Totally new to water cooling - spec needed

NutterzUK

NutterzUK

NutterzUK

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Joined
18 Feb 2010
Posts
940
Hi,

My system seems to be running much hotter than I'd like and making more noise than ideal, so I'm looking for a big upgrade.
I can spend around £900 if needed, but would prefer less of course.

I don't know much about water cooling, but have built a fair few systems.

Current System:
Crossfire 6850s (run hot)
i7 2.7Ghz 1336
Corsair H-50
CM690 case
650w Corsair PSU, 80GB Intel X25-M ssd, 2x 1tb WD green drives, 2 monitors etc.

So, I'm thinking probably a new case, water cooling, and perhaps swap out my cards for a single 7970 as I can't find a GPU block for mine and would probably like to upgrade if I'm going to have to buy water blocks etc.

I would like the system to be able to handle another GPU if I crossfired the 6970's some day in the future without too much hassle.

So I drew up some "initial specs", but I don't know if it's any good.
Sapphire 7970 (£320)
Watercooled Haf-x (£315)
7970 Water block (£80)
Thermal Paste(£9)

Total: £738

I don't actually fully know if this will all connect together, or if I can get another block eventually for a second card. Or I could upgrade to the Corsair 800D also.

Or would you recommend building the whole thing myself?
I really don't know much about watercooling, in fact I was close to (and might still) asking OcUK if I can buy these parts and come down with my PC for a quick hand transferring (if they would do that I don't know).

Also, would I instantly lose my 7970 warrenty by putting the water cooling block on? Unless I buy this one already with a block but that's much more than the price of the card + block
Linky

Thanks
 
NutterzUK said:
Hi,

My system seems to be running much hotter than I'd like and making more noise than ideal, so I'm looking for a big upgrade.
I can spend around £900 if needed, but would prefer less of course.

I don't know much about water cooling, but have built a fair few systems.

Current System:
Crossfire 6850s (run hot)
i7 2.7Ghz 1336
Corsair H-50
CM690 case
650w Corsair PSU, 80GB Intel X25-M ssd, 2x 1tb WD green drives, 2 monitors etc.

So, I'm thinking probably a new case, water cooling, and perhaps swap out my cards for a single 7970 as I can't find a GPU block for mine and would probably like to upgrade if I'm going to have to buy water blocks etc.

I would like the system to be able to handle another GPU if I crossfired the 6970's some day in the future without too much hassle.

So I drew up some "initial specs", but I don't know if it's any good.
Sapphire 7970 (£320)
Watercooled Haf-x (£315)
7970 Water block (£80)
Thermal Paste(£9)

Total: £738

I don't actually fully know if this will all connect together, or if I can get another block eventually for a second card. Or I could upgrade to the Corsair 800D also.

Or would you recommend building the whole thing myself?
I really don't know much about watercooling, in fact I was close to (and might still) asking OcUK if I can buy these parts and come down with my PC for a quick hand transferring (if they would do that I don't know).

Also, would I instantly lose my 7970 warrenty by putting the water cooling block on? Unless I buy this one already with a block but that's much more than the price of the card + block
Linky

Thanks
Click to expand...

Why not get the parts desperately instead of a pre built. Putting it together is the fun bit. Its easy and there is hundreds of videos on YT and some great help on this forum
 
For the case a Switch 810?

Give me 10 mins or so I'll go fire up a spec, I'll leave off tubing, fluid and connections just now as all of that is easily changed to the users liking.
 
Ok here we go as a basic setup, with this you have the best pump, some of the best radiators, one of the best CPU waterblocks as well as EK's latest offering on FC waterblock complete with backplate.

Note the XSPC kit comes with TIM (xspc K2, its pretty good stuff). Should probably add another £30-70 for fittings, tubing, fluid and other misc items such as a tube cutter. Oh and fans too!


YOUR BASKET
1 x Sapphire HD 7970 3072MB PCI-Express Graphics Card - AMD 3 for FREE Promotion £319.99
1 x XSPC RayStorm 750 RX360 WaterCooling Kit £214.99
1 x NZXT Switch 810 Big Tower Case - Black £149.99
1 x EK-FC7970 - Nickel Acetal CSQ £79.99
1 x XSPC RX240 120mm Radiator - Black £65.98
1 x EK-FC7970 Backplate - Black CSQ £20.99
Total : £869.63 (includes shipping : £14.75).



Edit: You can also shave a few quid off by going for a 670 over a 7970 :)
 
pgi947 said:
Ok here we go as a basic setup, with this you have the best pump, some of the best radiators, one of the best CPU waterblocks as well as EK's latest offering on FC waterblock complete with backplate.

Note the XSPC kit comes with TIM (xspc K2, its pretty good stuff). Should probably add another £30-70 for fittings, tubing, fluid and other misc items such as a tube cutter. Oh and fans too!


YOUR BASKET
1 x Sapphire HD 7970 3072MB PCI-Express Graphics Card - AMD 3 for FREE Promotion £319.99
1 x XSPC RayStorm 750 RX360 WaterCooling Kit £214.99
1 x NZXT Switch 810 Big Tower Case - Black £149.99
1 x EK-FC7970 - Nickel Acetal CSQ £79.99
1 x XSPC RX240 120mm Radiator - Black £65.98
1 x EK-FC7970 Backplate - Black CSQ £20.99
Total : £869.63 (includes shipping : £14.75).



