First Loop.

40Four

40Four

40Four

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Joined
4 Jun 2015
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247
Location
Watford, Herts
Hey,

I am looking to build my first custom loop, i've added a list of parts below and would like some feedback. Other than fans is there anything else i need or anything anyone thinks i should change.

Your help will be very much appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Cpu block - EK Supremacy EVO Alcatel + Nickel

Radiator - Alphacool NexXXxoS UT60 240mm

Pump - Alphacool Laing VPP655 D5

Reservoir - EK-Res X3 150

Fittings - Alphacool 13mm (1\2") barbed with o-ring

Tubing - Masterkleer 1/2" ID - 3/4" OD Red

Clamps - Phobya hose clamp 19 - 22mm

EK coolant and ATX bridging plug.
 
I'm no expert, but a quick google shows that Masterkleer tubing has plastisizer issues. The general consensus is to use Primochill tubing (but then I've taken a punt on Mayhems own tubing for my upcoming build).

Most people go with compression fittings these days instead of barbs.
 
AndoriAvalonia said:
I'm no expert, but a quick google shows that Masterkleer tubing has plastisizer issues. The general consensus is to use Primochill tubing (but then I've taken a punt on Mayhems own tubing for my upcoming build).

Most people go with compression fittings these days instead of barbs.
Click to expand...

Thanks think i'll go with the primo tubing instead then.

Is there anything wrong with using barbs, compression fittings are like 3x more expensive and i was hoping to stay around £300 initially as i intend to fit a block to my gpu once they are available for the Msi gaming ti.

What do you think of the kits or is it better to get parts seperately?
 
NoobCannon said:
nothing wrong with barbs, I use them with two cable ties holding the tube tightly onto the barb for piece of mind
Click to expand...

I've seen posts from others using barbs as well so i'm comfortable going with them. What do you think of the rest of the parts i've listed, anything i need to change? I want to make the right choices so the more input the better. Thanks.:)
 
I second compression, monsoon, EK and XSPC are all good makes the loop look pretty. :)

I use XSPC fittings in my build.

In terms of tubing I have always used XSPC (which is stocked on OCUK) and never had any problems.

Everything else looks good to me thus far. :)
 
Just to add, in terms of barbs, I used them quite a lot.

The only thing I would say is make sure you use tube clamps to make sure the tube will not come off. Again, barbs/compressions are both great options and make no difference in performance.
 
I use Primochill tubes with Monsoon compression fittings. My first time loop was simple to setup, looks great and no leaks.
 
Thanks for all the replies so far i really appreciate the help. I can see that compression fittings are quite popular, still not sure i can justify the extra cost at this time but will definately consider them. I have decided to go for the Primo-chill tubing and have seen people using smaller tubing on the 1/2" barbs to get a tighter fitting and would like to know if anyone who has done this has had any issues like the tube splitting or anything?

What is recommended for draining? I've read about and looked at quick disconnects and will probably go with them unless there is something better and easier.

My only other question at this time is about keeping it free from bacteria buildup. I've seen kill coils and biocide and they seem to be about 50/50 so what do you think is best for a beginner?

Thanks again for those that take the time to reply.
 
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I matched tube size to compression size and the tube is a tight fit. Not sure why you would to try and use a smaller tube, as you might risk stretching the tube too far.
 
40Four said:
Thanks for all the replies so far i really appreciate the help. I can see that compression fittings are quite popular, still not sure i can justify the extra cost at this time but will definately consider them. I have decided to go for the Primo-chill tubing and have seen people using smaller tubing on the 1/2" barbs to get a tighter fitting and would like to know if anyone who has done this has had any issues like the tube splitting or anything?

What is recommended for draining? I've read about and looked at quick disconnects and will probably go with them unless there is something better and easier.

My only other question at this time is about keeping it free from bacteria buildup. I've seen kill coils and biocide and they seem to be about 50/50 so what do you think is best for a beginner?

Thanks again for those that take the time to reply.
Click to expand...
For your first time just grab a bottle of premixed coolant,just add that to the loop and your done as it it has biocide in it.


Any particular reason why you are going for a separate pump and res rather than a combo?

Also have you remembered that when separate the pump will reqwuire a pump top,as their isnt one in your parts list

Also out of intrest what case is it going into and what parts are you cooling?
 
MrMD said:
For your first time just grab a bottle of premixed coolant,just add that to the loop and your done as it it has biocide in it.


Any particular reason why you are going for a separate pump and res rather than a combo?

