First time loop - advice please before I burn my house down

[HB]Rugrat

[HB]Rugrat

[HB]Rugrat

Associate
Joined
29 Jan 2003
Posts
1,190
I've decided to build my first open loop for my upcoming 50th birthday. I've watched a ton of videos, read a ton of stuff and I think I know what I'm doing (famous last words) but am worried there's something I haven't thought about...

I don't need fans or a commander XT as I've already got and I don't want to be messing around with hardline tubing but how does this look? Anyone spot anything I've missed? I've especially unsure about the tubing and fittings so any advice there would be gratefully received :)

Rich (BB code): 
My basket at OcUK:


Total: £366.73 (includes delivery: £10.50)​




​
 
There's a tool you can get to trim the ends. A de-burring tool, I think it's called.

You'll want a pressure tester and some means of safely draining the loop.

Are you sure you don't need static pressure fans for the radiator?
 
Quartz said:
There's a tool you can get to trim the ends. A de-burring tool, I think it's called.

You'll want a pressure tester and some means of safely draining the loop.

Are you sure you don't need static pressure fans for the radiator?
Click to expand...

I've got some I can use but I was under the impression that QL fans were OK for radiators - not AS good but not far behind. I'll do a bit more research!
 
You won`t need a deburring tool for soft tubing, only if you go down the hard tube route.

I have one of these in my loop at the lowest point for draining the system https://www.overclockers.co.uk/ek-w...ain-valve-fitting-black-nickel-wc-a3l-ek.html

In all honesty though, if you`re only cooling the CPU and not doing a full loop I`d save myself a lot of money and just use a air cooler from the likes of Noctua or Be Quiet.
 
Gavster said:
You won`t need a deburring tool for soft tubing, only if you go down the hard tube route.

I have one of these in my loop at the lowest point for draining the system https://www.overclockers.co.uk/ek-w...ain-valve-fitting-black-nickel-wc-a3l-ek.html

In all honesty though, if you`re only cooling the CPU and not doing a full loop I`d save myself a lot of money and just use a air cooler from the likes of Noctua or Be Quiet.
Click to expand...
I plan on extending the loop at some point - I'm using a 360mm AIO at the moment so I'm not expecting much, if any, of an improvement, I just fancy building one: after 30+ years of building PCs it's pretty much the only thing I've never done.
 
Pipe cutters?
Yeah you can probably use a Stanley knife etc instead
Probably a second litre of coolant just in case
Probably a second metre of Tubing
As you will want a length of Tubing to connect to the drain valve
 
I would second the extra fluid and tubing comment, especially the tubing. I wasted soooo much tubing on my first loop by endlessly trying to trim segments down and inevitably overcutting. The kitchen scissors I was using didn't help but it's cheap enough that it's worth having around for the mistakes and you'll use it if you extend the loop down the line anyway.

Most people around here use a drain valve setup of some description. I've never bothered myself, but I tend to enjoy making life hard for no obvious reason so probably don't listen to that :cry:
 
Done, ordered tubing and extra coolant. I'm bricking it now - I've never really rated jays2cents as a YouTuber but his earlier videos covering the basics of water cooling are really quite reassuring!
 
Just follow the guides and don't be afraid to invest in kitchen roll at every join the first time round! You've got a bridge so leave the filled loop running overnight with the PC off to give yourself a bit of confidence.
 
SirConfused said:
Just follow the guides and don't be afraid to invest in kitchen roll at every join the first time round! You've got a bridge so leave the filled loop running overnight with the PC off to give yourself a bit of confidence.
Click to expand...

Air tester.
 
[HB]Rugrat said:
Done, ordered tubing and extra coolant. I'm bricking it now - I've never really rated jays2cents as a YouTuber but his earlier videos covering the basics of water cooling are really quite
Click to expand...
You can always use that extra Tubing
And set up a little test loop
Outside of the PC
Gives you a bit of practice before putting it in the PC
I assume there's more compression fittings ?
I only see 1x on your original post for some reason
But guessing it's 1 x a packet of 6 or something like that
 
Mcnumpty2323 said:
You can always use that extra Tubing
And set up a little test loop
Outside of the PC
Gives you a bit of practice before putting it in the PC
I assume there's more compression fittings ?
I only see 1x on your original post for some reason
But guessing it's 1 x a packet of 6 or something like that
Click to expand...
Yeah it's a multipack. I like the idea of setting up a test loop though, I'm gonna do that.

Just one more question about drainage valves, I assume I'll need a male to male g1/4 adapter to connect the valve to the pump/reservoir? Does the other end of the valve need capping with something when not in use?
 
[HB]Rugrat said:
I've never really rated jays2cents as a YouTuber but his earlier videos covering the basics of water cooling are really quite reassuring!
Click to expand...

Really? I think his "how to" videos on watercooling are spot on. Maybe they're not overly original but his instructional videos and myth-busting are all accurate. You can trust what he says about water-cooling.
 
[HB]Rugrat said:
Yeah it's a multipack. I like the idea of setting up a test loop though, I'm gonna do that.

Just one more question about drainage valves, I assume I'll need a male to male g1/4 adapter to connect the valve to the pump/reservoir? Does the other end of the valve need capping with something when not in use?
Click to expand...
Yep male to male g 1/4 adapter/extender
While maybe not necessary
I always shove a g 1/4 blank/stop on my ball valves
When not in use
 
MikeTimbers said:
Really? I think his "how to" videos on watercooling are spot on. Maybe they're not overly original but his instructional videos and myth-busting are all accurate. You can trust what he says about water-cooling.
Click to expand...
I was more familiar with his more recent videos (though in fairness I think he's been trying to create new types of content). That guy (Phil?) guffawing away in the background at every little thing doesn't really help, but now I've watched the earlier stuff I've totally changed my view of him, his videos have been the most helpful (after you guys obvs!).
 
Mcnumpty2323 said:
Who needs him
When you have us lol
Click to expand...
there are certainly very helpful members on here but I do still see some responses that are perhaps questionable...

YouTube has evidence-based how tos which are helpful for all of us I think. I know that loop order is irrelevant but the likes of Jay and Linus and derBauer have videos that prove it.
 
MikeTimbers said:
there are certainly very helpful members on here but I do still see some responses that are perhaps questionable...

YouTube has evidence-based how tos which are helpful for all of us I think. I know that loop order is irrelevant but the likes of Jay and Linus and derBauer have videos that prove it.
Click to expand...
Not personally a fan of the hyped up American style
Though I do like der8auer
I always tend to double check responses where possible
As yeah some people do give answers I find questionable
Rather than take everything as gospel I like to have
Multiple sources if its possible
And I try my best to not imply my answers are
The one and only possible correct answer to everything
 
Quick update, I changed my mind on what parts to use and just went with the corsair complete kit. Been at it for about 3 hours now but almost ready to charge the loop... Wish me luck!

 
Thunderbirds are go!

20220824-161520.jpg
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom