First time doing a custon water cooling and looking for help !

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Omionous11

Weaksauce
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Mar 30, 2014
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Hey everyone !

This will be my first time doing a custom build for water cooling so I figure I ask some question's before I buy and start :)

What kind of temperature's can I expect from water cooling ?? I have a 4670k OC too 4.4GHz also I will be buying a 980 TI ( not sure what brand, any suggestions ?? )

I own the Corsair 230t but I figure that would be a little too tight for for a water loop, so I was thinking between Phanteks Enthoo Pro, NZXT H440, Fractal Design R4. ( Also open to suggestion )

for the water cooling parts

Pump : Alphacool VPP655 Speed Variable Pump.
Radiator : Alphacool NexXxoS ST30 240mm Full Copper Radiator (I might order 2 )
Tubing : Monsoon PETG Hardline 1/2" x 5/8"
Reservoir : EKWB 250ml Res
Fittings : Primochill Revolver 1/2" Inner Diameter 10 pack.

What should I do for blocks ?? I am totally open to suggestion's on everything I have said !! Looking to do this right the first time :)

Thanks in advanced !
 
Nasgul said:
Water cooling for 4.4ghz? I wouldn't go with a fancy liquid cooling, so I'd suggest one of tose AIO/LC kit that would cost $100 or less.

Unless you're going to push the CPU to 5ghz or more, yes but otherwise it wouldn't be a good investment going with a fancy and expensive kit. My CPU is at 4.4ghz also but I'm using an Enermax T40 ($35) HSF and temps at full load don't go above 75c and my room is at 75c also.

As for the cases, 2 out of the 3 aren't that better than the Corsair you have and between the Enthoo and the Corsair 450D, I'd say go for the 450D, because the interior doesn't look like a block of metal, and it's about the same price.

Water cooling might give you a 15c in temp reduction compared to air at full load, but then again, there are factors that manipulate temps that can go from: Wow! it's working to man this is the same temps as before.
I'm thinking in a liquid cooling myself but I'm looking into the H110i GT, $119.99, $20 more than I want to pay but it's a 280mm rad. I considered a fancy kit but for $269.99? I'm not cooling a CPU that cost me $239 with that.
ah, my 2 cents.
Click to expand...

I only stopped at 4.4 ghz mainly due to heat it was causing under full load. So I figure the water cooling would allow me to push higher.

Yahh I like the 450d and now I'm looking at the 750d as well.

My main goal really is to water cool the gpu ( I was just going to throw a loop onto my cpu because I could ) I want to get the 980ti and overclock the most I can ! I was thinking about the hybrid card but I don't think that will be available anytime soon in Canada as no one even list it.
 
Yahh I was debating on the evga hybrid cooler and putting it on myself. Do you think they are worth the money and perform well ???
 
Omionous11 said:
I was thinking about the hybrid card but I don't think that will be available anytime soon in Canada as no one even list it.
Click to expand...

It goes in and out of stock at shopRBC, currently $1018. I'm tempted to buy it myself, but I'm not sure of the exact build I'm going to do yet.
 
Omionous11 said:
My main goal really is to water cool the gpu ( I was just going to throw a loop onto my cpu because I could ) I want to get the 980ti and overclock the most I can ! I was thinking about the hybrid card but I don't think that will be available anytime soon in Canada as no one even list it.
Click to expand...

You get quite a lot of benefit watercooling the GPU - I would go for it.

The Corsair brackets are quite cheap when compared to a full-cover GPU block and it if you need to upgrade, you just replace the bracket. Thus from a cost-benefit standpoint they really tick a lot of boxes. However, building a full WC loop is just so tempting...
 
grausch said:
You get quite a lot of benefit watercooling the GPU - I would go for it.

The Corsair brackets are quite cheap when compared to a full-cover GPU block and it if you need to upgrade, you just replace the bracket. Thus from a cost-benefit standpoint they really tick a lot of boxes. However, building a full WC loop is just so tempting...
Click to expand...

Trust me I know the temptation lol ! Besides all the benefits, it sure make's for a pretty sight ! lol
 
Omionous11 said:
Trust me I know the temptation lol ! Besides all the benefits, it sure make's for a pretty sight ! lol
Click to expand...

I just got a Corsair Air 240 yesterday and was considering two H75s - one for the CPU and one for the GPU. Unfortunately there are no Corsair brackets that will fit the GTX 680.

For a little bit more, I can get a EKWB L240 kit and universal GPU waterblock which will be a similar setup than the aforementioned Corsair setup - meaning a 120 rad each for both the CPU and GPU. Add in the fact that I can add more rads if necessary then to me this seems like the best way forward.

That being said the AIOs are really maintenance-free. My H50 has been running for several years without any issues and will be put to use in another pc shortly. I am pretty sure the GPU AIOs will be just as good.
 
grausch said:
I just got a Corsair Air 240 yesterday and was considering two H75s - one for the CPU and one for the GPU. Unfortunately there are no Corsair brackets that will fit the GTX 680.

