Custom Watercooling Loop for my Rig

[DatCat]

Hi,

 

I want do set up a custom watercooling loop in my computer.

 

My hardware specs are:

MB: ASUS Maximus VI Hero

CPU: i7 4770K

GPU: GTX 680 (Reference Design)

 

I was thinking of these Components:

Radiator: Alphacool NexXxoS XT45 Full Copper 360mm

CPU Block: Koolance CPU-380I Water Block (Intel)

GPU Block: EK-FC680 GTX - Acetal+EN (Nickel)

Reservoir + Pump: EK-D5 Vario X-RES 140 (incl. pump)

Tubing: Primochill PrimoFlex Advanced LRT

Fans: Corsair Air Series SP120 PWM Performance Edition

Fittings: ???

 

Now I have some Questions:

1) Are the Components I chose any good? - Will one 360 rad be enough for GPU and CPU?

2) Which Fittings should I use?

3) Is distilled water enough or do I need to buy some additives?

 

Sorry for the dumb questions but I have never done watercooling before and I am a bit worried .

 

Thanks in advance and happy Christmas,

 

Daniel from Germany

[d33g33]

everything you have picked is fine. If you're just going to run distilled water (which is actually good) run something like a silver kill coil which fights against bacteria. Monsoon do a silver bullet thing which is the same idea but its just plated so requires a replacement. A Silver Kill Coil is good... forever...

 

A 360 is enough but its the bare minimum you would want. A general rule is a  240mm capacity to start and then add 120mm for every hot part afterwards. 

 

Fittings use whatever ones you want. If you're using flexible tube barbs are cheaper, they are just as safe is you use them correctly. Compression are expensive I think they look nicer and they are marketed as 'safer'. There is also a kind of hybrid push in fitting for rigid acrylic tube.

 

There is a great sticky thread at the top of the sub forum, its worth having a read as it would have answered all these questions for you. 

[DatCat]

everything you have picked is fine. If you're just going to run distilled water (which is actually good) run something like a silver kill coil which fights against bacteria. Monsoon do a silver bullet thing which is the same idea but its just plated so requires a replacement. A Silver Kill Coil is good... forever...

 

A 360 is enough but its the bare minimum you would want. A general rule is a  240mm capacity to start and then add 120mm for every hot part afterwards. 

 

Fittings use whatever ones you want. If you're using flexible tube barbs are cheaper, they are just as safe is you use them correctly. Compression are expensive I think they look nicer and they are marketed as 'safer'. There is also a kind of hybrid push in fitting for rigid acrylic tube.

 

There is a great sticky thread at the top of the sub forum, its worth having a read as it would have answered all these questions for you. 

Ok, thank you.

 

Can you also tell me the difference between these two GPU Blocks?

EK-FC680 GTX - Acetal

EK-FC680 GTX - Acetal+EN (Nickel)

[Prophet of Entropy]

one 360 should be fine if your not trying for a very heavy OC or running your PC in a 40 degree C room.

 

the difference between the 2 blocks in terms of cooling is none, one is just nickel plated, the other is bare copper

 

I use 1/2in ID 3/4in OD tubing and barbs, cause compression fittings for that tube are 1inch in diameter and there isn't always clearance for big fittings. but I did use 2 compression cause I couldn't get the pliers into 1 run to put on the spring clamps for the barbs.