Long time PC builder - starting water cooling - advice/opinions needed

TechniQ

TechniQ

TechniQ

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Joined
5 Aug 2014
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5
Location
South Wales, UK
Hi guys

I've been building my own PC's for 10-15 years but have never got into the Water Cooling side of things. I am now looking to take the plunge and am hoping you guys can provide me with some advice/opinions :eek:

I've spent the last few weeks reading/watching lost of reviews on the latest water cooling gear and cases, beginners and advanced guides etc. and have come up with something I believe will suit my needs.

My current hardware set-up is in my sig., but here is my current cooling setup:

CPU: Antec Kuhler h2o620 - using 120mm fan/radiator that came with pack, pulling air through the rad out of the back of the case
Case Top: 200m exhaust fan that came with case (blue LED)
Case Front: 2 x Corsair SP120 Quiet Edition intakes

I will be looking to keep the current hardware, but swap out the case and of course, the cooling. NB. I will be only looking to do a CPU loop for the moment, possibly adding in a GPU to that loop in the future.

My colour scheme will be 'white, blue, black'. This should work nicely as most of the above hardware above has black and blue in it.

Having looked at quite a few cases, I have decided to go for the 'Phantek Enthoo Luxe' in white. It seems a very good case, has all the bells and whistles I would want and I think it'll provide me with a nice, clean installation.

For the WC setup, I am thinking of the 'XSPC RayStorm 750 EX360 WaterCooling Kit'. It looks like the 360 rad will fit nicely into the top area of the Luxe case (either pushing or pulling air through it and out of the roof), even with the bay reservoir installed(?) I could drop to the EX240 but I think a 360 will give me a bit more cooling potential (now and in the future) - would you agree? This also has fans included but of course, I could swap these out if I'm not happy with them (or set-up push/pull...if that will fit ofc).

Now, even though the above kit has 'barbs', I would like to pick up some compression fittings. So, I've been looking at the 'Monsoon Free Center Compression Fittings pack (6 fittings) in White'. This is basically as I would prefer compression and well... they are white :)

For Tubing, I think I'll go for 'XSPC HighFlex Hose in Blue/UV Blue'.

Coolant.... distilled water with some sort of algae prevention (any thoughts here would be appreciated).

With this all in place, I can have my colour scheme that I want and my current hardware.

For draining, I was thinking of adding some sort of contraption to the 'back' connection on the bay reservoir (the one on the bottom right). Maybe a short tube/hose with a cap. Or maybe I should go with the 'disconnect the CPU block and hang it in a bucket etc.' method?

So, what do you guys think? Would this work ok? Should I look for different fans for the rad? I'm a little unclear on sizes also for the compression fittings and tube (I've tried to follow what the 'kit' has, but I'm still a little unsure).

I would appreciate your thoughts on anything here :D

Thanks!

TechniQ

PS - I'm brand new to the forums so hope I have not missed any 'rules' - tell me if I have :p
 
For the coolant use a Mayhems pre mix.

I wouldn't definitely incorporate a drain point into the bottom of the loop. I have a bottom rad in my loop with 4 ports, 2 for the loop, one has a plug in it and the other has some hose I can easily drain the loop with it needed.
 
I would walk away from the XSPC 750 as its too noisy. Also the primochill tubing is way better in every respect than the XSPC stuff.

reading that back I dont actually have a problem with most XSPC stuff so its not against their products overall.

Get a D5 with a top or in a tube res like the XSPC 170 Photon
 
@Michaeljcox24
@Ploppy2k3

Thanks both, for the info - I will definitely take these considerations on board.

One thing I didn't mention is, that I'm not looking to spend a lot of cash... just enough to get me into the 'groove', so that's why I thought of the XSPC 'kit' to start with, with just a few tweaks.

Wise choice or go for separate components?
 
it depends on if you want to modify it later etc.

I went for the 750 bayres myself and replaced it within 3 weeks as the noise was just too much. we're not talking a JCB in the corner but the humming just got on my nerves, and im not the only one.

You may be ok with but maybe not. it would just be a sham e to have to spend even more money after the event.
 
I have the 750 dual bay and personally dont think its too loud if you have it on 1 or 2. It when its on full blast it can get noisy. Thicker rads will help to avoid this.
 
Michaeljcox24 said:
I have the 750 dual bay and personally dont think its too loud if you have it on 1 or 2. It when its on full blast it can get noisy. Thicker rads will help to avoid this.
Click to expand...

unless i'm mistaken you have the Daul Bay D5 not the 750 V4 DDC as the 750 DDC has no speed control

I have one in the kitchen running out of a case to see if it will quieten down with time, and there is no speed control on it.
 
The XSPC dual bay D5 vario version. I have it set on number 2 now the air is out the loop. I didnt know, but like the lad above says, there is another version where the pump speed is fixed. I wouldnt recommend that one, but the one I use is fine on speed 1/2. Almost silent.
 
Ok guys - some new thoughts on what I plan to get:

Rad: XSPC EX360 120mm Radiator - Black (Product Link)
Res/Pump: XSPC D5 Dual Bay Reservoir/Pump Combo V2 (Product Link)
Fittings: Monsoon 16/11mm (ID 7/16 OD 5/8) Free Center Compression Fitting Six Pack - White (Product Link)
Tubing: Primochill Primoflex Advanced Tubing 16/11 - UV Blue (Product Link)

Does this look a bit better? I believe I have all the correct sizes for everything too? :)

Edit: Oops - forgot the water block...
Water Block: XSPC RayStorm CPU WaterBlock (Intel) (Product Link)
 
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TechniQ said:
Ok guys - some new thoughts on what I plan to get:

Rad: XSPC EX360 120mm Radiator - Black (Product Link)
Res/Pump: XSPC D5 Dual Bay Reservoir/Pump Combo V2 (Product Link)
Fittings: Monsoon 16/11mm (ID 7/16 OD 5/8) Free Center Compression Fitting Six Pack - White (Product Link)
Tubing: Primochill Primoflex Advanced Tubing 16/11 - UV Blue (Product Link)

Does this look a bit better? I believe I have all the correct sizes for everything too? :)

Edit: Oops - forgot the water block...
Water Block: XSPC RayStorm CPU WaterBlock (Intel) (Product Link)
Click to expand...


in a word - YES
 
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