XSPC a good option?

[Chuck38]

Hi folks,

 

I think first of all, I will list out my system specs.

 

AMD FX-6300

Gigabyte 990FXA-UD3 R5

Asus GTX 750 Ti

Crucial Ballistix 8GB DDR3-1600

EVGA 500w

LG Optical Drive

Seagate 1TB Hybrid Hard Drive

Crucial 240GB SSD

Two Fractal Design 140mm case fans

Corsair H105, using two Noctua NF-F12 fans instead of those crappy loud Corsair fans.

 

All housed in a Fractal Design Define R4 w/ Window.

 

Anyway.. I know water cooling is a bit of an overkill for a FX-6300 but I like to benchmark and overclock and I like quiet. However, the H105 isn't quiet. There's a constant buzz coming from it. It's not really loud, but it's a little annoying. I just bought it about a week ago, returned the first one because it was much to loud and the kit didn't come with all the parts. Amazon sent me out a replacement. It's not as loud as the first one, but it's still makes noise. At least this kit came with all the parts.

 

However, I've always thought a custom loop would be really cool, but it's always seemed really expensive. Especially after watching one of Linus's videos and he seems to recommend Swiftech and Swifttech only. (Forgive if I'm spelling that wrong.) But I did a little research of my own and found these XSPC kits that seem to be a good option for beginners like me. I can trade out parts later on if I feel a need to, but I don't have to pay a fortune right away. BUT! I can't find very many reviews for the company, so I thought I'd ask here. This is the kit I'm looking at right now. http://www.outletpc.com/tp7416-xspc-raystorm-420-ex240-watercooling-kit.html

 

I would probably return the H105, get my money back and then buy this if you think it's a good idea.

 

Thanks,

 

-Chuck

 

[Amazingasian]

Hi folks,

 

I think first of all, I will list out my system specs.

 

AMD FX-6300

Gigabyte 990FXA-UD3 R5

Asus GTX 750 Ti

Crucial Ballistix 8GB DDR3-1600

EVGA 500w

LG Optical Drive

Seagate 1TB Hybrid Hard Drive

Crucial 240GB SSD

Two Fractal Design 140mm case fans

Corsair H105, using two Noctua NF-F12 fans instead of those crappy loud Corsair fans.

 

All housed in a Fractal Design Define R4 w/ Window.

 

Anyway.. I know water cooling is a bit of an overkill for a FX-6300 but I like to benchmark and overclock and I like quiet. However, the H105 isn't quiet. There's a constant buzz coming from it. It's not really loud, but it's a little annoying. I just bought it about a week ago, returned the first one because it was much to loud and the kit didn't come with all the parts. Amazon sent me out a replacement. It's not as loud as the first one, but it's still makes noise. At least this kit came with all the parts.

 

However, I've always thought a custom loop would be really cool, but it's always seemed really expensive. Especially after watching one of Linus's videos and he seems to recommend Swiftech and Swifttech only. (Forgive if I'm spelling that wrong.) But I did a little research of my own and found these XSPC kits that seem to be a good option for beginners like me. I can trade out parts later on if I feel a need to, but I don't have to pay a fortune right away. BUT! I can't find very many reviews for the company, so I thought I'd ask here. This is the kit I'm looking at right now. http://www.outletpc.com/tp7416-xspc-raystorm-420-ex240-watercooling-kit.html

 

I would probably return the H105, get my money back and then buy this if you think it's a good idea.

 

Thanks,

 

-Chuck

It's not a horrible idea but the money you put towards that kit can be spent on better things, like a new GPU or a better PSU.

[Chuck38]

It's not a horrible idea but the money you put towards that kit can be spent on better things, like a new GPU or a better PSU.

That's another thing I've been considering.

 

I don't play demanding games. Only games I play a lot of would be Team Fortress 2 and America's Army: Proving Grounds. So, would I really need a new GPU? Ideally I would love two GPUs.. cause it makes the PC look like a boss!

 

But if I don't have to get a new GPU, would I really need a better PSU?

[W-L]

-SNIP-

 

Welcome to the Forums!

As you said for a FX6300 you could get something better for the value of the kit but if you really want to I guess you can. The XSPC stuff is pretty good value for watercooling equipment while still being mostly good quality. The pump though is basically an entry level pump so noise wise especially for a bay pump/res it may not be super quite. 

[Amazingasian]

That's another thing I've been considering.

 

I don't play demanding games. Only games I play a lot of would be Team Fortress 2 and America's Army: Proving Grounds. So, would I really need a new GPU? Ideally I would love two GPUs.. cause it makes the PC look like a boss!

 

But if I don't have to get a new GPU, would I really need a better PSU?

You probably don't need another GPU.  EVGA 500W units aren't the best.

[Chuck38]

Welcome to the Forums!

As you said for a FX6300 you could get something better for the value of the kit but if you really want to I guess you can. The XSPC stuff is pretty good value for watercooling equipment while still being mostly good quality. The pump though is basically an entry level pump so noise wise especially for a bay pump/res it may not be super quite. 