For a little bit more, I can get a EKWB L240 kit and universal GPU waterblock which will be a similar setup than the aforementioned Corsair setup - meaning a 120 rad each for both the CPU and GPU. Add in the fact that I can add more rads if necessary then to me this seems like the best way forward.

That being said the AIOs are really maintenance-free. My H50 has been running for several years without any issues and will be put to use in another pc shortly. I am pretty sure the GPU AIOs will be just as good.
Click to expand...

Hmmm that's something to consider I never thought of going the route for the GPU. I think I'll look into a kit myself for the 980 ti ! I would rather have a maintenance free setup as I'm not to knowledgeable with water cooling hehe
 
ajJnwVI.jpg
Water still makes me nervous in a computer.

I still use a ND-14 on a X5680 at 4.5 these days on the main.

Anything involving water still makes me nervous there personally..
 
I've used the kraken g10 bracket on a 670/79505sli/7970/290s. It really works great and is a maintenance free alternative to messing with WC'ing (those AIOs have ~5 year life span). Only complaint is that I didn't find it would cool VRMs really well. Same problem with all universal water blocks.

However, if you are feeling a little more adventurous, but not yet willing make the jump to a full loop, then I highly recommend the swiftech customizable AIO kits. I ended up going this route and am highly impressed. The kit comes with a CPU block and a radiator/pump/reservoir combo for about $130. You just need to add a gpu block, tubing, fittings, liquid, and radiator (this radiator is optional but I highly recommend it). The pump is strong and with an additional radiator you will be able to max both the CPU and GPU.

The latter is the setup im currently running (sig). Really works great and looks really good as well.
Here is a pic of mine before I swapped gpu and motherboard (reminds me I need to take a fresh one!).
900x900px-LL-02e24ea6_IMG_3788.jpeg


If you want to go full loop though I hav enever had a problem with EK gpu blocks (owned three). Not familar with the rest of your parts list, so I cant comment on them.
 
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doug_7506 said:
I've used the kraken g10 bracket on a 670/79505sli/7970/290s. It really works great and is a maintenance free alternative to messing with WC'ing (those AIOs have ~5 year life span). Only complaint is that I didn't find it would cool VRMs really well. Same problem with all universal water blocks.

However, if you are feeling a little more adventurous, but not yet willing make the jump to a full loop, then I highly recommend the swiftech customizable AIO kits. I ended up going this route and am highly impressed. The kit comes with a CPU block and a radiator/pump/reservoir combo for about $130. You just need to add a gpu block, tubing, fittings, liquid, and radiator (this radiator is optional but I highly recommend it). The pump is strong and with an additional radiator you will be able to max both the CPU and GPU.

The latter is the setup im currently running (sig). Really works great and looks really good as well.
Here is a pic of mine before I swapped gpu and motherboard (reminds me I need to take a fresh one!).
900x900px-LL-02e24ea6_IMG_3788.jpeg


If you want to go full loop though I hav enever had a problem with EK gpu blocks (owned three). Not familar with the rest of your parts list, so I cant comment on them.
Click to expand...

Nice setup to start !

I'll look into this for sure ! I like the sounds of it :)

https://ca.pcpartpicker.com/user/ominous11/saved/ is my current setup

I'll be swapping out the 770 for a 980 ti and getting a new case and I think I will be going with the Phanteks Enthoo Pro or Luxe.

If I were to get the EVGA GeForce GTX 980 Ti SUPERCLOCKED+ Acx 2.0+ Card what block would I need to go with the swiftech customizable AIO kits.
 
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Thanks. It is my first jump into watercooling and has been a really easy with outstanding results.

The great thing about these kits is that you can use any custom watercooling parts. So any waterblock that fits with that card will work with that kit. i.e. ek waterblocks.

EDIT: just realized that link didnt work since it is just to EK general configuration tool. Looks like EK doesn't have a 980ti block out yet for that card, but it would work with their titan x blocks. Might want to check other vendors.
 
If you buy any reference based 980 Ti, the EK Titan X full cover block will work just fine.

I just bought two and my cards run currently at 1445 Mhz in games at 40 C. I haven't tried to push them harder because there's no need at this point.

If you are building a custom loop, go big and buy full cover blocks.:D

To answer your questions:

Average water temps depend on how big and how many radiators you have.
My loop has a 360 and a 240 rad. and an OC 3930k and two OC 980 Ti. My temps are steady 40C.

Yes you will need a bigger case. Depends on the size of your rads. I use a Corsair 800D and it's actually kind of small. Im thinking of getting the Enthoo Primo.

One 240 radiator will probably NOT handle your CPU and GPU.
Id consider two 240 or one stout 360.

Buy a Heatkiller 4.0 CPU cooler and get the EK 980/Titan X block. If Heatkiller had 980 blocks I would have purchased them, but they are way behind on GPU blocks.

Nice thing about Heatkiller and EK, they have their own shops now, with quick delivery.
Beats going through an etailer.
 
