140mm Loop

[Antony101]

Okay, so I wanted to get a Corsair closed loop system for my CPU in my Define R4. However, the idea of having a 120mm fan in a 140mm slot is very annoying. I have however noticed it is possible to get a 140mm radiator from XSPC?

Can anyone tell me, is this a good radiator? Will it work well in my Define R4?

If so, what else would I need to create a good CPU only loop in my Define R4.

Information I can give regarding cost is, preferably as cheap as possible but I really want it to be as silent as possible.
Regarding space, I do not need my disk or hard drive bays at all. So the entire front and bottom of my case will be empty to fit in pumps and reservoirs (PSU will be at the bottom though obviously).

Please take into account, I have never water cooled before, I have no real idea what I am doing so would like some tips so I can give this some extra though. My only issue with it is that water cooling can be extremely expensive and I would like to only have to do this once.

Thanks, Antony.

 

[gcaster]

A 140mm rad will be fine for cooling a CPU so no worries there, I can't comment on the R4 though. Plenty of the big names make 140mm rads, I have an EK 140mm rad in my loop and it's great. I run mine with an Akasa Apache 140mm and it's completely silent, speed is reduced by my mobo but still pushes plenty of air through the rad.

Besides the rad you'll need a pump, reservoir, CPU block, tubing, connectors (barbs or compression fittings) and fluid (distilled water is fine with some biocide).

Pump and reservoir can both be put in your drive bays if you want them out of the way, otherwise you can essentially mount the pump wherever you want and other res options are pump tops and tube reservoirs.

You won't need a particularly powerful pump for a CPU only loop but if you may ever want to add GPUs in future it might be worth considering something with a higher pressure head.

 

[Antony101]

This will be a CPU only loop, if I am going to change to a CPU and GPU loop in the future I'd be changing everything so at this moment I'm focusing on getting a good CPU loop for as low a cost as possible.

If anyone cool mock up a good, quiet and nice looking loop using compression fittings I'd be very happy and be able to give it some extra thought once I know the costs.

 

[pgi947]

Or the simple solution, stick to something like the H80/920 and use 140mm fans with 120mm hole spacing?

 

[Antony101]

Or the simple solution, stick to something like the H80/920 and use 140mm fans with 120mm hole spacing?

As I said, the idea of having a 140mm slot taken up with a 120mm radiator annoys me. Petty I know but.

I've always wanted to get into water cooling anyway and have had terrible luck with the closed loop systems in the past.

 

[pgi947]

Ahhh I see, then something like this kit: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=WC-080-XS&groupid=962&catid=1532&subcat=

But obviously swap out the radiator for a 140mm, wouldn't hurt to change the CPU block to an XSPC Raystorm either. With something like this you'd be pretty well set for future upgrades to the loop.

 

[wissel]

If you just want a cheap, CPU only, loop with a 140 rad then the XSPC EX140 or the EK is fine. I would use an Akasa Apache fan on it ideally with some kind of speed control (either mb or a controller). As far as the CPU block goes just pick the one you like the look of, there is little performance difference between most of them now.

For the res and pump something I'm looking to get soon (also for a single 140mm CPU only loop) is the Alphacool DC-LT which can be bought in a kit with a plexi top and res for about £45 if I remember correctly. I'm going for this one as its very small and going into a server but it will work fine on any CPU only loop.

Just found a video of it HERE

As far as tubing goes XSPC is good for the price, Mayhem's pastel or X1 fluid and any named fittings seem to be ok.

 

[Antony101]

So can someone link a basket? This is so confusing to me and I have no idea what does what and stuff like that.

All I need is the basics. I have fans for the moment that should do. The kits seem to have loads of little extras included that I'd rather avoid.

I just want what I'll need for now so I don't get to confused. Once I've gotten into something and done it once I generally get the hang of it but the first time I attempt something it makes my head hurt.

If I leave it completely up to you guys to come up with something good, quiet and cheapish then I'll think about it.

The fans I have came with the case but I will use two 140mm Akasa Apache Blacks when I get it up and running.