First watercooling venture in Fractal R6.

[Too Tall]

This is something I've always wanted to do but just haven't had the time to do it.

My case is a Fractal R6.
CPU is I7 8086K
GPU is an MSI RTX 2080 Ti Gaming X Trio

From the research I've done i was planning on using a 360 rad in the top and in the front.

I'd like to use hard tubing also.

Things I've got are in bold

CPU Block - EKWB EK-Velocity RGB Intel CPU Water Block - Nickel & Plexi.
GPU Block - EKWB Classic EK-FC Trio RTX 2080 Ti RGB GPU Water Block - Nickel & Plexi.
Pump/Res combo - EK-QUANTUM KINETIC TBE 200 D5 PWM D-RGB PUMP.
Front Rad - EK-COOLSTREAM PE 360.
Top Rad - HWLabs Nemesis 280GTS
Fluid - Mayhems Pastel White.
Fans - ML120 Pro
Fittings - Barrow Black
Tubing - Barrow 14/10

Am I missing anything?

 

[Too Tall]

In terms of fittings I was looking at barrow fittings and PETG tubing.

 

[Too Tall]

First time and hard tubing? Probably shouldn't in my opinion. You also need a heat gun and tools to bend them nicely.

I've got a heat gun and a pipe bender, i'm confident i'll be able to do it

 

[Too Tall]

Settled on some HWLabs Nemesis 360GTS's but cant find them in stock anywhere

 

[Too Tall]

Superb radiators, I love the GTS.

They often crop up on the MM, and respray nicely if you want a colour change or freshen up.

I've made a post, hopefully some pop up.

 

[Too Tall]

Oh, for fans I can recommend ML120 Pros, theyve been fantastic for me; huge PWM range, decent pressure, whisper quiet if you want them to be.

Trying out some Noiseblocker Eloops soon.

I have some ML140's in my case currently attached to my Kraken X62. The only thing I dont like is the grey fan blades as they don't go with the rest of the case.

I currently have 3 Aer Rgb 140's in my case which I won't be able to use as the plan is to use 360mm rads.

I really like the lighting effect from them as its quite subtle.

ML120 Pro could be the answer, but I'd lose the RGB.

 

[Too Tall]

GPU and CPU blocks plus backplate for the GPU just arrived .

I might potentially see about using a 280mm Rad in the front of the case instead of a 360, just to save ordering new fans.

 

[Too Tall]

Having a nightmare trying to find any of the good slim 360mm radiators in stock anywhere

 

[Too Tall]

Another thing to add, if it hasn't been mentioned already, is how tall your ram heatspreaders are. I have a 360 rad in the top of my R6 and there is only just enough room to squeeze the ram in underneath. I've had to have the fans on the "inside" of the radiator in pull, as the radiator itself would foul against the ram, if that makes sense. (The fans are narrower than the rad is overall).

Some ram heatspreaders are ridiculously tall (especially with RGB) so keep that in mind!

The best I managed to achieve in this case was a 360 up top, 280 in the front and a 140 at the bottom.

Which rad are you using in the top of your case?

My ram is the 8 Pack Dark Pro, which are 46mm tall with the heatspreader fitted.

 

[Too Tall]

Really appreciate the in depth reply and the link to the build, its very similar to what I want to do.

What sort of temperatures are you getting from your setup?

While I would like the system to be almost silent, I would be looking to reduce temperatures too. But if I'm honest with myself the main reason for wanting to do this is as a project.

In my setup I want to put a PE 360 in the front and a slim Magicool G2 / HW Labs 360 GTS / XSPC TX360 in the top (whichever I can get hold of soonest).

I would consider a 280GTS or similar in the front. At least then I could re use the fans I have for something. I could even perhaps use a slim 280mm rad in the top of the case which would leave more room for fittings.

Do you have any pics of your build?

 

[Too Tall]

Thanks for the reply, i've just placed my orders, hopefully i have enough fittings.

I've decided to try the 280 GTS in the roof of the case to see how i get on.

