First watercooling build, need a "spec me".

kalvindeane

kalvindeane

kalvindeane

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I'll either be using the Pinnacle 24 Case, or the U2-UFO with 3 windows. Just cooling the CPU for now, will either add
in a second loop for my graphics card whenever I upgrade (480 or a 6xxx series card), or get a pretty big rad that
should be enough for both cpu and graphics. I believe I am right in thinking both a quad and triple rad can be installed
into the Pinnacle 24, would a rad of that size be sufficient to cool say a 480 and a 920 D0? ;)

Going for a red/black theme here people, so everything is about looks more than functionality. I've pm'd MrdBristol
to ask him what tubing he used on Project: Monolith, as it looks the bee's knees.:cool:

Nothing has been decided yet, open to ideas on all components! Blocks, Fittings, Clamps, Pumps, Grills (do I really
need grills?:confused:), Rad Housing (same question?:confused:), Rads, Reservoir, Tubing (already said I've asked MrdBristol though).

Everything MUST fit into a red and black theme though (red highlights really), if something doesn't fit in, then I
might have a component anodised as MrdBristol did in Monolith for his reservoir. :p



I've read through a couple of beginners guides, and I'm not going to make the mistake of jumping into this with no
knowledge. Links to novice's guides would be most welcome :) I'd prefer to buy from OCUK, but products that
OCUK don't sell are still good suggestions, 1 shop can't always supply everything :(

If any components are available from the same store that I am getting the case from (should be obvious), then let
me know pretty quickly, as I want to order the case within the next couple of weeks!

Thanks for reading, will make sure to post my build log in the Project Logs section once it gets underway! Keep an eye out for it!
 
The case doesn't seem that good considering it's price tag :O He had to get his own HDD rack and front panel 5.25" covers..and he made a modification to his back panel...The UFO is looking nicer now..

A HDD rack isn't that bad though. Not sure why he changed his PSU to be bottom mounted, was it in the way of his top mounted rad?
 
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The top rad will fit with one set of fans but I wanted two (push/pull).
Therefore there was not enough space.

As for the HDD rack, mountain mods mount their hard drives from brackets that fit to the rear of the fans. I did not like this so did my own thing.

As for 5.25" covers, again I wanted to do my own thing.
 
Any of the U2-UFO you know of? No time to go searching myself. How much is cooling my 920 and a 480 (for example) going to cost me roughly? I know next-to-nothing about watercooling gear, so I could really do with some advice :)
 
 
What fluid would you recommend? I'd really like either red fluid, or nice red tubing.

I'd prefer if literally everything is red/black, are there black fittings I can get (or anodising the EK's that you linked)
As for the block, if I was to use red dyed fluid, would the block be all/mostly red and black? As it's all clear.
I wouldn't mind paying a few £££ more for the Bitspower fittings.

Sorry if I sound too fussy - when spending this much on a rig, it has to look perfect :D
 
I don't know where to find such a thing, will look around later. The red tubing on OUCK wouldn't do it any justice imo.

Edit: What're your thoughts on the EK-Supreme HighFlow CPU Block? I just like the looks of it :D

What about the Lund POM Res too? Seems to fit in with my colours nicely....:p

Further edit: If I'm buying 7/16 tubing, and the reservoir/pump is 3/8, I guess I'll need fittings to
connect them together, i.e 7/16 on one side and 3/8 on the other?

Sorry for sounding so noob - I'm still learning :)
 
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If it has to be red & black. Then get an EK-Supreme HighFlow CPU Block - Acetal top (this is all black).

If you want black fittings use these BitsPower (the link is for 7/16" but you can also get 1/2")

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=WC-057-BP

Also Ek make an equivalent compression fitting that will not break the bank.

Lots of red tubing looks orange, OCUK have a few versions but I have never purchased from them

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=WC-064-OK&groupid=962&catid=1530&subcat=

As for the POM res - that was a one off for Mr Bristol done by a competitor ;)

And finally, stay away from feser red as it does not stay red for very long (turns a very dirty colour) and does this after a very short time.

DSCF1313.jpg


This was after only a few weeks & was a complete nightmare to remove.
 
Actually about the POM res, I can get it in black, for little extra cost, which would fit the bill as far as colours go, not sure how it performs though?

Thanks for your contributions everyone, they have been most helpful :)
Now I just need to find some nice red tubing, other than what has been
said here already, I've heard a lot of stories of Dyed Fluid causing problems.
So I'll stay away from that :)
 
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After reading your suggestions, and some other people's suggestions, this is what it looks like so far:

  • Black Ice SR-1 480 Radiator (or 360)
  • EK-Supreme HF CPU Block (all black)
  • Swiftech MCP350 10W 12V DC Pump
  • EK or Bitspower fittings (whichever is cheapest tbh!)
  • POM Black Reservoir
  • Tubing - unkown at this time

After I've found some nice looking red tubing (or maybe I should get black to make it easier?), what size should
I get it in?

Also, how many fittings am I going to need, and in what size? The pump states that it uses 3/8 barb fittings,
the rad says "Standard G1/4 female threaded fittings", and I'm sure what fittings the CPU Block needs.

I'm assuming that if I had for example 1/2" tubing, that I'd need to either get hoseclips to attach it to the fittings,
or fittings that are 3/8 on one side and 1/2" on the other for the pump, and different fittings again for the rad/CPU Block?

<---- Still learning, and I'm working a lot over the next few days. So you'll have to forgive me for hassling you for
answers to simple questions, I've barely got time to write this at all!
 
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