Sign in with
Sign up | Sign in
Your question
Solved

New to custom water-cooling. Component recommendations wanted. Sticky already read!

Tags:
  • Go
  • Water Cooling
  • Overclocking
  • Components
Last response: in Overclocking
Share
May 29, 2014 3:00:48 AM

Before I get into the post I should say that I've already read the sticky on a beginners guide to water-cooling. It helped me a lot but some of the links to component comparisons are a couple of years out-dated.

I've decided to go all-out and go for a custom water-cooling loop for my new system and, since it's mu first time doing it and I don't know the current market too well, I'm looking for recommendations, links to comparisons and just somewhere to start looking for good components for the setup.

Currently, I'm aware that the following components are needed/wanted for a good loop.

CPU Block
GPU Blocks
Radiators (Standard thickness for this build)
Pump
Reservoir
Coolant (Plain water for this build)
Hose (Red)
Fans (120mm PWM)
Fittings (Compression, barbs, GPU, Dual VID Connector for SLI)

Am I missing anything?

Recommendation for the best brands would be greatly appreciated.

More about : custom water cooling component recommendations wanted sticky read

a b K Overclocking
May 29, 2014 3:38:25 AM

for parts if your in the US head over to frozencpu.com

Run down of parts that I use,
CPU Block Old dangerden block, had it since my 950, still work just moved it with the new build
GPU Blocks EK full cover blocks, not knowing what your card is you might have to look to see what will fit it.
Radiators XSPC RX line... for your build you will need a 240mm or 120mmx2 for the cpu and add 120mm for every gpu you add to the loop
Pump swiftech dual extreme with 2 swiftech MCP35x pumps
Reservoir anything you want
Coolant distilled deionized water with a silver kill coil
m
0
l
May 29, 2014 3:55:14 AM

faalin said:
for parts if your in the US head over to frozencpu.com

Run down of parts that I use,
CPU Block Old dangerden block, had it since my 950, still work just moved it with the new build
GPU Blocks EK full cover blocks, not knowing what your card is you might have to look to see what will fit it.
Radiators XSPC RX line... for your build you will need a 240mm or 120mmx2 for the cpu and add 120mm for every gpu you add to the loop
Pump swiftech dual extreme with 2 swiftech MCP35x pumps
Reservoir anything you want
Coolant distilled deionized water with a silver kill coil



Thanks for the response.

I'm in the UK so I'm using sites like Scan UK, OverclockersUK and Specialtech UK.

I'm looking into those recommendations now.

Currently I've put together the following list for parts. This is subject to change since I'm looking for recommendations, obviously.

CPU Block: Koolance 300i (For LGA1150 CPU)
GPU Block: Koolance VID-NXTTN (If they're compatible with the Maxwell 880s. I'm building around the rumoured release date)
Pump: MCP655 Laing D5 Pump
Reservoir: Phobya Balance 250
Radiators: Koolance NexXxoS XT45 line
m
0
l
Related resources
a b K Overclocking
May 30, 2014 10:51:38 AM

Ninjamilez said:
faalin said:
for parts if your in the US head over to frozencpu.com

Run down of parts that I use,
CPU Block Old dangerden block, had it since my 950, still work just moved it with the new build
GPU Blocks EK full cover blocks, not knowing what your card is you might have to look to see what will fit it.
Radiators XSPC RX line... for your build you will need a 240mm or 120mmx2 for the cpu and add 120mm for every gpu you add to the loop
Pump swiftech dual extreme with 2 swiftech MCP35x pumps
Reservoir anything you want
Coolant distilled deionized water with a silver kill coil



Thanks for the response.

I'm in the UK so I'm using sites like Scan UK, OverclockersUK and Specialtech UK.

I'm looking into those recommendations now.

Currently I've put together the following list for parts. This is subject to change since I'm looking for recommendations, obviously.

CPU Block: Koolance 300i (For LGA1150 CPU)
GPU Block: Koolance VID-NXTTN (If they're compatible with the Maxwell 880s. I'm building around the rumoured release date)
Pump: MCP655 Laing D5 Pump
Reservoir: Phobya Balance 250
Radiators: Koolance NexXxoS XT45 line


Performance PCs does good stuff too. Those are good parts. Read this-http://
m
0
l
a b K Overclocking
May 30, 2014 11:02:24 AM

Ninjamilez said:
faalin said:
for parts if your in the US head over to frozencpu.com

Run down of parts that I use,
CPU Block Old dangerden block, had it since my 950, still work just moved it with the new build
GPU Blocks EK full cover blocks, not knowing what your card is you might have to look to see what will fit it.
Radiators XSPC RX line... for your build you will need a 240mm or 120mmx2 for the cpu and add 120mm for every gpu you add to the loop
Pump swiftech dual extreme with 2 swiftech MCP35x pumps
Reservoir anything you want
Coolant distilled deionized water with a silver kill coil



Thanks for the response.

I'm in the UK so I'm using sites like Scan UK, OverclockersUK and Specialtech UK.

I'm looking into those recommendations now.

Currently I've put together the following list for parts. This is subject to change since I'm looking for recommendations, obviously.

CPU Block: Koolance 300i (For LGA1150 CPU)
GPU Block: Koolance VID-NXTTN (If they're compatible with the Maxwell 880s. I'm building around the rumoured release date)
Pump: MCP655 Laing D5 Pump
Reservoir: Phobya Balance 250
Radiators: Koolance NexXxoS XT45 line


Keep in mind that you do not need compression fittings unless it is rigid acrylic. I like PC Ice as coolant, opposed to water because it contains an anti-microbial. With plain water, if you get a leak, you short the board. If you don't clean the loop, stuff will grow in it.
m
0
l
May 30, 2014 11:14:56 AM

Hello man said:
Ninjamilez said:
faalin said:
for parts if your in the US head over to frozencpu.com

Run down of parts that I use,
CPU Block Old dangerden block, had it since my 950, still work just moved it with the new build
GPU Blocks EK full cover blocks, not knowing what your card is you might have to look to see what will fit it.
Radiators XSPC RX line... for your build you will need a 240mm or 120mmx2 for the cpu and add 120mm for every gpu you add to the loop
Pump swiftech dual extreme with 2 swiftech MCP35x pumps
Reservoir anything you want
Coolant distilled deionized water with a silver kill coil



Thanks for the response.

I'm in the UK so I'm using sites like Scan UK, OverclockersUK and Specialtech UK.

I'm looking into those recommendations now.

Currently I've put together the following list for parts. This is subject to change since I'm looking for recommendations, obviously.

CPU Block: Koolance 300i (For LGA1150 CPU)
GPU Block: Koolance VID-NXTTN (If they're compatible with the Maxwell 880s. I'm building around the rumoured release date)
Pump: MCP655 Laing D5 Pump
Reservoir: Phobya Balance 250
Radiators: Koolance NexXxoS XT45 line


Keep in mind that you do not need compression fittings unless it is rigid acrylic. I like PC Ice as coolant, opposed to water because it contains an anti-microbial. With plain water, if you get a leak, you short the board. If you don't clean the loop, stuff will grow in it.


The reason I wanted to get compression fittings is because they appear to be much safer to use. With this being my first custom loop build then I felt that I should use them until I've had more experience with loop building and maintenance. I also prefer the way they look compared to barbs.

I'll go with the anti-microbial coolant because of the cleaning issue. I was going to get a silver coil for the reservoir but the PC Ice coolant is a better way of dealing with it, again because of my limited experience.
m
0
l
a b K Overclocking
May 30, 2014 11:34:29 AM

Ninjamilez said:
Hello man said:
Ninjamilez said:
faalin said:
for parts if your in the US head over to frozencpu.com

Run down of parts that I use,
CPU Block Old dangerden block, had it since my 950, still work just moved it with the new build
GPU Blocks EK full cover blocks, not knowing what your card is you might have to look to see what will fit it.
Radiators XSPC RX line... for your build you will need a 240mm or 120mmx2 for the cpu and add 120mm for every gpu you add to the loop
Pump swiftech dual extreme with 2 swiftech MCP35x pumps
Reservoir anything you want
Coolant distilled deionized water with a silver kill coil



Thanks for the response.

I'm in the UK so I'm using sites like Scan UK, OverclockersUK and Specialtech UK.

I'm looking into those recommendations now.

Currently I've put together the following list for parts. This is subject to change since I'm looking for recommendations, obviously.

CPU Block: Koolance 300i (For LGA1150 CPU)
GPU Block: Koolance VID-NXTTN (If they're compatible with the Maxwell 880s. I'm building around the rumoured release date)
Pump: MCP655 Laing D5 Pump
Reservoir: Phobya Balance 250
Radiators: Koolance NexXxoS XT45 line


Keep in mind that you do not need compression fittings unless it is rigid acrylic. I like PC Ice as coolant, opposed to water because it contains an anti-microbial. With plain water, if you get a leak, you short the board. If you don't clean the loop, stuff will grow in it.


The reason I wanted to get compression fittings is because they appear to be much safer to use. With this being my first custom loop build then I felt that I should use them until I've had more experience with loop building and maintenance. I also prefer the way they look compared to barbs.

