Help complete my first loop

Orch · 24 Feb 2016 at 22:35

Long time reader, first time water cooler. Hopefully first of many and not something I come to regret

Have collected some MM bargains to start my loop. So far I have:

1 x EK PE 360 Rad
1 x EK PE 240 Rad
1 x EK Supremacy CPU Block
1 x EK-RES X3 110 Reservoir and Phobya DC12-400 Water Pump

I will shortly be ordering GPU block from EKWB as well.

So my questions are:

1. What size tubing is best? and which brand?
2. Which liquid? I would like a pastel blue I think
3. For fittings, is it standard behavour to have barbs on the bits you can't see (rad connections etc) and compression fittings on the bits you can? Recommendations for each would be great!
4. Fill and drain ports - essential or optional extras?
5. Last question is probably one you're all sick of - fans? I'm hoping that a 360 + 240 for two components will allow me to run the fans really slow to get it as quiet as possible. I've used Noctua in the past but don't want to spend a fortune if possible. Which fans provide good value, quiet operation and the ability to run very slow when needed, but ramp up when required?

Hopefully I've kept it to the important stuff, thanks in advance

Orch · 24 Feb 2016 at 22:36

Also if I've missed anything from the shopping list please do let me know!

BriT · 24 Feb 2016 at 23:41

1. I use XSPC stuff and standard size - https://www.overclockers.co.uk/xspc-highflex-hose-7-16-id-5-8-od-15.9-11.1mm-2m-clear-wc-132-xs.html

2. Mayhems pastel or X1

3. i use compressions as i think they a less liking to come off than barbs.

4. Def need a drain port! i use a T fitting and valve.

5. I use silverstones - https://www.overclockers.co.uk/silv...pwm-watercooling-optimised-fan-fg-039-sv.html Only one left though lol

Orch · 25 Feb 2016 at 09:44

BriT said:
1. I use XSPC stuff and standard size - https://www.overclockers.co.uk/xspc-highflex-hose-7-16-id-5-8-od-15.9-11.1mm-2m-clear-wc-132-xs.html

2. Mayhems pastel or X1

3. i use compressions as i think they a less liking to come off than barbs.

4. Def need a drain port! i use a T fitting and valve.

5. I use silverstones - https://www.overclockers.co.uk/silv...pwm-watercooling-optimised-fan-fg-039-sv.html Only one left though lol

Thanks Brit, all very helpful.

I've got one of those Silverstone's on my H80 at the moment. I was initially very impressed, but I think it's developed a bit of an annoying noise latetly, still yet to investigate though. The stock is an issue too!

Re the drain port - do you put in the middle of a hose as close to the bottom of the loop as possible?

BriT · 25 Feb 2016 at 12:51

Yeah, mine is at the bottom of my loop off the GPU. I used a bay res/pump(D5). Can take pics if you want.

Orch · 25 Feb 2016 at 14:52

That would be really helpful thanks!

Trying to plan exactly what I need and how to run/route everything is quite the task!

Orch · 25 Feb 2016 at 15:51

Right I currently have sat in a shopping basket:

1 x GPU Block
3 x Rad Mount M3 set (I already have a load so should have spares)
6 x EK-ACF Fitting 12/16mm - Nickel
12 x EK-12mm (1/2") G3/8 High-Flow Fitting
3 x 1 metre lengths of primochill clear 15.9/11.1 tube
1 x PMW Fan splitter (2 fans)
1 x PMW Fan Splitter (3 fans)
4 x Silverstone PMW fans to go with the one I already have (better the devil you know, fans are such a minefield!)

The only things I haven't accounted for are liquid and whatever I need to plumb in a drain port I think?

Any links to the bits I need would be most appreciated!

Have I forgotten anything else?

BriT · 25 Feb 2016 at 16:49

Looks good. Maybe some hose cutters as well? Only a fiver if you shop around.

Orch · 25 Feb 2016 at 16:52

Kitchen scissors no good then?

Will have a look.

Thinking I should probably chuck in a few 45° adapters as well?

I thought the blocks and rads were the expensive bits, it's all the rest that adds up!

BriT · 25 Feb 2016 at 17:00

lol I tried scissors first time was a right mess, cutters give a real nice clean cut

. May as well get some angles as well, can make it abit easier on tight bends and look nicer.

