[SOLVED] Planning my first Custom Water Cooled Pc. Define S2

[Grouch19]

So I literally just received my Fractal Design Define S2 case and over the next 3-7 weeks I will be purchasing all the accessories I will need to build a custom loop. I will be cooling a 9700k and a gtx 1080ti. I have the EVGA sc2 Hybrid. I am having trouble finding a waterblock for it. If anyone can help that would be great. My builds are usually overkill and this one was supposed to be. I had purchased a brand new 9900k from someone for 320$ last week. But I ended up trading it for 110$ cash and a factory sealed 9700k. I figured I would rather be into a 9700k for 210 and use that extra cash for a 2tb m.2.

But to be honest I am not entirely sure how this will pan out I might actually be getting the 9900k back because my buddy said his wife got mad at him for spending more money on an unneeded cpu and the moment I let it go I regretted it because although it's overkill and unnecessary, it was 320$ and I like unnecessary overkill. I definitely want to start out with a 60mm thick 240mm rad in the front of my case, I will use Corsair ml 120 pro's in push/pull. I am looking at the EK Velocity black/black nickel. Or maybe just the all black one. I am undecided on whether I want the rgb one or not. I am not a big rgb person. I want to also put a 38mm ek 360pe rad up top with just 3 ml 120 pro in pull. I have 32gb of Trident z 3200mhz cl14. Z370 Gaming 7 mobo, Supernova 750g3 and I will be getting Cable mod cables as well. I havw the rig built right now in an old corsair case with no rad support.

I had tohack the case away to get my 280m aio in there and actually have a fan on the bottom half attached to it with the 120 gpu rad attached to that then another fan lol. It's a ridiculous mess. It started as a budget build. I got everything piece by piece extremely cheap. Anyway I am here today looking for help with tubing and fittings. I have never built my own loop before and plan to start with soft tube. I would like thick white soft tube but don't know where to start looking. And once located I don't know how to choose fittings. I would really appreciate it if anyone can seriously help me with this. I will post a build log here starting with here in a few days posting pics of the budget build refresh after installing the 9700k and swapping cases. For my pump/res combo I plan on ordering from singularity computers, I am really interested in one of theirs. I orget what it's called but it's the more expensive one. Here are a couple pictures showing kind of what I want.

I would like the white tube in the thickness of the black. Or a glossier black or like a deep gray. If anyone can help me locate really nice looking tubing I would appreciate it. I know there are wrapped tubing as well. And I just need help with fittings and I should be able to figure the rest out on my own. Anyway thank you for reading and look forward to hearing from anyone who can help.
I can't seem to figure out how to post pics so maybe help me with that as well.

 

[Darkbreeze]

In the future, please break your post up into paragraphs, as you see I have done for you. Nobody is inclined to answer posts that read like a wall of text. Thanks.

 

[Gmoney06ss]

Performance pcs has tubing of all variety and color. Choose your tubing size and style, then itll be easier to assist you in choosing fittings. With a soft tubing build you'll probably just need basic compression fittings for a cleaner look, or super basic barb. Sizes vary but I use 13/10(1/2x3/8), as it's a very common size. Soft tubing is usually about $1-$2 per foot so I always order more than I need. Standard fittings are g1/4 then to whatever size you choose.

A 60mm rad with push/pull? That's 110mm with fans, are you sure the s2 has the space for that. Push/pull usually only nets you a couple degrees c temp difference, and I'd recommend just choosing either or. I have an R6 and with a 30mm(it may be a 25mm) front rad and push in the front, with my res mounted to the rad, the fittings are verrrry close to the psu basement. And when I say close I mean a mm or two to spare.

As far as the blocks are concerned, ek should have one. I'll post a link to the evga forum that has more info on which one to use as well as a few part numbers for the evga hydro copper block.

Performance-PCs.com Homepage

Performance-PCs.com Homepage and Website Home

www.performance-pcs.com

https://forums.evga.com/m/tm.aspx?m=2923262&p=2 if it doesn't take you to the post, it's on the second page about halfway down. All the block info you should need. Seems the sc2 and sc2 hybrid share the same pcb, and also share it with the titan Pascal.

