Spec Help Required Please

Soldato
Joined
6 Jan 2013
Posts
22,323
Location
Rollergirl
I'm looking to add a custom loop to the project log in my signature.

So, building into an Air540 case, and looking to cool an i5 4670k CPU and Gigabyte GTX670 N670OC-2gb Windforce GPU.

Ideally I want a pump and res combo, mounted where this guy has placed his...

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?p=24620005#post24620005

I would like to have coloured tubing (orange). 360 rad at the front, 240 rad at the top.

This is my first loop, so need help choosing all parts... although I don't need any help choosing fans.

Thanks in advance for any help. Will update thread with parts list as decisions are made!

Parts List:

YOUR BASKET
1 x EK Water Blocks EK-D5 Vario X-RES 100 (incl. pump) £105.95
1 x EK Water Blocks EK-Supremacy Clean CSQ - Nickel £52.99
1 x EK Water Blocks EK-CoolStream PE 360 (Triple) £49.99
1 x EK Water Blocks EK-CoolStream PE 240 (Dual) £39.95
3 x Monsoon 13/10mm (ID 3/8 OD 1/2) Free Center Compression Fitting Six Pack - Orange £27.95 (£83.85)
1 x Corsair SP120 Quiet Series High Pressure Low Noise - Dual Pack (CO-9050006-WW) £25.99
1 x PrimoChill PrimoFlex Advanced LRT 12.7 / 9.5mm - Pearl UV Orange RETAIL 3m £16.99
1 x Corsair SP120 Quiet Series High Pressure Low Noise - Single Pack (CO-9050005-WW) £13.99
1 x XSPC LCD Temperature Sensor (Orange) V2 + G1/4" Inline Sensor £8.99
4 x Monsoon 13/10mm (OD 1/2) Rotary 45° - Orange £6.95 (£27.80)
1 x Monsoon 13/10mm (OD 1/2) Rotary 90° - Orange £6.49
1 x Aqua Computer Ball Valve Female Thread G 1/4 without Fittings £5.99
1 x Mayhems Fine Silver Kill Coil £4.50
1 x XSPC G1/4" T Fitting (Black Chrome) £3.95
1 x EK Water Blocks EK-PLUG Fitting G1/4 £1.30
1 x XSPC PSU Bridging Connector (24 Pin) £1.30
Total : £459.60 (includes shipping : £8.00).

 
Last edited:
Good news, Overclockers are getting some brand new stuff from EK with a impressive FPI (so long as you're getting some decent watercooling fans like scythes or Corsairs designed for that use in mind)

Quick rule of thumb, for any block or pump or radiator you'll also need 2 fittings (be it compression or barb)

Anyway as far as specs go.
Radiators
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=WC-488-EK
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=WC-487-EK
Pump & Res
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=WC-412-EK

The block depends on if you want plain black/silver or if you plan on running coloured coolant through the system or if you want to put LEDs into the CPU block or even change the top for an orange acrylic.
CPU Block
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=WC-357-EK

Good news is your graphics card uses a reference design.

So either
GPU Block
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=WC-291-EK
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=WC-295-EK

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=WC-219-EK <---- Optional backplate
So that's the Radiators, Pump & reservoir, CPU and GPU block sorted.

You will need 10 fittings G1/4 in order to link the above devices to the tubing.
 
Last edited:
The next bit with fittings and tubing is entirely down to how you want it.

You might want Orange fittings to fit with the orange tubing, or silver fittings.

The important thing is that you get G1/4 threaded fittings (preferably compression over barbed) and the ID and OD of the G1/4 fittings match the ID and OD of the tubing you select.

E.G

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=WC-075-MO
would go with (just discovered some new tubing OC added to their site, UV too)
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=WC-480-EK


Other essentials would be a Kill Coil (or biocide)
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=WC-022-MH
and some distilled water.


The important things to note is that as you have 5 devices with a input and a output for flow you'll need 10 fittings (compression) you may also require some 90 degree or 45 degree fittings which may require another fitting (maybe two depending on if it goes in the middle of tubing with a female to female G1/4 fitting)

2 Meters of tubing should give you plenty to play with if you make a mistake.
 
Couple of questions regarding the reservoir...

This one quoted above: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=WC-412-EK

How is it powered, via 3 pin fan supply? If so, I assume the only way to control speed is via fan controller? Is there any point in controlling speed? I ask, because I notice a previous model that is pwm.

