Question Custom Water Cooling Loop - Newbie Help!

Rasphelt

Rasphelt

Rasphelt

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Hi Guys,

While I have been building machines for about 25 years, I have never built a fully water cooled Gaming PC; something I am now looking at seriously.

I could probably figure it out myself, but I want to ask the guys who have been doing for ages, you lovely lot! You will know more than I and hopefully help me on my merry way!

Ok, so my part list is as follows:

NXZT Phantom 820 case
Intel Core i7-5930K CPU
NZXT Kraken X61
MSI X99 Godlike Mobo
32Gb 4x8Gb g skill Ripsaw 4's
2 x Samsing spinpoint 850 EVO SSD's
2 x EVGA 6Gb 980ti SC+ in SLI
Corsair 1200 PSU

*the rest is not really relevant.

I am looking at replacing the NZXT cpu cooler to also be part of the loop, which also needs to include my two 980 ti's.

I am looking for cool and quiet with least fans possible and a choice of colours as I am likely to go red and clear....
I like my case, but it can be changed if it's holding me back...

EKWB seems like a good place to start, but I am open to any and all suggestions!

Please please give some pointers and what I need, what I should be looking for, and how it all fits together. With your guidance I am looking to build a part lost and then order!

I am not that bothered about the cost, I want it to be right!

Thank you in advance for your help!

Cheers
Rasphelt (Ben)
 
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Rough idea of what you need, i would get a drain port and some angel fittings aswell, i did not add gpu blocks as not sure which ones you need.

My basket at [url=https://www.overclockers.co.uk]Overclockers UK:
Total: £394.40 (includes shipping: £11.70)​
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jamiehard1989 said:
Rough idea of what you need, i would get a drain port and some angel fittings aswell, i did not add gpu blocks as not sure which ones you need.

My basket at [url=https://www.overclockers.co.uk]Overclockers UK:
Total: £394.40 (includes shipping: £11.70)​
[/URL]
Click to expand...

Thanks Jamie!

I will take a look at those and give you a first stab at what I think I need, just to see if I am grasping the basics! :)

Thanks again!
 
General rule of thumb for rad space is 120mm + 120mm per component. So the minimum you should be looking at getting is 480mm in total. From your case specs you can fit a 360, 280, and 2x 140mm. your best bet would to be to go with what Jamie said and get a 360 and a 240.

You said you don't want many fans but due to noise but the more fans you have the quieter it will be as you can run them at a lower RPM.

The pump/res combo Jamie has linked is the same one I have but it is a right PITA to fill as unlike most other PWM D5's run at 60% without the PWM plugged in this doesn't it runs at 10% unless you create a bodge jump jump lead kind of thing.

Also i have that primochill tubing, it's been fine for me but and my fluid but I've read several complaints about it.

There is loads of b-grade fittings in clearance right now, my best guess is they were from people who bought the wrong size and returned them or deconstruction demo builds, might as well get some of those as they are cheaper and you'll find fittings costing an arm and a leg sometimes haha.

Finally, Jamie has specced you a drain, make sure you buy one and don't cheap out like i did first time and went without. It makes draining a difficult mess.
 
Snookums said:
General rule of thumb for rad space is 120mm + 120mm per component. So the minimum you should be looking at getting is 480mm in total. From your case specs you can fit a 360, 280, and 2x 140mm. your best bet would to be to go with what Jamie said and get a 360 and a 240.

You said you don't want many fans but due to noise but the more fans you have the quieter it will be as you can run them at a lower RPM.

The pump/res combo Jamie has linked is the same one I have but it is a right PITA to fill as unlike most other PWM D5's run at 60% without the PWM plugged in this doesn't it runs at 10% unless you create a bodge jump jump lead kind of thing.

Also i have that primochill tubing, it's been fine for me but and my fluid but I've read several complaints about it.

There is loads of b-grade fittings in clearance right now, my best guess is they were from people who bought the wrong size and returned them or deconstruction demo builds, might as well get some of those as they are cheaper and you'll find fittings costing an arm and a leg sometimes haha.

Finally, Jamie has specced you a drain, make sure you buy one and don't cheap out like i did first time and went without. It makes draining a difficult mess.
Click to expand...

Thanks Snookums!

I have had a little shop, using what Jamie gave me as a baseline for what i need...

I will post, please please (both of you!) be a harsh critic, I am looking to do this right, not quickly! :)

Cheers
Ben
 
Ok here goes...

1 x NZXT Phantom 820 Window Side Panel - Gunmetal
1 x EK Water Blocks EK-CoolStream XE 360 (Triple)
1 x EK Water Blocks EK-CoolStream XE 240 (Double)
1 x EK Water Blocks EK-RES X3 250 Reservoir
2 x Three Fan Bundle - EK Water Blocks EK-Vardar F3-120 (1850rpm)
1 x EK Water Blocks EK-DBAY D5 PWM MX - Plexi (incl. pump)
2 x EK Water Blocks EK-FC Titan X - Nickel
2 x EK Water Blocks EK-FC Titan X Backplate - Red
10 x EK Water Blocks EK-ACF Fitting 10/16mm - Nickel
2 x EK Water Blocks EK-AF Angled 90° G1/4 Nickel
2 x EK Water Blocks EK-AF Angled 45° G1/4 Nickel
1 x EK Water Blocks EK-Supremacy EVO X99 - Nickel
2 x Primochill Primoflex Advanced Tubing 16/10 - Clear
1 x XSPC EC6 Coolant Blood Red

Total 736.24 in vat and delivery with OC.

Ok, three questions...

1) Does that all seem work?
2) Is it overkill?
3) What is the difference in tubing size and why do i need to care?

