Need feedback on my upgrade plans (watercooling and new case)

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Captain_Hindsight

Captain_Hindsight

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I had a lot of help from the community when I got into watercooling old thread and I hope some of you can give me some valuable feedback on my next upgrade.

Here is my current system:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor (Purchased For $175.00)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard (Purchased For $120.00)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory (Purchased For $40.00)
Storage: Samsung 840 Pro Series 128GB 2.5" Solid State Drive (Purchased For $100.00)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($50.00)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 970 4GB WINDFORCE 3X Video Card (Purchased For $335.00)
Case: NZXT Phantom 530 (White) ATX Full Tower Case (Purchased For $120.00)
Power Supply: be quiet! 530W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply
Case Fan: 2x Noctua NF-F12 PWM 55.0 CFM 120mm Fan (Purchased For $20.00)
Monitor: LG 34UM67 60Hz 34.0" Monitor (Purchased For $420.00)
Keyboard: Corsair K70 RGB Wired Gaming Keyboard (Purchased For $150.00)
Mouse: Logitech G400 Wired Optical Mouse (Purchased For $60.00)
Other: RayStorm D5 AX240 WaterCooling Kit (Purchased For $330.00)
Total: $1920.00
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-12-14 08:09 EST-0500

I want to have a full water-cooling loop (CPU and GPU), mild overclock and I want the system to run silent in a windowed case.


Budget is up to 500€

These are the parts I picked for the loop upgrade:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

Other: EK-XRES 100 Revo D5 - Acetal ($64.00)
Other: Alphacool NexXxoS GPX Nvidia Geforce GTX 970 M03 ($78.00)
Other: 4x EK-ACF Fitting 10/16mm - Elox Black ($19.00)
Other: EK-CoolStream CE 280 (Dual) ($85.00)
Other: TUBE PrimoChill PrimoFlex™ Advanced LRT™ 15,9 / 9,5mm - Atomic UV Green RETAIL 3m ($22.00)
Other: EK-Cable Splitter 4-Fan PWM Extended ($6.00)
Other: 2x NOCTUA NF-A14 PWM ($43.00)
Total: $317.00
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-12-14 08:10 EST-0500

I also have a Google spreadsheet link

As said above, my main goal is to have a silent running PC with a full w/c loop to include my CPU and GPU. I also think this is a perfect time to change my case as well. I liked it in the beginning, but now I want something more "serious". I considered the Enthoo pro or the Corsair 540 Air, but I am open to suggestions.

As for the w/c loop: I am not sure if I can remove the D5 pump from my bay-res and install it in a EK Revo reservoir. If someone can confirm this, I'd be very happy - else I have to buy a new pump or get a new case that can support a dual bay reservoir.

I hope the part lists are formatted ok.

If there is anything unclear, please ask and I will try to clarify asap.
 
Solution
rubix_1011
Either of those radiators will be fine for your build - given the size of the radiators and the thickness of each, you're looking at a very similar volume for each; the 280 might even be a little bit more volume overall. So, I would recommend you just choose the radiator you like more or that is more cost effective, as in having to buy fewer fans for the 280 vs the 360, etc.

As for the fittings on your GPU block - you could do angled fittings, either 45 or 90 to help with your tubing bends. I have one 90 degree and one normal compression fitting on my GPU block simply because it worked with the routing I wanted to achieve in my case.

I think you'll have a decent amount of space to do your install, so you should be OK as far as not...
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imsqam

imsqam

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Little curious on this one because you say you want to do a "mild overclock." Seems like a full liquid cooling system is overkill when you could likely obtain a mild overclock with just an aftermarket air cooler. Your current cooler should be more than capable of achieving a decent overclock and keep the temps in check.

http://www.overclock3d.net/reviews/cases_cooling/xspc_raystorm_750_ex240_watercooling_kit_review/6

My bigger concern here would be the PSU, overclocking can have a dramatic affect on power consumption. You can easily increase power consumption by 50% and a 530W might not be enough. A quick, rough calc using Outervision's eXtreme Power Supply Calculator shows your system TDP load with no overclock would be about 366 watts. Increase that by 50% and you are at 549 watts.

http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/cpu/display/power-consumption-overclocking.html

http://outervision.com/power-supply-calculator

 
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Captain_Hindsight

Captain_Hindsight

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Thanks for replying!

I might have overstated it. I am only overclocking my CPU to get more single core performance (4.2 Ghz if one core is used, 4.0 Ghz for 2 cores and 3.8 Ghz if 3 or 4 cores are used). The GPU is at stock speeds and I don't need more performance at the moment. If (when) I will upgrade the graphics performance (either a second 970 or one 980ti) I will change the PSU)

I did a consumption test on my build (had a MSI R9 270 overclocked):

IMGUR gallery

While idle, it displays about 60W consumption
And in full load with the D5 pump on 5/5 and all fans on 12V + 3 x prime95 and 2 x Kombustor, it peaked at 350W.

The GTX 970 uses about 50W more (source)

My main goal for this upgrade is to get the GPU in the loop and to lower the fan noise in general.
 
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imsqam

imsqam

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Okay, makes sense now. I wish I could give you an opinion on the upgrade to the liquid cooler but I would be out of my league.

For choices for cases I developed the following list in a recent search. The column headings are in the first row and semi-colons separate the values/columns. Haven't built with any of them yet though.

Manu; Series; Model; Reccomendations

BitFenix; Ronin; BFC-RON-300-KKWSK-RP; PCGamer
Coolermaster; MasterCase 5; MCX-0005-KKN00; Toms 2015 Editor Approved
Coolermaster; Storm Enforcer; SGC-1000-KWN1; Toms 2012 Editor Recommended
Corsair; Vengeance C70; CC-9011016-WW; PCGamer
Corsair; Carbide 200R; CC-9011023-WW; PCGamer
Corsair; Carbide 200R Win; CC-9011041-WW; PCGamer
Corsair; 100R; CC-9011075-WW; GamersNexus
Corsair; 100R-Silent; CC-9011077-WW; GamersNexus
Enermax; Ostrog GT; ECA3280A-BL; Toms 2013 Editor Recommended
Fractal; Define R4; FD-CA-DEF-R4-BLO-W; Toms 2012 Editor Recommended, PCGamer 2015
Fractal; Define R5; FD-CA-DEF-R5-TI; GamersNexus
Fractal; Design Define S; FD-CA-DEF-S-BK; Toms 2015 Editor Recommended
IN WIN; GT1; GT1; Hardware Secrets Golden Award
NZXT; Crafted Series; 921RB-001-RD; Overclocker's Club Gold Award
NZXT; H-Series; CA-H230I-W1; Must Have Best Value Award from TweakTown
NZXT; H-Series; CA-H440W-M1; PCGamer
NZXT; Phantom Series; CA-PH240-W1; Tweaktown Editor's Choice Award
NZXT; Phantom Series; CA-PH410-R1; Toms 2012 Editors' Choice, PCGamer 2015
NZXT; Source Series; CA-S220W-B1; Hi Tech Legion's Editor's Choice Gold Award
NZXT; Source Series; CA-S340W-W1; HardwareCanucks Dam Good Value Award
SilverStone; Precision Series; PS11B-W; Gold Award from Overclock3D.net, GamersNexus
Zalman; Z11 Neo; Z11 Neo; Toms 2015 Editor Approved
 
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Captain_Hindsight

Captain_Hindsight

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Thanks!

I used your excel sheet and it gives me a Total loop TDP 323 W (while using the max TDP for the Gigabyte GTX 970 WF OC from this article http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/nvidia-geforce-gtx-980-970-maxwell,3941-13.html - max 240 W in stress test - under gaming it is just 180 W ? )
CPU is 77W stock.

Now I know that my loop will have 2 radiators, one GPU block and one CPU Block. So according to this I will loose 2x 0.25 + 2x 0.9 = 2.3 PSI. (pressure drop)
Looking at this my D5 should have no problem running at 1.0 GPM on setting 4.

So coming back to your TDP sheet, I should be fine TDP-wise with one 240 rad and a 280 or 360. Right?


This is the layout I want to go with:

IhbJLs2.png


I'm not yet sure what case I'll choose. I really want to get a Lian Li PC-08, but it is very expensive :chaudar:

So I will probably stick to something tried and true like the Define S or the Corsair 540 Air.

This loop model should work in both.


And I forgot to mention what parts my current loop has:
These are the parts of the RayStorm Kit:


  • ■ RayStorm Intel CPU Waterblock
    ■ D5 Dual Bay Reservoir
    ■ D5 Vario Pump
    ■ AX240 Dual Radiator
    ■ G1/4″ to 7/16″ Compression Fittings (Black Chrome) x6

Do I need anything else than what I planed?

Other: EK-XRES 100 Revo D5 - Acetal ($64.00)
Other: Alphacool NexXxoS GPX Nvidia Geforce GTX 970 M03 ($78.00)
Other: 4x EK-ACF Fitting 10/16mm - Elox Black ($19.00)
Other: EK-CoolStream CE 280 (Dual) ($85.00)
Other: TUBE PrimoChill PrimoFlex™ Advanced LRT™ 15,9 / 9,5mm - Atomic UV Green RETAIL 3m ($22.00)
Other: EK-Cable Splitter 4-Fan PWM Extended ($6.00)
Other: 2x NOCTUA NF-A14 PWM ($43.00)
Click to expand...
 
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rubix_1011

rubix_1011

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You could probably get by on only adding a single 120mm or 140mm radiator in addition to the 240 from the kit. Of course, more radiator space only benefits your delta, so if you want more, feel free.

Other: EK-XRES 100 Revo D5 - Acetal ($64.00)
Click to expand...

Not sure why you list this - are you planning on not using the pump/res in the kit? Or are you potentially planning to build a loop by assembling your own list of parts?
 
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Captain_Hindsight

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I do want to get a second beefy rad :ange:



It depends on the case I choose.

The Define S has no 5.25 bays, so I would need a D5 top/res.


