First WC loop.....

Adam182

Adam182

Adam182

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Joined
27 Sep 2009
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244
Hey everyone I've decided its time to upgrade my system and I'm going down the Watercooled route this time. I had initially decided on getting one of the XSPC loop kits but its gradually spiraled out of control since then after seeing so many awesome custom loops on here.

I've mocked up this loop to hopefully fit into a Corsair 540 Air case and it would be awesome if anyone could give it a look over to see if I'm going the correct way about it all and offer any suggestions with regards to components/fittings etc (and where i can get some decent perpex tube/sheets)

a lot of the inspiration for this loop has come from an awesome 540 build by Keir who I've seen on quite a few forums, if my build even turns out to be a fraction of the quality of his ill be a very happy person.

I'm hoping to limit the amount of fittings I'm going to have to buy and bend the tube whenever possible. This mockup has the bare minimum and I'm certain ill need more than i actually have shown.
Ill hopefully be able to save some ££ aswell as i'll be buying the smaller things while I'm in the USA in December.

Anyway heres the mockup, Thanks in advance - Adam

Air540Build.jpg
 
It looks a lot more complicated than it needs to be?

Why not have it in just 1 big loop

i.e. T-Adaptor -> pump -> AX360 -> Raystorm CPU -> 670 Waterblock -> Res -> T-Adaptor
 
I agree its definitely more complicated than it needs to be but i really like how the loop enters/exits the cpu from above and does the opposite with the GPU, I know its a lot more complicated but i think it will be worth it aesthetically to me atleast - Adam
 
If it is a first time loop, acrylic tubing would be fairly ambitious place to start. If you mount radiator fans on the outside of the case, you cant use the removable dust filter.

I will be mounting fans externally but with some grills to protect fingers.
 
Yeah i think I'm jumping in at the deep end with this but i have plenty of time to spend on it so hopefully that will get me through. I'm not sure ill have much choice but to mount the fans on the outside as the radiators look kinda bulky but i guess i wont know for sure until i order the parts :/. Im also open to getting a thinner rad instead, that said I've never had a dust filter on any case before, would it be a good idea to really try and allow for it?, thanks - Adam
 
Dust filter isnt required, just means you have to clean your radiator more often. I am using them so no one loses their fingers if they touch the fans mounted externally.

The AX radiator is only 4cm thick tbh. Depending on if your GPU length allows it, fan and radiators should fit inside the case
 
Avenged7Fold said:
If it is a first time loop, acrylic tubing would be fairly ambitious place to start. If you mount radiator fans on the outside of the case, you cant use the removable dust filter.

I will be mounting fans externally but with some grills to protect fingers.
Click to expand...

This! I imagine that acrylic tubing will be a right pain to do!

Keep it clean & simple, granted it could be tidier, but in all honesty it does the job - http://i.imgur.com/GOxYt0q.jpg - also as you can see here I run the fans and a pretty thick radiator in the case, and can still fit an MSI Lightning in with around 0.5cm room (I think the card is 305mm or something).

I run the carbide, you really want the fans on the inside so you can use the dust protectors, it will build up quickly and you will have dust inside the case and not just on the radiator.
 
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Avenged7Fold said:
Ahhh, the same ones as i have. Will try and fit it internally with a 290x but i have dust filter and fan guards in case i cant anyway.

Thanks
Click to expand...


Apparently the 290x's are the same length as normal 7970's, and I'm not sure if mine is the same or larger than a normal, so should be fine in terms of clearance if you have the fans on the inside too :)

Mine is only annoying because the top radiator has a bit sticking out at the top, so i cant fit another fan :(..
 
Thanks for the feedback everyone, i might actually go for the EK CoolStream XT 360 seeing asthough its fits. Any idea how long your GFX card is addicted? mines roughly 250mm, it seems huge to me - Adam
 
Adam182 said:
Thanks for the feedback everyone, i might actually go for the EK CoolStream XT 360 seeing asthough its fits. Any idea how long your GFX card is addicted? mines roughly 250mm, it seems huge to me - Adam
Click to expand...

As above (I posted the length and other info earlier if you want to scroll up), it's 305mm so a large one, and there's still space :)
 
Hah no worries! Not sure in the differences imo, but now you know that there's enough room, either would be good :)

I just got that as when I got it (3 years ago), it was a decent rad at a decent cost :)

Have a google for performance results for both radiators, hopefully there's a website which has reviewed both of them.
 
There's a build log somewhere in here where someone using acrylic tubing. Has some helpful tips and pointers there. I also know pgi got a load in to do some practice bending in too so he's another one you can ask for advice.
The one thing I've learned from this forum is that everyone is happy to help out with pointers and give you the benefit of lessons they've learned from experience. I think the parallel loop will look amazing btw, and I'm all for you taking time over this piece of art.
 
Hey guys thanks again for all the awesome feedback. My case arrived today and it seems I have grossly underestimated the size of the photon 170 in the sketchup plan. Its going to protrude a lot further into the machine and also a lot deeper. Im not sure which direction has me more worried!.

Due to this im going to have to get the EK GTX waterblock instead as i dont think the multiport connector is removable on the xspc waterblock? and it might interfere with the photon res. It actually turns out ill need a 680 waterblock for my 670 as its running a 680 pcb (gigabyte Windforce) so glad i found that out.

On the upside between getting my parts from the US and the rest from Overclockers.co.uk its looking ill be saving a pretty tidy sum of money!

If anyone needs any small items for their builds that arn't available in the UK i would be more that happy to try and source them while im in the US and bring them back for anyone and post them out when i get back.

Next items to arrive will be some acrylic sheets and some e22 tubing to practice a few bends.

If anyone has any motherboard suggestions i would be more than happy to hear them!, ill be running a 4770k overclocked (another first for me) and looking to spend upto or around the £150 mark, thanks everyone much appreciated - Adam
 
Hey everyone, 2 questions... Will i be ok to use my 2008 coolermaster 700w silentpro in my new build? it looks like ill be running the Gigabyte Z87X-OC Intel Z87 board with an Oc'ed 4700k.

Secondly I'm torn between SP120s and Scythe GTs to cool my rad, i was wondering which SP120's are the ones i want to be using as there seems to be a lot of different choices in the store...

Thanks all - Adam
 
For the fans, I think it's unanimous that the GT's are the best fans for rads. The SP's don't really lack in performance either even if they are a tad noisier. It's personal preference in the end. Do you really want the colour scheme thing or the total silence thing
 
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