[xxhaloownerxx]

I'm watercooling my new build, you can see the build thread here: http://www.overclock.net/t/1363139/help-an-old-member-new-rig-1200
I just need some help clearing my 2 loops with you guys, these are the parts I've selected.

I'm having 2 loops, one is dedicated to the CPU/RAM. The 2nd is dedicated to the GPU only.

Res: http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=207_160_299&products_id=20412

Pumps x2: http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=59_201&products_id=22586

Rad x2: http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=207_160_297_922&products_id=15847

CPU: http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=207_160_878_879&products_id=19206

GPU: http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=207_160_878_880&products_id=20594

RAM: http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=207_160_878_881&products_id=22050

Using this guide, I plan on fitting the 2 240 mm rads: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=vwgVA6_xIis

I was going to have one pump and one rad dedicated to the CPU + RAM.

Pump--> Res --> Rad--> CPU --> RAM --> Pump

and then the 2nd loop

Pump2 --> Res2 --> Rad2 --> GPU --> Pump2



I don't really have a budget per say. I don't want to spend $1000, but I'll be buying things as I'm paying off the rest of my build.

Things I really need your help on:
Tubing - no idea
GPU - I need a 7970 or a 7950 (Either will do) that will fit a waterblock. I absolutely want the GPU watercooled so this is a must!
Barbs, what are those? - no idea either
Fans? Must be quiet, trying to do a "as silent as possible" build.

I'm going with the res because I think it would be the best choice for my case. This way I can have 2 loops running in parallel (I think), and I don't have to fidget with finding separate res and pump locations.

This is my FIRST time watercooling, please point out if I've gone full ******. Suggestions are more than welcomed, especially for the GPU!

 

[Kainn]

Quote:

Originally Posted by xxhaloownerxx

I was going to have one pump and one rad dedicated to the CPU + RAM.

Pump--> Res --> Rad--> CPU --> RAM --> Pump

and then the 2nd loop

Pump2 --> Res2 --> Rad2 --> GPU --> Pump2

With the set up it'll be Res>pump if im not mistaken, the order shouldn't matter as long as the res is physically above the pump, with the res/pump combo it'll work just fine

 

[MrNishi]

Barbs are what screw into the radiator/blocks for the tubing to slide onto. Barbs use a clamp on the outside of the tubing to secure the seal. Barbs are listed in an outside diameter (3/8 ,7/16, 1/2) and the tubing ID needs to match the barb OD. You could also go with compression fittings but the compression fitting ID and OD must match the tubing ID and OD. Any fitting you get should be listed as g1/4 thread so it will screw into the rez/blocks/rads.

For a video card I cant give you an exact model but just make sure it is a refrence design and you will be able to get a block for it. If you are not sure on a card e-mail the manafacturer and ask them whick of thier cards are refrence design.

I Just want to make sure you are only going to waterblock the ram for looks because there is no performance reason to do it and it will only add restriction to the cpu loop.

Just take your time and do your reasearch.

Good luck and happy building

 

[xxhaloownerxx]

Awesome!

And yeah, I know the RAM block is for looks, I can't stand the look of those ugly stock heat sinks. And at $50 for the block, why not!

So would you guys recommend 1/2 tubing, or 3/4?

Should I get a bleeder valve or something of that nature?

I also need a good site for WC'ing stuff for the US. I realized that my links were for Aussies. oops.

 

[Kainn]

Quote:

Originally Posted by xxhaloownerxx

Awesome!

And yeah, I know the RAM block is for looks, I can't stand the look of those ugly stock heat sinks. And at $50 for the block, why not!

So would you guys recommend 1/2 tubing, or 3/4?

Should I get a bleeder valve or something of that nature?

I also need a good site for WC'ing stuff for the US. I realized that my links were for Aussies. oops.

i recommend 7/16th tubing but that is all i've ever used.

I didn't have a fill port and i filled through my bay res, later installed a fill port and it works nicely, i just need to reposition everything once i get my loop situated.

frozencpu is where i got my stuff from, we(OCN, just use the search bar) have a discount code for them
performace pc's is also very popular, might have a code for them as well
xoxide
koolance
there is a big one that i think im missing if someone could help me out with that.

 

[morencyam]

Quote:

Originally Posted by xxhaloownerxx

I also need a good site for WC'ing stuff for the US. I realized that my links were for Aussies. oops.

