• Some users have recently had their accounts hijacked. It seems that the now defunct EVGA forums might have compromised your password there and seems many are using the same PW here. We would suggest you UPDATE YOUR PASSWORD and TURN ON 2FA for your account here to further secure it. None of the compromised accounts had 2FA turned on.
    Once you have enabled 2FA, your account will be updated soon to show a badge, letting other members know that you use 2FA to protect your account. This should be beneficial for everyone that uses FSFT.

Looking To Build First Custom Loop For Rig...

S

seaneboy

Limp Gawd
Joined
Dec 19, 2013
Messages
253
Ok, so here is the spec (so far) on the system I'm looking to build... This will be my first closed loop, and I'm looking forward to it... However, I have a few questions... First off, which case should I go with? I was debating the 900D, but am open to suggestions. Secondly, I'm looking for the loop to have a larger rad, so that I can add on the GPU, and potential second GPU down the line (near future). Which radiator should I go with? I kind of like the idea of going for a 480 off the bat, thoughts on that? Also, which company should I go with on the parts? To start, which radiator manufacturer should I go with? Which CPU block should I pick? The Raystorm?


PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i7-3930K 3.2GHz 6-Core Processor (Purchased For $440.00)
Motherboard: Asus Rampage IV Extreme EATX LGA2011 Motherboard ($419.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($157.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 Pro Series 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk (Purchased For $170.00)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Green 3TB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive ($129.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 780 3GB Video Card ($539.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: SeaSonic Platinum 860W 80+ Platinum Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($183.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Optical Drive: Asus BW-16D1HT Blu-Ray/DVD/CD Writer ($80.98 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (32/64-bit) ($104.99 @ Dell Small Business)
Total: $2227.91
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-01-14 10:48 EST-0500)
 
seaneboy said:
Ok, so here is the spec (so far) on the system I'm looking to build... This will be my first closed loop, and I'm looking forward to it... However, I have a few questions... First off, which case should I go with? I was debating the 900D, but am open to suggestions. Secondly, I'm looking for the loop to have a larger rad, so that I can add on the GPU, and potential second GPU down the line (near future). Which radiator should I go with? I kind of like the idea of going for a 480 off the bat, thoughts on that? Also, which company should I go with on the parts? To start, which radiator manufacturer should I go with? Which CPU block should I pick? The Raystorm?


PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i7-3930K 3.2GHz 6-Core Processor (Purchased For $440.00)
Motherboard: Asus Rampage IV Extreme EATX LGA2011 Motherboard ($419.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($157.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 Pro Series 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk (Purchased For $170.00)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Green 3TB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive ($129.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 780 3GB Video Card ($539.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: SeaSonic Platinum 860W 80+ Platinum Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($183.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Optical Drive: Asus BW-16D1HT Blu-Ray/DVD/CD Writer ($80.98 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (32/64-bit) ($104.99 @ Dell Small Business)
Total: $2227.91
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-01-14 10:48 EST-0500)
Click to expand...

I just built my custom loop with 4 R9 290's and I'm very glad that I went with the 900D and two 480mm radiators and a 240 radiator. They get very hot actually so if I had less rad capacity it would be a problem. People recommended the Alphacool UT60 480mm radiators to me. You can check my thread on this forum and buy similar parts.
 
Appreciate the response Allen, I'm going to head over and take a look.. Sounds like you have a beast of a machine over there! I actually just got on board with an order for (3) MSI 290's that were listed for presale on Amazon the other day.. We'll see what happens.. I also have a Titan coming my way to try out, might start there, and figure out which path I take.
 
seaneboy said:
Appreciate the response Allen, I'm going to head over and take a look.. Sounds like you have a beast of a machine over there! I actually just got on board with an order for (3) MSI 290's that were listed for presale on Amazon the other day.. We'll see what happens.. I also have a Titan coming my way to try out, might start there, and figure out which path I take.
Click to expand...

Why would you spend extra money on a custom air cooler that you're just going to replace?

