Water cooling for gpu/cpu

[Stiakas]

Hey guys,
The last couple of weeks I am thinking about getting a custom water loop for my system.I did some research and I read the sticky on this site about watercooling.I searched for all the components (rad/pump/res/tubes/fitting etc) but I find it easier to get a kit since it comes straight from a single company and all the components are compatible.I really like the XSPC RayStorm Pro Ion AX280 Kit.
This kit gives me a 280mm radiator which fits on the top of my case and has a res/pump combo with 420 lph(1.85 gpm) and a coolant capacity of 84ml.My cpu is an i5 4570k.For now I will use the watercooling for my cpu only but later on after I upgrade my r9 280x,I will propably watercool my gpu aswell.The question I have is that kit gonna be enough or will I need a larger radiator and maybe a stronger pump/larger res?From what I've read the 280mm radiator is gonna be okay but I haven't seen any benchmarks with temps with a 280 rad for both a cpu/gpu.Do you have a similar experience with that kit or a similar one?
PS:This kit costs 255 euros in my country

 

[n0ns3ns3]

I don't like this kit because of the pump. IMHO, if it's not DDC or D5 - it's not worth it.
for a loop with both CPU and GPU and probably a couple of rads, you are going to need one of the above.
You don't want to put CPU and GPU on single 280mm rad. it will work, but will be noisy at least. I'd not recommend less than 2x 240/280 rads.
I understand that kit is more convenient, but it's also gives you less. It's not that complicated. Just make sure all components (block, rads, tops, fittings, adapters) come with G1/4.
the only "tricky" thing is matching fittings with tubes, and even this is pretty simple.

If you want, I can assist you making a list of components for a liquid loop.

 

[Stiakas]

EDIT:Ι I forgot to mention that I can go up to 300 euros.
If you're willing to give me a list with the parts that you suggest that is gonna be great.I read what you said about the pump aswell.Preferably I would like a res/pump combo since it's more convient but if there is not a combo good a enough to support a gpu in the future then I am willing to wait a month or two to rise my budget a little bit if getting different pump and res it's gonna give me more space to work with in the future.The 280mm rad is gonna go on the top of my case but it has to be a 30mm thick rad since it can't fit a larger one.Now when I am going to watercool my gpu aswell I can take of the driver cages from the front of the case and with some modifications I can fit a 240mm rad as well as a 140mm on the back.For now though I am more considered about the cpu cooling only since I am not going to be upgrading my gpu for atleast 6 months so the gpu cooling will come later on.
PS:Thank you about the help in advance
PS2;Your build really looks sick bro keep it up

 

[n0ns3ns3]

Couple of clarifications:
1. I hope you understand that i5 does not NEED liquid cooling and there will be no practical overclocking difference over good air cooler in 50-70euro range.
2. My approach is practical and versatile (can be reused in different build) comes first. If you prefer the "look" first, let me know.

So let's start with easy part, the radiator. I really prefer XFlow rads due to their lower flow restriction and more important less tubing clutter and easier drain and fill. I'd recommend alphacool nexxxos ST30 https://www.alphacool.com/shop/radiators/active-radiators/21147/alphacool-nexxxos-st30-full-copper-x-flow-280mm-radiator?c=20545
It is slimmer (144mm wide) than most rads out there and hence leave more clearance for MB and RAM. It also has ports on both sides which allows to "flip" it to have ports exactly where you need them. More over, I use one of them as a fill port. Had to create a small hole on the top of my case, but it's much more convenient than filling through the res.
I also like the HWLabs Black Ice nemesis rads. they have incredible finish and perform very well.

CPU block. If I were to chose today, I'd pick this https://shop.aquacomputer.de/product_info.php?products_id=3561 they also have much cheaper versions for example without vario or without vision like this one https://shop.aquacomputer.de/product_info.php?products_id=3528.
unfortunately, I have not seen that they sell retention plate separately. That might lead to problem when you upgrade to the next CPU if the socket is different.
On the other hand, there is excellent (though a bit boring) EK Supremacy EVO that has spare parts and comes with some to adjust the block to perform in it's best on particular CPUs. they call it inserts and jet plates.

