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i want to get into watercooling.

584 views 23 replies 12 participants last post by  claes 
#1 ·
#2 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by mfdoom7 View Post

i dont want any closed loop config but i know i want 240mm rad for cpu only cooling.

ive been looking into alphacool products like those

https://www.alphacool.com/shop/sets-und-systeme/alphacool-nexxxos/13669/alphacool-nexxxos-cool-answer-240-lt/st-set

https://www.alphacool.com/shop/sets-und-systeme/eisbaer/20225/alphacool-eisbaer-240-cpu-black

or more expensive route buy all parts separately from alphacool. ive looked into EKWB but they are way to expensive.

so what i should get ?
Can I ask why you don't want a CLC if you are just wanting to do a 240mm rad and CPU block?

I'm all for custom cooling but you can get all the benefits for a fraction of the cost with some of the new coolers that even offer expansion.

Also, the Eisbaer 240 is a CLC with expansion
 
#3 ·
What do you want to WC? Personally, I don't think it is worth the money just for a quad core. With just a single GPU, better get a custom air cooler on it. You will get crazy performance (comparable to what you get with water).
I would say that WC really shines when you get a >6 core and multiple GPU. Otherwise, don't end up like me with a 500$ WC loop in your closet
tongue.gif
 
#4 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by Just a nickname View Post

What do you want to WC? Personally, I don't think it is worth the money just for a quad core. With just a single GPU, better get a custom air cooler on it. You will get crazy performance (comparable to what you get with water).
I would say that WC really shines when you get a >6 core and multiple GPU. Otherwise, don't end up like me with a 500$ WC loop in your closet
tongue.gif
well i want silent system i have cpu overclocked to 4.4ghz and gpu heats up case so bad that cpu temps rise a lot so 1 240mm rad on front to cool cpu would fix problem and will be silent and future maybe WC my GPU when full cover block is available.

Also custom soft or hard tubing on future and option to add rad space and chage coolant over time. thats why i dont want CLC
 
#5 ·
I have the same CPU and my NH-D14 is quite silent and handle 4.8 GHz no problem. The thing is that you might not see such a huge improvement. Some CPU's die have a bad contact with the IHS because intel decided to go for thermal paste. Make sure it is not the case because no matter what you will be limited by that. I was lucky and mine runs quite cool with low voltage.
What is your case? This is something extremely important. A good WC case will make a tremendous difference in term of easiness of installation and radiator space. If I was going for a custom loop, I would look for 2 x 240 or a 360 with a smaller one to handle cpu + gpu.
 
#6 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by mfdoom7 View Post

well i want silent system i have cpu overclocked to 4.4ghz and gpu heats up case so bad that cpu temps rise a lot so 1 240mm rad on front to cool cpu would fix problem and will be silent and future maybe WC my GPU when full cover block is available.

Also custom soft or hard tubing on future and option to add rad space and chage coolant over time. thats why i dont want CLC
Well.....here's a surprise for you - in almost every application a top tier air cooler will be quieter than liquid cooling. As @Just a nickname pointed out, something like an NH-D14 (or D15, R1, Silver Arrow, DRP3, etc, etc) will be essentially noise free in the case. I can tell you that a DRP3 at full speed is quieter than just my D5 at 1750rpm (no fans on in the case), and you aren't going to find a pump quieter than that. Now add in fans blowing air through a rad mounted on the perimeter of the case with no buffering. However, what liquid cooling will provide if set up correctly is a consistent sound that is not invasive. So while it won't be silent, it will be a constant like a quiet fan on a singular speed.

Surprise number two - your idea of putting a 240mm as intake just made that hot running GPU run a lot hotter. You took the fresh air intake away, and are now going to be providing the GPU with warmer air. This is why rads are typically run as exhaust when other air cooler components are involved.

And the real reason you don't want a CLC (aside from the obvious desire to expand), is the fact that they are the loudest possible cooling solution.

Can you get XSPC kits where you are? Their blocks are significantly better than AC's, also you can get a D5 or DDC pump which will allow for expansion. The AC pumps choke when you add GPU blocks as they don't have enough head pressure to run a loop with that much resistance efficiently.

Also, if you are using the Zalman case in your sig, that is going to be another sticking point - not very liquid cooling friendly, and doesn't have good airflow. That lack of airflow is actually the source of your problem to begin with.
 
