Spec me a CPU only WC loop

ewarwoowar

ewarwoowar

ewarwoowar

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That could possibly accomodate 2 SLI gtx 580s to the loop in the future.

I'd like to equip the Radiator with some Akasa Vipers. I know just a CPU loop may just cope on 120.1 but i've got to plan ahead but here lays the problem.
buying a 120x3 or 120x4 now just for a CPU loop.

I know pumps and reservoirs won't be a huge problem in this as i'll be able to keep them for when the upgrade.


All in all.

Spec me a CPU only Water cooling loop with the possibility of 2 GPU blocks being added. I don't mind buying just a 120.1 Rad for now and flogging it later and buying a 120.4 rad later on if a 120.4 would do for a 3 block loop.

Thanks again OcUK!



*EDIT*! A wild edit has appeared!

I have changed my mind about adding the 2 gpu blocks.
I have taken into consideration that I have the MSI twin frozr II gtx 580 and will get a 2nd and they run super queit. The aim of all this is to get the rig quiet.

So here's my plan:
Get a HAF x with the side Airduct Fan to exhaut hot air from between the SLI gtx 580s. Hopefully keeping them a couple of C cooler (Which a review showed that has reduced 1 5850 in a CF setup by 7c)
Get a small WC loop for my CPU which could keep the Radiator Fan on a super low RPM keeping it fairly quiet.

I think this actually sounds like a good idea. By doing this I could probably eliminate all case fans except the side Airduct on the HAFx and just have the GPU fans + CPU rad fans spinning.
 
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Without knowing your budget it's difficult to recommend all the parts but If you are looking for near silence i would use a low fpi rad like the hwlabs sr1 with slow fans or vipers on a controller, i use a sr1-420 (3x140) with sub 1000rpm fans and my pc is near silent. As you are only cooling your cpu a ddc1 10w pump (aka MCP350) will be plenty to keep the water moving and also very quiet. Block wise i'd go for an ek supreme hf. The res, tubing and fittings are down to personal preference. If however you are looking to add anything to the loop in the future you maybe wise to look at a more powerful pump, larger rad than what will cope with more than just a cpu and a case more suited to watercooling.
 
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How much are you looking to spend?

With just the i5 most radiators will do the job with low RPM fans. Thicker rads work better with slow fans so something like a XSPC RX360 would do nicely.
 
I really don't mind. Something not to expensive like >£400 obviously.
I don't really know the prices but £200 or less. Give or take a bit of course.


would a 360 rad really be needed for just a cpu? or is that to make sure it'll work nicely with low rpm fans?
 
ewarwoowar said:
would a 360 rad really be needed for just a cpu? or is that to make sure it'll work nicely with low rpm fans?
Click to expand...

Get a good 360 Rad, so if need be you can cool your 580 if you change your mind, l thought my set up was quiet but cooling both the CPU + GPU you will be surprised how quiet your rig will be. :)
 
Very good idea! Be able to chuck 3 akasas vipers on there at super low rpm aswell :)

So here's what I have cooked up

Ek Supreme HF CPU Block £59.99
XSPC RX360 £71
Alphacool LAing d5 £76 (Is there any difference between all these Laing d5 variants?)
EK Multioption res x2 285ml £35 (will I need a higher res for the possibility of extra blocks?)

Then a bit extra on top for barbs, tubing and coolant.

So around £260/270.


Any thing wrong or anything else I need specifically?
 
What about one of the XSPC Rasa kits that are available for around £200 all in, think the 240 RX rad option is around £175, and the 360 RX rad option around £205

Be careful with the EK blocks if you are considering Nickel, some reports are surfacing about the plating flaking off
 
Hi, the size of the res makes no difference so l'v been told, all it is a device for trapping the air and topping up your loop. If you want get compression fittings as they are just as good as barbs but look a lot better.
 
I would rather go with a custom one becuase then I can get parts that are well known to be good. Rather than buy the kit then be swapping out the parts that I don't like.

also the EK Supreme HF I was looking at is a copper based block
 
CPU Block - Swiftech Apogee XT Rev2
Pump - Laing D5-Pump 12V D5-Vario 1/2 (MCP655)
Radiator - Thermochill 120.3 or the 140.3
Res - what ever fits your system not critical at all
1/2 tubing 3 m should be fine
Scythe fans either the 120mm or 140mm depending on which rad you go for.

You will never get a 100% silent water cooled system that is also meant to provide performance. But this combination will be pretty quite. The loudest thing in your system will be the graphic card.
 
1Day to the savior :)

Been looking up scythe fans. These gentle typhoons are held at high regard so I think I will go for them.

Hows the XSPC RX360 compared to the thermochill equivalent?
Just the place i'm getting all the parts from only has the 140.3 or the 120.2 and the scythe GTs only come in 120mm :(

Do 140mms tend to be quieter than 120mms? Or is it only that you can run them at a lower RPM for a decent amount of CFM?

Just wondering if i'd be better off with 140mm
 
I like the 140mm rads they are better but cost more. Thermochill is the performance leader in my view.

As to 140mm fans Scythe do make them I am fairly sure. But there are many other brands that are just as good and in some cases better. Look at the dB vs CFM ratio and find what is acceptable to your needs.

Scythe - 140 mm Fan - 75 CFM - 23 dB Kama Flex - 1200 RPM - SA1325FDB12M (but expensive I think)
 
Just looked up those scythe 140mm fans. Turns out they are 135mm. Should fit though correct?

Though I can't find a Thermochil 140.3 anywhere! :(
Any other reputable 140mm radiators?

I've looked up the FrozenQs and they don't look like they would cause air bubbles and as its just holding my liquid then it should be fine :)
 
Just noticed I may not be able to fit a 140.3 radiator in the top of the Haf X :(

Also the reservoir and radiator are listed as 1/4" threads. Do 1/2" tubings fit and connect to 1/4" connectors?
 
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ewarwoowar said:
Just noticed I may not be able to fit a 140.3 radiator in the top of the Haf X :(

Also the reservoir and radiator are listed as 1/4" threads. Do 1/2" tubings fit and connect to 1/4" connectors?
Click to expand...

Yes , one end of the fitting is 1/4" thread and the other end 1/2" for your tubing.
 
I'd stick with the suggestion of 1Day myself, reading over the forum for the time i've been here its clear she knows a thing or two - but the spec isn't too far off what i've got :)

I went with a EK Supreme HF, 120.3 and D5 Vario... I've used Thermochill stuff since they first started out as i use to buy all my gear from the shop the Theromchill owner had.. always found them great. I not run two loops so I can keep the fan speeds a bit lover but its two loops of 120.3 and D5.. great combo in my book.

OP - Have you done much reseach / begginer guide reading on watercooling??
 
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