First full loop. What do you think?

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doug_7506

2[H]4U
Joined
Oct 17, 2004
Messages
3,247
Just like the title says. Im going to be putting together my first full loop soon, and I just wanted to make sure my part list looks good. Thanks in advance for the help!

Theme: Stormtrooper meets Superman!
Name: Maybe Super-Stormtrooper??

Pump
Swiftech MCP35X 12v PWM Controlled Water Pump - Black

Reservoir
FrozenQ PC Mods 250mm Liquid Fusion V Series "2nd Generation" Reservoir - UV Cathode - Fluorescent Blue Helix

Radiators (have to go low profile or both the 360 and 280 will not fit.)
XSPC EX280 Dual 140mm Low Profile Split Fin Radiator
XSPC EX360 Triple 120mm Low Profile Split Fin Radiator

Blocks
XSPC RayStorm High Performance Acetal CPU Liquid Cooling Block - Intel (Sockets LGA 115x / 1366 / 2011)
XSPC Razor R9 290X Full Coverage VGA Block - Reference Design with back plate and white LEDs

Case
Corsair Air 540 Windowed ATX High Airflow Cube Performance Computer Case with White LED Fan - White

Fans
Going to use my current Noctuas. 3 x 120mm (NF-F12) push in the front of the case and the 2 x 140s (NF-A15) pulling out the top. 1 x 140 (NF-A15) pulling out the back.

Liquid
Distilled water with 1 or 2 silver antimicrobacterial plugs

Lighting
UV lighting to make those parts glow ;)

Tubing
PrimoChill PrimoFlex Advanced LRT Tubing 1/2"ID x 3/4" OD - Elegant White

Fittings
Monsoon Free Center Compression Fitting - 1/2"ID x 3/4"OD - Modders 6 Pack Matte Black
Monsoon 45° Rotary Angle Adapter - 3/4" OD - White -- Matte Black Compression fitting and end cap
Monsoon 90° Rotary Angle Adapter - 3/4" OD - White -- Matte Black Compression fitting and end cap

Decals ;)
Going to use two, one white decal on the glass in the top right hand corner (probably 6") and a stormtrooper on the bottom left. Then another superman on the back of the case in black (probably 14"). Maybe a third black one on the front?
JP Vinyl Design - Superman Logo Dripping with Liquid Cryptonite -Vinyl Decal - 10" - White
STORMTROOPER - Star Wars - Car, Truck, Notebook, Vinyl Decal Sticker #1032

Control Software:
Either EK-Ascendacy or Aquacomputer Aquaero 5 LT USB Fan Controller Liquid System Controller with flow sensor

Setup will be
(9) 280 Rad (c) --> (c) CPU (c) --> (4) GPU (4) --> (4)(9) Res (c) --> (c) 360 Rad (9) --> (9) Pump (c) --> (c) flow sensor (9) --> (to 280 res)
C = compression
4 = 45 degree
9 = 90 degree

parts list breakdown
2n9dp8m.jpg


Few things I have questions about.

Is there a brand of fittings that is better than another brand? Or are they all about equal?

What a good brand of tubing that will react under UV lighting?

What is a good size tubing to go? Is there an optimal size?

How do you make the a really sharp bend with a 90 degree elbow? Wouldn't you need compression fittings on both sides? All the 90 degree elbows i'm looking at lack the second compression fitting.

With using a reservoir like the helix (which will be mounted sideways in the front bottom of the case), what is the best way to install a fill/drain setup? Seems like I could just install a T bracket with a drain to drain it, but then how would I fill it?
 
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I am currently finally getting around to finishing my new computer with white rigid tubing and white primochill fittings. I like how it looks, the tubing isn't too hard to work with but it does go slow and you have to be very meticulous with your measurements. I highly recommend getting some sort of bending aid, I am using the Monsoon kit that has the different mandrels and the measuring sticks. Also my first two bends have some issues with them, so I might redo them, be prepared to mess up. It will be a lot faster to use normal tubing (took me like an hour for each section on my first few sections).

Your motherboard probably can't supply the wattage for your pump. For software controlled, there is the aquaero and EK is coming out with one called the Ascendancy soon I think.
 
doug_7506 said:
:drool:

That is perfect. Any time table? The sneak peeks on the web all date back to December.