#7 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by ciarlatano View Post

Well.....here's a surprise for you - in almost every application a top tier air cooler will be quieter than liquid cooling. As @Just a nickname pointed out, something like an NH-D14 (or D15, R1, Silver Arrow, DRP3, etc, etc) will be essentially noise free in the case. I can tell you that a DRP3 at full speed is quieter than just my D5 at 1750rpm (no fans on in the case), and you aren't going to find a pump quieter than that. Now add in fans blowing air through a rad mounted on the perimeter of the case with no buffering. However, what liquid cooling will provide if set up correctly is a consistent sound that is not invasive. So while it won't be silent, it will be a constant like a quiet fan on a singular speed.

Surprise number two - your idea of putting a 240mm as intake just made that hot running GPU run a lot hotter. You took the fresh air intake away, and are now going to be providing the GPU with warmer air. This is why rads are typically run as exhaust when other air cooler components are involved.

And the real reason you don't want a CLC (aside from the obvious desire to expand), is the fact that they are the loudest possible cooling solution.

Can you get XSPC kits where you are? Their blocks are significantly better than AC's, also you can get a D5 or DDC pump which will allow for expansion. The AC pumps choke when you add GPU blocks as they don't have enough head pressure to run a loop with that much resistance efficiently.

Also, if you are using the Zalman case in your sig, that is going to be another sticking point - not very liquid cooling friendly, and doesn't have good airflow. That lack of airflow is actually the source of your problem to begin with.
XSPC kits are not available for me. maybe something like this ?
https://www.alphacool.com/shop/sets-und-systeme/alphacool-nexxxos/16244/alphacool-nexxxos-cool-answer-240-d5/ut-set i will upgrade pc case soon but now i want better cpu cooler those top peforming cpu air coolers are big ugly and heavy.

or should i pick parts seperatly ?

like:
Alphacool NexXxoS XT45 240mm rad
Alphacool NexXxoS XP³ Light - Acetal cpu block
Alphacool NexXxoS XP³ Light - Acetal pump
or get pump res combo Alphacool Eisbecher DDC 150mm Acetal reservoir incl. 1x Alphacool DDC310 pump
 
#8 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by mfdoom7 View Post

well i want silent system i have cpu overclocked to 4.4ghz and gpu heats up case so bad that cpu temps rise a lot so 1 240mm rad on front to cool cpu would fix problem and will be silent and future maybe WC my GPU when full cover block is available.

Also custom soft or hard tubing on future and option to add rad space and chage coolant over time. thats why i dont want CLC
Air cooled Gpus make a lot of noise, and if you have 1080ti per your sig, performance pcs just got EK 1080ti waterblock in. You will be better off cooling both cpu/gpu for multiple reasons.

I would get custom separate parts, either way. D5 variable pump (quiet on setting 3-4), cylinder res can get one incorporated with pump, personally I avoid bay res. Dont know if your case will handle 240 rad in front and 240 rad up top, but if so run both as intake and exhaust out the back. That way both cpu/gpu get cool external air, it is the way I have ran all my watercooling builds for past 17 years (and I have tested every configuration). If you do plan to cool gpu in future, I would plan for it now even if not doing at first. And before buying rad/fans make sure rads will work in your case. If your case wont cool both, there are nice, inexpensive computer cases that allow 280 rads in front/top for little more cooling.
 
#9 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by opt33 View Post

Air cooled Gpus make a lot of noise, and if you have 1080ti per your sig, performance pcs just got EK 1080ti waterblock in. You will be better off cooling both cpu/gpu for multiple reasons.

I would get custom separate parts, either way. D5 variable pump (quiet on setting 3-4), cylinder res can get one incorporated with pump, personally I avoid bay res. Dont know if your case will handle 240 rad in front and 240 rad up top, but if so run both as intake and exhaust out the back. That way both cpu/gpu get cool external air, it is the way I have ran all my watercooling builds for past 17 years (and I have tested every configuration). If you do plan to cool gpu in future, I would plan for it now even if not doing at first. And before buying rad/fans make sure rads will work in your case. If your case wont cool both, there are nice, inexpensive computer cases that allow 280 rads in front/top for little more cooling.
something like this would be good ? http://www.aquatuning.co.uk/water-cooling/pumps/d5-series/d5-pre-installed/21026/alphacool-eisbecher-d5-250mm-acetal-inkl.-1x-alphacool-vpp655

i would get it for 115€ in my country
mad.gif
 
#10 ·
Also what rads to look into ?

Alphacool NexXxoS XT45 or Alphacool NexXxoS ST30 ?
 