I'll go with the anti-microbial coolant because of the cleaning issue. I was going to get a silver coil for the reservoir but the PC Ice coolant is a better way of dealing with it, again because of my limited experience.


The issue with using soft tubes is that it is too soft to make a good compression seal. You will have to use rigid acrylic tube.
m
0
l
May 30, 2014 11:42:39 AM

Hello man said:
The issue with using soft tubes is that it is too soft to make a good compression seal. You will have to use rigid acrylic tube.


Oh right, thanks for letting me know. I didn't know that was an issue.

I'll go with barb fittings instead. Is there any way to improve the seal with barb fittings? Acrylic seems extremely difficult to work with and I'm bothered about possible leakages with using barbs.

m
0
l

Best solution

a b K Overclocking
May 30, 2014 11:44:26 AM

Ninjamilez said:
Hello man said:
The issue with using soft tubes is that it is too soft to make a good compression seal. You will have to use rigid acrylic tube.


Oh right, thanks for letting me know. I didn't know that was an issue.

I'll go with barb fittings instead. Is there any way to improve the seal with barb fittings? Acrylic seems extremely difficult to work with and I'm bothered about possible leakages with using barbs.



The secret is hose clamps. I use white tubing on a case with a black interior, so I have anodized black hose clamps.
Share
May 30, 2014 11:50:05 AM

Hello man said:
The secret is hose clamps. I use white tubing on a case with a black interior, so I have anodized black hose clamps.


Brilliant!

I'll look into some hose clamps to fit my colour scheme. I didn't think to do that.

Your guide was very helpful, by the way.
m
0
l
a b K Overclocking
May 30, 2014 12:14:06 PM

Ninjamilez said:
Hello man said:
The secret is hose clamps. I use white tubing on a case with a black interior, so I have anodized black hose clamps.


Brilliant!

I'll look into some hose clamps to fit my colour scheme. I didn't think to do that.

Your guide was very helpful, by the way.


No problem, I just wrote it an hour ago haha. You can get hose clamps anodized in red probably. Here is a link to some HOSE CLAMPS
m
0
l
May 30, 2014 12:22:08 PM

Hello man said:
No problem, I just wrote it an hour ago haha. You can get hose clamps anodized in red probably. Here is a link to some HOSE CLAMPS


I'll have to find a UK site for the hose clamps.

You said that the parts that I originally listed were good but do you have any other recommendations for water-blocks, reservoirs, etc?
m
0
l
a b K Overclocking
May 30, 2014 12:27:07 PM

Ninjamilez said:
Hello man said:
No problem, I just wrote it an hour ago haha. You can get hose clamps anodized in red probably. Here is a link to some HOSE CLAMPS


I'll have to find a UK site for the hose clamps.

You said that the parts that I originally listed were good but do you have any other recommendations for water-blocks, reservoirs, etc?


XSPC makes good stuff, so does Swiftech and Koolance. It is really personal preference. Swiftech was super great when I did not get the mounting hardware I needed. They 2 day air shipped it to me for no charge. If you want to get super nitty-gritty you can google the block and find comparisons and such. With the price of water-cooling stuff what it is, it is probably best to buy from companies inside the UK to negate VAT.
m
0
l
May 30, 2014 12:40:23 PM

Hello man said:
XSPC makes good stuff, so does Swiftech and Koolance. It is really personal preference. Swiftech was super great when I did not get the mounting hardware I needed. They 2 day air shipped it to me for no charge. If you want to get super nitty-gritty you can google the block and find comparisons and such. With the price of water-cooling stuff what it is, it is probably best to buy from companies inside the UK to negate VAT.


I've just had a look at some of the Swiftech water-blocks and I'm really liking the LED models they have.

I'll have a look at some reviews to see how they perform compared to the Koolance blocks. I'm not super-concerned about aesthetics, but if the gap in performance is significant enough I'll go for the better performer.
m
0
l
a b K Overclocking
May 30, 2014 1:53:57 PM

Ninjamilez said:
Hello man said:
XSPC makes good stuff, so does Swiftech and Koolance. It is really personal preference. Swiftech was super great when I did not get the mounting hardware I needed. They 2 day air shipped it to me for no charge. If you want to get super nitty-gritty you can google the block and find comparisons and such. With the price of water-cooling stuff what it is, it is probably best to buy from companies inside the UK to negate VAT.


I've just had a look at some of the Swiftech water-blocks and I'm really liking the LED models they have.

I'll have a look at some reviews to see how they perform compared to the Koolance blocks. I'm not super-concerned about aesthetics, but if the gap in performance is significant enough I'll go for the better performer.


XSPC makes good ones too. The ray storm has LEDs.
m
0
l
!