[evensen007]

I just purchased the new NZXT Switch 810 and will be transferring all of my current parts into it as well as going from a duel-loop uncontained water setup (SilverStone Raven 02) to a single-loop self-contained setup. Currently my second loop's radiator, as well as both of my MCP655 pumps sit on the outside of my case and is a mess of wires and tubing. You can see my current setup in my build under the sig area.

The main goal is a clean look and a self-contained water loop with nothing outside of the case. I will be saying goodbye to my Swiftech MCR420 rad as well as 1 MCP655 D5 pump. The remaining MCR320 rad will be mounted in the roof area, and the single D5 pump will be mounted in place of the bottom drive cage.

Water Components:

MCP655 Pump
Alphacool D5 Acrylic top
MCR320 Radiator
MCR120 Radiator
XSPC Raystorm Cpu block
EK Nickel 7970 full block
FrozenQ Fusion V vial style
Bitspower 7/16" / 5/8" Compression fittings
Koolance drain fitting

PC:
Intel 2600k @ 4.5
Gigabyte p67-ud4-b3
16gb Corsair 1600
Gigabyte 7970 @ 1300/1700
Intel X25 160gb SSD
2x WD 750gb Black

Color scheme will be Blue and White.

The Case:



Parts will be arriving next week and the build will begin immediately. It won't be anything super complicated to fancy/custom, but it will be clean and tidy and self contained.

 

[evensen007]

Alright. Started the tear down and re-build last night. Still waiting on my Swiftech MCR120 radiator for the bottom and my XSPC raystorm cpu block. Decided to add that extra 1x radiator and the raystorm because of going to a single loop. The raystorm has a much higher flow ceiling than the Swiftech apogee Xt that I had, although I'm not sure how much it will matter with a D5 pushing the water.

Here are a couple of images that should highlight why I am doing this in the first place. My first build was functional and cool/quiet but it was a disgusting mess of wires and a pain to do maintenance on and move around: I am embarrassed to show these.

I *almost* got my Swiftech MCR420 4x120 radiator to fit in the top (inside case, not nook up top). I would have had to relocate the stealth cluster and wires, but I still needed just a few mm and it would have worked.



After toiling on that for a while, I decided to just go the planned route so I wouldn't have to re-drill the case. The Swiftech MCR320 fit perfectly up top and also had plenty of clearance even with 6 fans in push pull. The Pull fans in the top nook area are completely covered by the vent cover and it's nice and tidy. Love it! I even have room for the cd-rom up top but will lose a little bit of airflow in the forward-most fan set. I may just drop it down one slot.











Here is the replacement head for the MCP655 pump that I am assembling. This is a nice piece and didn't cost a fortune. Allows lots of different configurations for flow control and increases head pressure on top of that:



Looking forward to getting more done soon!

 

[evensen007]

Oh laaawd. FINALLY done. Was sick all weekend and had a bunch of speed bumps come up during the build as I always expect. Some tubing routes and fitting placement turned out to be a much bigger pain than I hoped for (poor pre-planning). I don't have my drain/quick disconnect system set up correctly yet, but it will work for now.

This is how I ended up mounting my pump. I chose this route for the easiest route for the close tubing coming from the Res.



Routing. Notice the Cpu block? Yea, I MIGHT want to add that to the cooling loop... I was sick with a fever and really tired. Needless to say that really killed my motivation for the night.



This will probably work better...



Love this res.



Still lots to do.



Raystorm cpu block looks really cool.



Components off, leak testing the water system.



Cabling time.

Starting to come together.





The rear panel nightmare. I wanted to cry.









Progress. Moving to it's final resting place.





Done at last. Having everything contained inside of the case is phenominal. It was a lot of work, but I am so happy to not have water cooling components laying all over the floor. I'm really impressed with the space and build of the Switch. It was challenging, but it was a pretty enjoyable build. Nzxt really nailed it with the 810.

 

[evensen007]

The image below is almost identical to the layout that I will end up using. The difference will be that I am not using an extra radiator at the bottom, and I will not be cooling my chipset. I added the FrozenQ to the picture and am hoping to be able to mount the 250ml in that location. I also ordered an alphacool plexi top for my D5 (mcp655) pump.

