Loop with expansion potential

[Catch!]

Hey everyone, was wondering if I could pick your brains about a watercooling loop!

At the moment I've got a i5 3570k with the stock cooler, so I haven't overclocked much. I'm looking to build a custom loop, but with the potential to expand it to cover my graphics card or cards at a later date.
I currently have a Gigabyte Windforce 7950, which from what I can see is a bit of a pain in terms of waterblocks. Given how much the Gigabtye 7970 has come down in price, I may also pick one of those up to crossfire with it.

I'm using a 300r case at the moment and am fine for fans and controller, and am considering getting something thick like the Monsta 120mm radiator (didn't link because not sure if linking to potential competitors is ok here) in push-pull. It'll fit in the front intake between the drive and optical cages.

TLDR:

Is that a decent radiator, will it be enough for my overclocked CPU?

And would it be 'compatible' with the rather slim selection of waterblocks for the Windforce cards? I've seen posts elsewhere about not mixing different metals within the loop - is that something that one needs to consider when picking waterblocks?

Lastly, do you have any general recommendations for pumps, radiators, reservoirs, etc?

 

[Catch!]

First thing you need to take under consideration is a pump.
And if you are planing to expand the loop to 2 gpu's or more then a D5 pump would be great.
If its just a single gpu and cpu then XSPC 750 v4 should be good enough.

I've heard good things about the D5 elsewhere, so I'll probably get that - it gives me a bit more flexibility, and I'm loathe to replace components that work fine - hence all this forward planning!

What about reservoirs - what are generally the least hassle to top up and get air out? And is it worth getting combo reservoir-pumps?

It'll be ok for your cpu and will be fine with nickel/copper blocks, however, your case is the limiting factor if you want to expand the rad count to cover a gpu or two.

Unless you're up for an external radiator, you'll want to grab a more suitable case

So just to be clear; it's ok to use, say, a copper CPU block and a nickel GPU block in the same loop?

Yeah, I'm probably going to replace the case before watercooling the GPUs (though I am considering sticking a 280mm radiator on the top grill, which would be tolerable and work fine for a single overclocked GPU or two non-OC'd ones, right?)

 

[Catch!]

Yeah, copper/nickel is fine. I believe you only need to worry about adding aluminum to the mix.

If you're willing to sacrifice your HDD cages (or move one closer to the psu), you could stick a nice, thick 240 rad in the front and use a good 120 at the back.
That should cover you for cpu/gpu and may handle two gpu's at a stretch if you don't try much in the way of overclocking.

As for reservoirs, I reckon a tube res is easier to access, but in the above situation, a bay res may be better due to space constraints.

That's something else I was considering (it might even just about fit a 280mm if I removed the cage entirely) - I figure if I'm ever gonna start doing case mods it might as well be with a case that I don't mind breaking! I've got about 75mm to play with at the rear, so that should be enough for radiator and fan.

What's the deal with fittings? Any recommendations on what gauge to use, and whether to use compression or barb fittings?

 

[Catch!]

I wouldn't consider clips to be honest.
I have seen a topic not long ago with pictures of destroyed rig. Verdict was a faulty clip.
I prefer to spend 10£ more on compression fittings than 1k for new rig.

There are also countless people that have used clips for years with no problems
Still, I'd prefer compressions too.

I'll get compressions then! I'd rather take the less risky option for my first watercooling project.


@ Petey; it's good to know that those brackets exist if needed, though tbh it's probably going to be a while before I put the GPUs in the loop anyway. And as you suggested, I'd quite possibly get a new case for that anyway.
I mainly brought it up to avoid having to buy new pumps and waterblocks when I do. Though everything that's been said has been really helpful, so thanks very much!