Water Cooling Components

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Carousels

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Feb 22, 2017
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I just accidentally purchased 2 Zotac GTX 1080s that were already made for installing in existing water cooling loops and I'd like to know what my best options given my circumstances are at the moment. I have no experience in water cooling, but I have read some basic tutorials and understand the concept + terminology.
https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814500406

Case: Cooler Master HAF 912.
Motherboard: Asrock Z87 Extreme 4.
CPU: i7 4770k
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper Evo 212

I've read that these cards are very heavy, and can easily rip off my mobo without extra security, so I was thinking of putting my chassis flat on its side to prevent that from happening.

Also since my case will be really tight on space with 2x GTX 1080s, is there a way of putting the reservoir + pump outside of the case?

I'm currently looking at EKWB's slim series kits
(https://www.ekwb.com/shop/ek-kit-s360 in particular) and I'm wondering if that'll be compatible with my system. I want to SLI the 1080s and probably also switch my CPU to a water cooler while I'm at it.

Thanks!

Edit: Alternatively if it's feasible, maybe I'll remove the waterblocks off the 1080s and install aftermarket air coolers? But I don't really see that fitting in my case for SLI, and it seems like a waste of the waterblocks.
 
Solution
n0ns3ns3
assuming you start with flexible tubes, and you plan your loop ahead, you should be able to take everything apart from old system within 30-60 minutes.
assembly should be couple of hours for inexperienced user in a big case.
I guess it would take some time for you to bridge the cards - it's 3 slots spacing which is kinda tight to do it with flex tubes and the ports config on those zotac cards. definitely doable, but might be tricky.
than it's filling the loop and leak testing - never seen "leak" after like immediately. do i'm doing 15-30mins.
so be prepared to spend a day/evening on that.
if for some reason you miscalculated you loop layout and have not ordered all required fittings/adapters, it might take even more time until you get...
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Carousels

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Feb 22, 2017
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Yes I did, but I'd have to pay return shipping so I figured I'd just upgrade my current rig to a water loop.
And no I haven't opened the packaging yet.
 
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The_Staplergun

The_Staplergun

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Newegg allowed me to return the product free of charge since it was entirely unopened. If you tell them you're exchanging it for a different product in the process they might be more willing to do it.

Sorry to kind of derail the thread, if this doesn't work I can swing in and try to answer your other questions.

There are GPU support rails you can get if you think the card may be too heavy. They assist with this problem.

You very well can put the reservoir and pump outside the case. Just run hoses out somewhere (Probably the extra ports on the back of the computer as in the removable slats where the cards took over).

You just have to ensure that the fittings are compatible. You can get plenty of adapters, but the less parts in there the better, and more efficient the system.

You could in theory buy a $40 AIO pump mount and remove the water cooler, if you deem water cooling too risky or too costly. (Kraken G10 or the Corsair version HG10)
It is kind of a waste of water blocks, but you need to find something that works.
 
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n0ns3ns3

n0ns3ns3

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May 25, 2016
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If you are going to do this liquid cooling project:
* you need a new case
* there is no "standard" SLI liquid bridge - you will have to work with tubes to connect the cards.
* you will need a strong pump to have decent flow through 2 GPU and CPU blocks. the one in the kit is not enough.
* to cool the above setup at sane noise levels, you are going to need at least 480 rad surface. preferably 360 + 240.

So here is what you can do:
Case - Fractal Design Define S is probably the cheapest and yet excellent case that can hold all components.
pump - D5 or DDC - here examples, but every one resels them (bitspower, ek, alphacool, swiftech etc) :
* https://www.ekwb.com/shop/reservoirs/reservoir-pump-combo/ek-d5-series
* https://www.ekwb.com/shop/reservoirs/reservoir-pump-combo/ek-ddc-series
Rads: Check out Alphacool ST30 XFlow or HW labs GTS nemesis XFlow
CPU block - you can go with EK Supremacy EVO or (my favorite) https://shop.aquacomputer.de/index.php?cPath=7_11_12_2694
Of course you are going to need fittings, adapters, tubing, valve.

If you insist/want to use kits, every manufacturer has one, just make sure rad size and thickness + pump is what you need:
https://www.ekwb.com/shop/ek-kit-p360
https://www.ekwb.com/shop/ek-kit-x360

If you insist on "outside" cooling - https://www.alphacool.com/shop/-new-products-/21360/alphacool-eiswand-360-cpu-black?c=20541


it's about 350 - 500 USD shopping cart.

P.S.
About the wight - it's kinda BS.cards are screwed to the case, so no worries. they can not break the MB with their wight.
You will need to put a quite a bit of force to break the PCIe slot.
 
