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Help me build my first watercooling loop

2K views 18 replies 6 participants last post by  givmedew 
#1 ·
Hey guys I'm new here but have been reading for a couple of months. I just put together a new rig but it's in my old case. Just purchased a 900d case and am in the process of spec'ing a water cooling loop. I am going to spend around $500 USD on the loop. Any suggestions on what components to buy.

I was looking at the RayStorm EX360 kit but I've read that the tubing and fittings that come with the kit are not the best. I've decided that instead of buying a kit I will get the XSPC EX360 Rad and the raystorm block but the rest I'm going to buy seperately. I also want to make it as easy as possible drain the loop. Suggestions on Quick connects etc would be appreciated as well.

Note that i'm only doing a cpu loop initially but am build it to accomidate dual GPU cooling in the future

So here's what I've decided on

XSPC EX360 Rad
Dual D5 Pumps
XSPC Raystorm CPU block

Here's what I'm still looking for advice on
Tubing
Fluid
Compression Fittings
Quick Disconnect Fittings
Reseviours
Pump Tops and Mods
Rad Fans

Any help would be appreciated.
 
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#2 ·
The dual D5 pumps are unnecessary. Do you want to run colored tubing or colored coolant? For compression fitting I would go with BITSPOWER or MONSOON. The Monsoon fittings are quite a lot cheaper but I like the Bitspower fittings better. For a drain you can do something like THIS at bottom most point in your loop. It works really well because its double sealed with the valve and the plug. When you want to drain you can take the plug off with the valve still closed, add a compression fitting on with some tubing and run your tubing into a bucket then open your valve to drain. THESE fans are definetely worth looking at, HERES a little bit of some peoples opinions on them.
 
#3 ·
since your budget is pretty limited when it comes to watercooling I would suggest yate loons they're good performance for less green than most I'd get a tube res such as the phobya ones. I would suggest colored tubing and distilled water with a kill coil or other biocide. It's easier and doesn't stain parts tubing a lot of people swear by primochill LRT thopugh there's also rigid tubing if you wanted to go that way
 
#5 ·
I was thinking dual d5's for redundancy and not for pushing more liquid. Whats the failure rate on these things?

Namkab where can I find more info on the parts for the drain?

Still undecided on colored tubing or coolant ... any suggestions on which was is more popular or better. My board is red (maximus v extreme)and I have red cable extensions so the theme will definitely be Red. I was thinking about UV reactive red but it doesn't look like you can get tubes red and uv.

Those koolance fans are a little plain was thinking of getting something with a bit more bling.

I was looking at the bitspower fittings and that's probably the way to go but they are pricey but if you guys say they are good then I'll go with them.

I started to create a cart on FrozenCPU and without fans, fittings and tubes and I was already at $500 USD so it looks as if I'm going to have to spend 600 or 700. Not a big deal my budget is flexible but I didn't want to over do it. Just looking for quality parts that will last a while, look good and of course not leak.

I'll post the items I have in mind tomorrow to see what you guys think. Any suggestions on retailers?
 
#6 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hurtz View Post

I was thinking dual d5's for redundancy and not for pushing more liquid. Whats the failure rate on these things?

Namkab where can I find more info on the parts for the drain?

I was looking at the bitspower fittings and that's probably the way to go but they are pricey but if you guys say they are good then I'll go with them.

I started to create a cart on FrozenCPU and without fittings and tubes and I was already at $500 USD so it looks as if I'm going to have to spend 600 or 700. Not a big deal my budget is flexible but I didn't want to over do it. Just looking for quality parts that will last a while, look good and of course not leak.

I'll post the items I have in mind tomorrow to see what you guys think. Any suggestions on retailers?
you only have a single cpu loop and if the pump fails the computer will shut off due to thermals

you want one of these for making a drain. btw make a drain it will save you head aches... I don't have one so i know that i'm taking about.
thumb.gif
if you're really trying to save some money if you go to preformance pcs you can pick the xspc kit and they will let you customize it.
 
#7 ·
Watercooling adds up really fast. Kits like THIS are really something to think about, because you just cant beat them for value. There are kits that come with cheap pumps and there are ones that come with good pumps thats practically the only thing you have to look for and its easy to avoid the bad pumps with a little research. These kits were mentioned earlier and they are definitely something to think about. They can cost a third of what you would spend but offer the same performance.
 
