Hi all,
My old quad core Q9650/4GB system was no longer able to deliver the functionality I wanted so, during October 2011 I used this forum to start researching a new build, it has taken me until today to be able to afford all the parts I needed and put them together.
My previous experience with water-cooling was an upgrade I performed in 2008 to install a Zalman Reserator V2 to cool my CPU so, I expected a steep learning curve and that is what i got !
The basic specifications for this build are as follows:
Silverstone TJ11 case
Silverstone Strider 1500W PSU
X79 - Asus Rampage Extreme IV with 3960K CPU
64GM RAM - Corsair Dominator 1600MHZ
2 x Crucial SSD 64GB+512GB
3 x XFX 7970 Cards
The watercooling parts:
1 x XSPC RX480 Radiator
1 x 120MM Blackice Stealth Single Radiator
2 x Swiftech MCP35x Pumps
1 x Aqua-computer Aquaero Controller
2 x Aqua-computer Aqaaero poweradjust
1 x EK Dual Pumptop
1 x EK Single Reseviour with threaded top
3 x EK 7970 Acetal+Nickel Blocks
3 x EK Link connectors
1 x EK Triple Bridge Serial
1 x EK Rampage IV Extreme full-cover block kit
2 x EK Dominator RAM Blocks
4 x Typhoon 120MM fans 18xx RPM
1 x Noiseblocker 120MM fan
1 x Aqua-computer flow-metres
3 x Masterkleer hosing pack, Clear 1/4, 3/4 OD.
8 x 1L bottles of Feser clear UV
1 x Phoyba Radiator Stand
Lots of bitspower fittings
Lots of koolance quick-disconnects
OEM white-label in-line temp monitors
Misc
2 x XSPC LED Lighting controller - White
Lots of Bitfenix braided cabling - White
Abandoned parts
1 x XSPC RS360 Radiator
1 x XSPC RX240 Radiator
1 x Koolance Liquid detector
1 x Koolance Liquid filter
2 x Aqua-computer poweradjust
2 x Swiftech MCP35x heat-sinks
Various Bitspower and Koolance fittings
Various Bitfenix cables
Various temperature monitors
*****************
Main things I learned:
*****************
Stock levels are a problem. Shipping costs to the UK for components are EXPENSIVE
I was surprised how little stock there is for some fittings and parts in the UK. I was not prepared for the full-horror which was shipping costs from Koolance and Swiftech for components. I also had to import the EK blocks and Bitspower fittings.
Even more horrific was shipping parts back to EK (originally the build was GTX580 based).
Realised you have bought one fewer parts from Koolance than you need? Yep that will be another small fortune. I was very impressed at the 3 day shipping speed from the U.S West coast though.
Regarding space for a double or triple radiator in the bottom of the TJ11.
With a strider 1500W PSU there is very limited space in the bottom of the TJ11 for both an RX quad radiator and anything else. I originally planned to place both a quad and a double radiator into the bottom of the TJ11, the length of the Strider PSU means this is not really possible unless, you are willing to custom cut ALL of the power cabling or compromise with the Quad-radiator/fans and go for something slimmer like a Blackice stealth with slim-line fans. The RX480/Strider combination is a bit of a monster and with a single bank of fans eats a lot of space.
Regarding push/pull fans typhoon fans, TJ11 and the RX480
Again, I had to abandon the idea of a push/pull setup with the RX480 due to the higher profile of the fans themselves. There was simply not enough space to install a push/pull setup with the typhoons and the RX480/Strider combination. In the end I settled with a single bank of fans on the outside of the RX480 in a pull configuration.
Regarding loop complexity/flow-rate
One of the lessons I learned *after* I had assembled everything is that you need to keep the loop simple. Sounds straightforward enough but in practice a complex equipment setup, an elaborate loop is easy to fall into especially, if you have the parts at hand. Complex loops also means higher-risk of leaks and sure enough, that was my experience.
My earlier attempt at a loop yielded an almighty 60L/PH, pretty insane considering each swiftech pump is rated at 1000L/PH.
After some minor adjustments, I doubled this to 120L/PH and I am confident I can get more out of it over time.
Power-up your components before fitting blocks. Things can arrive broken
On first boot-up, with minimal power plugged in, my X79 board decided to fry its VRMs, with no reasonable explanation. My second board has no issues.
Swifttech MCP35x heatsinks do not fit if you use them in a dual configuration
They cost me $60USD in costs and shipping. facepalm
Be prepared to turn the rig almost up-side down in order to remove trapped air
Not so easy when the rig is so heavy and expensive.
*********************
Comments on components
*********************
The EK Blocks, Blackice, Koolance and Bitspower parts are so well engineered, they are very well made indeed.
Bitspower fittings are well worth the extra.
Masterkleer hose was a joy to work with and cut.
Bitfenix cables are expensive but again, very nicely braided.
The Typhoon fans are not pretty and their cables are not braided. Fail on looks, the Win on noise and performance.
Noiseblocker fans are nicer than the Typhoons and have braided cables.
Aquacomputer make good things but cannot write good instructions. Very frustrating to work with, great functionality and engineering.
*******************************
What would I do differently next time?
*******************************
1. Consider stronger pumps, the MCP35x don't seem to like restrictive loops at all
2. Consider using slimmer radiators in a push-pull configuration
3. Consider a shorter PSU
4. Not too sure white braided cabling is going to look good long term - maybe go for Silver.
Here are some photos of the build at 90% completion, I will be uploading the full set of photos of the rig as it was built, in a few days.