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Carousels

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Feb 22, 2017
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510


After reading n0ns3ns3's post, I think I like the $40 AIO pump mount idea the best at the moment. If I was to do this with the Kraken G10, do you think two of them will fit in a HAF 912 without blocking the SLI bridge? I plan to have 1 open PCIE slot in between them and use an EVGA SLI HB bridge.

Also I'll need to buy a separate pump right? Like a Corsair H75 for each Kraken G10?

Edit: Would the installation be similar to the process in this EVGA video? (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MepbdKc6m_s)
Also thanks for the insight n0ns3ns3 and putting it into perspective for me.
 
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Carousels

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Feb 22, 2017
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Would you suggest buying an AIO kit or buying parts individually?
Like buying this https://www.ekwb.com/shop/ek-kit-x360
versus
Pump + Reservoir: https://www.ekwb.com/shop/ek-xres-140-revo-d5-pwm-incl-sl-pump
CPU Block: https://www.ekwb.com/shop/ek-supremacy-evo-gold
Fittings 8x: https://www.ekwb.com/shop/ek-acf-fitting-10-13mm-nickel
Fans 3x: https://www.ekwb.com/shop/ek-vardar-f2-140-1600rpm
Radiators 3x: https://www.ekwb.com/shop/ek-coolstream-se-120-slim-single
Tubing: https://www.ekwb.com/shop/ek-duraclear-9-5-12-7mm
And a Fractal Design Define S or CM HAF X case off newegg
 
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n0ns3ns3

n0ns3ns3

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May 25, 2016
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If you are going to buy them all from EK, kit might make sense.
from EK, I personally like only:
1. the GPU
2. sometimes CPU blocks - when other blocks like those in my first post are not available
3. Pump tops.

There are much better rads, better fittings, and of course much better fans.

As a side note, do not order anything before you consult here for example.
First, chose the case you like.
Than chose the radiators - don't pick a lot of small ones, you need as little as possible number of components.
XFlow rads like those:
http://hardwarelabs.com/nemesis/gtsxflow/360gts-xflow/
https://www.alphacool.com/shop/radiators/active-radiators/20474/alphacool-nexxxos-st30-full-copper-x-flow-360mm-radiator?c=20545

Fans, you should pick fans according to radiator size.
If you can afford noctua - great, otherwise there are few options depending on your budget.

Here is an example of how your system might look:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-YQoqknJk3s&t
He did some sloppy job with tubing, but you can have an idea.
this one is a bit more helpful and has a drain port displayed, you do need one:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YYtBKaYop0g
 
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Carousels

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Feb 22, 2017
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510


Approximately how much time do you think it'll take to set up everything? Including taking everything out of my current HAF912 and installing it into the new case, as well as the water loop and everything else.
 
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n0ns3ns3

n0ns3ns3

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May 25, 2016
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assuming you start with flexible tubes, and you plan your loop ahead, you should be able to take everything apart from old system within 30-60 minutes.
assembly should be couple of hours for inexperienced user in a big case.
I guess it would take some time for you to bridge the cards - it's 3 slots spacing which is kinda tight to do it with flex tubes and the ports config on those zotac cards. definitely doable, but might be tricky.
than it's filling the loop and leak testing - never seen "leak" after like immediately. do i'm doing 15-30mins.
so be prepared to spend a day/evening on that.
if for some reason you miscalculated you loop layout and have not ordered all required fittings/adapters, it might take even more time until you get you loop complete.
Good news, is that if you order enough tubing, you can create a functional system that will be just ugly mess of tubes. And improve it later.
See those flex tubes in the pictures - i'm missing few fitting/adapters that should arrive soon. but system is fully functional, typing on it:
first layout: https://goo.gl/photos/ocatcw9w1LywBRqX9
second layout with a bit more rads: https://goo.gl/photos/YU8oJUxjvTu1Biiq8
(those above were made of parts i already had from my mid tower build)
here is with new GPU block and fans: https://goo.gl/photos/QpjEzVzDuFRe92jE6
here is with new radiators: https://goo.gl/photos/hLfsQj7whst818VF7
here is a try with hard line tubing (start missing parts - ordered more): https://goo.gl/photos/7Sc5iBmpJPVA4mUB9
here i changed the flow order and found a way to bring back the reservoir (still waiting for parts to arrive) https://goo.gl/photos/2z1qxLVu9mxtkQ42A
Last pic is how the system looks now. once i complete the hard line tubing layout and will be satisfied with performance and look, i'll be switching to glass tubing. Using acrylic for now as it is easier to work with.

So this project took about couple of hours to start running. But I started it in last November and will probably finish it in few weeks.

 
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