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First time watercooling

T

Tricyclthief

Limp Gawd
Joined
Aug 12, 2011
Messages
354
I feel I've outgrown my Corsair All-in-one and time to move up. I've had the itch to cool my pgu and do a custom loop for a long time and with black Friday coming up figured now's as good a time as any. Ive read through quite a few forums but most the information I see is really outdated and trying to find some current recommendations.

Looking at purchasing a Thermaltake core X5 to house the system in, don't think my Raven RV03 is big enough for the rads and always been a fan of cube cases.

-Seems like most prefer D5 pumps or ddc?
-Ive read that i should use 120mm rad per device with 120 extra for headroom? If I'm cooling cpu and gpu i should be looking at 360 rad?

Any suggestions on cpu block, gpu block brands etc would be greatly appreciated. I don't want to buy something i read was great 4 years ago when there's better and cheaper out there.

Some PC Specs
Intel 6700k
EVGA 980 TI SC ASX 2.0+ (06G-P4-4993)
Asus Z170-A mobo

**Current Shopping List**
x2 Koolance HX 360 res
Alphacool XPX cpu block
980 TI GPU block
VPP755 pump
Alphacool Eisbecher tube res
Koolance 6ft tubing
Fittings 3/8" x 1/2"
 
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At this present time, the top two blocks are the Aqua Kyro Next and Alphacool Eisblock XPX followed presumably by EK and the rest. GPU block wise I would still stick with EK. I would also look into the new Acool VP755 D5 derivative pump. Rads wise the EK XT is the all around top rad for thick and the Koolance HX is best for thin.

-Ive read that i should use 120mm rad per device with 120 extra for headroom? If I'm cooling cpu and gpu i should be looking at 360 rad?
Click to expand...

That's an old formula and it has hardly applied today, even with some of the authorities on the scene like Martin for ex. He prefers 360mm per block for seriously low noise loops. Extra rads allows two things, lower noise and higher capacity so when not overclocking you can run fans lower = lower noise. And when overclocking, with the extra rad space temp deltas will remain in check. All that said, I would do 240 per block at a minimum and I prefer using the largest rads I can for the space. My case fits two 480s so I stuffed it with two 480s. :eek:
 
How does this look as a rough idea for parts? Things to change, alternatives?

Right now that list is sitting at $513.32 before any black friday deals may happen.

Side note, i wasn't sure which reservoir would work or what else was needed for the vpp755 so was looking at the D5 as a backup.


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As he said above, ideally you want more rad space than that; yes, a single 360 should handle your CPU and GPU, but you'll have to run faster/louder fans than if you had more radiator surface area.
 
I have 2 listed there, figured that should work. Any issues with brands/models? Is there anything I'm missing in this setup?

Any suggestions are welcome for better prices, would really like to try and get it down closer to $400

Thanks
 
Pump wise I have some experience with the ddc. I am building a setuo for a 5820k and a gtx 980ti. Only the cpu and vrms are watercooled now and they have their own 420mm radiator, in the end it will be a single gpu/cpu loop with a 420mm and 2x240mm (don't have the case to stuff everything into yet).
The issue with the ddc is that it is loud. The whole point of my loop is to have fans running at lowest possible speed (some of them not running at all, when load is low) and the ddc 3.2pwm is audible at any speed setting above the lowest one. So, after spending the money to pimp it out with a heatsink, top and rubber anti-vibration feet I am disappointed. A stock d5, as far as i know, is quieter, does not need heatsinks as it is watercooled and can probably run at the same or higher speed than a ddc is a better choice for most watercooling setups. The ddc should probably be used only when there are a lot of constrictive waterblocks and the higher maximum head pressure of the ddc is necessary.
As for radiators - imo 240mm radiator per component is the minimum for good performance while remaining silent-ish. You could get away with 120mm per component, but then the results would be close to AIO cooolers (loud and barely acceptable temps). Your choice of two 360mm rads should give very good results :)
 
Tricyclthief said:
How does this look as a rough idea for parts? Things to change, alternatives?

Right now that list is sitting at $513.32 before any black friday deals may happen.

Side note, i wasn't sure which reservoir would work or what else was needed for the vpp755 so was looking at the D5 as a backup.


View attachment 11145
Click to expand...

That's a good selection of bits. You have a good ratio of rads to blocks. The only thing I would suggest is to not get too long of a tube res as they get harder to maintain the longer they get. Pump wise you are still within the restriction envelope of the D5.

http://www.aquatuning.us/water-cool...0531/alphacool-eispumpe-vpp755-single-edition
 
I did look at the 755 and checked out some review, I wasn't sure about one thing though.. If I got that pump do I need a pump top? And where can I find which reservoirs are compatible? I'd like to do a pump/tube res combo, I like the looks and feel it will give me little safety net being a first-timer not running the pump dry.

Res I linked up top was 270m would the 170 be a better size? Haven't ever read anything about maintenance on tube res.
 
When you click on the pump, it will list the options, and there are a variety of reservoir to choose from. Long tube res' are just a pita to deal clean and mount imo, but for some it's worth the bling so at the end of the day its up to you.

Haven't ever read anything about maintenance on tube res.
Click to expand...

