Project: 900D dual loop

PFarrey · 9 Aug 2015 at 19:35

Hello,

My project is a combination of old parts plus new parts so there will not be one of those lovely pictures showing everything in boxes waiting to be installed.

This is only my second attempt at watercooling, it was not to long ago that I was asking the very friendly OCUKers to spec me!

I wish I had done some more research into cases as I really like the idea of two reservoirs side by side against the motherboard tray. It looks like this might be an issue with the 900D. If I had done my research properly I would have gone with the Case Labs SM8. As you will see with the item list, budget isn't really an issue, so I really should have done more research. However I came across ColdZero and decided to stick with the 900D and use some of their mods (well quite a few actually...).

Below is a list of components which have been purchased over a six month period;

Case - Corsair 900D
MB - Asus Rampage V Extreme
CPU - Intel 5930K
Memory - 2x Corsair Vengeance LPX 16GB (4x4GB) DDR4 DRAM 3000MHz C15 (32GB total)
GPUs - 3x Titan X (2x Gigabyte & 1 Zotac)
Samsung M.2 951 500GB
Samsung 850 Evo 1TB
SuperFlower 1600 PSU

Watercooling is almost entirely EKWB. I will be using some XSPC, Bitspower & Aquacomputer fittings but not many.

The 3 x GPU will be cooled by EKWB 480XE rad and EKWB 240XE rad. CPU, RAM & MB will be covered by single EKWB 480XE rad.

My intention is to use a few fittings as possible and bend the PETG to create extravagant tubing routes. I have never used PETG or acrylic before however I am an accomplished DIY'er and have pretty much done anything and everything so I feel confident with this.

I have some photos of the stripped out 900D which I will upload soon. For now here are some pictures of the current status which is;

ColdZero mid shelf, back panel, MB tray, front fan cover & rear tray cover installed. I have ordered a panel which will go onto the side of the 5.25" cage.

Please feel free to ask or suggest anything. I am still really a complete noob at watercooling. There will probably be plenty of things you guys would do differently and I would love to hear those suggestions.

Overview of current situation

Bottom EKWB rad installed for now. Bent fins, will try to sort this out, not typical of EKWB quality :mad:

Top rad installed for now

Showing off the ColdZero products

Going to be tight plumbing in some drain valves

Showing ColdZero back panel.

PFarrey · 10 Aug 2015 at 12:31

The whole reason for me doing this project was for the rigid tubing. I will be using 12/10 tube. Just got a delivery from USA for some bitspower crystal link 1000mm tubing. I hope it is compatible with ekwb fittings. It should be as it is the same inner and outter dimensions ad the ekwb petg.

Crazy that there is no where in europe that has it in stock. I have spent thousands with other companies because OCUK haven't got things in stock. Such a shame really.

Cold zero make all sorts of parts for the most popular cases. They also do bespoke parts.

PFarrey · 11 Aug 2015 at 18:53

Motherboard, cpu and ram blocks all on. Going to play with the acrylic tubing this evening. Final coldzero mod arrived so that will also be installed. Currently struggling for a location to mount two aqua computer flow readers. I know it sounds crazy but the 900d is too small for what I had planned! I will post some pics soon.

PFarrey · 11 Aug 2015 at 21:02

Beautiful products with EKWB. It has been such a pleasure using their product. I am going to make a jig tomorrow. Hopefully this will allow me to create interesting acrylic routing.

Anyway below are some pictures. I am using my phone to post this so please let me know if it doesn't show properly on your screens.

I love the different height of the components and feel it would be a shame to use fittings to create the angles and bends.

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Below is an overview of the rampage v extreme with blocks in place

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Below is the triple titan x sli build. I know I have used differing finishes on the blocks to the bridge. Originally j bought a single titan x with the block on show. I had no intention of buying a second but I did. I didn't bother changing the gpu blocks as you don't really see them in reality. When I bought the third I just copied the rest. Maybe this is something I will change if it really bothers me (it wont) or I will change when the pascal titan launches.

Another angle of few grands worth of GPU art.

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PFarrey · 11 Aug 2015 at 21:08

Bonus picture of the EKWB XE480

PFarrey · 12 Aug 2015 at 10:14

Final coldzero mod in place. I haven't run cables to the ssd yet as I need to sleave them. They use plexi glass (acrylic) to make these items, it looks like there is some scratches but in reality there is no scratch.

PFarrey · 12 Aug 2015 at 10:33

So this was my second attempt at creating a bend with the petg. It is surprisingly easy. All you need is a number of round items to bend the pipe around. With this bend I used a can of deodorant!

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Are my pictures coming out at an acceptable size? Obviously I have no pc at the moment and I am using my phone to update and upload pictures.

PFarrey · 12 Aug 2015 at 13:18

Not sure if I am happy with the route of tubing. Will do the ram to cpu and see what I think.

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PFarrey · 12 Aug 2015 at 17:57

Freddie1980 said:
Can I ask why you going with a dual loop? I only ask as I’ve always felt that with a system with two pumps you’re better off running them in serial rather then parallel that way you have an automatic failsafe should one of them go wrong.

It's mainly for the look of two reservoirs, two pumps and two colours. I have aqua computer flow meters which have an alarm if flow drops suddenly so that is my fail safe.

