Need some help putting a WC kit together

I

iGROCK

Guest
For the last year or so I have been using the Corsair H100 WK kit for my 3570k that is OC'd to 4.5GHz. I have recently ordered an 290x which you might be aware has heating "issues", if you will.

I have already made up my mind in putting an EK water block on the video card http://www.frozencpu.com/products/2...etal_Nickel_EK-FC_R9-290X_-_AcetalNickel.html

But, now I need to get the rest of the components such as a water block for the CPU and the rest of the components. Which one is best for the money?

I would like to go with 1/2 x 3/4 tubing. I havent decided which pump to get but I hear Swiftech MCP655 is good? But it says its been discontinued.

My Corsair Obsidian Series 650D Case is able to accommodate a 120mm Radiator mouted up top, will that be enough to cool both the CPU and 290X?

I dont really want to spend a ton, but I dont want cheap parts either. I would appreciate any input on this. Thanks everyone.
 
Lets see how much I can address for ya:

1) For CPU, Heat killer has a decent one for $40 or so from performance PCs, look around a bit, a big part of the blocks now is aesthetics (imo), as performance is close to even at all price brackets (all ~$50 blocks perform similar, etc...).

2) The MCP655 is just a Liang D5 pump, look around there are a few variants, the MCP655-B is another, VCP-655, Koolance has one, anything with reference to "D5" should be a MCP655 pump. It is a killer pump.

3) If your getting into WC, you cant really do it on the cheap, with the exception used parts.

4) It looks like the 650D has space for a 120 x 240mm radiator on top, and a 120x120mm radiator on the rear. That will be close, but with some good fans you should be fine on doing that with a good quality 120 x 240mm radiator.
 
Things like blocks/rads/pumps you can save a fair bit of coin if you shop used. On H and elsewhere, people are dumping fittings and watercooling hardware all the time.
 
I'm not exactly an expert but I have built my own loop and read on here for a LONG time before doing so so I'll chip in with what I've learned.

I'm not sure if EK has cleaned up their act but I was always told to stay away from nickel with them. I do have an EK block on my 7970 but I went with just the acetal version and haven't had a problem.

The MCP655 is a good pump, I've had mine running 24/7 for the past ~2 years with no issues. Newegg says discontinued but Amazon has them in stock and so does sidewindercomputers.

A single 120mm rad won't be enough to cool both of those, especially if you're saying the 290x has heat "issues." General rule of thumb is 1 120mm rad for each heat source, so you want a minimum of 2. Google some threads and pics of your case that people have watercooled. I've seen a couple with 1 140mm up top and 1 140mm in the front, which I think should do pretty nicely. You might be able to get away with 1 but your temps won't be that great.

Info I found:
http://forum.corsair.com/v3/showthread.php?t=96624

As far as tubing, just go with whatever color you want in the size that you want with a decent brand, primochill, masterkleer, etc.
 
devil_trigger said:
I'm not exactly an expert but I have built my own loop and read on here for a LONG time before doing so so I'll chip in with what I've learned.

I'm not sure if EK has cleaned up their act but I was always told to stay away from nickel with them. I do have an EK block on my 7970 but I went with just the acetal version and haven't had a problem.

The MCP655 is a good pump, I've had mine running 24/7 for the past ~2 years with no issues. Newegg says discontinued but Amazon has them in stock and so does sidewindercomputers.

A single 120mm rad won't be enough to cool both of those, especially if you're saying the 290x has heat "issues." General rule of thumb is 1 120mm rad for each heat source, so you want a minimum of 2. Google some threads and pics of your case that people have watercooled. I've seen a couple with 1 140mm up top and 1 140mm in the front, which I think should do pretty nicely. You might be able to get away with 1 but your temps won't be that great.

Info I found:
http://forum.corsair.com/v3/showthread.php?t=96624

As far as tubing, just go with whatever color you want in the size that you want with a decent brand, primochill, masterkleer, etc.
Click to expand...
Something like this? http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/...600T White Water Cooled Build/29062011126.jpg
 
Yes, a 240 on top, and a 120 in front (or on the rear) would be a good setup IMO for your scenario .
 
I think that would be best. Now in terms of Rads, what are good brands? There are so many I am getting lost.

Also, for the pump, would it be best to get one with a Reservoir built in like D5 Photon 270 Reservoir/Pump Combo or a 5.25 combo? Trying to keep things clean and neat.
 
The best brand and model radiator depends on the fans you want to run. For top of the line brands, I would recommend either Black Ice or Alphacool.

As for the pump/reservoir combos, that's purely personal preference.
 
Not bad, I would take a look and see if you can find the same kit, but the RX240 varient of it.
 
RX is the thicker version of the radiator correct? What would be the benefit of it over the EX if I will add another 120mm Rad to support the GPU loop.
 
Yes it is, higher cooling capacity is the advantage. You could potentially be fine with just an RX 240, depending on OC, well rather voltage on your components being cooled
 
Found the RX kit http://www.frozencpu.com/products/1..._Pump_Included_and_Free_Dead-Water.html#blank

You may be right. my 3570k is currently at 4.5GHz and I dont think I'll be touching it anytime soon. The 290x at full load runs at 95C which they say its designed for. I mainly want durability overtime and no noise (or very little).

Maybe I should just do that. Adding another 120mm rad is an added cost, but who really knows if it will help.

Now in terms of tubing, is all tubing pretty much the same? Should I do colored tubing or clear? I ask in terms of future discoloration and etc, dont really care for colors. I think Ill do 1/2 x 3/4 tubing along with compression fittings.
 
iGROCK said:
Found the RX kit http://www.frozencpu.com/products/1..._Pump_Included_and_Free_Dead-Water.html#blank

You may be right. my 3570k is currently at 4.5GHz and I dont think I'll be touching it anytime soon. The 290x at full load runs at 95C which they say its designed for. I mainly want durability overtime and no noise (or very little).

