5 pump.

lucky dog on the 7970 PCB (6-pin and 8-pin) had four TFIII 7950 and all were

2x 6-pin. sold them for 2x 7970.. the blocks will look pretty good.

airdeano

dunna know here you live, but distilled water here in the states (not de-ionized) is far

less expensive then any "pre", "post" or labeled coolant. i use it to flush, shake-down

and test a loop before adding the expensive stuff (if using it). and especially for first

time users to keep costing down, before settling into a them or look. and most of the

"dyes" can just be added to a distilled loop and get the same results.

distilled runs $3USD for 4-liters which is far enough three-times over for a simple loop.

plus, just add a simple kill coil (under $4USD) usually aides in all of the "killing the bad

stuff" most users need.

no need to buy pre-coolants, coolants or what-not until the final setup is done and ready

for the necessary fluids. then you'll know how much to use and buy.

airdeano

Thanks for the advice!

here is the updated part list:

Radiator: Alphacool NexXxoS UT60 Full Copper 280mm
Radiator: Alphacool NexXxos ST30 Full copper 240mm
cpu block: XSPC RayStorm CPU WaterBlock Intel
gpu waterblock: EK-FC7970 - Nickel EN Acetal CSQ (Damn this is expensive IMO)
gpu backplate: EK-FC7970 Backplate - Black CSQ
pump: Alphacool D5-VPP655 - Single Edition / No Top
reservoir: EK-D5 X-RES 140 CSQ - Acetal
3meter Tubing PrimoChill PrimoFlex Advanced LRT 3/8 ID - 5/8 OD - Crystal Clear
8x Fittings Alphacool HF G1/4OD 10mm (3/8 ID - 5/8 OD)
2x 90* fittings Alphacool revolvable 10mm (3/8 ID - 5/8 OD)
Radiator fans: 2x NOISEBLOCKER 140MM NB-BlackSilentPRO PK-2
Radiator fan: 1x Noctua 120mm NF-F12 PWM (allready own 1)

Total is 550€ wich is well over budget and my dad won't be happy when I tell him. But it's my hard earned money so I hope my parents will allow it.

Graveworm · September 4, 2013

congratulations, you've come to the place to find those answers.

not to be a kill-joy, but if buying the H220 to just add-to is not a good play IMO. you'll

find mixing the different FPI radiators will use different fan profiles and will not play

well together.

i don't see a reservoir in the build list. and if using the H220, that's is the best "fix"

for its ills. so you should look deeper to a reservoir to be included.

route wise, i'd look for an Alphacool ST/XT 240 to add to the UT 280 (or 240 to use

the same fans), reservoir bay or tube with a DDC or D5 pump.

lucky dog on the 7970 PCB (6-pin and 8-pin) had four TFIII 7950 and all were

2x 6-pin. sold them for 2x 7970.. the blocks will look pretty good.

airdeano

dunna know here you live, but distilled water here in the states (not de-ionized) is far

less expensive then any "pre", "post" or labeled coolant. i use it to flush, shake-down

and test a loop before adding the expensive stuff (if using it). and especially for first

time users to keep costing down, before settling into a them or look. and most of the

"dyes" can just be added to a distilled loop and get the same results.

distilled runs $3USD for 4-liters which is far enough three-times over for a simple loop.

plus, just add a simple kill coil (under $4USD) usually aides in all of the "killing the bad

stuff" most users need.

no need to buy pre-coolants, coolants or what-not until the final setup is done and ready

for the necessary fluids. then you'll know how much to use and buy.

airdeano

well, when I built my first loop here in the forum the pros (Ghost) told me not to use destilled water, because there are several thinks to care about and to mix around with additives. Also the Prefilled stuff for such a small loop as he is building (1-1,5 litres) can be bought at the shop that I linked for around 6€ a liter. Thats nothing...still is double the price of a liter destilled water over here in Europe thats right, but hey I just wanted to help him make small steps ;-) and one think less to think about in the end.

