ITX - Custom Loop

Dirk Diggler

Dirk Diggler

Dirk Diggler

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Joined
6 Jan 2013
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I'm going to do a full custom loop in an ITX case. I've decided to log the progress and maybe double it up as a wee tutorial on how to install PETG tubing into a loop. The build will be taking place in a Parvum Veer 1.0. and it's going to take months to complete, and this inevitably means some of the components probably haven't been released yet. :p

Likely CPU/MoBo will be Ryzen 2700x and I'm hoping that EK bring out a monoblock for one of the ITX boards, although I'm not holding my breath for that. I know that I can get a monoblock for a 8700k/Asus Z370i combo but I'm not yet convinced I want to go Intel for this build. GPU will be 1080ti with full cover EK block, but if a new GPU gets released during the build and it's a worthy successor to the 1080ti then I'll go with that.

Initially, I'll be focused on all the preparation work so things will be pretty dull and boring to start with, but hopefully the end result will be worth the effort. I'll do my best to update regularly.

TLDR: Images of finished job for those who don't want to read through the thread.

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I made a little progress today.

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You can see at the bottom left clearance hole I nearly had a disaster when drilling due to the acrylic material, but thankfully it's just the outer panel (just as well I drilled them out individually) and it won't be seen when the build is done. I'll need to get some glue on it when I'm finished modding it.

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Top radiator installed, and already I can tell the fans will be millimetres away from the GPU. I really don't want to install the reservoir clips as I think it'll look much better without them, so hopefully I can get it all rigid with the connection to the pump.


And now need to wait for some supplies. :)

My basket at Overclockers UK:
Total: £214.57 (includes shipping: £0.00)


Ninja edit as I managed to sneak in a cheeky order for one of these as I think I may need it. :)

My basket at Overclockers UK:
Total: £14.73 (includes shipping: £2.74)​
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Smffy said:
I mean under it, would support the res also. I’d make something to support it, if you don’t maybe use double seal fittings to hold the tube in straight.

Edit, see you ordered quite a short res tube so maybe not an issue...
Click to expand...

Ah, I understand now. I don't want any clips on the res, and I think I can maybe have such a rigid fixing between res and pump that I won't need to fix the res so long as I've secured the pump. However, your suggestion is not bad at all so I will definitely bear that in mind.

I really want to use the longer res as it fills the space really well, but it'll be tight so I've ordered the smaller tube as another option.
 
DPD taking ages today, so I've gotten some further prep work done in the meantime.

I'm looking for some decent control over the tube bending as all the online tutorials seem to be a bit poor and reliant on guess work, so I've been trying to brain storm some techniques. I want to apply a bit of proper science to the process, and I've started off with a facility for 90º and 45º bends. :)

I don't think the 45º angle is exact, but it's close enough.

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Little update:

The toughest connection is the one between the 2 radiators; the back of the top radiator to the bottom of the front radiator. I might as well tackle this one first and test my bending kit out. :)

One minimum right angle bend to start with, and this will have to connect to an elbow fitting on the front radiator due to how tight things are. I then measured the distance for the next bend taking me up towards the top radiator and I am pleased to say it bends absolutely millimetre perfect. If anyone wants me to explain how to do that, just give me a shout.

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Now I need to add a third bend to bring it back toward the top radiator inlet.

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I added a fourth bend to get me in towards the outlet and at this point I realise bend #5 won't happen because I've run out of tube! So, I add an EK fitting to the end and I'll order a little female to female right angle fitting to take it up to the top radiator.

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More parts required...

My basket at Overclockers UK:
Total: £52.25 (includes shipping: £0.00)​
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I'm totally undecided whether to go 2700x or 8700k, and I might even hold out for the next Intel release.

In the meantime, I already own a full 6700k system with a 980ti Hydrocopper as a 2nd rig so all I need to do is pick up a temporary ITX Motherboard and I can crack on with this build... So that's what I did :)

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I want to get everything in to make sure things physically fit, and not surprising for an ITX custom loop... It's tight! Another curve ball is the design of the Parvum case which has the GPU sitting at a bad angle, and this is another little challenge to overcome (and all part of the fun). I might fab a little bracket to hold the GPU square.

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Note also, the length of the GPU... I've literally made it with 1mm to spare. :p

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So far so good, but I'll need to plan the rest of the tubing routes carefully as I want it to look decent and it's getting tighter and tighter with every additional component.

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I can't order a block for the CPU yet as I might end up getting a monoblock depending on which socket I end up going for, so I'll head over to the MM and see if I can pick something up for the Z170 to tide me over in the meantime...
 
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LuckyBenski said:
Really ambitious build! Tempted to follow purely so I can see how you manage all the cabling ;)

Really enjoy the bending jig too. I made similar using a set of mandrels, but I just marked things out with a ruler and pencil based on each task and worked to those lines.
Click to expand...

Yes, I'll need to use braided cable for sure as standard PSU cables will be a nightmare .. And I'll probably need to cable everything up before I install the tubes else I'll never get my hands in.

I actually think hard line runs are an advantage with small builds because I can literally construct the entire loop and then dismantle it all and be able to reassemble without issue. You can't do that with soft tubing.
 
I've ordered some additional parts today, and I'll update here just in case anyone is following this with an interest in what parts they would need and what budget they would need for their own custom loop. :)

My basket at Overclockers UK:
Total: £57.85 (includes shipping: £11.10)
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EK Water Blocks Filling Bottle (1000mL)
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£7 (incl. VAT)
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EK Water Blocks EK-Cable PWM Fan Adapter for GPU (50cm)
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Inspired by @Smffy and his earlier idea, I've managed to get the reservoir fixed in place.

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Over the last couple of weeks, I've been picking up some bits and bobs in the MM and I decided to change Motherboard

I've put all the hardware and cables into the case and now it's time for more pipe... And it's looking like a proper little challenge to hook it all up. :)

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I've managed to get a couple of hours in this morning, but weather is glorious so will have to down tools for now. :)

Most of the bends now are unique angles, so I thought I'd share a little technique involving a piece of copper wire.

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Another very simple technique for working out the size of bends when entries are quite far apart is to place a straight edge across the front of the case for a reference point.

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I'm pleased to say that now I've piped it up, I don't need to do anything with the GPU as it's now sitting much better. I'm ready to fill with water and get some testing done now... ;)
 
I've finally got around to looking at performance figures (sitting in the garden's been a more pressing priority in this weather :p).

Unfortunately, the only "stock" way of controlling fan speed is via CPU temperature and motherboard PWM curves. With CPU and GPU @ stock settings and the CPU fan curve on silent mode, the GPU peaks around 54C and the CPU around 74C. Although this is acceptable ... for a water cooled system, that's too high.

In my experience, the best way to control fans is via an Aquaero linked to water temperature. I've got one available but I'm not going to install it right now as this PC will be my second system until I'm ready to upgrade the CPU/MoBo combination. It's not getting much action at all as my son prefers his PS4 for Fortnite with his friends. :(

Phase 1 of this wee project is now complete, and while I await the release of a CPU to do it justice... I've done a little bit of prep work on the cooling system that I'm intending to pair it up with. :)

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