Also, how significant is the 100ml res size? Is there any advantage to having a larger capacity?
 
No its powered via molex. Speed is controlled via a dial on the back of the pump and yes and no to controlling speed. A pump at full tilt might be too noisy for you so you might want to turn it down but then again it might not be.

Larger res, more water = more heat capacity, which does not mean it will run cooler!!! but that it will take longer for the system to reach a stable? (cant think of th word right now) temperature, which isn't really a bad thing
 
Yes, but considering you're using essentially a 5 fan radiator, I don't think the size of the res will make that much difference in the temp for a 2 component system
 
Yes, but considering you're using essentially a 5 fan radiator, I don't think the size of the res will make that much difference in the temp for a 2 component system

Size of the reservoir makes no difference in temperatures for any component system ...
 
OK,

I've decided to hold off on the GPU blocks for a couple of reasons.

  • The card is voltage locked, therefore watercooling isn't going to aid in overclocking.
  • This time next year, I think I might be upgrading this card and then I'm left with around £150 worth of cooling kit that I can't use!

This also means I only need the one 360 rad for now.

Also, I can't find 45 and 90 degree fittings to go with these...

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=WC-075-MO

Kit so far...

YOUR BASKET
1 x EK Water Blocks EK-D5 Vario X-RES 100 (incl. pump) £105.95
1 x EK Water Blocks EK-Supremacy Clean CSQ - Nickel £52.99
1 x EK Water Blocks EK-CoolStream PE 360 (Triple) £49.99
1 x Monsoon 13/10mm (ID 3/8 OD 1/2) Free Center Compression Fitting Six Pack - Orange £27.95
1 x PrimoChill PrimoFlex Advanced LRT 12.7 / 9.5mm - Pearl UV Orange RETAIL 3m £16.99
1 x Mayhems Fine Silver Kill Coil £4.50
Total : £267.97 (includes shipping : £8.00).

 
Last edited:
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=WC-122-MO
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=WC-115-MO

You probably missed them because they look weird as hell.


You have 3 components (the pump and res counting as one) and 6 compression fittings, so it's good it worked out that way.


Remember distilled water (but you can get that from anywhere) and I assume you'll be using clear water instead of coloured?

You thinking about putting any LED's into the CPU waterblock, I don't think EK-WB do an orange one, but it's dead easy to make them yourself. Though I'm sure other manufactures do orange LED's. So long as they are 3mm you'll be fine.
 
Last edited:
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=WC-122-MO
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=WC-115-MO

You probably missed them because they look weird as hell.


You have 3 components (the pump and res counting as one) and 6 compression fittings, so it's good it worked out that way.


Remember distilled water (but you can get that from anywhere) and I assume you'll be using clear water instead of coloured?

You thinking about putting any LED's into the CPU waterblock, I don't think EK-WB do an orange one, but it's dead easy to make them yourself. Though I'm sure other manufactures do orange LED's. So long as they are 3mm you'll be fine.

Thanks mate, really appreciate the help. Yea, I want to use clear water (that's why I went for coloured tubing). And also yes, would be nice to have an LED on the CPU block. I'll have a hunt for a 3mm one.

Cheers again.
 
Have updated basket, and forgot to add...

I take it the 6 pack of compression fittings, those are the fittings I need for straight connections? Or, are they what goes on the tube and I need straight connectors as well as the angled ones I have chosen?
 
Compression fittings go from 1/4 thread one end (what your watercooling components have so you screw that in) to the pipe connection at the other end. Most angled fittings have the same thread so you screw the angle into the component then a compression into the angled fitting and connect your pipe to the compression fitting.
 
As I've posted above, I've selected this temp sensor...

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=WC-202-XS

I notice that there's an inline version, I take it there's no advantage of one over the other? I know it's just a temp stat, but I like to research these things!

Also, is there any other monitoring "techniques" that can be used? I'm thinking of pump failure, leaks etc...
 
That sensor you will need a t piece to screw it into or a spare socket on one of your components. Monitoring wise the pump rpm sensor you plug into your cpu fan socket on motherboard and use that to give a warning if your pump isn't working same as you would use it now for the fan
 
Have updated parts list. I've went for an inline temp sensor, and have decided to include the 240 rad as I will need it for the GPU cooling when I get round to it, and there's no harm in having the 2 rads for a single CPU in the meantime. Have also added some sp120 quiet edition fans.

Think I'm just about there!
 
Back
Top Bottom