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?274215-Alphacool-D5-Clear-Acrylic-Pump-Head-Review

From my previous build, I have the U/V blue primoflex tubing that I can re-use. I need some opinions because I also ordered 6 feet of the primoflex clear tubing for the build. I can't decide whether to use the clear or the blue from my previous build. I will have blue led lights throughout the case, so I'm thinking that may make up for not having blue tubing anymore and will also look a bit more clean/elegant. What do you guys thing?

 

[evensen007]

Decided to refresh some of my equipment from my 1st build. Decided to grab an XSPC Raystorm Cpu block since I am dropping down to a single loop. The raystorm has the least restriction out of all the cpu blocks, and it looks great too! Grabbed some white braided cable extensions for 24 pin and 8 pin power, 8 pin PCI-E etc...

Still need some opinions on going with the new clear tubing or sticking with my old Blue from my first build. I have almost everything now and will probably start building tonight or tomorrow.

 

[evensen007]

Gah, I'm torn! Will have to give it a good look tonight while it's all laying out on the floor. I also added a Swiftech MCR120 rad for the bottom of the case.

Loop will go Res->D5 pump->Mcr120 rad->Gpu->Cpu->Mcr320 rad->Res.

 

[evensen007]

Well this is the hard part.Time to shut down the system and start tearing it apart.

 

[evensen007]

Updated second post. Still arguing with myself over the tubing!

 

[evensen007]

Does anyone have any thoughts on the way I mounted the radiator up top? I have it positioned so the tubing will enter and exit the rad at the rear of the case instead of the front. The reason I did this was so that I don't have tubing blocking/getting in the way of the front bays/cdrom area. Does anyone see any possible complications with doing it the way I have it mounted (functional or logistical)?

This pic except top rad reversed.

 

[evensen007]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dVeLoPe

what is the dimensions of the 360 you have up top and PLEASE try to put a ODD in the stealhbay and take a pic was told I could fit the rear two 120mm fans and still use up to a 54mm rad without loosing the bay need to confrim thanks

Here is the radiator dimensions:



I am aiming at putting the ODD in the top bay so I will let you know.

My yate Loon fans are 20mm so that's 54mm total rad depth. Should work just fine.

*correction. The internal Yate Loons are 25mm, so it's 59mm total thickness.

 

[evensen007]

Did some leak testing last night on the res and acrylic pump head. Apparently the D5 aftermarket U/V O-rings you can buy from bitspower don't fit properly in aftermarket D5 tops. I didn't get a good seal on the pump when I screwed down the Aquacool Acrylic top no matter what I did. I got some leaking so I had to use the O-ring that came with the Aquacool top. Kind of a bummer, because the blue oring would have had a cool effect in the acrylic top. I also may have accidentally burned my 2600k to death, but I won't know until I get further in the build. I'm getting the raystorm cpu block and 1x radiator today, so I will continue building tonight.

 

[evensen007]

Did some work tonight, but I have to get to bed early for a race tomorrow morning. Coming together nicely and I can tell you that 45 and 90 degree fittings are going to be essential with this setup. I bought plenty so I should have enough.









Very high tech leak testing going on here.

 

[evensen007]

Finished at last. Post # 3 updated with final build.

 

[evensen007]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Retell

The build looks fantastic, I am glad to hear everything fit and was enjoyable! Let me know if you are interested in having me share it up on our Facebook page tomorrow

I would love that! Let the rest of the Nzxt boys know how happy we are with this case!
Quote:

Originally Posted by gr3nd3l

Great job on the build!
Really impressed with how nice everything looks and that res is perfect in that case.

Thanks! I am loving the res. It may be my favorite piece in there.
Quote:

Originally Posted by crazyg0od33

That's awesome! How did you mount that pump like that? Did you just drill some holes and screw it onto the case?

There was already a screw hole on the case for one mount point, and I used some trickery to get the other side of the pump level and steady. I screwed the other pump screw in 90% of the way and then wedged the front of the case panel into the gap.
Quote:

Originally Posted by Dwood

Looks real good, my stuff and switch will be here this week. Hope I can get it looking as good as yours

This case has so much room and so many options that I have no doubt you will make it look good. The case makes it easy!

 

[evensen007]

This is another nice Nzxt product that I used to wrap my build in:

http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=72_107_921&products_id=29387&zenid=d610aa0bcf3cf3b1ca96bdd8c62920e9

Has multi-level brightness and really intensified the lighting.