A lot of people on here like to put waterblocks on the GPU's themselves, but Visiontek actually sells a water cooled R9 290 with a backplate for cheaper than you could build it yourself. You just have to find it in stock.

http://www.visiontekproducts.com/index.php/products/graphics-cards
 
If you are going to spend money on a 900d, get a Caselabs case instead for a little extra money. There is no comparison in quality. And the Caselabs is made for watercooling, everything will line up perfectly.
 
allen5055 said:
Why would you spend extra money on a custom air cooler that you're just going to replace?

A lot of people on here like to put waterblocks on the GPU's themselves, but Visiontek actually sells a water cooled R9 290 with a backplate for cheaper than you could build it yourself. You just have to find it in stock.

http://www.visiontekproducts.com/index.php/products/graphics-cards
Click to expand...

Allen, I've actually thought that myself, but I was told that sometimes the manufacturers use their own PCB/components which prove to be of better quality... I also kind of just bought them because it let me place the order... ;c) I might cancel it, but I figured I had nothing to lose with Amazon only charging when they ship...
 
Sok0 - I actually looked at Caselabs, but couldn't figure out which route to take.. Also, I wasn't exactly too thrilled with the pricetag on the 900D, so I was even debating going that route...
 
I look at the case, radiators, pumps, reservoirs, fittings, as reusable items, meaning I can keep reusing them on future builds... So i tend to splurge on the higher quality because when you think about it, if that case last you 8 years or more, whats the extra $100 you spent... My 2 - thermochill radiators, res, case, compression fittings are still running excellent after 6 years and 4 rebuilds. My mcp355 pump only lasted 5 years, so I cant complain. So yea, I spent the extra $100 when I first built my loop for the thermochills/case, but it's probably saved me more than that over 6 years not having to buy new stuff except GPU blocks.
 
Interesting, I guess I should look at it that way. And, I'm definitely all for going quality parts.. So, I guess Caselabs it is!
 
My next case is going to be a SM8 with the upside down motherboard mounting. They pretty much have any configuration you can dream of, cubes, towers, minis, etc.. I cant imagine myself ever needing more than the SM8 as it can house 2 - 120.4 radiators.
 
Does 120.4 stand for 120x4= 480? I definitely want (1) 480, perhaps moving to another down the line.. I looked at the M8, not sure how that differs from the SM8...? Also, what is the significance of an upside down motherboard?
 
seaneboy said:
Does 120.4 stand for 120x4= 480? I definitely want (1) 480, perhaps moving to another down the line.. I looked at the M8, not sure how that differs from the SM8...? Also, what is the significance of an upside down motherboard?
Click to expand...

120.4 means 120x4, so yeah 480. If I were you, I would just make the big up front investment and get two 480's.

I personally love the Corsair 900D. A lot of people say it's one of the best watercooling cases. I did a lot of research before I built my system, and that's pretty much why I bought it. Lots of room and the installation was pretty simple.

I got my Corsair 900D for only $270 from Newegg after the masterpass promo and a rebate.
 
seaneboy said:
Does 120.4 stand for 120x4= 480? I definitely want (1) 480, perhaps moving to another down the line.. I looked at the M8, not sure how that differs from the SM8...? Also, what is the significance of an upside down motherboard?
Click to expand...

The window and everything faces out the opposite side basically... Just personal preference.. And you can actually see the GPU blocks since they are facing up not down.
 
You want to look at the Phantek Ethoo Primo case as well.
It is very well designed for watercooling.
If you are only going to cool a CPU and one GPU you won't need all that radiator.....a good 120.3 would suffice.
One CPU two GPU 120.3 plus 120.2.

Just invest in good quality parts.

I suggest Swiftech mcp 655 pumps, Heatkiller blocks and BitsPower compression fittings.

2cents.:D
 
sok0 said:
The window and everything faces out the opposite side basically... Just personal preference.. And you can actually see the GPU blocks since they are facing up not down.
Click to expand...

And that is exactly why I picked the Azza Genesis 9000 :D

Need to mod in a side window though.
 