Orch · 26 Feb 2016 at 12:18

Had a quick check to make sure top rad fits, it's safe to say it'as very tight on the 8pin power plug! :eek:

n4VHge9XrLRgI2xggd-q3CYF-eYALUw0YZZ9GEWQdoncwoZqxeiOzYrscG7sDLpXB0TCyX-lgUzQqsFfCxlzF0QB04mRkFb0y4NOWLmvYeO0dOHZqWgnx8-x1xT3qg66xxiHeOM3I9piZU0vTj_0tbPJbP7PeiSveEMZF37Nt5jROUlbb_TLSf8aC7GIZ4pKGYkmhD-0fX8NdSv6zoxkY8pI5m-HjurznQF3ndRe9mJbXu01BhrF5xcgwnCg8B5i2clI95YC0qmPCIWwOOhmPgpxCzhOYFp7-OXWTbQzMurD1zIMv43qkyLIlDn3GbDGJTmgfV3A3sD0GAvh6QDLYKkrXWHIpi-vdXdFv5sovbnRiBMsYL1W4lbZlD66KLi9vQwRAQlOBue_Hgia2dJQ9PB_P6H8QYxZA5GgwQSXceNJjKiI2qtvhtQDSwuzfptlGGO6CgshhDehYZIfVOya8-2EUrN86pJlvpyzNU0s2Vzigf0IALB-cDsoMRKN2bnUGC-Y5VAcEIKZlZJHE1e-xH6nI1ubf07JZFR02Q_kArY5_box7pLAGbzdmD8nqtWLtaIm=w1274-h955-no

Still unsure on the reservoir mounting point at the moment. I know the only real loop order rule is that res goes before pump, but does the res need to be mounted above the pump? or will a horizontal tube across the face of the case be ok?

BriT · 26 Feb 2016 at 16:26

Hmm can't seem to see the pic? odd. I've seen people have their res/pump horizontal so should be ok.

Orch · 26 Feb 2016 at 18:54

Sorry, bad link

Re the res, I mean the res itself will be vertical, but the pump will be at the font of the case and the res at the back, so the feed to the pump will run via a tube horizontally - that ok?

Orch · 4 Mar 2016 at 14:54

Another annoying question I'm afraid. Loop order - i know i know it doesn't matter as long as res comes before pump . . but can I go res to GPU to pump if mavity is on my side? ie. res is mounted higher than GPU and pump at the bottom?

or that is that a no no as well?

surge · 4 Mar 2016 at 22:51

Orch said:
Another annoying question I'm afraid. Loop order - i know i know it doesn't matter as long as res comes before pump . . but can I go res to GPU to pump if mavity is on my side? ie. res is mounted higher than GPU and pump at the bottom?

or that is that a no no as well?

If I were you I would go

Outlet of pump to CPU to GPU to RAD to RES to inlet of pump

Orch · 4 Mar 2016 at 23:18

Thanks Surge.

I've got two rads. At the moment it starts off pump to first rad, to second rad, to cpu. . and that's all I have hooked up so far until gpu block arrives from ekwb. The intention was to then go to gpu and finally res. It's the mounting position of the res that's still in question hence the query, but I think I've talked myself out of that now tbh

surge · 5 Mar 2016 at 07:26

Orch said:
Thanks Surge.

I've got two rads. At the moment it starts off pump to first rad, to second rad, to cpu. . and that's all I have hooked up so far until gpu block arrives from ekwb. The intention was to then go to gpu and finally res. It's the mounting position of the res that's still in question hence the query, but I think I've talked myself out of that now tbh

The outlet pressure of that pump is 13 ft of water (= about 6 psi) so I really don't think it matters if the RES is higher. In my set up the RAD is in the roof of the case, the pump is in the bottom and the RES is half way between the two height wise

Orch · 5 Mar 2016 at 10:55

OK cool thanks.

Orch · 8 Mar 2016 at 09:34

Well loop completed last night

I intended for the long return tube to come out the bottom of the res but that leaked so had to amend it. When I drain it out to put the pastel white in I think I'll add a 90° compression fitting so that it goes downwards and not across. Need to add a proper drain port too.

Fired it up and temps are fantastic, but the pump is unbelievably loud. It is second hand so I'm not sure how loud they are supposed to be? Can it be undervolted to 5 or 7v? If so do I just buy a molex adapter cable or something?

(It's a phobya dc12-400)

Orch · 8 Mar 2016 at 09:46

Hang on I'm being daft, it's a 3pin power connector isn't it not molex (late night). So can I just use one of the 'low noise adapter' cables that my Noctua fans came with to reduce the voltage?