First water loop issues

Ben_185 · Mar 12, 2017

Hi all. I have just built my first custom PC desk with a water loop. This is my first PC build and water loop. My cpu is running idle at around 33C running at full load with cpu-z it hits around 88c which to me is well to hot. My duel GPU are running at 27c idle and mid 40s at full load.
Also when I power down the PC the tube from the cpu seem to empty completly which again I don't think is meant to happen.

I'm not sure if my pump is not powerful enough or it's something else.

Can anyone help please?

System specs:
Asus strix x99 gaming
I7 6800k
Sli strix 1080s gpu
32gb corsair dominator ddr4
2 360mm rads, 1 D5 pump, 2 ek water blocks for gpu and ek supremacy evo block on the cpu. I am running around 3.5 meters of tubing.

Thank you in advance
https://flic.kr/p/RAnQz1
https://flic.kr/p/Si2jPj

jdcranke07 · Mar 12, 2017

Ben_185 :

You probably have to much air in the line (meaning you need to fill and bleed the line, rads, and blocks better), you have too much or not enough thermal paste on the CPU, and/or the CPU water block is not seated correctly. If you can, it is better to have two loops for situations where long lengths of tubing are needed. You don't want the length of the loop to be more than what the head pressure of the pump is. If it is, you will not move any water. Also, remember that the more turns and bends there are, the more resistance there is. This includes the bends within the water blocks as well and subtracts from the pumps ability to push water even further.

n0ns3ns3 · Mar 12, 2017

the 88 is indeed too high, especially for "light" load with CPU-Z.
few pictures would be helpful to understand potential issues and suggest improvements.
first of all tubes should not get empty after turning off the pump. eventually, the only air pockets allowed in the loop are in reservoir.
The idle CPU temperature also is a bit high, supposed to be the about the same as GPUs (definitely not 6C difference). So it can happen if the CPU block has too much air inside. But also can happen if the block is not mounted correctly. Another possibility is "not enough" liquid flow in your CPU block.
You have relatively complex loop. It means that it has a lot of flow restrictions - each component and every hard 90 turn contributes to flow restriction. Even things like CPU block orientation can affect its cooling perfromance.
So it would be better to connect the GPU blocks in parallel and sequentially to the CPU. Of course running pump close to full speed is advised in your case.
Try to see which fits your situation. Post some pics if you want further assistance

coozie7 · Mar 12, 2017

^ +1, the system has not been fully bled of air.
Without pics it'll be hard to say which way would be best to bleed the system but one trick is to simply run the pump at maximum speed and gently rock the whole system: Side-to-side and back-to-front to help move any air bubbles.

Ben_185 · Mar 12, 2017

I have updated with 2 photos showing my loop.

I have found that my tanks are not filling fully would this be the issue?

n0ns3ns3 · Mar 12, 2017

can't see photos or links to photos.

Ben_185 · Mar 12, 2017

How about now?

Ben_185 · Mar 12, 2017

Also please ignore the in and out being wrong on the pump in the photos. I have changed it to correct this. Thanks

jdcranke07 · Mar 12, 2017

Ben_185 :

I would say that you just need to make sure to fill it all the way and rock the desk to knock air bubbles out of the line. You might want to think about getting at least a second pump in that loop as well, there is probably too much loop versus the amount of head pressure that one D5 has. After that, it's literally just making sure your blocks are seated properly. Lastly, typically you put the pump at a lower level than your reservoirs, so it can draw from them easier. Being as they push and don't pull water.

n0ns3ns3 · Mar 12, 2017

well, here few points to fix some "flaws" in this loop:
1. 3 reservoirs are a complete waste of everything. They has zero practical/cooling benefit and as already mentioned, they add substantial flow restriction due to many additional 90 turns. Find something else to fill the void if that's why you put them there.
2. Connect the GPU blocks in parallel - both connectors between the cards should be connected - use the port closer to the outputs as in and the other as out.
3. Avoid long runs back and forth. Connect the GPU blocks directly to the CPU block. Order not important.
4. On the radiators, use the lower port as inlet and the upper as outlet.
once you do the above, the flow in your loop will greatly improve which will allow much easier bleeding (removing air from the loop) and allow to run the pump at lower speed = less noise

rubix_1011 · Mar 13, 2017

That is a lot of tubing and bends for a single pump to move water through.

jdcranke07 · Mar 15, 2017

I would've put this on two different loops; one for GPUs and one for CPU/RAM/MB. Reason being is because the GPUs will heat up quite a bit while gaming and if their heat is directly able to affect the cooling of your CPU and other components, you might not get the performance you were looking for. This will also greatly reduce the amount of head room you will have for overclocking and the overall setup would reduce the amount of tubing each pump would need to push fluid through.

This is my workstation/gaming build. http://i.imgur.com/Wb4UfKN.jpg

I have a ton of 90' angles like you do, but having the amount of tubing split up really does make a difference in how each D5 performs. Granted both of my pumps are at the base of each of their respective reservoir as well and directly fed via gravity. This take so much load and wear and tear off the pumps, so I would highly recommend something that will incorporate a little elevation between your pumps and reservoirs. Putting the GPUs in parallel will reduce pressure as well. Although, there is no really large benefit to doing this in terms of actual cooling, it just helps out the pumps.

rubix_1011 · Mar 15, 2017

Putting GPUs in parallel will likely be the single greatest improvement outside of adding another pump.

n0ns3ns3 · Mar 15, 2017

^ i'm not sure if it will beat removing unnecessary reservoirs and tubing.

rubix_1011 · Mar 15, 2017

Tubing and bends, probably has it beat, you're right. Reservoirs....eh...should be limited restriction, but also see your point here.

jdcranke07 · Mar 16, 2017

Honestly, I would side with both rubix_1011 and nons3ns3. But assuming you want to keep the aesthetics as close to what you already have, just putting the GPUs in parallel and adding another D5 pump should be enough. However, splitting into two different loops would still be the most optimal setup.

n0ns3ns3 · Mar 16, 2017

rubix_1011 :

Reservoirs are mentioned only because they add at least 6 90 bends which cause ~10-15% flow rate drop (2-3% flow rate drop per 90 bend/fitting).

P.S.
BTW, I think I'm done with the final layout of my "less is more" project

https://goo.gl/photos/XjAdqLzvVHXJJ6yp7
https://goo.gl/photos/NxWWQGUBsh2LsQC67
Left to do (need time):
1. fixate pump and res.
2. replace tubes (use glass instead).
3. replace side panel window with slightly tinted TG.

rubix_1011 · Mar 16, 2017

Yes, all of those bends really adds up restriction-wise.

Your build is very nice and very well done...good work. That's an impressive loop build.

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