Here's the review of the Enthoo Primo by Bill Owens of MNPCTech

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CIpoC65bpX4

Also, I noted some links to your parts to SuperBiiz, I've purchased from them in the past, motherboards and GPUs mostly. No problems with the part or the ordering.....
My problem with them is very high shipping prices. Most of the time their sale price is about right, but you get killed on shipping and it tends to be primarily the slowest form.
I'd spend some time looking at that specifically, you'll find overall newegg will be the cheapest once you factor in shipping fees.
 
Thanks for that.. I'll keep that in mind... I might just go Newegg for most parts - simply because I'm making this purchase through my business, and we have a business account with them.. ;c) Comes in handy!

I haven't really started price hunting just yet, really only made my selections via partpicker.. Once I'm firm on my picks, I'll then start the part number googling fiasco...
 
I'm still a bit lost as to which direction to go with the case. I would most certainly prefer little/no case modding, as I'm really not any sort of craftsman, and feel that this water cooling is going to be a learning experience already...
 
seaneboy said:
I'm still a bit lost as to which direction to go with the case. I would most certainly prefer little/no case modding, as I'm really not any sort of craftsman, and feel that this water cooling is going to be a learning experience already...
Click to expand...

If you don't want to case mod just get the 900D. It's super easy. Just slap the radiators in and you're good to go.
 
seaneboy said:
I'm still a bit lost as to which direction to go with the case. I would most certainly prefer little/no case modding, as I'm really not any sort of craftsman, and feel that this water cooling is going to be a learning experience already...
Click to expand...

I bought the Phanteks because while I can DIY if I have to, I prefer not to. I think it's the most water cooling-ready case out there.
 
Another vote for CaseLabs here :D Very happy with my choice coming from an 800D. Fit & finish is excellent, the pieces just fit together perfectly. Tons of options for watercooling installation.
 
silverstonec2d said:
Another vote for CaseLabs here :D Very happy with my choice coming from an 800D. Fit & finish is excellent, the pieces just fit together perfectly. Tons of options for watercooling installation.
Click to expand...

...Says a guy named 'sliverstone'... ;c)

Yeah, I'm still tossing around the 900D vs Caselabs... I'm going to check out that Phanteks as well.
 
seaneboy said:
...Says a guy named 'sliverstone'... ;c)

Yeah, I'm still tossing around the 900D vs Caselabs... I'm going to check out that Phanteks as well.
Click to expand...

Haha good catch. :). I made my account on here back when I was rockin a Silverstone TJ-07. Nice case BTW. After which I went with Corsair 800D. I wanted to get a case with a more manageable size with at least equal cooling capacity. Decided on CaseLabs doublewide this time for better WC options and lighter being aluminum.
 
Last edited:
allen5055 said:
I just built my custom loop with 4 R9 290's and I'm very glad that I went with the 900D and two 480mm radiators and a 240 radiator. They get very hot actually so if I had less rad capacity it would be a problem. People recommended the Alphacool UT60 480mm radiators to me. You can check my thread on this forum and buy similar parts.
Click to expand...

I second the 900D I love mine and it makes things easy. Caselabs, well you can do that too! But it will cost you twice as much. The 900D you can just drop in 2 480 radiators no problem and still have room for another couple radiators if you wanted to squeeze them in.

Preferably I would have gone with UT60's but I couldn't pass up 2 used 480 XSPC RX480s for about $60 each, difference in performance was negligible, and the screws that came with the case worked perfect with them.

So there you have it, I would buy used if you can save some cash, but if new UT60's is what I would go with. (GTs for the fans), although I put Panalflo L1BX up top because they fit (38mm) and I already had them.

For CPU block check some reviews, not sure which is best for that CPU since I went with Haswell. My preference is non acrylic. I went with EK because I'm direct die cooling my haswell and they are the only ones that offered the naked die mount, best block varies from CPu to CPU and configuration. Koolance is also making some great blocks when I checked.

One thing your forgetting about is fittings, compressions, 90's 45's rotaries etc. your probably going to want a couple 90's, a nddrain valve. One of the 90's for the top radiator in the 900D so you can run the line to it around the back of the case. You won't be able to figure out exactly what you need until you have the case in front of you, just keep in mind you will be spending money on fittings. If you can I would find some used ones.

