Overclock.net banner

Starting the journey to custom loop, help needed, blog possibly later.

1K views 31 replies 5 participants last post by  Radnad 
#1 ·
So I have been researching and going back and forth for a very very long time on water cooling. But it seems as if no matter how much research you do on this subject there is always more to learn and find out.

Since this is my hobby (I am a major tinkerer), and I am getting close to having my credit cards paid off.... I figured I would start doing the research now, see what I need exactly, add it all up and see if I would rather do this in waves, or all at once.

The system I am looking at cooling is in my signature if you want a parts list of what I am dealing with.

Here is an obligatory picture:




I am in the process now of looking in to materials to hide a lot of the ugly areas, and provide for some very nice and tidy cable management. I also am going to be ordering a full sleeved set of cables (right now I am just using sleeved extensions)

So what pushed me over the top in to a full custom loop? Well.. I have the itch to tinker mostly... but I discovered two of my fans are starting to go out and are making some noise. In addition I recently bought two of the EVGA hybrid kits and they had some issues...mainly pump noise / buzzing. I worked around those issues somewhat but the radiator placement isn't optimal...and with some fans going out... it's time. Someone else I talked to recently also put one of my fears aside. I sometimes tote my rig around with me to work or to my fiancées house, so I was nervous about a custom loop being more fragile and leaking. He said for the most part, as careful as I typically am, and if the setup is done right... it should be just as stable as a AIO closed loop system is.

right now as everyone does I am mostly looking toward EK stuff. I thought about getting one of the x360 kits to start, but two issues came in to play.

The first is my 750D. I don't think there is enough clearance in the top to fit that huge rad and fans as it will end up more than likely hitting the top of my motherboard.

For now the other part of the issue is my 5 1/4" bays I have two WD black 2TB drives in a suspension mounting to eliminate the sound from those. Granted yes you still hear them tick when they are in use... but otherwise they are dead silent. Eventually if they ever do come out I plan on picking up some of the mushkin 4TB SSDs that are supposed to be $500... we can only dream right? This houses my entire steam library which right now sits at 2.8TB (origin, uplay, GOG, star citizen sit on the 1TB SSD now). So even if the x360 rad would squeeze in between the drive bays up top... they wont clear those two hard drives. I wouldn't mind once I did get all SSD storage to cut out the 5 1/4 bays but either way that goes back to issue # 1 clearance to the motherboard.

So knowing I'll still need more radiator space either way I had a thought. I am now leaning toward the x240 kit. Yes the rad will still be too tall with fans to clear the motherboard buuuut..... I can use it in the bottom front of the case. At that point I would buy a second thinner 360 rad to go up top.

but... should I skip the kit and buy the components separately and get a 280 rad for the bottom front instead? It seems like the thicker 240 should do better but I wanted to get an opinion on that. In addition I might for the same price as the kit get a better pump or reservoir.

Which calls in to question the pump in the x240 kit... would it be enough for an extra rad and two GPU blocks? Is it silent enough (I plan to dampen it any way I can).

A side question.... would you trust used equipment? Pumps I'm a little leery of especially if they are a couple generations back. Rads obviously if someone was careless they could have let gunk build up, or poked holes in them. but I have been watching ebay and seen quite a few good deals go by
frown.gif


I'm sure will come to mind as I go along so I 'll post as it comes.
 
See less See more
3
#2 ·
update: 02/10/2016

Update 02/17/2016 - Cleaning the rads for first time use

02/19/2016 - Well that was quick I couldn't wait and set it all up as soon as it came in!

Parts so far:

Alphacool NexXxoS XPÂł Light - Acetal Edition - Intel/AMD
Alphacool NexXxoS XT45 Full Copper 240mm
Alphacool NexXxoS XT45 Full Copper 360mm
Alphacool tubing AlphaTube HF 13/10 (3/8"ID) - clear
14x 13/10 (10x1,5mm) compression fitting G1/4" - matte black
Coolant Clear 1000ml
ATX bridging plug (24 Pin)
2x XSPC Razer Water blocks for Titan X
Thermaltake Pacific PR22-D5 Silent Kit Reservoir/Pump Combo
6x Corsair SP120 Quiet edition
1x Corsair AF140 Quiet edition
2 Gallons of Distilled water
More M3 screws
Mayhems stain free Red Dye

Future plans:
Rigid tubing
Rigid tubing kit (inser for bending, edger etc)
Fittings for rigid tubing
Plexi for case back to hide ugly areas and make some nice cable management ports