PFarrey · 12 Aug 2015 at 19:37

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PFarrey · 12 Aug 2015 at 20:10

Going to re do the longest loopy piece as not happy with quality and it overlaps the pcie slot by 5mm

PFarrey · 13 Aug 2015 at 18:59

Trying to decide on locations for the pumps. I think this will probably be the location.

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I think I am going to try something a bit strange. I haven't seen it done before. The pumps have two outlets and I was thinking of running two loops per pump. The purpose of the second loop per pump would be to run to an aquacomputer flow reader hidden where the front fans would normally be. This would require pass through connection on the coldzero plate that has been removed.

I am not sure whether this will result in accurate flow readings as there will be far less resistance on this sub loop. However I am far from experienced on watercooling so not sure if pressure equalises over a loop like temperature does??

Another reason for me considering this strange set up is that I want a really complicated tubing route.

I did my first ever bit of cable sleeving today. I sleeved the four cables from each pump into one larger sleeved piece. Can't believe how much better it looks. Got to order more sleeving now.

PFarrey · 14 Aug 2015 at 19:46

Run into an issue. I cracked the coldzero mid plate. Stupidly I tried drilling a hole whilst it was still in place
Naturally it cracked!

It has worked out ok I guess. I have marked all the holes to be drilled on the cracked piece, there are quite a few! I can now use the cracked piece as a template to get perfect holes cut on the new piece once it arrives.

In the meantime the position of the pumps is now confirmed. This picture was taken before I cracked the mid plate.

I am a bit limited to what I can do at the moment due to the cracked mid plate.

I was hoping to get the bottom reservoirs plumbed and both drain ports installed.

Instead have I installed the two flow readers into their positions on the front coldzero panel where the fans would normally be. I have used pass through connections and intend to run these as a secondary loop per pump. Only time will tell if these is a good idea or not.

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I am awaiting parts from ocuk, ekwb, coldzero and various suppliers for cable sleeving. There probably won't be much progess until these parts start arriving next week

PFarrey · 15 Aug 2015 at 21:08

Brian18741 said:
Dang, did the crack ruin the midplate?

Afraid so

PFarrey · 15 Aug 2015 at 21:12

Ok so not much to report on due to waiting for parts. Run a few more pieces of tubing. It seems petg is easier to bend when much hotter, it only took me a few minutes to bend these two pieces. Does anyone know where to buy longer pieces of this 10mm silicone cord insert? I have some 1000mm bitspower crystal link but the ek cord is onot about 300mm long.

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Ordered all the parts and equipment to make my own custom psu cables. Anyone got any idea which two colours I should go for? I am completely open to suggestions. Obviously I would theme my cabling based on the two fluid colours.

PFarrey · 15 Aug 2015 at 22:27

Bart_Hunt said:
Mad hydraulics dream
Awesome build mate

Thanks

PFarrey · 20 Aug 2015 at 12:57

Sorry for the delay in updating. Due to waiting on parts there was not much that could be done. Today I haveam aged to get both drain systems installed. New midplate from coldzero is installed with pumps mounted.

Now I have to spend the rest of the day doing some elaborate tubs bending.

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Rear drain valve for cpu loop.

Front drain valve for gpu loop.

As you see I have used normal tubing as I had some left from my previous build. I also used the xspc fittings from my old build. I must say I am not a fan of xspc fittings. I have had multiple fittings which dont rotate properly and some threads are broken. I will not use their stuff again.

PFarrey · 20 Aug 2015 at 23:42

So it has been fairly rubbish afternoon and I haven't had much success with bending tubes.

I have given myself some tube routes which are quite simply beyond my skill set. In particular the tubes coming from the front of the pumps only have about 28mm clearance before the case window. I have decided to order some fittings to help complete the build.

I always intended to not use any 45 or 90 degree fittings, however this is simply not realistic with the tubing routes I have to make. I intend on upgrading this build in the future so it will always be a work in progress.

On the positive front I have ordered bespoke made cables / lighting from Pexon PCs.

PFarrey · 21 Aug 2015 at 23:01

Things have moved on a bit. Having spent another £100 on some fittings that would have cost me £150 at ocuk (! Seriously WTF!). I have managed to complete the cpu loop (for now).

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I have been waiting for a specialist debur tool which has cost me around £50 including shipping. I have been waiting for over a week now, I have been tracking it via the courier and apparently the donkey which was due to deliver it has decided to take a break and it might be another week or so.

I have since bought a tool from screwfix which does an acceptable job. I have now de burred the cpu loop and tidied up most of the tube routes. The last one leads to the res, this will be re done shortly as I can't stand the quality as it is.

PFarrey · 22 Aug 2015 at 22:54

Surveyor said:
Hi,

I've removed several images from the thread as they were over 1,280 pixels wide and spoiler tags aren't allowed in Project Logs.

Cheers

Surveyor

Thank for doing that and sorry for breaking the rules. I am posting from my phone so it is difficult to judge how big my pictures have been coming out at. I did ask on the last page whether they were of an acceptable size, however I appreciate it is my responsibility to know this. I will get the pictures resized accordingly and upload.