Maybe I should just do that. Adding another 120mm rad is an added cost, but who really knows if it will help.

Now in terms of tubing, is all tubing pretty much the same? Should I do colored tubing or clear? I ask in terms of future discoloration and etc, dont really care for colors. I think Ill do 1/2 x 3/4 tubing along with compression fittings.
Click to expand...

Tubing...most of them currently will suffer plasticizer seeping as of now, resulting in cloudiness in hose that is supposed to be clear. You might get lucky and find a brand/batch I haven't tried of late, but it is a very common problem within the last year with clear/translucent hose.
 
The more I look at everything, the more I run into issues.
With my case, I wont be able to fit an RX to properly mount it. Even if I ghetto rigged it, it would just look sloppy which I dont want.
Running a single RS240 and an RS120 wont be enough for the 290x.

I was thinking of simply mounting a huge rad on the back of the case being held by support brackets. Thoughts?
 
I think the best option for your case is a slim 240 for the top, which is why I didn't recommend a thicker rad like the RX, and a 200mm rad for the front just like the pic you found. A single 200mm rad has alot of surface area. Sure most 200mm fans don't have very good static pressure but it should still work very well.

I think its always better to have more rad than you need than not have enough. I'm running a quad 120 for a 2500k and a single 7970, but my case had more than enough room so I went for overkill lol.
 
If you don't mind somewhat higher noise, you can run 1850 or 2150 RPM Gentle Typhoons on a Black Ice GTS radiator. The GTS radiator is a very high FPI radiator and would outperform low FPI radiators with high static pressure fans.

Exactly how much space do you have? That will help us determine what radiators can fit.
 
I believe I can fit a GTS 280 up top. Now it terms of cooling surface area vs. RX240, which is better?

Also, I found out that I can mount a rad horizontally on the bottom of the case such as this http://www.frozencpu.com/products/1..._-_Dual_Loop_Liquid_Cooled_Edition.html#blank
What would be the better setup in terms of cooling, a 200mm Phobia or GTX dual 120mm? I dont like how the phobia takes up so much space mounted vertically, would there be an issue if mounted horizontally? I am trying to keep space for my harddrives, if mounted vertically there wont be any left.
 
It depends highly on the fan speed. High speed fans the GTS will be better. Low speed fans the RX will be better.
 
My plan was to put the RX on the bottom of the case and cool it by 2 fans, and put a GTS280 up top, but I cant figure out which has more cooling area.

Phobia 200mm vs RX240? RX is better? What about GTX 240 vs RX?
 
I got my list together for the parts I have put together. FrozenCPU seems to have everything that I was looking for. Other websites are really hard to navigate to or dont show any search results whatsoever. Prices seem ok. If you think I should change something let me know.

1. Phobya Xtreme 200mm Radiator http://www.frozencpu.com/products/1...200mm_Radiator_-_Version_2_-_Full_Copper.html

2. Black Ice GT Stealth 280 Radiator http://www.frozencpu.com/products/9013/ex-rad-154/Black_Ice_GT_Stealth_280_Radiator_-_Black.html

3. EK D5 X-RES Top 140 w/ D5 Vario Pump http://www.frozencpu.com/products/2...rio_Pump_EK-D5_Vario_X-RES_140_incl_pump.html

4. EK Supremacy Block http://www.frozencpu.com/products/1...-_Full_Nickel_EK-Supremacy_-_Full_Nickel.html

5. EK Radeon R9-290X Block http://www.frozencpu.com/products/2...etal_Nickel_EK-FC_R9-290X_-_AcetalNickel.html

6. Coolant http://www.frozencpu.com/products/1...quid_Cooling_Premix_Coolant_-_1L_-_Clear.html

7. Tubing http://www.frozencpu.com/products/1...eter_65_Feet_Retail_Pack_-_Clear_UV_Blue.html

8. Compression Fittings http://www.frozencpu.com/products/1...13mm_ID_x_19mm_OD_12_x_34_-_Black_Nickel.html + http://www.frozencpu.com/products/1...ofile_Compression_Fitting_-_Black_Chrome.html
 
The 200mm has more surface area, so it would almost undoubtedly be better than the 240 at the same fan speeds.

The GTX radiator is a high FPI thick radiator, and would do better with higher speed fans but worse with low speed fans, as compared to the RX radiator.

Use distilled water from your local grocery market for coolant. Don't forget to get a silver killcoil or PT Nuke.

I don't like EK due to their handling of customer issues in the past, so I would advise you to stay away from EK, but that's your choice.
 
Just realized you PM'ed me, tried to PM back and since you're a guest it said "user not found" lol.

Anyway, Tsumi pretty much nailed everything on the head. He's the one that helped me with most of my build. One thing he didn't mention is the pump, which yes 1 pump will be plenty for 2 rads and blocks. You need like a quadfire setup running parallel loops to need multiple pumps.

I would heed peoples warning about EK though, especially with their Nickel blocks. I have a non-nickel EK block and its been great, I stayed away from their Nickel stuff.

Just use distilled water and a killcoil or an additive like PT nuke, no need for those "special" coolants.

As far as the rads I'd say what you picked out will work great.
 
I got my old account back :)

Should I change my order and change it all to copper? I was not aware there were issues with nickel, I have heard a few but many said the issues were squared away a while ago.

Their copper stuff doesnt have the same issue correct? As far as I am aware copper doesnt flake but does tarnish.
 
I'm not sure if it was ever fixed but because of how they handled it I would never trust them with it again. The copper/acetal stuff is fine though.
 
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