You will also need a reservoir and pump. I went with and aqualis and seperate pump, with EK top, but I had to make my own mount for it out of a piece of aluminum. You might also look into the XSPC Photon that was recently released. Again, I'll take glass over acrylic if it fits easily enough and is within my budget.
 
Last edited:
seaneboy said:
Sok0 - I actually looked at Caselabs, but couldn't figure out which route to take.. Also, I wasn't exactly too thrilled with the pricetag on the 900D, so I was even debating going that route...
Click to expand...

Even if I was willing to ever buy another Corsair product again (and with an 87.5% failure rate that is not likely) dual 80mm 480 rads plus fans would not fit.

Caselabs are hands down about the best industrial shaped enclosures out there. The cases allow for extreme customization inside and out, which can become a bit overwhelming. Nearly everything except the wheel kit is solid aluminum. Moreover it is American made rather than Chinese, if that last bit matters.

I bought the last case before they raised prices a while back; my TH-10 with the Caselabs accessories and shipping would now cost about $900, but it really is a matter of getting what you pay for.

Justin, instead of UTs I went for the full on NexXxos Monstas. I like the build quality and I really, really, like the screw guard underlip that prevents a person from puncturing the rad with aggressive tightening. Two caveats though: 1) Alphacool has horrible fit and finish including on the copper plugs 2) the copper plated screws are M3 hex rather than M4 phillips
 
Teenyman45 said:
Even if I was willing to ever buy another Corsair product again (and with an 87.5% failure rate that is not likely) dual 80mm 480 rads plus fans would not fit.

Caselabs are hands down about the best industrial shaped enclosures out there. The cases allow for extreme customization inside and out, which can become a bit overwhelming. Nearly everything except the wheel kit is solid aluminum. Moreover it is American made rather than Chinese, if that last bit matters.

I bought the last case before they raised prices a while back; my TH-10 with the Caselabs accessories and shipping would now cost about $900, but it really is a matter of getting what you pay for.

Justin, instead of UTs I went for the full on NexXxos Monstas. I like the build quality and I really, really, like the screw guard underlip that prevents a person from puncturing the rad with aggressive tightening. Two caveats though: 1) Alphacool has horrible fit and finish including on the copper plugs 2) the copper plated screws are M3 hex rather than M4 phillips
Click to expand...

The Corsair 900D is made for dual 480mm radiators. Mine has two 480mm radiators with a 240.

Actually, the Corsair 900D is on sale on Newegg for $278 right now.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811139019
 
Still not seeing how the top of the 900D has +115mm clearance from the top to mount an 80mm rad, a 25mm fan, a filter gasket, and have a few mm of space between it and the CPU exhaust opening.
 
Teenyman45 said:
Still not seeing how the top of the 900D has +115mm clearance from the top to mount an 80mm rad, a 25mm fan, a filter gasket, and have a few mm of space between it and the CPU exhaust opening.
Click to expand...

I have a 60mm rad and it has more than 20mm space from the top of the motherboard. You can't do push/pull though.
 
Thanks a lot for the input guys... I am still kind of in the process of accumulating parts.. So far I have the CPU (well, actually (2) CPUs - a 3930k that supposedly is a pick of the liter, and a brand new 4930k), a 256GB Evo Pro, and I think I have a RIVEBE and 4x4GB Dominator GT @ 2133 on the way.
I am still debating the GPU purchase.. Wondering if I should go the 290 and toy with some mining to try and recoup some costs...?
I guess my final questions are coming down to:
1) Should I go 290 - perhaps find used to see if I can get unlockable?
2) What monitor route should I go? 1440, or 1080 120mHz?
3) I'd imagine push/pull is the way to go, so I guess that steers me towards Caselabs?
4) Is this computer going to be obsolete by the time I'm actually done buying parts?
5) Am I really going to end up $4k in the hole?
 
I BOUGHT A CASELABS M8! ;c) Kind of excited about it.. Perhaps I should've went SM8.. Except, I found this one for $225 used with all original parts.... So, how could I say no?!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top