Thinking of starting a new project, Water Cooling

[Solemn]

Hello guys, would love some constuctive critism/advice.

Current System:
CPU: Intel Quad Core Q8400 OverClocked to 3.2
Mobo: Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3LR Intel P45
Ram: Kingston 8g DRR2 1066
Graphics: XFX ATI 5870
HDD: WD 500g HDD SATA
Case: Silverstone Raven RV02
PSU: OCZ ModXStream Pro 600w

Atm the system has been moved to a rather "cosy"/small room and it gets quite warm in here, so been having some over heating problems and tbh, have been waiting for an excuse to move to water cooling anyways My case is quite spacious even tho technically it isn't a full tower. For more information about the case click here. I've not really touched water cooling before so really looking for information advice for what pipes, connectors, etc to use.
After some research have choosen the main components i will be using (nothing is set in stone tho)

Pump Reservoir
Choosen because basically it will fit nicely in the drive bays (only space I really have for the pump and reservoir) and also because it isn't too over priced

Radiator
Mainly because i have seen this seated nicely on my case's bottom fans in a few forum posts (see links at end of post)

As for blocks tbh I'm not sure what im looking for but I defo want one that ill be able to use with an i7 at a later stage.. I saw a few from the same website as before (saving on postage hehe)

CPU Block1
or
CPU Block2
or
CPU Block3

I also want to run my GFX card off this so was looking at maybe bidding on this

Ebay GPU Block
which i think is this ?
Scan EK 5870

Also thinking of getting one of these memory fans cos well, why not?
Memory Fan

With regards to tubing/ and fittings, this is why I come to you Any tips on what to get and which is the best?
OK so I'm thinking this

Tubing: 3/8 ID 1/2OD
Splitters: 2x 3/8 ID splitter (pump to gfx/cpu and then cpu/gfx to radiator)
Compression Fittings
5 x1/4 - 3/8 ID for reservoir & radiator & GPU BLock
4 x black 1/4 - 3/8 for CPU Block 3
1 x 90 Degree 1/4 - 3/8
As for coolant erm I dunno maybe this coz its purple
Purplez




Conclusion

Loop will be as follows:

Item Placement
Reservoir(and pump) Top 2 5 1/2 Drivebays
Radiator Above the 3 180mm Fans (bottom of case)


Resevoir(and pump) -> S/Comp Fitting -> Tubing -> (first)Spliter
1)Tubing -> S/Comp Fit -> GPU Block -> S/Comp Fit -> Tubing -> (second) Splitter
2)Tubing -> B/CompFit -> CPU Block -> B/Cpmp Fit -> Tubing -> (second) Splitter
Splitter -> Tubing -> S/Comp Fit -> Radiator -> S/Comp Fit -> Tubing -> (S/Comp 90degree) -> Resevoir




Oooo almost forgot, Ppl that have done this before in my case

Really Awesome build!!

Guy using a smaller radiator

Picture of the Radiator 360 fitting snugly above the 180mm fans

360 Radiator fitted

 

[Ki!ler-Mk1]

Is your target reduced noise or reduced component temperature? I just bought at cpu water cooler last week, though this only eliminates one fan from my computer it is mainly to reduce my cpu temp. Its arriving tomorrow.

Thats a really nice case, i really wish i was able to access the back of the motherboard without removing it from my case - thermaltake armor, cant argue with 13(+powerswitch) bays.

 

[waterproofbob]

I'd say with you current components I'd not go for WCing as you aren't going to be making enough heat to really justify it imo. You have a great case for doing it so if you are set on it have a read of this.

I could retype the major points but I'd say it is worth reading all that before you start. As far as the piping goes you need to choose your size depending on the size of your loop and your pump. It's now been almost 2 years since I've actually built a WCing loop so really not up to date with it all.

If you are looking for any general advice please ask away. WCing is a lot of fun and as long as you test the loop all thoroughly before you start inserting it into the case you can get some good results.

 

[Solemn]

Is your target reduced noise or reduced component temperature? I just bought at cpu water cooler last week, though this only eliminates one fan from my computer it is mainly to reduce my cpu temp. Its arriving tomorrow.

Thats a really nice case, i really wish i was able to access the back of the motherboard without removing it from my case - thermaltake armor, cant argue with 13(+powerswitch) bays.

Thanks spent about 6 months shopping around until i decided on this case and I absolutely love it!! its a little big to carry around to lans thought hehehe.

