New Build: Watercooling take 2!

[jayenh]

I'm a bit new to using these forums but a long time overclockers customer. I'm building a new rig so I thought I'd make a project post for anyone interested.

I bought an MSI 290X gaming about 2 weeks ago because I felt like I just needed to upgrade my 2x 6950 crossfire setup, unfortunately I caught the bug and decided its time for a new build, it's been a while. I don't really need a new build, but I want one

I was originally just going to add a second 290X, put my existing build in to a new case, and watercool it all, but I decided to go all out. The only thing's being recycled will be my 850W Corsair modular power supply (should be sufficient) and my 120GB and 500GB SSD's.

This will be only my second venture in to watercooling, my first being about 8 years ago when I bought a kit. Compression fittings etc appear to have made it easier and more accessible so I'm looking forward to giving it another try.

Here's my basket:

YOUR BASKET
1 x MSI Radeon R9 290X Gaming Edition 4096MB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Card £449.99
1 x Intel Core i7-4770K 3.50GHz (Haswell) Socket LGA1150 Processor - Retail £269.99
1 x Asus Z87 MAXIMUS VI FORMULA Intel Z87 (Socket 1150) DDR3 ATX Motherboard £249.95
1 x Phanteks Enthoo Primo Full Tower Case £199.99
1 x Avexir Blitz 1.1 Original 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-22400C12 2800MHz Dual Channel Memory Kit (AVD3UH28001204G-2BZ1) £179.99
1 x XSPC D5 Photon 270 Reservoir/Pump Combo £139.99
1 x XSPC RX480 Quad Fan Radiator V3 £105.95
2 x XSPC Razor R9 290X / 290 VGA Waterblock £94.99 (£189.98)
1 x XSPC RX240 Dual Fan Radiator V3 £64.99
1 x XSPC RayStorm CPU WaterBlock (Intel) £51.98
1 x Akasa 5.25" FC Six Channel Brushed Aluminium Fan Controller (AK-FC-08BKV2) £24.98
2 x XSPC Razor R9 290X / 290 Backplate £24.95 (£49.90)
3 x Corsair SP120 Performance Series High Pressure - Dual Pack (CO-9050008-WW) £23.99 (£71.97)
1 x XSPC LCD Temperature Sensor (White) V2 + G1/4" Inline Sensor £8.99
2 x Mayhems X1 Clear Premixed Watercooling Fluid 1L £7.99 (£15.98)
10 x EK Water Blocks EK-CSQ Adapter 90° G1/4 Black Nickel £6.95 (£69.50)
2 x EK Water Blocks EK-CSQ Adapter 45° G1/4 Black Nickel £6.95 (£13.90)
2 x XSPC HighFlex Hose 7/16" ID, 5/8" OD, 15.9/11.1mm, 2m, Black £5.99 (£11.98)
18 x XSPC G1/4" to 7/16" ID, 5/8" OD Compression Fitting (Black Chrome) £3.19 (£57.42)
Total : £2,247.65 (includes shipping : £16.85).



I bought a few spare fittings and a couple of 45 degrees just in case, but I think 90's will work best. The only thing missing is a few white LED's which I'll order later. The res comes with white, but the blocks come with blue which I won't be fitting as I want these to be white as well.

My plan is to mount the res/pump on the braket in the case, 480 at the top pushing out, 240 at the front pushing out, and the 140mm fans that come with the case will go in the bottom pulling air in. loop will be:

res/pump - GPUs - 480 - motherboard - CPU - 240 - res/pump

Delivery will hopefully be tomorrow, when the build starts, so expect pictures then

 

[snips86x]

Looking forward to this! Really like that case, but too big for me

 

[jimbaw]

That's pretty much exactly the setup that I'd like eventually! Quite excited!

 

[Zarniwoop]

This looks quite similar to the build I was considering. I was also looking at this reservoir; where we're you thinking of mounting it? The mounting position at the back or the bracket to the right of the GPUs?

I look forward with interest to see how your build progresses.

 

[Bart_Hunt]

Please do say how this ram performs when you finish building the rig
I am about to start building a rig in 2-3 weeks and I will be buying some ram as well.

 

[jayenh]

This looks quite similar to the build I was considering. I was also looking at this reservoir; where we're you thinking of mounting it? The mounting position at the back or the bracket to the right of the GPUs?

I look forward with interest to see how your build progresses.

I plan on mounting it to the right of the cards on the mounting plate. I think for the XSPC stuff I might need to drill a hole or two from what I've read, but it should fit.

 

[jayenh]

It feels a bit daunting now that it's all here.

 

[robertchalmers1]

be easy enough as long as you take your time and double check everything

 

[hawkhench]

At least you've got enough Haribo to keep you going for a while. ;D

 

[JCX50]

Looking forward to seeing an Enthooooooo Primooooooooo Build!

 

[Bart_Hunt]

Hmm, this case is huge.
I am sure that 290x is going to feel lonely.
Planning Xfire in the future?

 

[jimbaw]

I think he's got two of them already

 

[whyscotty]

Nice choice on the case

any questions post in here

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18531288

 

[Cosimo]

Looking forward to this build.

 

[jayenh]

A bit of mid build tube work.

 

[jayenh]

Testing the fans while waiting for the last bit of air to work it's way to the res.

 

[jayenh]

aaaaand the res/pump has a leak. I'll get a photo up shortly, but it's not my fittings or the tubing. It's really low down and on the actual pump.

 

[jayenh]

 

[BattFink]

Shame about the leak. Is that a crack between the "splines" (or is it just the photo)?

I presume you've checked the O-ring between the pump & the res?

Setup looks good though, look forward to seeing it completed

 

[Bart_Hunt]

Hmm, where is it coming from?
Just the bottom or does it come from the ring connecting pump with res?
Anyway, RMA time, looks like