CPU Watercooling setup help

[PCGamingKing]

Hello, I will be building a pc that I want to try water cooling in for the first time. (http://pcpartpicker.com/p/M3fmPs) This is not my first PC, but it is my first time watercooling and using a full tower case. I wanted some advice from an experienced water cooler hobbyist to tell me what I may be missing in the build before I buy everything, and what I may improve. I am not looking for a critique on the hardware choice (ex: "Wait for pascal dude, its a way better deal" the only reason I have a 980 ti in there is for a placeholder for budgeting) but simply advice for the cooling specifically. Thanks!

 

[Krishan Mourya]

Hello, I will be building a pc that I want to try water cooling in for the first time. (http://pcpartpicker.com/p/M3fmPs) This is not my first PC, but it is my first time watercooling and using a full tower case. I wanted some advice from an experienced water cooler hobbyist to tell me what I may be missing in the build before I buy everything, and what I may improve. I am not looking for a critique on the hardware choice (ex: "Wait for pascal dude, its a way better deal" the only reason I have a 980 ti in there is for a placeholder for budgeting) but simply advice for the cooling specifically. Thanks!

Do you have a limited budget for watercooling? Because you have to mention that so we can give you best under your budget.
Also would it be nice if I recommend you some other cabinet for around the same price?

 

[PCGamingKing]

Do you have a limited budget for watercooling? Because you have to mention that so we can give you best under your budget.
Also would it be nice if I recommend you some other cabinet for around the same price?

My budget is probably under $350 for the cooling, and feel free to recommended anything, and if by cabinet you mean case, I am fairly fond of this case for many reasons but if you can find a better one shoot it at me.

 

[jossrik]

No need for the kill coil. Use distilled water and an additive coolant, you'll have to mix it yourself, but pretty much everything coming out now has a biocide in it. Also, get the MX for the CPU block. The performance difference between the EVO and the MX is pretty slim, something in the 1 - 2C area. The supported tube diameter for those fittings is smaller than your tubing. Either change the fitting sizes or change the tube size, but make sure they match, else you may have leaks...

 

[PCGamingKing]

No need for the kill coil. Use distilled water and an additive coolant, you'll have to mix it yourself, but pretty much everything coming out now has a biocide in it. Also, get the MX for the CPU block. The performance difference between the EVO and the MX is pretty slim, something in the 1 - 2C area. The supported tube diameter for those fittings is smaller than your tubing. Either change the fitting sizes or change the tube size, but make sure they match, else you may have leaks...

I chose the kill coil because I heard from many people that it was better than coolant for many reasons (cheaper, more effective' no residue, and makes water easier to replace, not to mention it takes longer to become conductive) and I chose the water block because it goes with the color scheme, but I will look into the other block. How would you suggest I go about fixing the tubing size difference? Do you have a specific on what I need to buy instead, because I have no clue how to tell.

 

[Krishan Mourya]

Your CPU Block is absolutely fine with your build. Its white coloured , so I assume you are going with a white themed build.
So, you haven't included any pump in the Watercooling setup. I recommend going for a Reservoir/Pump combo as it will reduce the no. of fittings required in build as well as looks asthetically nice.
XSPC D5 Photon 170 would be good for your budget. It costs around 150$
http://www.amazon.com/XSPC-Photon-Reservoir-Vario-Combo/dp/B00FJHFQ1M/
XSPC 360mm radiator is also fine for 59$.
http://www.amazon.com/XSPC-EX360-Performance-Radiator-Supports/dp/B006097HEC/

Now we are left with fittings & tubing. Your tubing seems perfect, Go for it.

Now, we need a total of two fittings for CPU block, 2 for radiator, 2 for reservoir/pump. The fittings you have chosen for your build are incompatible with your tubing.
I couldn't find any 6 fitting pack but i got a 4-pack set at amazon from XSPC which costs 20$, you can buy two of these so you get a total of 8 fittings remaining two can be used later if you wish to include GPU block also. So total for it goes to 40$.
http://www.amazon.com/XSPC-Compression-Fitting-Black-Chrome/dp/B00NODETZW/

Adding all the components for watercooling, the total comes to 368$.

And for the case as I said a Phanteks Enthoo Evolv ATX would be a lot better, it costs 180$. I suggest you to watch its review and decide upon yourself if you like it and can raise the budget a little up, then it would be a great choice. Good Luck 😉

 

[gadus8654]

I think this could help setting up your water cooler. http://rpmnow.weebly.com/home/cpu-water-cooler-setup-on-intel-board

 

[PCGamingKing]

So, you haven't included any pump in the Watercooling setup. I recommend going for a Reservoir/Pump combo as it will reduce the no. of fittings required in build as well as looks asthetically nice.

Thanks a lot for your answer! It really helps a lot, I thought the one I had listed included a pump, but when I looked closer it said pump needs to be purchased seperately, so thanks!

 

[jossrik]

No need for the kill coil. Use distilled water and an additive coolant, you'll have to mix it yourself, but pretty much everything coming out now has a biocide in it. Also, get the MX for the CPU block. The performance difference between the EVO and the MX is pretty slim, something in the 1 - 2C area. The supported tube diameter for those fittings is smaller than your tubing. Either change the fitting sizes or change the tube size, but make sure they match, else you may have leaks...

I chose the kill coil because I heard from many people that it was better than coolant for many reasons (cheaper, more effective' no residue, and makes water easier to replace, not to mention it takes longer to become conductive) and I chose the water block because it goes with the color scheme, but I will look into the other block. How would you suggest I go about fixing the tubing size difference? Do you have a specific on what I need to buy instead, because I have no clue how to tell.

Water can be stupid easy to replace if you plan ahead for it. You should periodically clean out your loop no matter what you do, if you want something that doesn't require you tearing it down periodically, well, that's where the all in ones shine. As far as coolant, it's also a lubricant for pumps, depending on what you get. Impeller pumps as well as other types use the water as a lubricant, but the coolant is easier on the parts, again, with a good coolant, that's what it was designed to do. Either way, kill coil works too

Which do you want to keep, the tubing or the fittings? Here are the fittings for that tubing: https://www.ekwb.com/shop/ek-acf-fitting-13-19mm-nickel

 

[Krishan Mourya]

And one more Important thing, although you said just to talk about water cooling here, i would say that you have chosen a pretty bad quality PSU for your budget. I recommend going for Seasonic M12II 750W PSU which costs 90$. http://www.amazon.com/Seasonic-M12II-750-Bronze-Modular-Supply/dp/B00607JN1E
For 10$ extra you get the following benefits:-
1. Seasonic is the best brand in PSU, no competition to it.
2. Better internal hardware in it compared to EVGA one. That EVGA PSU has kinda poor Line filtering and the soldering is also average.
3. All modular cables, EVGA has semi modular cables.\
4. Fully black cables, all the cables are flat and adequate in amount. EVGA's cables have coloured wires visible and it uses braided sleeving cables which are ugly to look at. I dont think you want to destroy the beauty of a Water cooled system.
5. Performs a lot better with better Voltage suppression and the ripple control is outstanding, i have never seen any better ripple control i this budget segment.
Rest your choice. Good luck again 😉