What would I need to watercool a GTX480 (Reference) & My CPU (i7 3770K)?

Space Monkey

Space Monkey

Space Monkey

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Hi Guys,

I've never watercooled anything before (bar the AIO coolers for my CPU) but I'm considering watercooling a GTX480, this one: https://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-124-EA

What would I need please (everything single part, so I don't miss anything) to do this? I have a Silverstone FT02 case with a Noctua NH-D14 CPU cooler, so any rads etc could go on the bottom, on top of the 180mm fans, and I have space for other bits in the 5.25" drive bays (3 slots)

So to recap, I'm now thinking:

1 - Whats the best PC case to house a water cooled setup (not mega expensive)

2 - What do I need to water cool my CPU & GPU (i7 3770k & GTX 480 reference)


Please help me Obi-Wan Kenobi :D
 
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Actually, just thinking about it, would it make a big difference if I sold the Noctua and watercooled the CPU as well? Is it just as easy to have both cooled in the case I have, or will it make it a harder job?

Thanks :)
 
You can pick up full cover 480 blocks for £25-30 second hand now. I paid £30 inc delivery for mine. Don't buy a brand new one as they are still stupidly priced. Don't try taming it with a core only block either as you will not be able to keep the vrm's adequately cooled without a fan stuck over them. I originally went down that route and before bodging a fan to blow over them temps were hitting 120 degrees!! That was with heatsinks on them as well.

May as well coole the cpu at the same time. It's only a couple of extra lengths of tubing.

Decent CPU block (XSPC Raystorm, EK Supreme HF), Full cover gpu block, decent pump (D5, DDC), decent 120.3 rad, a reservoir, fittings, some tubing and some coolant.
 
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I think ideally you'll want more than a 360 for a GTX480 if you plan to OC unless you intend to put some very high flow fans on it, but everything else in that kit will be fine with a GPU block added - you could always try it and keep your eyes out for a cheap 240 rad to add later
 
Not sure about the pump as i have no experience with them. The rad has average performance and was not particularly good in reviews when compared to toher rads of a similar size.
 
So all I'd need is this kit, some more tubing and another, smaller rad ie the 240? Would the pump and res be enough? I'm totally new to all this :)
 
haha, welcome to the world of watercooling - you'll have mentally rebuilt your loop 20 times with different bits and a cost anywhere from £150 to £300 before you even purchase a single fitting

write down the list in that kit on a sheet of paper with plenty of space around it, then start searching for reviews on the different but similar bits that could replace e.g. the rad, take cost in to account and see where you end up

the kit will be the cheapest place to get started (I think if you bought all the bits seperately it does come up slightly more expensive)

one thing I would advise if you are going to buy bits separately would be to get the DCP 4.0 pump instead of the 2.2

if doing that doesn't make you obsessed with watercooling for a couple of weeks it will instead totally put you off the idea!
 
Haa haa, you already know what I'm thinking, lol :D

Good ideas, thanks, I'll go and get some bits on paper and report back for a 'professionals' opinion ;)

I'm now thinking (for now) that I'll just water cool the GPU and see how that goes, then if successful I'll do the CPU :)
 
That 480 block you are enquiring about in the MM needs thermal pads of two different thicknesses as well so you would need to add in £6-10 plus delivery to the cost of the block. Being nickel i would want to see the inside of the block as well.

As for fitting they are easy enough to fit and fitting instructions are available here along with the thickness of thermal pads you need.
 
YOUR BASKET
1 x XSPC D5 Dual Bay Reservoir/Pump Combo £119.99
1 x Hardware Labs Black ICE Radiator SR1 420 £89.99
1 x Aqua Computer AquagraFX Waterblock for GTX 480 (GF100) £79.98
1 x XSPC RayStorm CPU WaterBlock (Intel) £49.98
1 x OcUK Tube Cutter Aluminum 3-14mm £8.5
2 x Mayhems X1 Clear Premixed Watercooling Fluid 1L £7.99 (15.98)
1 x Aqua Computer Single Slot Bracket GTX 400 and GTX 500 Series £4.99
8 x EK PSC Compression Fitting 7/16 [16/11mm] - G1/4 - Nickel £3.29 (26.32)
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
Total : £414.98 (includes shipping : £10.00).




The Radiator is only in the spec for price reference, replace with magicool tripple 180mm radiator.
 
