Attempting to water cool again after 20 year gap - needing some advice please

malccy

malccy

malccy

Soldato
Joined
25 Mar 2005
Posts
2,568
Location
Torquay, Devon, UK
Hi,

I have very recently got the itch to do a small soft tubing water cool build after a hiatus of 20 years, and although I still remember the basics a lot has changed, so I am seeking some much-needed advice please?

I have in mind a small mini-itx build and being a second desk pc, it does not have to be super powerful. It is kind of replacing a laptop that I currently use so was edging towards a mini itx build with a dvd/rw drive (I know this sounds a bit odd) and have discovered the Fractal pop mini (the mini-itx one) hasa 5 1/4 space at its front whereby a dvd can be installed.



Has anybody here used this case for a water-cooled build?

In the past couple of weeks I have obtained so far via auctions some various EK compression fittings (13/10) and today have won a used EK SE 240 radiator. I would like to water cool both the cpu and the gpu so was thinking -

- one 240mm radiator at the front of the case
- one 240mm radiator at the top of the case
- cpu block
- gpu block
- D5 pump/reservoir (combo)

Does this sound about right ?

My other questions are -

- I see a lot of d5/reservoir combos being quite expensive (used) - Would it be cheaper to buy a standalone D5 pump and then search for a small reservoir to fit the pump? (are all D5's the same, and do they all fit reservoirs that state compatible with D5 pumps?)
- All the compression fittings that I have received only have O-rings on the screw part of the connector - is this normal, do they not require O rings that connector side ?
- Apart from pressure testing a loop, is it good practice these days to run the loop outside of case/build for a few hours or are compression fittings that reliable that once pressure checked you are guaranteed safe ? (the last water cooled build that I did I used Danger Den parts, jubilee clips etc....)
- Are there specific type fans that I should use for the radiators?
- I saw a Youtube video whereby the host was recommending purchasing a temperature sensor and a mini-itx motherboard which has an onboard sensor connector (he mentioned good Asus boards have) so that the fans can be controlled via the temperature sensor of the water rather than cpu temperature - how many boards have this and do people here agree with this statement?
- I wanted to post in the Wanted section but thought I should get some help and advice so as I know what I should be requesting.
- Anything else that I am missing or should know?

Thanks in advance for help.
 
Last edited:
malccy said:
Hi,

I have very recently got the itch to do a small soft tubing water cool build after a hiatus of 20 years, and although I still remember the basics a lot has changed, so I am seeking some much-needed advice please?

I have in mind a small mini-itx build and being a second desk pc, it does not have to be super powerful. It is kind of replacing a laptop that I currently use so was edging towards a mini itx build with a dvd/rw drive (I know this sounds a bit odd) and have discovered the Fractal pop mini (the mini-itx one) hasa 5 1/4 space at its front whereby a dvd can be installed.



Has anybody here used this case for a water-cooled build?

In the past couple of weeks I have obtained so far via auctions some various EK compression fittings (13/10) and today have won a used EK SE 240 radiator. I would like to water cool both the cpu and the gpu so was thinking -

- one 240mm radiator at the front of the case
- one 240mm radiator at the top of the case
- cpu block
- gpu block
- D5 pump/reservoir (combo)

Does this sound about right ?

My other questions are -

- I see a lot of d5/reservoir combos being quite expensive (used) - Would it be cheaper to buy a standalone D5 pump and then search for a small reservoir to fit the pump? (are all D5's the same, and do they all fit reservoirs that state compatible with D5 pumps?)
- All the compression fittings that I have received only have O-rings on the screw part of the connector - is this normal, do they not require O rings that connector side ? -Yes that's normal.
- Apart from pressure testing a loop, is it good practice these days to run the loop outside of case/build for a few hours or are compression fittings that reliable that once pressure checked you are guaranteed safe ? (the last water cooled build that I did I used Danger Den parts, jubilee clips etc....) - You can buy a leak tester. Basically pump air and check for pressure loss on a guage.
- Are there specific type fans that I should use for the radiators? - Fans with higher static pressure. There's a lot to choose from.
- I saw a Youtube video whereby the host was recommending purchasing a temperature sensor and a mini-itx motherboard which has an onboard sensor connector (he mentioned good Asus boards have) so that the fans can be controlled via the temperature sensor of the water rather than cpu temperature - how many boards have this and do people here agree with this statement? Yes basing fan speed on fluid temp is better. A lot of boards have this (even the budget ones) just need to double check it has a temperature probe before buying.
- I wanted to post in the Wanted section but thought I should get some help and advice so as I know what I should be requesting.
- Anything else that I am missing or should know? Gpu is probably the most important to find one with a compatible block. Other than that the basics haven't really changed much since 20 years ago, just more RGB now. Would make more sense to post your system specs and go from there.

