Water Cooling Build Selected, Anything You Would Change?

SoapBox · Aug 26, 2013

I've already posted a few questions and the answers have definitely helped. So, I'd like to show my completed selection for my upcoming build (September and January) and see if anyone would change anything as I'm brand new to watercooling and running large overclocks on a 24/7 basis.

Build:

CPU: i7 4770k 3.5ghz
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116901

GPU: EVGA GTX 780 Classified Hydro Copper in 2-Way SLI (1 in September, 2nd in January)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130950

Mobo: ASUS Maximus VI Hero z87
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131989

Ram: G.SKILL Trident X @ 2133 32gb (4x8gb)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231617

Case: NZXT Phantom 530
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146106

SSD: Samsung 840 Pro 256gb
HDD: WD Black 1TB 7200rpm
PSU: Cooler Master V1000 1000w

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Watercooling Components:

CPU Block: EK Supremacy Universal (Would get Elite but Indigo-Xtreme doesn't fit the 4770k)
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/16689/ex-blc-1181/EK_Supremacy_Universal_CPU_Liquid_Cooling_Block_-_Full_Nickel_EK-Supremacy_-_Full_Nickel.html?id=ycGrNbdK&mv_pc=353

GPU Blocks: Pre-installed GTX 780 Classified Hydro Copper blocks

Pumps: 2x Swiftech MCP355 12v DDC (1 in September, 2nd in January)
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/5125/ex-pmp-47/Swiftech_MCP355_12v_Water_Pump_Native_38_120_GPH.html?id=ycGrNbdK&mv_pc=924

Pump Tops: 2x XSPC Laing DDC-1T/1TPlus (1 in September, 2nd in January)
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/9047/ex-pmp-81/XSPC_Laing_DDC-1T1TPlus_MCP-350355_POM_Replacement_Top.html?id=ycGrNbdK&mv_pc=926

Radiators: 2x Alphacool NexXxoS Monsta 560 4x140mm 80mm thick Externally Mounted (1 in September, 2nd in January)
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/18793/ex-rad-492/Alphacool_NexXxoS_Monsta_Quad_140mm_Radiator_-_80mm_Thick.html?id=ycGrNbdK&mv_pc=923

Fans: 16x Cougar Vortex HDB 140mm Push/Pull Setup (8 in September, 8 more in January)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835553003

Tubing: 10' Tygon 2475 Ultra (Plasticizer Free) 1/2" ID 3/4" OD
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/10693/ex-tub-665/Tygon_2475_Ultra_Chemical_Resistant_Plasticizer_Free_Tubing_-_12_ID_34_OD_-_Clear_ACG00038.html?id=ycGrNbdK&mv_pc=1680

Reservoir: EK Dual Bay SPIN Reservoir w/ Flow Meter
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/16690/ex-res-390/EK_Dual_Bay_SPIN_Reservoir_w_Flow_Meter_-_Acetal_Black_CSQ.html?id=ycGrNbdK&mv_pc=2053

TIM: Coollaboratory Liquid Ultra (Die to IHS) Gelid Extreme (IHS to Water block)
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/10740/thr-77/Coollaboratory_Liquid_Ultra_100_Metal_Thermal_Interface_Material.html?id=ycGrNbdK&mv_pc=2203 (CLU)
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/13313/thr-108/Gelid_Solutions_GC-3_Extreme_Thermal_Compound_-_35_Grams_TC-GC-03-A.html?tl=g8c127s1491&id=ycGrNbdK&mv_pc=3251 (Gelid Extreme)

Fittings: 1/2" ID fatboy barbs and hardware store clamps

My overclocking goal for my processor is to get the 4770k to 4.5-4.8ghz stable 24/7 (depending on how well I do at the silicone lottery), while I want my 780's running at 1500mhz core clock (not boosted) with ~7000mhz memory clock stable 24/7.

So here are my questions:

1.) Is there anything you would change? I'm trying to get as close to a Delta-T of 5 degrees as possible with fan speeds at 1200 RPM with the above overclocks as a quieter system is preferred.

