First Custom Loop in a Define 7

LiE

LiE

LiE

Caporegime
Joined
2 Aug 2005
Posts
26,141
Location
Milton Keynes
I thought I would create a thread to share my build.

I've never done water cooling outside of an AIO. Earlier in the year I had an ITX build but decided that cramming components into a small chassis wasn't fun or good for temps. I then set about putting together a parts list for a quiet water cooled system.

I already had some parts, so the 3900x is going in. I wanted to water cool the GPU but with the newer GPUs round the corner I decided to go with a decent air cooled GPU as a stop gap. When the new GPUs are out and prices have settled I'll jump to one of those and at that time add it to the loop.

The Define 7 was picked because of it's quality and ample space for water cooling. I'm very impressed with it so far.

I have pretty much ordered everything I need, I imagine there will be a few things I have missed which will delay the build but I'm taking my time so no issues.

I've mostly gone with EK components as I quite like the look of them. I also made the decision to just add both rads at this stage even though the GPU won't be in the loop just yet. At the front I'm going with a EK PE 360 and up top a XSPC 360 crossflow. All tubing is going to be 16/10 Mayhems. I have 6 x Noctua NF-F12 for the rads.

Last night I started putting a few things into the case, I shall be doing more of the build this evening.

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Parts delivered today, but there was an issue. The Xflow rad I ordered appears to have been either mislabelled or miss packed by XSPC because it's not the right rad. OcUK trying to sort it out now.
 
Nice! I definitely wish I'd spent a bit more on a cpu block and got something with RGB etc...

I'd love to get pictures like these...
 
The correct rad was delivered today so I took a little break from work to try it in for size and it fits!

I took a few snaps while working for the project.


Arty build shot across some boxes :)
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Top off for rad fitting. So handy.
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Snug fitting there.
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Good job I went for low profile RAM 2mm gap.
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Coming together now.
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Just enough room for a 15mm fan at the back.
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You've over filled your res pal, I made the same mistake. Needs to come level with the bottom of the metal pipe to allow for fluid expansion etc.

I left mine running for a good 15 hours or more leak testing just keep opening up one of the ports on top every few hours to let air escape. Mine made an audible pop the first time lol
 
I do have a fill port at the top which is empty, but I will remove some fluid. I was curious about the swirling water and whether that was normal.
 
if you're leak testing with just the pump powered, then it will run at full speed as there's no pwm signal. Once you power the motherboard you can set it to your desired speed. which will stop that swirling
 
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That plastic insert in the reservoir is an anti~cyclone/vortex piece
Though no idea how effective it is if inletting at top of reservoir
I can't see your link for some reason
You have 2 inlets at top of reservoir?
 
Mcnumpty2323 said:
That plastic insert in the reservoir is an anti~cyclone/vortex piece
Though no idea how effective it is if inletting at top of reservoir
I can't see your link for some reason
You have 2 inlets at top of reservoir?
Click to expand...
One is the full port. Now that I have it connected to PWM and running at a sensible speed the vortex is all but gone.
 
LiE said:
One is the full port. Now that I have it connected to PWM and running at a sensible speed the vortex is all but gone.
Click to expand...
Should have realised was a fill port
Been a long day today
I just shove the squeezey bottle tube into the res I don't bother with a fitting
But each to their own and if it works
For you that's the main thing :)
And nice photography :)
 
She's up and running nicely. Had a chance to get a fan curve in so now it's very quiet. Still lot of micro bubbles in the water but I'm sure they will go over time.

Some more photos of the build and a few completed photos.



First bit of tubing done before it goes into the case. A drain port as well.
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Fill port to the top. Decided to use the inlet on the top otherwise it would mean a run right infront of the res to use the bottom inlet. I may change this round when I get a GPU in the loop.
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Leak test time.
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All done until I add a GPU later in the year.
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Really happy with the tubing runs.
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Crossflow rad helps to keep things tidy.
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Some tasteful RGB.
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Temps seem good, I've had as low as 29 and as high as 71, but still maintaining a low fan RPM.
 
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@GIGA-Man , get this featured !

@LiE stunning pics, @Plec .. take note !

Slow down pump to slowest speed and should get rid of some micro bubbles . They can gather after system is powered down for a few hours, giggle around the case gets them collected together

Slap on Phanteks Digital/Non Digital RGB Halo Fan cover on the rear exhaust fan only and would look sweet as !

Man that Aorus Navi card looks thick !
 
orbitalwalsh said:
@LiE stunning pics, @Plec .. take note !
Click to expand...
Just finished daughter's build - you can have some pics of my bloodied fingers. The Q110 is a PITA to work on...

I'll take pics of my build when i start it all over again tomorrow - but in a better case!

@LiE - nice job, looks great! (and stop setting the bar so high with pics - Orbi will be relentless now.)
 
Thanks guys :)

The only thing now is the GPU fans are coming on a lot which is making me want to water cool it so much more.
 
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