Planning my first custom loop

  • Thread starter Thread starter LiE
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LiE

LiE

LiE

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Decided I want to keep my system as cool as possible and thus reducing noise. I've been doing some reading and slowly building up a shopping list of parts, which I could use help with.

I've read Watercool is good, here is a start to my shopping list.


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HEATKILLER® IV for RTX 2080 Ti - ACRYL Ni-Bl RGB

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HEATKILLER® IV PRO (AMD, AM4 ready) ACETAL CLEAN

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HEATKILLER® Tube 100 D5

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D5-PWM

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HEATKILLER® Tube - basic mounting kit

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HEATKILLER® Tube - 120mm fan adapter (pair)

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HEATKILLER® IV eBC - Backplate for RTX 2080 and RTX 2080Ti

This comes to £376.

I'm trying to keep things to a budget of 500-600. Closer to 500 if possible.

In terms of the case I'll be using, I'm currently considering the Be Quiet! Pure Base 500.

For rads I'm considering cross flow to make the tubing neater and easier. These are cooper I believe, I guess you don't want to mix metals?


Alphacool NexXxoS ST30 Full Copper X-Flow 360mm Radiator
Alphacool NexXxoS ST30 Full Copper X-Flow 240mm Radiator

Cost: £117

Brings my current total to £493.

Still need all fittings (recommendations?), fans and other pieces.

I'm open to suggestions for some experienced builders :)
 
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Doing some more reading on rads, the cross flow rads aren't quite as good as dual pass.

So the top rad could be a Xflow allowing the exit to be close to the CPU. The big run would be from bottom of 360 to top 240 rad, but hopefully that can be at the back of the case so not visible.

BLACK ICE NEMESIS RADIATOR GTS 240 XFLOW
BLACK ICE NEMESIS RADIATOR GTS 360

£126 delivered.
 
Watercool are meant to be some of the best performing parts available. But damn they also look the best, I love the finish blending black, transparent and metal finishes.

In terms of mixing metals, this mostly boils down to "don't use aluminium with anything else". Nickel is generally safe to mix with copper, some people have had issues with silver coils and nickel plating.

Looking good!

Considerations that might affect shopping list:

What fluid?
How to drain the loop? (Ball valve and maybe a splitter)
How to fill the loop? (Squirt bottle very useful)

I would do a little reading on the PB500 case. I have a PB600 and it would be tight fitting a 240mm top radiator. I have a 360mm in the front and 120mm rear, the top slot could fit a rad but tubing and RAM clearance would both need checking.
 
LuckyBenski said:
Watercool are meant to be some of the best performing parts available. But damn they also look the best, I love the finish blending black, transparent and metal finishes.

In terms of mixing metals, this mostly boils down to "don't use aluminium with anything else". Nickel is generally safe to mix with copper, some people have had issues with silver coils and nickel plating.

Looking good!

Considerations that might affect shopping list:

What fluid?
How to drain the loop? (Ball valve and maybe a splitter)
How to fill the loop? (Squirt bottle very useful)

I would do a little reading on the PB500 case. I have a PB600 and it would be tight fitting a 240mm top radiator. I have a 360mm in the front and 120mm rear, the top slot could fit a rad but tubing and RAM clearance would both need checking.
Click to expand...

I think the top rad should be fine, I also have LPX memory so it's pretty low profile.

https://hexus.net/media/uploaded/2019/9/ed00615f-062c-4bfb-945d-3be06a72bee2.png

** Do not hotlink images **


What fluid?
I've heard Mayhem fluid and tubes are good?

How to drain the loop? (Ball valve and maybe a splitter)
Yea plan on having a T-piece and ball value in the bottom of the case just before the 360.

How to fill the loop? (Squirt bottle very useful)
From what I've seen most use the squirt bottle into the top of the res.
 
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I'm thinking of going for the S2 Meshify, I want a premium case that has more room for parts.

Also priced out EKWB parts, what do people think vs the Watercool components?

I'm going to plan my loop which should help me figure out how many 90 and 45 fittings I need. I assume the compression fittings are the ones to go for? you just push the tube in and screw it tight?



My basket at Overclockers UK:
Total: £540.33 (includes shipping: £10.50)​
​
 
As someone who's just completed his very first custom loop, as in today, I can't advise you as well as some others could on here but here's my two pennies worth in case it helps.

Just because a case says it supports up to a certain sized rad doesn't mean it will fit easily or at all, if it wasn't for a vertical mount giving me mm worth of wiggle room I'd be having to fork out for a bigger case!

Angled fittings are your friends, get more than you think you'll need.

Compression fittings are the ones to go for it seems, remember to cut your tube straight and really squeeze it on there. Move the collar over it and screw tight, don't over tighten though the can be a ball ache to undo again and could loosen the whole fitting.

I'd highly recommend the Black Ice Nemesis rads! Hardly any gunk in my two when flushing them and the GTR in particular offers probably the best thermal performance.
 
I got a load of the Barrow G1/4" Matte Black fittings including 45 and 90 degree fittings 2nd hand off the members market plus a load of extras

For tubing the Mayhems Ultra Clear Watercooling Tubing (3/8 - 5/8) 16/10mm came very highly recommended
 
Nice to see Vidar passing on his
Newly gained knowledge already:)
45 degree and 90 degree fittings
Make sure they are rotary ones
As Vidar said and found out
Plan where your reservoir is going
Will it block your gpu? :)
Personally I also do a top fill port
Means as well as topping up
In the reservoir you can let mavity
Aid you
And when draining opening the top
Fill port means no air locks
It drains so much faster/better
 
Mcnumpty2323 said:
Totally your choice
Depends on colour you want
What look you want
What the cost of the fittings is etc
I have used multiple makers without
Issue
Click to expand...

I can’t see many rotating angle fittings. EK for example don’t do rotating ones.
 
Gone with the EK fittings. Everything is ordered for the loop.

Decided to just get the extra rad now even though it’s just my CPU in the loop. I’ll be adding a GPU later in the year.
 
Excellent! Don't forget to do a project thread so we can perv.... err I mean appreciate your loop properly lol
 
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