First Time Liquid Cooler Needs Build Advice

[wilson6488]

Greetings!!

I need help on deciding which components, tubing, fittings and coolant to use in an upcoming rig. This will be my 2nd computer that I'm building myself, but my first time with liquid cooling, so any help is greatly appreciated!!

If you're curious or need to know the specifics of the rig, here's a link to my other TH thread:
http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-1843730/2500-gaming-enthusiast.html

For this build I'll be using the Phanteks Enthoo Primo case (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811854001), so I have a lot of options. I'll be liquid cooling an i5-4670K and two GTX 780's!

I've done a lot of homework in regards to liquid cooling, but I'm still uncertain about a few things. What I am certain about (I think) is that I want to use good old distilled water rather than colored water/dyes. And in that case I'll be using a kill coil for sure, but do I also want to add anti-microbal/corrosive additives as well? I've read some disturbing things about using those...

One of the biggest things I need help with are which fans to use in a push-pull configuration with these radiators!! I've done my homework here as well, and it seems like Static Pressure is one of the main things I need to look at. Can anyone suggest fans that are cheaper than $10 each that will work well with this build? I'd greatly prefer it If I could find some blue LED ones that would work too! 😛

BTW- I'm including the cost of the fans with my $2500 PC rig.

Here's my first attempt at piecing together a complete loop (minus the fans):

Radiators:
Alphacool NexXxoS XT45 Full Copper Quad 120mm Radiator
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/14988/ex-rad-342/Alphacool_NexXxoS_XT45_Full_Copper_Quad_120mm_Radiator.html?id=ti9DzyLS&mv_pc=91
Alphacool NexXxoS Monsta Triple 120mm Radiator - 80mm Thick!!
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/16238/ex-rad-411/Alphacool_NexXxoS_Monsta_Triple_120mm_Radiator_-_80mm_Thick.html?id=ti9DzyLS&mv_pc=92

Waterblocks:
XSPC RayStorm High Performance Acetal CPU Liquid Cooling Block
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/14186/ex-blc-971/XSPC_RayStorm_High_Performance_Acetal_CPU_Liquid_Cooling_Block_-_Intel_Sockets_LGA_115x_1366_2011.html?id=ti9DzyLS&mv_pc=93
XSPC Razor GTX Titan Full Coverage VGA Block - Reference Design
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/19423/ex-blc-1431/XSPC_Razor_GTX_Titan_Full_Coverage_VGA_Block_-_Reference_Design.html?id=ti9DzyLS&mv_pc=94
With backplates and a high-flow bridge for the GPU's

Pump:
Swiftech MCP655 Variable Speed 12v Water Pump w/ G1/4 Thread Ports (Perfectly Tapped)
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/16737/ex-pmp-203/Swiftech_MCP655_Variable_Speed_12v_Water_Pump_w_G14_Thread_Ports_Perfectly_Tapped.html?id=ti9DzyLS&mv_pc=95

Reservoir:
PrimoChill 240mm (CTR) Compression Tube Low Profile Base Reservoir System - 240mm - UV Blue (CTR-LPB-24-UB)
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/17602/ex-res-449/PrimoChill_240mm_CTR_Compression_Tube_Low_Profile_Base_Reservoir_System_-_240mm_-_UV_Blue_CTR-LPB-24-UB.html?id=ti9DzyLS&mv_pc=96

Tubing & Fittings:
PrimoChilll 1/2" OD Rigid Acrylic Tube - 1x 36" Single - UV Blue
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/20590/ex-tub-1841/PrimoChilll_12_OD_Rigid_Acrylic_Tube_-_1x_36_Single_-_UV_Blue.html?id=ti9DzyLS&mv_pc=99
PrimoChilll 1/2" OD Rigid Ghost Compression Fittings - 4 Pack - Anodized Blue
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/20540/ex-tub-1888/PrimoChilll_12_OD_Rigid_Ghost_Compression_Fittings_-_4_Pack_-_Anodized_Blue.html?id=ti9DzyLS&mv_pc=98

Extras:
Monsoon .999 Fine Silver Bullet Antimicrobial G 1/4 Plug - Blue (MON-PLUG-AG-BL)
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/21500/ex-tub-2082/Monsoon_999_Fine_Silver_Bullet_Antimicrobial_G_14_Plug_-_Blue_MON-PLUG-AG-BL.html?id=ti9DzyLS&mv_pc=100
3mm Blue LED (For the GPU blocks)
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/1879/ele-42/3mm_Blue_LED.html?id=ti9DzyLS&mv_pc=101
Dual 12" Cold Cathode Kit - Ultra Bright UV (To light up the UV Tubing)
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/2998/lit-46/Dual_12_Cold_Cathode_Kit_-_Ultra_Bright_UV.html?id=ti9DzyLS&mv_pc=102

Total Cost: $924.66!!!

Can you help me make this cheaper without worrying about performance or lack of quality components?
I'm pretty dead set on the XSPC blocks though, I think they look boss, so those are staying unless someone presents a damn good reason why I should use other waterblocks.
And I think I'll need at least a 360 "monsta" rad for the bottom of the case so it doesn't look empty!
I want things to be blue, blue, BLUE!!!
Those are my only real requirements, please point me in the right direction.

Thank you for your time and patience!

 

[wilson6488]

So, one of the first issue's I'd like help with, are the fans. Keep in mind that I'll probably need about 14 120mm fans just for the two radiators, so price is a huge concern for me!

I really like these fans, but I'm not sure if they're powerful enough to get the job done:
APEVIA CF312SL-UBL 120mm UV Blue LED Cooling Fan 3 in 1 pack
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835228035

But I'm worried I'll have to go for something like this:
Corsair Air Series SP120 High Performance Edition CO-9050008-WW 120mm Twin Pack High Static Pressure Case Fan
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835181027

They're just so damn expensive... I could be spending $200+ just on fans for the radiators and case on this build! :O

Any suggestions?

 

[wilson6488]

I think I've posted this in the wrong forum... does anyone know how I can move this to the Cooling Forum? I didn't see that as an option when I created this thread.

 

[wilson6488]

Wait, check this out! Is this for real?

MASSCOOL BLD12025S1M 120mm Blue LED Case Cooling Fan
2000±10% RPM
79.8 CFM at 2000 RPM
38.0 dBA
3.02 mm/H20

All at only $7 each? WTF?? It seems too good to be true..

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835150066
http://www.masscool.com/product_detail.php?pid=127&id=63

 

[toolmaker_03]

Hello there, this can be a really nice build, I have something close to what you would like to build here have a look.





And I have a rig that I built for performance







So there are many of the parts that you have suggested on display here for you to have a look at, and see how it would look when it comes together.

I hope this helps and have a look at the gallary and build logs for ideas.

 

[wilson6488]

Thanks toolmaker_03!!!

Would you happen to know how I can move my thread into the appropriate forum??
I can't seem to figure this out... D:

 

[toolmaker_03]

someone already has for you.

 

[wilson6488]

Really? Because it's still showing that I'm under "Overclocking" at the top of the page, and I cannot find my thread in the "Cooling" Forum.
Idk, maybe I'm not looking at it correctly!?!

 

[toolmaker_03]

it is in overclocking and sub text watercooling