Thinking Of Water Cooling

Daracwow

Daracwow

Daracwow

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25 Jan 2009
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58
Hi as the title says I have been thinking about watercooling for some time now and well was never sure as to what to get. Well have some spare Cash now and want to give it ago.

Ok my Spec
Asus Maximus Extreme IV Mobo
Intel i7-2600K cpu (running at 4GHz) With Corsair H70 heatsink)
2x Shappire Ati 7970 in crossfire
Corsair 1000 Watt Psu (not sure which model)

I'm thinking new Case, just because I picked up a Antec 902 Nine Hundred Two. but since then added a second GPU.

I was thinking of getting V12 Watercooled Case - Xigmatek Elysium kit, as that saolves most things I would guess but then I would need GPU blocks and mobo blocks and Also would I need anything else would that kit be able to handle all that?

Your help would be loved on this guys

Thanks in Advance
 
You probably won't need chipset blocks for the Extreme IV for anything other than cosmetics, P67/Z68/Z77 don't run hot even with a huge overclock, at 4.8ghz I've never seen my chipset temps rise above 27c.

You might want to consider another rad to go with the 360 in the V12 case if running 2 GPU's, a 240 in the front would give you quite a bit of headroom :)

Everything else in the kit is top notch, even get a nice D5 with it too.
 
I might go for the mobo block, my chipset seems to be 30 to 40, with only a 4K overclock.

Would the fact the computer is in a box room, so not great air flow in the room, so can get hot, about 24 to 30 Degrees C, seems to be standard temp in this room?

So you would suggest 2 Rads for me because of the GPU's would you recommend any?
 
Ok so been looking at what to get to get this operation going. I'm thinking of the following, but help and advise is needed as always, if you know a part which is better or something I've missed then let me know.

I have been looking at what I might need to water cool my system and I came up with the following, two things in basket I’m not sure about are the EK-FC Bridge DUAL Serial 3-Slot As to if I need this or the Parallel one, or if I would just need Phobya Variable SLI/Crossfire Connector 3 Slot - Gold? But I heard mixing metals is not a good idea in water systems, so would the gold cause an issue?
Two other things is I might change the Phobya Single 5.25” Bay Reservoir to a double bay one maybe if you think that would be a good option? I guess that would mean more Coolant needed also?
Last thing is the OcUK 1/2" Barbed Fitting G1/4 - FatBoy Style - Shining Silver Finish, would the OcUK 1/2" G1/4 - High Flow Style - Black Nickel - Compression Fitting, look better in a black case, and is the compression fitting better looking once in the case?, if so would change the ones included in the V12 kit and ones I added to basket to them. I might go for both and just see which looks best.
If you could let me know as I’m interested in getting this system ready before Diablo 3 comes out if I can, but I have noticed some items are not in stock.
I guess I’m look at a price around £800 ish for everything

My PC Spec is: so you know what I would be changing from and also check to see if things would fit/work ok
Asus Maximus IV Extreme Intel P67 (Socket 1155) DDR3 Motherboard ** B3 REVISION **
Intel Core i7-2600K 3.40GHz (Sandybridge) Socket LGA1155 Processor - Retail
Corsair HX 1000W ATX Modular SLI Compliant Power Supply (CMPSU-1000HXUK)
Antec 902 Nine Hundred Two (V3) Ultimate Gaming Case (with USB3.0 Support) - Black
Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-15000C9 1866MHz Dual Channel Kit (CMZ8GX3M2A1866C9)
LG BH10LS38 10x BluRay-RW / 16 x DVD±RW Lightscribe Drive - Black (Retail)
Corsair Hydro H70 High-Performance Liquid CPU Cooler (SocketLGA775/LGA1155/LGA1156/LGA1366/AM2/AM3)
Two Sapphire ATI 7970 Craphics cards. Sapphire HD 7970 3072MB PCI-Express Graphics Card - AMD 3 for FREE Promotion, but might not be that exact one as purchased from another supplier