My goal mainly is to reduce temp although reducing noise would be awesome too. atm I need to have my 5870's fan at 100% to keep my GPU < 60C when playing WoW, not exactly sure how hot it gets with band company 2 yet, but im assuming its pretty warm. I think its mostly to do with the fact that my pc is in this tiny tiny room and it gets pretty warm in there (like summer lan, warm).

 

[Solemn]

I'd say with you current components I'd not go for WCing as you aren't going to be making enough heat to really justify it imo. You have a great case for doing it so if you are set on it have a read of this.

I could retype the major points but I'd say it is worth reading all that before you start. As far as the piping goes you need to choose your size depending on the size of your loop and your pump. It's now been almost 2 years since I've actually built a WCing loop so really not up to date with it all.

If you are looking for any general advice please ask away. WCing is a lot of fun and as long as you test the loop all thoroughly before you start inserting it into the case you can get some good results.

I would agree with you that originally I wasnt making enough heat, but since moving my computer to a new room in the house, im getting temps above 60C which I believe is causing random restarts=(

Thanks for the link will take a look sometime day

Can i just ask, I know it might sound noobish, but what is it you mean when you say 'loop' is that just the term for the entire water cooling setup?

Cheers

 

[Gombol]

Go Oil Cooling, imo.

 

[waterproofbob]

Yes by loop I refer to the entire thing as long as you are doing everything in one chain. What you tend to see with single CPU/GPU setups is a single loop. With multiple GPU, the norm is to run 2 loops. One that goes to the 2 GPUs in turn then another than goes CPU and chipsets (sometimes RAM as well). Saying that of late what I've seen at a glance of newer equipment and better pumps, ressies doing the whole lot with one uber loop is fine. As I say though not looked into this much in a couple of years.

For what you are doing think of the loop as the whole lot yus .

If you need exact case help post on the OcUK forums, they are a nice bunch for the most part and likilihood is one of them has built a WC'd system into that case. They also tend to keep build logs so can send you pics and everything.

Also that case is growing on me as well.

 

[Solemn]

Ok so i have bought all my bits and pieces for my water cooling build

Main Components
Radiator: Black ICE GT Stealth 360
Reservoir/Pump: XSPC Dual 750
CPU Block: Swiftech Apogee XT Rev2
GPU Block: EK-FC5870-Acetal

Fittings
Compersions: 2 x Steel 1/4 - 3/8 1/2 / 2 x 2Pack Black 1/4 - 3/8 1/2
Angle Comp: 90-Degree 3/8 - 1/2

Tubing
Hose: 3meters 3/8 1/2 Clearflex 60
Clips: Black PVC 10 Pack / 2 x Purple PVC
Coils: 3meters Black Primochill AntiKink

Consumables
Heat Pad: Coollaboratory Liquid MetalPad
Thermal Paste: Arctic-Cooling MX 2
Coolant: 2 x PrimoChill ICE 32oz UV-Purple

Misc
Memory Cooler: Zalman ZM RC1000


Loop Setup

Item Placement
Reservoir(and pump) Top 2 5 1/2 Drivebays
Radiator Above the 3 180mm Fans (bottom of case)


Resevoir(and pump) -> S/Comp Fitting -> Tubing -> B/Comp Fit -> GPU Block -> B/Comp Fit -> Tubing -> Purple PVC Clip -> CPU Block -> Purple PVC Clip -> Tubing -> B/Comp Fit -> Radiator -> B/Comp Fit -> Tubing -> (S/Comp 90degree) -> Resevoir

 

[Silk]

 

[Haven]

If you are wanting a mostly fanless operation then scrap the ramfan idea and just stick with passive ramsinks - if you're pulling the heat out of your case with water blocks anyway then its definately not needed.

 

[Solemn]

If you are wanting a mostly fanless operation then scrap the ramfan idea and just stick with passive ramsinks - if you're pulling the heat out of your case with water blocks anyway then its definately not needed.

Its not so much about quiet, as it is about keeping is cold as its overheating something stupid atm. Only really getting the fan cos its preeetty


As for silk's comment... you can kiss my ***

 

[Haven]

Its not so much about quiet, as it is about keeping is cold as its overheating something stupid atm. Only really getting the fan cos its preeetty

The better part of a kilowatt of graphics nonesense will tend to do that yes

 

[Ki!ler-Mk1]

Does the overclocking of your cpu have a large effect on the temperature?