This is just a quick link of the type of fitting you'd want. They have several varieties and colors, this is just one that pops up first. https://www.performance-pcs.com/wat...ting-cc2-ultimate-for-id-3-8-od-1-2-tube.html

Also performance pcs, being an etailer also stocks most of singularity stuff. So it can be a one stop shop for everything. I've ordered quite a bit from them, shipping is a tad pricey but its quick. I've also had good luck with Amazon for fittings being a little cheaper.

 

[EndEffeKt_24]

I would go with thick tubing like 10/16 because it looks cool and the 3mm thick wall will prevent kinking in tight turns. I personally just used EKs zero maintainance tubing (zmt) because it should have no softeners or other stuff gunking up the loop. Its an Itx system in a ncase so it will be a pain to service, so I wanted the most uncomplicated fluid-tubing combi available.

 

[Grouch19]

Performance pcs has tubing of all variety and color. Choose your tubing size and style, then itll be easier to assist you in choosing fittings. With a soft tubing build you'll probably just need basic compression fittings for a cleaner look, or super basic barb. Sizes vary but I use 13/10(1/2x3/8), as it's a very common size. Soft tubing is usually about $1-$2 per foot so I always order more than I need. Standard fittings are g1/4 then to whatever size you choose.

A 60mm rad with push/pull? That's 110mm with fans, are you sure the s2 has the space for that. Push/pull usually only nets you a couple degrees c temp difference, and I'd recommend just choosing either or. I have an R6 and with a 30mm(it may be a 25mm) front rad and push in the front, with my res mounted to the rad, the fittings are verrrry close to the psu basement. And when I say close I mean a mm or two to spare.

As far as the blocks are concerned, ek should have one. I'll post a link to the evga forum that has more info on which one to use as well as a few part numbers for the evga hydro copper block.

Performance-PCs.com Homepage

Performance-PCs.com Homepage and Website Home

www.performance-pcs.com

https://forums.evga.com/m/tm.aspx?m=2923262&p=2 if it doesn't take you to the post, it's on the second page about halfway down. All the block info you should need. Seems the sc2 and sc2 hybrid share the same pcb, and also share it with the titan Pascal.

This is just a quick link of the type of fitting you'd want. They have several varieties and colors, this is just one that pops up first. https://www.performance-pcs.com/wat...ting-cc2-ultimate-for-id-3-8-od-1-2-tube.html

Also performance pcs, being an etailer also stocks most of singularity stuff. So it can be a one stop shop for everything. I've ordered quite a bit from them, shipping is a tad pricey but its quick. I've also had good luck with Amazon for fittings being a little cheaper.

Thank you very much. I had looked on ekwb and couldn't find the waterblock. As for the case it does not have the front dust filter like the r6. The dust filters actually snap into the side air vents. So I believe I can attach two fans to the outside of the case behind the front panel then attach the rad to the inside of the case in pull. That's more along the lines of what I meant. The push fans would not be attached to the rad directly but would serve the same purpose.

 

[rubix_1011]

So, this sounds like another one of those custom loop builds where someone 'doesn't know what to get, so please outline everything I need and I will blindly spend a lot of money to buy it'. How do you know someone is giving you good advice before you spend money following their recommendation? If you don't know what is good or bad, there is a good chance you'll regret your purchases later and possibly be disappointed. I've seen this happen more times than I can count.

Here is my advice and I have no problems helping out, but you're going to need to do some more research on your own because I would think you'd have more info and detail to provide us.

Research, research, RESEARCH! Read watercooling stickies. Google as much as you can. Understand TDPs and how much thermal load you will need to dissipate and cool. Watercooling isn't difficult, but it can lead to unexpected results if you cut corners. Watercooling is not going to be a low-budget cooling solution.

I have a 9700k and a 2080 in a single loop cooled by a pair of EK 240 PE radiators, running an EK GPU block, EK CPU block and D5 pump/reservoir combo. If you run the 9700k you shouldn't need more than the single 360 unless there is a plan for overclocking...although I don't see you getting a lot of extra from either the 1080Ti or the 9700k.

