Opinions on water cooling loop

[mattias1172]

Hello, I'm looking to build a custom water cooling loop for my pc. I have been using AIO coolers for about 5 years now and finally have the chance to do a custom one. I am waiting for the release of the 8700k to do so, but that's the CPU I will be cooling. If support is given, I will be putting the CPU on the Asus Strix z270e mobo. The case will be the Phantek Enthoo Primo. For the GPU, I will be water cooling at least 1 if not 2 EVGA 1080 ti ftw3's. I currently own one but I plan to buy a second to power the new 4k, 100+hz, HDR monitors coming out later this year.

I have done a pretty good amount of research on custom loops so I'm familiar with whats involved. I have gone through the EK loop configuration tool to get a rough idea of the parts that will fit. Here is the link to the parts list: (https://www.ekwb.com/custom-loop-configurator/shared/oW599b7ca816383). I plan to swap out either the fluid for white fluid or the PETG tubing for white tubing of the same size to fit the theme of white and black. Other than that, I don't see any reason not to use the parts listed.

Any suggestions on colored fluid or tubing would be appreciated. I'm also curious if anyone knows whether or not a thicker rad will fit on the bottom. From what I found, only the slim quad radiator will fit on the bottom of this case. Of course, any other feedback or opinions are appreciated. Thank you.

 

[JackNaylorPE]

1. I have the Primo ... it is a H U G E case. My recommendation for it would be:

140 x 420 x 45mm thick rad on top
140 x 280 x 60mm rad on bottom

2. The fans are way too fast @ 2200 rom ... if you wnat to be able to sit in the same room with them, suggest using 1250 rpm fans. Simply put, there is no better fan than the fans that come with the case.

3. Res is a bit small.

4. I have avoided the EVGA SC line since the 500 series due to weak board component choices and PCB cooling designs. If you making the jump from an AIO, I'd look at the Seahawk line from MSI w/ preinstalled EK Block.

5. I don't recommend terminal blocks

6. I'd consider dual pumps.

7. Dump the PWM splitter... you case has (5) 3 pin DCV fans that simply outperform anything else you can buy. The case comes with an 11-pin fan PCB. I have 16 fans so I bought 2 more:

CPU / CPU_OPT => twin pumps
CHA_1 => Hub No. 1 => 6 fans in push / pull on 420 rad
CHA_2 => Hub No. 2 => 4 fans in push / pull on 280 rad
CHA_3 => Hub No. 3 => 6 case fans

7. Recommend running the cards in parallel as show in pic below...

Look at Post 1000 for dimensional drawings of the case

http://www.overclock.net/t/1418637/official-case-phanteks-case-club-for-lovers-owners/990#post_21100122

There's many other picks in that thread

http://www.overclock.net/content/type/61/id/2231517/
http://www.overclock.net/content/type/61/id/1756222/
http://www.overclock.net/content/type/61/id/1757678/
http://www.overclock.net/content/type/61/id/1756201/
http://www.overclock.net/content/type/61/id/1758789/
http://www.overclock.net/content/type/61/id/1725262/

This pic was at about the 85% done stage...

i can send ya a full parts list if ya like.

 

[mattias1172]

Thank you for the reply. A few follow up questions on your suggestions.

1. I've read that radiators with more fan slots (4 vs 3 or 2) is better than thicker rads with less fan slots due to the vastly greater surface area available for cooling. I'm curious as to your reasoning for the shorter and thicker bottom rad. I do understand the switch to 140mm fans, lower rpm for less noise with the same airflow.

2. I'd like to know why you don't like terminal blocks. Is there a major reason not to use them i didn't come across? The strix block from EK i have listed is supposed to fit perfectly on the board and looks very nice.

3. Will the dual pump you have pictured in the links fit on the pump mount on the back of the primo? Or was it removed and the dual pump custom modded to fit the bottom of the case?

4. Lastly, on EK's site they recommend running the cards with serial connections. Any specific reason for parallel over serial?

Also, i would love to see a parts list if you've got one.

 

[JackNaylorPE]

1. Radiator thickness only marginally improves thermal performance. Thickness is strictly a matter of clearing the MoBo heat sinks. 3 x 140 has more surface area than 4 x 120. In this thread you can download spreadsheets that tell you how many watts each radiator model / size handles at various fan rpms.

http://www.overclock.net/t/1457426/radiator-size-estimator

2. Flow rate matters.... tho after about 1.25 gpm more flow has only incremental value. CPU blocks have very small surface area and here's where for rate matters most. On the GPU, flow rate is rendered much less significant because of the large thermal mass of the block. With the terminal blocks, you don't get true parallel flow ... you will always find that the 2nd card is running hotter than the 1st. In addition, the block creates more back pressure. I also like to install flow indicators on each line so i can confirm flow rate being even. With half the flow going thru the GPU and terminal block there is less flow restriction.