They only sites I've ever ordered from and performance-pcs and sidewindercomputers. Sidewinder is normally my first choice, but they don't have quite the selection PPCs has. Sidewinder is located in Indiana, and with me being in Cincinnati, I usually get my order the next day. PPCs is in FL and usually takes 3-5 days to arrive at my door. I've placed multiple orders with both and haven't had any major issue from either. Both have either shipped a wrong item or had something missing from the order, but both took care of it on their dime in a timely manner.
PPCs discount code is OCN55, for 5.5% off at checkout. No code for sidewinder, but they're usually cheaper to begin with

 

[xxhaloownerxx]

Ha, you guys are awesome, thanks

I still have several months before I can really put things together, but I'll be buying the CPU loop first, and then sticking on the GPU block to loop 1 until I can buy loop 2.

I also have everything figured out, with the exception of fans. Can anyone recommend me good, quiet 120mm fans?

I'll keep it updated

 

[R3apR369]

1/2 ID 3/4 OD is what most people use for tubing. I prefer thicker tubing (less tubing as well) with compression fittings. Go minimal with tubing and your setup will look smexy!

Also...if I may add, since your planning to spend about $130 on a 2nd Radiator and pump, why not just buy a full tower case that can support a 360 rad? That's definitely the route I would take.

 

[BadDad62]

Quote:

Originally Posted by xxhaloownerxx

Awesome!

And yeah, I know the RAM block is for looks, I can't stand the look of those ugly stock heat sinks. And at $50 for the block, why not!

So would you guys recommend 1/2 tubing, or 3/4?

Should I get a bleeder valve or something of that nature?

I also need a good site for WC'ing stuff for the US. I realized that my links were for Aussies. oops.

Whats wrong with Aussies?

You do realise that ram blocks are pretty restrictive,

I'm a 7/16" x 5/8" on 1/2" barbs fan.

Do you really need 2 loops Why not a single loop (simpler,easier,cheaper)

My recommended fan is Sythes GT 1850s

 

[morencyam]

Quote:

Originally Posted by BadDad62

I'm a 7/16" x 5/8" on 1/2" barbs fan.

Do you really need 2 loops Why not a single loop (simpler,easier,cheaper)

My recommended fan is Sythes GT 1850s

I agree with all of this. You really only need one loop.

Gentle Typhoons are amazing fans. Great performance to noise ratio. They are somewhat expensive though. If you want a good cheaper fan, I'd get some Yate Loon Medium speed fans. They're a little bit louder and a little lower performance, but for under $5 per fan, you can't beat the price to performance ratio they offer.

I'd also look into the EX series of radiators from XSPC. They are thin, but have similar performance to the RX series. Plus they are cheaper than the BI radiator you have picked out already. But the king of radiators right now are the Alphacool rads, in all thicknesses. I'm currently looking at picking up an xt45 480 when I finish building my new case.

 

[PepeLapiu]

One loop is always more efficient than two.

Let's say you have a CPU loop with a 240 rad and a second GPU loop with an other 240 rad.

So you want to load your CPU and pump voltage to do some encoding. Your CPU needs all the cooling power as the GPU is idle for this task. Your CPU would love to use that second 240 rad but it can only use the one rad in it's loop while the GPU rad is idling and being virtually useless.

Same if you play a game, your GPU is crancked up while your CPU is idle. Your GPU can use all the rads you can throw at it, but you have that CPU rad doing nothing.

With a single loop, you get all the cooling power where it's needed all the time. While in a dual loop, you almost always have half your rads being useless. You rarely max out both CPU and GPU at the same time, so a dual loop will almost always result in half the rads being almost useless.

There is no performance advantage to dual loops. If anything, it will only cost you more for the two pumps and reservoirs. And you have the added noise of two pumps and the added heat of two pumps. So with dual loops you pay more money, have more noise, have more heat injected into your loop, and you get less performance.

Do it for the looks or just for fun, but don't go dual if it's performance you are looking for.

 

[xxhaloownerxx]

Thank you all for your suggestions!

