Custom water cooling

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logox

logox

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Hey, I would like help with selecting parts/building a custom water loop for my PC and my budget is $400. I do not have a specific goal for this custom build, I just want to give it a try and help make the PC look even better and allow me to OC more. I have an NZXT Source 530 with 128GB SSD, 1TB HDD, disk drive, i7 4770K @4.0Ghz with Hyper 212 EVO, 2x8 GB RAM, XFX 750 pro PSU, Biostar Z87x 3D motherboard and no video card at the moment but I plan on purchasing one in the future and I would like the water loop to be set up to where I have the option of water cooling the video card.

Can someone point me in the right direction with what parts I need (like what size radiator, what pump to get, and if a certain style of resevoir is better than others), where to buy, etc...? Thanks for any help!
 
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DarkSable
Well, it all comes down to how you want to plan this out, and what your case allows.

The case and the budget are the two biggest limiters, and I don't know the Source 530 very well, but it's mid tower, isn't it?

I would strongly look at buying an Apogee Drive II. Unless you're going for absolute silence like I am, then it's a bloody wonderful little pump/cpu block combo. Pair it with a small reservoir mounted above it, and whatever radiator space you anticipate needing, and you're good to go.

For just the CPU, I would go with a 2x120 or 3x120mm radiator to start with. If you wanted to cool the graphics card in the future, the minimum I would recommend would be TWO 2x120mm radiators. If the case can fit 2x140mm radiators, all the...
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DarkSable

DarkSable

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Well, it all comes down to how you want to plan this out, and what your case allows.

The case and the budget are the two biggest limiters, and I don't know the Source 530 very well, but it's mid tower, isn't it?

I would strongly look at buying an Apogee Drive II. Unless you're going for absolute silence like I am, then it's a bloody wonderful little pump/cpu block combo. Pair it with a small reservoir mounted above it, and whatever radiator space you anticipate needing, and you're good to go.

For just the CPU, I would go with a 2x120 or 3x120mm radiator to start with. If you wanted to cool the graphics card in the future, the minimum I would recommend would be TWO 2x120mm radiators. If the case can fit 2x140mm radiators, all the better - a 2x140 provides JUST barely less cooling power than a 3x120 does.

As for the reservoir, it really doesn't matter whatsoever. The biggest thing that will make your life easier is that you have one (I've used T-lines and they're horrible) and that it's mounted higher than your pump is, so that your life isn't a miserable wreck when trying to fill the loop.
 
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logox

logox

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I believe the 530 is a full tower but I could be wrong... the demensions are approx 18in tall, 20in long, 9in wide. The top of the case allows for 3x120mm fans or 2x140mm fans (which is what I am currently using). The top of the case is where the radiator usually goes, correct?
EDIT: Here is a link to the case if that helps http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146114&cm_re=source_530-_-11-146-114-_-Product
 
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DarkSable

DarkSable

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If you're cooling your graphics card as well as your CPU, you're going to want more than one radiator bank.

I highly suggest that you start out with an Apogee drive II, a Black Ice Stealth 280mm radiator on top, and a reservoir of some sort, either a very small one, or a cylindrical one mounted to where that back fan goes. Remember that the reservoir has to be physically higher than the pump.

As for where the radiator usually goes, that doesn't matter much - you could put it at the front, on the bottom, on top, wherever. I have two of them mounted vertically in a custom housing.
 
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logox

logox

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Thanks for the help... What pump would be good? Are the connections pretty much universal?
 
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DarkSable

DarkSable

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The Apogee Drive II is a combination CPU block and pump. I've had one, it works _wonderfully_, and is a great option for size and value. Its only disadvantage is that you can't decpuple it to silence vibration, but it's not a big deal with that pump.

The fitting standard is GK1/4, which means you can buy compression or barb fittings as you see fit. I personally like 1/2" barbs with nice fittings around them, but zip ties work as well. Do a little research into fittings and tubing and figure out what you want. I personally use 1/2" OD (outer diameter) barbs and 3/4" ID tubing.
 
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