spec me watercool beginner

Sham65

Sham65

Sham65

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Joined
31 Jul 2012
Posts
31
hi im building a new rig comprising of
Case=Corsair 800D
M/B =Asus P9X79 DELUXE
CPU=Intel Core i7-3820 3.60GHz
GPU=2 x Asus GTX 460 TOP 1GB

i have decided to watercool and im going to start by just doing the cpu for now but will eventually try and do the gpu`s, can anyone recomend me the parts i need please, i have about 250 pounds to spend, i was thinking of a 360 rad on the top, also was thinking of using pwn fans as my motherboard has these connectors and going for a blue uv theme. thanks :)
 
Instead of going for PWM, i'd get some 3 pin standard ones and get a fan controller :)

Have you decided on any specific parts?
 
Cleeecooo said:
Instead of going for PWM, i'd get some 3 pin standard ones and get a fan controller :)

Have you decided on any specific parts?
Click to expand...

i havent decided on any specific parts all i know is i need a cpu block, rad, pump, res, tubing , fixings, although i dont know if i should use Compression Fittings or Barb Fittings, i was thinking of a 360 rad as i intend to cool gpu`s later, maybe a Bay Reservoir, the Asus P9X79 DELUXE has some nifty looking fan controller in the bios and thought i could utilize this into my build but needs pwm fans, im complete novice as watercooling goes but love the look, ive read most of the guides in the forum and want to make sure i get all the right bits and hoping someone with more knowledge than me could help with the specifics:D
 
Similar to my set up in the 800d which I'm really happy with. At least it's good gear that is expandable with a top notch pump. It will save you money in the long run.


YOUR BASKET
1 x XSPC D5 Vario (Body + Screwring) £56.99
1 x Hardware Labs Black ICE Radiator GTX-Lite 360 £50.99
1 x XSPC D5 Dual Bay Reservoir £49.99
1 x XSPC RayStorm CPU WaterBlock (Intel) £49.98
1 x Mayhems X1 UV Blue Premixed Watercooling Fluid 1L £7.99
1 x XSPC HighFlex Hose 1/2" ID, 3/4" OD, 19/12.7mm, 2m, Clear £6.98
6 x XSPC G1/4" to 1/2" ID, 3/4" OD Compression Fitting (Chrome) £3.49 (20.94)
1 x OcUK Value PSU Bridging Connector (24 Pin) £1.3
Total : £257.17 (includes shipping : £10.00).

 
Don't bother with the mobo fan control as you just have ugly cables dangling everywhere :eek:.

Not really much point watercooling 460s imo. If you decide to you're probably looking to get a universal GPU block and then arrange passive cooling for the ram/mosfets.
 
Thanks Pgreenwo your build looks amazing one of the reasons I want to watercool mine, do you think uv tubing will be better than using uv fluid also what fans whould you recommend
 
OptimaLnrg said:
Don't bother with the mobo fan control as you just have ugly cables dangling everywhere :eek:.

Not really much point watercooling 460s imo. If you decide to you're probably looking to get a universal GPU block and then arrange passive cooling for the ram/mosfets.
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Yeh my 460s are getting a bit old now and i will be updating them in 6 months thought I could use them as practice, didn't think about the cables and your right 3 pins and a controller it is then, thanks:D
 
Sham65 said:
Yeh my 460s are getting a bit old now and i will be updating them in 6 months thought I could use them as practice, didn't think about the cables and your right 3 pins and a controller it is then, thanks:D
Click to expand...

OptimaLnrg talked me into a fan controller too. Good move and definitely worth a few more quid.
 
ok i have recieved my case today and will be getting the outher parts soon, before i order the watercooling parts that were recomended to me, ive done a drawing of what i understand is how ill be fitting it, can someone take a look and tell me if this is correct, the only thing ive changed in the parts is the rad (Hardware Labs Black ICE Radiator SR1 360) and res/pump (they have none in stock) to XSPC D5 Dual Bay Reservoir/Pump Combo, i have no idea what fan controller to get theres to many to choose from, I want one that doesnt look out of place on the 800d
d90e8747.jpg

thanks:) edit sorry meant to ask about having some sort of drainage fitting, will this be a good idea and where to put it
 
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For fan controller you want a lamptron or a sycthe imo. Stay away from nzxt.
Look for one with a brushed aluminium front as that will look at home on the 800d. I quite like the scythe kaze master ace I'm using as it has a brushed black ally front with a chrome rim around the screen, edges of the front and buttons and chrome indicators on the buttons. Lamptron are probably more highly regarded for solid fan controllers though.

Loop order looks fine.

Not a fan of the airflow design of the 800d myself, but the exterior look is one of the best imo. Plenty of potential inside for a good looking system too.
 
