►►►NOTE: I originally posted about this here: http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/323816-31-advice-properly-planning-water-cooled-computer-budget#t2414851
A poster recommended I post in the Water Cooling section for more specific advice about the loop... so I did! I have made changes so this isn't the exact same posting as the other one, and I read through the Water Cooling sticky prior to posting◄◄◄
Approximate Purchase Date: Once I’ve picked out all the components and saved up all the $ (I'm roughly 2/3 the way there)
Budget Range: ~$3,000
System Usage: Games, Video Editing and Rendering, Adobe Products, Heavy Multitasking
Parts Not Required: keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers, OS
Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Google Shopping – whatever’s cheapest yet reliable
Country of Origin: I live in the US of A
Parts Preferences: Intel, whatever's best
Overclocking: Yes
SLI or Crossfire: Perhaps in the future
Monitor Resolution: A 40 inch Bravia LCD TV
---------------------------------------------------------
I've been compiling my information on a Google Doc with the most up-to-date info I get, here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1kO1gwPnv-zBj0JwbhCTGecjMzIYdhtYeuhMMqmkktJI/edit?hl=en_US
Here's a schematic for what currently is my plan for the build. It's in its "alpha" stage if you will:
Now to explain the schematic, with the parts I'm currently looking at:
A - Motherboard - Some LGA1155 socket motherboard to compliment the i7 2700k I plan to get; a Z68 perhaps?
B - Pump - I'm looking at a MCP355 (instruction manual says it's best to install this pump at the lowest point of the case) or Swiftech MCP655-B 1/2in.
C - Reservoir - Swiftech MCRES-MICRO Rev2 Reservoir (Instructions say it's easiest to install at highest point for filling purposes, but since I'm looking to get the plastic walls & ceiling and it's able to be mounted at the bottom, I may go that route) or XSPC Single DDC Dual 5.25" Bay Reservoir
D - Radiator - Probably one of these: http://skinneelabs.com/2011-2012-radiator-comparison/5/ ... unless you have an idea about what I ought to get...
E - Power Supply - Corsair AX1200 as suggested by mjmjpfaff
F - PCI SSD - a PCI SSD, for maximum speed throughput or a Crucial 128GB SSD
G - Graphics Card - EVGA GTX580 Hydro Copper 2 Graphics Card(s) (perhaps I'll SLI another one on at a later date)
H - 5 x 5.25 Bay - A bay, included with the case
I - Processor - an i7 2700k
J - Case Fans - x4 120mm fans or Cooler Master 120mm or 140mm
Here is the current plan for water cooling tubing:
Water Cooling Tubing
1 - Comes out of pump
2 - Enters Resevoir
3 - Enters CPU waterblock
4 - Enters GPU waterblock
5 - Exits GPU waterblock
6 - Enters Liquid Reservoir
7 - Re-Enters Pump
The Case: I have decided on the MountainMods U2-UFO case with Acrylic panels on the left, right, and top; I planned to get the XL-ATX mobo tray but it's been suggested that I just get an ATX tray - either way I want it horizontal. This cube "case" is surely big enough to house anything I may want to put in it. The nice thing is, it gives you options for what you want in it, so for example if I need to get 2 radiators, I can select the option to have a wall with 6 120mm cutouts.
Wattage Expected: Using the calculator at this link http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/245131-28-wattage-calculator-enter It should be ~750 with one GPU, and ~1100 with two. I'll probably initially only get the one, but I may want to aim very high with the cooling, in case I decide to SLI in the future.
YOUR ADVICE:
Since I'm new to water cooling, please help me with selecting a proper setup. If anything here doesn't look right, or isn't something you would do, PLEASE comment on it. That's why I've posted it here. Hopefully the labeling is clear and makes it easier for you to understand. Also, be as detailed as you please. I'd like to hear how you do your cooling, what fittings, tubing, and which components you get and why. I've read up on a lot of things but there's no substitute for experience, so please lend me your expertise
A poster recommended I post in the Water Cooling section for more specific advice about the loop... so I did! I have made changes so this isn't the exact same posting as the other one, and I read through the Water Cooling sticky prior to posting◄◄◄
Approximate Purchase Date: Once I’ve picked out all the components and saved up all the $ (I'm roughly 2/3 the way there)
Budget Range: ~$3,000
System Usage: Games, Video Editing and Rendering, Adobe Products, Heavy Multitasking
Parts Not Required: keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers, OS
Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Google Shopping – whatever’s cheapest yet reliable
Country of Origin: I live in the US of A
Parts Preferences: Intel, whatever's best
Overclocking: Yes
SLI or Crossfire: Perhaps in the future
Monitor Resolution: A 40 inch Bravia LCD TV
---------------------------------------------------------
I've been compiling my information on a Google Doc with the most up-to-date info I get, here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1kO1gwPnv-zBj0JwbhCTGecjMzIYdhtYeuhMMqmkktJI/edit?hl=en_US
Here's a schematic for what currently is my plan for the build. It's in its "alpha" stage if you will:
Now to explain the schematic, with the parts I'm currently looking at:
A - Motherboard - Some LGA1155 socket motherboard to compliment the i7 2700k I plan to get; a Z68 perhaps?
B - Pump - I'm looking at a MCP355 (instruction manual says it's best to install this pump at the lowest point of the case) or Swiftech MCP655-B 1/2in.
C - Reservoir - Swiftech MCRES-MICRO Rev2 Reservoir (Instructions say it's easiest to install at highest point for filling purposes, but since I'm looking to get the plastic walls & ceiling and it's able to be mounted at the bottom, I may go that route) or XSPC Single DDC Dual 5.25" Bay Reservoir
D - Radiator - Probably one of these: http://skinneelabs.com/2011-2012-radiator-comparison/5/ ... unless you have an idea about what I ought to get...
E - Power Supply - Corsair AX1200 as suggested by mjmjpfaff
F - PCI SSD - a PCI SSD, for maximum speed throughput or a Crucial 128GB SSD
G - Graphics Card - EVGA GTX580 Hydro Copper 2 Graphics Card(s) (perhaps I'll SLI another one on at a later date)
H - 5 x 5.25 Bay - A bay, included with the case
I - Processor - an i7 2700k
J - Case Fans - x4 120mm fans or Cooler Master 120mm or 140mm
Here is the current plan for water cooling tubing:
Water Cooling Tubing
1 - Comes out of pump
2 - Enters Resevoir
3 - Enters CPU waterblock
4 - Enters GPU waterblock
5 - Exits GPU waterblock
6 - Enters Liquid Reservoir
7 - Re-Enters Pump
The Case: I have decided on the MountainMods U2-UFO case with Acrylic panels on the left, right, and top; I planned to get the XL-ATX mobo tray but it's been suggested that I just get an ATX tray - either way I want it horizontal. This cube "case" is surely big enough to house anything I may want to put in it. The nice thing is, it gives you options for what you want in it, so for example if I need to get 2 radiators, I can select the option to have a wall with 6 120mm cutouts.
Wattage Expected: Using the calculator at this link http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/245131-28-wattage-calculator-enter It should be ~750 with one GPU, and ~1100 with two. I'll probably initially only get the one, but I may want to aim very high with the cooling, in case I decide to SLI in the future.
YOUR ADVICE:
Since I'm new to water cooling, please help me with selecting a proper setup. If anything here doesn't look right, or isn't something you would do, PLEASE comment on it. That's why I've posted it here. Hopefully the labeling is clear and makes it easier for you to understand. Also, be as detailed as you please. I'd like to hear how you do your cooling, what fittings, tubing, and which components you get and why. I've read up on a lot of things but there's no substitute for experience, so please lend me your expertise