Water-cooling for dual MSI GTX 1080 TI! Need Help!

[Ramil Ahmadov]

Hello!
I have an i7-6850K paired with dual MSI GTX 1080 TI Gaming X fitted inside the Corsair 780T. I would like to add custom water-cooling and have considered EK's components which seem nice. Do you recommend them? It is my first build and i am not quite sure if i will be able to manage it, i mean connect them to my GPU and CPU so that they work properly. I have gone through their website and it seems quite enjoyable and convenient to choose the appropriate water-cooling components for my specific system, but i am not sure if it will be that easy to actually build it. Do they provide a guide after delivering the components as it is in their website and do you think i can manage it without issues? Also, i already have Corsair GTX 110i cooling the CPU, should i even bother replacing it with a custom one? I would really like to water-cool the GPUs, cuz they are literally burning my legs. Should you have any other recommendations(to change or add components) don't hesitate to write them below.
My system specs:
Intel i7-6850K
Corsair GTX H110i
MSI GTX 1080Ti SLI
Corsair Vengeance 32GB 2400MHZ
MSI Godlike Gaming X99A
Corsair Graphite 780T
Samsung 960 Pro 512GB
Samsung 850 Evo 1TB
Acer Predator XB281HK

Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance!

 

[mrjack2207]

Hello!
I have an i7-6850K paired with dual MSI GTX 1080 TI Gaming X fitted inside the Corsair 780T. I would like to add custom water-cooling and have considered EK's components which seem nice. Do you recommend them? It is my first build and i am not quite sure if i will be able to manage it, i mean connect them to my GPU and CPU so that they work properly. I have gone through their website and it seems quite enjoyable and convenient to choose the appropriate water-cooling components for my specific system, but i am not sure if it will be that easy to actually build it. Do they provide a guide after delivering the components as it is in their website and do you think i can manage it without issues? Also, i already have Corsair GTX 110i cooling the CPU, should i even bother replacing it with a custom one? I would really like to water-cool the GPUs, cuz they are literally burning my legs. Should you have any other recommendations(to change or add components) don't hesitate to write them below.
My system specs:
Intel i7-6850K
Corsair GTX H110i
MSI GTX 1080Ti SLI
Corsair Vengeance 32GB 2400MHZ
MSI Godlike Gaming X99A
Corsair Graphite 780T
Samsung 960 Pro 512GB
Samsung 850 Evo 1TB
Acer Predator XB281HK

Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance!

Unless you want even more performance out of your cards, then I wouldnt recommend them, plus converting fan gpu's to custom water cooling ones is even more effort, but hey if you wanna do it, go mad !

 

[Ramil Ahmadov]

Hello!
I have an i7-6850K paired with dual MSI GTX 1080 TI Gaming X fitted inside the Corsair 780T. I would like to add custom water-cooling and have considered EK's components which seem nice. Do you recommend them? It is my first build and i am not quite sure if i will be able to manage it, i mean connect them to my GPU and CPU so that they work properly. I have gone through their website and it seems quite enjoyable and convenient to choose the appropriate water-cooling components for my specific system, but i am not sure if it will be that easy to actually build it. Do they provide a guide after delivering the components as it is in their website and do you think i can manage it without issues? Also, i already have Corsair GTX 110i cooling the CPU, should i even bother replacing it with a custom one? I would really like to water-cool the GPUs, cuz they are literally burning my legs. Should you have any other recommendations(to change or add components) don't hesitate to write them below.
My system specs:
Intel i7-6850K
Corsair GTX H110i
MSI GTX 1080Ti SLI
Corsair Vengeance 32GB 2400MHZ
MSI Godlike Gaming X99A
Corsair Graphite 780T
Samsung 960 Pro 512GB
Samsung 850 Evo 1TB
Acer Predator XB281HK

Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance!

Unless you want even more performance out of your cards, then I wouldnt recommend them, plus converting fan gpu's to custom water cooling ones is even more effort, but hey if you wanna do it, go mad !

