Custom Watercooling Build, Question About Mixing Metals and Fluid

[u8mypizza22]

Hello Tech community!

I'm preparing a list of liquid cooling components for a loop I want to do. It will be my first loop, so I'm still researching and learning the DO's and DONT'S, so please forgive me if I come off incompetent in this area of PC building.

I'm housing my components in a Fractal Design Define R6 Case.

With that said, I've already have a basic understanding of what parts to get, I'm going with EK products for pretty much every aspect of the cooling solution, because to my understanding, having parts from the same manufacturer helps with compatibility over small things such as tubing and fittings. I'm a little bit concerned about the metals though. Particularly the radiators, blocks, and fittings. I will have black nickel fittings, and nickel plated blocks. The radiators will have cooper fins. I know the main metal to be aware of is aluminum. People always say that distilled water and a little bit of PT nuke would be fine, but I want to use the Primochill VUE fluid, the only reason I want to use it is because it is aesthetically pleasing, and I've seen people report that it does not gunk up your tubing as much as other colored fluids do.

I'm curious anyone has experience with the Primochill VUE fluid, and also if anyone knows how it would react between nickel and copper?

 

[jimthenagual]

To be safe and avoid headaches, I just drained Primochill Vue out of my system a few days ago. Just too many people having issues with it breaking down on them, and gunking up their system.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c0_WAbbgNGE

 

[u8mypizza22]

To be safe and avoid headaches, I just drained Primochill Vue out of my system a few days ago. Just too many people having issues with it breaking down on them, and gunking up their system.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c0_WAbbgNGE

Oh wow, can't believe I missed that video through my research lol, well that's out of the question then. What would you recommend for a colored fluid that has promising results? I want to go with a white fluid if possible.

 

[jimthenagual]

I'm using XSPC ECX Ultra Concentrate Coolant White.

It has corrosion protection, biological growth protection. Color is good. OK to dump down the drain when you do maintenance without hurting environment.

This is my system (white fluid, purple RGB lighting)

 

[u8mypizza22]

I'm using XSPC ECX Ultra Concentrate Coolant White.

It has corrosion protection, biological growth protection. Color is good. OK to dump down the drain when you do maintenance without hurting environment.

This is my system (white fluid, purple RGB lighting)

That is a beautiful RIG, I really like the purple lighting with this white, great job!

Would it be okay if I give you the list of the water-cooling components I'm aiming for, and let me know if I'm on the right track or have any suggestions?

 

[jimthenagual]

Absolutely. We have a lot of liquid cooling lurkers in this forum too, so hopefully some others join in!

 

[u8mypizza22]

Absolutely. We have a lot of liquid cooling lurkers in this forum too, so hopefully some others join in!

Thank you so much! m Here's the watercooling Components:

EKWB EK-Supremacy EVO CPU Waterblock, Nickel, Intel CPU:

EK-FC1080 GTX Ti Strix (REV. 2.0) - Nickel Plated Copper (Asus ROG STRIX 1080 TI Block)

EK-FC1080 GTX Ti Strix Backplate

EKWB EK-XRES 140 Revo D5 RGB PWM

EKWB EK-HD PETG Tube, 12/16mm, 500mm

EKWB EK-AF G1/4" 2x45° Angled Fitting, Nickel Black (X6)

EKWB EK-HDC Compression Fitting for EK Rigid Tubing, 16mm OD, Black (X12)

EKWB EK-CoolStream CE 280 Radiator, Dual, Black (Front Radiator)
EK-Vardar EVO 140ER Black (X2)

EKWB EK-CoolStream SE 360 Radiator, Slim Triple, Black (Top Radiator)
EK-Vardar EVO 120ER Black (X3)

Thermaltake Pacific DIY OD 16mm:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01BX3EZUI/ref=ox_sc_act_title_8?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1



Here's the PC Components:

Intel 8700k (going to delid)

G.Skill Trident Z 16GB 3000mhz (8X2)

ASUS Maximum Hero X Z370

Asus ROG Strix 1080 ti

EVGA 1000 WATT P2

Fractal Design Define R6 Black


Like I said, I'm new to custom loops, but I do have a solid foundation of PC building. So any advice or suggestions would go a long way for me, thank you for your time. To pay for your advice I will give you a freaking banana tree, considering your avatar likes bananas, or a carton of Pall Mall Reds 😛.

 

[jimthenagual]

Looking really good!

I think if I were doing a new system, I'd get a full motherboard block, to cool the VRMs.
https://www.ekwb.com/shop/ek-fb-asus-m9h-monoblock-nickel?___store=default

I'd also highly recommend incorporating some type of drain port into the loop. This takes some thought/planning but well worth it. For mine, I used a T-splitter and a Ball Valve. Then a soft tubing fitting and some soft tubing (I keep the tubing on a shelf below the computer for when I need it.) You'll want to build it at the lowest point of your loop.

