Hows this for a full custom loop?

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B3NDY

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So this is my first custom loop and I'v done some research but I just wand to make sure this loop is okay after all.

It's going to be cooling 2x 970s, an I7 4790K in the Enthoo Primo.

The cooling parts are:
GPU Blocks - EK FC970 Block (Nickel)
EK Supremacy Universal CPU Clock (Nickel)
Rads - 2x 480mm Alphacool NexXxos ST30 (Copper)
Res - EK-RES X3 250
Pump - PWM D5 Alphacool VPP655
Tubing - XSPC Highflex Hose 1/2" ID
Fittings - XSPC G1/4" to 1/2" Barbed Fittings

Links:
GPU Blocks - http://www.ekwb.com/shop/blocks/vga-blocks/fc-geforce/geforce-gtx-9x0-series/ek-fc970-gtx-nickel.html

CPU Block - http://www.ekwb.com/shop/blocks/cpu-blocks/supremacy/ek-supremacy-nickel.html

Rads - http://www.alphacool.com/product_info.php/info/p991_Alphacool-NexXxoS-XT45-Full-Copper-480mm.html

Res - http://www.ekwb.com/shop/reservoirs-and-acc/reservoirs/ek-res-x3-250.html

Pumps - http://www.alphacool.com/product_info.php/info/p807_Alphacool-VPP655--T12--1-2--barbed-connectors-.html

Tubing - http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=WC-119-XS&groupid=962&catid=1530

Fittings - http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=WC-099-XS

I think that's everything, if someone could just have a check over and make sure it's all compatable and there arn't any mixing metals or fittings that won't fit I would appreciate it since it is my first time.

I will be using distilled water because of the price but if someone can convince me to get something else if it isn't too pricey then I might do.
 
Solution
DarkSable
Pure water is ALWAYS what you want to run, but be sure to pick up a silver 'killcoil' to keep your system free of microscopic critters.

I also now swear by the old hands' trick of a very few drops of uncented dawn dish soap in the loop; it makes the loop sound so much quieter and removes air bubbles like nothing else, because it helps break up surface tension and act as a lubricant.

I would personally go for a full-cover block over the half-length, but that's just for looks, mostly. I do, however, dislike that CPU block. It has a tendency to break easily, and is very difficult to clean. I wouldn't worry as much about getting parts whose brands match, and pay more attention to what the best option at your budget is.

I've used those...
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DarkSable

DarkSable

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Pure water is ALWAYS what you want to run, but be sure to pick up a silver 'killcoil' to keep your system free of microscopic critters.

I also now swear by the old hands' trick of a very few drops of uncented dawn dish soap in the loop; it makes the loop sound so much quieter and removes air bubbles like nothing else, because it helps break up surface tension and act as a lubricant.

I would personally go for a full-cover block over the half-length, but that's just for looks, mostly. I do, however, dislike that CPU block. It has a tendency to break easily, and is very difficult to clean. I wouldn't worry as much about getting parts whose brands match, and pay more attention to what the best option at your budget is.

I've used those fittings before, and they're decent, but you absolutely have to have a clamp, or better yet a zip-tie, if you're going to use them, because they only have a single barb.

That pump is decent, but noisy. If noise is a thing for you, check out Swiftech's PWM pump - I've got one in my silenced computer, and it's incredibly quiet, even at middling full power, and throttles down on idle so that if you're browsing the web or listening to music, your hard drive will be the noisiest part of the rig. :p
 
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B3NDY

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Apr 18, 2014
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Awesome! Well I'll do what you said and get a kill coil and also that soap idea seams good so I'll try that!

It seems that, at least on EK's website, there's only full length waterblocks for the GPUs for the aftermarket cards and there are only half length covers for the reference design. I do know what you mean and I prefer the full length so I may get a aftermarket card just so I can get the full length blocks.

As for the CPU block, it was just the first universal one I saw (It needs to be universal). Are there any you would suggest that are around the same price but maybe a little easier to clean and harder to break??

I'll definitely be using clamps and possibly even zip-ties because I REALLY don't want a leak.

Ah! I didn't realise it was noisy! Yes I am a noise freak kinda person! I'v looked on swifteks website and there are a couple of PWM options so which one would you suggest? It has to be reasonably budget pump because I'm trying to get this to work for £400ish. Also apparently I should be getting a D5 pump so that would be preferable.

Thank you though for your comments though and I'll try and make some changes accordingly!
 
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DarkSable

DarkSable

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Any particular reason you're buying through EK's website? In the US, the cheapest online option is almost always FrozenCPU.com
As for full cover blocks, it's slightly more expensive, but Heatkiller full coverage blocks are better performing and gorgeous, to boot.

The Swiftech pump that I was talking about are actually a D5 variant - one of the best ones out there. (Link: http://www.frozencpu.com/products/18221/ex-pmp-230/Swiftech_MCP655-PWM-DRIVE_12v_Water_Pump_-_PWM_Enabled_Full_Version.html) Also, they make a version that comes integrated with a CPU block, so it works more like an all-in-one loop, but with the reliability of one of the best pumps on the market. (That was one of my first pumps, but I've since sold it because I'm obsessive about noise, and that one can't have its vibrations isolated.)


Why do you need a universal CPU block? You'll get a lot better performance if you "limit" yourself to, say, an LGA 1155/1150 (i.e. modern intel) waterblock, and it's not likely at all that the mounting holes are going to change for that any, any time soon.
 
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B3NDY

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I did just try FrozenCPU and they did end up being cheaper and with the savings I could afford the better pump which was a great recommendation! Problem is I live in the UK and the shipping was over $80! I can't afford that! Ill take a look at those heatkiller blocks though because they sound good too!

The reason for the universal block is because as of now I am using the 8350 and I'm spending all my moeny on going with the 970s SLI and this loop. I am looking to upgrade to intel soon though when I have the money (That will take a while since im 15 with a Saturday job!) but I want to be able to use my loop meanwhile and not have to buy another block.
 
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DarkSable

DarkSable

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Ahh, ouch! Yeah, they're the best for the US, but I imagine shipping is a bastard on heavy parts like that. I don't know any good stores for the UK, unfortunately, plus your guys' prices tend to be a little more because of VAT.

Hmm... I definitely feel your pain; I was in your shoes not that many years ago. Consider just buying the loop for the graphics cards right now, and then add in the block later, when you upgrade. The reason I'm pushing this is because all the very good blocks are specific to either AMD or Intel. They've usually got both versions, but not switchable.

Ooh, but that means you haven't bought an i7 yet, that's good. If this rig isn't used for 3d rendering or live video editing, I wouldn't bother with it, especially not on a low income. It has basically zero benefits for gaming, and unless you're actually making money on twitch streaming or youtube videos, enough to comp the extra $100, there's no reason to get the i7 over an i5.

 
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B3NDY

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Apr 18, 2014
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Well thanks for all your help! You've helped a lot!! Thats a good idea actually, I think i'll just wait until I go intel before cooling the CPU like you said and also the i5 seems like a good idea too!

I'v found a store in the UK called scan and they also have very similar prices to FrozenCPU but without the shipping and also cost less even with VAT added on so looks like I'm in luck! They have everything but the pump but I can get that somewhere else!

Thanks again!
 
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