I want them to be cooler while at load and an extra performance wouldn't bother me. What about converting the fans?

 

[grimfox]

The conversion process does take some careful effort, you need to get replacement paste/pads too, but it's not terrible. It will also likely void your warranty. Keep in mind that switching from fans to custom water cooling does not decrease the amount of heat that the cards produce, and may they generate more heat if you overclock them. But you can move the heat to exhaust somewhere else depending on where you place the rad.

 

[wbingham]

Hello!
I have an i7-6850K paired with dual MSI GTX 1080 TI Gaming X fitted inside the Corsair 780T. I would like to add custom water-cooling and have considered EK's components which seem nice. Do you recommend them? It is my first build and i am not quite sure if i will be able to manage it, i mean connect them to my GPU and CPU so that they work properly. I have gone through their website and it seems quite enjoyable and convenient to choose the appropriate water-cooling components for my specific system, but i am not sure if it will be that easy to actually build it. Do they provide a guide after delivering the components as it is in their website and do you think i can manage it without issues? Also, i already have Corsair GTX 110i cooling the CPU, should i even bother replacing it with a custom one? I would really like to water-cool the GPUs, cuz they are literally burning my legs. Should you have any other recommendations(to change or add components) don't hesitate to write them below.
My system specs:
Intel i7-6850K
Corsair GTX H110i
MSI GTX 1080Ti SLI
Corsair Vengeance 32GB 2400MHZ
MSI Godlike Gaming X99A
Corsair Graphite 780T
Samsung 960 Pro 512GB
Samsung 850 Evo 1TB
Acer Predator XB281HK

Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance!

Water Cooling AIB partner GPUs generally will not get you much, if any more performance out of your cards, unless you have the low end versions. The MSI 1080TI Gaming X cards Twin Frozer fans are more than adequate for achieving top overclock performance.

However, with that being said, if you are interested in jumping into the arena of full water cooling loops and are willing to spend the $ then it's a fun hobby and can generally net you lower temperatures while running at the same frequencies as air cooling.

The Graphite 780t allows for dual 360mm rads (assuming you don't use the front drive bays), but I'm going to assume that you do and are looking at having to use smaller radiators. The general rule of thumb for radiators space is 120mm per component + 120mm for headroom. Since you would be cooling 3 components (CPU, GPU1, GPU2), you would want at least dual 240mm radiators. You could also do a 360mm radiator and a 120mm radiator. Either way would work for getting you the base cooling you would need. If you happen to be able to do a 360mm radiator + 240mm radiator, that would be a really good place and would give you plenty of cooling for those parts with decent overclocks.

EK radiators are fine. They are not the "best in class", but they are reliable and are cool great. If your GPUs are reference PCBs, then I would recommend looking at buying an EK Fluid Gaming Kit and then buying an extra GPU water block and radiator expansion kit (again, trying to go for 360mm+240mm, 2x240mm or 360mm+120mm configuration depending on what will work with the room you have). These kits work really well and are really great bargains. The only thing to keep in mind is that these are aluminum blocks and should not be mixed with the other EK or other vendors non-aluminum parts.

If you want better compatibility with other vendors water blocks and parts, you'll want to buy the normal copper/nickel plated parts (but will spend more $$ overall).

In the end, water cooling generally will not get you any higher CPU or GPU overclocking than a quality air cooler will. However, you can get cooler temps at the same clocks and quieter operation (not always...there are some REALLY quiet air cooling options), especially if you are using blower style reference GPUs. If you are using blower style GPU's...this will also change where the heat exits your case and possibly keep it from blowing out the back onto your legs and instead exhaust out the top of the case.

 

[wbingham]

what the heck are you talking about. they put out same amount fo heat just faster with watercooling. its gonna heat your room "exactly the same" cus its not changing the heat of your feet omg. but just buy L360 or x360 kit they work good and is easy..

Changing the heat to exhaust out the top of the case vs out the back directly onto your feed WOULD change the heat of your feet. The parts are generating the same amount of heat, but where you direct that airflow does affect the comfort factor.

