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New Watercooling Project in Lian-Li PC-A71B

T

Tencntraze

Senior member
So for a long while I've wanted to attack a water cooling project, though I've never been able to. After reading all of the threads of Aigo getting people into this, and my desire to have a quieter (and more over-clockable) computer, I've decided to start planning out what I would do with my current setup. I tell myself that I won't be buying the parts soon since I've recently built an HTPC and bought some stereo equipment, but we'll see how long that lasts 😀

After reading through the newbie guide and looking at what other people have done with my case, I think that I have a general idea of what I want. The core of what this setup will be doing is cooling the CPU and NB; my CPU is currently O/C'd to 3.4GHz, and with the 8GB of RAM, the NB is also taking a beating, I'm sure. I also purchased an 4850x2 last week; does the 4870x2 water block fit this? Not sure it would since I think mine is longer.

My thoughts are to have the radiator on the top of the case (either a 2x120 or 3x120), though I guess I need to take into consideration whether I really want to cool the card or not. One option is to run the card in the same loop as the CPU/NB, at the end, but I'm sure that there will be a lot of heat added to this. Another option is to have a 1x120 radiator mounted on the back solely for the video card; if I did this, would I need a 3x120 still just for the CPU/NB?

I'm also fairly clueless as to the exact blocks to get, but I did see the new D-TEK FuZion v2 as well as a Swiftech MCW-NBMax block for the NB; should I be looking at different options? What about the radiator/pump for these options?
 
The 4850X2 puts out a good deal of heat, probably a couple hundred watts of heat. This itself requires at least a 120.2 radiator itself. Depending on which CPU you have (not stated in OP), then you have more head to contend with. Your best options are a single 120.3 (Fesser or Thermochill) or 2x 120.2 radiators. I doubt if any single fan radiator except MAYBE the Thermochill PA 160.1 could handle a 4850X2. I'm not sure if the 4870X2 block would fit a 4850X2, but you could wait to see if a 4850X2 block becomes available.

The Swiftech MCW-NBMAX is for Asus boards ONLY with the FUZION northbridge block. Otherwise you would need to get something like the Swiftech MCW-30.

The D-TEK FuZion v2 is a good block, as is the Swiftech Apogee GTZ.

Your two choices.:

Single Loop:
Res (such as the Swiftech MicroRes v2)
Pump (such as the Laing DDC-3.2 w/ top or Laing D5)
120.3 radiator (such as the Fesser or Thermochill)
CPU Block (Swiftech or D-Tek or such)
GPU Block
NB
Res

or Dual Loop:
Loop 1:
Res -> Pump -> Rad1 -> CPU -> NB -> Res
Loop 2:
Res -> Pump -> Rad2 -> GPU -> Res

Aigo will probably give some better advice.
 
Budget is a key thing that I knew I was supposed to mention but didn't 😱 Let's say $300-400, for the sake of argument; if I want to cut it down later, I can do so, but I would want to be able to reuse some of this equipment when I upgrade later (as applicable, and not counting the video block).

As I mentioned in the summary notes, it's a Q9450, so it puts out a decent bit of heat that needs to be removed. Since I lack the tools/skill to mod the top of my case, I'll need to buy a pre-made top to replace my current one. I could have sworn that I had seen a 120.3 top made somewhere, but all that I see offered is the 120.2, as seen here. Assuming that this is what I can get, this would make me use a 120.2 for the CPU/NB loop. What I have seen some people do is put a 120.2 towards the front of the case, underneath the 5.25" drive bays; I could certainly hook up a waterblock on the video card to that, should I so desire.
 
To cool the gpu also first I would recommend a dual loop system. With a single loop I would leave the NB on air, preferably an after market air cooler(s) gotta cool the v-regs as the cpu- gpu combination will put a strain on even the best rads and raise the cpu temps. Not good if your looking for overclocks, not so bad if quiet is your goal.
 
Originally posted by: Tencntraze
Yep, like those 😀 Does the setup change if I had a 120.3 vs 2 120.2's?
Click to expand...

the PA's have a larger fan spacing then the other rads do.

the old Fesser rads, usually the one's you see at a heavy discount also uses different fan mountings..

the new fesser rads, non discounted ones, and black ice series, as well as the MCR series will take that fan spacing WB listed..

