custom loop watercooling, need help deciding parts and psu

[Aaron Mitchell]

I am wanting to go complete custome waterloop cooling and not sure where componets performance/value lies

i will be doing cpu, gpu (not sure which one yet) and my mobo msi mpower z97 has barbs for the chipset so ill cool the mobo also.

case will be a corsair 540 so should i do 2x 280 rad oe 1x 280 and 1x360?

also im not sure what the power requirement for adding the pump and all those fans are so im not sure ill need a psu upgrade

i7-4790k @4.6
gpu will probably end up a 980 ti (with waterblock of course)
1x ssd hard drive
corsair cs750m - current psu

 

[Aaron Mitchell]

ended up ordering a 980 ti today, i plan to get a waterblock fo it once i go full custom loop

 

[toms0033]

The 280 / 360 rad combo will be super tight and will most likely not fit without modification but will provide the most cooling capacity. I've looked at replacing my top 240 with a 280 many times, but until i actually have a radiator in hand I cannot verify. There's about 1 to 1.25 inches of clearance between the adjacent fans on my XSPC EX 240 / 360 rad combo mounted in the same case.

Two 280s have more surface area than a 360 / 240 combo and leave plenty of room for a thicker radiator in the front and up top. As for the Power supply, I think you'll be okay. I run a gold rated EVGA 850, and don't come close to my wattage limit. and that's with an FX 8350 oc'ed to 4.8 and a GTX 980.

 

[Aaron Mitchell]

Thanks, i was actually just today considering going with 2x 280 and a 140 in the rear, im my mind thinking 1x280 for gpu and 1 for cpu and 1x 140 for chipset should offer plenty of cooling (not individual of course)

 

[toms0033]

You're limited to a single 120 in the back though (even though it looks like a 140 will fit, it will be bumping elbows with the ceiling radiator.). Honestly, I'd suggest sticking to a single loop with a decent pump / res combo and two 280 rads, if your temps are higher than you'd like you could throw a 120 in back, or with some minor modifications, replace front floor HDD bays another 280. Is this your first loop attempt at custom water cooling or do you some first hand knowledge? I've got one under my belt in this case and another one planned for the near future, if you want any help, or have some questions. Feel free to ask.