4. I removed the lower HD cage and created my own mount from two pump mounts, the 2nd I got from a friend (Jessie over at ModZoo) and mounted the pump underneath. The elevated mount and heat sink keep the pump from adding its own heat to the loop. But what I like is... if one pump fails, the other is still running.... automatic backup safety system

 

[JackNaylorPE]

Parts List

PUMP ASSEMBLY
1 Pump(s) - Swiftech Dual Extreme Duty Small Form Factor 12 VDC Industrial PWM Pump - Black (MCP35X2-BK) http://www.frozencpu.com/products/14961/ex-pmp-173/Swiftech_Dual_Extreme_Duty_Small_Form_Factor_12_VDC_Industrial_PWM_Pump_-_Black_MCP35X2-BK.html
2 Pump Heat Sink - Swiftech MCP35x2 Dual Pump Heatsink (MCP35X2-HS) http://www.frozencpu.com/products/16233/ex-pmp-195/Swiftech_MCP35x2_Dual_Pump_Heatsink_MCP35X2-HS.html
3 Heat Sink Fan - Noiseblocker NB-BlackSilentPro PC-P 80mm x 15mm Ultra Silent PWM Fan - 2500 RPM http://www.frozencpu.com/products/image/16392/fan-1017_4.jpg/fan-1017/Noiseblocker_NB-BlackSilentPro_PC-P_80mm_x_15mm_Ultra_Silent_PWM_Fan_-_2500_RPM.html

RESERVOIR ASSEMBLY
4 Reservoir - EK-MultiOption RES X3 250 - Liquid Cooling Reservoir - White Acetal (6 Total Ports) w/ (2) EK Extender Fittings http://www.frozencpu.com/products/21672/ex-res-677/EK-MultiOption_RES_X3_250_-_Liquid_Cooling_Reservoir_-_White_Acetal_6_Total_Ports.html?tl=g57c615s1940#blank
6 Reservoir Top - EK X3 Reservoir Multiport Replacement Top - White (EK-RES X3 - Multiport TOP WHITE) http://www.frozencpu.com/products/18485/ex-res-481/EK_X3_Reservoir_Multiport_Replacement_Top_-_White_EK-RES_X3_-_Multiport_TOP_WHITE.html?id=4NiLmkLB&mv_pc=1254
Reservoir Fill Tube Internal Tube 12/16 - 140mm (EK-RES-X3-TUBE-140 http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=59_1165_1162&products_id=36312
7 EK - Extender Fitting - EK G1/4 Thread Fitting Extender - Nickel - 8mm (Fitting Extender G1/4 ) http://www.frozencpu.com/products/18760/scr-701/EK_G14_Thread_Fitting_Extender_-_Nickel_-_8mm_Fitting_Extender_G14_Ni.html?id=4NiLmkLB&mv_pc=1256

RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
8 CPU Radiator @ Case Bottom - Alphacool NexXxoS UT60 Full Copper Double 140mm Radiator 324 x 144 x 60mm (Radiator Watts at 10C, 1250 rpm = 206)
9 GPU Radiator @ Case Top - Alphacool NexXxoS XT45 Full Copper Triple 140mm Radiator 468 x144 x 46mm (Radiator Watts at 10C, 1250 rpm = 302)
10 Temperature Probes Water - Bitspower G 1/4" Temperature Sensor Stop Fitting - Matte Black (BP-MBWP-CT)
11 Temperature Probes Air - Bitspower G 1/4" Temperature Sensor Stop Fitting - Matte Black (BP-MBWP-CT)
12 G1/4 Fitting Extender - Bitspower G 1/4" Thread Fitting Extender - Matte Black (BP-MBWP-C40)
13 Fill Port Plug - Bitspower G1/4" Low Profile Matte Black Stop Plug w/ O-Ring (BP-MBWP-C09)

There were 66 different parts, tools and accessories and the above doesn't list quantities.

