Radiators for 8700K + STRIX 2080 Ti in Evolv X

Prozn

Prozn

Prozn

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274
Hi,

I am planning on water cooling my current Maximus X Hero/8700K/STRIX 2080 Ti system, which is at the moment using a Kraken X62 + stock STRIX cooler.

My undelidded 8700K is achieving 5ghz at 1.3V, but hitting 80C. Hopefully I can extract some more performance from it, or at least cooler temps. But mainly this exercise is to reduce the jet engine level noise from the STRIX cooler, and have some fun tinkering!

Due to size constraints of the Evolv X and the length of the STRIX 2080 Ti I have narrowed down my parts choice to:

Front Rad: XSPC EX420 TRIPLE FAN RADIATOR
Top Rad: EK-COOLSTREAM SE 280 (SLIM DUAL) RADIATOR
GPU Block: EK-Vector Strix RTX 2080 Ti RGB - Nickel + Plexi
CPU Block: EK-Supremacy EVO - Full Nickel
Pump/Res: EK-XRES 140 Revo D5 RGB PWM

Due to the length of the GPU I believe I will have to vertically mount the GPU, which isn't a problem.

Do you foresee any issues with this configuration? Is the cooling capacity sufficient? I know the SE series EK radiators are fairly poor, but as a supplement to the EX420 will it be enough?

Thanks for the advice!
 
I am looking to do something similar.

After all my research, i think the best setup is 2 x 360 rads.

Either 2 x EK PE 360 or

1 x HL GTS 360 and 1 x HL GTX 360 (which is what i am going for).
 
Yes, two HL GTS 360s does seem to be the best option for this case when it comes to compatibility. My only concern with using 120mm is the noise profile. I was leaning towards 140mm as my number 1 focus with this build is getting the noise as low as possible.

My PC lives in the lounge and I have received some... negative feedback... from the other half regarding the STRIX fan noise.
 
Ah yes. Though you can fit the GTX in the front and the GTS at top.

I am no expert and hoping I can run the above nicely with the Corsair LL120s.

Guess it comes down to if the 6 120mm fans with better Rads can outperform the 5 140mm fans on not as good Rads (In terms of temperature and noise).

I have no idea as this is going to be my first water cool build
 
One option is to add some fans to your Kraken so it's push/pull - this made a huge difference on mine with my 8700k. Then add a bracket + AIO to your gfx card, I have a small X42 on my 1080 and it never goes above 53deg full load.

Just some food for thought.
 
Does the GTS360 fit at the top?

The user manual for the evolv-x says:
120mm Radiators: A:405mm B:126mm C:65mm*

The Black Ice GTS360 says its 133mm wide which contravenes the 126mm Phanteks claim?

It's a bit of a nightmare IMO, if you look at example builds, you'd need the front 360 to be flush with the bottom of the case to leave enough room at the top to stop the rads clashing, and the PSU section cutout limits the RAD + FAN depth, and then you aren't left with much between motherboard and front rad if you mount in the only space you have left, definitely ensure someone else has a confirmed build before buying!

In another thread, from what I can see someone has used the Alphacool ST30 X-Flow 280mm at the top alongside a 36mm wide 420mm front rad (https://forums.overclockers.co.uk/posts/32417815)
That looks about the right use of space to accommodate 2 rads + pump/res combo.. going for a GTX Black Ice (53mm deep?) that's going to make things quite tight

AFter deliberating, I think I'm going to play safe and go for the Alphacool ST30 X-Flow 280mm / ST30 420mm Rads (both 30mm thick, reasonable performing for thin rads), the X-Flow on top helps with neater tubing runs and 140mm fans can run a bit slower/quieter and it maximises fitting space.
 
I use a 280mm Crossflow across the top to help with the tube routing but also because it gives me an easy fill/bleed port at the top as the rad has holes on both sides.
 
Don’t waste your time with the SE no, really is a bad choice vs some of the others mentioned here. XSPC do a new slim rad which is supposed to perform well but if you can fit some nice alphas in there at 30mm then that’s what I would do.

FYI the EX rads from XSPC are a bit wasteful as the actual radiator part is a good 10-15mm less that the external casing... I wouldn’t choose them (and I’m telling you that having just installed 2 x 480mm in a big build.
 
Not sure if i can post links to other websites? but yeah the GTS 360 does fit.

Google, Evolv X Maximus XI Formula Build and you will see it (in the picture he has 2x 360 GTS's being used). The guy also mentioned he use to have the GTX in the front.
 
Thanks for the advice chaps. It seems the best bet is probably:

Front Rad: Alphacool NexXxoS ST30 Full Copper 420mm radiator
Top Rad: Alphacool NexXxoS ST30 Full Copper X-Flow 280mm radiator

Based on:
  • 140mm platform being a bit better noise-wise
  • Probably the easiest in terms of fitting everything in
  • The ESPC EX420 being a bit smaller than the Alphacool
I read a review of the Alphacool 280 X-Flow that said the reviewer experienced issues with fan holes not being in the right place, and that in general the cooling performance was fairly poor (think they gave it 1.5/5)

Does anyone have experience with the Alphacool ST30 range?
 
PureJaz said:
Not sure if i can post links to other websites? but yeah the GTS 360 does fit.

Google, Evolv X Maximus XI Formula Build and you will see it (in the picture he has 2x 360 GTS's being used). The guy also mentioned he use to have the GTX in the front.
Click to expand...

His build looks really nice - and I would love to use Hardware Labs. The only thing putting me off is needing to run the fans at higher RPMs on 120mm.
 
Follow-up: If I'm using Alphacool radiators, is it still OK to stick with all the EK fittings I have selected (for use with Mayhems Ultra Clear Tubing 16/10 and EK blocks)?
 
I have ST30s in one of mine. The 280mm Crossflow in the roof plus a normal ST30 280mm in the front. Both have no problem with fan alignment. I'm using low speed silent fans and have no problems with the cooling efficiency.
 
MikeTimbers said:
I have ST30s in one of mine. The 280mm Crossflow in the roof plus a normal ST30 280mm in the front. Both have no problem with fan alignment. I'm using low speed silent fans and have no problems with the cooling efficiency.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the confirmation :)

I'm considering going x-flow at the front too, to make draining the system easier. If I'm thinking correctly having a non cross-flow at the front with ports at the top, will mean the water wont drain out of it?

Edit: the issue being the x-flow 420 is too long! Argh, this water cooling stuff really takes some planning! :D
 
the x-flow is longer than a dual-pass because it needs a tank on both ends. x-flows are easier to drain but fwiw, i've found that if I'm doing a temp drain to change something I don't need the front rad to be empty and if I need to completely empty the system I just blow into one of the detached ends.
 
IMG_2485.JPG
 
Prozn said:
Follow-up: If I'm using Alphacool radiators, is it still OK to stick with all the EK fittings I have selected (for use with Mayhems Ultra Clear Tubing 16/10 and EK blocks)?
Click to expand...
All rads have G1/4 ports, so any G1/4 fitting will be fine (well, with some rads they don't always leave enough clearance, so some super fat fittings may foul the fans, but there are ways around that).

I'm mixing XSPC/EK/Phanteks etc and not run into any issues.
 
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