It's not a wc thing it's a practical thing. Imagine if your loop is contaminated now you have to wipe and clean every surface. Cleaning a long tube is actually harder than it sounds when the diameter is smaller than you can make with your hand.
 
ah ok i see now in your link. I was looking here and it didn't show res. Couple last questions before i pull the trigger and make my purchase. I'm gonna go with soft tube for now as its my first time with a custom loop

  1. Is there a tube size/fittings that's better then the others or does it matter?
  2. From what i understand if i switch out to hard tube ill have to replace my fittings as well?
  3. For the EVGA 980 TI will this block fit that card or is there a better version for the 06G-P4-4993 model or cheaper :)
Anything i'm missing or last minute changes to the shopping list anyone can think of?
 
  1. Is there a tube size/fittings that's better then the others or does it matter?
  2. From what i understand if i switch out to hard tube ill have to replace my fittings as well?
  3. For the EVGA 980 TI will this block fit that card or is there a better version for the 06G-P4-4993 model or cheaper
Click to expand...

1. Tube size doesn't matter or the differences are too small. That said personally I prefer the largest tubing (which is best perf wise though the difference is marginal), 1/2in x 3/4in with compressions over barbs.
2. Fittings are specific flex tubing or hard tubing, and if hard can be specific to the system.
3. Any block for reference 980ti will work since your gpu is reference based. That said I prefer the EK block for the aesthetic and performance but again any of the top blocks will do.

http://www.xtremerigs.net/2015/04/07/gtx-980-water-block-round-up/3/

^^In the tests above, you have to ignore the acool block as it is NOT a fullcover block but instead a glorified gpu only block with a fullbody heatsink.
 
Tricyclthief said:
Thanks for all the great info, the EK block for the GPU was actually $6 cheaper then that one i was looking at. One last question I couldnt really find an answer for online.

http://www.performance-pcs.com/koolance-radiator-hx-1020-triple-aluminum-vert-no-nozzles.html

What exactly does the no nozzles mean? Is that just saying it doesn't come with fittings attached?
Click to expand...

Nozzles = fittings. Btw, do not get the rad you linked, you want the HX-CU for copper. The regular HX is aluminum, terribad.

http://www.performance-pcs.com/koolance-radiator-3x120mm-copper-vert-no-nozzles.html

**Btw get more than 6ft of tubing, more like 10ft or even more than that. Tubing is cheap so get more because making a mistake or miscalculating and being stuck in the middle of the night while building your loop because you are short of tubing really sucks.
 
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Ok great i thought that meant fittings. Yeah i had the copper in my cart, linked the aluminum cause it was on my screen and both said no nozzles.

Thanks again everyone for the help. Got my order placed and came in at $510. Ended up getting the 2 360 rads, EK gpu block, alphacool cpu block, vpp755 pump with the alphacool eisbecher tube res. Got bunch xspc fittings and couple 90 degrees and xspc 1/2x3/4" tubing and my ball valve for draining. Now to wait for the mail lol
 
I've scoured the internet trying to find some examples of how people have the Core X5 case setup and I found all of 2 but couldn't determine exactly how the loop was setup. Here's a rough idea i was thinking.

Couple logistics questions I have
  1. For 10. I thought i could fill the res then use the IN port on the bottom with a ball valve and tube/funnel (running up toward the top of case) to fill/maintain it? If that doesn't seem like it would work then id keep the top of res capped and just use the IN port at bottom of res (think i'd prefer to have to dump into top though)
  2. For the drain, if i did use the ball valve at the bottom IN port, could that also be used to drain the system (tube running down out of case) or better to use a Y at the OUT and drain there?
  3. Lastly for the flow itself, had 2 thoughts and not really sure it will effect it either way but wanted a 2nd opinion. Red lines go RES/PUMP>GPU>CPU>RAD1>RAD2>TOP/BOTTOM RES. Blue is RES/PUMP>GPU>RAD1>CPU>RAD2>TOP/BOTTOM RES
WC setup.png
 
You have an X5! Don't worry about routing, it will come naturally. Choose where you parts go and run the tube routing in the shortest most logical path giving leeway for block removal just in case, etc. Do not put your rads in with the ports in the back as it causes needless mess right above the cpu/gpu and who needs to be constricted right there? There's ample room on the front side. I also put the pump/res on the opposite side of the drives. I have an x5 for a test rig atm but I don't have many pics of it. Btw, I run push on my rads exhausting out the top of the case.


http://i.imgur.com/XRoRgpc.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/g5wsTct.jpg
 
I haven't bought the X5 yet but plan on it this weekend. Found picture of what I'm leaning toward as my setup.

x5 cube.jpg
 
^^That is exactly what I'm talking about so stupid. The ports for the rad are right above the gpu. You will never be able to remove the gpu or access that area w/o tearing all the crap out. Leaks will drop water right onto your gear, its right there. Personally, I really hate the X5 design, its terrible with the horizontal mb layout. The point of cube cases are vertical partitions but the X5 defeats that point.You cannot mod/access/swap gpus easily. Hell you cannot even pull out the cpu block w/o tearing it all down. As it is your first real loop, you are going to do things that are not perfect, there will be a learning curve etc, so that case in that layout with ports on top will be a pain in the ass.
 
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