Watercooling Setup

SavellM

SavellM

SavellM

Associate
Joined
15 Nov 2010
Posts
668
Hey Guys,

I have never WC before.
So its another one of these threads.

I want to WC my machine moving away from a Corsair AIO.
But a few things, what fittings are best?
And the sizes confuse the crap out of me.

I have space for anything as I am building a custom desk.

So what are the best sizes and best fittings?

What I have been thinking is using:
XSPC Twin D5 Dual Bay Reservoir/Pump Combo
2x XSPC XSPC AX360 Triple Fan Radiator OR
XSPC XSPC RX360 120mm Radiator (Not sure which is best)
XSPC RayStorm CPU WaterBlock

OR some EK blocks and rads, what would you recommend? XSPC or EK?

But as I say above, what would the best tubing and fittings be?

Also I will do a GPU loop into this, might cool my current 560 TI, but im waiting for the new nvidia 700 series.
Also waiting on a new haswell cpu's as im currently on 1366 socket.
But want to start cooling now, and can always upgrade cpu and gpu blocks later.
 
Or maybe this EK alternative?

EK-BAY DCP 2.2 Combo Unit
EK Water Blocks EK-Coolstream RAD XTC 420
EK-Supremacy Elite - CPU Waterblock - Intel 1366

Its quite a bit cheaper than XSPC.

But ye, thoughts on tubing and fittings, please?
 
Doesn't matter tbh, just make sure the fittings match the tubing.

Cpu block I'd go raystorm and for rads, AX or RX perform well you won't be disappointed in either.
 
Tubing is listed in ID & OD, or internal and outter diameter, if using compression fittings both ID & OD must match the tubing.

So of you pick 1/2 - 3/4 tubing, that's an 1/2" internal 3/4" outter, you must then pick 1/2 - 3/4 compressions, the g1/4 / 1/4" bspp part is just the thread size that screws into the component, don't worry about that apart as everything ocuk sell is g1/4.
 
Is that big enough for a loop of CPU, + 2 GPU's?
I just flicked through a page that said 1/2 is good?

Sorry first time for everything.
 
It doesn't really matter tbh, with 7/16 - 5/8 you can slip them over a 1/2 barb without the use of hose clamps.

I'll be using 1/2 - 3/4 on my current build :)
 
SavellM said:
Is that big enough for a loop of CPU, + 2 GPU's?
I just flicked through a page that said 1/2 is good?

Sorry first time for everything.
Click to expand...

As far as I'm aware there isn't anything in the temps between the sizes, but I've just changed from 7/16 to 1/2 and the 1/2 is a lot harder to route in small spaces or tight bends, so if you've a small case and or tight sections then 7/16 is easier, also some go for different looks.

One thing I will say, is if you plan on having some Koolance Quick Disconnects in your system (allows quick disconnection of say graphics card, without draining your loop) then the 1/2 maybe better as there are more fittings readily available for that size.
 
Thanks for the help so far :)
And then fittings what are the best?

I dont love the look of barbs as they dont feel so secure to me :)
What are those ones that you push on and screw down to hold them in place?
And bitspower any good?
 
As you've got plenty of space then, i'd recommend you get a separate reservoir and pump and place the pump on a foam pad (look for Shoggy Sandwich on OCUK) as the XSPC all in one is known to cause annoying vibrations :)
 
Compression fittings ;)

Also bitspower are the best, if I could afford it all my fittings would be bitspower, though I'm using EK fittings which are a decent mid range fitting :)
 
Would this work?
Am I missing anything?

XSPC RayStorm CPU WaterBlock (Intel) Copper £96.98
(£80.82) £96.98
(£80.82)
XSPC AX360 Triple Fan Radiator (Black) £88.98
(£74.15) £88.98
(£74.15)
XSPC D5 Vario (Body + Screwring) £56.99
(£47.49) £56.99
(£47.49)
EK-BAY SPIN Reservoir - Plexi CSQ £55.99
(£46.66) £55.99
(£46.66)
EK-D5 X-TOP CSQ - Acetal £25.99
(£21.66) £25.99
(£21.66)
XSPC HighFlex Hose 1/2" ID, 3/4" OD, 19/12.7mm, 2m, White £6.98
(£5.82) £13.96
(£11.64)
Bitspower Premium G1/4" Matte Black High Flow 1/2" Compression Fitting (For Tygon 1/2" ID) £6.98
(£5.82) £83.76
(£69.84)
ModMyMachine Shoggy Sandwich V2 for your Watercooling Pump £6.98
(£5.82) £6.98
(£5.82)
Sub Total : £358.08
Shipping cost based on delivery to paypal address, RG1 1NH with:
FREE SHIPPING (DPD Next Day)
(This can be changed during checkout) Shipping : FREE
VAT is being charged at 20.00% VAT : £71.62
Total : £429.70
 
A few things stand out:

1) It looks like the bitspower compression fittings you've chosen are specifically for Tygon tubing which seems to have a different diameter, as there are other normal 1/2 bitspower fittings, maybe OCUK don't currently have them in stock in black?

2) After having a copper GPU block I'd never do it again, if you touch it, it eventually spoils, thus needing a clean up with specific things like salt, citrus etc (Google how to clean copper) so if you want the better block I'd personally get the chrome for the same price :)

3) Sign up to Topcashback.co.uk as OCUK have just started free cashback on purchases :)
 
4) You need fluid, get some Mayhems premix like a pastel or premixed clear as it has all the additives you need to keep your loop clean and clear. Don't go for Aurora as it's a show fluid and not really suitable for a personal loop, especially your first one, as it needs regular maintenance etc..

5) One piece of advice I was taught was that on your first loop, get clear tubing and a coloured liquid if you so desire, as it's easier to see the fluid levels and bubbles for bleeding, it makes it a 100 times easier and less stressful :)
 
Thanks Space Monkey.
Updated basket:
YOUR BASKET
1 x XSPC RayStorm CPU WaterBlock (Intel) Chrome £96.98
1 x XSPC AX360 Triple Fan Radiator (Black) £88.98
1 x XSPC D5 Vario (Body + Screwring) £56.99
1 x EK-BAY SPIN Reservoir - Plexi CSQ £55.99
1 x Bitspower Mesh Radgard II 360 Aluminium - Black £31.99
1 x EK-D5 X-TOP CSQ - Acetal £25.99
2 x Mayhems Pastel - UV White Coolant 1L £17.99 (£35.98)
3 x Noctua NF-F12 PWM 120mm Focused Flow PWM Cooling Fan £15.98 (£47.94)
12 x Bitspower Premium G1/4" Matte Black High Flow 1/2" Compression Fitting (For Tygon 1/2" ID) £6.98 (£83.76)
1 x ModMyMachine Shoggy Sandwich V2 for your Watercooling Pump £6.98
Total : £543.65 (includes shipping : £10.00).



Just need compression fittings.
Also is that the best tubing?
Or is there better out there?

I've heard good things about Primochill tubing, any advice?
Or Tygon R3603 tubing and then I can use those Bitspower compression fittings?
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom