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some quick liquid cooling help

358 views 21 replies 6 participants last post by  Ashcroft 
#1 ·
SO ive made the determination to get a new case and liquid cooling. I understand tubing size and fittings, and im fairly confident in my part selection except for the pump.. im totally buying stuff today

i want to put it in the bottom of my case. any suggestions on pump brand and style you would recommend. i know the least a bout pc pumps. if it were fish tanks i'd be all over it.

THANKS!

Also what hard tubing would you use? i understand their are cheap varieties, and i want it to last after i put it in and stay crystal clear
 
#2 ·
The Lying/Xylem D5 and DDC pumps are the gold standard in watercooling gear. All the major brands resell them and make parts to suit them. D5 if you have the room available and DDC for smaller.

PWM versions have become the standard for the future as all motherboards now have far better support for it.

There are other pumps available but Xylem is a global specialist pump producer and their hemispherical design is patented. It is very hard for smaller companies to make a better product so they usually compete on price. Some of the water cooling brands have introduced new pump models so they can get a bit more of the market profit but so far they have not had the same reliability or haven't had time to tell yet so they don't have the same support with products designed for them.
The D5 is a proven design with unmatched support and the cost is low for what you really get, which is years of trouble free use.

In my experience hard tubing is all very much the same. Fittings is where brands differ and it's hard to go wrong with the big names like Bitspower or EK
 
#3 ·
As stated, if you can fit it, D5 is the way to go. If you can't fit it....find a way to! On the DDC pumps, I find the Swiftech MCP50X to be a lot better in terms of noise than the Laing DDC pumps without sacrificing any performance.
 
#4 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ashcroft View Post

The Lying/Xylem D5 and DDC pumps are the gold standard in watercooling gear. All the major brands resell them and make parts to suit them. D5 if you have the room available and DDC for smaller.

PWM versions have become the standard for the future as all motherboards now have far better support for it.

There are other pumps available but Xylem is a global specialist pump producer and their hemispherical design is patented. It is very hard for smaller companies to make a better product so they usually compete on price. Some of the water cooling brands have introduced new pump models so they can get a bit more of the market profit but so far they have not had the same reliability or haven't had time to tell yet so they don't have the same support with products designed for them.
The D5 is a proven design with unmatched support and the cost is low for what you really get, which is years of trouble free use.

In my experience hard tubing is all very much the same. Fittings is where brands differ and it's hard to go wrong with the big names like Bitspower or EK
this sounds like someone who knows!! well then illl ask this i really like the xspc raystom waterblocks. they look CLEAN.. i love the curved bracket... any other waterblocks worth recommending for the cpu?
 
#5 ·
well this is apparently going to turn into more questions. i thought i knew what i wanted. now im wondering if i can run my gtx 1070 and cpu with a nexxos 280 ut60 rad? or do i need to go with a 360, or two 280's?

prefer to have one 280 for aestetics. but i could handle a 360 in the front. planning on a coolermaster mastercase maker 5
smile.gif
 
#6 ·
if you wanna cool a cpu and gpu i would go with a 360 or 2 280s to have some more headroom.
 
#7 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bal3Wolf View Post

if you wanna cool a cpu and gpu i would go with a 360 or 2 280s to have some more headroom.
Question then, i've always assumed LC to be vastly superior to air cooling. i would think 2 140 mm fans should handle a LC setup. but it sounds like not. my 6700k is stable at 4.5ghz on air cooling with a tiny coolermaster hyper 212 cooler..

again just surprised it seems like more fans are need rather than less with LC..
 
#8 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by Blazingwolf View Post

well this is apparently going to turn into more questions. i thought i knew what i wanted. now im wondering if i can run my gtx 1070 and cpu with a nexxos 280 ut60 rad? or do i need to go with a 360, or two 280's?

prefer to have one 280 for aestetics. but i could handle a 360 in the front. planning on a coolermaster mastercase maker 5
smile.gif
You can absolutely cool a CPU and 1070 with a 280mm or 360mm. The 1070 has very low heat output compared to earlier GPUs or AMD GPUs. There is also very little difference in size between a 280mm and 360mm rad, 39,200 vs 43,200 sq mm, so it really doesn't need to be a choice between a 360 or two 280mm. A 280mm and 360mm will provide almost identical performance in this instance provided you use good quality fans such as EK Vardar, Phanteks 140MP or eLoops. Your CPU temps will be very good, but your GPU temps will be outstanding.

