Looking to Build my First Custom Loop

Nephanor · September 11, 2017

Hey there, I am looking to build my first custom loop system in about 8 months, and so I am starting to work on gathering information now, especially since I am looking to go with a rather unique and powerful setup. So here's the basic outline:

System will be housed in a CaseLabs Mercury S8 case, because I want maximum room to be able to work with, plus I want to make it a hell of a lot easier to set up for my first time loop. I figure a nice big case will also help with spreading out the heat for this system. It will be housing 4 top of the line Pascal cards. At the moment that means four Titan Xp's. Yes, I know, SLI can't do that. But this is for 3D rendering, so SLI is actually something they won't be running on. As such, that means the biggest and baddest nVida has to offer will be going in this beast. It will be running on a top end Threadripper, because these can deliver the PCI lanes that the graphics cards can deliver. I am not terribly concerned about cooling the RAM, as the GPUs will be taking most of the heat with rendering. But here's the kicker. I want to do this with glass tubing. I know, this is quite a leap for a first time loop builder to be jumping into glass, but I like the look of it in terms of it's clarity and resistance to clouding, which I know the plastics will do. It also works well with the aesthetic I am going for. I am willing to entertain going not so tough a project for my first custom loop build and sticking with flex, but I really want to keep my dream open. I also like to challenge myself.

Now, what I am looking for is advice on information about proper preparation of glass tubing. I know Jayz2Cents has one about cutting, but he doesn't talk about the proper glazing of the end, or if the tubes can be bent at all. That in itself may be a factor in whether or not I end up going with flex or the rigid tubing. Also, I need to learn more about organizing everything, and whether I want to do two loops in this system (one for the GPUs and one for the CPU) and all the other things I am going to need to learn. I am already looking at the FAQ and First timer guide here, but also am looking for the more advanced tutorials so I can start learning now. I want to get all this knowledge under my belt before I start applying them to a $12,000 computer system.

Suggestions, tips, and comments on where to start looking are appreciated.

Oh, and the aesthetic I am looking for is this: I want all the light sources in the case (and it will have glass panels to see inside) to be purple or UV (since UV and purple are close in the spectrum, they won't clash) and the fluid I was looking at I wanted to look like a green blood that is UV reactive. The Thermochill Aura (which Jayz2Cents showed off) is what I am looking at. This actually will match my current system which has green and purple lighting in it.

EDIT: Also, I wanted to add in some cool visual effects, I remember at one time seeing a water cooling accessory that added a "twisted" portion, not unlike the containers that held the T-Virus in the Resident evil movies, a link to where to get those kind of things would be AWESOME too!

Thanks!

W-L · September 11, 2017

23 minutes ago, Nephanor said:

-SNIP-

As you said this will be your best references:

https://linustechtips.com/main/topic/5435-watercooling-faq-some-basic-qa/

https://linustechtips.com/main/topic/1755-water-cooling-101-a-good-place-for-newbies-to-start/

For glass tubing that can be done easily with straight tubing and fittings but if your plan is to do bends that gets much more complex. Your going to need to get some glass blowing equipment with torches and more importantly the proper technique in heating applying back pressure when bending to ensure it doesn't collapse the tubes. It's a fine art that is hard to get right so it isn't something I really suggest going straight off the bat.

Other components such as UV fluids that won't be a problem there are lots of options, but for UV lighting you want the system to be as dark as possible without any other lighting.

http://www.frozenqshop.com/cylinder-reservoirs/

THFourteen · September 11, 2017

You definitely need to do a build log for this project!

Nephanor · September 11, 2017

Oooo, those are the cylinders I was looking for, but am a little disappointed the helix didn't actually transmit the cooling fluid. That would look AMAZING with the Aura coolant I was looking at. I do like some of the other designs that this company makes though. Thanks W-L!

I was actually thinking of something to help solve the glass bending issue. I know there are glassworks places locally that do classes, so maybe if I pay someone who teaches the classes to do that part of it, if I get them the shapes I want, I can get it done professionally. If not, maybe I can take some classes and use their equipment while I am there to get it done. Learn a new skill and get part of the system built all at the same time!

And absolutely I will be doing a build log! I may even make it a vlog, just making sure I am not visible in it. (I despise being on camera)