First step to liquid cooling

[Captain_Hindsight]

Hi guys,

It has been a few months since I upgraded my CPU+Mobo and now I'm thinking about treating my CPU (and my ears) with a water cooling kit.

I have set my eyes on the XSPC RayStorm 750 EX240.
http://www.xs-pc.com/watercooling-kits/raystorm-750-ex240-watercooling-kit

Secondly, because my current case can't handle a 240mm rad, I'm thinking of switching to a NZXT Phantom 530
http://www.nzxt.com/product/detail/134-phantom-530.html

Sadly there is no easy cooling solution for my GPU (as it is a non reference design). Therefore I will just do a CPU cooling loop, and when I feel like upgrading my GPU, I'll expand the loop with a 120 or 240 rad and a GPU water block

As I am totally new at this, I would like to hear your opinions/advice on this. Also, I couldn't find a comparison between the raystorm 240 and the raystorm 280 rad - any advice?

Thanks!

Ninja edit: Distilled water vs. pre mixed coolant - Is there any strong argument for one or another?

My Specs:

Mobo Asrock Z77 Extreme 4
CPU Intel i5 3570k OC @ 4.2 ghz
CPU cooler Thermaltake Contac 39
RAM Corsair Vengeance 2 x 4GB DDR3-1600 CL9 (OC to 1866)
GPU MSI R9 270 Gaming (GPU OC to 1110 Mhz)
PSU BE QUIET! 530 Watt 80Plus Bronze
CASE Silverstone PS06 (Positive Airflow 3x120mm 1x180mm)

Edit: only one after-market CPU Cooler

 

[Captain_Hindsight]

I did a load test with the measuring device, and I don't know what to think of the result :/

http://imgur.com/a/7Bzdc

while idle, it displays about 60W consumption

And in full load with the D5 pump on 5/5 and all fans on 12V + 3 x prime95 and 2 x Kombustor, it peaked at 350W.

First of all: Is this a reliable test?

From what I gather, my P/S has a max of 530x0.8=424W - what I think means I use a max 82.5% of my P/S.


Should I still go for a 750W P/S?

 

[4Ryan6]

I did a load test with the measuring device, and I don't know what to think of the result :/

http://imgur.com/a/7Bzdc

while idle, it displays about 60W consumption

And in full load with the D5 pump on 5/5 and all fans on 12V + 3 x prime95 and 2 x Kombustor, it peaked at 350W.

First of all: Is this a reliable test?

From what I gather, my P/S has a max of 530x0.8=424W - what I think means I use a max 82.5% of my P/S.


Should I still go for a 750W P/S?

Well it appears the power supply is not being overloaded, sometimes it could just be on the verge of failure?

So what happened with reinstalling the GPU drivers?

 

[Captain_Hindsight]

I uninstalled Catalyst and the driver, and ran the catalyst installer again. I'll keep a close eye on things for the next few days, if the problems persist.

 

[Captain_Hindsight]

For anyone still following: I'm preparing the upgrade to this

http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/answers/id-2897544/feedback-upgrade-plans-watercooling-case.html