Stuff I'll have to get rid of soon:
1x Alphacool Repack - Single Laing D5 - Dual 5,25 Bay Station -unused from kit
1x Alphacool VPP655 - Single Edition -unused from kit
2x Alphacool NB-eLoop 1200rpm - Bionic LĂĽfter ( 120x120x25mm ) -unused from kit
Corsair H110 -old setup
2x EVGA Hybrid for GTX 980Ti / Titan X - old setup
 
#3 ·
The kit comes with a DDC pump. I'm not sure about noise levels on those, but I know my D5 is pretty much silent. Either pump should be fine for you, the D5 is better one, but more expensive.
The thinnest rads I've found are the Darkside ones at 28mm thick. A triple should fit fine up top for you.
As far as used equipment, blocks are ok but I wouldn't buy rads/pumps from ebay, OCN has a marketplace and I've purchased items there. I think people from this community should be well informed and know how to take care of their gear for the most part so the risk is lower buying here than ebay.
 
#4 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by Deedaz View Post

The kit comes with a DDC pump. I'm not sure about noise levels on those, but I know my D5 is pretty much silent. Either pump should be fine for you, the D5 is better one, but more expensive.
The thinnest rads I've found are the Darkside ones at 28mm thick. A triple should fit fine up top for you.
As far as used equipment, blocks are ok but I wouldn't buy rads/pumps from ebay, OCN has a marketplace and I've purchased items there. I think people from this community should be well informed and know how to take care of their gear for the most part so the risk is lower buying here than ebay.
Thanks, I kind of assumed as much, but man some of those deals are tempting lol. I seen a older but supposedly new in box EK kit on there for $200 not too long ago, seen tons of copper rads cheap and the like.

Props on your warp core build I originally thought about doing something similar color scheme wise but I have done blue all my life so figured I would try red for a change... but the further I go with red I'm not sure. I think I may change things up a bit more since I have RGB lighting in the case, keyboard and mouse. possibly do mostly white so when the light hits it, it will reflect that color and be ever changing to my mood. I'll still have splashes of red around though (mem slots and other stuff on the mobo). This would also help out if I plan on going with the Vardar fans or whatever they are (the gentle typhoon EK branded fans).

On the same subject in your warp core build I seen you also had two additional rads one in the back on one in the bottom. I seem to read mixed feelings on that some people say it doesn't help, some people say it does, what has been your experience with it so far?
 
#5 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by nintari View Post

Thanks, I kind of assumed as much, but man some of those deals are tempting lol. I seen a older but supposedly new in box EK kit on there for $200 not too long ago, seen tons of copper rads cheap and the like.

Props on your warp core build I originally thought about doing something similar color scheme wise but I have done blue all my life so figured I would try red for a change... but the further I go with red I'm not sure. I think I may change things up a bit more since I have RGB lighting in the case, keyboard and mouse. possibly do mostly white so when the light hits it, it will reflect that color and be ever changing to my mood. I'll still have splashes of red around though (mem slots and other stuff on the mobo). This would also help out if I plan on going with the Vardar fans or whatever they are (the gentle typhoon EK branded fans).

On the same subject in your warp core build I seen you also had two additional rads one in the back on one in the bottom. I seem to read mixed feelings on that some people say it doesn't help, some people say it does, what has been your experience with it so far?
With the rad setup my temps are sitting between 40-50c while folding, depending on room temp. I tried several airflow configurations and found that running all rads as intake except the rear was the best cooling performance for my case. There probably wouldn't be much if any difference in temps if I removed the rear, but I wanted to put as much into it as I could
tongue.gif
 
#6 ·
DAMN IT!!! OK total impulse buy but here is what I did....

I stumbled on a new in box kit on ebay which was the Alphacool NexXxoS Cool Answer Complete Kit 240mm D5/XT. I don't like the resivior since it is a bay res, but I can change upgrade later... I'll figure it out but my end goal is to get the D5 mod kit and pump top and add a tube reservoir to it.

$170 shipped

so I ended up with:
1x Alphacool NexXxoS XPÂł Light - Acetal Edition - Intel/AMD
1x Alphacool Repack - Single Laing D5 - Dual 5,25 Bay Station
1x Alphacool VPP655 - Single Edition
1x Alphacool NexXxoS XT45 Full Copper 240mm
3x Alphacool tubing AlphaTube HF 13/10 (3/8"ID) - clear
6x 13/10 (10x1,5mm) compression fitting G1/4" - matte black
2x Alphacool NB-eLoop 1200rpm - Bionic LĂĽfter ( 120x120x25mm )
1x Coolant Clear 1000ml
1x ATX bridging plug (24 Pin)

I then purchased an alpha cool XT45 360mm rad, 8 more compression fittings and more of the same tube in the kit elsewhere for $140 shipped

Then I stumbled on two of the XSPC Razer Water blocks that would fit the Titan X for $235 shipped

Total so far: $545

I plan to re-use the Corsair SP120 quiet edition fans I have for all the rads, and put back the 140AF on the rear.

