Building my first watercooling loop...

[thezakarum]

Hey guys,

So I've been picking parts for a while now swapping and changing, so I thought I'd give you guys the list so far.

I'm thinking that an overclocked 2600k @ 4.7Ghz with 2 gtx470's overclocked would push the 360 radiator? Can anyone confirm that?

If thats the case then I will be selling my gtx470's when the gtx680 arrives and hopefully add that to the loop too.

Also, seeing as this is my first time watercooling, I saw a few people on the forums recommend compression fittings to other first time watercoolers, so I went with those.

Although I do prefer the clean look other people have going on without compression fittings, not sure how they do it though.

I've already got the fans and a controller so don't need to spend anymore on that.

Is the list alright, would you guys change or add anything, what would you recommend?

If theres anything which is a lot better but costs a little more, please tell.

 

[thezakarum]

A single 360mm rad won't really cut it with those clocks mate. The 2600k will run hot so you might want to pick up another rad, maybe a 240 & a 360mm. You might want to look at a more powerful pump too.

For my 2700k @4.8Ghz and my two oc'ed GTX480's I have a thin 360, 240 and 120mm rad running off a D5 pump.

Oh really, damn okay then.

Back to the drawing board...

I don't think theres a way of adding another 240 radiator.

I have a fractal design xl case, so I would have to mod the top of the case to include the 360 rad, let alone having space to add another 240.

Do you think I should watercool the cpu only first and keep the gtx470s aircooled for now while I wait for the gtx680.

Would the 360 radiator be able to cool the 2600k and gtx680?

Or would I still need that extra radiator?

 

[thezakarum]

You could mount the second rad externally maybe on the back of the case if you have enough space?

I never really liked the look of an external radiator but I spose I would have to think about it.

Have you already bought water blocks for the GTX470's?

Nope, I have the vf3000f coolers on both atm, they're exhausting a lot of heat inside the case. Thats why I want to get rid of them and swap to a single card gtx680 when it comes out, I'll be buying a block for that later down the line.

If you are going to overclock your 2600k you'd be best dedicating a 360mm just for the CPU. When you up your voltage to around 1.4v you'll be dumping a lot of heat into your loop. Add a graphics card to the mix and you'd be pushing the rad too hard

Yeah, I've got it stable at 4.7Ghz atm, that aswell as 2 gtx470's, the inside of my case is like a little cooker.

Thats why I'm going watercooling, to try and transfer all that heat out of my case and removing the amount of fans needed to cool it. Looking forward to playing games without hearing my pc.

Here you go, 360+120mm rads may be able to handle your components, also this spec is cheaper, and the tubing is good despite what most people say

Thanks a lot man, should be easier finding a space for an extra 120 rad than a 240.

The 1/2" barbs are alright to use on 7/16" tubing as long as you warm up the ends to get the tubing on easier

Aha, thats how people do it. How would you heat up the end of the tubes, by a simple lighter? Thanks.

I've already got a tube cutter and psu bridge connector already too so thats some money I don't have to spent.

 

[thezakarum]

No, you should put the end in a bowl of hot water for a few seconds until it becomes quite soft, then put it onto the barbs, that's how I did it in my rig, I have the smaller version of your case, the r3 (link in sig (clickable image))

Oh yeah, wasn't thinking.

I checked you're rig already, looks really nice.

 

[thezakarum]

I'm nitpicking here as I'm late to the party, but kii, your spec needs two improvements:
Tubing cutter
Masterkleer tubing

Also, may aswell spend the savings on a D5

Welcome Cleeecooo.

Be as nitpicky as you want.

I was going for the UV blue masterkleer tubing anyway, and I've already got the cutters.

Do you think I really need the D5 pump? Seems pretty heavy duty, but I don't mind spending a little bit extra so I might aswell.

Going to be doing that 1/2 barbs with 7/16 tubing thing too I think, would really like the look of that.

 

[thezakarum]

Okay so this is what I've got in my basket so far;

It looks like I should be able to fit a quad radiator at the top of my case, should I get one of those instead of a seperate 120/240 radiator?

 

[thezakarum]

Getting rather expensive now.

 

[thezakarum]

Ditch the Mayhems or UV tubing, no point spending that amount of money on both. Or ditch both and just use standard tubing and cheap deionised water.

Will do, ditched the fluid and stuck with the uv tubing, going to be using normal deionized water.

Swapped the cpu block to the nickle acetal verson because of the changing of the fluid.

Also was able to source a Phobya G-Changer 480 Ver. 1.2 Black for £76, so saving a little bit of money there.

At the moment the current total for overclockers is £199.68.

If there isn't anything vital I need I'll probably order tomorrow, looking forward to it.

 

[thezakarum]

you can have one of the sets of tubing, as they're 3.3m packs each

Yep just saw that, theres only one pack left now anyway.

 

[thezakarum]

also, get battery top up (de-ionised) water from halfords, 5 litres for a fiver, bargain

Nice, will do!

Thanks everyone for all your input, suggestions and shenanigans.

 

[thezakarum]

NOOO!!!! I always cringe when i see nice, shiny, exposed tube res' with no colour in them. Dammit man; make the res look good!!!

Haha, damn you make a good point.

Glad you pointed that out to me, we'll swap those around then, clear tubing with UV blue premixed fluid.

 

[thezakarum]

Still waiting to get paid, got a few quick questions regarding the layout of the build.

The first pic is for my cpu only loop which I will be doing first, was wondering if thats the best way to route everything.

Ignore all the harddrive, optical bays and 180mm fan at the top.

The second pic is for when the new graphics card arrives, again, just to make sure I'm routing this right.

And this is the default picture, if anyone wants to draw a better diagram.