750d watercooled (1st w/c)

[Pvt_Ryan]

I'll preface this with this is my 1st watercooled build up to now i've been a hardcore gamer so the looks never really mattered but i've decided to do a bit more.

My end goal is a scratch build desk but 1st i need to do the basics so I got a 750d and some bits..

I have a notion that I'm going to regret not getting any 45 degree fittings but at the price of the parts i'll make do. If the wife found out how much this has just cost me she'd kill me.

Old Parts:
MB: Sabertooth 990fx r2
CPU: AMD 8350 Black Ed
RAM: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C9 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit (CMZ8GX3M2A1600C9) X2
GFX: Asus HD 7970 Matrix Platinum
PSU: Jantech 750 this is a generic one i've had for years since my HyperX went POP. I do intend to upgrade to corsair 850 at some point but most likely when this one dies.

New Parts:
1x Corsair 750d

Fittings:
2x Monsoon 16/11mm (ID 7/16 OD 5/8) Free Center Compression Fitting Six Pack - Blue
1x Phobya 2 Way Ball Valve G1/4 - Knurled
1x Alphacool HF 3-Way Connection Terminal G1/4 Inner Thread - Chrome
2x Alphacool Double Nipple G1/4 Outer Thread To G1/4'' Outer Thread - Chrome
2x Monsoon 16/10mm (OD 5/8) Rotary 90° - Blue
2x Primochill Primoflex Advanced Tubing 16/11 - Clear (total is 2meters)

Fans:
2x Corsair SP140 Twin Pack Blue LED Fans
1x Corsair SP140 Blue LED Fan
1x Corsair AF140 Blue LED Fan

Parts:
1x lamptron fc5 v2
1x Arctic Cooling MX-4 4g
1x Phobya Balancer 150 Reservoir - Silver Nickel (Meant to buy Black Nickel DOH!)
1x EK Water Blocks EK-FC7970 / EK-FC R9-280X Matrix Full Cover Water Block - Acetal+Nickel
1x EK Water Blocks EK-Supremacy EVO
1x EK Water Blocks EK-D5 Vario X-TOP - Plexi (incl. pump)
1x Alphacool NexXxoS XT45 Full Copper 420mm Radiator
1x Alphacool NexXxoS XT45 Full Copper 280mm Double Radiator
2x Mayhems X1 UV Blue


Cables:
1x Silverstone Cable Extension Value Bundle - Black & Blue (with two PCI-E 8pins)

 

[Pvt_Ryan]

PC in it's current state

With Lamptron installed:

Fans and Fittings have arrived:

Blocks have arrived:

With 1st set of SP140s:

 

[Pvt_Ryan]

i do intend to but its been there since 2009.. vs the hyperx it replaced which lasted until it was just out of warrenty ~2years iirc

 

[Pvt_Ryan]

CPU Block installed:

Graphics card block installed:

Doing the gfx card i noticed there were two VRM? chips that were covered by stock thermal pads but not mentioned in the instructions for this block. So i Stuck a couple of pads on them on the off chance it makes contact.

Slight stumbling block with the 420 RAD, in that the holes in the case are too large for the screws that ship with it and the case has pretty much no screws gotta wait till monday now for the hardware store to open unless i can find some washers.

Also looks like it is going to be a royal pain to get that rad in due to teh 5.25 bay.. Tempted to remove it as I have no use for it other than for the fan controller.

 

[Pvt_Ryan]

Had to modify the 5.25" bay to get the 420 Rad in. If i can get a dremel i think i'll just cut out the bay (bar the mounting points in the the 1st bay so the Lamptron can still be mounted)

Looks like it's going to be a tight fit for the tubes (2x 45/90 degree fittings would be useful here i think).

Still need to get some washers to hold the rad to the top..

 

[Pvt_Ryan]

Ok got fed up and bought a dremel..

5.25" bay pretty much removed.

To get the top mounts to fit I created some washers from the sheet metal from the back of an old washing machine (told you i hoarded, (i didnt keep the machine just the metal back))

Rads installed:

Res Installed

Connecting the tubes:

Finally all together and pump starting it's burn in.

Improvements for anyone copying this build
* Get two more 90 degree ends for top RAD
* 90 degree on GFX to Res
* ?? maybe a 45 degree on RAD to GFX (not sure that this would be good if combined with 90 degree on RAD

 

[Pvt_Ryan]

no leaks so started it up.

To answer your question all 5 fans are pushing so i needed the exhaust fan and when i was test fitting it was either not going to fit or i'd have to leave out the exhaust fan.

Up shot of removing the 5.25" bay is that i now have loads of room

I'd actually like to see corsair release a case with a "stubby" 5.25" bay similar to what i did. So you can still mount a fan controller / LCD but not optical drives.

In place:

3dMark Running 1 gfx test:

 

[Pvt_Ryan]

Scotspaul,

Yes I think if I were to redo I would have changed the order to that. You are correct it would look better. Thanks for pointing it out. (I'll redo when I next drain the loop which as I am considering cooling the MB might be in the next 6 months.

The reason I didn't is silly. You know when you know something to be untrue but refuse to give up the belief? well I convinced myself order mattered even though EVERYTHING I read said the opposite hence placing RADs between CPU & GPU.

So when I was laying it out subconsciously i refused to even consider an order where the parts weren't separated by a RAD.

 

[Pvt_Ryan]

I have one, I've used a chrome T piece on the outlet of the pump and it points to the rear of the case.. It's got a ball valve, however i forgot to add a compression fitting and I ran out of tube but i'll sort that later.

Merry Christmas