Totally new to liquid cooling, and need some advice

May 24, 2018
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Hi everyone!

Total newbie here when it comes to OC'ing/Liquid cooling, but after some time reading about it I really feel like doing my first build.

First of all, english is not my mother tongue, so apologies in advance for poor grammar or spelling.

After some time reading and watching videos, I'm starting to flesh out my shopping list, but wouldn't like to make big mistakes since parts aren't really cheap (and from what I've seen, there's a lot of margin for error), so I'd like to ask for bit of advice from you guys.

Budget-wise, I don't plan on going cheap on it, but it's not like I want to spend more than I need to. I'm in no kind of hurry either and still would like to learn much more before going for it.

My current experience

0. Zero. Nothing. About 1 month of reading stuff about this. So please, feel free to ruthlessly correct me in any of my "assumptions".

I have experience with computers tho, since I'm a software developer.

My PC

Code:
Case:       Nox NX HUMMER MCB  
MoBo:       Asus Prime Z370-A
Processor:  Intel i7-8700K
GPU:        Palit GeForce GTX 1080 Super Jetstream
RAM:        2x 8Gb Corsair Vengeance LPX 3000 MHz CL-something I can't remember
HD:         Samsung 960 EVO 500Gb NVMe
Heatsink:   Noctua NH-D15
PSU:	    Corsair RM750X V2 750W 80 Plus Gold Modular

Nothing really out of this world, but to be honest, my needs are not too high. I don't play any AAA-games at all, and the focus of the build was to get a PC that could last me as much as possible. Compiling, running different IDEs, Photoshop, some games, etc.. 

Iidle temps

CPU:        28ºC-30ºC
GPU:        38ºC-42ºC
Under load temps (gaming)

CPU:        50ºC-60ºC-ish?
GPU:        ~80ºC

What started everything

My GPU is super noisy under heavy load. That may be my fault tho, since I've read from other owners that it was super silent for them... /shrug

I tried both the first and second PCI slot in my mobo (running at 8x in the second one, but from what I've read not like it's much of a problem...), but I got the same results. Once I launch a game, its fans go full speed, and everything gets super noisy.

In my case, I only got the 2 stock fans that came with it... Could that be the problem at all? Might need more airflow inside my case?

Why do I wanna get into Liquid Cooling


  • ■ Noise. That GPU is killing me
    ■ Looks. Really important for me! And my PC looks like... well... a PC =P I want it to be an important piece of my workroom.
    ■ And last, but not least important... For the sake of it! I'm aware there's not much real benefit to it, specially given my low-profile needs but... I'd kinda like to learn more about this world, and feel really itchy about doing my first build!

About Overclocking

Just as I'm starting to learn about liquid cooling, I'm starting with overclocking too! =) However, I don't think I'm ever gonna try to push my system too much. Nowadays it's more than capable of fulfilling my needs. It's overkill in fact =P I'm running it with the quick OC tool in Asus BIOS, everything set automatically by the Mobo (pretty lame I guess =P)

My opinion so far

Case
I'm going for a new case with lots of space, and good airflow. I love tempered glass too. My 2 main options atm are:

Thermaltake View 71 TG 
Plenty of space, bulky, and shouldn't give me much trouble.

Phanteks Enthoo Evolv ATX Glass
Not as big as the thermaltake 71, but I can fit a 360 rad on top and still get plenty of space. Not sure about having just 1 fan on the back for exhaust tho. Would it be enough?

Pump
Laing DCC1-T or Laing D5 (apparently almost everyone is selling either of these 2). However, I'm not sure on which one. The D5 looks "better", but I'm not sure which one I really need.

Rad
Since my main concern is noise, my plan was to go for a thick 360mm that worked well at low RPM. From what I've read, my main choice right now is HardwareLabs' Black Ice SR2. 360mm on the Phanteks case, or 420 in the thermaltake one.

Fans
Not sure yet, but looking for efficiency at low RPMs.

GPU Block
The only one that I've found specifically for my GPU is from EK. I'd go for that just out of pure fear of buying a non-compatible one, but to be honest I don't really like its plain look, specially considering the thermaltake 71 has a vertical mount.

