Upgrading from OcUK V6 kit

[miller745]

Time has come to expand this basic loop, the OcUK kit was a great way to get into it and know everything will work. I think the following items I've got lined up are compatible but it's better to check before buying, if you wouldn't mind having a look.

The aim of this upgrade is to add a Sapphire 6970 to the loop, current case is too small for a big radiator but it's served me well for years so I don't mind getting a new one. Do I need a backplate for the graphics card? and also could I get away with re-using the XSPC bay res & pump purely as a reservoir (no power connection to the pump) or would it cause too much resistance to the water?

List of bits is;

-Already have

XSPC Razor HD6970 Waterblock
Barbs
Hose
Fluid

-To Buy

BitFenix Shinobi XL Full Tower Gaming Case - Black
OcUK Tech Lab - D5 Vario Pump & Alphacool HF D5 Top Value Combo
EK CoolStream Radiator XT 360 (120.3)
Scythe Gentle Typhoon 120mm 1450 RPM - 3 Pin x3

Anything can be changed (but I really like the Shinobi XL case). Cheers.

 

[Avathar77]

Not sure if you can use the stock back plate with the XSPC block, better ask the manufacturer.
I asked from koolance about the compatibility of the stock back plate with their 6970 block and they said ALL thier gpu blocks can be used with stock back plates. So may be XSPC is the same, it never hurts to drop an email!

Some times GPU body tend to bend because of the weight of the GPU block so having a back plate would help. If not, there is always ninja wire

I never liked/used bay reservoirs! But I guess you could use it possibly if it has separate inlet and outlet ports apart from the pump inlet and outlet ports. Also you may have to clean the pump in the RES even if you don't use it!

How about getting a decent fan controller? GT1450s are not noisy at all, but at full speed they do make a noise! I highly recommend Aquaero 5 LT, but it can be bit fiddly if you don't do your reading first oh and also there are much cheaper alternatives!
Like these
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=BB-001-ZA&groupid=701&catid=57&subcat=189
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=BB-000-LP&groupid=701&catid=57&subcat=189

 

[miller745]

Will fire off an email to XSPC and see what they say about a backplate. Will scratch the cheap idea of re-using the bay res and a fan controller is definitely on the list, the new BitFenix one looks really good but if it won't be out for a while I'll get one of the two you linked, thanks for the help.

 

[Jaheermk]

BitFenix Shinobi XL Full Tower Gaming Case - Black
OcUK Tech Lab - D5 Vario Pump & Alphacool HF D5 Top Value Combo
EK CoolStream Radiator XT 360 (120.3)
Scythe Gentle Typhoon 120mm 1450 RPM - 3 Pin x3

most of the things i want