 

[Ramil Ahmadov]

what the heck are you talking about. they put out same amount fo heat just faster with watercooling. its gonna heat your room "exactly the same" cus its not changing the heat of your feet omg. but just buy L360 or x360 kit they work good and is easy..

I meant the high temperature of the GPUs is bothering me, as i believe their fans(they blow the heat towards my legs or whatever) are the main reason why my legs are getting "grilled" like a turkey in an oven. The feeling of high temperature GPUs spreading heat around my legs is really annoying, i get sweat. I believe water-cooling reduces the temperature of the GPUs and directs all the heat to exhaust from the top and behind.
Anyways, could you, please, rather elaborate what is "L360 or x360 kit"

 

[Ramil Ahmadov]

Hello!
I have an i7-6850K paired with dual MSI GTX 1080 TI Gaming X fitted inside the Corsair 780T. I would like to add custom water-cooling and have considered EK's components which seem nice. Do you recommend them? It is my first build and i am not quite sure if i will be able to manage it, i mean connect them to my GPU and CPU so that they work properly. I have gone through their website and it seems quite enjoyable and convenient to choose the appropriate water-cooling components for my specific system, but i am not sure if it will be that easy to actually build it. Do they provide a guide after delivering the components as it is in their website and do you think i can manage it without issues? Also, i already have Corsair GTX 110i cooling the CPU, should i even bother replacing it with a custom one? I would really like to water-cool the GPUs, cuz they are literally burning my legs. Should you have any other recommendations(to change or add components) don't hesitate to write them below.
My system specs:
Intel i7-6850K
Corsair GTX H110i
MSI GTX 1080Ti SLI
Corsair Vengeance 32GB 2400MHZ
MSI Godlike Gaming X99A
Corsair Graphite 780T
Samsung 960 Pro 512GB
Samsung 850 Evo 1TB
Acer Predator XB281HK

Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance!

Water Cooling AIB partner GPUs generally will not get you much, if any more performance out of your cards, unless you have the low end versions. The MSI 1080TI Gaming X cards Twin Frozer fans are more than adequate for achieving top overclock performance.

However, with that being said, if you are interested in jumping into the arena of full water cooling loops and are willing to spend the $ then it's a fun hobby and can generally net you lower temperatures while running at the same frequencies as air cooling.

The Graphite 780t allows for dual 360mm rads (assuming you don't use the front drive bays), but I'm going to assume that you do and are looking at having to use smaller radiators. The general rule of thumb for radiators space is 120mm per component + 120mm for headroom. Since you would be cooling 3 components (CPU, GPU1, GPU2), you would want at least dual 240mm radiators. You could also do a 360mm radiator and a 120mm radiator. Either way would work for getting you the base cooling you would need. If you happen to be able to do a 360mm radiator + 240mm radiator, that would be a really good place and would give you plenty of cooling for those parts with decent overclocks.

EK radiators are fine. They are not the "best in class", but they are reliable and are cool great. If your GPUs are reference PCBs, then I would recommend looking at buying an EK Fluid Gaming Kit and then buying an extra GPU water block and radiator expansion kit (again, trying to go for 360mm+240mm, 2x240mm or 360mm+120mm configuration depending on what will work with the room you have). These kits work really well and are really great bargains. The only thing to keep in mind is that these are aluminum blocks and should not be mixed with the other EK or other vendors non-aluminum parts.

If you want better compatibility with other vendors water blocks and parts, you'll want to buy the normal copper/nickel plated parts (but will spend more $$ overall).

In the end, water cooling generally will not get you any higher CPU or GPU overclocking than a quality air cooler will. However, you can get cooler temps at the same clocks and quieter operation (not always...there are some REALLY quiet air cooling options), especially if you are using blower style reference GPUs. If you are using blower style GPU's...this will also change where the heat exits your case and possibly keep it from blowing out the back onto your legs and instead exhaust out the top of the case.

Thank you very much for your broad explanation.