My old quad core Q9650/4GB system was no longer able to deliver the functionality I wanted so, during October 2011 I used this forum to start researching a new build, it has taken me until today to be able to afford all the parts I needed and put them together.
My previous experience with water-cooling was an upgrade I performed in 2008 to install a Zalman Reserator V2 to cool my CPU so, I expected a steep learning curve and that is what i got !
The basic specifications for this build are as follows:
Silverstone TJ11 case
Silverstone Strider 1500W PSU
X79 - Asus Rampage Extreme IV with 3960K CPU
64GM RAM - Corsair Dominator 1600MHZ
2 x Crucial SSD 64GB+512GB
3 x XFX 7970 Cards
The watercooling parts:
1 x XSPC RX480 Radiator
1 x 120MM Blackice Stealth Single Radiator
2 x Swiftech MCP35x Pumps
1 x Aqua-computer Aquaero Controller
2 x Aqua-computer Aqaaero poweradjust
1 x EK Dual Pumptop
1 x EK Single Reseviour with threaded top
3 x EK 7970 Acetal+Nickel Blocks
3 x EK Link connectors
1 x EK Triple Bridge Serial
1 x EK Rampage IV Extreme full-cover block kit
2 x EK Dominator RAM Blocks
4 x Typhoon 120MM fans 18xx RPM
1 x Noiseblocker 120MM fan
1 x Aqua-computer flow-metres
3 x Masterkleer hosing pack, Clear 1/4, 3/4 OD.
8 x 1L bottles of Feser clear UV
1 x Phoyba Radiator Stand
Lots of bitspower fittings
Lots of koolance quick-disconnects
OEM white-label in-line temp monitors
Misc
2 x XSPC LED Lighting controller - White
Lots of Bitfenix braided cabling - White
Abandoned parts
1 x XSPC RS360 Radiator
1 x XSPC RX240 Radiator
1 x Koolance Liquid detector
1 x Koolance Liquid filter
2 x Aqua-computer poweradjust
2 x Swiftech MCP35x heat-sinks
Various Bitspower and Koolance fittings
Various Bitfenix cables
Various temperature monitors
*****************
Main things I learned:
*****************
Stock levels are a problem. Shipping costs to the UK for components are EXPENSIVE
I was surprised how little stock there is for some fittings and parts in the UK. I was not prepared for the full-horror which was shipping costs from Koolance and Swiftech for components. I also had to import the EK blocks and Bitspower fittings.
Even more horrific was shipping parts back to EK (originally the build was GTX580 based).
Realised you have bought one fewer parts from Koolance than you need? Yep that will be another small fortune. I was very impressed at the 3 day shipping speed from the U.S West coast though.
Regarding space for a double or triple radiator in the bottom of the TJ11.
With a strider 1500W PSU there is very limited space in the bottom of the TJ11 for both an RX quad radiator and anything else. I originally planned to place both a quad and a double radiator into the bottom of the TJ11, the length of the Strider PSU means this is not really possible unless, you are willing to custom cut ALL of the power cabling or compromise with the Quad-radiator/fans and go for something slimmer like a Blackice stealth with slim-line fans. The RX480/Strider combination is a bit of a monster and with a single bank of fans eats a lot of space.
Regarding push/pull fans typhoon fans, TJ11 and the RX480
Again, I had to abandon the idea of a push/pull setup with the RX480 due to the higher profile of the fans themselves. There was simply not enough space to install a push/pull setup with the typhoons and the RX480/Strider combination. In the end I settled with a single bank of fans on the outside of the RX480 in a pull configuration.
Regarding loop complexity/flow-rate
One of the lessons I learned *after* I had assembled everything is that you need to keep the loop simple. Sounds straightforward enough but in practice a complex equipment setup, an elaborate loop is easy to fall into especially, if you have the parts at hand. Complex loops also means higher-risk of leaks and sure enough, that was my experience.
My earlier attempt at a loop yielded an almighty 60L/PH, pretty insane considering each swiftech pump is rated at 1000L/PH.
After some minor adjustments, I doubled this to 120L/PH and I am confident I can get more out of it over time.
Power-up your components before fitting blocks. Things can arrive broken
On first boot-up, with minimal power plugged in, my X79 board decided to fry its VRMs, with no reasonable explanation. My second board has no issues.
Swifttech MCP35x heatsinks do not fit if you use them in a dual configuration
They cost me $60USD in costs and shipping. facepalm
Be prepared to turn the rig almost up-side down in order to remove trapped air
Not so easy when the rig is so heavy and expensive.
*********************
Comments on components
*********************
The EK Blocks, Blackice, Koolance and Bitspower parts are so well engineered, they are very well made indeed.
Bitspower fittings are well worth the extra.
Masterkleer hose was a joy to work with and cut.
Bitfenix cables are expensive but again, very nicely braided.
The Typhoon fans are not pretty and their cables are not braided. Fail on looks, the Win on noise and performance.
Noiseblocker fans are nicer than the Typhoons and have braided cables.
Aquacomputer make good things but cannot write good instructions. Very frustrating to work with, great functionality and engineering.
*******************************
What would I do differently next time?
*******************************
1. Consider stronger pumps, the MCP35x don't seem to like restrictive loops at all
2. Consider using slimmer radiators in a push-pull configuration
3. Consider a shorter PSU
4. Not too sure white braided cabling is going to look good long term - maybe go for Silver.
Here are some photos of the build at 90% completion, I will be uploading the full set of photos of the rig as it was built, in a few days.