Thanks again!
Ben
 
You have a tube res and a bay res in there for some reason. not sure if it was a mistake or not.

What GPU's do you have? have you checked your cards are compatible with the block?

it all seems to work as long as its right for your kit.

Watercooling is overkill so yes, but its so much fun.

Tubing size is more of a preference thing, bigger tubing becomes hard to bend and kinks and thinner tubing just kinks easily, you've got a good middle ground for size IMO
 
Snookums said:
You have a tube res and a bay res in there for some reason. not sure if it was a mistake or not.

What GPU's do you have? have you checked your cards are compatible with the block?

it all seems to work as long as its right for your kit.

Watercooling is overkill so yes, but its so much fun.

Tubing size is more of a preference thing, bigger tubing becomes hard to bend and kinks and thinner tubing just kinks easily, you've got a good middle ground for size IMO
Click to expand...

Ah yeah, whoops!

1 x NZXT Phantom 820 Window Side Panel - Gunmetal
1 x EK Water Blocks EK-CoolStream XE 360 (Triple)
1 x EK Water Blocks EK-CoolStream XE 240 (Double)
1 x EK Water Blocks EK-RES X3 250 Reservoir
2 x Three Fan Bundle - EK Water Blocks EK-Vardar F3-120 (1850rpm)
2 x EK Water Blocks EK-FC Titan X - Nickel
2 x EK Water Blocks EK-FC Titan X Backplate - Red
10 x EK Water Blocks EK-ACF Fitting 10/16mm - Nickel
2 x EK Water Blocks EK-AF Angled 90° G1/4 Nickel
2 x EK Water Blocks EK-AF Angled 45° G1/4 Nickel
1 x EK Water Blocks EK-Supremacy EVO X99 - Nickel
2 x Primochill Primoflex Advanced Tubing 16/10 - Clear
1 x XSPC EC6 Coolant Blood Red

I have got rid of the bay res.

What pump should i use? This one ok - EK-XTOP Revo D5 PWM - Plexi (incl. pump)?

Also do i have what in need from a drain?

I have checked the GPU's and they are the right ones i believe! :)
Thanks for the information on the tubing, i thought it seemed right too, but i had no idea!

Thanks again fellas! :)
Cheers
Ben
 
An EK d5 will be fine for your loop. Up to you if you want the pwm or manual speed version. Manual speed is easier.

With fans I'd advise a simple pwm fan splitter to control them via CPU temp from the bios. That way you can have them at minimum speed while the system is at idle. And have them ramp up at load if you wish. You will need pwm fans of course. Corsair sp120s are good.

Tubing yeah. More on preference. As having a huge case but thin tubing to me looks odd. 16/10 is fine though. I use 16/12 hardline. 12/10 looks too thin for me.

I have link in my sig which is black/red build. See what you prefer if you want to stick with clear/red. And you can see the triple parallel I used between the cards. If you want to do that rather than use clear tube. Far more supported. Yes you can get clear versions.

With a drain. Dependant where you want to fit it. I have mine hooked up to my bottom rad via a t-piece. That has a valve on one side, blanked at the back and incoming water on the other side. That way I can just open the valve easily to drain. And it's out of sight.

Rest looks fine to me.

You will need a 7mm and 9mm Allen key for those fittings. 9mm to make sure the one in the rad is tight. 7mm to tighten the fittings themselves. You will also need a blanking plate for the parallel if you get one.
 
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Thanks everybody!

Here is my final list... i got somewhat carried away..! I will be placing the order later today! :cool:

zlocdnx.png


Total of £850.91! :D

Let me know what you think!
Cheers and thanks again,

Ben
 
Think you're going to need another 4 12/16 fittings mate plus a male - male fitting such as this to connect the ball valve to the block splitter. Looking good though, some top quality bits you've got there :)
 
OJ46 said:
Think you're going to need another 4 12/16 fittings mate plus a male - male fitting such as this to connect the ball valve to the block splitter. Looking good though, some top quality bits you've got there :)
Click to expand...

Thanks mate :) I have added the other 4 12/16 fittings to my OC order! :)

I have ordered a few bits from EKWB directly,as OC didn't have them - one of those things is a EK-AF Extender 6mm M-M G1/4 in Nickel, which should solve my female to male quandary! :)

I am really looking forward to my first water build!

Cheers
Ben
 
Did my first one a couple months back, great fun and always good to have a new challenge :)

Turning the pump on for the first time isn't much fun though, most nervous I've ever been with a new computer! Good luck with it, hopefully we'll see some pictures when it's done :p
 
Don't forget the triple parallel doesn't come with a blanking plate. To block off the central port as it's designed for 3 cards. from the EK webshop.

EK also do better versions of pwm splitters for the fans. Aswell as pwm y splitters should you need them. Hook that to a fan (or several), PSU and mobo (CPU fan header). And you can set the fan speed curve via CPU temp.

Other than that it looks great! Get some pictures up when you have finished :).

If you need any advice during the build feel free to ask.
 
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tyler_jrb said:
Don't forget the triple parallel doesn't come with a blanking plate. To block off the central port as it's designed for 3 cards. from the EK webshop.

EK also do better versions of pwm splitters for the fans. Aswell as pwm y splitters should you need them. Hook that to a fan (or several), PSU and mobo (CPU fan header). And you can set the fan speed curve via CPU temp.

Other than that it looks great! Get some pictures up when you have finished :).

If you need any advice during the build feel free to ask.
Click to expand...

Thanks dude, I will most definitely take you up on that! :)

I have bought a few things from EK directly, but that wasn't one of them, I will do that now! Cheers!!

Ben
 
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