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doug_7506 said:
Thanks. It is my first jump into watercooling and has been a really easy with outstanding results.

The great thing about these kits is that you can use any custom watercooling parts. So any waterblock that fits with that card will work with that kit. i.e. ek waterblocks.

EDIT: just realized that link didnt work since it is just to EK general configuration tool. Looks like EK doesn't have a 980ti block out yet for that card, but it would work with their titan x blocks. Might want to check other vendors.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the link :)

magoo said:
If you buy any reference based 980 Ti, the EK Titan X full cover block will work just fine.

I just bought two and my cards run currently at 1445 Mhz in games at 40 C. I haven't tried to push them harder because there's no need at this point.

If you are building a custom loop, go big and buy full cover blocks.:D
Click to expand...

Nice temps for a overclock !! What kind of cooling did you run ??
 
I'm not worried about my cpu at all I have the i5 4670k OC too 4.4GHz and while gaming it sits around 39c with the corsair h75 so I really just want to make sure the 980 ti is cooled. I just love to overclock and push it to the limit :)

I think the Luxe should be a big enough case for me it has great support for different rad's so I'll definitely look into some kits. I appreciate everything from everyone !
 
MongGrel said:
ajJnwVI.jpg
Water still makes me nervous in a computer. I still use a ND-14 on a X5680 at 4.5 these days on the main.
Anything involving water still makes me nervous there personally..
Click to expand...

With some type of watercooling the processor are looks strikingly deserted

XFgRBY6
 
MongGrel said:
ajJnwVI.jpg
Water still makes me nervous in a computer. I still use a ND-14 on a X5680 at 4.5 these days on the main.
Anything involving water still makes me nervous there personally..
Click to expand...

With some types of watercooling the processor area looks roomy, no?

XFgRBY6.jpg
 
Omionous11 said:
Thanks for the link :)



Nice temps for a overclock !! What kind of cooling did you run ??
Click to expand...

Like I said, custom loop.

I have a Swiftech MCP 655, Heatkiller Rev 3.0 solid Copper CPU block, two EK full cover copper/acetal Titan X blocks with backplates, one XSPC 360R radiator and one XSPC 240R radiator, an EK cylinder 150 ml reservoir.

The tubes are 3/8 x 1/2 inch Primochill plain ol' soft tubing. I use Bitspower compression fittings.

Plain distilled water and a silver coil.
 
Hey guy's I was wondering what everyone thought of the evga hydro copper blocks compared to ek blocks ???
 
Omionous11 said:
Hey guy's I was wondering what everyone thought of the evga hydro copper blocks compared to ek blocks ???
Click to expand...

There is a trade off.

Pro: Those aio type coolers, like the evga one, can be used on several types of cards. So when you upgrade, you pull the cooler off and put it on your new card.

Con: No real vrm cooling and no memory cooling. For some cards this isnt a deal breaker. But for cards like the 290x, this was a deal breaker as the VRM would overheat withope of out some type of cooling. So you will likely have to type of fan to keep the vrm cool. g

I decided the full cover block fit my stlye better. I've built my system to be super quiet. So having all my fans tied to my loop helps keep it very quiet.
 
doug_7506 said:
There is a trade off.

Pro: Those aio type coolers, like the evga one, can be used on several types of cards. So when you upgrade, you pull the cooler off and put it on your new card.

Con: No real vrm cooling and no memory cooling. For some cards this isnt a deal breaker. But for cards like the 290x, this was a deal breaker as the VRM would overheat withope of out some type of cooling. So you will likely have to type of fan to keep the vrm cool. g

I decided the full cover block fit my stlye better. I've built my system to be super quiet. So having all my fans tied to my loop helps keep it very quiet.
Click to expand...

Ahh that make's sense ! I think I'll just go with https://www.dazmode.com/store/product/ek-fc-titan-x-acetalnickel/ for my block with the EVGA SC+ ACX+
 
II you are going to buy ek blocks, performance-pcs is where you want to get them in the US.

I bought mine directly from ek's on line store.

Exact same retail price, but about 10 bucks more on the shipping. That said they were on my doorstep 3 days after I placed the order.
buy backplates too. Completes the look and ek's do some passive cooling too.

Make damn sure the block will fit the card. Go to ek's configurater and make sure.
That card may have a custom pcb.
 
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Omionous11 said:
Thanks guy's but I'm in Canada and everything is more expensive here..
Click to expand...

If you're in Canada, check out Dazmode for your watercooling needs. Save you some tax/tariff/duties buying from a Canadian native watercooling shop.
 
magoo said:
If Heatkiller had 980 blocks I would have purchased them, but they are way behind on GPU blocks.
Click to expand...

They do have 980ti blocks. I just ordered a Heatkiller IV Pro (CPU), Heatkiller MB-X Rampage V Extreme, and 2 x Heatkiller IV XL for GTX 980ti/Titan X, all in copper finish.

Order direct from Watercool ... they have all in stock in almost all variants.
 
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