The tubing. for a beginner, i'd recommend to start with flex tubes. This would do the job https://www.ekwb.com/shop/ek-duraclear-9-5-12-7mm
Fittings - compression fittings 10/13. Pick your color and style from EK, Alphacool, Bitspower. you need 6 of them.
in addition, It is recommended to have a ball valve and T adapter for the draining. not must, but really useful. you will need another barb fitting to connect tube to it when you draining.

now to the most complicated part, the pump.
I like the D5 due to many reasons. they come as a separate (motor only) or a combo with top or res. the main two variances are Vario (manual speed adjustment) or PWM. I like the manual, but up to you what you prefer.
you can get a combo like this https://www.ekwb.com/shop/ek-xres-140-revo-d5-pwm-incl-sl-pump
for versatility, you can get motor only from any brand (they are practically the same) and this top: https://www.singularitycomputers.com/shop/watercooling/protium-d5-pump-top-frosted-acrylic/ it has different colors and allows both direct tube res attachment or separate like mine. I wish it would be available when i built my system.

Coolant, start with distilled water.

The above fits 300-350 euro budget depending on your parts selection.

Let me know what you think. Can link you a couple of shops in DE and UK.

 

[Stiakas]

I searched for your suggestions in local shops and didn't find any Xflaw radiators from alphacool I even barely found any products of alphacool so maybe I have to go with a another radiator.As for the cpu block for aqua computer I found the AQUA COMPUTER CUPLEX KRYOS XT which states it's for 2011 and 2011-3 sockets only.What I was able to find in Greece was the pump/res,tubing,water and fittings aswell.The companies that have big parts of their products especially for rads and cpu blocks are EKWB and Watercool so more likely I will have to go with EK or Watercool for rad and block

 

[n0ns3ns3]

you can always order the parts.
I live in middle east and ordered everything online. There are quite a few shops doing international shipping especially to greece.

 

[Stiakas]

Yes I know that I can order pretty much anything since I can get them from UK or Germany but if any problem comes and I still have the warranty it is gonna get weeks for a replacement and I don't want that.If the shop is in greece and then I can have a replacement withing days.What about the Aqua computer airplex radical 2 aluminum for radiator and the EK supermancy EVO acetla+nickel?

 

[n0ns3ns3]

the later is good. I'm using the clear version.
the aluminum anything is out of your list. worst thing to have in a loop is aluminum. it reacts very aggressively with other metals. especially copper. and you want copper/brass in blocks, radiators and fittings.
regarding warranty. the only thing that can die is pump. I mentioned D5 because I've never heard of one dying. those pumps were initially designed for medical research labs and accidentally brought into computer world. You need to be special to break one It either works or not.
Search Youtube for dazmod. That guy has a computer shop for modding and liquid cooling in Canada. in some episode this guy talks about reliability of the pumps. just don't make pumps run dry, use decent PSU and you are covered.
Other parts of the loop are not mechanical. The only thing that can happen to them is aggressive chemicals in liquid that will dissolve o-rings. just don't get adventurous with coolants and don't try to use things like car's anti-freeze. Stick to distilled water and optionally additives for color from mayhem. Don't try to go cheap on fittings from unknown brands (they might be of unknown quality). And you are fine. My first loop forked for ~10 years and was replaced because i wanted new one. the parts in the original loop are still fully operational.
So there is nothing wrong in buying EK pump/res combo. It is fine, just not flexible. on the other hand it will cost you a bit more (Singularity computers pump + top + res + mounting = ~200euro vs EK pump res combo ~150euro)
eventually, it's up to you. I'd get parts that suit my needs over some mystical warranty for piece of metal that is block or radiator.

P.S.
forgot to say that eventually you are going to need fans. Noctua NF-A14 industrialPPC. though I personally prefer NF-F12 due to focused flow. unfortunately, not available in 140mm.

P.P.S.
are you sure you want 280 rad ? you might have compatibility issues with the next case or even clearance issues for components with existing ones.

 

[Stiakas]

okay so if the warranty isn't that much important I guess I can a bit more research and then decide with what I want to go.For fans I already have NF-F12 on the top my case so I am just gonna put the radiator on top and the fans on push.Now that you mentioned it I realised that my fans are 120mm and not 140mm so I guess I will have to go with 240mm radiator

 

[n0ns3ns3]

keep posting on the progress

 

[Stiakas]

Thanks a lot man I hope it works out as I hope to

 

[n0ns3ns3]

you are welcome.
Feel free to ask questions. it might save you time and money