Graveworm · September 4, 2013

Thanks for the advice!

here is the updated part list:

Radiator: Alphacool NexXxoS UT60 Full Copper 280mm

Radiator: Alphacool NexXxos ST30 Full copper 240mm

cpu block: XSPC RayStorm CPU WaterBlock Intel

gpu waterblock: EK-FC7970 - Nickel EN Acetal CSQ                 (Damn this is expensive IMO)

gpu backplate: EK-FC7970 Backplate - Black CSQ

pump: Alphacool D5-VPP655 - Single Edition / No Top

reservoir: EK-D5 X-RES 140 CSQ - Acetal

3meter Tubing PrimoChill PrimoFlex Advanced LRT 3/8 ID - 5/8 OD - Crystal Clear

8x Fittings Alphacool HF G1/4OD 10mm (3/8 ID - 5/8 OD)

2x 90* fittings Alphacool revolvable 10mm (3/8 ID - 5/8 OD)

Radiator fans: 2x NOISEBLOCKER 140MM NB-BlackSilentPRO PK-2

Radiator fan: 1x Noctua 120mm NF-F12 PWM (allready own 1)

I hope you can see it here too http://www.highflow.nl/index.php?dispatch=wishlist.view

Total is 550€ wich is well over budget and my dad won't be happy when I tell him. But it's my hard earned money so I hope my parents will allow it.

The link doesnt work but we will have a look about it together, I will use the shop myself and see if we can find a cheaper set. Be back in an hour ;-)

MoYo · September 4, 2013

well, when I built my first loop here in the forum the pros (Ghost) told me not to use destilled water, because there are several thinks to care about and to mix around with additives. Also the Prefilled stuff for such a small loop as he is building (1-1,5 litres) can be bought at the shop that I linked for around 6€ a liter. Thats nothing...still is double the price of a liter destilled water over here in Europe thats right, but hey I just wanted to help him make small steps ;-) and one think less to think about in the end.

For the price I might just buy the prefilled stuf

MoYo · September 4, 2013

The link doesnt work but we will have a look about it together, I will use the shop myself and see if we can find a cheaper set. Be back in an hour ;-)

Thanks!! highly appreciated

MoYo · September 4, 2013

List in pictures:

Graveworm · September 4, 2013

Well, do you have a plan how to set up the loop? For example like in my gallery, because I can't really sort out how yours will be, seems like you dont have enough fittings etc.

And why the expensive Noctuas, you can save so much in using Corsair SP120's or 140's. If you choose the quiet version you can't even here them 5/7/12V and you save a lot. May I ask which case you will use? Cause if I were you I would stick to radiators as THICK (60mm or more) as possible and then just pick 240mm or 360mm if you don't have so much space.

Also you don't really need the backplate for the GPU, save those bugs or use them more wisely.

As for your configuration:

Well, i tried a few configs now but seem like if you want all that good stuff, 500€ is not enough. Only if you buy pump/res as a dual bay combo.

If you are from the netherlands, why not try out http://www.aquatuning.nl/

I order all my stuff there and they are cheaper and have most of the parts.

MoYo · September 4, 2013

Well, do you have a plan how to set up the loop? For example like in my gallery, because I can't really sort out how yours will be, seems like you dont have enough fittings etc.

And why the expensive Noctuas, you can save so much in using Corsair SP120's or 140's. If you choose the quiet version you can't even here them 5/7/12V and you save a lot. May I ask which case you will use? Cause if I were you I would stick to radiators as THICK (60mm or more) as possible and then just pick 240mm or 360mm if you don't have so much space.

Also you don't really need the backplate for the GPU, save those bugs or use them more wisely.

As for your configuration:

Well, i tried a few configs now but seem like if you want all that good stuff, 500€ is not enough. Only if you buy pump/res as a dual bay combo.

If you are from the netherlands, why not try out http://www.aquatuning.nl/

I order all my stuff there and they are cheaper and have most of the parts.

I live in belgium but shipping would cost the same I think.

The case that I'm using is a fractal design R4, it can't fit a thick radiator in the top, only a thin 240mm. But It can fit a thick 280mm in the front.

I already have 1 noctua fan and it's cheaper just buying another one than buying 2 new sp120's.

MoYo · September 4, 2013

As for the layout of the loop: I found this build http://www.cooledpc.com/build/291

This is almost how I would plan the loop. But without the mobo cooling.

Graveworm · September 4, 2013

As for the layout of the loop: I found this build http://www.cooledpc.com/build/291

This is almost how I would plan the loop. But without the mobo cooling.

yeah so i would stick to a 280mm front and a 240mm top. That is more than enough for your little 2500k and a 7950 and you will have plenty of reserves for OC.

About the fans: pick up a noctual and 2 140's then.

I did my build in a Fractal Design R3 with a bit of modding (you can see some pics in my gallery) and I am totally fine with my gtx780 and i5 3570 and there is much reserve as I found out because my temps are GREAT!

Love that R4 btw. and that build looks nice. Don't forget fittings for res/pump/vga block/gpu block, radiators and buy 2 more just in case! Maybe you could add a quick disconnect from koolance so that you could drain it easily.

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