*snip*
Click to expand...

I saw someone in a build log on another forum testing out a preview version of it a month ago. I think it is getting pretty close to release, no word on pricing yet though.
 
Build looks good. Personally, I would never recomend someone start with rigid, but if you have the patience, go for it!
 
SticKx911 said:
Build looks good. Personally, I would never recommend someone start with rigid, but if you have the patience, go for it!
Click to expand...

+1

Very unforgiving to boot. Acrylic loves to crack if subjected to any undo pressure or force, especially over time. It looks great if done right, but you definitely need to go slow/methodical to get it right.
 
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my next build will have rigid so i always look forward to someone using it. Good luck and the part list looks great.
 
i think with everyone's advice, and with what i've read, that i'm going to scrap arclyic on the first water build. Maybe i'll revisit the idea in the future.
 
New question. Is there any difference in compression fittings brands? Or are all fittings pretty much created equally?
 
Crazy how fast this all adds up. added a parts list order break down at frozen cpu. looking at almost $900. That is without case and flow sensor!
 
doug_7506 said:
Crazy how fast this all adds up. added a parts list order break down at frozen cpu. looking at almost $900. That is without case and flow sensor!
Click to expand...

Well, if the wallet is really hurting, there are quite a few items in your list that I would classify as "non-essential". Hose clamps, regular clear tubing and plain fittings without all the adapters/compression fittings would help bring the cost down quite a bit for a start. :)

Guess I like function/performance over the glitz and eye candy, while others like and pay for the "art". :p
 
Supercharged_Z06 said:
Well, if the wallet is really hurting, there are quite a few items in your list that I would classify as "non-essential". Hose clamps, regular clear tubing and plain fittings without all the adapters/compression fittings would help bring the cost down quite a bit for a start. :)

Guess I like function/performance over the glitz and eye candy, while others like and pay for the "art". :p
Click to expand...

agreed. I was price minded the first time I did mine and just added things as I could afford. Get some barbs and just buy some oetiker clamps from lowes or the like. There are also a bunch of good RADs on the f/s forums for dirt cheap. lol
 
SticKx911 said:
agreed. I was price minded the first time I did mine and just added things as I could afford. Get some barbs and just buy some oetiker clamps from lowes or the like. There are also a bunch of good RADs on the f/s forums for dirt cheap. lol
Click to expand...

Supercharged_Z06 said:
Well, if the wallet is really hurting, there are quite a few items in your list that I would classify as "non-essential". Hose clamps, regular clear tubing and plain fittings without all the adapters/compression fittings would help bring the cost down quite a bit for a start. :)

Guess I like function/performance over the glitz and eye candy, while others like and pay for the "art". :p
Click to expand...

I guess it's one of those things about how much cheaper vs the loss of the "art" effect.

If I could do a full loop with GPU/CPU blocks for $500, then it would be tempting just to go the economical route. But after adding just the blocks, rads, and pump i'm already at ~$500. Then I really want to have the usb fan controller (either ek or aqua) and that add another $100. So That puts me at $600. Now I can add the parts that I really want with the "art" effect for another $300 or I can go the cheaper route and get away for maybe ~$100. In my mind it's worth the extra $200 for the stuff I really want.

But if i'm looking a this wrong I would love some pointers. This is after all my first build. I'll break it down to a list of what I feel like I need out of the build.

Needs:
Full cover GPU block
CPU Block
280 + 360 rad (need to be slim versions to fit)
usb fan controller (not an absolute need but i'm going to get it regardless. I value a quiet system)
PWM controllable pump (I don't want the pump running at 100% 24/7 since that's noisy)

Everything else is really just a want. So If I can get what I "need" (using that word loosely) for a few hundred dollars cheaper, than it might be worth it to go more efficient.

However, I don't want to put my self in a situation where I am not really happy with my initial loop and end up buying the rest of the parts later on, effectively spending more than I would have. Is the $900 more than I budgeted for this loop, yeah, but I am in no rush to do it. I will probably buy the parts over a years time, starting with the parts im 100% sure about (rads, pump, etc) and buying the other stuff later on.


Again, I appreciate everyone's insight and help thus far! :D
 
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