2.) Fans, I don't care about looks, I care about the cost, looking for a good 700-1200/1400 rpm fan for under $20 per fan, would you suggest any alternative?

3.) Pumps, would you change the pumps I've selected? Would you be able to suggest ones that would work better?

4.) TIM, would you suggest using CLUltra or Pro, and is there any real reason not to put it between the IHS and Waterblock? I see some folks do, and some don't with no explanation.

Any other advice would be welcome as I've never dropped this much on a system before and I'm currently pressed up against my budget with maybe 100 bucks to play around with, if my wife decides she loves me.

Thanks.

JackNaylorPE · Aug 26, 2013

Well....With the Hero in your build, I wuda thot you would have upgraded t the Maximus VI Formula which is equipped with water block already

I think the 4 memory modules will slow the PC down in gaming.....tend to get higher OCs at lower timings with 2 modules.

You can fit those 2 giant rads in that case ? NZXT says up to 360mm...... you have two 560mm ???? I think ya gonna need a 900D or Cosmos for that stuff .... if ya tone it down a little bit, you can squeeze into a Phanteks Enthoo...with Phanteks fans

http://www.nzxt.com/product/detail/134-phantom-530.html

Extensive liquid cooling support includes Kraken X40/X60 all-in-one solutions and radiators of up to 360mm in size

I'd have used the Raystorm for the performance and better aesthetics, especially w/ Asus Color Scheme
XSPC RayStorm High Performance Acetal CPU Liquid Cooling Block - Black Edition (Intel) (Sockets LGA 115x / 1366 / 2011)
XSPC Aluminum Red Edition Mounting Face Plate - Intel Raystorm CPU Block

Only 1 reservoir ? Single Loop, 2 pumps in series ? or 2 loops ?

Im not a fan of "radiator hose clamps"

... prefer compression fittings

SoapBox · Aug 26, 2013

Hey Jack, thanks for the response.

1.) I have no idea what material the Formula's water block is made out of, as most companies tend to use Aluminum I tend to stay clear of it. I'm also not sure how much cooling the MOSFETs and capacitors really need and have no need of Wifi or Bluetooth so it seems like I'm just wasting some money there. If the water block is copper and that board would clock more reliably I could justify spending the extra money on it.

2.) On the memory, I need the 32gb for video/image production. Gaming is a secondary function on this system so if I have to sacrifice some performance on the gaming side I'm fine with that as long as the editing speed is good to go.

3.) I'll be mounting my radiators externally, I really don't even care about case styling. I just liked the price, features and accessibility for the NZXT, it seems pretty easy to work with which is really all I want out of my case. Good cable management, easy access to hard drives (I change them out a lot), lots of easy to access and clean dust filters and can comfortably fit all my stuff.

4.) I'm not all to concerned with the look of the system, I was just looking at performance, I haven't seen anything beat the EK Supremacy full nickle water block in any comparison. Granted, I've only looked at like 4 reviews so I'll check out the Raystorm.

Yeah, just one reservoir, a single loop (most likely) with 2 pumps in series. Oh, that's a question I missed! How important are flow meters? If I don't need one at all, then I'd be happy to save a few bucks on the Reservoir.

I also like the thought of Compression Fittings more, but I can't justify the extra cost of them for no added performance.

JackNaylorPE · Aug 26, 2013

SoapBox :

Im not concerned .... I know the internet community is all riled up about it but as an engineer who knows a bit about galvanic corrosion, I have no concerns.... ya need three things for corrosion to take place:

1. Dissimilar metals - Well we have that.

2. Access to the metal. The block is anodized aluminum upon which an additional coating is applied. With no interior components exposed, scratching is not an issue.

3. Ions in the liquid.....Distilled water has no ions and the use of a corrosion inhibitor renders them impotent.

I spend a good part of my professional life designing plants with submerged equipment containing numerous dissimilar metals. As long as proper corrosion protection methods are used, it's really not an issue.

