Help with first Watercooling Build

ChocolateStarfishRammer · 28 Nov 2018 at 11:37

Hi All,

After many years of wanting, i'm hoping to pull the trigger on parts this week. I'm a complete noob when it comes to watercooling so could use some advice in a few areas, but i'm hoping I'm atleast on the right direction.

For now, I'm just wanting to cool the CPU, but will in the future look to add the GFX card too. Same goes for tubing, i'll move to hard line eventually, but for now and ease, going to go soft.

Planned Parts:

Incredible paint skills:

Going into the Be Quiet! Dark Base Pro 900 rev2. The top drive bay will be removed. Fans mounted on the bottom side of the rad blowing up and out.

Questions:

PumpRes combo - I know I had some parts with the case, but this is going to be ok to mount here? Preferably via screwing down into something as opposed to backplating it.
Is that the right tubing and fixings? Also enough?
Is 1 Litre of coolant enough? I cant find anywhere that says how much the Res and Rad will hold?
Going to put a ball valve in for easier draining. Put it between the Pump and CPU?
Going to need 3 140mm fans for the Rad. Preferably RGB and not crazy price, any recommendations?

All help greatly appreciated!

Dirk Diggler · 28 Nov 2018 at 13:16

I don't think you want to use a kill coil with chemical additives, only use a kill coil if it's DI water.

I would rate the EK CPU block over the XSPC for installation, the EK block is just better designed.

p.s. great username choice.

ChocolateStarfishRammer · 28 Nov 2018 at 13:51

Ok fair enough, less expense, I like those sorts of solutions. I had just assumed it was a good to have.

Regarding the block, If I switch to EK, it needs to be a Copper one? I think thats what the Rad is?

Dirk Diggler · 28 Nov 2018 at 15:07

ChocolateStarfishRammer said:
Ok fair enough, less expense, I like those sorts of solutions. I had just assumed it was a good to have.

Regarding the block, If I switch to EK, it needs to be a Copper one? I think thats what the Rad is?

They're all copper, the nickel ones are just plated. Get what looks best.

Parsley · 29 Nov 2018 at 00:11

The only thing you need to avoid is mixing Aluminium parts. So either go all aluminium or all Nickel / Copper. Nickel and Copper aren't going to cause you any problems.

ChocolateStarfishRammer · 29 Nov 2018 at 18:06

Ok. Now considering hard tubing but I'm a bit confused.

https://www.overclockers.co.uk/xspc...al-fittings-matte-black-8-pack-wc-42x-xs.html

These seals say down the bottom:

"Only for use with XSPC 14mm PETG and Rigid Tubing Fittings"

Is that saying I can't use any other brand of tubing? It wouldn't be a problem but I can't find xspc PETG Tubing in a 1m length. Only the massive 20 pack from ocuk!

Help!

Dirk Diggler · 29 Nov 2018 at 18:09

Don't buy them if you can't match the tubing.

Have a look at the EK stuff.

Jamin280672 · 29 Nov 2018 at 19:04

Also, if you do go with what you listed above, your diagram is wrong, or choice of radiator is wrong, you've chosen an X-Flow rad, 1 barb at each end not both barbs on one side, make sure this is what you want before ordering.

Space Monkey · 29 Nov 2018 at 19:15

Also if you're planning on making a drain port, you're missing extra fittings and a stop plug

ChocolateStarfishRammer · 29 Nov 2018 at 19:32

String said:
Don't buy them if you can't match the tubing.

Have a look at the EK stuff.

I can't find anywhere that sells any size hard tubing in a 1m length with matching fixings. I'm clearly doing something wrong.

Jamin280672 said:
Also, if you do go with what you listed above, your diagram is wrong, or choice of radiator is wrong, you've chosen an X-Flow rad, 1 barb at each end not both barbs on one side, make sure this is what you want before ordering.

Wow! I did not know that's what the xflow meant! Most certainly a mistake. Thanks!

Space Monkey said:
Also if you're planning on making a drain port, you're missing extra fittings and a stop plug

Yep realised that after I drew it up. Good spot.

Dirk Diggler · 29 Nov 2018 at 19:42

ChocolateStarfishRammer said:
I can't find anywhere that sells any size hard tubing in a 1m length with matching fixings. I'm clearly doing something wrong.

You don't need tube that's 1m long.

My basket at Overclockers UK:

1 x EK Water Blocks EK-HD PETG Clear Tube 10/12mm 500mm (2pcs)= £5.99
1 x EK Water Blocks EK-HDC Fitting 12mm G1/4 - Elox Black= £6.95

Total: £17.60 (includes shipping: £4.66)

ChocolateStarfishRammer · 29 Nov 2018 at 21:01

From top right of the case to connect to rad down to bottom left for res will be about a 60-65 length though.

Dirk Diggler · 29 Nov 2018 at 21:42

ChocolateStarfishRammer said:
From top right of the case to connect to rad down to bottom left for res will be about a 60-65 length though.

Yea, you could incorporate a drain in that run via a T piece, else a straight coupling.

You could also orientate the radiator so the outlets are on the other side and/or mount the Res in the grill on the right hand side.

ChocolateStarfishRammer · 29 Nov 2018 at 22:38

String said:
Yea, you could incorporate a drain in that run via a T piece, else a straight coupling.

That's not a bad idea. Will have a think on that. Ideally Id like to just be able to connect an extra bit of pipe when it comes to draining, as opposed to have it there all the time. Putting a plug in the drain exit of the T piece came to mind but then once live, I'd never be able to remove it! Are there such things like a 3 way stop clock junction?

Lordgrayone · 29 Nov 2018 at 22:53

ChocolateStarfishRammer said:
That's not a bad idea. Will have a think on that. Ideally Id like to just be able to connect an extra bit of pipe when it comes to draining, as opposed to have it there all the time. Putting a plug in the drain exit of the T piece came to mind but then once live, I'd never be able to remove it! Are there such things like a 3 way stop clock junction?

Use a plug as suggested and buy a soft tube fitting and bit of pipe for when draining, will look neater and Easy to remove plug and swap for the fitting and pipe when draining. The ball valve you listed will work fine for that and the plug would be there for peace of mind

ChocolateStarfishRammer · 29 Nov 2018 at 23:07

Gotcha, think I was over thinking it..

So when time to drain, turn the ball valve closed, remove 1 end of pipe, connect another to drain somewhere and open valve again.

OLDPHART · 30 Nov 2018 at 11:40

XSPC EC6 Coolant Clear 1L-£8.99 no need to add anything.

Used this myself top notch.

https://www.overclockers.co.uk/xspc-ec6-coolant-clear-1l-wc-154-xs.html

ChocolateStarfishRammer · 30 Nov 2018 at 12:37

Yep thats what I'm going to for. Realise now the KillCoil is unnecessary. Will just be sticking some Orange dye in there.

Dirk Diggler · 30 Nov 2018 at 13:26

ChocolateStarfishRammer said:
Yep thats what I'm going to for. Realise now the KillCoil is unnecessary. Will just be sticking some Orange dye in there.

It's not just unnecessary, it could turn your fluid black due to reaction with the chemicals in the dye. I had a kill coil react with Mayhems XT1 and do just that.

ChocolateStarfishRammer · 30 Nov 2018 at 14:11

Nasty! I didn't know any better, it was just an assumption. I'm very new to this!