Also, if you don't own the UT60, there are better rads available. You will get better performance, especially at tolerable noise levels, from HWL SR2 or GTS, or EK CE280. Some good info can be found here - http://www.xtremerigs.net/2015/02/11/radiator-round-2015/5/. Though the testing is done on 360mm rads, the scaling will be the same on 280mm.
 
#9 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by ciarlatano View Post

You can absolutely cool a CPU and 1070 with a 280mm or 360mm. The 1070 has very low heat output compared to earlier GPUs or AMD GPUs. There is also very little difference in size between a 280mm and 360mm rad, 39,200 vs 43,200 sq mm, so it really doesn't need to be a choice between a 360 or two 280mm. A 280mm and 360mm will provide almost identical performance in this instance provided you use good quality fans such as EK Vardar, Phanteks 140MP or eLoops. Your CPU temps will be very good, but your GPU temps will be outstanding.

Also, if you don't own the UT60, there are better rads available. You will get better performance, especially at tolerable noise levels, from HWL SR2 or GTS, or EK CE280. Some good info can be found here - http://www.xtremerigs.net/2015/02/11/radiator-round-2015/5/. Though the testing is done on 360mm rads, the scaling will be the same on 280mm.
i dont own them already, purchasing i thought would be done today but as i get serious about purchasing i've come to find varying information from what i thought i knew
smile.gif


that aside. thank you i'll definitely look those up.. i definitely want a custom loop for aestetics
 
#10 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by Blazingwolf View Post

i dont own them already, purchasing i thought would be done today but as i get serious about purchasing i've come to find varying information from what i thought i knew
smile.gif


that aside. thank you i'll definitely look those up.. i definitely want a custom loop for aestetics
If you are looking for aesthetics.....you definitely want to go with an HWL or EK. Both have far nicer finish, design and build quality than the Alphacools.
 
#11 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by ciarlatano View Post

If you are looking for aesthetics.....you definitely want to go with an HWL or EK. Both have far nicer finish, design and build quality than the Alphacools.
Your mileage may vary. I have 2 Alphacool, 2 EK, and 2 Hardware Labs radiators. EK by far have the worst paint finish. Chips and scratches when you look at it funny. Alphacool have the best paint by far. It is a nice durable smooth coat that hasn't scratched despite getting banged around during installation into a tight spot.

All 3 brands rinsed very clean with little to no flux.
 
#12 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by 0451 View Post

Your mileage may vary. I have 2 Alphacool, 2 EK, and 2 Hardware Labs radiators. EK by far have the worst paint finish. Chips and scratches when you look at it funny. Alphacool have the best paint by far. It is a nice durable smooth coat that hasn't scratched despite getting banged around during installation into a tight spot.

All 3 brands rinsed very clean with little to no flux.
Odd. I have had several of each, and the HWL had far and away the best paint, especially the GTS and GTX line that uses their new coating. XSPC also has a nice finish and looks on their newer rads. The EKs I've had were ok, not great, but not bad. But, all of my Alphacools have had awful paint and looked decidedly cheap compared to the others.
 
#13 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by ciarlatano View Post

Odd. I have had several of each, and the HWL had far and away the best paint, especially the GTS and GTX line that uses their new coating. XSPC also has a nice finish and looks on their newer rads. The EKs I've had were ok, not great, but not bad. But, all of my Alphacools have had awful paint and looked decidedly cheap compared to the others.
Were your HWL radiators matte or wrinkle finish? I have 1 of each and the wrinkle looks great. Then again, if you have ever painted a Honda valve cover, wrinkle is difficult to screw up.
 
#14 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by 0451 View Post

Were your HWL radiators matte or wrinkle finish? I have 1 of each and the wrinkle looks great. Then again, if you have ever painted a Honda valve cover, wrinkle is difficult to screw up.
I have two of each right now. The new matte finish is great looking. I found the wrinkle finish curious at first, but actually liked it in case. But, all of the US distribution is matte finish now, and has been for a year or so.
 