Thanks in advance for help.
Click to expand...

matx-fractal-pop-air-mini-v0-wxx89l4pja0c1.jpg


Found this on reddit, looks like finding somewhere for the pump res will be tricky. Alternatively you could use a pump/res/ cpu block combo. Answers to your questions above in red.
 
Last edited:
Forgot to mention,

It will be expensive, with how big GPU coolers are and how efficient CPUs are/ how effective AIO coolers are now, there's little point in terms of performance.
 
Cheers for replies. As said, i've already started buying parts and just want to have a go at watercooling again. It will probably look terrible but am prepared for that. If it goes well and I am feeling confident, I might watercool my main pc in the future.
 
malccy said:
Surely, as it will not be high-end hardware, 2x240mm radiators will be enough?
Click to expand...
Heres my itx build with 2 x 240 rads. Slim fans is the way to go
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Itc said:
Heres my itx build with 2 x 240 rads. Slim fans is the way to go
imgur.com

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Click to expand...
Thank you for that. May I ask what is the build spec is, what the pump/res is, and could you tell me please what your temps are like? Also, referencing my initial post's question, do you use a temp sensor for controlling your fan speeds? Cheers.
 
malccy said:
Thank you for that. May I ask what is the build spec is, what the pump/res is, and could you tell me please what your temps are like? Also, referencing my initial post's question, do you use a temp sensor for controlling your fan speeds? Cheers.
Click to expand...

Hi its an older build but has lots of grunt. Temps go up to mid 60's when running hard. Could probably bring temps down with more fan speed.
Fans and pump controlled with corsair commander core xt. No sensors

Gigabyte z590 vision itx board
11900k cpu with EK waterblock
Nvidia 3080 ti FE with EK waterblock
2 x 240 corsair rads with jonsbo slim fans
EK FLT 80 pump reservoir
EK fittings
12mm hard tubing that was a beotch to fit
Cooler Master V850 SFX Gold psu
Case is a NR200P with 3d printed base for 2 fans making 6 fans in total
 
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As people have said, water cooling is now so expensive for such little performance gain, that it's really not good value unless you specifically want to have WC over, say, the next graphics card up from yours. That said, buying stuff second hand helps and if it's a fun project that justifies it in its own right :)

A few observations from the case manual and your comments:

You'll need some fairly low profile RAM for a top radiator to fit. 46mm apparently.

Apparently this case fits 2x 5.25" drives at the bottom. I'd look for how a front radiator will fit with that, but to be fair the manual suggests a 240mm AIO would fit with pipes at the top.

121mm maximum radiator width so no chunky boys like Hardware Labs SR-2!

In terms of cooling capacity, 2x240mm in a small case might be ample or it might be woefully small. Current hardware is very power hungry and you could be looking at 400W of cooling for mid range components if you're unlucky. It very much depends on choice of CPU and graphics, and I'd suggest AMD look like the more power efficient CPU provider lately.
 
Thank you, LuckyBenski for your reply and helpful tips. I imagine it will be mostly used as a file server/torrent pc so nothing high-end required. I'm scouring for cheap used cpu/motherboard/memory bundles as I think this is the most painfree way of buying these parts. If I buy these parts early on I will know what cpu block I will need. I will check with any seller the memory module's height (thanks again for that advice).

The pump/reservoir looks to be the most expensive part to buy so far.

May I ask another question - are certain radiators better than others with regard to both make and single pass/double pass?
 
Pump reservoir
Wouldn't say a second hand d5 combo
Was that expensive
Think my last one sold for something around
£50-60 in mm
Though in a small form build
There may be limitations to what pump and reservoir
You can fit in

13/10mm isn't common nowadays
Depends if you want particular tubing
Though car factors are a good place to pick up
Epdm or other tubing in various sizes

Radiator
Possibly yes though
I have never really went into that
Never had any Radiator perform terribly
So never bothered looking at specific Radiator performance
In a small build though Possibly a crossflow/flow Radiator
Might make it easier
In one end out the other


Did you put a wanted post in mm?
Loads of us have tons of watercooling parts
Laying around
Would think mm you would get better value than ebay
 
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malccy said:
Thank you, LuckyBenski for your reply and helpful tips. I imagine it will be mostly used as a file server/torrent pc so nothing high-end required. I'm scouring for cheap used cpu/motherboard/memory bundles as I think this is the most painfree way of buying these parts. If I buy these parts early on I will know what cpu block I will need. I will check with any seller the memory module's height (thanks again for that advice).