What is your cooling budget?

What have you found so far that you are considering? (seems like a lot of conjecture and indecisiveness)

I've watercooled for nearly 18 years and there have been times where it has taken me months to find the parts I really want to use for a build...mostly because I don't like buying all at once and sometimes I want to see if there are new items coming out.

How familiar are you with priming and filling a loop?

How familiar are you with maintenance?

What are you planning to use for coolant (and why)?

EVGA cards are typically Nvidia reference PCB. Have you determined this for your 1080Ti or not?

Most people who first get into watercooling make the mistake of buying the GPU first without considering if it is reference PCB or is custom board and requires a specific block. They get wrapped up in 'this card looks cool' and buy with their eyes, but fail to realize that they will be removing the factory cooler and it will not be seen/used.

 

[Grouch19]

Wow ok. Well I guess let me start off by apologizing. I am very busy with work right now. I am only looking for some info on where to get the tubing I am looking for and I know it's hard to read my mind. I was trying to post a picture but couldn't figure out how and had to run. Then once I find tubing I know nothing about fittings. What I think I know is there are Outer diameter/Inner diameter of tubing that neads to match the fittings. But don't know what kind of fittings or really how to gauge selecting the right ones.

I am trying to not spend money blindly but you are correct I obviously don't know what I'm doing so I thought I would ask for help. So I have a Z370 Gaming 7 motherboard with an 8600k in it. I just got a 9900k brand new factory sealed for 320$ Traded it to a friend for a 9700k he's used about 5 weeks and 120 cash. His wife is mad so I might take it back lol. either way I am ripping my pc apart and putting it in my new define s2. Rest of specs are as follows; gtx 1080ti sc2 Hybrid. 32gb Trident z 3200 cl14. 512gb rocket m.2 for O.S. 3tb hdd for storage, about to buy a 2tb Intel 660p for gaming. I already have the gpu, I found it for 420$ and couldn't pass it up. Already have the cpu. So I didn't buy the components working around a custom loop I wanna build a loop around what I have now.

As far as budget I don't really have one. I am not rich but I am not broke. I'm somewhat of an enthusiast. I love this stuff and have for a while and wanna take it to the next step. My Corsair h110i gt is on it's last legs. I had to downclock my overclock to 4.8Ghz at 1.255v just to stay at 75c cpu temps gaming. Why buy another aio that lasts 2-3 years? Building PC's is a hobby and I think watercooling would be fun. I'm not too impatient and think I can deal with the stresses of the learning curve. I am not familiar with maintenance. Nor am I familiar with building the loop. So I guess there is more I need help with. Like running a line as a dedicated drain port and all the other little things that'll make my life easier that I'm not aware of. Looking for something to do, have some money to spend, plan on saving at least 500-700 for end of Nov. sales and see if i can get some nice stuff on sale. I'd like to be around 600$ That is the target but knowing the way I spend I know that might not happen.

As of now my plan is kind of like yours, Two rads, slim 360 on top, fat 240 up front. EK waterblock for cpu. Have a couple in mind, have ben looking at alpha cool and ek for rads. Haven't made a selection yet. Probably use my Corsair ml 120 pro fans. Pump/res Combo either ek or singularity computers. I really like the Protium 150 d5/res combo acetal. It's over 200 usd. I like it. Only other I'd buy is ek. That will probably be my last choice. I will make it depending on what I have tied up in the reat of the loop. If I am forgettting anything else I apologize. Not quite ready to venture into rigid tube yet. My first rigid tube loop will probably be a bend free loop using a lot of 90 degree fittings. I am inclined to use bitspower fittings. I just don't know sizes off hand nor exactly what size tube I want I am trying to figure this stuff out. Don't really know where to look. Someone told me performance pc's. I will check it out. But again ya, not looking for anyone to build me a list, I have a list of what I want I just don't know tubings/fittings or the best way to build the loop. Don't know the little tricks and stuff people do to make things easier for maintenance. Anyway thank you for your willingness to help. I'm doing the best I can.

