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My WaterCooling Build Log --- LEAK TESTING!!

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10K views 116 replies 25 participants last post by  Mastacator  
#1 ·
Since I do not see many around, I figure I would do one since I'm actually in the process of getting my parts. This would be easier if we had a section for it but oh well, deal with the extra space
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. This project should be done in the next coming weeks. I just need to get rid of a few more things and I should have the rest of the cash to get everything else.

I've looked around for about a month or so looking at everything I could possibly need and how I want to set it all up. Initially I thought about doing a standard external setup but after realizing how much more mess it would create I decided on trying to do it internally. Yes this means a new case and that will probably be last on the list and not implemented until I get my tax return, but here's the list

Water Block
Swiftech Apogee - have

GPU Block
Swiftech MCW60 - have

Pump
Swiftech MCP650 - have

Reservoir
T-line with Fillport - have
With my armor coming I'm going with a res - need

Radiator
Dual Heater Core - Have but broken
Image
I need to fix 1 of the barbs

Thermal Paste
AS5 - need

Tubing
10ft. - have

Liquid
Going distilled water with Cosworth Coolant -have

Case
Thermaltake Armor - Bought: will be here Friday

So really the last major things I need to buy is the Radiator. The little things like the Res, Liquid, Clamps aren't as important and I can get whatever kind is the cheapest. I have 2 78 CFM fans which should be fine to get the heat out of the way since water cools better with more surface area and not how fast the fans are blowing (there might be 1-2*C difference).
 
#2 ·
for a res get something a bit deeper than a single bay drive like a swiftech microres or a double bay res. I think it would be easier to bleed if you had more depth to work with.

I've seen alot of people get tripple rads and stick them in the front of that case. it looks pretty good and doesn't take up too much room.
 
#3 ·
I put a bid in on that radiator, which for $42 it's really not a bad deal if it comes painted with the 1/2" barbs on it already, less work for me to do. I have the fans already.

I do like the dual 5.25" reservoir bays like this
Image


The onyl thing is I'll have little room for it in my mid-tower I have right now, but I'm sure I can manage it somehow. Once I get the Armor I'll have plenty of room
 
#6 ·
Quote:


Originally Posted by GatorLCA

Ok, I decided on doing the water myself with Cosworth Coolant. i know there was an issue with availability and shipping so hopefully they'll get it out. What else will be needed with the Coolant and Water??


I believe just the cosworth and distilled water. ask renegade5399 he's got some and is using it.
 
#8 ·
#9 ·
Quote:


Originally Posted by GatorLCA

The one I posted was $30, plus it has connections for more returns and pulls. I'm eventually going to have a Thermaltake Armor case so I want to take that iinto account with everything
http://xoxide.com/dual-bay-reservoir-uvblue.html

the only problem w/ the extra ports is a greater chance for leakage... and I'm not sure if the plugs come w/ the res. you might have to buy them separately. I bring this up bc I think frozencpu sells the plugs separately
 
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#11 ·
Quote:


Originally Posted by GatorLCA

Ok, now after reading I'm a little confused about the tubing

I'm going with 1/2" barbs but I hear that's OD and not ID, so do I get 1/2" ID tubing??

You got it, you want to match the OD of the barbs with the ID of the tubing.
 
#13 ·
Quote:


Originally Posted by GatorLCA

Ok, now after reading I'm a little confused about the tubing

I'm going with 1/2" barbs but I hear that's OD and not ID, so do I get 1/2" ID tubing??

yes, buy 1/2" ID tubing. I would suggest getting 7/16" ID tubing if you can though for a few reasons.
- it is only 1/16" smaller so you don't really loose flow
- since your barbs will be 1/2" OD they will have a smaller ID so the 7/16" ID tubing will be closer and thus it will give you a more uniform ID throughout your loop
- the 7/16" ID will fit a little more snug around your barbs giving you a tighter fit and thus less likely to leak.

I'm using 7/16" ID Masterkleer tubing. It's clear, looks good, easy to work with and is only like .50 a foot.
 
#14 ·
I think you made a good choice on the tygon myself--but no reason not to try something different. I went with 5/8" nylon barbs and tees for the elbows which kept my ID at 1/2" thorughout--tygon stretches well over the oversized fittings and makes a great seal--it stays pliable and pulls off well without hardening or deforming. A plus if you tinker a lot as I do.

Started off with a res and then eliminated it in favor of a T and fill cap--bleeding was a cinch.

Good looking gear--you got the best of the best IMO--good job!
 
#15 ·
Am I going to notice a difference with a Reservoir??

I think it might be easier for me to just use a T-line and a Fillport for the case I have right now and move to a res once I get my new case and more room.

Also, without the res, I can get the rest of my stuff for the same amount of $$ and get it up sooner
 
#16 ·
Quote:


Originally Posted by GatorLCA

Am I going to notice a difference with a Reservoir??

I think it might be easier for me to just use a T-line and a Fillport for the case I have right now and move to a res once I get my new case and more room.

Also, without the res, I can get the rest of my stuff for the same amount of $$ and get it up sooner

Mkaes no difference from what i can tell--I eliminated mine and saw no difference in temps...temps seem to change a bit faster now when i turn up the fan--I think a large res would make your Temp fluctuate less. Not that that matters....
 
#18 ·
I might just do the T-line for now, but I did get my Pump yesterday...wooohoo!

I didn't realize it until I put it in my case that this pump is rather large, so it's going to take some really good tubing management

I'm making up an picture of what I want to do
 
#19 ·
I got a lot of stuff while I was away at home..

Received both of my water blocks and the Cosworth Coolant. Also, I picked up a Silver Conductive Paint pen (for the 7900GT vmod).

Still waiting for the Radiator and Blue Dye and still need to order 2 more fans, tubing, UV lights, thermal paste, some connectors, zip ties, and possibly a fill port which hopefully I can get all in one order

Also, I sent my RAM back for RMA so hopefully I'll get all of my stuff by the time I get it back.

I really need to get my rad so I can start modding my case to fit the res on top

On that note, I want to ask which would be a better setup. Pulling the air from the rad or pushing it. Pulling it would be easier for me to mount as I will only need a small amount of space below the rad to get air, also the rad will serve as a foundation and it wont look as odd if I pull the air (74 CFM fans)

Pics to come
 
#21 ·
Well I must say Newegg is the absolute ****, because they got my RAM today for RMA and it's already on step 3 which means it will probably get back to me sometime next week, pretty much only taking 1 week for RMA

So, I need to get some funds to get my tubing, fans, lighting and fillport

I didn't know that the blocks came with Arctic Ceramique so that saves me a good $15 which is always a plus
 
#22 ·
yeah, they do. I still uesed the AS5 that I have... but I am running low
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I need to decide if when I run out of AS5 if I want to get more, use the ceramique or get some cool labs stuff... hmm...

what are you using for fans? svc has some good deals on fans like 3.99 oem or 6.99 retail tt thunderblades when everyone else sells them for 9.99 or more
 
#24 ·
I had to do a little case modding where my speaker was. At first it everything seemed to fit but then when I was measuring the tubing with the hard drives in, the tubing seemed to kink a little so I moved it out a little bit

Image


Image


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I also modded the 2 120mm fans and joined the wires together so I can control the fan speed of both fans through one controller and not a separate one

Everything is all setup. I just need to get a Fillport and measure out the holes and fit the rad in on the top and get some screws. Hopefully the Rad will be in tomorrow along with the dye

 
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