Your basket
Product Name Qty Price Line Total

OcUK Tech Lab - V12 Watercooled Case - Xigmatek Elysium
Options applied to the above product:
Intel Bracket Fitted
Mayhems Aurora - Tharsis Red Coolant 1L
EK-FC7970 Full Cover Waterblock - Nickel Plexi **EN Nickel Plating**
EK CoolStream Radiator XT 240 (120.2)
EK-FC Bridge DUAL Serial 3-Slot
Scythe Gentle Typhoon 120mm 1450 RPM - 3 Pin
Akasa TIM Kit Thermal Compound + Cleaner & Spreader
Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound (3.5g)
OcUK Tube Cutter Aluminum 3-14mm
Phobya Variable SLI/Crossfire Connector 3 Slot - Gold
BitFenix Alchemy SATA 6GB/s braided cable 30cm - Red
XSPC HighFlex Hose 7/16" ID, 5/8" OD, 15.9/11.1mm, 2m, Clear
Alphacool 120mm x 100mm Velcro Pad
OcUK 1/2" G1/4 - FatBoy Style - Shiny Silver - Barb Fitting
OcUK Value PSU Bridging Connector (24 Pin)

Are memory water blocks any good?

If you can think of anything thing else I might need let me know

Thanks again

Matt
 
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1) i'd get 4m of tubing
2) you don't need the phobya multi card fittings AND the EK bridge
3) If you're still within your DSR period, i'd return your 7970's and get two of the OcUK tech lab ones. Saves your warranty and lots of hassle
4) Just so you know, the waterblocks for your graphics cards and the CPU block are different materials. one is copper, the other is nickel. No problems with it, but it may look dodgy aesthetically :)
5) Fan controller?
6) don't bother watercooling your RAM
 
Get a different coolant. Pastel or X1 for mayhems. Aurora is for showcase pcs at shows etc, the effect will wear off and the pearl things will collect somewhere eventually.

Don't buy the bitfenix sata cables yet until you have all the gear. They may be too short to keep tidy depending on the layout of your case. ( they're really short.. 30cm. Normally sata cables seem to be 45-50cm. I have a 100cm cable for my bdrom that runs around my case lol.

I bought a black nickel sli fitting the same as that but I'm still waiting on cards. Actually not sure if it's the right size though, it looks far too big o_0. I think by 3slot it means 3 slots apart..
 
Cleeecooo said:
1) i'd get 4m of tubing
2) you don't need the phobya multi card fittings AND the EK bridge
3) If you're still within your DSR period, i'd return your 7970's and get two of the OcUK tech lab ones. Saves your warranty and lots of hassle
4) Just so you know, the waterblocks for your graphics cards and the CPU block are different materials. one is copper, the other is nickel. No problems with it, but it may look dodgy aesthetically :)
5) Fan controller?
6) don't bother watercooling your RAM
Click to expand...

1) Sound like a good idea will do
2) I was thinking it saves me having to do a small tube link between the two cards?
3) Out of DSR now, had since Jan
4) Hmmm, might change that then, any recommendations?
5) Was not sure on Fan controller, was thinking NZXT Sentry LX LCD Fan Controller, NZXT LXE Touch Screen External Fan Controller as can have near me, case will not be within reach of where I sit or AeroCool V12XT 4-Channel LCD Touch Panel Fan Controller AeroCool V12XT 4-Channel LCD Touch Panel Fan Controller
6) Ok just wanted to check

OptimaLnrg said:
Get a different coolant. Pastel or X1 for mayhems. Aurora is for showcase pcs at shows etc, the effect will wear off and the pearl things will collect somewhere eventually.

Don't buy the bitfenix sata cables yet until you have all the gear. They may be too short to keep tidy depending on the layout of your case. ( they're really short.. 30cm. Normally sata cables seem to be 45-50cm. I have a 100cm cable for my bdrom that runs around my case lol.

I bought a black nickel sli fitting the same as that but I'm still waiting on cards. Actually not sure if it's the right size though, it looks far too big o_0. I think by 3slot it means 3 slots apart..
Click to expand...

1) Will get a different coolent, maybe just the basic one.
2) Ok will not on Sata cables, will wait and see, I do have some in current case not sure how long they are.
3) Was after one just so I dont have to do a short tube between cards, less effort I guess.

Anything else guys, all info is good info. Well for me it is, first water cooled PC, but been builing them for 15 years. So a new field for me.

What do you think barbs, Compression for getting the right look, or is it nothing so really think about?
 
