Building my first watercooling loop...

thezakarum

thezakarum

thezakarum

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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.

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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. :)
 
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.
 
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Bluntwrapped said:
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.
Click to expand...

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? :(
 
I have a 2500k @ 4.4GHz and an HD6850 in my loop with an XSPC RS360 radiator (which is about half the depth of that one you've specced) and it's running quite happily at full load and I've seen no more than 47 degrees.

I don't mind my temps hitting ~50 degrees - it's still less than I had on air cooling, and it's just so much quieter!
 
You could mount the second rad externally maybe on the back of the case if you have enough space?

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

Depending on your motherboard spacing you might get away with an aftermarket air cooler for the graphics cards?

Accelero Xtreme PLUS II would keep your cards cool and give you some headroom for overclocking. However, these are 3 slot coolers so you would need to check compatibility with your mobo/case.

http://www.arctic.ac/en/p/cooling/vga/376/accelero-xtreme-plus-ii.html?c=2182

I'm sure you could find it cheaper else where. Maybe the original Accelero Xtreme PLUS with the accessories set for the GTX470 would work out cheaper.

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 :(

Confused said:
I have a 2500k @ 4.4GHz and an HD6850 in my loop with an XSPC RS360 radiator (which is about half the depth of that one you've specced) and it's running quite happily at full load and I've seen no more than 47 degrees.

I don't mind my temps hitting ~50 degrees - it's still less than I had on air cooling, and it's just so much quieter!
Click to expand...

With HT enabled on a 2600k 1.4v and thereabouts temperatures become rather insane :(
 
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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, 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, you may also want to add a tubing cutter too :)


YOUR BASKET
1 x OcUK Tech Lab - 10w DDC Pump & Alphacool Acetal Top Value Combo £66.98
1 x Phobya G-Changer 360 Ver. 1.2 Black £62.99
1 x EK Supreme HF CPU Waterblock - Nickel Plexi **2011 Compatible** £49.99
1 x Phobya G-Changer 120 Ver. 1.2 Black £33.98
1 x Phobya Balancer 150 Black Nickel £22.98
1 x Mayhems X1 UV Blue Premixed Watercooling Fluid 1L £7.99
2 x XSPC 7/16" ID [16/11mm] High Flex Hose - Clear £2.99 (£5.98)
10 x OcUK 1/2" G1/4 - FatBoy Style - Shiny Silver - Barb Fitting £1.68 (£16.80)
1 x OcUK Value PSU Bridging Connector (24 Pin) £1.30
Total : £280.39 (includes shipping : £9.50).

 
Bluntwrapped said:
You could mount the second rad externally maybe on the back of the case if you have enough space?
Click to expand...

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

Bluntwrapped said:
Have you already bought water blocks for the GTX470's?
Click to expand...

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.

Bluntwrapped said:
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 :(
Click to expand...

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. :D

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. :)

KiiYzOo said:
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
Click to expand...

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

KiiYzOo said:
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
Click to expand...

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. :D
 
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))
 
thezakarum said:
I never really liked the look of an external radiator but I spose I would have to think about it.

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.

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. :D

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. :)
Click to expand...

Yep, I'm really not a fan of externally mounted rads either. Fortunately my Cosmos S case is large enough for a 360 in the roof, 240 in the drive bays and a 120 in the back. I went with a mATX mobo to help free up some space.

If you've got the Zalman coolers already man you could always set up a simple loop for your cpu only. Then at a later date you could buy another rad when you upgrade your graphics card. Could you flip any of your case fans over to exhaust some of that hot air? Maybe one of these PCI slot coolers would help a bit if you have space to mount it.

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=SY-000-GE&groupid=701&catid=57&subcat=399
 
KiiYzOo said:
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))
Click to expand...

Oh yeah, wasn't thinking.

I checked you're rig already, looks really nice. :)
 
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:D
 
he has a tubing cutter, masterkleer tubing is expensive, I thought I wouldn't be able to get it within budget, seems I can :p also d5 would be good :p

and your back Cleeecooo :D:D
 
Cleeecooo said:
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:D
Click to expand...

Welcome Cleeecooo. :D

Be as nitpicky as you want. :p

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. :D

Going to be doing that 1/2 barbs with 7/16 tubing thing too I think, would really like the look of that.
 
Okay so this is what I've got in my basket so far;

szby8j.png


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?
 
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.
 
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