Advice on redoing my loop... again.

Rossdh

Rossdh

Rossdh

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Hi folks. Im still not 100% happy with my loop. I first set it up about 4 weeks ago and since then I have been tinkering with it knowing I could have done a lot better. I'm pretty p'd off with myself as I've spent quite a bit of money on parts etc and I want it perfect. So I have decided that next month I'll redo it AGAIN and this time properly and actually sit down, take my time and plan it out fully. I am going to go with a new EK-Supremacy - CPU Waterblock - Nickel Plexi, XSPC D5 Dual Bay Reservoir/Pump Combo, XSPC EX240 Multiport Radiator to compliment my existing Coolstream 360, new 7/16 compression fittings and 7/16 tubing.

At the moment I have my 2 GTX680s connected using an EK parallel bridge. It seemed like a good idea at the time but makes removing the cards a complete and utter PITA! So I'm still indecisive as to wether I should keep the current single slot spacing which means I can run them x16/x16 or increase the spacing to 3 slots which would aid in removing the cards if needed but means running at x8/x8.

Currently I have two radiators mounted in my Cosmos II, an EK Coolstream 360 in the top with 3 Akasa Vipers pulling air through and a very crudely mounted XSPC 120 with another Viper pushing air out the back. This is what I plan for the rads. Get rid of the 120 and go back to having just a standard 140mm fan extracting air out the back. Mount the multiport 240 rad in the bottom of the case in the HDD area with 2 CM led fans pulling air out the side. One thing I have decided that is a must for me is having a drain port or quick disconnects. Not sure how these work nevermind how to set one up so if someone could shed some light on this for me great!

In terms of how it will flow, I am thinking:

res/pump > 240 > GPU 2 > GPU 1 > CPU > 360 > res/pump

So what do you think? Parts ok? Decent plan? Sorry for the whole long winded "story of how I am such a tool" but I just want to make this rig perfect. I've spent A LOT more than I should have on it and it really needs to last me a good few years now. Thanks very much folks.

Ross
 
Having a drain port can be easier and definitely cheaper than QDCs(koolance ones at least)!.
If it is a drain port it would be beneficial to have it in the lowest part of the loop, making draining easier.
QDCs can be placed any where - strategically planned - to either remove a component that is needed to be removed frequently or to act as a draining mechanism.
Koolance QDCs are bit big(long) so you will have to think it through.
I have used 2 sets of VL4s in my loop(in sig) so that I can remove the entire mother board tray out!
I can then drain as required.
There are many versions of QDCs. with koolance - VL4N is the extreme flow & non spill one. But it is always better to have some kitchen towels around the QDC while disconnecting.
 
Avathar77 said:
Having a drain port can be easier and definitely cheaper than QDCs(koolance ones at least)!.
If it is a drain port it would be beneficial to have it in the lowest part of the loop, making draining easier.
QDCs can be placed any where - strategically planned - to either remove a component that is needed to be removed frequently or to act as a draining mechanism.
Koolance QDCs are bit big(long) so you will have to think it through.
I have used 2 sets of VL4s in my loop(in sig) so that I can remove the entire mother board tray out!
I can then drain as required.
There are many versions of QDCs. with koolance - VL4N is the extreme flow & non spill one. But it is always better to have some kitchen towels around the QDC while disconnecting.
Click to expand...

Thanks man. Can't seem to find any VL4s on OCUK, do they stock them?
 
Bare in mind, QDCs will add some restriction to the loop(small but still...). Also a batch of VL3N/VL3 QDCs were recalled in states because they had a production fault with the O ring!

EDIT:
Those are the bad points, but they outweighed the benefits for me in my current loop.
 
Wait! I think the product page at OCUK is a bit misleading!


This one(VL4N-F13-19S) with this one(VL4N-M13-19S) will definitely work.

Please disregard post#4.

EDIT:
I have the "Non N" version of them and they do spill about 3mm of liquid when disconnecting. But the "N" variant is supposed to be no spill at all! And yes you need one male part with a compatible female part for this to work(as a set).
 
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2 x VL4 sets
 
These are the parts I'm going for. They all look ok? Is the pump/res combo good enough? Going to go with a drain port rather than a QDC, the parts seem too expensive.

Untitled.jpg
 
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Some bay res/pump combos tend to rattle a bit, but not sure about the new one, it looks nice!
CPU block is personnel preference really as most of the blocks are withn 2-3 C of each other at worst!
What about XSPC RayStorm? Never used it but have read good reviews about it!
So you have a 240 RAD but only 1 Fan?
 
My first instinctive response was to say "you are better off not using EK Nickel stuff" :D
But in all seriousness, in an ideal world where nickel is not reactive to silver, you would not have any kind of problems!
But as it is EK's augmented reality where EK's Nickel is a NO NO with pure water and silver/ Sulfate based additives - you might be ok with a premix like X1.

EDIT:
notice the emphasis on MIGHT?
 
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That's a lot of money to spend when you already have a full watercooling loop. What's wrong with your current setup? Koolance nickel plate everything including their cpu blocks, have a look at the cpu-370. Definitely use a premix if your going with EK.
 
I think I may just go and get a couple of the new EK copper 680 blocks and start again. I want this rig to be problem free... If that means more money spent... fine but this custom PC stuff is a vicious circle!
 
spixelspixel said:
That's a lot of money to spend when you already have a full watercooling loop. What's wrong with your current setup? Koolance nickel plate everything including their cpu blocks, have a look at the cpu-370. Definitely use a premix if your going with EK.
Click to expand...

It is but I like the EK stuff and I will only use Mayhems... I'm kinda stuck on what to do.
 
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