My first watercooling loop

[WaavinHicks]

I'm about to buy a new build and was wondering with watercooling what options there is when it comes to watercooling a single GPU and the CPU? and possibly the motherboard if i decide to go with a motherboard that has watercooling.

i dont have a huge budget, but i dont need to go super cheap on it either, somewhere midrange ($300 maybe?) ive been looking at the xspc kits and they seem to get good reviews on youtube so was wondering are they a safe bet for a beginner?

 

UPDATED:

Few questions, has anyone in Australia ordered anything of the xspc store?

Also, what would be the cleanest runs in terms of fittings and tubing etc for a 360 rad in the top, cpu block and a reservoir with pump attatched sitting behing the 5.25 drive bays in a 750D (I understand thats a tough question to answer but any help is granted , also the res has 3 ports on the bottom thats all)

[airdeano]

I'm about to buy a new build and was wondering with watercooling what options there is when it comes to watercooling a single GPU and the CPU? and possibly the motherboard if i decide to go with a motherboard that has watercooling.

i dont have a huge budget, but i dont need to go super cheap on it either, somewhere midrange ($300 maybe?) ive been looking at the xspc kits and they seem to get good reviews on youtube so was wondering are they a safe bet for a beginner?

 

$300 for a CPU/GPU loop is going to be very hard and prolly not "dependable".

 

either 2x 240x 60 radiators or 1x 360x60 radiator to hold a moderate to warm overclock

on the CPU and moderate no voltage GPU to keep fans speeds under 1400rpm. you can

use thinner radiators, but fan speed will prolly have to be increased to keep the temps

in a respectable range, but the noise tolerance might be challenged.

 

so shopping for water cooling also needs a compatible case and GPU.

 

for beginning, simply start on a CPU loop. with future plans on upgrading, you'll deffo

want the water pump to be a D5 or DDC (MPC-35x) and then the blocks, fittings and

tubing will all be aesthetics purchases. lastly, radiators. this will be a difficult choice as

a beginner, because you won't know the noise level/temp change expectations. so

building a small (upgradable) loop will effectively allow changes and additions for

future ideas.

 

my recommendations would be:

 

build system on air first. rip it, clock it, torture it to tolerances.

use a simple 240x 30/45 radiator, a pair of fans, Raystorm block, bay res with a D5/DDC

pump, 7/16" tubing, 1/2" barb fittings and go to town with it. note the differences between

air and h2o just with that change. are the fans to quiet, jack 'em up and raise the overclock.

or expand the radiator.. once you get it built and running, the evil of water cooling will fix

the rest..

[WaavinHicks]

$300 for a CPU/GPU loop is going to be very hard and prolly not "dependable".

 

either 2x 240x 60 radiators or 1x 360x60 radiator to hold a moderate to warm overclock

on the CPU and moderate no voltage GPU to keep fans speeds under 1400rpm. you can

use thinner radiators, but fan speed will prolly have to be increased to keep the temps

in a respectable range, but the noise tolerance might be challenged.

 

so shopping for water cooling also needs a compatible case and GPU.

 

for beginning, simply start on a CPU loop. with future plans on upgrading, you'll deffo

want the water pump to be a D5 or DDC (MPC-35x) and then the blocks, fittings and

tubing will all be aesthetics purchases. lastly, radiators. this will be a difficult choice as

a beginner, because you won't know the noise level/temp change expectations. so

building a small (upgradable) loop will effectively allow changes and additions for

future ideas.

 

my recommendations would be:

 

build system on air first. rip it, clock it, torture it to tolerances.

use a simple 240x 30/45 radiator, a pair of fans, Raystorm block, bay res with a D5/DDC

pump, 7/16" tubing, 1/2" barb fittings and go to town with it. note the differences between

air and h2o just with that change. are the fans to quiet, jack 'em up and raise the overclock.

or expand the radiator.. once you get it built and running, the evil of water cooling will fix

the rest..

I was looking into something such as an XPSC Raystorm EX360 kit that comes with the res and pump combined and using that as a starting point, then maybe getting a second radiator and putting it in the bottom of the case when I get some more money together? However a few people told me to just watercool the GPU whilst doing the CPU as its less hassle to do it all at once?