Oh ya, just water. Distilled water or whatever. No colors just Water and the anti corrosives and whatever you put in it. Damn, I know you know what I'm trying to say lol. I believe I can buy pre-treated water or I just buy distilled and add stuff to it. Kind of why I'd like a solid white tube, no colored coolant that just equals gross trouble later. I don't know maybe recommendations can be made there as well. Another thing I am not all too familiar with.

 

[Gmoney06ss]

Draw the loop out. Decide how your runs of tubing will go, and from there you can decide what fittings you'll need. Minimum you'll need 10 fittings, but whether or not you'll need any 90 or 45 degree fittings will be up to how you route the loop. Then you'll also have to account for the drain setup, if you so choose.

I use 10/13, it's a common size. There's also 13/16(? Or close to that). Decide what size and then look at fittings. You'll need barb style fittings for the most basic connections or compression fittings for a cleaner and somewhat safer connection.

I can try and post up a pic later to give you a basic idea of how I ran mine. I went 360 front 240 top, but you'll get the idea.

You can buy pretreated water, but it's crazy expensive for water. And if you buy the treatment stuff, you'll have plenty for your next drain and flush. Or more likely several drains.


I mentioned performance pcs just because they have it all. Look there first, grab the part numbers and look for better pricing.

 

[rubix_1011]

https://www.performance-pcs.com

 

[rubix_1011]

I like Singularity's stuff, it is some of the highest quality gear you can buy today. EK, Swiftech and Alphacool also have top-notch watercooling hardware as well. I buy from each of these when I am looking for watercooling gear.

There are also a handful of other very good manufacturers as well: Bitspower, Aquacomputer, Corsair Hydro X, Watercool and Koolance. Also, there some newer names that I have not used or reviewed such as Barrow and Bykski.

 

[Gmoney06ss]

I'm using a mixture of ek, xspc, mayhems and I believe oc cool. So far I've been pleased with the xspc photon x4 pump, but next time will probably go with a d5 variant as they are pretty highly regarded pumps.

The mayhems I have is just the tubing, so I can't speak on any of there other products.

 

[Grouch19]

Thank you all for your help. It has taken a while but I pretty much have everything I need. I also grabbed a delid tool and a direct die frame for the heck of it. So yes, I will absolutely be overclocking every single last bit I can get out of it. I am having a hard time figuring out how to upload photos. It asks for a url instead of letting me jusy upload from my pc.

Also I am wondering if anyone can steer me in the right direction for what to mix in with the distilled water. As far as I know I need an anti growth agent and an anti corrosive and I don't know what to buy or if there is an all in one somewhere I can get. But for the moment I am going to just cool the cpu. I have a bunch of xspc compression fittings and I am starting with clear soft tubing for now. I plan to get another rad later maybe even just two slims.

I ended up grabbing a bunch of used stuff super cheap. All my fittings are new though. But I have an ek pump/res a 64mm thick thermaltake 360 rad an ek cpu block and ek gpu block. But for now with the one rad I am going to cool the cpu. Find a stable overclock, record temps and oc settings for a couple weeks. Then I will delid and direct die after a couple weeks so I have comparisons. I may get rid of the TT rad and go with two slim 360's because this thing is huge but for now I will use it.

I would like to upload some photos for you guys. I think it's going to be cool experimenting with the delid and direct die. Anyway thank you and if anyone can help me real quick with additives for the water that would be awesome thanks.

I found primochill utopia. It sounds like it has both and that is all I need? or xspc ec6? it is about the same price for a 30ml bottle than the utopia is for a 15ml bottle. I've heard good things about xspc and got a bunch of their fittings so I am hoping this will be all I need. If I am wrong please let me know.

 

[rubix_1011]

Distilled water and something like PTNuke, Mayhems Inhibitor or Biocide, or other similar items. I've used these items, but not used the XSPC EC6 you have mentioned, although I do see it on Performance-PCs.com.

If you are using a coolant, there are some decent clear coolants that can be used full-strength or diluted with distilled water. Adding a coolant with color means that there are additional solutions suspended in the coolant which can break down and collect in small areas over time or sustained loads.