Also have you remembered that when separate the pump will reqwuire a pump top,as their isnt one in your parts list

Also out of intrest what case is it going into and what parts are you cooling?
Click to expand...

No real reason behind pump and res to be seperate and i am open to using a combo if you have any recommendations.

The case is a Corsair Air 540 and i will be cooling i5 4690k and Msi gaming 980Ti.

It's mainly for the card but the blocks aren't available for it yet so at first i thought i'd get the Cpu sorted first then do the card at a later date but now i am thinking i should just wait and get it all at once.

I only thought about water cooling after i bought the card otherwise i would have got a reference board and just put up with the stock cooler for a while. The things that can happen in a week eh. :D
 
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ahh ok hopefully the blocks for your card should be available at the end of the month :)

Your gonna want more rad space than 240mm really tho for that combo.A 540 can easily accomedate a front a 360 and a top 240mm at the same time,this should be what you should be considering.

Using a separate pump and res makes for a bit more things to consider, the res has to be positioned above the pump the fed it.I had consdered such a setup in my 540,but mounting the a seperate res in the front was gonna be a PITA,never mind the clutter it would cause having everything in the front compartment.

An EK or XSPC D5 pump/res combo is worth lookin at it,will be easier to work with,it is also possible to mount these in the front compartment if you choose to do so aswell.

In a 540 most of us put our pump/res combo above the PSU in the back,as it helps for space and can lead to an extremely clean looking build in the front.
 
MrMD said:
ahh ok hopefully the blocks for your card should be available at the end of the month :)

Your gonna want more rad space than 240mm really tho for that combo.A 540 can easily accomedate a front a 360 and a top 240mm at the same time,this should be what you should be considering.

Using a separate pump and res makes for a bit more things to consider, the res has to be positioned above the pump the fed it.I had consdered such a setup in my 540,but mounting the a seperate res in the front was gonna be a PITA,never mind the clutter it would cause having everything in the front compartment.

An EK or XSPC D5 pump/res combo is worth looking at it,will be easier to work with,it is also possible to mount these in the front compartment if you choose to do so aswell.

In a 540 most of us put our pump/res combo above the PSU in the back,as it helps for space and can lead to an extremely clean looking build in the front.
Click to expand...

Yeah i know about the Rads and my original list was just for Cpu. I was thinking 2 x 240mm Rads but will go 360 and 240 if it is necessary.

I will have a look at combo pump/res and will also post an updated list once i have established a firm list of parts.

What order should i put the components? I was thinking Res-Pump-Gpu-Rad-Cpu-Rad-Res.
 
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i'd go with mayhem's coolant (imo)
and like everyone else has said, primochill tubing.

that's what i have in my loop...white primochill and mayhem's x1 clear coolant. no problems after a year without cleaning the loop =)

also, as the UT60 is fully copper, i'd be tempted to say get the supremacy as copper acetal. the nickel wont be visible behind the acetal.
i know copper and nickel are similar and you wont come into problems mixing it in a loop. but as always, same metals are always better.
 
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Loop order doesnt really matter except for the res must always be before the pump.Water temps always equalize throughout the whole loop anyways.Just have loop order whatever way to easiest to work with or looks aesthetically pleasing.

I run Pump/res>Rad>CPU>GPU>Rad>pump/res. Easiest way for me to route tubing,plus it is also the tidiest way

http://imgur.com/IK6EJ1S <==Pic of my 540(its a bit tidier now tho )
 
tamzzy said:
i'd go with mayhem's coolant (imo)
and like everyone else has said, primochill tubing.

that's what i have in my loop...white primochill and mayhem's x1 clear coolant. no problems after a year without cleaning the loop =)

also, as the UT60 is fully copper, i'd be tempted to say get the supremacy as copper acetal. the nickel wont be visible behind the acetal.
i know copper and nickel are similar and you wont come into problems mixing it in a loop. but as always, same metals are always better.
Click to expand...

https://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=WC-636-EK&groupid=962&catid=1519&subcat=2286

Would that be better then. :)
 
MrMD said:
Loop order doesnt really matter except for the res must always be before the pump.Water temps always equalize throughout the whole loop anyways.Just have loop order whatever way to easiest to work with or looks aesthetically pleasing.

I run Pump/res>Rad>CPU>GPU>Rad>pump/res. Easiest way for me to route tubing,plus it is also the tidiest way

http://imgur.com/IK6EJ1S <==Pic of my 540(its a bit tidier now tho )
Click to expand...

Nice, that does look clean. Any reason for only having one fan on the 360 rad, i would have thought dust would be an issue with negative pressure.
 
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