 

[n0ns3ns3]

Water Cooling AIB partner GPUs generally will not get you much, if any more performance out of your cards, unless you have the low end versions. The MSI 1080TI Gaming X cards Twin Frozer fans are more than adequate for achieving top overclock performance.

However, with that being said, if you are interested in jumping into the arena of full water cooling loops and are willing to spend the $ then it's a fun hobby and can generally net you lower temperatures while running at the same frequencies as air cooling.

The Graphite 780t allows for dual 360mm rads (assuming you don't use the front drive bays), but I'm going to assume that you do and are looking at having to use smaller radiators. The general rule of thumb for radiators space is 120mm per component + 120mm for headroom. Since you would be cooling 3 components (CPU, GPU1, GPU2), you would want at least dual 240mm radiators. You could also do a 360mm radiator and a 120mm radiator. Either way would work for getting you the base cooling you would need. If you happen to be able to do a 360mm radiator + 240mm radiator, that would be a really good place and would give you plenty of cooling for those parts with decent overclocks.

EK radiators are fine. They are not the "best in class", but they are reliable and are cool great. If your GPUs are reference PCBs, then I would recommend looking at buying an EK Fluid Gaming Kit and then buying an extra GPU water block and radiator expansion kit (again, trying to go for 360mm+240mm, 2x240mm or 360mm+120mm configuration depending on what will work with the room you have). These kits work really well and are really great bargains. The only thing to keep in mind is that these are aluminum blocks and should not be mixed with the other EK or other vendors non-aluminum parts.

If you want better compatibility with other vendors water blocks and parts, you'll want to buy the normal copper/nickel plated parts (but will spend more $$ overall).

In the end, water cooling generally will not get you any higher CPU or GPU overclocking than a quality air cooler will. However, you can get cooler temps at the same clocks and quieter operation (not always...there are some REALLY quiet air cooling options), especially if you are using blower style reference GPUs. If you are using blower style GPU's...this will also change where the heat exits your case and possibly keep it from blowing out the back onto your legs and instead exhaust out the top of the case.

Very good answer indeed. Only few little things. Custom loop usually will add a bit of overclocking headroom. but just a bit.
the more serious, is the radiator surface requirement. the rule of thumb works well for ~150w parts. those parts are easily 300+300+200watt under extreme load. 480mm surface is not enough especially if part of the radiators are mounted as exhaust. so for this system to be BOTH cool and somewhat quiet, a dual 360 or dual 280 (140mm fans) radiators would be required.

 

[Ramil Ahmadov]

Water Cooling AIB partner GPUs generally will not get you much, if any more performance out of your cards, unless you have the low end versions. The MSI 1080TI Gaming X cards Twin Frozer fans are more than adequate for achieving top overclock performance.

However, with that being said, if you are interested in jumping into the arena of full water cooling loops and are willing to spend the $ then it's a fun hobby and can generally net you lower temperatures while running at the same frequencies as air cooling.

The Graphite 780t allows for dual 360mm rads (assuming you don't use the front drive bays), but I'm going to assume that you do and are looking at having to use smaller radiators. The general rule of thumb for radiators space is 120mm per component + 120mm for headroom. Since you would be cooling 3 components (CPU, GPU1, GPU2), you would want at least dual 240mm radiators. You could also do a 360mm radiator and a 120mm radiator. Either way would work for getting you the base cooling you would need. If you happen to be able to do a 360mm radiator + 240mm radiator, that would be a really good place and would give you plenty of cooling for those parts with decent overclocks.

EK radiators are fine. They are not the "best in class", but they are reliable and are cool great. If your GPUs are reference PCBs, then I would recommend looking at buying an EK Fluid Gaming Kit and then buying an extra GPU water block and radiator expansion kit (again, trying to go for 360mm+240mm, 2x240mm or 360mm+120mm configuration depending on what will work with the room you have). These kits work really well and are really great bargains. The only thing to keep in mind is that these are aluminum blocks and should not be mixed with the other EK or other vendors non-aluminum parts.

