Cheapest way to watercool the rig, but still look good.

theaterix

theaterix

theaterix

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I am looking to go with a Black and Orange or Black and Green loop and will be my first time im dipping my feet in so to speak, well custom anyways, as i currently have an H100.
I am getting the 5820k, and currently have an R9 290 which I am either crossfiring or getting a 390x or something.
I looked at the EK-Kit 360 and then to buy a GPU loop and die for the colour, is there any other options?
Also, the case i am looking to get is the Phanteks Enthoo Luxe.

Links and help are all appreciated :)
 
Also black and yellow.
Also some colour combos and things for me to look for in terms of parts to match would help a lot too!
 
A) You need a budget as the difference between cheap and average can be quite a lot.

B) Great case to build in

C) List all the parts of the rig you have as its hard to spec if you're going to change stuff or haven't decided.

D) Go with whichever colour you like (not Black and Red though, far too common ;) ). I have to admit that coloured fittings are not that important as you can't really see them clearly. Most of your colour will come from LED fans, coolant and custom cables.

E) White LEDs (strip) in your case will show off the colour better than the colour of your fluid/build
 
If you go with the EK kit, you will use a DDC pump. Nothing wrong with it (I have one) but a lot of people swear by the D5. Look at other Phanteks Enthoo Luxe WC builds and see what pumps were used and how they fit in.
The position of the pump and res has a major impact on the design and look, so make sure you are happy with it.
 
Bickaxe said:
A) You need a budget as the difference between cheap and average can be quite a lot.

B) Great case to build in

C) List all the parts of the rig you have as its hard to spec if you're going to change stuff or haven't decided.

D) Go with whichever colour you like (not Black and Red though, far too common ;) ). I have to admit that coloured fittings are not that important as you can't really see them clearly. Most of your colour will come from LED fans, coolant and custom cables.

E) White LEDs (strip) in your case will show off the colour better than the colour of your fluid/build
Click to expand...

Yeah sorry here you go;
A) My budget cant be too much, just as low as possible, say £350 to start with. (I understand loops aren't cheap to start or maintain, just the first number that popped into my head).
B) I love the Luxe, looks really smart and has plenty of space.

C) Current specs:
AMD 8320
Corsair H100
MSI 990FXA-GD65
8GB Corsair Vengeance 1600mhz
Sapphire REFERENCE R9 290
Corasir CX750M

Planned specs:
Intel i7 5830k/6700k (only reason i would go 6700k is for the Gigabyte Sniper because green and black is just :* but 5820k is 99.99% certain)
Unsure on motherboard, will plan this around the loop, X99/Z107
16GB DDR4 (Will be painted to match motherboard)
Probably sticking with the 290
New PSU if i need it, maybe EVGA SuperNova 1000w if i go CF

Hopefully you can make all that out, but chances are it will be:
5820k
nice looking motherboard with good features
16gb RAM
R9 290 CF
EVGA supernova 1000w

D) I like a lot of colour combos, not red and black as its so overused and is far too easy :p
Green and Black interests me quite a bit, things like getting the:
https://www.overclockers.co.uk/msi-...cket-2011-ddr4-atx-motherboard-mb-301-ms.html
Really interest me and means i can choose any components i want and it will automatically match as that covers the black part :p
Also the X99 Sabertooth looks really cool as i can paint the Armour to match whatever color i decide on but is a bit more expensive.

E) I am looking at the brand new NZXT Hue as that will show my build off really nicely!
 
mods1965 said:
If you go with the EK kit, you will use a DDC pump. Nothing wrong with it (I have one) but a lot of people swear by the D5. Look at other Phanteks Enthoo Luxe WC builds and see what pumps were used and how they fit in.
The position of the pump and res has a major impact on the design and look, so make sure you are happy with it.
Click to expand...

Yeah, everyone on this forum likes the really expensive stuff!!
 
ErikN said:
Think outside the box: Get a case wihtout a window :-)
Click to expand...

Whats the fun in that though ;)
I want it on my desk and for me to look to the right every day and be like hell yeah that's my PC. Without a window, yes it may be quieter, yes it may hide the ugliness hidden beyond, but a window makes me try harder with cable management etc hehe :)
 
Well wait until you know exactly what cpu you are using, so buy the CPU block last, the rest doesn't matter. £350 is a nice number to start with. Dependant on buying your GPU blocks second hand. otherwise that'll eat up £200 of you budget straight away.

This is roughly what i'd go for:

I know the rads are more expensive and you can get the same but cheaper from a different brand, but I like them.

My basket at Overclockers UK:

Total: £379.88
(includes shipping: £11.10)
​


​

Obviously once you know how the loop is going to run then you can figure out the fittings, but just to get a price.

