Sanity check!

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10 Dec 2014
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24
Hey guys,

It's my first time trying watercooling, and I'm looking to squeeze a custom loop for my two Galax EXOC 970s into my case as the cards really don't like being right next to each other on an mATX board. This has turned out to be more expensive than I thought it was going to be, so I'd like to check I've got everything together:

XSPC D5 Vario Pump & EK-D5 X-RES 100 CSQ Value Combo x1
EK-Thermosphere - Acetal+Nickel x2
Coolgate CG240 240mm Radiator x1
XSPC EX240 Crossflow Radiator x1
Three Fan Bundle - EK Water Blocks EK-Vardar F1-120 (1150rpm) x1
EK Water Blocks EK-Vardar F1-120 (1150rpm) x1
Koolance QD3 Male Quick Disconnect No-Spill Coupling, Compression for 10mm x 13mm (3/8in x 1/2in) x1
Koolance QD3 Female Quick Disconnect No-Spill Coupling, Angle Compression for 10mm x 13mm (3/8in x 1/2in) x1
EK Water Blocks EK-FC Terminal DUAL Serial x1
Primochill Primoflex Advanced Tubing 13/10 - White x1
Watercool passive cooler for VGA RAM 8 Pack x1
Mayhems Fine Silver Kill Coil Mayhems Fine Silver Kill Coil x1
EK Water Blocks EK-ACF Fitting 10/13mm - White x4
EK Water Blocks EK-ACF Fitting 10/13mm - Blue x4

Have I done anything daft or overlooked something? Cheers :)
 
I'd personally think that more than one pack of the VGA ram passive coolers might be required, might be worth checking?
 
What are the QDCs for? They won't work as a drain point as they seal when you split them, though you can remove them to drain.

You may want an extra 1m of tubing.

What fluid are you considering? If you use the stuff with a biocide in I don't think you need the kill coil.

Have you considered adding the CPU? With a Supremacy MX and fittings it would be about an extra £43.

I'd maybe consider the F2 fans, from vsg28's tests they go down to the same speed and give you a bit more at the top end. The F3s don't go quite as low.
 
I've looked everywhere for a full block, but I don't think they exist.

I was just going to use plain distilled water, but it occurs to me now that with the white tubes I wouldn't be able to see if there are any trapped bubbles at all, so maybe clear tubing and a pastel liquid would be better.

Ocuk have totally sold out of T fittings as far as I can tell - will have to find one elsewhere. Getting the faster fans sounds like a good idea though.

I'd love to add a cpu cooler once I've mustered the patience to get my bequiet dark rock 3 off. It's a great cooler, but fitting it was one of the most awful experiences. It overhangs the ram on both sides and one of the mobo heatsinks on the top edge.... Honestly not sure how to get it off.

Thanks for all the input? Anything else someone could think of?
 
Im using an ek thermosphere on a 970,its fine. Just make sure you have some sort of airflow over the PCBs for the vrms
 
I've looked everywhere for a full block, but I don't think they exist.

I was just going to use plain distilled water, but it occurs to me now that with the white tubes I wouldn't be able to see if there are any trapped bubbles at all, so maybe clear tubing and a pastel liquid would be better.

Ocuk have totally sold out of T fittings as far as I can tell - will have to find one elsewhere. Getting the faster fans sounds like a good idea though.

I'd love to add a cpu cooler once I've mustered the patience to get my bequiet dark rock 3 off. It's a great cooler, but fitting it was one of the most awful experiences. It overhangs the ram on both sides and one of the mobo heatsinks on the top edge.... Honestly not sure how to get it off.

Thanks for all the input? Anything else someone could think of?

OCUK were going to make a full cover block but gave up on it, the thermosphere is very good however.
 
I'd love to add a cpu cooler once I've mustered the patience to get my bequiet dark rock 3 off. It's a great cooler, but fitting it was one of the most awful experiences. It overhangs the ram on both sides and one of the mobo heatsinks on the top edge.... Honestly not sure how to get it off.

Thanks for all the input? Anything else someone could think of?

If you're looking to do it, it might be worth doing at the same time. It seems a shame to have to drain and redo the tubing further down the line. If you're struggling to get the old cooler off, you could always take the entire motherboard off and get to it more easy. (Would help with any CPU backplate, as well).
 
Also, sorry, any particular reason to get 8 fittings (4 blue and 4 red).

I count that you'll only need 6, 2 for Pump/Res Combo, 2 for the rad and 2 for the EK-FC Terminal (If you're not going down the CPU route)
 
Oh the mobo would definitely have to come out! In true top gear fashion, I was ambitious (first build) but rubbish. I'm using an mATX enthoo evolv and an Asrock X99m. Getting the dark rock on or off would be quite close to trying to change a lorry's wheel through a letter box!

The fittings were all that were in stock at the time. If I could get 8 or 10 white ones it would be perfect.

Sorely tempted to include the cpu now. Makes it all add up to a nice round £500 in all though :/
 
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