Advice on a first time build. D5 vs DDC

Aidanx16

Aidanx16

Aidanx16

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So I am finally taking the next step and I’m going all in on watercooling.

There are two different builds I have decided on, one being a Fractal Design Meshify S2 with an EK Distro plate. The other option is an O11D XL with an ek distro plate.

The problem is, the more i look into the Lian Li distro plate, the more i find people complaining it is a DDC pump. This is avoided in the S2 build as that one uses a D5.

From someone with much more experience than me, what would you recommend? I can always go with the front distro for the O11D XL with the D5 But to me it just doesn’t look as nice as the side.

Am i really going to regret buying the DDC distro over a D5? Is the D5 front distro really worth the extra £150?

Are there any other side distros that have a D5 for the o11 xl? I’m aware of the Radikult one but its in the US and I’m not.

I am ashamed of how many times I have had to say distro in this message.
 
Generally - restrictive loop (I.e lots of 90 degree fittings etc) / space limited, you'll be better off with a ddc.

If you aren't tight for space, go with a d5, it will be quieter and has great flow rate.

The price difference between the plates is not due to the pump, the £150 difference or whatever it is is due to the distro itself, most distro blocks I've seen can take a d5 or a ddc, I'd imagine there's a ddc or d5 version of each of them.
 
Similar boat to the OP. I have the Lian Li 011D, which I love, and am looking at the EK Distro. I think the main complaint is that it is a DDC 3.1 pump rather than 3.2, which has better flow and quieter (don't quote me though!). I already have an EK D5 pump/reservoir but really like the clean look of the distro plate.

Most of the D5 distro's I've seen have the pump out front and separate which isn't as nice looking imo.
 
midweek said:
Similar boat to the OP. I have the Lian Li 011D, which I love, and am looking at the EK Distro. I think the main complaint is that it is a DDC 3.1 pump rather than 3.2, which has better flow and quieter (don't quote me though!). I already have an EK D5 pump/reservoir but really like the clean look of the distro plate.

Most of the D5 distro's I've seen have the pump out front and separate which isn't as nice looking imo.
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If it is due to the DDC 3.1, then EK may have fixed this problem as a certain website sells the Distro with the DDC 3.2. Its a lil more expensive but surely it would be worth the extra for solving the pump complaints? I didn't realise this so thank you for pointing it out to me.
 
Though the DDC has slightly better output, the D5 is quieter and also provides enough flow for anything but the most extreme of loops. It's also possibly more reliable as well.

The D5 is bigger though if space is constraint.
 
Jokester said:
Though the DDC has slightly better output, the D5 is quieter and also provides enough flow for anything but the most extreme of loops. It's also possibly more reliable as well.

The D5 is bigger though if space is constraint.
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It's less about the space and more about what the distro plates Actually have. The side distro for the o11 dynamic has a DDC 3.2 whereas the front distro has a D5.

I do like the idea of having a quieter pump but are DDC 3.2 pumps really much louder? I can only assume as it's smaller and it would need to spin faster that it would be at least slightly louder.
 
Aidanx16 said:
It's less about the space and more about what the distro plates Actually have. The side distro for the o11 dynamic has a DDC 3.2 whereas the front distro has a D5.

I do like the idea of having a quieter pump but are DDC 3.2 pumps really much louder? I can only assume as it's smaller and it would need to spin faster that it would be at least slightly louder.
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Depends on your radiator fans, if you're running quiet fans at low speed then the 3.2 will likely be louder. I always found the DDC3.2 to have quite a whiney noise to it as well, so it's not particularly pleasant.

D5 is almost silent in comparison.
 
Jokester said:
Depends on your radiator fans, if you're running quiet fans at low speed then the 3.2 will likely be louder. I always found the DDC3.2 to have quite a whiney noise to it as well, so it's not particularly pleasant.

D5 is almost silent in comparison.
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I did hear about the "whiney" noise. It's a shame ek went with a DDC for the side distro instead of a D5 like the front distro as it would have sealed the deal for me 100%.

I have never actually heard either the DDC 3.2 or the D5 in person so there's even a chance that the noise won't even bother me. But then again it might, So right now it seems like I'll be leaning towards the front D5 Distro for the O11 D XL.

I'll try to find a video online with a comparison of the two pump sounds.
 
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Aidanx16 said:
If it is due to the DDC 3.1, then EK may have fixed this problem as a certain website sells the Distro with the DDC 3.2. Its a lil more expensive but surely it would be worth the extra for solving the pump complaints? I didn't realise this so thank you for pointing it out to me.
Click to expand...

Interesting.
 
Have few builds some with D5's and EK DDC pumps depending on use. DDC's do make more of a whine when cranked up I find, but set mine at 40% and its inaudible and flow is sufficient. Would personally go DDC if your looking to mesh it with a distro plate for a clean look, but I am one of those who will sacrifice absolute performance for looks as otherwise D5 would be the pick.
 
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