Be careful before ordering the GFX cards. Anything longer than 10.6" will hit the reservoir. Tho, myself, Jessie, Bill Owen and others went back and forth with phanteks on suggested mods... Enthoo Primo V2 has supposed to give you more room.we worked with Phanteks Check out Jessie's primo build on the Modzoo site

 

[mattias1172]

Thank you for the additional info! I'll be sure to check all the parts out. One last question, you mention the length limit on the GPU for the reservoir mount. Is the msi sea hawk the card you used in that build that fit? The evga cards i was looking at are over 277mm long so i would seemingly have to remove the bracket to use them.

 

[mattias1172]

I've gone and made some changes per your suggestions. I have put them in a pcpartpicker list. Note the 7700k is a placeholder for the 8700k. What did you do to accommodate filling and draining of the system? Did you buy an extra fitting and some soft tubing for the top of the res for filling and a 3 way spliter fitting connected to a lever for the pump and add tubing there for draining?

[PCPartPicker part list](https://pcpartpicker.com/list/3L6kM8) / [Price breakdown by merchant](https://pcpartpicker.com/list/3L6kM8/by_merchant/)

Type|Item|Price
:----|:----|:----
**CPU** | [Intel - Core i7-7700K 4.2GHz Quad-Core Processor](https://pcpartpicker.com/product/VKx9TW/intel-core-i7-7700k-42ghz-quad-core-processor-bx80677i77700k) | $375.00
**Motherboard** | [Asus - STRIX Z270-E GAMING ATX LGA1151 Motherboard](https://pcpartpicker.com/product/2Phj4D/asus-strix-z270-e-gaming-atx-lga1151-motherboard-strix-z270-e-gaming) | $199.99 @ Amazon
**Video Card** | [EVGA - GeForce GTX 1080 Ti 11GB FTW3 GAMING iCX Video Card](https://pcpartpicker.com/product/KBtWGX/evga-geforce-gtx-1080-ti-11gb-ftw-gaming-icx-video-card-11g-p4-6696-kr) (2-Way SLI) | $794.89 @ Amazon
**Video Card** | [EVGA - GeForce GTX 1080 Ti 11GB FTW3 GAMING iCX Video Card](https://pcpartpicker.com/product/KBtWGX/evga-geforce-gtx-1080-ti-11gb-ftw-gaming-icx-video-card-11g-p4-6696-kr) (2-Way SLI) | $794.89 @ Amazon
**Case** | [Phanteks - Enthoo Primo ATX Full Tower Case](https://pcpartpicker.com/product/CxrcCJ/phanteks-case-phes813psrd) | $246.89 @ Amazon
**Other** | [Thermaltake PACIFIC 12mm ID 16mm OD Water Cooling PETG Hard Tube Bending Kit](https://pcpartpicker.com/product/QsKhP6/thermaltake-pacific-12mm-id-16mm-od-water-cooling-petg-hard-tube-bending-kit) | $59.99 @ Amazon
**Other** | [Monsoon Hardline 110v Heat Gun](https://pcpartpicker.com/product/Y7H48d/monsoon-hardline-110v-heat-gun) | $29.99 @ Amazon
**Other** | [Top Motor by Dynatron DF128015BM 80mm x 15mm 2 Ball Bearing 4 Pin PWM CPU Replacement Fan](https://pcpartpicker.com/product/zmcMnQ/top-motor-by-dynatron-df128015bm-80mm-x-15mm-2-ball-bearing-4-pin-pwm-cpu-replacement-fan) | $9.99 @ Amazon
**Other**| GPU Backplate x2| $88.00
**Other**| CPU/Mobo Water block | $137.00
**Other**| Mayhem Pastel UV White x2 (2L)| $40.00
**Other**| Swiftech Dual Extreme Pump| $200.00
**Other**| GPU Water Block x2 (EK FTW3)| $280.00
**Other**| Pump Heatsink for Dual Swiftech Pump| $28.00
**Other**| EK-HDC Fitting 16mm G1/4 (Black) x12| $96.00
**Other**| EK-HD Tube 12/16mm 500mm x3 (PETG Tubing) | $36.00
**Other**| EK Coolstream CE 420 Radiator| $100.00
**Other**| EK Coolstream CE 280 Radiator| $76.00
**Other**| EK-FC Terminal DUAL Serial 3-Slot| $23.00
**Other**| EK X3 250 Res| $63.00
**Other**| EK X3 Multi Port Top | $18.00
| *Prices include shipping, taxes, rebates, and discounts* |
| **Total** | **$3696.63**
| Generated by [PCPartPicker](http://pcpartpicker.com) 2017-08-22 01:37 EDT-0400 |