Since i got a cpu only watercooler my cpu temp has been consistantly 10-15 degrees C lower than previously. (previously being that i would close programs when i reached *67C - core i7 2.67).

*was just the default temp on pc probe 2, though it was so rarely reached i just left it there and assumed it was too hot when it was reached, atm after being turned on for 18 hours my cpu is at 42(and thats after playing dow2 for 3 hours.

Does anyone know how i can find and monitor my gfx card temperature?

 

[Nanor]

There's monitoring tools in CCC or the nVidia equivalent that comes with your drivers.

 

[PsiSoldier]

hwmonitor tbh

 

[Solemn]

First Attempt Weekend of the 16th April

So Having received what I thought were all the tools, parts and components I would need to complete my water build I decided to make a start on it. I started at about 22:30 Friday night, and finished up after two trips out to stores finished at about 4 Saturday afternoon.

Hardware

Water Cooling Components
Main Components
Radiator: Black ICE GT Stealth 360
Reservoir/Pump: XSPC Dual 750
CPU Block: Swiftech Apogee XT Rev2
GPU Block: EK-FC5870-Acetal
Fittings
Compressions: 2 x Steel 1/4 - 3/8 1/2 / 2 x 2Pack Black 1/4 - 3/8 1/2
Tubing
Hose: 3meters 3/8 1/2 Clearflex 60
Clips: 2 x Purple PVC
Coils: 3meters Black Primochill AntiKink
Consumables
Heat Pad: Coollaboratory Liquid MetalPad
Thermal Paste: Arctic-Cooling MX 2
Coolant: 2 x PrimoChill ICE 32oz UV-Purple
Misc
Memory Cooler: Zalman ZM RC1000

Hardware
Water Cooling Components
CPU: Intel Quad Core Q8400 OverClocked to 3.2
Mobo: Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3LR Intel P45
Ram: Kingston 8g DRR2 1066
Graphics: XFX ATI 5870
PSU: OCZ ModXStream Pro 600w Silent
Case: Silverstone Raven RV02

Collectively

I thought to start off It would be a good idea to remove any components or obstacles from my case that would get in my way and eventually end up p1ssing me off hehe.

Case With GFX card

Case W/O GFX card

Case with messy Cables. I intend on my next stab at this to tidy these up with some sort of braiding. will have to wait and see

First thing I thought about doing, was adding the Pump/Reservoir to the mix. I knew/thought it would be an easy way to start off as it's just meant to slide into the 5 1/2 drive bays.... hmmm well.. TBH it did fit, but not without some excessive persuasion =P It does look quite good when it's in though.

Reservoir

Front of Reservoir (Fitted)

Rear of Reservoir (Fitted)

Next was the GPU block. This was a relatively easy and the only difficulty I seemed to have was struggling with cutting the different dimension thermal pads for the various size chips on the cards PCB. However after using some thermal paste to hold those fkers in place I managed to mount the block quite easily.

Block fitted

Blocked fitted and front of old heatsink

Block fitted and rear of old heatsink

Next was the radiator that I wanted to mount to the bottom of my case above the 180mm fans. I was very happy to discover that the SilverStone Raven RV02 came with mounts for this exact purpose making my life a hell of allot easier.

Radiator and mounts

Radiator fitted

Now one of my biggest concerns when building this set-up was that once my radiator was mounted then the GFX card would no longer fit in the case. As I'm sure you are all aware the 5870 is a monster sized card!! but I managed to squeeze in WooT

Close Fit

All I had left to do at this point was mount the CPU Block and then do the piping.... However after opening up the CPU block and attempted to mount the fker, I noticed that the backplates I had been given are for the i7 and the i5.... no 775 plate =(

CPU Block

It was at this point that I made a trip to Novatech to get a 775 backplate and then from there needed to go to Homebase to buy some nuts and bolts to mount it all. Currently I have no pictures of the temp build I have done, but here are some before mounting the CPU block.

Also some pictures of me half way through, and the nice little mess I was making hehe

 

[Solemn]

More to follow next week

 

[Wol]

loving the pics,

although one is a duplicate? under "cpu block"?

 

[Solemn]

loving the pics,

although one is a duplicate? under "cpu block"?

Thanks fixed!

 

[Gombol]

I got roughly that power supply! 700W though. Same make.