Help for noob water cooler with custom loop

[moon_monkey]

Hi guys,

After umming and ahhing for years, I've finally decided to take the plunge and water cool my rig as I want to push my CPU overclock a bit further and reduce noise levels. Hence it would be a single CPU and GPU loop.
I've read a bunch of guides etc., but I have a few nooby questions and a proposed loop spec that I'd be extremely grateful if someone could sanity check for me.

First, the details of my current set up.

CPU - AMD FX8320 Black Edition (overclocked to 4k, will go further but not with sensible temps).
GPU - Asus Radeon R9 290X ROG Matrix (noisy)
Mobo - Asus Sabretooth 990 FX
Case - Silverstone TJ07 (bought years ago with water cooling in mind as future expansion)
Storage - 1TB HDD, 256GB SSD
PSU - 650W Seasonic X-Series
Other - Asus Xonar sound card, 2 x 8GB Mushkin RAM
Fans - 5 x Noctua NF-P12 (120mm), 2 x Noctua NF-B9 1600 (92mm) - these are 6 years old but in decent condition, all are running with the low noise adapters


Questions:
i) I'd like to use a single radiator. Will a 480 be enough/too much?
ii) How do people mount their rads? Using standard rad stands, or other solutions?
iii) Is there any advantage to using premix fluid over pure H2O (I'm not interested in colour here)?
iv) Are biocide and/or silver coils necessary with the above?
v) I'm going to go full cover block for front of the GPU, but do I need a back plate, passive heatsinks, or just leave it open?
vi) Tubing and fitting size. 16/10 make sense?
vii) How do I include a drain solution? I think I prefer the quick disconnect method but am not sure how to go about it.
viii) About fans. I guess I need 4x120 on the rad pulling air in from outside, pushing it through the rad and into the lower section of the case. The 2x92 as intake on the back of the case in the main section. And, finally, 2x120 in the roof of the case as exhaust.
ix) As the above leaves me 1x120 fan short with what I already have, shall I just buy another NF-P12, or is it worth replacing the lot with something newer?

Loop:

1 x XSPC AX480 Quad Fan Radiator (Black) 99.95
1 x EK Water Blocks EK-FC R9-290X Matrix - Acetal+Nickel 99.95
1 x EK Water Blocks EK-Supremacy EVO - Acetal 49.99
1 x XSPC D5 Dual Bay Reservoir/Pump Combo V2 89.99
1 x Monsoon 16/10mm (ID 3/8 OD 5/8) Free Center Compression Fitting Six Pack - Matte Black 24.95
2 x Monsoon 16/10mm (ID 3/8 OD 5/8) Free Center Compression Fitting - Matte Black 10.90
2 x Primochill Primoflex Advanced Tubing 16/10 - Clear 11.98
1 x Mayhems Ultra Pure H2O Watercooling Fluid 1L 4.99
1 x XSPC 120mm Universal Radiator Stand 9.90
1 x Silverstone SST-SDP10B Bay Converter 5.25 to 3.5 plus 2x 2.25 inch 8.36

Total £410.95

Obviously it's missing the drain solution and the 120mm fan. I can go higher, maybe another £100-150 (before I'm risking divorce), but I suspect I'll only need that much if I'm replacing all of the fans as well.

Is it all compatible? Anything blatantly stupid in there?

Thanks, in advance for any help.

Cheers,
mm

 

[MrMD]

You wont need the rad stand unless you intend on mounting the radiator outside your case,radiators just attach to stand fan mounts in your case.

You will want a silver kill coil or some biocide to add your fluid aswell.

For a drain solution this is what you need,you want to put it at the lowest possible point of your loop,what case you using?

YOUR BASKET
1 x Aqua Computer Ball Valve Female Thread G 1/4 without Fittings £5.99
1 x XSPC G1/4" T Fitting (Black Chrome) £3.95
1 x EK Water Blocks EK-CSQ Plug G1/4 - Black £2.29
2 x XSPC G1/4" 5mm Male to Male Fitting (Black Chrome) £1.79 (£3.58)
Total : £15.80 (includes shipping : Ex.VAT).



Noctua P12 are pretty good as radiator fans,you should just use those for your fans,no need to replace them.

Everything else looks fine,might be worth grabbing a few 45/90 angled fittings too and maybe a backplate for the GPU.

 

[moon_monkey]

Thanks very much for the help.

So one more fan (to match the others), biocide or coil, and the extra bits and bobs you suggested for a drain port.

For a drain solution this is what you need,you want to put it at the lowest possible point of your loop,what case you using?

The case is a Silverstone TJ07, so the 480 rad will be going in the bottom of it (once I remove the ugly drive cages). I guess the lowest point in the loop would be the lower port on the rad.

Probably another daft question - does it matter if the inlet to the rad is above or below the outlet? Which is better for flow?

Cheers

 

[MrMD]

Thanks very much for the help.

So one more fan (to match the others), biocide or coil, and the extra bits and bobs you suggested for a drain port.



The case is a Silverstone TJ07, so the 480 rad will be going in the bottom of it (once I remove the ugly drive cages). I guess the lowest point in the loop would be the lower port on the rad.

Probably another daft question - does it matter if the inlet to the rad is above or below the outlet? Which is better for flow?

Cheers

Nah the Inlet/outlets dont matter,just run your tubing what ever way is easiest or most aesthetically pleasing

 

[ttaskmaster]

1/. Single 480 should be pretty good. I'm using a 240 and a 120 and getting great results.

2/. My 240 is in the roof of the case, using the existing fan mounts, with screws going through the fans, through the case and into the rad.
My 120 is outside the case, screwed to the fan, which is screwed into from inside the case.

3/. Less faffing. Personal choice. Biocides and all that included at the required quantities.

5/. Personal choice, I'd say. My 780 backplate was designed to be reused with w/c kit, so I used that.

6/. I had 11/16 on mine.

7/. The ideal is a tap at the lowest point. I don't actually have one as there's very limited space in my case. I'm just careful about which fitting I drain from and have one of those Pyrex cooking jugs to catch the initial spillage.

9/. NF-P12s will do, as they're good all-rounders, but the ideal would be the NF-F12 fans. No need to switch unless you find temperatures unacceptable or have money to spare.

Probably another daft question - does it matter if the inlet to the rad is above or below the outlet? Which is better for flow?

I found having the outlet at the top makes for easier bleeding.
Beyond that, I've not found any other reason why it makes a difference. Technically inlet at the top will be mavity assisted, but the pump should be powerful enough to get the fluid up there in the first place.

 

[tyler_jrb]

Having a valve at the lowest point will be easier but it's not necessary depending on your loop. Mine is just fitted to the bottom of my res. Tip the case a bit to get rid of the water in the pump and remove the pipe to the pump. Pull that down and the whole lot drains out.

Having mine at the bottom meant a few 90 degrees and reduction in flow. There was also tight space so it was easier that way.

 

[moon_monkey]

Thanks all. Really helpful. Think I have a pretty clear image of how this is going to work.

Now I just need to wait for the parts to come back in stock.