If you want better compatibility with other vendors water blocks and parts, you'll want to buy the normal copper/nickel plated parts (but will spend more $$ overall).

In the end, water cooling generally will not get you any higher CPU or GPU overclocking than a quality air cooler will. However, you can get cooler temps at the same clocks and quieter operation (not always...there are some REALLY quiet air cooling options), especially if you are using blower style reference GPUs. If you are using blower style GPU's...this will also change where the heat exits your case and possibly keep it from blowing out the back onto your legs and instead exhaust out the top of the case.

Very good answer indeed. Only few little things. Custom loop usually will add a bit of overclocking headroom. but just a bit.
the more serious, is the radiator surface requirement. the rule of thumb works well for ~150w parts. those parts are easily 300+300+200watt under extreme load. 480mm surface is not enough especially if part of the radiators are mounted as exhaust. so for this system to be BOTH cool and somewhat quiet, a dual 360 or dual 280 (140mm fans) radiators would be required.

Thanks for your answer as well. I am actually not using front bays and was planning to get dual 360mm radiators for my custom water-cooling loop.

 

[n0ns3ns3]

Than it would be sufficient assuming your room temperature is below 35C.
If you do decide to go with custom loop, it's not that hard to make one. just follow included instructions to install the block, plan in advance how you connect the components/rout tubes, use flex tubes. you will have to get rid of the CLC as you need the space for the radiators, but the adding CPU is just the price of CPU block as you already buying other parts anyway. It will be about 700$ bill for the decent parts. it can go much higher depending on the individual parts and extras.
Though your legs feeling will not change that much as (almost) the same amount of heat will be dumped into the room anyway. The only change you might feel is a bit lower exhaust temperature.
If you want to go this rout, just ask for parts suggestion and a budget for the fun.

 

[Ramil Ahmadov]

Than it would be sufficient assuming your room temperature is below 35C.
If you do decide to go with custom loop, it's not that hard to make one. just follow included instructions to install the block, plan in advance how you connect the components/rout tubes, use flex tubes. you will have to get rid of the CLC as you need the space for the radiators, but the adding CPU is just the price of CPU block as you already buying other parts anyway. It will be about 700$ bill for the decent parts. it can go much higher depending on the individual parts and extras.
Though your legs feeling will not change that much as (almost) the same amount of heat will be dumped into the room anyway. The only change you might feel is a bit lower exhaust temperature.
If you want to go this rout, just ask for parts suggestion and a budget for the fun.

I have gone through EK's website and just agreed with the recommended components they offer for my system and got about 800£ bill. I think i'll just wait for now until new Coffee Lake CPUs are released. I am planning on buying a new case as mine is not in a great situation. Which case would you recommend for convenience and good airflow?

 

[n0ns3ns3]

EK is overrated and overpriced. Don't think I'd buy anything but GPU block from them today.
As for the case, depends on the budget and what you like (shape, color, material). on technical side, you need it to be able as much of the rads as possible.

 

[Ramil Ahmadov]

EK is overrated and overpriced. Don't think I'd buy anything but GPU block from them today.
As for the case, depends on the budget and what you like (shape, color, material). on technical side, you need it to be able as much of the rads as possible.

So what would you recommend instead of EK that is cheaper and is as convenient to perceive for a novice in this business as the EK's website is?
For case i want one that will have good airflow, but not really enormous. Material doesn't matter, would prefer something not really heavy. For design i really want it to have a glass side panel and preferably black or red/black coloured.

 

[n0ns3ns3]

radiator HWLabs GTS XFlow
CPU block - aquacomputer kryos cuplex next https://shop.aquacomputer.de/index.php?cPath=7_11_12_26...
GPU block - EK
pump - D5
pump top and res - singularity computers
https://www.singularitycomputers.com/product-category/w...
https://www.singularitycomputers.com/product-category/w...
https://www.singularitycomputers.com/shop/watercooling/...

