First custom loop advice

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LiE

LiE

LiE

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I recently built a new SFF PC but soon realised cramming hot hardware into a small chassis caused problems with cooling and noise. I've moved on the ITX components and I'm now looking at going for a mid tower ATX build. I have a used 2080Ti that I want to water cool. I'm thinking of going for a custom loop to keep heat down and in turn keep the noise down.

Budget is £850 and I need case, psu, Mobo, and water cooling. I think it may be a tricky budget but let’s see.

I have storage, 3900x, RAM, 2080Ti, etc already.

I’m not bothered about RGB but I am looking for a nice clean case that’s easy to do water cooling in. Top of my list is NZXT H710 or Fractal S2 Meshify.

Fans I’ll probably get a bunch of Noctua F12s unless there’s better price to performance ratio with noise in mind.

I’d like to aim for a 360 and 240 rad if possible as I’d ideally want to run all fans around 1000rpm for noise.
 
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So I threw some stuff into a basket (keep in mind I've never done any water cooling). Looks like I'll need more like £600 for a loop. Other things I need to add to the list are some kind of drain port and a fan hub presumably.

My basket at Overclockers UK:
Total: £589.34 (includes shipping: £0.00)



Doesn't leave enough in my budget for a case, psu and mobo.​
 
Noctua NF-P12 Redux 1700rpm PWM Fan - 120mm
FG-07D-NC
£13 (incl. VAT)
Find out more
Mayhems - PC Coolant - X1 Premix - Eco Friendly Series, 1 Litre, Clear
WC-035-MH
£15 (incl. VAT)
Find out more
EK Water Blocks EK-ATX Bridging Plug (24 pin)
WC-995-EK
£3 (incl. VAT)
Find out more
S2 meshify is a good choice. I used the regular S2 and 2 360 rads. Link in my sig for image.

I saved a ton of money using Barrow fittings sourced from China.
 
It soon adds up for a custom loop
Looks like you did some
Homework pretty good choices there
Don't forget a drain port

Edit couple of 45 degree rotary fittings for cpu block may be useful
Possibly couple of 90 degree or 45 degree ones for gpu
It's not easy using only straight compression fittings
Good choice on cross flow radiators
Means less tubing runs
Much neater
 
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Yea this basket was just to get a budget in the right area. I would sit down and plan my loop ok paper and dial in specific fittings then.

what’s the easiest way to add a drain? A t piece and a drain port somewhere in the bottom of the case?
 
LiE said:
Yea this basket was just to get a budget in the right area. I would sit down and plan my loop ok paper and dial in specific fittings then.

what’s the easiest way to add a drain? A t piece and a drain port somewhere in the bottom of the case?
Click to expand...
Yes t piece and ball valve at lowest
Possible point
 
So been looking at the cost for the mobo, case and PSU and I think it's doable. The Pure base 500 looks like a decent case for the price, a little tighter than some of the bigger cases obviously but I think 240 + 360 should be doable.


Leo did a custom loop in the pure base 500, admittedly without a 240 rad up top. I think for the res/pump it would either have to attach to the front rad or potentially go for a horizontal mount below the GPU.

1-P1144347.jpg



My basket at Overclockers UK:
Total: £291.93 (includes shipping: £0.00)​
​
 
I would go for pump res combo on
Front rad
EK do a 120mm mount for that
Pump/res
Or if you change it to the 100mm
Version it may just fit on the rear fan
I have 100mm version
And it just fitted on rear fan
Though it was pretty tight
Different pc case though
If mounting it through a fan on front rad you might need some slightly
Longer screws
 
Basket is shaping up. I have £900, so I think I'll need some more budget as I need fittings, liquid and fans still.

My basket at Overclockers UK:
Total: £884.71 (includes shipping: £0.00)​
​
 
OK so a slight change. I moved on the 2080 Ti, the plan is to get a mid tier GPU to tied me over until the 2020 GPUs are out.

So the plan is to build a smaller loop just for the 3900x for now, then when I get the new GPU I will get a block for it and add another rad.

Here is what my basket looks like. I'm thinking of ordering this, getting things into the case then deciding on how to run the loop and the fittings to order.

My basket at Overclockers UK:
Total: £841.87 (includes shipping: £0.00)
​
 
Went with the above, only change was to the CPU block went with the D-RGB version. I plan to get things into the case then eye up what fittings I need. Gonna go hard tubing. Any recommendations for tubes and fittings for hard line?

Also bought a 5700 XT that won't be in the loop, the plan will be the sell it once we have decent deals on RTX 3080. That will be added to the loop.
 
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