Edit: You can also shave a few quid off by going for a 670 over a 7970 :)
Click to expand...

Thanks!
It'll take me a little while to look through all these and take in exactly how it goes together, but I'm looking through it.

I really appreciate the help.

Edit: Is that two radiators?
 
Last edited:
It is indeed, you can get away with just the one (360) at the moment, but the case can take an extra 240 which will give you room to put another GPU in at a later date :)

Remember you will make a little cash back selling on your 6850's which will help with the budget :)
 
pgi947 said:
It is indeed, you can get away with just the one (360) at the moment, but the case can take an extra 240 which will give you room to put another GPU in at a later date :)

Remember you will make a little cash back selling on your 6850's which will help with the budget :)
Click to expand...

Yep, that's what I was planning on doing with the 6850s. Although I may give one to my other half and sell one, as her graphics card is awful and she gets frustrated playing the sims with it taking so long to load.

I think I'll probably go for a set up like this then. How long would you expect this to take to set up?

I did put a message on the support section of the forum to see of OcUK wouldn't mind giving me a hand setting it up seeing as i'm spending a little fortune and I always buy my things from them (I worry if I do it myself it will look messy or not be optimal, much like my current (air) build). I'm waiting for them to get back though and I wouldn't expect them to have the time - they do have a business to run but it's worth asking.

I'll look up some videos on youtube etc next I think. I just worry i'm going to spray liquid on everything but... hopefully if I read enough I can avoid that.
 
Last edited:
It can take a while the first time round, give your self a day to take a clean run at it, iirc my first WC setup from start to finish ran nearly 8 hours, but allot of that time was down to 6870 waterblocks being a complete nightmare to fit. Newer blocks are far easier to install.

Just take it slow, have a good read up, if you are unsure then ask in here, you're always likely to find someone about willing to help. Use pre-mix fluids and clear tubing, should make spotting any leaks or air bubbles easier, don't panic if you have a spill, its very rare for pre-mix coolant to wipe out any components.
 
I love the bay reservoir pump by the way.

Thanks for being so helpful by the way, I really really appreciate all your help. I'll post some pics when I have this running :). I'm still looking through those items you posted and reading the OcUK water cooling guide
 
NP, if you want to add/change anything your not sure of just have an ask, as I said someone will always be about to help.

Remember you need to add fittings, tubing, fluids, fans & misc items :)
 
I'm not sure exactly what fittings etc I'll need but I will take a look and add it up in my basket.

I read the guide which says things like after setting it up, rock your PC back and forth etc to make sure there are no leaks.
If I have to move my system (I'm a PhD student, and with any luck can pay for my first house next year so will be moving), is it a bit of a nightmare?
 
Rocking the case is good for getting trapped air to bleed.

Moving it should be no bother, if you are worried about it springing a leak in transit then just drain the system before you move it :)

Fittings, tubing and misc, note I only added two fans as the XSPC kit already comes with 3 fans.


YOUR BASKET
2 x Scythe Gentle Typhoon 120mm 1850 RPM - 3 Pin £14.98 (29.96)
1 x OcUK Tube Cutter Aluminum 3-14mm £8.5
2 x Mayhems X1 UV Blue Premixed Watercooling Fluid 1L £7.99 (15.98)
2 x XSPC 7/16" ID [16/11mm] High Flex Hose - Clear £2.99 (5.98)
1 x OcUK Value PSU Bridging Connector (24 Pin) £1.3
10 x OcUK Value 16/13mm 1/2"ID- 5/8"OD Compact Compression Fitting G/4" Thread - Silver £1.2 (12)
Total : £85.40 (includes shipping : £9.75).



Edit: remember to choose the colour fluid of your choice, just about all parts I have specced can be changed, just my personal preference.
 
A combined spec, Remember if you have any doubts over any part or wish to try and make something cheaper let us know and add alternative parts. A couple of parts in this spec are out of stock atm (7970 back plate, not too important, the RX240, can be replaced with Phobya Gchanged 240, EK XTX240, HWlabs SR1 or similar)


YOUR BASKET
1 x Sapphire HD 7970 3072MB PCI-Express Graphics Card - AMD 3 for FREE Promotion £319.99
1 x XSPC RayStorm D5 RX360 WaterCooling Kit £289.68
1 x NZXT Switch 810 Big Tower Case - Black £149.99
1 x EK-FC7970 Full Cover Waterblock - Nickel Plexi £65.99
1 x XSPC RX240 120mm Radiator - Black £65.98
1 x EK-FC7970 Backplate - Black CSQ £20.99
2 x Mayhems Pastel - Raspberry Purple Coolant 1L £14.99 (29.98)
1 x OcUK Tube Cutter Aluminum 3-14mm £8.5
2 x XSPC 7/16" ID [16/11mm] High Flex Hose - Clear £2.99 (5.98)
1 x OcUK Value PSU Bridging Connector (24 Pin) £1.3
10 x OcUK Value 16/13mm 1/2"ID- 5/8"OD Compact Compression Fitting G/4" Thread - Silver £1.2 (12)
Total : £990.58 (includes shipping : £16.85).

 
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