#15 ·
good discussion!! that definitely is food for thought, its going to be a long not of decisions it seems..

also again i do like the raystorm clear cpy water blocks... are there other similar designs. or is that a decent cpu block?? i havent found many solid reviews on xspc?
 
#17 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by Blazingwolf View Post

good discussion!! that definitely is food for thought, its going to be a long not of decisions it seems..

also again i do like the raystorm clear cpy water blocks... are there other similar designs. or is that a decent cpu block?? i havent found many solid reviews on xspc?
I would not call it a solid review of the XSPC raystorm CPU water block, but I have two of them, and I have tested them. I also have the XSPC raystorm CPU water block on all of my builds, as it keeps my CPU's cooler at load, than the 4 other CPU water blocks that I own.
thumb.gif


http://www.overclock.net/t/1623674/my-look-at-the-ek-suprmacy-evo-cpu-water-block
http://www.overclock.net/t/1573189/serial-vs-parallel-9-6lpm
http://www.overclock.net/t/1615072/cpu-and-radiator-upgrade-on-water-cooled-rig
 
#18 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by Blazingwolf View Post

good discussion!! that definitely is food for thought, its going to be a long not of decisions it seems..

also again i do like the raystorm clear cpy water blocks... are there other similar designs. or is that a decent cpu block?? i havent found many solid reviews on xspc?
I agree with @toolmaker03. I have used Raystorm and Raystorm Pro blocks, and find them to be good quality, no complaints at all. But.....I have never seen a clear Raystorm block, nor is there one shown on the XSPC site or PPC. I'm currently using an EK Supremacy EVO, but performance wise, the difference between that and a Raystorm or Raystorm Pro is small.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Blazingwolf View Post

sign and more questions... the maker 5 case says it only supports a 40 mm rad in the front?? most everything is a 45mm thickness on a 280 category??
Not gonna lie....my first inclination here is to say "buy a better case....like an Evolv ATX which is similar, but is much better designed and much higher quality at similar cost". Short of that, just get a Nemesis 280 GTS, that's simpl enough.
 
#20 ·
Huge difference in build quality, materials and appearance when they are side by side. The Phanteks is very high end looking and built really well, the Cooler Master....well, it's a Cooler Master.
 
#21 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by ciarlatano View Post

Huge difference in build quality, materials and appearance when they are side by side. The Phanteks is very high end looking and built really well, the Cooler Master....well, it's a Cooler Master.
i believe this. wise words.

curious then. the enthoo has both fans towards the bottom on the front. im curious how a 280 rad will fit there and the pump?? which has a designated spot on the bottom id definitely want to use?
 
#22 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by Blazingwolf View Post

good discussion!! that definitely is food for thought, its going to be a long not of decisions it seems..

also again i do like the raystorm clear cpy water blocks... are there other similar designs. or is that a decent cpu block?? i havent found many solid reviews on xspc?
The Raystorm CPU block has been around for a while now and has held up well against newer designs as far as performance goes. All blocks from the big name brands will be very close together.

I assume you are talking about the clear plastic bracket that holds the block itself down when you say see through. The block itself is a simple copper baseplate and black plastic body. The plastic bracket is one of the few negatives about the Raystorm. Most other blocks use solid metal brackets and the plastic one on the Raystorm has a tendency to flex. XSPC do sell a solid metal replacement bracket, though that of course brings the total cost up.




For many years the Raystorm was the block most new people to the hobby started with because of the kits XSPC bundled it with and its unmatched low price. The low price does mean it isn't finished as nicely as some other brands and cuts a few corners but nothing that stopped it from working great. More recently the EK Supremacy MX has become the low cost king as it undercuts even the Raystorm normally, but still gives you all the niceties like a full metal bracket and choice of solid black body or translucent plastic.
https://www.ekwb.com/shop/ek-supremacy-mx


The MX has become my go to block for recommending to new people. It has basically the same internal parts and performance as the more expensive Supremacy EVO but in a reduced cost design. I reckon they out XSPC'd XSPC when they released it.

Of course if cost is not a concern the EK Supremacy Evo is available in an unmatched range of colours and materials to suit any build or preference.






Watercool / Heatkiller and Aquacomputer have recently released new design blocks that are very nice as well. Its really just a matter of personal taste.
 
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