First build, got a few questions!

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Neverdyne

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Jun 15, 2011
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Hey everyone, I'm doing my first watercooling build and after a lot of research I think I'm ready to buy the components. However, I would love it if someone more experienced out there could tell me if I'm on the right path. So far my plan is to do a single loop (because of this) that will cool the following:

The case is an Obsidian 800D. For the loop, I'm thinking of using 3/8" ID, 5/8" OD PrimoFlex Black tubing with silver Bitspower fittings. Then I'm thinking:


I still got a few questions though:

  1. Should I use the Feser Aqua coolant, or something else? Do the coolants with color leave residue on the loop over time? I think I've heard something about that on a few FrozenCPU reviews.
  2. Is one of those pumps enough for this single loop?

Thanks to anyone who responds, I really appreciate it! I don't wanna screw this up, so I'm trying to be as prepared as I can! ;)
 
yes that pump is enough and no most people use distalled water with a silver kill coil or pt nuke. I understand i just did liquid cooling and i know how you feel. I think you have plenty of rad though lol. Although if i may make one change go with 1/2" ID tubing. Fast flow rates ec. I also think you should look at a Xspc rasa block its a great block and cheaper lol.
 
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Neverdyne said:
  1. Should I use the Feser Aqua coolant, or something else? Do the coolants with color leave residue on the loop over time? I think I've heard something about that on a few FrozenCPU reviews.
  2. Is one of those pumps enough for this single loop?
Click to expand...

1. Most people recommend not using any special coolants besides PT Nuke/silver as they can break down and stain and/or clog up your parts.
2. Yes, that pump is certainly enough for your loop.
 
Instead of buying some thread modded 655 pump, I recommend this for your pump.

This BitsPower pump "top" allows you to use the connectors of your choice and position them where you need them.

Lookie: http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/bid5modtop.html

make sure you give Sidewinder a good look for your watercooling stuff, they have excellent prices....(I do not work nor am I affiliated with them, just a very satisfied customer)

All due respect, I find bay reservoirs VERY hard to work with. They don't bleed air well and are a bitch to drain.

Taking nothing from FrozenCpu, but their prices are 10-15% higher than jabtech, Sidewinder or even Performancepcs, and their shipping is very expensive. I do buy from there but generally in a pinch or if I can't find it elsewhere.

As far as CPU blocks go, consider the Heatkiller 3.0.....you'll need to purchase a backplate if you buy it. The block is massively solid copper and performs better or is the best of any of the blocks available. The price right now is almost dead even with the swiftech. What I like about it is with a small change in supports it will be useable when you buy a new board with a different socket. I love mine.

Fluids don't need to be fancy. I just use distilled water and silver coils. Plus if you use black tubing you reduce light to the fluid and thus algea growth.

Is there a reason why you're buying the EVGA 580 with a block attached? Right now you could probably buy anyone's 580 and place a block of your choice for less. i agree with the EVGA your block is mounted and guaranteed, but at a real price premium. Very nice heatkiller GPU blocks are under 100 dollars.
 
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I've had great experiences with sidewinder as well. Even though they are in the same state and i pay sales tax, the 1-2 day delivery and good prices are still worth it.

If you ditch the bay res and go with magoo's pump top, there's several tube res options available or u can go cheap with swiftech's micro res. 800D has tons of space for either.

I'd definitely stay away from expensive fluids and go water plus silver or some kind of biocide. Buy colored tubing instead of trying to color your water.
 
I second the Swiftech Micro-Res, all Ive ever used. The new Rev2 has better G1/4 connectors and a hole at the bottom for easy drainage,etc.:D

Yes, the 800D has enough space to park a bus, so you won't have trouble mounting anything.
 
Any of those premixed things are basically distilled water, concentrated dye, and some anti corrosives and antimicrobials. You could probably make the same thing for 10$ or less if you just ordered them separately. Just get pt nuke, a gallon of distilled water, and some mayhems dye and you could probably make 10 gallons of coolant..............................BUT, I personally only use distilled water and silver barbs in my loop with colored tubing. I like being able to see how crystal clear my water is after a certain period of time threw the reservoir. Which helps diagnosing problems....
 
sok0 said:
Any of those premixed things are basically distilled water, concentrated dye, and some anti corrosives and antimicrobials. You could probably make the same thing for 10$ or less if you just ordered them separately. Just get pt nuke, a gallon of distilled water, and some mayhems dye and you could probably make 10 gallons of coolant..............................BUT, I personally only use distilled water and silver barbs in my loop with colored tubing. I like being able to see how crystal clear my water is after a certain period of time threw the reservoir. Which helps diagnosing problems....
Click to expand...

Or be like me and not know how much water to buy at the store and buy 3 gallons of it. I have all three sitting on my table only one is half emty and thats cuz im had to redo my loop several times.
 
Aus10 said:
Or be like me and not know how much water to buy at the store and buy 3 gallons of it. I have all three sitting on my table only one is half emty and thats cuz im had to redo my loop several times.
Click to expand...

Haha, that's awesome. :D
 
You don't need that conversion kit if you're going to mount it into that bay reservoir.

One gallon of distilled water is more than enough for several loop refills (speaking from personal experience). Get a silver killcoil or PT Nuke.

One pump is fine. You don't need any additional pumps. Your loop looks good.
 
Thank you all very much, it was very helpful! So I'll go with the distilled water + a silver coil then, and I'll check the recommended reservoir and top. It does seem bay reservoirs are hard to bleed from the videos I've seen.

I also checked Sidewinder Computers thanks to your recommendations, and yeah I'd save myself about $80.00 from buying there. I got a problem though, since I don't live in the US I'm not too sure how their international shipping works. I usually prefer them to ship to a Miami based company that I use who then ships to me, but we'll see. Thanks a lot guys.
 
On a side note, do you guys think I should risk it and buy the EK Classified Block? Or should I go for the more expensive Bitspower one? After reading all the mess with EK I'm kind of weary.

Thanks for that Cruiza, although the problem is not so much that they can't ship internationally, but that I can't have a different shipping address from my billing address. I've been using a shipping service company located on Miami, Florida for more than 15 years now whenever I do shopping on the US, so usually my shipping address is from there while my billing address is from where I live in Guatemala. The problem with using any other international shipping method is that they leave the packages on customs and I have to go to the airport and retrieve it myself and here in Guatemala the whole system is a mess to be honest. They often loose packages and don't treat them well. This shipping company receives the package on Miami and they deliver it straight to my house without a scratch. I'll see what I can do though, but thanks a lot.
 
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