I have mine sittings on the desk with a window like you want and it's an awesome thing to look and it's something to be proud of at the end of the day :D
 
savagesam117 said:
Well wait until you know exactly what cpu you are using, so buy the CPU block last, the rest doesn't matter. £350 is a nice number to start with. Dependant on buying your GPU blocks second hand. otherwise that'll eat up £200 of you budget straight away.

This is roughly what i'd go for:

I know the rads are more expensive and you can get the same but cheaper from a different brand, but I like them.

My basket at Overclockers UK:

Total: £379.88
(includes shipping: £11.10)
​


​

Obviously once you know how the loop is going to run then you can figure out the fittings, but just to get a price.

I have mine sittings on the desk with a window like you want and it's an awesome thing to look and it's something to be proud of at the end of the day :D
Click to expand...

Looks awesome :p Do you think i would really need 2x 240? Or would 1 thick, or thin high density 360mm do me?
 
Well I don't know the rad space in the Luxe. And if you are cooling 2xgpu and a cpu then you'll need more ideally but you'll get away with that. I've got 360+280 in mine, GPU's temp never goes above 50c and CPU never above 60c but I think I need to reapply thermal paste to my CPU.

For CPU only you'll be fine with a single 240.
 
savagesam117 said:
Well I don't know the rad space in the Luxe. And if you are cooling 2xgpu and a cpu then you'll need more ideally but you'll get away with that. I've got 360+280 in mine, GPU's temp never goes above 50c and CPU never above 60c but I think I need to reapply thermal paste to my CPU.

For CPU only you'll be fine with a single 240.
Click to expand...

I will probably be 1x 5820k + 1x R9 290
 
240 for the CPU, 120 for the GPU and 120 as a spare

You can get a 240mm in the roof (possibly even a 360 but it might be awkward) and a 240mm in the front (if you remove the HDD bays like I have).
You can put a 120mm on the exhaust (rear) and a 240mm in the bottom if you are lucky (depends on cabling for PSU)

I would go with a bay reservoir as I'm not sure where you can mount the tube reservoir in a Luxe
 
Bickaxe said:
240 for the CPU, 120 for the GPU and 120 as a spare

You can get a 240mm in the roof (possibly even a 360 but it might be awkward) and a 240mm in the front (if you remove the HDD bays like I have).
You can put a 120mm on the exhaust (rear) and a 240mm in the bottom if you are lucky (depends on cabling for PSU)

I would go with a bay reservoir as I'm not sure where you can mount the tube reservoir in a Luxe
Click to expand...

In a video ive watched, he says there is a bracket for the hard drive bays for the res to mount too.
Do you think a 360 would be enough alone? Or would the extra 240 help a lot to justify having it?
 
Yes, there is a bracket now you mention it.

360mm will be fine for the CPU and GPU unless you intend to crossfire in which case 2 x 240mm and then the tube res mounting will be interesting.

The 360mm rad will go at the top in the case and depending on its thickness, you may not get the fans in too due to mobo clearance. They would have to go above the rad and below the top vent in a pull configuration (colour and LED irrelevant as you can't see them)
 
Bickaxe said:
Yes, there is a bracket now you mention it.

360mm will be fine for the CPU and GPU unless you intend to crossfire in which case 2 x 240mm and then the tube res mounting will be interesting.

The 360mm rad will go at the top in the case and depending on its thickness, you may not get the fans in too due to mobo clearance. They would have to go above the rad and below the top vent in a pull configuration (colour and LED irrelevant as you can't see them)
Click to expand...

Yeah, crossfire will have to be a decision i make, but on the most questionably legit auction house, there is a R9 290 + GPU Block for £200 + 9.99 delivery, but i think he may take less as they have been on for a bit, and 210 is a bit much, id say more around 170-180.
If i wasn't to go CF, id save almost £400 as i would save on GPU, PSU and the extra rad and fittings etc.
Hmmmm the options...
 
theaterix said:
Yeah, crossfire will have to be a decision i make, but on the most questionably legit auction house, there is a R9 290 + GPU Block for £200 + 9.99 delivery, but i think he may take less as they have been on for a bit, and 210 is a bit much, id say more around 170-180.
If i wasn't to go CF, id save almost £400 as i would save on GPU, PSU and the extra rad and fittings etc.
Hmmmm the options...
Click to expand...

What resolution are you running? And are you happy to turn down settings in the coming months until the new stuff comes out then get a big single card solution?
 
theaterix said:
Whats the fun in that though ;)
I want it on my desk and for me to look to the right every day and be like hell yeah that's my PC. Without a window, yes it may be quieter, yes it may hide the ugliness hidden beyond, but a window makes me try harder with cable management etc hehe :)
Click to expand...

Well, it really is the cheapest way to make it look good though :)
 
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