You need dual loops if you want to grab GPU and your an overclocking junkie on the cpu.
If your after silence a large class radiator with low restriction setup would be ideal..

however looking at how you want water more, i think your in for the overclocking, so you should split the loop up because the cpu is temperature senstive.
 
Ok, so I've gone through and priced everything based on the recommendations (and I think I got all the tube sizing and same-metal issues down, though let me know if I goofed). For the moment I think I'll have my hands full just doing the CPU/NB combo with the 120.3 on the top, since I can always to the video card later, should I choose to do so.

LianLi Triple 120mm Fan Top
Fesser X-Changer Triple 120mm Xtreme Radiator
Swiftech MCRES-Micro Rev 2 Reservoir
Swiftech Apogee GTZ Extreme CPU Block
Swiftech MCW30 Chipset Block
Laing D5 Vario Pump
5ft 1/2" ID (3/4" OD) Tygon R-3603 Tubing

This totals just north of $400, which is up there, but like I said, I want as many parts as possible to transfer to future builds, so might as well not cheap out now. Any other comments on this? Should I use ties/clamps for these? What are the best fans for this radiator (and I would likely be getting a fan controller too).
 
Originally posted by: Tencntraze
Ok, so I've gone through and priced everything based on the recommendations (and I think I got all the tube sizing and same-metal issues down, though let me know if I goofed). For the moment I think I'll have my hands full just doing the CPU/NB combo with the 120.3 on the top, since I can always to the video card later, should I choose to do so.

LianLi Triple 120mm Fan Top
Fesser X-Changer Triple 120mm Xtreme Radiator
Swiftech MCRES-Micro Rev 2 Reservoir
Swiftech Apogee GTZ Extreme CPU Block
Swiftech MCW30 Chipset Block
Laing D5 Vario Pump
5ft 1/2" ID (3/4" OD) Tygon R-3603 Tubing

This totals just north of $400, which is up there, but like I said, I want as many parts as possible to transfer to future builds, so might as well not cheap out now. Any other comments on this? Should I use ties/clamps for these? What are the best fans for this radiator (and I would likely be getting a fan controller too).
Click to expand...

Haha. That looks exactly like the loop I just bought. I use worm-gear clamps (can be found at any Home Depot) and I use Yate Loon DS12H on a fan controller to around 7v or so. But you'd probably be better looking for fans with better static, such as the discontinued Zalman ZMF03
 
The more I toy with the idea, the more I want to add the 4850x2 in the loop with everything, using a 120.3 in addition to a 120.1. I see someone has done this here, and I like the idea of keeping everything in a single loop. The more I think about it, the more that I would enjoy a silent loop vs being able to squeeze out every last MHz from my CPU/GPU (though I do like the tweaking).

From what I see, it may not be worth getting the Fesser 120.3, in terms of price, vs the Black Ice GTX 120.3. What I'm thinking is that I'll do something similar to the loop mentioned in my link, perhaps with the Black Ice 120.3 and maybe the Fesser 120.1 or some other good 120.1 also in the loop. Are there different components I should be looking at? Can I get cheaper on this and still get good performance? I guess I could use a fan controller to keep the noise down if I want, and if I either want to O/C more, or it's hot in my room, I could turn them up.
 
Originally posted by: Tencntraze
Ok, so I've gone through and priced everything based on the recommendations (and I think I got all the tube sizing and same-metal issues down, though let me know if I goofed). For the moment I think I'll have my hands full just doing the CPU/NB combo with the 120.3 on the top, since I can always to the video card later, should I choose to do so.

LianLi Triple 120mm Fan Top
Fesser X-Changer Triple 120mm Xtreme Radiator
Swiftech MCRES-Micro Rev 2 Reservoir
Swiftech Apogee GTZ Extreme CPU Block
Swiftech MCW30 Chipset Block
Laing D5 Vario Pump
5ft 1/2" ID (3/4" OD) Tygon R-3603 Tubing

This totals just north of $400, which is up there, but like I said, I want as many parts as possible to transfer to future builds, so might as well not cheap out now. Any other comments on this? Should I use ties/clamps for these? What are the best fans for this radiator (and I would likely be getting a fan controller too).
Click to expand...