 

[evensen007]

Quote:

Originally Posted by missleman101

evensen, whats that blue swirly thing in your watercooler setup, some type of resevior?

Yes, it's the FrozenQ Fusion V reservoir and is a really awesome quality piece!

http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=59_318_708

They sell a bunch of really nice reservoirs! You can also order direct from Alex, the creator.

https://frozenqshop.com/

 

[evensen007]

Quote:

Originally Posted by missleman101

thanks, its adds such a cool asthetic to your case

Alex really makes awesome res mods, right?
Quote:

Originally Posted by Retell

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151329358005301&set=a.220281835300.271899.17437970300&type=1&theater

No way! Too cool Retell!

 

[evensen007]

Quote:

Originally Posted by lurker2501

Can you please write detailed specs of your cooling system? Parts, brands and why you chose exactly those components over another ones. Thanks.

Sure. Will work on that later on today.
Quote:

Originally Posted by crazyg0od33

Hey if you get the time would you be able to let me know how large across the res is and how long your gpu is? My gtx 580 classy is 11" and I have the res on order and just want to get a feeling for the placement. Thanks

The 7970 I have is 11.4" long. The Fusion res is almost 2 inches wide. You'll have a lot of room to work with.

 

[evensen007]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flikka

evensen007 what size tubing are you using, don't see it listed on the first few pages or am I just blind?

Flikka,

The tubing is Primochill 7/16ID - 5/8OD.

 

[evensen007]

Quote:

Originally Posted by lurker2501

Can you please write detailed specs of your cooling system? Parts, brands and why you chose exactly those components over another ones. Thanks.

MCP655 Pump: GREAT for single loop setups with high flow restrictions. If you are using a lot of 90 degree fittings, tight tubing routes, and other flow restricting obstacles (Koolance drain adapter) the extra flow capacity of the D5 pump is great to push the water through. It is adjustable. It is relatively quiet depending on what flow setting you have it at. It is also a work-horse and is known to run for years before dying. Unreal/enormous head flow and GPM numbers.

Alphacool D5 Acrylic top: Great reviews, great price, and great aesthetics. This piece increases the head flow rate of the D5 pump even higher than with the stock top that comes on the D5. It also adds 4 G1/4" threaded holes so you can add your own fittings. It has the threads on 2 different sides of the top so you have more routing options. Came in handy for me big time on this build. Acrylic top also comes in Black Acetal if acrylic isn't your thing.

MCR320QP Radiator: Relatively thin radiator and optimized for low to medium speed fans. Cooling channels are spaced out wider than a high power radiator like the MCR320XP or XSPC /Black Ice. This allows a lower/slower CFM fan to still cool the channels adequately. You won't get as cool of temps with a radiator like this, but it will be pretty close and having low speed quiet fans working the air through your radiators is a nice break for your ears.

MCR120 Radiator: See above.

XSPC Raystorm Cpu block: Lowest flow restriction of any Cpu block available. Also one of the best cooling. Like in my description of the D5 pump above, having a cpu block with low flow restriction helps reduce the restriction in a high restriction loop. This block is also a great value and looks fantastic.

EK Nickel 7970 full block: First to market and "supposedly" high quality now that they are using "EN-Electroless Nickel Plating". They had some bad QC issues the last couple of years and had I known that I wouldn't have bought this block. I'm hoping it holds out and doesn't have the issues that they had before. It cools well and does the job as well as any block out there.

FrozenQ Fusion V vial style: Alex started the company from the ground up and produces some truly great pieces of art here. It looks fantastic, has great reviews, and even better customer support.

7/16" / 5/8" Bitspower Compression fittings: Bitspower has a pretty good reputation. I like the 7/16" / 5/8" sizing because it allows the tubing to stay pretty flexible while not looking too small and silly in the case. It is the perfect balance between aesthetics and function IMO.

PrimoChill 7/16" / 5/8" tubing: See above. Primochill tubing never clouded up on me. I used the same tubing in this build that I used in my Raven build from a year and a half ago. No build-up of plasticizer or anything in that year and a half. There was a thread recently where someone did have the tubing go cloudy, so i don't really know what to say about that.

NZXT Switch 810 case: This is one of the best cases out there for a self-contained, clean, spacious water-loop. I like the looks, it was awesome to work with, and everything inside came apart simply, solidly, and cleanly. I couldn't ask for a better case to build in.

Hope this helps.

Chris