First time water cooled build

[Rangoon]

It's time to give this a try. I am on the verge of finalizing my build. I am strongly considering two EVGA GTX 580 3GB with the Swiftech water blocks pre-installed.

I have many questions.

I have plenty of room and am not concerned with a tidy appearance because the computer will sit out of sight from where I sit.

1. Is it preferable for the radiators to sit OUTSIDE the case?

2. How many radiators should I have, if I have the two video cards (overclocked), plus an i5 2500K (overclocked), 2x4GB RAM (8GB), 1 SSD, 1 10,000RPM HDD, 1 7200RPM HDD.

3. Is it uncommon to be able to eliminate all case fans?

4. Should I/Can I expect to get blocks for all my drives? And my PSU?

5. What is an average cost for all of this? I get the impression it'll be around $500-$600?

6. What would be a good case for this? I would rather not have to modify the case, but if I have to and can get good guidance on tools/methods, that is okay.

7. What questions am I forgetting to ask?

Thanks!

 

[WoodButcher]

Read this, it will answer most of your questions. Afterward search this forum, XS, and any other you can find before you decide to go water. Do your homework first.

 

[Rangoon]

Read this, it will answer most of your questions.

Thanks, but I had already read that. I guess I will do more reading. aigomorla's guide is an incredible resource.

EDIT: Thanks for the reference to xtremesystems - I had forgotten about that place. Needless to say, I'm a bit nervous about it only in the sense that I hate to add another barrier to smooth computing. But I do love this hobby and that's the next frontier for me.

 

[aigomorla]

It's time to give this a try. I am on the verge of finalizing my build. I am strongly considering two EVGA GTX 580 3GB with the Swiftech water blocks pre-installed.

I have many questions.

I have plenty of room and am not concerned with a tidy appearance because the computer will sit out of sight from where I sit.

1. Is it preferable for the radiators to sit OUTSIDE the case?

2. How many radiators should I have, if I have the two video cards (overclocked), plus an i5 2500K (overclocked), 2x4GB RAM (8GB), 1 SSD, 1 10,000RPM HDD, 1 7200RPM HDD.

3. Is it uncommon to be able to eliminate all case fans?

4. Should I/Can I expect to get blocks for all my drives? And my PSU?

5. What is an average cost for all of this? I get the impression it'll be around $500-$600?

6. What would be a good case for this? I would rather not have to modify the case, but if I have to and can get good guidance on tools/methods, that is okay.

7. What questions am I forgetting to ask?

Thanks!

1. i think rads outside is ugly... in theory, it should be better as your getting cooler air, but the difference is so small, that the ugly aspect kills it.

2. heat estimates are best solved with math... Add up all the components TDP.. thats total power draw... and then divide it by 150.
That number will repesent how many radiators size in 120 x (x) you will need, while keeping 1 gpm flow rates.

3. no u cant not eliminate all case fans... things like hard drive still need some air though it.. also your motherboard does as well, unless its entirely under water. Ram will also need air cooling..

4. uhhhh Drive blocks and PSU watercooling is about pointless as RAM watercooling... a simple fan can do the job just as well. These arent highly heat sensitive items.

5. Did u read this?
http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2085713

6. Personally a BOX.. well, a Case labs box, a MM box... something with a lot of room because you will run out if you intend to stay in this hobby.

The other cases i like is probably a corsair 800D, and the fractile is also a good case.

7. NEVER RUSH! Take things slowly.. the first time you setup a water loop can take up to 14 hours! no joke!

Take it SLOW!!! once u get comfortable with watercooling, after you probably did 4-5 loops... then you realize you can setup faster.

But TAKE IT SLOW!, ask all questions even tho you think they are stupid.. because its best to get laughed at but educated, then cry over a costly mistake.

we wont laugh at you for any lc questions unless its a really stupid question like.. can i keep my betta/guppy inside the reservoir?

Then im gonna probably have to fish slap you with my keyboard.