So you didn't want to have fun cutting holes in the top panel 🙂
http://i429.photobucket.com/al...wilson123/IMG_0886.jpg

To be honest it was a pita to cut the hole for the rad grille and took two days, so I understand why you ordered the replacement top panel.

 
there is no block for the HD4850x2.

serveral people was thinking about using ram sinks and also 2 mcw60's, but lets say i havent seen one watercooled yet, so you shouldnt attempt it yet.

The fesser will allow you to use quieter fans.

Since quiet is what your after, get the fesser. However the new xspc RX radiators are not a bad alternative.

The GTX will require high static fans for it to shine.

 
In my hidden link in my previous post, there was someone who used 2 MCW60s to cool his 4850x2, so that's the possibility that I was considering. What are the ideal fans for the fesser (or xspc RX); I see many people using Yate Loons. In my quick check, I didn't see many prices for the xspc, but it seems like they're cheaper than the fessers by a good bit.
 
I've been reading in some places that people are having QC issues with the XSPC rads, such as incorrect screw holes and such. I'm not in an immediate rush to buy, so I'm seeing how this plays out, and also keeping an eye on the Fessers.

With that being said, I have a couple questions. The first is, what is the purpose of a pump top? I've picked up a Laing D5 in F/S since I saw a good deal, but have been seeing mention of tops. Is it a safety precaution if something goes wrong?

My second question is, should I set up the 120.3 rad in a push/pull with 6 fans total, naturally with a fan controller to keep the speed down, or am I better with just 3 in a pull configuration?
 
A pump top improves performance and allows you to use barbs of your choosing, in the case of the 350 / 355 the top they have stock is 3/8' and a side inlet so the top for them was a big improvement. I haven't tried the 655 top or researched it so I can't say that it helps much.

Fans on rads,,,, in my opinion, push / pull is the best performance, one fan in push next, finally one fan in pull. If push or pull with one fan is the only consideration I think the fans pulling air through are more quiet and the performance is so very similar that whatever works / fits best for your build is the way to go. Using shrouds or spacers (dead fans w/ the guts removed) will improve performance and noise in all circumstances if you have the room.
 
So since I plan on using 1/2" barbs on everything, getting a top for this pump seems like a good idea. Do I need anything for the side inlet to get it to fit 1/2" ID tubing? On a related note, should I be using a slightly large ID tubing with clamps? I've seen people, including Aigo, say they use larger.

It seems like having push/pull will be a good idea, since I'll get more airflow with less RPM. Are shrouds on both sides of the rad a good idea, assuming I have room? If not, is there a particular side that would see more benefit than the other in having shrouds?
 
Originally posted by: Tencntraze
So since I plan on using 1/2" barbs on everything, getting a top for this pump seems like a good idea. Do I need anything for the side inlet to get it to fit 1/2" ID tubing? On a related note, should I be using a slightly large ID tubing with clamps? I've seen people, including Aigo, say they use larger.

It seems like having push/pull will be a good idea, since I'll get more airflow with less RPM. Are shrouds on both sides of the rad a good idea, assuming I have room? If not, is there a particular side that would see more benefit than the other in having shrouds?
Click to expand...

The D5 is 1/2" out the box, I don't know where you got the idea anyone recommends larger. Most often I direct people to get 7/16" Mastercleer for the price/ fit and ease of use. It is cheap enough so that you can buy way more than you need for the "oops factor" and changes, it fits the 1/2" barbs using only zip ties for clamping and is fairly easy you work with.

The fans and how you set them up shrouds or no, push or pull won't make that big a difference to concern yourself. Fitting in your case and having decent air around them is the most important factor. If you bottom mount as I have here and don't allow enough clearance the fans won't matter, at least an inch but more is better. If my bottom rad fans were blowing out the air would be obstructed by the surface beneath but because they are pulling in there is no problem.
 
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