Also, after looking at so many options today I forgot to mention that the $300 budget didnt include a GPU block :unsure:

http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=24227&cPath=45

[airdeano]

I was looking into something such as an XPSC Raystorm EX360 kit that comes with the res and pump combined and using that as a starting point, then maybe getting a second radiator and putting it in the bottom of the case when I get some more money together? However a few people told me to just watercool the GPU whilst doing the CPU as its less hassle to do it all at once?

Also, after looking at so many options today I forgot to mention that the $300 budget didnt include a GPU block :unsure:

http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=24227&cPath=45

 

well i'd stop listening to those people. this is your first h2o build, why ruin the

experience when you know nothing about the system and over complicate several

steps to have issues and ditch the idea with a lot of wasted money spent that prolly

won't get recovered.

 

if you are looking to later upgrade the loop, that pump will not be used (too weak

for multi block use). find the bayres D5 or DDC and that'll be the pump to use.

and what case are you using? what are the build specs?

[WaavinHicks]

well i'd stop listening to those people. this is your first h2o build, why ruin the

experience when you know nothing about the system and over complicate several

steps to have issues and ditch the idea with a lot of wasted money spent that prolly

won't get recovered.

 

if you are looking to later upgrade the loop, that pump will not be used (too weak

for multi block use). find the bayres D5 or DDC and that'll be the pump to use.

and what case are you using? what are the build specs?

The case is going to be a 750d, CPU is a 4770k motherboard I'm still unsure and graphics card most likely a gtx 780ti

Is reservoir just a personal choice? Cause I'd like to get one that fits into the front bays

[Crion]

Listen to airdeano.  He knows what he's talking about.  If this is your first foray into water cooling, just worry about the CPU.  Setting up a CPU custom loop is less complicated and there are less chances for you to make an expensive mistake.

[WaavinHicks]

Listen to airdeano.  He knows what he's talking about.  If this is your first foray into water cooling, just worry about the CPU.  Setting up a CPU custom loop is less complicated and there are less chances for you to make an expensive mistake.

if I was to get a d5 pump xspc 360mm rad and the ray storm CPU block would that be a good starting point that's easy enough to upgrade?

[Crion]

if I was to get a d5 pump xspc 360mm rad and the ray storm CPU block would that be a good starting point that's easy enough to upgrade?

 

So long as your case supports a 360 rad, I see no problems with that.

[WaavinHicks]

So long as your case supports a 360 rad, I see no problems with that.

could I fit a 360 in the top and 240 in the bottom of a 750d?

[airdeano]

could I fit a 360 in the top and 240 in the bottom of a 750d?

 

yes..

this is a Corsair 750 with XSPC RX360 in the roof and RX240 on the floor.

depending on motherboard used, you might not be able to attach the 8-pin power -> LINKY

 

[WaavinHicks]

yes..

this is a Corsair 750 with XSPC RX360 in the roof and RX240 on the floor.

depending on motherboard used, you might not be able to attach the 8-pin power -> LINKY

 

Are they 140mm fans ontop?

And where do you plan to put the pump?

[airdeano]

Are they 140mm fans ontop?

And where do you plan to put the pump?

 

can be, but i chose 120.

there will be a pump/res (Koolance 200/D5) or XSPC Proton 270 w/pump placed

right along the cable grommets

[WaavinHicks]

can be, but i chose 120.

there will be a pump/res (Koolance 200/D5) or XSPC Proton 270 w/pump placed

right along the cable grommets

So the 360mm rad runs into the drive bays?

[airdeano]

So the 360mm rad runs into the drive bays?

 

yeppers deep into the ODD cage. and the way Corsair made the case, that ODD

cage is not one-piece. right side is part of chassis, left side is part front chassis.

to rid it all, major cutting and will have to reinforce the chassis as the do stabilize

the upper frame. the lower two bays are still usable, if needed. but the fan will need

some space to breathe.

