New Build - Help choosing water-cooling

ldjalal · 29 Nov 2012 at 23:31

Hi guys,

After doing some research and looking at various benchmarks, below are the main components of my new pc:

Cosmos 2
i7 3770k
Maximus V Formula
GTX 690
G Skill Trident X 2400

I decided to have a go at water cooling for this build for basic overclocking and more importantly aesthetics.

Based on my research I have found that more people tend to favour the XSPC kits over the EKWB kits. Some say that their GPU blocks are rubbish. I didnt find enough evidence to come to a conclusion myself and therefore wanted some professional advice.

I initially want to cool my CPU and motherboard via the integrated Thermo Fusion. Once again I've heard mixed opinions and some say that I shouldn't even bother with it. Eventually I want to add a GPU block.

What would be the best solution for me?

Thanks.

OptimaLnrg · 30 Nov 2012 at 00:23

take a look at the available 690 blocks. the watercool heatkiller is sexay

kits are ok but they come with boring fittings imo.

the barbs on your mobo are a tiny size iirc so you'd need to run the small tube to and from them which sucks if youre using bigger tube elsewhere

ldjalal · 3 Dec 2012 at 21:01

What about the EK blocks?

I think they look best, but dont know how good the nickel cooling is compared to copper or just other brands...

Will the D5 Liang pump be sufficient?

Thanks.

OptimaLnrg · 3 Dec 2012 at 21:07

D5 is epic pump.

nickel is just nickel plated copper.

temperatures of blocks are all fairly similar, flow rates can be different. If I had choice I'd just choose the best looking block imo

ldjalal · 4 Dec 2012 at 16:53

Thank for the info, the EK has the cleanest looking blocks!

Because I am a big noob when it comes to watercooling, I've been reading more about the 690 block and came across this:

"I just looked and realised these don't have G1/4 threads on both sides of the block only on one side? I like to have the CPU block go straight in to the top GPU. That isn't possible with these blocks"

What does this actually mean? That I need some kind of special/specific set up in order to accommodate the EK block?

Thanks.