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Daracwow said:
1) Sound like a good idea will do
2) I was thinking it saves me having to do a small tube link between the two cards?
3) Out of DSR now, had since Jan
4) Hmmm, might change that then, any recommendations?
5) Was not sure on Fan controller, was thinking NZXT Sentry LX LCD Fan Controller, NZXT LXE Touch Screen External Fan Controller as can have near me, case will not be within reach of where I sit or AeroCool V12XT 4-Channel LCD Touch Panel Fan Controller AeroCool V12XT 4-Channel LCD Touch Panel Fan Controller
6) Ok just wanted to check
Click to expand...

2) it does, but you only need one OR the other :)

3) Ask ocUK to put a nickel plexi block in instead of the copper plexi :)

5) http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18276163
Any of those :)
You may also want to consider the aquaero fan controllers, little expensive though.
 
Cleeecooo said:
2) it does, but you only need one OR the other :)

3) Ask ocUK to put a nickel plexi block in instead of the copper plexi :)

5) http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18276163
Any of those :)
You may also want to consider the aquaero fan controllers, little expensive though.
Click to expand...

3) ok so get one that looks right then, probably the black one
5) Yea makes sense :cool:
the aquaero fan controllers looks soo GOOD!!!!!, might just get one after all I'm after getting everything now so I dont have to later

What do you think barbs, Compression for getting the right look, or is it nothing so really think about? (added to older post after you posted this)
 
Ok almost done I think, just stuck on what to use to link the two ATI 7970's, with my current board I have them in PCI-e slots 1 and 3, 1 and 2 would mean card in one would have no air flow, but guessing with water blocks this would not be a problem?

So would I need 2x http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=WC-195-EK&groupid=962&catid=1529&subcat=2267

one for each card, and then

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=WC-193-EK&groupid=962&catid=1529&subcat=2267

And serial or Parallel and which is best for cooling?

Also will they fit my cards blocks?
 
I'm not sure about which is best for cooling. My personal choice would be serial. I'm not 100% certain though.

You're correct about what you need though.

Just move the cards so they're a single slot apart.
 
Your basket
Product Name
1x OcUK Tech Lab - V12 Watercooled Case - Xigmatek Elysium
Intel Bracket Fitted (Copper but will change hopefully)
Mayhems X1 UV Red Premixed Watercooling Fluid 1L
2x EK-FC7970 Full Cover Waterblock - Nickel Plexi **EN Nickel Plating**
1x Hardware Labs Black ICE Radiator SR1 240 (added as other Rad is Black ICE, so mainly to keep same look)
1x Lamptron FC Touch Fan Controller - Black Lamptron FC Touch Fan Controller - Black
3x Scythe Gentle Typhoon 120mm 1450 RPM - 3 Pin
1x Akasa TIM Kit Thermal Compound + Cleaner & Spreader Akasa TIM Kit
1x Thermal Compound + Cleaner & Spreader
1x Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound (3.5g)
1x OcUK Tube Cutter Aluminum 3-14mm
2x XSPC HighFlex Hose 7/16" ID, 5/8" OD, 15.9/11.1mm, 2m, Clear
12x OcUK 1/2" G1/4 - High Flow Style - Black Nickel - Compression Fitting
4x Alphacool 120mm x 100mm Velcro Pad
2x OcUK Value PSU Bridging Connector (24 Pin) (I know two but going to give one to friend for PSU testing, save the paper clip)

I missed of the video card link, for now till I work out which I need but I think this is everything.

So anything you can see I missed or anything I might needand I mean anything.

Two things
The CPU block to ask for nickel and the barbs that come with case kit to be change to compression parts, I added the compression fitting to list, but might not need them. (compression I think looks better) Cheap to change if not anyway.
 
from what I read its better to have the cooling in parallel on the gfx cards, suppose to run em slightly cooler that way rather than having 1 running hotter than the other but would be only few degrees in it either way , but people have different opinions on it either way.

as for the compression fittings , as cleeec says u need 7/16 compression fittings , from personal experience the Ocuk compressions I couldn't get em to fasten at all and the EK ones wasn't much better with less than a turn before they locked , not tried bitpower ones but I read they suppose to be better fitting but ofc cost a lot more , prefer 1/2 inc barbs myself with 7/16 tubing(nice tight fit and no leaks)
 
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