#11 ·
Hi there

Please have look on this

https://www.overclockers.co.uk/water-cooling/water-cooling-kits/diy-bundles

But as above @ciarlatano good air cooler is good option, unless you are running multiple GPUs like in my case, due this I switched to water, because I've been very happy with NH-D15 on my i7-5820k

In yours case I would check few kits which are available, personally running EK X360 kit added extra blocks for GPUs and extra Mayhems Havoc 240nm 60mm thick radiator

Alphacool radiator not sure if I would use as people do have their issues with flux inside them and you need prep them

Have look on HWLabs or EK or Mayhems radiator

Hope this helps and good luck

Thanks, Jura
 
#12 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by mfdoom7 View Post

something like this would be good ? http://www.aquatuning.co.uk/water-cooling/pumps/d5-series/d5-pre-installed/21026/alphacool-eisbecher-d5-250mm-acetal-inkl.-1x-alphacool-vpp655

i would get it for 115€ in my country
mad.gif
yes, that would be a good res/pump, mine is similar combo.

regarding rads..first you need to measure space to see what fits, and decide if push/pull fans or just push, etc with fans. you will get better temps (slightly) with thicker rad and push/pull fans. With thinner rads, push/pull doesnt add much over 1 fan (though may depend on rad/fans). Best thing is to google watercool rigs in your particular case and see what someone else did, so you know what fits in your case, otherwise may buy things you cant use.
 
#13 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by jura11 View Post

Hi there

Please have look on this

https://www.overclockers.co.uk/water-cooling/water-cooling-kits/diy-bundles

But as above @ciarlatano good air cooler is good option, unless you are running multiple GPUs like in my case, due this I switched to water, because I've been very happy with NH-D15 on my i7-5820k

In yours case I would check few kits which are available, personally running EK X360 kit added extra blocks for GPUs and extra Mayhems Havoc 240nm 60mm thick radiator

Alphacool radiator not sure if I would use as people do have their issues with flux inside them and you need prep them

Have look on HWLabs or EK or Mayhems radiator

Hope this helps and good luck

Thanks, Jura
I have 2 EK, 2 Alphacooln and 1 HWL radiator in my case and all had very little flux when I rinsed.

Alphacool has some of the best variety of thicknesses and port configurations.

EK XE 360 and HWL Nemesis GTX are the best performing rads.

The EK XE 360 is a great looking kit. Powerful pump, best radiator, and can be had cheap from Microcenter.
 
#14 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by 0451 View Post

EK XE 360 and HWL Nemesis GTX are the best performing rads.

The EK XE 360 is a great looking kit. Powerful pump, best radiator, and can be had cheap from Microcenter.
They are the best performing rads at high fan speeds. They are not the best performing rads at tolerable noise levels. The GTS and SR2 outperform both of them in low noise applications. Since the OP clearly stated he is looking for silence, these are very poor choices for his use. Also, the OP appears to need to order from Germany, so Microcenter is not an option.
 
#15 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by ciarlatano View Post

Well.....here's a surprise for you - in almost every application a top tier air cooler will be quieter than liquid cooling. As @Just a nickname pointed out, something like an NH-D14 (or D15, R1, Silver Arrow, DRP3, etc, etc) will be essentially noise free in the case. I can tell you that a DRP3 at full speed is quieter than just my D5 at 1750rpm (no fans on in the case), and you aren't going to find a pump quieter than that. Now add in fans blowing air through a rad mounted on the perimeter of the case with no buffering. However, what liquid cooling will provide if set up correctly is a consistent sound that is not invasive. So while it won't be silent, it will be a constant like a quiet fan on a singular speed.

Surprise number two - your idea of putting a 240mm as intake just made that hot running GPU run a lot hotter. You took the fresh air intake away, and are now going to be providing the GPU with warmer air. This is why rads are typically run as exhaust when other air cooler components are involved.

And the real reason you don't want a CLC (aside from the obvious desire to expand), is the fact that they are the loudest possible cooling solution.

Can you get XSPC kits where you are? Their blocks are significantly better than AC's, also you can get a D5 or DDC pump which will allow for expansion. The AC pumps choke when you add GPU blocks as they don't have enough head pressure to run a loop with that much resistance efficiently.

Also, if you are using the Zalman case in your sig, that is going to be another sticking point - not very liquid cooling friendly, and doesn't have good airflow. That lack of airflow is actually the source of your problem to begin with.
/facepalm. Suprise number three front rads increasing system temps considerably is a myth https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YCZ5iP5cu8g
Been water cooling for a while my self, I can confirm that's a load of bull same goes for the silent cooling remarks.
 
