Water Cooling Help

Shottymonsta

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Feb 20, 2013
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I want to get a water cooling loop set up to cool my cpu and gpu using a 240mm rad which will all fit into a fractal r4 case.

The spec is:

Sabertooth Z77 Mobo
i7 3770k
gtx 680 evga classified
Corsair vengeance 1600mhz (big heatsinc version)
fractal r4 case

So I want to connect the rad to the pump and the cpu, then the cpu to the gpu and back into the pump?

Where does the reservoir fit into that?

Can someone draw me a diagram or a photo and show me a list of parts corresponding to the diagram/photo so I can plan the system.
 
Don't have time to draw anything up right now, though I might later.

However, as for the reservoir, it should be directly above the pump in your loop - you'll use it to fill, and you NEVER want to run your pump without water waiting for it directly at the inlet.
 
So basically it would probably look something like this:

Reservoir -> Pump -> CPU block -> GPU block -> Radiator -> back to the Reservoir.

That being said, you're going to need more than a single 240mm radiator if you're trying to cool off an overclocked CPU and the graphics card. You MIGHT be able to get away with a double thick radiator like this one with a push-pull setup using shrouds.
 

Shottymonsta

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Feb 20, 2013
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10,630
is the diagram shown halfway down this thread correct? and if so could someone recommend a watercooling kit from a UK supplier which will meet my needs?

http://www.overclock.net/t/1257152/water-cooling-cpu-gpu-first-timer

edit: Darksable I plan to OC my 3770k to 4.2ghz (a modest but not going to cause hugely high temps OC) Will a standard 240 rad accommodate this?

Also what is a shroud?

edit2: I now what a shroud is now!
 


As for a kit, I don't know about UK suppliers, but this one is one of the best ones out there. Keep in mind that NO kit is going to come with a GPU block, as they're specific to the GPU, and even to the brand of that GPU, that you have.

A shroud is a plastic spacer that puts more distance between the fan and the radiator, getting rid of the slight pocket of dead air found just behind the fan's motor, in the center.

A standard 240 radiator, provided that it's a good one, will cool that just fine. Basically, think of it this way - each part you're cooling should get a 240mm radiator at least. You might be able to get away with using a single triple120 for your CPU and GPU, but a single 240, unless it's something extreme like I mentioned, won't be able to handle both your GPU and your CPU.
 
A general rule of thumb when it comes to radiator space is 120mm per CPU/GPU, then add another 120mm if your overclocking said component.
However, that is just a rule of thumb. There are proper calculations you can do to figure out how much radiator space you need.

You can find the relevant info under the TDP section of the water-cooling sticky.
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/277130-29-read-first-watercooling-sticky
I suggest reading the whole thing, I bet it will answer a lot of the questions you have.

As for what parts to get, IMO watercooling is the one place where we shouldn't just give you a shopping list. I can help you pick parts and will offer feedback on the loop, but wont do it for you.
That being said, something along the lines of an XSPC Raystorm D5 kit might be appropriate. Though you will have to get more radiator and a GPU block if you want to include the GPU in the loop.

A couple of good UK retailers that stock water-cooling equipment.
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/productlist.php?groupid=962
http://www.watercoolinguk.co.uk/
http://www.specialtech.co.uk/