#8 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by Namkab View Post

Watercooling adds up really fast. Kits like THIS are really something to think about, because you just cant beat them for value. There are kits that come with cheap pumps and there are ones that come with good pumps thats practically the only thing you have to look for and its easy to avoid the bad pumps with a little research. These kits were mentioned earlier and they are definitely something to think about. They can cost a third of what you would spend but offer the same performance.
that is a good one as well if you want a ddc pump. I went with the d5 kit from xspc. the only thing is bay res/pumps are a pita
 
#9 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by Namkab View Post

Watercooling adds up really fast. Kits like THIS are really something to think about, because you just cant beat them for value. There are kits that come with cheap pumps and there are ones that come with good pumps thats practically the only thing you have to look for and its easy to avoid the bad pumps with a little research. These kits were mentioned earlier and they are definitely something to think about. They can cost a third of what you would spend but offer the same performance.
That kit has a much better pump than the Rasa750 and is the same pump as the XSPC DDC kits.

It costs a lot more than the Rasa750 though but it comes with compression fittings... so nice deal... def can't say anything bad about that radiator.

If your budget can afford that kit then it sounds like a good idea.

I didn't know about that kit at all thanks namkab for linking it.
 
#10 ·
Here's what I came up with so far, comments suggestions?. What other parts do a need for the drain? Should I get a QDC for the drain as well? Was also thinking about a couple of QDC's for the cpu block just in case I want to remove the loop from the case quickly, does anyone else do this?

 
#11 ·
I am guessing that the valve is for a drain so you will need to buy a 3-way Y or T fitting for the drain.

Don't make the mistake I did with the drain line. I ran it off an unused port on my reservoir so I wouldn't have to use a T or Y fitting and it does not drain well from that location even though it is the lowest point in the loop.
 
#13 ·
I don't think the RX360 has extra ports on it. I think it just has the 2...

Where you thinking it had extra ports on it? If not could you explain it a little better?

Since the radiator is on the bottom you can put the drain tube at the highest point in the system. Then you simply turn the system upside down and drain it.
 
#15 ·
Oh yeh didn't think about the fact it was a 900D
smile.gif
 
#16 ·
Maybe pick up a couple 90 and 45 degree rotary adapter fittings (I like Bitspower the best). These things can be life savers!

Also, as others mentioned, the dual pumps are really not necessary...I understand redundancy, but, man, you are putting an extra $200 (pump and pump top) into something you don't really need. The pumps can easily last years as long as you don't run them dry. I'd spend that extra $200 on getting blocks for my GPU(s) or just save it.

Also, why the red res if you are using red coolant? I like clear res to show off my colored fluent
smile.gif
 
#17 ·
I already have my cart updated with a clear res. Still on the fence about the dual pumps too as the price is going up on what I originally had budgeted for myself.

I need help on fittings too.
Should I buy a couple of elbow fittings and what about QDC's, where do they come in usefull
 
#18 ·
Dual D5 pumps are unnecessary for your loop. You have to look at your loop and plan out where you can use elbow fittings, QDCs are useful if you want to disconnect something with a filled loop thats all up to you to decide if you want them or not. You most likely dont need the QDCs.
 
#19 ·
Using no spill QDCs at the bottom of the loop and then buying an extra QDC to connect to the disconnected QDC is a great way to make a drain. The extra QDC does not need to be valved (no spill) but it does need to be compatible with the other QDCs. You don't really need ones that say no spill as long as they are valved a few drops of water are no big deal if you are expecting them and have a paper towel ready. Personally I use the high end QDCs made for soda dispensers and they don't really spill more than just a drop of water each side. If they do not say NO SPILL... then you need to confirm that they are valved... if you use non valved QDCs and you disconnect them water is going to come out.

But good valved QDCs are expensive and therefore are a waste unless you are running an external radiator then they are a must.

You really don't need that 2nd D5. If your D5 fails then as soon as your CPU hits thermal protection the system will shut off. No big deal so why waste $200 on something that will not give you any performance. Also using a PWM D5 the D5 will probably last a whole heck of a lot longer by running it at a low RPM when the system is not under load. I can't see a properly configured PWM D5 failing in a 5 year period and probably not in a 10yr period.

Just don't shut off thermal protection.
 
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