CPU Block
Duh... no matter how much I read... I don't seem to find a consensus. Some people say X is better, some others say Y is better... and others say it doesn't matter. I'm considering buying from a local manufacturer just for the sake of promoting national products, and cause it's really cheap... But that raised a red flag =P So, that's the part I've given less thought.

Cooling liquid
Nothing too fancy, some distilled water, biocide, and additives if needed. (some tint too)

Tube
I kind of like the rigid tubing better, and got tools to work it. Any problem that might rise? From what I've read, Felixble tubes are way easier to work with, but I'd like to give it a try.

And... that's it I guess! Any advice guys?

Thanks in advance!
 
Solution
Hi, with regards to the front radiator placement, no issues as the fans will suck the aior in and over the radiator with the rear and top fans exhasting the air out....You can go both routes. I currently have a 360mm radiator at thje top of my case exhasting air out of the top with 2 fron fans bringing air in..

With regards to EK or any other radiator it does not really matter but if everything else is EK, stick with EK...
Oh, I have built plenty of PCs. Just not liquid cooled. And why an AIO? That's just screwing a radiator and mounting a CPU top, AFAIK. Will that give me any actual experience? Remember one of my reasons for doing it is just for the sake of it =)
 
Go for it...You are commited and want to take the plunge. there are so many great youtube guides on building a custom loop and even I have done one with no issues, though I did one with soft tubing...Maybe soft tubing would be better to start with and then move to hard tubing. Though Hard tubing guids are also very good on youtube..

In terms of Pumps, the D5 is recognised as the best and has a great flow rate. With regards to a CPU block, I would definitly go with a named brand like EK or Phanteks - https://www.overclockers.co.uk/water-cooling/water-blocks/processor

You might also consider an all in one pump and res, something like this is they are great value and look good - https://www.overclockers.co.uk/water-cooling/components/reservoirs/pump-reservoir-combos

For Radiators a decent 360mm will do the job an both GPU and CPU... Take a look at some here - https://www.overclockers.co.uk/water-cooling/components/radiators/triple-fan-radiators

Not sure if you can get these in your area but you should be able to find similar items...

With regards to the case the View 71 TG would give you a lot more room to work with...Though factor in some additional fans...Another optin is the Cooler MasterH500P Mesh which I am using and it is awesome...

Hope this helps.
 


About the pump and res, totally agreed.
I'm more or less settled for this one: https://www.ekwb.com/shop/ek-xres-140-revo-d5-pwm-incl-sl-pump

And since it seems I'm getting both the GPU block and pump/reservoir from EK, I've more or less decided to go for an EK CPU block too.

About the tubings, you have a point. And going soft tubing with the intention of switching to hard tubing will kind of “force” me to rebuild it sooner than later, which in the end means more practice.

Which brings the question about how to properly draining. I've read about ball valves and such, so I will get a bit more into it, since I'm planning on substituting the tubing in maybe 3-4 months.

Just a couple questions while we're at it... I've always assumed mounting a rad on front would block the case's frontal fans for intake, is that correct?
Same with top mounts, would it block top exhaust fans? (It's probably a rather silly question, but up till now it's just my assumption).

And just to wrap it up, since I'm buying most things from EK... Should I buy one of their radiators and settle with them? I've read that Black Ice SR2 are way better with slow fans, but I'm finding trouble to find someone that can deliver them to me at a reasonable price (Spain).

Are they really that much better?

Thanks a lot btw, really appreciate it!
 
Hi, with regards to the front radiator placement, no issues as the fans will suck the aior in and over the radiator with the rear and top fans exhasting the air out....You can go both routes. I currently have a 360mm radiator at thje top of my case exhasting air out of the top with 2 fron fans bringing air in..

With regards to EK or any other radiator it does not really matter but if everything else is EK, stick with EK...
 
Solution
william p makes a good point and for me I have the rear fan bloweing air in over the VRM/CPU area and that air then gets sucked out of the top via my 360 AIO which blows air out of the top via 3 120mm fans. I have 2 200mm fans bringin air in from the front. All my temps including VRM always good!