Reassure me somewhat... tell me I did good so far so the buyers remorse doesn't set it lmao

as I said eventually the reservoir will be changed, fittings will prob be changed if hardline tubing will be used
 
#7 ·
Everything you got is decently good stuff, don't have any worries for now. Get the loop installed and up and running and see how it goes. That's the great thing about custom loops, you can easily add or replace components at any time, and since you saved a few bucks overall you don't have to worry too much if one component doesn't work out and needs to be replaced.
 
#8 ·
Hmmm... just though of some other stuff....

I need more coolant to fill the loop. should I just skip their included fluid and find a big bottle of distilled water? Or get another bottle like what is in the kit. I know I can just use distilled water, but don't know how much if any at all difference the included stuff makes as to temps (prob not much if any) but more so corrosion, or biological etc build up. and If I used distilled water what recommendations would you have for and additive for it to help prevent said corrosion and biological growth.

On that same note the coolant is clear...I'd like to add color. but if I do use the included coolant can I add color / dye / pastel or would I be better off using distilled water with this to do the color? what dyes should I steer clear of?

I prob need to order some more screws.... (I have to look up what sizes I need exactly lowes may or may not have them)

Wow they always say it is the little things that will get you... and man fittings suck! So these and all of the things listed above I'd love to hear recommendations on what to avoid buying, good places to buy cheap and the like.
 
#9 ·
Distilled water will always give the best performance, but I personally prefer the premixed stuff so I don't have to mess with buying/adding biocide & anti-corrosion. If you want to use a pastel fluid you need to clean the rads really well. Get a blitz kit and use part one on the rads and then assemble the loop and use part two. Other premixed fluids shouldn't be as sensitive, but will need a good cleaning for the rads.

Have you checked out titan rig on amazon? They don't have everything, but you can get free 2 day shipping if you have prime.
 
#10 ·
Link?

ahh nevermind found the seller
 
#12 ·
I went back and edited that last post lol, took me a minute to realize you were speaking of a seller on amazon
biggrin.gif
I eventually found it.

in between things I have been researching on whether or not to flush the rads when I first get them, proper ways to do the compression fittings, and of course then you go down the youtube rabbit hole and before you know it your watching videos that you had no clue on how or why you got there.

I held off on ordering the sleeved cables for my PSU as I'll continue on with what I have for now. Once I get the pump dress up kit, top and different resivior I'll start in to the thing I wanted to do with covering the inside of most of the case to make it smooth and clean, and some nice ideas I picked up from a few other case mods / custom builds I seen. During that time is when I will more than likely do the hardline tubing as well if I don't end up liking the looks of the flex stuff.
 
#13 ·
You definitely need to at least flush the rads with hot water and do the shake and drain thing. Alphacool rads are known to be some of the dirtiest rads around. That's not to say their quality/performance is bad, they just typically need a good cleaning, and if using any fancy coolant you will want the blitz.
 
#14 ·
sigh....well my initial thoughts were to use the pump res combo in the base of my case. (this was the bay mount res in the kit) but the thought of the res possibly leaking since it was designed to be up higher got to me. my plan was to get a pump top and mod kit for this d5, then get a cylinder res.... but I couldn't find the mod kit and top for any less than $90 shipped.... the res I found all over cheap enough. so I figured just get what I wanted originally and sell the pump and res (or keep the pump as a spare)

I ended up buying the Thermaltake pump res combo that had the mod kit installed.

After I get this all in I have to quickly get all this tuff up I have for sale to make up for all of this lol (I have everything but the case to make a nice 4970k system, a used H110, and the two evga hybrids lol)
 
#16 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by nintari View Post

sigh....well my initial thoughts were to use the pump res combo in the base of my case. (this was the bay mount res in the kit) but the thought of the res possibly leaking since it was designed to be up higher got to me. my plan was to get a pump top and mod kit for this d5, then get a cylinder res.... but I couldn't find the mod kit and top for any less than $90 shipped.... the res I found all over cheap enough. so I figured just get what I wanted originally and sell the pump and res (or keep the pump as a spare)

I ended up buying the Thermaltake pump res combo that had the mod kit installed.

