Best Custom Water Cooling System around $150

[xXNukaColaXx]

Hi guys,

I'm building an enthusiast system under $1000. I want to do custom water cooling, and have room for about $100-$200 in my budget for a custom loop. Can anyone recommend me a custom loop around this price? Preferably, I'd like parts that have been reviewed well and aren't by anonymous companies, that are good quality. It would be great if I had a GPU block for my GTX 970, but its not required.

 

Max Radiator Size: 240-280mm

Max Radiators: 2 (Front and Top)

CPU Socket: LGA 1151 (i5 6600K)

GPU Waterblock?: Preferred

Bent Tubing: No

 

Thanks so much! 

Spoiler

Nom.

 

[Fulgrim]

$1000 is not an enthusiast budget, mate.

[xXNukaColaXx]

4 minutes ago, Fulgrim said:

$1000 is not an enthusiast budget, mate.

Well I'm an enthusiast, I just don't want to break the bank. True though. Its m8 bro

[airdeano]

welcome to the Linus Tech Tips forums!

 

$200 is close to the ek predator AIO system.

but for a full custom, using new parts, not for $200.

[TeoIzAwezome]

Yeah, EKWB's Predator is your best bet. Unless you want to go full DIY.

 

 

 

[xXNukaColaXx]

5 minutes ago, airdeano said:

welcome to the Linus Tech Tips forums!

 

$200 is close to the ek predator AIO system.

but for a full custom, using new parts, not for $200.

Well, if I'm going AIO might as well get something like a Corsair H series or Thermaltake Riing 360 cooler.

Hmmm.. Well that proves what I thought.

 

Thanks m8.

[TeoIzAwezome]

1 minute ago, xXNukaColaXx said:

Well, if I'm going AIO might as well get something like a Corsair H series or Thermaltake Riing 360 cooler.

Hmmm.. Well that proves what I thought.

 

Thanks m8.

Well, EK does filled GPU waterblocks for the Predators as long as they have the connector on them.

[xXNukaColaXx]

4 minutes ago, CUDA_Cores said:

Jayztwocents actually made a video about this awhile ago:

Basically here is what it comes down to:

 

If water cooling requires you to get worse performing parts than what you could've gotten without watercooling, it is not worth it. IMO a budget like $1000 watercooling is not a good way to go as you could take the money you spent on a loop and invest it into a better CPU or GPU.

Good point, guess I'll just go with an AIO.

[Sam Z Man]

2 minutes ago, xXNukaColaXx said:

Good point, guess I'll just go with an AIO.

What's wrong with a good air cooler?

[xXNukaColaXx]

1 minute ago, Sam Z Man said:

What's wrong with a good air cooler?

Nothing agains't air coolers, I love the CM Hyper 212 EVO for example, it's just I prefer to get something more premium when you have more room in the budget. A high end air cooler can easily compete on par with a mid end water cooler

[xXNukaColaXx]

7 minutes ago, TeoIzAwezome said:

Well, EK does filled GPU waterblocks for the Predators as long as they have the connector on them.

Ooh, they do that on the Predator 360's. That's a pretty good option, because I'll be able to upgrade it later.