 

[n0ns3ns3]

oooh ... forgot the case.
since you need a lot of radiators, Corsair 900D would be great.
Fractal Design Define S is a great case. though it has only 2x360 rad support.
it's hard to find a case that will support over 2x360 rad surface that is also compact.

 

[Ramil Ahmadov]

radiator HWLabs GTS XFlow
CPU block - aquacomputer kryos cuplex next https://shop.aquacomputer.de/index.php?cPath=7_11_12_26...
GPU block - EK
pump - D5
pump top and res - singularity computers
https://www.singularitycomputers.com/product-category/w...
https://www.singularitycomputers.com/product-category/w...
https://www.singularitycomputers.com/shop/watercooling/...

Thank you very much mate, for all the useful information you have provided me with!
I think i won't bother with all these components for now, as i believe it is too much for an amateur such as myself. Instead i found something that maybe useful when i was searching for a case. Please take a look at -
https://www.nzxt.com/products/kraken-g12-black
Do you think i can just buy 2 of this and 2 Kraken X42's and thus water-cool my GPUs?
Is it that easy and is it compatible with my GPU? I understand that it can possibly be a little bit worse than a custom water-cooling loop, but it would still be more than enough for me. Can you please clarify my doubts or correct if i made a mistake.
Also, the case wise, after a little bit more research i am left with 4 cases. Can you please recommend me which one should I go with according to their appropriateness to my system specifications and needs i have listed above?
So i am between 3 NZXT cases which all look great and similar.
https://www.nzxt.com/products/phantom-black
https://www.nzxt.com/products/phantom-530-black
https://www.nzxt.com/products/phantom-820-matte-black or https://www.alza.co.uk/nzxt-phantom-820-matte-black-d370720.htm?o=1
Phanteks
https://www.alza.co.uk/phanteks-enthoo-luxe-tempered-glass-black-d4616128.htm?o=1
or I will just leave my 780T
https://www.alza.co.uk/corsair-graphite-series-780t-black-d2146053.htm?o=2
I would be really grateful. Thank you!

 

[n0ns3ns3]

your case is better than any of those you listed. especially for watercooling.
the G12 + some CLC AiO will work if you have enough space. keep in mind that tubes and the bracket are more than 2 slots. you will still rely on fans to cool the VRM and RAM. and you don't have to use the overpriced Krappen for this. you can pic a much cheaper Arctic Liquid Freezer or even new EVGA ... After all they all made in the same factory http://www.asetek.com/desktop/do-it-yourself/
Personally, I wouldn't go the AiO route for those cards in SLI. it will cause too much clutter inside the case.

P.S.
those parts are not that complicated. it's like lego

 

[Ramil Ahmadov]

your case is better than any of those you listed. especially for watercooling.
the G12 + some CLC AiO will work if you have enough space. keep in mind that tubes and the bracket are more than 2 slots. you will still rely on fans to cool the VRM and RAM. and you don't have to use the overpriced Krappen for this. you can pic a much cheaper Arctic Liquid Freezer or even new EVGA ... After all they all made in the same factory http://www.asetek.com/desktop/do-it-yourself/
Personally, I wouldn't go the AiO route for those cards in SLI. it will cause too much clutter inside the case.

P.S.
those parts are not that complicated. it's like lego

Thanks mate. I will just stick with my case for now and won't bother with liquid cooling of my GPUs for now.

 

[n0ns3ns3]

"if it works, don't touch it" (c)

 

[Ramil Ahmadov]

"if it works, don't touch it" (c)

haha, true story. epic quote 😀
Can you, please, help me with my choice of soundbar/speakers? I am really thinking about Razer Leviathan 5.1(or maybe Logitech Z series), but i really have no idea. Is it good or are there any better 7.1 surround speakers that have Dolby Atmos enabled or something like that. Because i am planning to experience Dolby Atmos home theatre through Dolby access app. Do i need a soundcard as well? Can you please clarify if you are into these stuff? Any recommendations are highly appreciated.

 

[n0ns3ns3]

not my specialty, but dolby atmos requires a lot of hardware to work properly. it includes receiver and a lot of speakers.