watercooling questions from a newb

[ThatAfricanDude]

so the questions im going to ask are probably pretty stupid but oh well

i want to liquid cool a r9 290x (reference card) but on its own loop (the nh-d15 works just fine for the cpu) since money is a rather huge factor since i dont have too much of it, heres the questions

does the pump have to be a certain strength or would any pump+res combo be enough to push coolant through a single gpu with a lets say 240mm rad?

cant i just use 100% anti freeze/the coolant mixtures they use in cars/motorcycles and so on, its pretty inexpensive and there is mixtures that comes in different colours?

thanks for any tips and feedback

 

[Bossyfins]

I'd look for a full cover block first. A 120mm rad should be fine for a single 290x, but a 240 rad will be pretty OP.

You can get a cheap DDC w/ res combo at like performance PCs and EK.

I'd say no to the mixture of coolants and using anti freeze in general. You can use Distilled water.

 

[maddogfargo]

You could also look at the NZXT G10 bracket that lets you put *SOME* ( Check for compatability so you know what to buy! ) CPU liquid coolers on the GPU.

Make sure you cool the RAM and VRM well though, adding larger aftermarket sinks to them if possible.

But this way, you don't need to build a whole loop just for the GPU. You're basically doing what AMD and nVidia did for the R9 295x2, FuryX and the Evga 980 Hybrid.

 

[ThatAfricanDude]

change of plans then, i work with the blower volcano tornado untill i have saved enough money to build me a full loop? also why cant i just use antifreeze? wouldnt it be a good coolant? also i might just slap a aio on the gpu and a nice air cooler for the cpu, since water cooling is so damn expensive

 

[ThatAfricanDude]

You could also look at the NZXT G10 bracket that lets you put *SOME* ( Check for compatability so you know what to buy! ) CPU liquid coolers on the GPU.

Make sure you cool the RAM and VRM well though, adding larger aftermarket sinks to them if possible.

But this way, you don't need to build a whole loop just for the GPU. You're basically doing what AMD and nVidia did for the R9 295x2, FuryX and the Evga 980 Hybrid.

i know, thats what i was pitching for, my cpu doesnt need cooling, just my gpu, and it would look amazing if its well executed in my case (phanteks entoo evolv)

 

[Bossyfins]

Because most antifreeze actually cause algae growth etc. If you look at Linus's attempt and whole room water cooling, you can see the multiple issues when using antifreeze.

 

[ThatAfricanDude]

thanks, yeah i now thought of that, i think ill just use distilled water with a silver coil and a couple drops concentrated biocide