Best Reservoir/Pump combo?

[SebastianHELP]

I'm going to hard-line water cool my build which is in a Corsair 540. There are many Reservoir /Pump combos out there so I would appreciate if you could recommend the one that you consider the best, please take NOISE and SIZE in consideration and don't worry about the difference in price. The Reservoir/Pump can also be placed in the Dual Bay slot. Thank you !

 

[faalin]

Ive always wanted to use this in one of my builds http://www.frozencpu.com/products/16587/ex-res-383/Alphacool_Repack_Dual_525_Acrylic_Reservoir_-_Clear_-_4_Swiftech_MCP35x_Installed_Ultra_Flow_Rate.html?tl=g30c97s152#blank but my new build once again wont allow for it. Instead I'll be running two of these http://www.xs-pc.com/water-pumps/d5-photon-270-reservoirpump-combo


I've always had good luck with swiftech mcp35x and D5 pumps, if you stick with ether one of these with a res attached you will be fine.

 

[n0ns3ns3]

I personally prefer the D5 Vario pump - the non PWM version with manual 5 step control. Though the PWM version is also fine. They do not need to run at over 50-60% for most loops and are very quite (near silent) and reliable.
For convenience I prefer the cylinder type of reservoirs. they are good looking, easy to place, easy to fill and drain.
this is what i have in my build:
https://www.ekwb.com/shop/ek-d5-vario-motor-laing-d5-vario-motor
https://www.ekwb.com/shop/ek-xres-100-revo-d5-acetal (i use the small since i have mini ITX build).

You can use any of those as well :
https://www.ekwb.com/shop/ek-xres-140-revo-d5-pwm-incl-pump
https://www.ekwb.com/shop/ek-xres-100-revo-d5-pwm-incl-pump

Depending on where you live, you can get a cheaper deal. for example:
https://mayhems.co.uk/pumps/laing-d5-vario-8-24v-pump-w-tach-cable-option-mcp655-and-etc./
Same pump at much lower price and even with the top that you are going to remove, but nice to have. you can use it with the res i mentioned above.

 

[SebastianHELP]

I personally prefer the D5 Vario pump - the non PWM version with manual 5 step control. Though the PWM version is also fine. They do not need to run at over 50-60% for most loops and are very quite (near silent) and reliable.
For convenience I prefer the cylinder type of reservoirs. they are good looking, easy to place, easy to fill and drain.
this is what i have in my build:
https://www.ekwb.com/shop/ek-d5-vario-motor-laing-d5-vario-motor
https://www.ekwb.com/shop/ek-xres-100-revo-d5-acetal (i use the small since i have mini ITX build).

You can use any of those as well :
https://www.ekwb.com/shop/ek-xres-140-revo-d5-pwm-incl-pump
https://www.ekwb.com/shop/ek-xres-100-revo-d5-pwm-incl-pump

Depending on where you live, you can get a cheaper deal. for example:
https://mayhems.co.uk/pumps/laing-d5-vario-8-24v-pump-w-tach-cable-option-mcp655-and-etc./
Same pump at much lower price and even with the top that you are going to remove, but nice to have. you can use it with the res i mentioned above.

If I get the https://www.ekwb.com/shop/ek-xres-140-revo-d5-pwm-incl-pump do I need to change the included pump with a EK-D5 Vario Pump or will the included stock pump be as good/silent? And also is this pump https://www.pccasegear.com/products/33665/ek-xres-140-ddc-3-2-pwm-elite-pump-reservoir-combo better?

 

[n0ns3ns3]

1. you don't need to change pump in EK-XRES 140. It's the PWM version of D5. Very good and very silent. I just like the manual control for refilling the system. The performance difference in flow (higher pump speed) above 1 gallon per minute is 0. So the PWM is kinda unnecessary as there is no point in changing pump speed. The only useful moment of having speed control is bleeding air after loop refill.
2. The second pump you linked (DDC) has it's own pros and cons. For pros, it has better head pressure and smaller. For cons, it relies on airflow for cooling the pump motor, working at higher speed -> a bit noisier and has lower flow rate. So overall, I prefer the D5 over DDC.

 

[SebastianHELP]

1. you don't need to change pump in EK-XRES 140. It's the PWM version of D5. Very good and very silent. I just like the manual control for refilling the system. The performance difference in flow (higher pump speed) above 1 gallon per minute is 0. So the PWM is kinda unnecessary as there is no point in changing pump speed. The only useful moment of having speed control is bleeding air after loop refill.
2. The second pump you linked (DDC) has it's own pros and cons. For pros, it has better head pressure and smaller. For cons, it relies on airflow for cooling the pump motor, working at higher speed -> a bit noisier and has lower flow rate. So overall, I prefer the D5 over DDC.

