Watercooling help

EnderXi · 5 Jul 2010 at 14:57

Hi Guys,

I am looking at setting up my rig watercooled currently I have:

Asus P6 Deluxe V2 mobo
i7 920 D0 @ 3.6ghz
2x 5870 MSI Lighting (non standard but EK do a block for it)

I would ideally like to watercool every thing on the motherboard and the graphics cards so as a total watercooling n00b I would appreciate advice on tubing, interconnects and barbs etc want to make it a freindly easy to use/setup experience that has everything running smoothly

Temp sensors/flow control units welcome and I dont really have a budget, I also will probably need a new power supply as I only have a 850w antec signature at the moment and I would be fitting this all into a corsair 800D case.

all advice greatly welcomed

OLDPHART · 5 Jul 2010 at 16:48

Hi, l have just built a custom loop but only cooling the CPU + GPU and that came to about £300, but when l sell my H50 it will cost me less -

My build is Project > Tight Wad -
http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18154111&highlight=project+tight+wad

Hope this helps to give you some ideas on building a custom loop, but there are plenty of forum members who will guide you with your choice of components.

PaulyD · 5 Jul 2010 at 17:36

I would advise going for dual loops, one for CPU+Mobo and one for the GPU's.

I have just switched from having my cpu and mobo fully watercooled to just the CPU, really not much need to have it fully done and hasn't hurt the overclock one bit (looking to take it further now due to the cooler temps)

Supreme HF is one of the best CPU blocks at the moment and look good, check out Skinnee Labs for in depth reviews, your limited on the GPU front but appear happy with the EK choice.

Pumps I would generally advise the DDC range, probably the 18w is the best choice for the restriction you will have in your loops, can also go for the D5 though you have a greater range of replacement tops/res tops with the DDC's as far as I have seen (always used them over the D5 for the compactness)

Temp Sensors/flow control, your choice if you add them in

Barbs probably 99% of people will suggest 7/16 tubing over 1/2 barbs, i prefer using compression fittings myself and use 3/8 5/8 tubing - just preference though

Will be an expensive outlay first off though, though you did say budget not a problem

Dimi · 5 Jul 2010 at 18:02

Single loop > Dual loop

Gabe over @ XS did some testing to confirm, Though it varies to the type/number of hardware ur wanting to cool.

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=254683

HW91 · 5 Jul 2010 at 18:56

since you have no budget lose the antec 1200, get a 690 II

it may seem like a bad idea but the LCS facilities in the 690 II are far better

so EK HF or AC Kryos > Black ICE SR1 or GTX 280 (with some 140mm fans, they'll have to go on the top apparently) > Swiftech MCRES > Laing D5 > EK MSI 5870 Lightning x2 > Black ICE SR1 or GTX or Thermochill PA 240 rad

use distlilled water + silver kill coil for coolant, if you want it coloured use coloured tubing instead and ideally use 3/8" fittings or 1/2" if you are very good at cable management

PaulyD · 6 Jul 2010 at 11:48

He always wants to watercool the mobo too.

Having a CPU,2x mosfets, NB/SB block, 2x5870 blocks in one loop is a LOT and will most likely benefit greatly from dual pumps to keep the flowrate up. Will also need two rads to get good temps.

EnderXi · 6 Jul 2010 at 15:35

would it be better to do 2 loops with 2 rads, and pumps that way I can phase the water cooling in, buy the case, 1kw PSU and mount it all in air cooled, get the braiding sorted and all the cabling done neat and tidy then add in one loop to do the CPU, NB/SB and Mof, then add a second loop on the cards just for them, 2 double fan rads should do the trick?

PaulyD · 6 Jul 2010 at 15:38

Sounds like a plan to me, I really don't see the benefit of a single loop for yourself with the amount you want to cool in there