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?

 

[Uncle Petey]

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

 

[Bart_Hunt]

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.

 

[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?)

 

[Uncle Petey]

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.

 

[daveip]

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

Use a premix with corrosion inhibitors and you shouldn't need to worry at all

 

[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?

 

[Uncle Petey]

Barbs and clips are fine. I'd prefer compression fittings though. They look nicer and usually provide a bit more security.

Tubing size is up to you. Slimmer tubing helps if you need to run tighter bends with less chance of kinking, so perhaps you'd be better off with 3/8-5/8 (13-10mm) given that it may get a little tight in there.

You may be better off sticking with a 240 since you'll have a better selection of fans compared to a 280, and I don't think a 280 would offer much improvement anyway tbh.

ED: Have you thought about using something like this?
There are cheaper alternatives too.

YOUR BASKET
1 x Koolance Radiator Mounting Bracket with Quick-Release £39.95
Total : £43.86 (includes shipping : £3.26).

 

[Bart_Hunt]

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.

 

[Uncle Petey]

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

 

[ubersonic]

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

Yes, yes.

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?

No, the don't mix metals thing is one of those urban legend type things that although based in truth has spiralled out of control. Back in the day (tm) a lot of water cooling parts were aluminium, not a problem, unless your coolant has no corrosion inhibitor, AFAIK all modern coolants have inhibitors, as does car engine coolant which is what the smart old schoolers used, the fear stories come from either people who tried running a loop on just distilled water with biocide and got corrosion or people who used rubbish coolant that didn't protect against it (I.E old Zalman fluid).

Just to note, galvanic corrosion will occur in any mixed metal loop that's not protected, copper/brass/nickel and especially the tin in rad flux are all different metals, it just happens quicker if Aluminium is involved.

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

It's personal preference, barbs are the original way of doing it, compressions are a newer easier and cooler looking (to most) way, both offer the same security and performance when implemented properly. You don't get faulty/failed clips you get loose clips, if a clip can hold a cars oil/air/water hoses in place for decades inside an engine bay a clip can hold a hose in place in a computer. For reference I have seen hoses popped out of just as many compression fittings as I have popped off barbs, if it happens it's either because the fitting was too loose or because loop pressure was too high (restriction reduces flow and raises pressure, I have seen D5 pumps pop out of their housing because of it before now).

Personally I like both fittings and use both, barbs are easier to work with, compressions take up less space, I generally use comps for set and forget parts of the loop, barbs for anything that may need to be altered.

 

[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!