OptimaLnrg said:
For fan controller you want a lamptron or a sycthe imo. Stay away from nzxt.
Look for one with a brushed aluminium front as that will look at home on the 800d. I quite like the scythe kaze master ace I'm using as it has a brushed black ally front with a chrome rim around the screen, edges of the front and buttons and chrome indicators on the buttons. Lamptron are probably more highly regarded for solid fan controllers though.

Loop order looks fine.

Not a fan of the airflow design of the 800d myself, but the exterior look is one of the best imo. Plenty of potential inside for a good looking system too.
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yeh ive been looking at them the Scythe Kaze Master Pro and the Scythe Kaze Server (only place i can get them from is ebay), i must admit i am worried about the air cooling on my gtx460 they idle at 39c and 60c full load in my phantom but i have 3 x 200mm 3 x 140mm 4 x 120mm fans and the noise is horrendous i was planning on watercooling them but i might aswell put the money to buying some newer ones, do you think i should put some sort of drainage system in my loop for easier maintenance?
 
This is what I use.
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=BB-007-SY&groupid=701&catid=2331&subcat=189

Difference over the non-ace version is the ability to completely turn off the fans.

As for drainage.. IDK. My watercooling is external so I didn't need it, and this is my first watercooling. If you want something specifically for drainage you're looking at either a valve like Pgreenwo used
or, (and this is what I'd do) Use a pair of koolance QDC fittings at the lowest point in the loop. Pop them apart and either plug a spare in to one of them (costs £11~ extra) or simply take off the compression to drain.

edit: I would expect your 460 temps to be a lot more than what they were in your phantom if on aircooling in the 800d. (I assume they are axial fan, not blower?). For air cooling the 800d can be a bit of a hotbox.

But yeah I wouldn't spend money watercooling them. It'd be £30~ each for a universal block, then idk for heatsinks. You'd be better off trying to sell them and putting it all towards a better card.
 
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Pgreenwo said:
To drain a small loop like that I would unseat the CPU - wipe off the TP, hold over a bucket and unscrew the compression fitting.
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sounds fairly easy, i thought i could put a t piece in where the tube comes out of the res/pump and run a tube down to the psu compartment and put some kind of tap on the end, and then i could pull it out of the psu compartment and open the valve, tp that reminds me whats the best to use? :)
 
OptimaLnrg said:
This is what I use.
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=BB-007-SY&groupid=701&catid=2331&subcat=189

Difference over the non-ace version is the ability to completely turn off the fans.

As for drainage.. IDK. My watercooling is external so I didn't need it, and this is my first watercooling. If you want something specifically for drainage you're looking at either a valve like Pgreenwo used
or, (and this is what I'd do) Use a pair of koolance QDC fittings at the lowest point in the loop. Pop them apart and either plug a spare in to one of them (costs £11~ extra) or simply take off the compression to drain.

edit: I would expect your 460 temps to be a lot more than what they were in your phantom if on aircooling in the 800d. (I assume they are axial fan, not blower?). For air cooling the 800d can be a bit of a hotbox.

But yeah I wouldn't spend money watercooling them. It'd be £30~ each for a universal block, then idk for heatsinks. You'd be better off trying to sell them and putting it all towards a better card.
Click to expand...
my gtx460s they blow i think, there double width when i put my hand at the back of the case where the cards are i can feel a lot of hot air blowing out from them, looks like ill be getting a Scythe fan controller, have just noticed they have the server for sale on ocuk is it worth getting this one instead of the ace do you think, and where whould i put the sensors?:)
 
^ if the fan is in the middle it's an axial that will both blow air out of the case and into the case too. Not too clued up on 460s though.

I didn't look at the server model. (I think it has some form of automatic fan control?) It's not really my thing for this build. My watercooling is basically just brute force cooling.

I'm not even sure how to use the temperature sensors. I think you can just tape them to things, or maybe you can get special fittings that allow you to put temp probes inside? Not sure tbh. I can just imagine there being loads of spindly cables dangling everywhere.

Once you start talking temperature monitoring you start going into aquaero territory imo.
 
OptimaLnrg said:
^ if the fan is in the middle it's an axial that will both blow air out of the case and into the case too. Not too clued up on 460s though.

I didn't look at the server model. (I think it has some form of automatic fan control?) It's not really my thing for this build. My watercooling is basically just brute force cooling.

I'm not even sure how to use the temperature sensors. I think you can just tape them to things, or maybe you can get special fittings that allow you to put temp probes inside? Not sure tbh. I can just imagine there being loads of spindly cables dangling everywhere.

Once you start talking temperature monitoring you start going into aquaero territory imo.
Click to expand...

ill just stick them on the rad and see what happens lol thanks for the advice
 
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