 

[Too Tall]

My Kraken X62 fitted there no problem so I'm hoping the same for the GTS 280.

 

[Too Tall]

Fingers and toes crossed!

I've just done a test fit with a pair of stacked 140mm fans and it fits with barely a gnats danglies to spare.

Not very scientific but it will be close.

Ideally I would have liked a 360 GTS or Magicool G2 Slim but neither are available anywhere and wont be in stock any time soon.

I may potentially order a TX360 in addition just in case.

 

[Too Tall]

Looking forward to seeing your progress on this. I've got all my water cooling kit on order for my first go at it but going the soft tubing route for my first go. I have the same case and GPU as you but an i7-9700K CPU.

I'm using Bykski kit though as it was significantly cheaper and reviews seemed to suggest the quality was as good as EK. I'm going for a 360 and a 240 rad. I don't have the parts yet so can't do a test fit but was considering either the 360 in the front and the 240 on top (pump/res -> GP -> CPU -> 240 -> 360) or the 360 on top and the 240 in the front (pump/res -> GPU -> 360 -> CPU -> 240). I did have Corsair Vengeance Pro ram but swapped that out for some G.Skill ram as it's lower profile and will hopefully give me more options for radiator placement.

I've even gone for the same coolant as you (although I also have some clear as I'm not 100% set on the pastel white).

Which GPU block did you go for? Also do you have a list of fittings you ordered?

I've not made up my mind about fluid yet either so I've ordered clear and a pastel concentrate to see how I get on.

I'm planning on going Rump/Res>GPU>CPU>TX360 Rad>PE360 Rad> Pump/Res.

I'm hoping I have everything I need as if I'm missing any fittings I'll have to wait for more to be posted.

 

[Too Tall]

Yeah that’s the hard bit, trying to plan in advance for what fittings you’ll need without ever having done it before.

I ran through the EK configurator and followed what it suggested. I then decided I wanted a 240 rad along with the 360 so ordered another 4 fittings, more tubing, etc.

I ordered;

• Bykski CPU Block (FR-CU-RA-2018-V2)
• Bykski GPU Block (N-MS2080TI TRIO-X)
• Bykski 360mm (28mm) radiator (B-RD360-TN)
• Bykski 240mm (28mm) radiaotr (B-RD240-TN)
• Bykski D5 Pump/Res combo (B-NWD5-F60)
• 4m 16/10 tubing
• 12 x Bykski 16/10 soft tubing fittings
• Bykski Drain Plug (B-DV-CEV2)
• Bykski Temp Sensor (B-PD5-TMR)
• Barrow 5mm extender
• Barrow 10mm extender
• Bykski 3 way splitter
• 4 x BitsPower Touchaqua adapter 90 degrees

The last 4 items were "just in case" purchases.

Very similar to my order, I have a feeling I might need a few more adapters though.

I had also completely forgotten about a temp sensor, will it connect direct to the motherboard?

 

[Too Tall]

This is my plan

 

[Too Tall]

Yeah, that was my first option for layout. My second was the out from the GPU going to the roof mounted rad, the out from that going to the CPU and then the out from the CPU going to the front mounted rad.

Let us know when your parts arrive, fingers crossed it will go smoothly for us both.

I did consider the route you mentioned but thought the one I drew would be neater.

Everything is now on order, just waiting for it to arrive.

Fingers crossed I haven't missed any fittings I may need, I'll return any I dont need .

 

[Too Tall]

Most of mine has now arrived, just waiting on the pump/res and the EK Rad.

I flushed out the XSPC TX360 earlier, I was shocked at how many fragments came out of it!

 

[Too Tall]

Nice! I’m still waiting on the CPU and GPU waterblocks, the red/pump and some fittings. They’re in the country according to AliExpress but not sure how accurate their tracking is.

Last box was scheduled for delivery this morning and has now arrived, so I gutted the PC in preparation last night.

Going to attempt to get up and running today.

 

[Too Tall]

Taken a bit longer that I'd hoped, removing everything and fitting the blocks, working out routes.

All set to fit the tubes tomorrow though.