Another tip, especially as this is your first time bending tubes, buy a LOT of extra tubing. I waste so much tubing with bad bends, and I always use way more than I thought I would need in order to get the perfect look I want.

Be prepared to have your build take longer than you thought it would take. In my case, I almost always run into a situation where I feel it would look better with a certain extension, or a certain angled fitting etc, and I have to wait for it to be delivered. It's well worth the wait to get your system looking as good as possible.

Waiting for my banana tree.......

 

[u8mypizza22]

Looking really good!

I think if I were doing a new system, I'd get a full motherboard block, to cool the VRMs.
https://www.ekwb.com/shop/ek-fb-asus-m9h-monoblock-nickel?___store=default

I'd also highly recommend incorporating some type of drain port into the loop. This takes some thought/planning but well worth it. For mine, I used a T-splitter and a Ball Valve. You'll want to build it at the lowest point of your loop.

Another tip, especially as this is your first time bending tubes, buy a LOT of extra tubing. I waste so much tubing with bad bends, and I always use way more than I thought I would need in order to get the perfect look I want.

Be prepared to have your build take longer than you thought it would take. In my case, I almost always run into a situation where I feel it would look better with a certain extension, or a certain angled fitting etc, and I have to wait for it to be delivered.

Waiting for my banana tree.......

Well, well, that banana tree is well deserved .

Would I have to disassemble any part of the motherboard to install the monoblock? And as for the metals, is there any cause for concern in regards to galvanic corrosion?

As for the drain valve, would these work?

https://www.ekwb.com/shop/ek-af-t-splitter-3f-g1-4-black-nickel
https://www.ekwb.com/shop/ek-af-ball-valve-10mm-g1-4-black-nickel

Would I also need a fill port fitting?
https://www.ekwb.com/shop/ek-af-fillport-g1-4-black-nickel

The fittings are the most challenging so far for me.

 

[jimthenagual]

Yes, you have to remove the factory MOSFET heat pipe off the motherboard, but the instructions are pretty straight forward. HERE's a link, take a look. As for metal concerns, it's nickel plated copper, so all good there.

Those parts you linked for a drain port will work. You'll want some PLUGS to close the ports on the splitter you're not using. And one of THESE to attach the ball valve to the T-splitter. You could use one of THESE instead, but I like the rotary type better. They do take up a bit more room though if you're working in a tight space.

There is another way to do a drain port as well that is also popular. After the T-splitter you use a soft tubing compression fitting, then have a foot or less of soft tubing with the ball valve attached to the end of the tube. Then you just tuck the hose somewhere inside your case for use when needed. Hope my explanation makes sense?

 

[u8mypizza22]

Yes, you have to remove the factory MOSFET heat pipe off the motherboard, but the instructions are pretty straight forward. HERE's a link, take a look. As for metal concerns, it's nickel plated copper, so all good there.

Those parts you linked for a drain port will work. You'll want some PLUGS to close the ports on the splitter you're not using. And one of THESE to attach the ball valve to the T-splitter. You could use one of THESE instead, but I like the rotary type better. They do take up a bit more room though if you're working in a tight space.

There is another way to do a drain port as well that is also popular. After the T-splitter you use a soft tubing compression fitting, then have a foot or less of soft tubing with the ball valve attached to the end of the tube. Then you just tuck the hose somewhere inside your case for use when needed. Hope my explanation makes sense?

Yes, I am following you. You explain this very well. One last question good sir/mam. I'm really leaning toward the Fractal Design Define R6, it's newer case, but I've seen a lot of custom loop builds with that case, do you know if that case is reliable for custom loop? I understand the case is probably the most important aspect of as liquid cool build, so I want to make sure that it will fit a 360, and 280 rad without being confined in space, considering it's a Mid Tower design.

 

[jimthenagual]

That case is getting amazing reviews from just about everyone.

Overclock.net has a owner's thread with lots of pics. I see people with two 360mm fitting in there even.
http://www.overclock.net/forum/161-computer-cases/838683-official-fractal-design-case-club-1646.html

 

[u8mypizza22]

Alright, good to know. Thank you Jim, I really appreciate it.

 

[jimthenagual]

Hit me up anytime if you need any help. I'm far from a pro, still LOTS to learn, but I have a few systems under my belt now.

 

[u8mypizza22]

Hit me up anytime if you need any help. I'm far from a pro, still LOTS to learn, but I have a few systems under my belt now.

I will definitely keep that in mind. I'm a computer technician by trade, but custom loops are new to me, I like to expand my horizon Thanks again!