I'm just about to pull the trigger on the following:
Fans: http://www.frozencpu.com/products/10323/fan-674/Scythe_Gentle_Typhoon_120mm_x_25mm_Fan_-_1850_RPM_D1225C12B5AP-15_Hot_Item_.html?id=4FrowV3i&mv_pc=1246
Tubing: http://www.frozencpu.com/products/12989/ex-tub-865/Masterkleer_PVC_Tubing_12_ID_34_OD_-_10ft_Retail_Pack_-_UV_Blue.html?id=4FrowV3i&mv_pc=1247
Res: http://www.frozencpu.com/products/13380/ex-res-294/Koolance_RP-401X2_Single_525_Reservoir_for_1-2_PMP-400_Pumps_Rev_11.html?id=4FrowV3i&mv_pc=1248
Pump: http://www.frozencpu.com/products/16591/ex-pmp-201/Koolance_PMP-400_38_ID_Native_Liquid_Cooling_Pump_PMP-400.html?id=4FrowV3i&mv_pc=1249

I'm guessing I still need barbs?

I already have a rad, but I wanted to go ahead and leak test it until next paycheck!

Actually how about these barbs: http://www.frozencpu.com/products/15240/ex-tub-1215/Alphacool_G14_Thread_12_13mm_ID_FatBoy_Barb_-_Deep_Black.html?id=Vn6sQoj4&mv_pc=1655

I assume they come in 1 per pack, so I'll need 4 to at least test my loop.

Also will these screws work with my BlackIce Stealth GT rad?
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/16055/scr-344/M4_x_6mm_Pan_Head_Screws_-_4_Pack_-_Black.html?id=Vn6sQoj4&mv_pc=1656

I need something to bolt it to the case, the screws they gave me were wayyy too long. And only fit the Rad + fans

 

[xxhaloownerxx]

Alright, I've bought everything aside from the last 2 Gentle Typhoons and the backplate.

I have several issues.

I am testing my loop outside my case right now using a PSU from an old build, and leak testing it before I throw it into the case.

1. My pump constantly runs dry when filling, making an awful noise. Once I got everything filled I noticed a leak on my first rad, so I switched out a piece of the tubing. The pump made a loud high pitched wine, and now runs considerably louder than before.

2. I can't seem to get all the air bubbles out. I tried dish soap, and it just ended up making a huge mess. As well as having several large air bubbles in the loop.

3. When attaching the pump to the res, I used a silicone lube to make a better seal. Is that okay to do? I read somewhere that it was, but I can't find it again so I'm just making sure.

Really worried my pump is forked

 

[Electrocutor]

1. Never run a pump dry. Whether you've already damaged it or not is unknown, but usually bad noises means that either you got junk (flux or something) in your pump or you've damaged it.

2. Bleeding takes time and patience depending on how you designed your loop. Don't use dish soap unless you've got 100% distilled water and only use a silver kill coil. (any other additive like dye, biocide, or anti-corrosive or whatever will get messed up by the soap and clog things up)

3. I use trimmed Teflon plumber's tape, but the O-rings really ought to be good enough for most connections. Whatever you use, make sure that it won't be in contact with the water.

- Did you flush out your radiators before using them? If not, you'll need to take apart your pump and make sure you don't have junk from the rad in there screwing things up. From the factory they tend to have things like leftover flux, bits/shavings of copper/brass, and sometimes bits of fiberglass or other things depending on how the rad was made. After flushing 6 rads, I had about 2mm thick of junk at the bottom of my filter.

 

[xxhaloownerxx]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Electrocutor

1. Never run a pump dry. Whether you've already damaged it or not is unknown, but usually bad noises means that either you got junk (flux or something) in your pump or you've damaged it.

2. Bleeding takes time and patience depending on how you designed your loop. Don't use dish soap unless you've got 100% distilled water and only use a silver kill coil. (any other additive like dye, biocide, or anti-corrosive or whatever will get messed up by the soap and clog things up)

3. I use trimmed Teflon plumber's tape, but the O-rings really ought to be good enough for most connections. Whatever you use, make sure that it won't be in contact with the water.

- Did you flush out your radiators before using them? If not, you'll need to take apart your pump and make sure you don't have junk from the rad in there screwing things up. From the factory they tend to have things like leftover flux, bits/shavings of copper/brass, and sometimes bits of fiberglass or other things depending on how the rad was made. After flushing 6 rads, I had about 2mm thick of junk at the bottom of my filter.

Gotcha, I did flush out both of my rads with hot water before testing them. I've taken out the pump/disassembled the pump and everything looks okay, its just really loud for some reason.

Is there a good way to prime a my pump? It also runs really hot, not sure if there's anything I can do about that either.

http://www.overclock.net/products/koolance-pmp-400 - pump
http://koolance.com/rp-401x2-single-5-25in-reservoir-for-1-2-pmp-400-pumps - res

I'm going to throw everything back together one more time and see if it still makes the noise