#16 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by DigitrevX View Post

/facepalm. Suprise number three front rads increasing system temps considerably is a myth https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YCZ5iP5cu8g
Been water cooling for a while my self, I can confirm that's a load of bull same goes for the silent cooling remarks.
I think some of the reasoning behind this also is for people who have non reference GPU's that exhaust most of their heat inside the case rather than out the back. The combination of the radiator as an intake an a non reference air cooled GPU exhausting more hot air inside the case makes case temps much higher. Whether or not that increased heat is enough to cause real world depreciation is hard to say.

But i know for a fact i saw a video that showed non reference GPU have increased temps with a front mounted radiator vs a top mounted radiator. (Jayz video is using a reference GPU that does not exhaust more heat inside the case)
 
#17 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by IMI4tth3w View Post

I think some of the reasoning behind this also is for people who have non reference GPU's that exhaust most of their heat inside the case rather than out the back. The combination of the radiator as an intake an a non reference air cooled GPU exhausting more hot air inside the case makes case temps much higher. Whether or not that increased heat is enough to cause real world depreciation is hard to say.

But i know for a fact i saw a video that showed non reference GPU have increased temps with a front mounted radiator vs a top mounted radiator. (Jayz video is using a reference GPU that does not exhaust more heat inside the case)
It does not matter. If the rad increases the temps inside the case 1-3 degree's it has very little effect on the GPU. The GPU will have a MUCH bigger impact on it self. The point is a rads do not dissipate heat into the air like people think and having exhaust fans for icx types of video cards has a far bigger impact.

Edit: The reason he isn't using a icx gpu is to prove the point the radiator isn't doing much if anything to the inside of the case environment. Also the gpu is getting it's air from inside the case still. The fact that a icx just dumps it into the case does not make a valid argument to suggest to someone not to use a front rad. The suggestion should be make sure you have a exhaust solution which is pretty much always the case lol.
 
#18 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by DigitrevX View Post

It does not matter. If the rad increases the temps inside the case 1-3 degree's it has very little effect on the GPU. The GPU will have a MUCH bigger impact on it self. The point is a rads do not dissipate heat into the air like people think and having exhaust fans for icx types of video cards has a far bigger impact.
I have a bunch of temp sensor probes in my case, and I can confirm that for an intake 360mm radiator, with WATER temps going up 6 degrees Celsius under load, that the air temp directly behind the radiator (the "warmed" air) only went up 1 degree MAX. I imagine that if water temps were to reach the max ideal 10 degree delta, air temps would only go up 2 degrees max. (I currently don't have enough load to actually test that, however.)

In fact, an idle GPU was more impacted by PCH temperatures than by water temperatures.

The impact was so minimal that I moved that temp sensor to something more interesting. (I shoved it behind the backplate of my GPU card.)
 
#19 ·
Save your money and stay on air, I have a 560 rad cooling a single gpu and cpu, you wont get any meaningless increase in oc on water, plus 90% of gpu-s coilwhine these days, I cant hear my fans ( 500 rpm) or my d5 pymp at setting 2 but I cant keep my pc on the table since my gpu coilwhines like a piece of crap and so have my last 5 gpu-s.
Only reason I still have my loop is I havent bothered taking it apart to sell it.
The whole loop was ~700€ and offers nothing over a 50€ aircooler and a decent aftermarket gpu, given a chance to reconsider going water I would never do it again.
So if you want to spend money and get nothing in return by all means do it, but after I disassemble mine and sell it I will stick to air from that point.
 
#20 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by mfdoom7 View Post

Also what rads to look into ?

Alphacool NexXxoS XT45 or Alphacool NexXxoS ST30 ?
There's a lota brands out there, but in general if you want silent operation you want thicker rads with low FPI. Like 19-22.
High FPI rads cause noise doesn't matter what fan you buy it will make it louder from sheer air turbulence.

At a minimum 120mm rad is needed per component that needs cooled. So CPU + GPU = 240 minimum with fans your fans of choice running pretty hard.

BUT if you overclock at all or if you want to run your fans slower. You should double the rad size as best as you can.
360 or 240 x 2 or 360 + 240 are common setups. Just anything bigger then 240 that will fit in your case if you want close to silent operation.
 
#21 ·
So im thinking a:
240mm rad something like alphacool xt45 +
Alphacool Eisbecher D5 250mm Acetal reservoir incl. 1x Alphacool VPP655 pump maybe smaller res combo +
Alphacool NexXxoS XP³ Light - Acetal

Also a new case it will be Corsair carbide air 540.

and on future gpu block + 240mm or 360mm rad
 
#22 ·
#23 ·
#24 ·
Whoops
redface.gif
Yes, the rest of their products have been fine IME, but I've never had to deal with their support.
 
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