The pump/reservoir looks to be the most expensive part to buy so far.

May I ask another question - are certain radiators better than others with regard to both make and single pass/double pass?
Click to expand...
Stealkey customs do a nice compact res/ pump combo.
Also make sure to use copper rads.
 
One more question regarding radiators; I have ordered a couple of litres of DP Ultra for the build - what is a good efficient way of cleaning the two radiators i've won on Ebay?

Mcnumpty2323 - thank you for all the help and advice. I think I shall use the MM section of the forum to search for the remaining bits that I need - Vario D5, Temperature sensor, digital flow indicator, 4x black fans suitable for radiators, motherboard/cpu bundle, cpu block,etc etc.
 
malccy said:
Hi,

I have very recently got the itch to do a small soft tubing water cool build after a hiatus of 20 years, and although I still remember the basics a lot has changed, so I am seeking some much-needed advice please?

I have in mind a small mini-itx build and being a second desk pc, it does not have to be super powerful. It is kind of replacing a laptop that I currently use so was edging towards a mini itx build with a dvd/rw drive (I know this sounds a bit odd) and have discovered the Fractal pop mini (the mini-itx one) hasa 5 1/4 space at its front whereby a dvd can be installed.



Has anybody here used this case for a water-cooled build?

In the past couple of weeks I have obtained so far via auctions some various EK compression fittings (13/10) and today have won a used EK SE 240 radiator. I would like to water cool both the cpu and the gpu so was thinking -

- one 240mm radiator at the front of the case
- one 240mm radiator at the top of the case
- cpu block
- gpu block
- D5 pump/reservoir (combo)

Does this sound about right ?

My other questions are -

- I see a lot of d5/reservoir combos being quite expensive (used) - Would it be cheaper to buy a standalone D5 pump and then search for a small reservoir to fit the pump? (are all D5's the same, and do they all fit reservoirs that state compatible with D5 pumps?)
- All the compression fittings that I have received only have O-rings on the screw part of the connector - is this normal, do they not require O rings that connector side ?
- Apart from pressure testing a loop, is it good practice these days to run the loop outside of case/build for a few hours or are compression fittings that reliable that once pressure checked you are guaranteed safe ? (the last water cooled build that I did I used Danger Den parts, jubilee clips etc....)
- Are there specific type fans that I should use for the radiators?
- I saw a Youtube video whereby the host was recommending purchasing a temperature sensor and a mini-itx motherboard which has an onboard sensor connector (he mentioned good Asus boards have) so that the fans can be controlled via the temperature sensor of the water rather than cpu temperature - how many boards have this and do people here agree with this statement?
- I wanted to post in the Wanted section but thought I should get some help and advice so as I know what I should be requesting.
- Anything else that I am missing or should know?

Thanks in advance for help.
Click to expand...

Did you buy all the bits you need yet?
 
Some people run a garden hose
Through them to wash them out
Others just fill them give them a good shake
Empty into sink
Until see no debris come out
Other option set up a little loop outside the pc
Run through something like a coffee filter
For as long as you're happy with
Until see no debris in the coffee filter
Last option use blitz kit on them
 
Mcnumpty2323 said:
Some people run a garden hose
Through them to wash them out
Others just fill them give them a good shake
Empty into sink
Until see no debris come out
Other option set up a little loop outside the pc
Run through something like a coffee filter
For as long as you're happy with
Until see no debris in the coffee filter
Last option use blitz kit on them
Click to expand...
I used to use a little bit of vinegar in water, something like 1:5 or 1:10 I think, and let sit for 5-10 minutes then shake vigorously and flush with clean water. Easy DIY solution.
 
LuckyBenski said:
I used to use a little bit of vinegar in water, something like 1:5 or 1:10 I think, and let sit for 5-10 minutes then shake vigorously and flush with clean water. Easy DIY solution.
Click to expand...
Yeah definitely a few free options
Just using stuff
You already have to hand around the house
Buying a blitz kit or similar would
Always be my last option
 
If you go down the flushing with vinegar, you will want to flush/soak with an alkaline solution after to neutralise. Something like expresso machine cleaner is really good at neutralising to raise the PH back to 7-8 so any nickel plating doesn't get stripped off blocks/fitting in the long term.
 
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