2.) On the memory, I need the 32gb for video/image production. Gaming is a secondary function on this system so if I have to sacrifice some performance on the gaming side I'm fine with that as long as the editing speed is good to go.

makes sense

3.) I'll be mounting my radiators externally, I really don't even care about case styling. I just liked the price, features and accessibility for the NZXT, it seems pretty easy to work with which is really all I want out of my case. Good cable management, easy access to hard drives (I change them out a lot), lots of easy to access and clean dust filters and can comfortably fit all my stuff

If ya like that price, I been building a lotta builds with the Corsair 500R .... which half the time, I get the $140 MSRP case for $70

4.) I'm not all to concerned with the look of the system, I was just looking at performance, I haven't seen anything beat the EK Supremacy full nickle water block in any comparison. Granted, I've only looked at like 4 reviews so I'll check out the Raystorm.

Same here.... I mean that's the procedure I went thru, just different result.

Yeah, just one reservoir, a single loop (most likely) with 2 pumps in series. Oh, that's a question I missed! How important are flow meters? If I don't need one at all, then I'd be happy to save a few bucks on the Reservoir.

Here's an alternative ....

Bitspower Dual / Single D5 Top Upgrade Kit 150 - Black (BP-D5TOPUK150P-BKBKCL) FrozenCPU ex-res-370
Bitspower Dual D5 Mod Top Extreme - Acrylic / UV Red Version (BP-2D5TOPAC-UVRD) FrozenCPU ex-pmp-103
with 2 x Swiftech MCP655q x 12v Water Pump w/ Variable Speed Control and 3/8" Conversion Kit (317 GPH) FrozenCPU w/ above

I also like the thought of Compression Fittings more, but I can't justify the extra cost of them for no added performance.

I think they are safer and definitely look better .... but yes, you could easily drop $200+ on fittings for something like this

SoapBox · Aug 26, 2013

Im not concerned .... I know the internet community is all riled up about it but as an engineer who knows a bit about galvanic corrosion, I have no concerns.... ya need three things for corrosion to take place:

1. Dissimilar metals - Well we have that.

2. Access to the metal. The block is anodized aluminum upon which an additional coating is applied. With no interior components exposed, scratching is not an issue.

3. Ions in the liquid.....Distilled water has no ions and the use of a corrosion inhibitor renders them impotent.

I spend a good part of my professional life designing plants with submerged equipment containing numerous dissimilar metals. As long as proper corrosion protection methods are used, it's really not an issue.

lol, really? That goes against conventional wisdom for sure. I just might have to try that then, cause adding on the MOSFET block later is gonna be expensive anyways and I really like the look of the Formula board. Just don't know if I can justify the cost on the extra useless features. Would cooling the MOSFETs give any performance benefits?

If ya like that price, I been building a lotta builds with the Corsair 500R .... which half the time, I get the $140 MSRP case for $70

Where do you get them for 70 bucks? lol

Here's an alternative ....

Bitspower Dual / Single D5 Top Upgrade Kit 150 - Black (BP-D5TOPUK150P-BKBKCL) FrozenCPU ex-res-370
Bitspower Dual D5 Mod Top Extreme - Acrylic / UV Red Version (BP-2D5TOPAC-UVRD) FrozenCPU ex-pmp-103
with 2 x Swiftech MCP655q x 12v Water Pump w/ Variable Speed Control and 3/8" Conversion Kit (317 GPH) FrozenCPU w/ above

I looked at a few pump mounted reservoirs but the reviews on them tend to complain about leaks. I suppose I could fix that pretty easy with a silicone sealant. What's the advantage of a D5 pump over a DDC? Originally I was looking at the very pump you suggested but couldn't come to a solid reason to go one way or the other except for price.

It looks like I'd have to go with 3/8" ID tubing with that. I recognize that there isn't much difference in 3/8" ID and 1/2" ID outside of like .5 degrees, but I'm really wanting to hit a Delta T of around 5. Think my system could hit that with the radiators/fans I have if I got the D5 MCP655 pumps on these radiators with 3/8" ID tubing?

Search

Water Cooling Build Selected, Anything You Would Change?

SoapBox

Honorable

JackNaylorPE

Titan

SoapBox

Honorable

JackNaylorPE

Titan

SoapBox

Honorable

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts

Moderators online

Share this page