That's the basics of it yes, change the fluid, fittings etc.. to what you like, you may also want to consider some rotary angle fittings too.
 
Thanks mate, it's a great help, the one thing I've been having issues with was the connectors and tube sizing, all those numbers and options just make my head spin :confused::D

I've got some ideas on the other bits and you've picked pretty much what I was thinking, I'll get some pics up later from other similar builds I've found online so that I can show you all what style I've got in mind, also so I can double check with you experts if the kit I want is correct :)

2 questions for now:

1) is the size tubing you've spec'd a good thick size, and will it be subject to kinking?

2) I see some pumps vibrate so need to be placed on foam etc, if I was to buy that all in one D5 XSPC would it vibrate like mad as it'd be screwed into my 5.25" drive bays??
 
I really would'nt be paying £80 for a block for a card that is 2 generations old now. Much better to buy one second hand but either make sure it comes with the thermal pads or factor them into the buying price for some negotiation with the seller. If it was a EK nickel block i would be wanting to see the insides as well.

I use the XSPC 7/16" UV tubing and it's pretty good. I have some tight bends in mine though so got some anti-kink coils to prevent kinking. With compression fittings the hose has to be the same diameter as the fittings. So 7/16" hose needs 7/16" fittings etc. If using barbs then most of us use 7/16" hose over 1/2" barbs as it makes for a good tight fit.

You are going to need some foam to insulate the pump from whatever you fix it to unless you have anti-vibration grommets in your drive bays.
 
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D5 is pretty quiet, near silent on 2-3 with very little vibration on the highest speed.

All tubing will kink if the angle is too tight, I say 7/16 as the xspc stuff is fantastic, doesn't cloud and comes loose from a reel, also you can use 1/2" barbs with it without hose clamps if you wanted too.
 
pastymuncher said:
I really would'nt be paying £80 for a block for a card that is 2 generations old now. Much better to buy one second hand but either make sure it comes with the thermal pads or factor them into the buying price for some negotiation with the seller. If it was a EK nickel block i would be wanting to see the insides as well.

I use the XSPC 7/16" UV tubing and it's pretty good. I have some tight bends in mine though so got some anti-kink coils to prevent kinking. With compression fittings the hose has to be the same diameter as the fittings. So 7/16" hose needs 7/16" fittings etc. If using barbs then most of us use 7/16" hose over 1/2" barbs as it makes for a good tight fit.
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Thanks for the input :)

Main reason I'm going new GPU block is, this is my first time water cooling, so it quickly became clear to me that a lot of second hand stuff had bits missing, possible damage etc.. so its easier and safer for me to use a new one, besides I got the GTX480 new & at a good price :)

Would you recommend compression fittings for a newbie like me?


pgi947 said:
D5 is pretty quiet, near silent on 2-3 with very little vibration on the highest speed.

All tubing will kink if the angle is too tight, I say 7/16 as the xspc stuff is fantastic, doesn't cloud and comes loose from a reel, also you can use 1/2" barbs with it without hose clamps if you wanted too.
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Thanks as always mate :)

Would you also recommend compression fittings for a newbie like me?

Any idea on what anti vibration rubber I should use on the res/pump combo you spec'd?

Are there any other res/pump combo's I should look at, maybe cheaper (though if performance degrades too much, I'd rather pay the money)
 
pastymuncher said:
I really would'nt be paying £80 for a block for a card that is 2 generations old now. Much better to buy one second hand but either make sure it comes with the thermal pads or factor them into the buying price for some negotiation with the seller. If it was a EK nickel block i would be wanting to see the insides as well.

I use the XSPC 7/16" UV tubing and it's pretty good. I have some tight bends in mine though so got some anti-kink coils to prevent kinking. With compression fittings the hose has to be the same diameter as the fittings. So 7/16" hose needs 7/16" fittings etc. If using barbs then most of us use 7/16" hose over 1/2" barbs as it makes for a good tight fit.

You are going to need some foam to insulate the pump from whatever you fix it to unless you have anti-vibration grommets in your drive bays.
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They might be 2 gens old, but they sure do work well. There's no NVidia 6 series card that offers comparable performance for the price point. The 670, 680 and 690 are considerably faster, and significantly more NEW than a second hand GTX480 + the cost of a new waterblock.

I do agree that you'd be best served picking up a second hand waterblock, but if you do, make sure you buy NEW thermal pads that you need for that block.
 
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