After I get this all in I have to quickly get all this tuff up I have for sale to make up for all of this lol (I have everything but the case to make a nice 4970k system, a used H110, and the two evga hybrids lol)
Lots of those thermaltake res cracking. Id return it if possible or keep a really really close eye on it.
 
#17 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cozmo85 View Post

Lots of those thermaltake res cracking. Id return it if possible or keep a really really close eye on it.
any link or reference for this? I seem to have seen both bad and good on nearly every reservoir out there.
 
#18 ·
#19 ·
oh yay...

thanks for the info
frown.gif


I do notice many of the user photos it looks like the res is using a different method for assembly as compared to current pictures.. I can only hope this is the case. The old one looks as if it was pushed together and held in with O-Rings and a retaining screw to hold it in place, this new one it looks like they went with a threaded tube bypassing the need to drill a hole for a retaining screw.

This is the one I ordered:
http://www.thermaltake.com/products-model_gallery.aspx?id=C_00002706

It's sad because I was looking at the XSPC photon first
biggrin.gif
that one had a glass reservoir. If I get this one in and see a drilled hole for a retaining screw I'll return it and more than likely get the XSPC Photon.
 
#20 ·
#21 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by nintari View Post

hmmm wish I would have seen this earlier:

http://www.primochill.com/product-category/primochill/reservoirs/tube-style/pump-enabled/

I may have leaned toward it, but hopefully this Thermaltake one wont have issues
TT is not the greatest quality and honestly if there is that much problems with it I wouldn't take the chance. Last thing you want is a crack that you don't see and then a puddle in your rig. I know you already bought it, maybe you can just sell it and get something better quality?
 
#22 ·
so would you say the XPSC Photon would be better or go for the PrimoChill res I just posted that allows you to put an existing D5 in? I was looking for something like that originally but by the time I bought a Pump Top for $55, the mod kit for $55, and a decent reservoir for $40-50 I was already near or at the cost of a pump res combo unit lol. I didn't see that primo chill one otherwise I might have leaned toward it more.... however.... the XSPC one is glass so it has that going for it which is nice
biggrin.gif
 
#23 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by nintari View Post

so would you say the XPSC Photon would be better or go for the PrimoChill res I just posted that allows you to put an existing D5 in? I was looking for something like that originally but by the time I bought a Pump Top for $55, the mod kit for $55, and a decent reservoir for $40-50 I was already near or at the cost of a pump res combo unit lol. I didn't see that primo chill one otherwise I might have leaned toward it more.... however.... the XSPC one is glass so it has that going for it which is nice
biggrin.gif
I think the photon has had some issues too with flow, don't know all the specifics but if you look through the owner's thread there are some complaints. The primochill looks really good and haven't heard any bad things about it. My favorite right now about to go in my sig rig upgrade is the Monsoon MMRS.
 
#24 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by Radnad View Post

I think the photon has had some issues too with flow, don't know all the specifics but if you look through the owner's thread there are some complaints. The primochill looks really good and haven't heard any bad things about it. My favorite right now about to go in my sig rig upgrade is the Monsoon MMRS.
I don't remember anything about flow problems and I haven't had any, but it's been a while since I browsed that thread. I do know filling it is a pain unless you have one of those fill bottles, and even then the process is really slow.
 
#25 ·
Most everything has arrived except for the pump / reservoir combo unit. I plan to go over that thing with a microscope when it comes in, I have started another thread on it though.

Tomorrow I plan to do the hot water shake and flush on both of the alpha cool radiators. I pl an on dumping the water out of them in to a large coffee filer and sending pics out of what comes out lol. Everything I read for recent stuff said not to use white vinegar anymore as the flux used now is different and it could possibly cause issues using vinegar.

The mayhems blitz pro kit seems like an option for later on once I see how all this works out and then decide to move to rigid tubing and dye for the loop. I keep having that nagging feeling I should have got one more 240 mm rad for the bottom of the case.

I also realized that while I bought a cutoff valve and compression fittings.... I didn't buy a t connector to tap in to lmao....so yeah.... Can't drain the system properly without that lol

Still need to get some shorter m3 screws to mount the rads as they only came with longer screws assuming you were mounting the rads through the fans to the case.
 
#26 ·
Not a bad start with the kit purchases. As money becomes available you will probably want to upgrade fans. I'm thinking those Corsair SP quiet fans won't be amazing. At least they are SP series though, so you could have done worse there.

If you need some further advice, the Watercooling Club is a tremendous source to pull info from. Good luck
thumb.gif
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top