First Custom Loop in a Define 7

[LiE]

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.

 

[LiE]

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.

 

[LiE]

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

Top off for rad fitting. So handy.

Snug fitting there.

Good job I went for low profile RAM 2mm gap.

Coming together now.

Just enough room for a 15mm fan at the back.

 

[LiE]

Loop is running. Does this seem right ?

video:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/g3z89HvHKNJ7oBkb9

how long should I leave it running to remove air ?

 

[LiE]

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.

 

[LiE]

Thanks that’s what I thought.

 

[LiE]

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?

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]

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.

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.

Leak test time.

All done until I add a GPU later in the year.

Really happy with the tubing runs.

Crossflow rad helps to keep things tidy.

Some tasteful RGB.

Temps seem good, I've had as low as 29 and as high as 71, but still maintaining a low fan RPM.

 

[LiE]

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.

 

[LiE]

Might have aggressive fan profile ! Tweak and see .

Sure that case can have a fan mounted in the PSU/bottom to supply airflow direct to GPU

It's zero rpm below 50c, but during desktop usage it seems to be getting up and around that often enough to turn on.

No room in the bottom with all the wires for the extension cables.

Nice build Matt!

 

[LiE]

My cards are bumped to 60 - they never turn on when doing low intensity work.

I tried setting a custom fan profile in MSI but it didn't seem to apply.

I'm a fan of the "leave it on lowest setting to keep temps from creeping up" angle. How noisy is it at 30%?

As above, MSI fan profile dint seem to apply.

How's your windows/ GPU power profile set up ?

Ryzen Balanced power plan.

 

[LiE]

Above is now moot anyway, got a reference 5700 XT from members market and ordered a water block and some extra fittings to add into the loop. The 5700 XT is a pretty decent card and should overclock to 2100 hopefully.

This also means I can fit the chipset water block too.

The 5700 XT Aorus I'm returning under 14 days policy, just seems pointless having a zero RPM mode when it goes over the threshold doing light desktop duties.

 

[LiE]

I enjoy this about your builds (refreshing) - you take advice, mull it over for few hours then act - zero prevarication/procrastination - pure motion to get to a solution.

The water block will fill that dark void too - should balance the lighting as whole within the build - plus will tie in the core components within the same cooling pattern.

Should look great - certainly an impressive start to your first toe dip into custom water.

Thanks, I was considering a riser card but I think for now I'm OK with it being in the normal position.

Not installed the Aorus engine ..? I just use that instead of MSI as it works for Aorus/Gigabyte cards .

Is odd your card is reaching above 60c for light loads. What was setting in Adrenalin?

See Alphacool hasn't had the Aorus model yet.. could have sent your card off for scanning and got a free block. But with China the way it is, would have taken longer then 7 weeks

For light loads it was between 48-55c which meant the fans kick in and those are more audible than my low RPM Noctuas and pump.

 

[LiE]

I think the threshold is 55c for the fans, but it doesn't shut off immediately, so in a lot of cases it will go to 55c and turn the fans on for a minute, even if it drops back to 53c.

Replying to a message on WhatsApp desktop and fans kick in.


Could probably fix this by increasing front fan speed but that isn't something I would want to do in a quiet system when doing desktop duties.

 

[LiE]

Pretty happy that the back plate and water block are on offer.

My basket at Overclockers UK:

• 1 x EK Water Blocks EK-Vector Radeon RX 5700 +XT RGB Graphics Card Water Block- Nickel + Plexi= £114.95
• 1 x EK Water Blocks EK-Vector Radeon RX 5700 +XT Graphics Card Backplate - Black= £22.99

Total: £137.94 (includes shipping: £0.00)​

​

 

[LiE]

Ok so parts are coming today to add a water cooled 5700 XT into the loop. I'm also planning to add in the X570 chipset water block but that does mean removing the motherboard. I'll have to do a proper drain of the loop. My drain port is at the lowest part, any tips for getting all the water out and also making sure I don't get drips onto parts as I lift out rads and remove fittings and tubes?

 

[LiE]

Thanks, I'll open my fill port that is in the top of the chassis, then open the drain port and see how it goes. I could blow into the loop to get a bit more out if needed.

 

[LiE]

5700 XT added to the loop and the chipset block, running very quiet and cool now.

Pictures.


Drain port worked well, I did have to tip the case a little to help remove some extra fluid.

Loop drained and connectors removed ready to remove the motherboard. Removed the return on the top of the res as this will be moved to the bottom inlet.

The X570 chipset that is just asking for a water block.

Time to void the warranty and get this guy under water.

Many screws.

The TIM was very dry and crusty.

Block attached, back plate pads going on.

The new loop is in, time for some leak testing.

Done.

Chipset block tucked under the GPU.

Panel off, photo from across the desk.

Got the wider lens out.

Love the texture of the back plate.

Panel on.

 

[LiE]

@LiE

Seen you've made an Aorus Social Media feature

oooh linky?

Edit: nvm found it!

https://www.instagram.com/p/B-HtZ5cKAWG

 

[LiE]

The build in the context on the setup: