Watercooling a mini itx system... need help!!

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M

Michigan Tech

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Jul 18, 2016
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Hello world!

I am building a custom loop in a custom built mini itx case, and was wondering if I could have a 240mm rad, a gpu block, and a cpu block if I were to use a cpu mounted pump, commonly found on AIO coolers. If this is a big no-no, then what pump (and res?) can I use? I really need something as small as possible...

Thanks!
 
Solution
rubix_1011
Your case isn't air tight, so as long as there are open vents, airflow will still move through the case. Even so, there are still areas where air can move around and through panels and creases.
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geofelt

geofelt

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Oct 9, 2006
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Love those small ITX builds.

Do you have a description of this custom built ITX case?
What will the components be?
What is the main purpose of the pc?
What is the purpose of the water cooling?

If the cpu mounted pump is strong enough, I do not see why it could not work.

 
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M

Michigan Tech

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Jul 18, 2016
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I am designing the case in sketchup... so I am not sure if i will be able to show you.

Parts:
6600k (plan on overclocking)
1070 reference
radiator
all waterblocks are also ekwb
tubing will be 1/2" 3/4"

This is a gaming pc, and water cooling is so I can keep low temps... I really don't like those low profile coolers...

What cpu pump do you recommend?
 
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geofelt

geofelt

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Oct 9, 2006
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Some thoughts:
The smallest ITX gaming case I know of is the Ncase M1.
https://www.ncases.com/
How does your design compare?
There is great satisfaction on building your own creation, but practically speaking, you will get a better designed product with the M1 I suspect.

A i5-6600K is designed to be overclocked, and that is most important for gaming.
You might want to pay extra for a binned chip from silicon lottery.
As of 5/2016
What percent can get an overclock at a somewhat sane 1.40v Vcore.

I5-6600K
5.0 2%
4.9 11%
4.8 36%
4.7 64%
4.6 88%

It turns out that 14nm does not need great cooling.
You will run out of safe vcore before you reach thermal limits.
I do fine with a 6600K@4.8 with a simple noctua NH-U12s.
But, that might not be possible in a very small case.

A GTX1070 with a reference(AKA blower) cooler is a great idea. It gets the heat directly out the back of the case.

Remember that liquid cooling is still really air cooling. Just that the heat exchange is in a different place.
You still need a decent supply of incoming air to cool your parts.
With liquid cooling, you can't win.
The orientation of the radiator will cause a problem.
If you orient it to take in cool air from the outside, you will cool the cpu better, but the hot air then circulates inside the case heating up the graphics card and motherboard.
If you orient it to exhaust(which I think is better) , then your cpu cooling will be less effective because it uses pre heated case air.
 
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M

Michigan Tech

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Jul 18, 2016
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Nice build! I see you are using a pump res combo, which is what I was going to use, but I was able to get my case down to 10.8 liters... but my pump res was removed because of this. My next question, do I honestly NEED a res? I can only see it being useful during the full phase, which can easily be worked around.

Also, my GPU does not have a water block, how can I watercool this? My original plan was to use a universal cpu block, but I heard some people have had some bad experiences doing this. Thoughts?


Thanks!!
 
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rubix_1011

rubix_1011

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No, you technically don't need a res, but it makes filling the loop much easier, especially in a small, small case.

To watercool your GPU you would buy a block - either universal or full cover and install it. Just incorporate that into your loop. Also note that anytime you add a component into your loop, your loop cooling delta changes, meaning, you have to account for more heat added to the loop by understanding your radiator thermal capacity, flow rate and fans.

I used universal GPU blocks for years, what kinds of bad experiences have you heard?
 
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M

Michigan Tech

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Jul 18, 2016
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artifacting and faulty cooling on vrams and such on the board. my 1070 doesn't have a full block.

*Updated*

Will this pump be good enough for a full loop? (240mm rad, gpu block, cpu block)
 
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M

Michigan Tech

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Jul 18, 2016
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I know they do, but if you look up my card, you will see that it has a smaller PCB than the other ones, and will need a custom block, which don't exist for this card.
 
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M

Michigan Tech

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Jul 18, 2016
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No I meant reference clocks... or stock clocks. I have a gigabyte 1070 mini oc. That's why I am having trouble looking for a waterblock, no one supports this form factor.
 
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M

Michigan Tech

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Jul 18, 2016
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what ram sinks do you recommend? And how do I cool the mosfets and vrms? They are sooo tiny... VRAM should be easier but still... And I am really worried that the universal block will interfere with the ram sinks.
 
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rubix_1011

rubix_1011

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Copper or aluminum is fine. The block shouldn't interfere with placement of these components since they do not sit under the block itself. You might need to find some different size pieces....also don't forget the RAM modules, either.

Direct airflow across these items will also greatly help since you don't have a full cover block.
 
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M

Michigan Tech

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Jul 18, 2016
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there will be a 120mm noctua fan blowing directly onto the card... but I am worried that it will be useless, being that I have four exhaust fans and one intake fan... almost creating a vacuum of such.
 
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M

Michigan Tech

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Jul 18, 2016
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We'll see... in my design I will add holes for intake.
 
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