[WaavinHicks]

yeppers deep into the ODD cage. and the way Corsair made the case, that ODD

cage is not one-piece. right side is part of chassis, left side is part front chassis.

to rid it all, major cutting and will have to reinforce the chassis as the do stabilize

the upper frame. the lower two bays are still usable, if needed. but the fan will need

some space to breathe.

So would I be better off getting a 240mm rad? I dont want to go into cutting my case or anything like that haha

[airdeano]

So would I be better off getting a 240mm rad? I dont want to go into cutting my case or anything like that haha

 

no a 360 fits just fine.. no cutting necessary. some just want to whizz-off the ODD cages

[WaavinHicks]

no a 360 fits just fine.. no cutting necessary. some just want to whizz-off the ODD cages

If i was to use a dual bay res though id have issues wouldnt i?

[airdeano]

If i was to use a dual bay res though id have issues wouldnt i?

 

it'll get tight on the forward fan position and possibly restricting the air-flow. if i have a bay res, i'll poke it in and

see how iffy it might be.. prolly this weekend

[WaavinHicks]

it'll get tight on the forward fan position and possibly restricting the air-flow. if i have a bay res, i'll poke it in and

see how iffy it might be.. prolly this weekend

if you do could you give us a heads up on how it went? If it won't work I'll go for a normal res

[airdeano]

if you do could you give us a heads up on how it went? If it won't work I'll go for a normal res

 

here is the 360 in the 750D:

 

 

the earlier XSPC acrylic res will not fit without blocking the front fan. the later Delrin

res is a bit shorter and might just swing enough fan spacing, but i doubt it as usually

a D5 is hanging out the back end. a res without a pump shallow (3.50"/90mm) could

give you the sorted fan clearance.

[WaavinHicks]

here is the 360 in the 750D:

 

 

the earlier XSPC acrylic res will not fit without blocking the front fan. the later Delrin

res is a bit shorter and might just swing enough fan spacing, but i doubt it as usually

a D5 is hanging out the back end. a res without a pump shallow (3.50"/90mm) could

give you the sorted fan clearance.

The bay res was just an aesthetic choice really, would going a 360 over a 240 be overly beneficial? I may just run with 2 240's. However if the 360 is going to give a lot more performance then I'll go with a normal tube res

[airdeano]

The bay res was just an aesthetic choice really, would going a 360 over a 240 be overly beneficial? I may just run with 2 240's. However if the 360 is going to give a lot more performance then I'll go with a normal tube res

 

well the decision is your to make if you are going to dual GPU in the future or not.

if so, go ahead and plump the 360, if not, then 2x 240 and your done. a single 360

will offer less plumbing than the 2x 240 as well for single GPU usage.

[WaavinHicks]

well the decision is your to make if you are going to dual GPU in the future or not.

if so, go ahead and plump the 360, if not, then 2x 240 and your done. a single 360

will offer less plumbing than the 2x 240 as well for single GPU usage.

yeah good point. I do plan to eventually run 2 GPUs but not for a while

Is there any tube style reservoirs you'd reccomend? What size I would need etc..

[airdeano]

yeah good point. I do plan to eventually run 2 GPUs but not for a while

Is there any tube style reservoirs you'd reccomend? What size I would need etc..

 

that is merely what fits your build (dimensionally), your "look" and budget.

i've used from the Swiftech micro to the Koolance 200x 80 mounted to a D5 to no reservoir.

best universal would be the Bitspower 150. its convertible if you want to direct mount

pump to it, or leave it remote. most all h2o shops have one and mounts pretty easily.

even the XSPC D5 acrylic tank/top is small, easily mountable, and flashy.

[WaavinHicks]

that is merely what fits your build (dimensionally), your "look" and budget.

i've used from the Swiftech micro to the Koolance 200x 80 mounted to a D5 to no reservoir.

best universal would be the Bitspower 150. its convertible if you want to direct mount

pump to it, or leave it remote. most all h2o shops have one and mounts pretty easily.

even the XSPC D5 acrylic tank/top is small, easily mountable, and flashy.

I think ill have to mount the pump to the bottom of the reservoir as im struggling to fit the bottom rad in as it is and besides im beginning to like the look of the tube style reservoir