 

[WoodButcher]

Thanks, but I had already read that. I guess I will do more reading. aigomorla's guide is an incredible resource.

EDIT: Thanks for the reference to xtremesystems - I had forgotten about that place. Needless to say, I'm a bit nervous about it only in the sense that I hate to add another barrier to smooth computing. But I do love this hobby and that's the next frontier for me.

You're welcome, T himself is a great resouce too but but don't tell him. His head will get all swelled up and then,,,, well,, it ain't pretty.:whiste:

 

[aigomorla]

careful with XS.... always get a triple answer to any question, because i bet you 75% of the time the first answer will be a grossly over estimate / bling related answer.

i am a active member there, but lately... man... i wish i was there when they passed out the good stuff to them, because some of the posts there make me want to cry.

Also you'll notice a lot of the guru's there lurk more then post... its gotten almost out of hand.

 

[Nemesis 1]

Thanks, but I had already read that. I guess I will do more reading. aigomorla's guide is an incredible resource.

EDIT: Thanks for the reference to xtremesystems - I had forgotten about that place. Needless to say, I'm a bit nervous about it only in the sense that I hate to add another barrier to smooth computing. But I do love this hobby and that's the next frontier for me.

Thats not a bad Idea to forget that place . Case in point . Go to XS liquid section . Find tthe Fans review . Of special note are the 2 Noctua fans tested read the results . Its laughable. If he had a bad fan he should not have included it in the review . The second fan comes out much better . But whats interesting is the Utube link . If thats testing for real world I will kiss your rear ,

1) If you fasten a fan within 3/8" of the Rad. Fins your an idiot. On top of that your cooling ability is dimished by around 30% and it will make alot of noise . Thats only hurting that company . Pure BS. The first GOOD product I have seen in years is the Aqua modular Rads. I like both the copper and Aluminium fin Set ups. Copper fin setup is beutiful . But what a pain to get at this time .We have 4 customers waiting because of availability. But I will try to talk them into IB . I will not use another rad unless its ours and frankly Aqua is better all around. I am not an Aqua fan But I like this product . I normally for the last 10 years have bought koolance even when it used aluminium rads. and blocks . We have spent around $30,000 with koolance over that period of time . They just do nice work.

XS liquid cooling section is full of sales reps. Money can lead to all sorts of problems when looking for the products you want . I seldom tell people what they should or shouldn't buy online its their choice.

Like me all our systems use Bsp1/4 stainless steal fittings with 37 degree flare and stainless tubing . Would I recommend you doing this . NO. Its our choice its what We WANT.

Again I referr back to XS liquid section . Gabe from switchtech shows testing between series and parallel loops . His conclusion is based on what gabe wants not reality. If you want redundency go series if you don't worry about jump going bad go parallel. I could go on and on about who says what and WHY. But I get to excited about whats really going on so I shy away from it . Theres a sucker born every second.

Another case in point at the forum mentioned is the Aqua modularity . The guys are arguing about who came up with what first . Oh! My god . Its a dam condenser design with a flow back tank rather than the utube return . These guys will never grow up and many say what they say because there pocket book gains or losses based on salesman ship . To build a water cooling system one only needs to understand flow and the engine that runs it . Now if ya care about looks than more skill is involved as what you do to gain that aspect you may restrict flow. I wonder how many know how they get the tubes tight against the fins for conduction . LOL . I will tell ya You slide the tubes threw the fins after you have the tubes and fins in order you take a steel ball that slightly larger than the inner tube dia. and force it threw under about 125psi air pressure. There you have it a good conducting round tube Rad. condenser set up .

So like anything on the net beware people want your $$$$$$. Were lucky here we have a good Mod. thats understand well the basic functions of a water cooled pc. But his dust management sucks. LOl.

 

[OVerLoRDI]

HAF 932 can fit a 3x120mm radiator and a 1x120/140mm radiator, which is enough cooling power for 2 video cards and CPU. I know, I did it

Corsair 800D is a great choice as well. That is what I currently have