I googled around and a lot of people recomand against using a dual bay pump/rez combo in the Corsair 540 Air, because it is vertical.

And I do really like the look of that case. Feels like everything will fit and look nice with that big side window.
 
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Captain_Hindsight

Captain_Hindsight

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Sorry, I think I didn't explain myself properly. I already have the kit installed on my CPU and now I am looking to expand the loop with a second rad and a GPU block.

I already have this installed in my current build:


  • ■ RayStorm Intel CPU Waterblock
    ■ D5 Dual Bay Reservoir
    ■ D5 Vario Pump
    ■ AX240 Dual Radiator
    ■ G1/4″ to 7/16″ Compression Fittings (Black Chrome) x6

This is what I would buy:


  • ■ EK-XRES 100 Revo D5 - Acetal
    ■ Alphacool NexXxoS GPX Nvidia Geforce GTX 970 M03
    ■ 4x EK-ACF Fitting 10/16mm - Elox Black
    ■ EK-CoolStream CE 280 (Dual)
    ■ TUBE PrimoChill PrimoFlex™ Advanced LRT™ 15,9 / 9,5mm - Atomic UV Green RETAIL 3m
    ■ EK-Cable Splitter 4-Fan PWM Extended
    ■ 2x NOCTUA NF-A14 PWM

Plus a new case (probably the Corsair 540 Air)
 
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Captain_Hindsight

Captain_Hindsight

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Well I guess my question is pretty simple: will I be OK with that part selection and the 540 Air case (or Define S)? Am I missing something critical (or something very useful I didn't think of)?

Thanks again!
 
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rubix_1011

rubix_1011

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That is a good question - I have not owned either of them to offer an opinion. I do currently have my build inside a Corsair 250D, and I really like it, but it is a different case setup. The 'Air' cases are meant to be for high air flow builds, but they have certainly been done for watercooling before.

https://www.google.com/search?q=cor...BygC#tbm=isch&q=corsair+540+air+water+cooling

Of course, some of those might not actually be 540's, but that's what Google found. I actually was looking at the 540 until I decided on the 250D, so I do know that it does have a good amount of space.
 
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Captain_Hindsight

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After reading up on the Corsair 540, the Define S and the EVOLV atx, I finally chose the 540. Also ordered the Alphacool NexXxoS GPX because I found a good offer on Amazon.

One thing I'm not 100%: is a 280mm/45mm@16FPI better than a 360mm/38mm@19FPI

EK-CoolStream PE 360 (Triple)
ek360.jpg


EK-CoolStream CE 280 (Dual)
ek-coolstream-ce_280_drawing_1000.jpg


Both would fit in the front of the 540.

Edit: I will use Noctua high pressure fans. I guess the higher surface/higher FPI rad is better, but am not really sure..

Edit 2: I have some spare time at work and I started to look more into the fan/rad theory.

The Noctuas would run at 1200 RPM (Low noise adapter)
140mm fans: At this speed they have 1,51 mm H20 pressure @ 115,5 m3/h - that means 231 m3/h for 2 fans
120mm fans: At this speed they have 1,83 mm H20 pressure @ 74,3 m3/h - that means 223 m3/h for 3 fans

Now to the rads:
280mm has: 16 FPI | 60.76 square inch | 960 fins | 45mm thick
360mm has :19 FPI | 66.96 square inch | 1273 fins | 38mm thick

So by my logic the 280 should be better because it can push (slightly) more air through. The (slightly) lower pressure should be fine, because the fin count is lower and has a little more contact surface (air/fin) because of the greater thickness.

Or am I overthinking this too much and I doesn't matter that much?

/Edit

Also, looking at the Alphacool NexXxoS GPX, I presume angled fittings would be the better choice.

61Q1cFZPX8L._SL1200_.jpg
 
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rubix_1011

rubix_1011

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Either of those radiators will be fine for your build - given the size of the radiators and the thickness of each, you're looking at a very similar volume for each; the 280 might even be a little bit more volume overall. So, I would recommend you just choose the radiator you like more or that is more cost effective, as in having to buy fewer fans for the 280 vs the 360, etc.

As for the fittings on your GPU block - you could do angled fittings, either 45 or 90 to help with your tubing bends. I have one 90 degree and one normal compression fitting on my GPU block simply because it worked with the routing I wanted to achieve in my case.

I think you'll have a decent amount of space to do your install, so you should be OK as far as not running into problems.

Well done - you've done a lot of research and homework for your build, this will help you tremendously as you go to do your build and future builds. Knowing the information you need in order to make good decisions is the best thing anyone can do for themselves when building and installing their first watercooling loop. Very well done. Having a good mental image of what you want to accomplish will help once you get all your components shipped and in front of you.
 
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Solution
Captain_Hindsight

Captain_Hindsight

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Thank you very much for all your advice. I feel much more confident going into this build.

I will do some measurements on the case, as I already ordered it, to have a better idea of what and how I can fit in there.

One final question: would you rather choose a quick disconnect on the lowest tube or a "T" fitting with a valve for better draining of the loop?
 
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