Ah... There's a problem. I really want quiet. Maybe just a slight drone from the fans, but nothing more than that.

[Chuck38]

You probably don't need another GPU.  EVGA 500W units aren't the best.

Oh, I didn't realize that. Thanks for the heads up.

[W-L]

Ah... There's a problem. I really want quiet. Maybe just a slight drone from the fans, but nothing more than that.

 

If your wanting dead silence your probably going to want a DDC or ideally a D5 pump but those are much more expensive. Also have your tried turning the pump down to quiet mode in Corsair Link it should be fairly silent unless your right up to it.

[Chuck38]

If your wanting dead silence your probably going to want a DDC or ideally a D5 pump but those are much more expensive. Also have your tried turning the pump down to quiet mode in Corsair Link it should be fairly silent unless your right up to it.

Actually, the H105 does not have support for Link. You're thinking of either the H100i or H110.

 

However, I have hooked it up to the build in fan controller on my case and have it running at 7volts which helps a lot.

[W-L]

Actually, the H105 does not have support for Link. You're thinking of either the H100i or H110.

However, I have hooked it up to the build in fan controller on my case and have it running at 7volts which helps a lot.

 

Ah good point not the i version, but IIRC the pumps should not be undervolted but don't quote me on that.

[Chuck38]

Ah good point not the i version, but IIRC the pumps should not be undervolted but don't quote me on that.

Ah, crap. Ok, I should probably hook it back up to the CPU_fan header than.

[W-L]

@Corsair Joseph  may have more insight into that and be able to confirm if it is, I'm not 100% sure for the Corsair pumps.

[Benji_w]

Ah, crap. Ok, I should probably hook it back up to the CPU_fan header than.

 

Personally I would get on ebay and grab 2nd had parts, that's how I built my first loop pretty much, you will want big rads with a low FPI (fin per inch) and low RPM fans to keep noise down, a D5 on the lowest setting keeps my rig silent.

 

[Chuck38]

 

Personally I would get on ebay and grab 2nd had parts, that's how I built my first loop pretty much, you will want big rads with a low FPI (fin per inch) and low RPM fans to keep noise down, a D5 on the lowest setting keeps my rig silent.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alright. I can take a look at ebay.

 

Is it better to get a pump/ reservoir combination or get them separately?  

[Benji_w]

Alright. I can take a look at ebay.

 

Is it better to get a pump/ reservoir combination or get them separately?  

 

Depends, do you want one or not? I have a tube res with a D5 also but not got the acrylic sheet for it yet.

[Chuck38]

Depends, do you want one or not? I have a tube res with a D5 also but not got the acrylic sheet for it yet.

I really don't have a preference. I wasn't sure if it would affect performance at all or if both would work practically the same.

[Benji_w]

I really don't have a preference. I wasn't sure if it would affect performance at all or if both would work practically the same.

 

Which ever is easiest for you in all honesty, I got my D5 bay res for cheap with the D5 and it was brand new. Couldn't say no! 

[Chuck38]

Which ever is easiest for you in all honesty, I got my D5 bay res for cheap with the D5 and it was brand new. Couldn't say no! 

Okay.

 

I've been looking at ebay for a little while here. (10 mins )

 

Haven't found much. I'd like to keep my budget at $150 which seems to be low for a custom loop.

[Benji_w]

Okay.

 

I've been looking at ebay for a little while here. (10 mins )

 

Haven't found much. I'd like to keep my budget at $150 which seems to be low for a custom loop.

 

Yeah, fit a 360 or 420 in the roof, 280 360 in the front then you're golden. Plus when you upgrade etc you can move them to the next build.

[Chuck38]

Yeah, fit a 360 or 420 in the roof, 280 360 in the front then you're golden. Plus when you upgrade etc you can move them to the next build.

Woah.. woah.

 

I'm using a Fractal Design R4. Only supports up to a 280mm radiator on both the top and front.

[Chuck38]

If your wanting dead silence your probably going to want a DDC or ideally a D5 pump but those are much more expensive. Also have your tried turning the pump down to quiet mode in Corsair Link it should be fairly silent unless your right up to it.

One question. Is the X20 420 pump more of a soft hum or a buzz?

 

I don't mind a hum, it's the annoying buzz noise that really gets on my nerves.

[Benji_w]

Woah.. woah.

 

I'm using a Fractal Design R4. Only supports up to a 280mm radiator on both the top and front.

 

Oh yeah sorry its the R5 that supports the bigger rads, my bad. Get 2x 280s. 

[W-L]

One question. Is the X20 420 pump more of a soft hum or a buzz?

I don't mind a hum, it's the annoying buzz noise that really gets on my nerves.

 

I haven't used one myself but I would expect it no different from many AIO's pumps on full speed.

[Chuck38]

Oh yeah sorry its the R5 that supports the bigger rads, my bad. Get 2x 280s. 

If you don't mind me asking.. why two radiators?

[Chuck38]

I haven't used one myself but I would expect it no different from many AIO's pumps on full speed.

Okay, thanks.