First watercooling setup

[The Mad One]

Hi All, I'm looking at doing my first watercooling setup and jumping in the deep end of cooling my graphics card as well.

My current rig is:
Case - Corsair Obsidian 550D
Processor - Intel Core i7-4770K
GFX - EVGA GeForce GTX 680 SC Signature 2048MB
Mobo - Asus Z87 MAXIMUS VI HERO
PSU - Corsair TX650 (Soon to be Corsair HX850i)

I'm not looking at upgrading my graphics card anytime soon but I want to push a bit more performance out of the 680 to run DA:I on ultra with a more smoother framerate (currently getting around 25-33fps @ 1440p, stuttery but playable). I'm having trouble finding a suitable waterblock in UK shops, can anyone recommend one and where to get it?

I'm also not looking at changing the case (i.e. staying with a midi case) so the reservoir will have to be a double drive bay one. Also can I get away with just a single radiator in the rear exhaust? I currently use the top of my pc to place things on so I'd rather not have to open the top vent (to get the double fan opening) but I could be persuaded if it's severely recommended with the added strain for the GFX cooling.

My budget is a complete guess at around £200-250 depending on the cost of the GFX waterblock so complete build recommendations would be appreciated from the knowledgeable.

Thanks!

 

[The Mad One]

So I've taken a dab on what I might need, after investigating my case a bit further I've definitely ruled out using a 240mm rad in the top of the case which leaves me with only being able to run a single fan rad. The bottom intake and the rear exhaust both can mount 140mm fans so I have opted to go with a 140mm rad. I was looking at the XSPC kits but not one fits my requirements so I have had to hand pick the components which might blow my budget up a bit but here we go:

YOUR BASKET
1 x XSPC X2O 750 Dual Bayres/Pump (Black) V4 £59.98
1 x XSPC RayStorm CPU WaterBlock (Intel) £49.99
1 x XSPC EX140 Single Fan Radiator £39.95
1 x Corsair SP140 Twin Pack Blue LED Fans (CO-9050036-WW) £19.99
1 x Mayhems Biocide 10ml With PH Testing Kit £5.99
8 x XSPC G1/4" to 7/16" ID, 5/8" OD Compression Fitting (Black Chrome) £3.49 (£27.92)
3 x XSPC 7/16" ID (16/11mm) High Flex Hose - Clear (1m Length) £2.99 (£8.97)
1 x XSPC PSU Bridging Connector (24 Pin) £1.99
Total : £224.39 (includes shipping : £8.00).




If I can source it I will be also looking to add a XSPX Razor 680 to the loop.

I've stuck with XSPC kit throughout as i like the looks but I'm willing to look at other makes for the rad if it helps bring the price down, any recommendations? Other then that have I forgotten anything on the shopping list? I only need the liquid I think, of which I'll use distilled water (with biocide).

The question remains however would a single 140mm rad be adequate to cool a loop containing a 4770k and a 680GTX?

 

[Maverick2332]

So I've taken a dab on what I might need, after investigating my case a bit further I've definitely ruled out using a 240mm rad in the top of the case which leaves me with only being able to run a single fan rad. The bottom intake and the rear exhaust both can mount 140mm fans so I have opted to go with a 140mm rad. I was looking at the XSPC kits but not one fits my requirements so I have had to hand pick the components which might blow my budget up a bit but here we go:

YOUR BASKET
1 x XSPC X2O 750 Dual Bayres/Pump (Black) V4 £59.98
1 x XSPC RayStorm CPU WaterBlock (Intel) £49.99
1 x XSPC EX140 Single Fan Radiator £39.95
1 x Corsair SP140 Twin Pack Blue LED Fans (CO-9050036-WW) £19.99
1 x Mayhems Biocide 10ml With PH Testing Kit £5.99
8 x XSPC G1/4" to 7/16" ID, 5/8" OD Compression Fitting (Black Chrome) £3.49 (£27.92)
3 x XSPC 7/16" ID (16/11mm) High Flex Hose - Clear (1m Length) £2.99 (£8.97)
1 x XSPC PSU Bridging Connector (24 Pin) £1.99
Total : £224.39 (includes shipping : £8.00).




If I can source it I will be also looking to add a XSPX Razor 680 to the loop.

I've stuck with XSPC kit throughout as i like the looks but I'm willing to look at other makes for the rad if it helps bring the price down, any recommendations? Other then that have I forgotten anything on the shopping list? I only need the liquid I think, of which I'll use distilled water (with biocide).

The question remains however would a single 140mm rad be adequate to cool a loop containing a 4770k and a 680GTX?

That's going to be a bit toasty on the one 120 rad. Normally the rule is 120 per watercooled component then another 120 on top.

TBH i know you don't want to but i recommend a new case.

 

[The Mad One]

Thanks for the reply, I'm coming to the same conclusion watching videos and stuff that I can't get away with one single rad. Unfortunately a new case is out of the question otherwise I won't be able to afford the loop I've already pushed the budget to £300 to make room for the GPU block.

I was hoping to fit 140mm single blocks to the system but after measuring the exhausts in my case while they can fit 140mm fans the slightly increased area of the rad mean they won't. So I'm currently aiming to fit one 120mm rad in the bottom intake sucking air in then one 120mm rad in the rear exhaust pushing out with maybe a push/pull fan setup on that one for increased performance, but I'll probably just start with one fan and see how it goes. I don't intend on overclocking my CPU much its not the bottleneck in my system at the moment but my GPU definitely is.

My loop setup will be:
Res/Pump > Bottom Rad > GPU > Rear Rad > CPU

My updated basket is:
1 x XSPC X2O 750 Dual Bayres/Pump (Black) V4 £59.98
1 x XSPC RayStorm CPU WaterBlock (Intel) £49.99
2 x XSPC EX120 120mm Radiator - Black £31.99 (£63.98)
1 x Corsair Fan, SP120 PWM Low Noise High Pressure Fan 4 pin, Dual Pack (CO-9050012-WW) £25.00
1 x Mayhems Biocide 10ml With PH Testing Kit £5.99
10 x XSPC G1/4" to 7/16" ID, 5/8" OD Compression Fitting (Black Chrome) £3.49 (£34.90)
3 x XSPC 7/16" ID (16/11mm) High Flex Hose - Clear (1m Length) £2.99 (£8.97)
1 x XSPC PSU Bridging Connector (24 Pin) £1.99
Total : £260.41 (includes shipping : £8.00).

Also adding the GPU block depending on which one I can source:
XSPC Razor GTX680 Full Cover ~£93
Watercool HEATKILLER GPU-X³ GTX 680 "Hole Edition" ~£83

Two final questions:

• Can anyone see any problems with mixed metals in the above? both the cpu and gpu block contain copper the rads themselves are copper/brass
• Do people bother with an "emptying system"? I.e something like a tap fitting somewhere in the loop to empty the system of water?

 

[samcat]

Having a plan for how to empty the loop is important.. As at some point you will need to!

If you are not in a rush then keep an eye on the For Sale forums, kit often pops up at a very good price.. For your budget you could do both a case and a wc system, and only buy new on the bits you cannot source!