If you're well informed regarding watercooling, mind helping me find two clean looking black radiators for my corsair 540, I'm thinking of putting one 240 on the top exhausting and a 360 on the front panel intaking. And also do you know any good looking, black and good performing fittings for 90° angles and one that can curve or rotate from my gpu block to my CPU block. And also what type of hardtubing size would you recommend, note i won't be heating and bending these tubes i will make angles using fitting, why? Because I'm obviously not experience and i want to start easy. Thank you

 

[n0ns3ns3]

What are you going to cool ? The 360 rad is enough for overclocked i7 and overclocked GTX 1070/1080 while fans running at 1000-1200RPM (silently). This keeps the liquid at 5-7 above ambient (room temperature) under load.
I prefer to use xflow rads where I can due to the ease of bleed/drain and shorter tubing. I use this one:
http://www.hardwarelabs.com/nemesis/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=23&Itemid=128
and here is 360 version:
http://www.hardwarelabs.com/nemesis/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=25&Itemid=129
When planning the loop, you need to measure things to have enough clearance for installation and tubing. For example be sure that you will have enough length for GPU + Rad + Fan. That 55mm at minimum for fan and rad and most GPUs worth liquid cooling are at around 300mm. That means you need about 360mm of internal space. I use a whiteboard to plan the loops. Also helps with calculating what fittings and how much of them will be needed.
Take into account that you need a drain port, preferably at the lowest point. Also, try to plan the loop that will not go up and down. Just cascading.

 

[SebastianHELP]

What are you going to cool ? The 360 rad is enough for overclocked i7 and overclocked GTX 1070/1080 while fans running at 1000-1200RPM (silently). This keeps the liquid at 5-7 above ambient (room temperature) under load.
I prefer to use xflow rads where I can due to the ease of bleed/drain and shorter tubing. I use this one:
http://www.hardwarelabs.com/nemesis/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=23&Itemid=128
and here is 360 version:
http://www.hardwarelabs.com/nemesis/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=25&Itemid=129
When planning the loop, you need to measure things to have enough clearance for installation and tubing. For example be sure that you will have enough length for GPU + Rad + Fan. That 55mm at minimum for fan and rad and most GPUs worth liquid cooling are at around 300mm. That means you need about 360mm of internal space. I use a whiteboard to plan the loops. Also helps with calculating what fittings and how much of them will be needed.
Take into account that you need a drain port, preferably at the lowest point. Also, try to plan the loop that will not go up and down. Just cascading.

I'm going to cool my CPU and my 1080, I've always seen people use 1 rad for their CPU and 1 rad for their GPU, so I don't need 2 I just need 1 360 rad ? I was going for something like this http://imgur.com/a/6QgXb but with PETG tubing. Between the https://www.ekwb.com/shop/ek-xres-140-revo-d5-pwm-incl-pump and the https://www.ekwb.com/shop/ek-xres-140-ddc-3-2-pwm-elite-incl-pump I think I like the EK-XRES 140 DDC 3.2 PWM Elite better because of the square shape and the in and out holes are straight not angled. Do you agree with this or should I just stick with the EK-XRES 140 Revo D5 PWM?.

 

[n0ns3ns3]

the base rule is 120 rad for every component (CPU or GPU). So 360 is more than enough for your setup.
For the first time, i'd recommend to go with flex tubing. that way you can more easily play with components placement, tubes routing. Later you can switch to hard tubing. IMHO, glass tubing is the best - awesome look, no staining no scratching.
As for the pump/res combo. I think it will be tricky (impossible) to place 140 res combo vertically in main chamber. I Like to have the res in visible location for both the appearance and monitoring liquid level.
I like the D5 pumps much more, but the DDC is also fine.
So seriously, make a sketch of what you want. than measure what components will fit.

 

[SebastianHELP]

the base rule is 120 rad for every component (CPU or GPU). So 360 is more than enough for your setup.
For the first time, i'd recommend to go with flex tubing. that way you can more easily play with components placement, tubes routing. Later you can switch to hard tubing. IMHO, glass tubing is the best - awesome look, no staining no scratching.
As for the pump/res combo. I think it will be tricky (impossible) to place 140 res combo vertically in main chamber. I Like to have the res in visible location for both the appearance and monitoring liquid level.
I like the D5 pumps much more, but the DDC is also fine.
So seriously, make a sketch of what you want. than measure what components will fit.

Here is what I've picked out so far, please leave your suggestions on what to improve and add.
RADIATOR : EK-CoolStream PE 240
RADIATOR : EK-CoolStream PE 360
RES/PUMP : EK-XRES 100 or 140 Revo D5 PWM
CPU Block: EK-Supermacy EVO - Nickel
GPU Block: EK-FC1080 GTX TF6 - Nickel
GPU BackPlate : EK-FC1080 GTX TF6 Backplate - Black
Tubing : EK ZMT matte black 10/16mm
Fittings : EK ACF 10/16mm Compression Fitting Black , I need some angled Fittings but idk which are good.
Coolant : EK Ekoolant EVO Clear Premix 1000mL Coolant

 

[n0ns3ns3]

1. if you go nickel blocks, why not also the backplate ?
2. the rads you selected are thick - 40mm + 25mm fans are 65mm - make sure you have the clearance to mount them without interference with RAM/MB/GPU
3. if you plan to switch to hard tubing soon - use barb fittings as they are much cheaper.
4. I like the clear tubing - that's an opinion.
5. 1L of coolant will be not enough for your loop. get gallon of distilled water first.
6. how do you plan to drain your loop ?
check the JayzTwoCents and Dazmode channels for "how to build the custom loop"
Both have series of guides