Water Cooling Kit Help/Advice

goldbergsdragon · 2 Mar 2014 at 21:45

Hi all, firstly this may seem like a stupid question but I have never used a kit only brought the parts individually and then installed. I stopped water cooling a long while ago and am looking to get back in to it, I stopped for numerous reasons mostly personal issues.

Ok so I am looking at a water cooling kit which you will find the link for at the bottom, but I am wondering if I could add to it and upgrade it over time??? So from bigger reservoirs to different tubing and much more including a second radiator etc...

I love lights within my builds so if anyone wants to recommend parts/kit with lights that would also be useful.

Avenged7Fold · 3 Mar 2014 at 00:14

Remove competitor links, they are against forum rules.

Would not go for entry level kits as they come with entry level blocks and pumps, which tend to be the ones that get the upgrade first, as the CPU blocks have some performance gains to be hand by switching from the £30 Supreme to the £50 supremacy and the pump will require an upgrade if you ever decide to expand beyond two blocks.

goldbergsdragon · 3 Mar 2014 at 00:50

Thanks didn't think of that, so link is now removed. So basically the kit is the EK-KIT L240.

I understand that it's not a high end kit and the CPU block would be the first to be upgraded without a doubt, I am not new to water cooling just whole kits. My question is simple, if I got the kit could I upgrade and add to the kit at any given time with any parts that fit the same tube size??? Or would there be conflicts to upgrading/adding???

My main concern is being able to upgrade/add to it anytime I want to, I'm not worried about the parts not being the best as I would deal with that at later dates. I don't want to get the kit if I can't upgrade/add to it, I will look for alternative ways...

Avenged7Fold · 3 Mar 2014 at 01:02

Would be fine but imo, should just pay a little extra now and get everything you want, than to pay a little less and need to upgrade half the parts to increase performance and expand loop if you needed it

goldbergsdragon · 3 Mar 2014 at 01:02

If I can get the kit and upgrade/add to it then the first add which is immediately would be a drainage area. Then change all the compression fittings to the blue monsoon ones, different tubing, a bigger reservoir/pump and more...

goldbergsdragon · 3 Mar 2014 at 01:05

I understand but I don't mind paying more at later dates, as I'm out of work at the moment, so would rather get the kit and then upgrade/add to it more over time.

So I should be able to get the EK-KIT L240 and upgrade/add to it with any parts or just certain ones???

Avenged7Fold · 3 Mar 2014 at 01:05

YOUR BASKET
1 x EK Water Blocks EK-Supremacy Clean CSQ - Nickel £52.99
1 x EK DCP 4.0 Pump (12v) £39.98
1 x EK Water Blocks EK-CoolStream PE 240 (Dual) £39.95
1 x Alphacool Reservoir Repack-Cooling Slot-In Black £21.98
1 x Primochill Primoflex Advanced Tubing 13/10 - Black £5.99
8 x EK Water Blocks EK-CSQ Fitting 10/13mm G1/4 - Black £2.99 (£23.92)
Total : £194.40 (includes shipping : £8.00).

Better block, much better pump and radiator.

Yes it works fine as they all use the same thread, you only need to match tubing and fitting sizes. Go with primochill for tubing.

goldbergsdragon · 3 Mar 2014 at 01:11

Ok that's brilliant and I certainly will go with their tubing

I should have mentioned at the start that I am avoiding the use of bay items.

Avenged7Fold · 3 Mar 2014 at 01:30

You can replace it with any tube reservoir with no trouble.

goldbergsdragon · 3 Mar 2014 at 01:36

I like the Phobya Balancer 150 or 250, any input on either of them??? Also what about the XSPC RayStorm CPU Block???

Avenged7Fold · 3 Mar 2014 at 01:51

The ray storm block is on par with the Supremacy but the Supremacy is more flexible when it comes to different sockets and chips, since it has a universal mount and multiple jet plates. Spare parts are also easily available from EK for cheap, in case it cracks or stains or you just want a fresh look.

All reservoirs are essentially the same. I use EK tube reservoirs but they will all do the same thing.

If you go clear tubing, it will go cloudy over time. This happens with all tubing, regardless of whether they market it with or without plasticizers. If you want to avoid this, an option would be to use acrylic tubing instead of rubber, as it stays pretty much brand new looking forever and is a permanent solution as far as tubing goes, since it never requires maintenance or replacing. It is no more expensive to use (if you sue EK hd fittings), is incredibly secure, more so than even some compression's i have used. It does however require careful route planning and some accurate cutting to put a loop together with acrylic.

goldbergsdragon · 3 Mar 2014 at 09:12

I liked the RayStorm due to the lights, are there any others that have lights??? Ok cool well the main thing I'm looking in a reservoirs is that it's a tube and holds enough water for a decent water cooling setup.

Thanks for the advice with the tubing, I will make sure I go for acrylic.