WorkLog: Custom Water Cooling Aorus Z370

[lane42]

Pics pics
Wana see the p5 case.

 

[crashtech]

Pics pics
Wana see the p5 case.

Sorry for the delay. Keep in mind that the P5 has options that I don't use, most significantly to mount the GPUs vertically using an included PCI-e extension and bracket, and standoffs on each corner that act as brackets for an included piece of clear Plexiglas that, when used, makes up one entire side of the "case." The plexi can also be optionally upgraded to tempered glass. Since I'm 99% about funtionality, I didn't care too much about the options.

Someday I will get a block that covers the VRMs and be rid of my kludge fan in the corner there...

 

[StefanR5R]

I like kludge fans. :-) I believe they are quite necessary in watercooled PCs and open frame PCs (as opposed to high-airflow closed case PCs).

Hmm, thinking out loud: If you go with VRM waterblocks, there may still be other components which would appreciate a mild but forced air flow. Though maybe an open frame like yours is less problematic in this regard than typical closed cases.

I am noticing that you chose the order and orientation of waterloop components well, from what I understood:

• Pump's inlet is directly connected with the reservoir (obviously, as it is a combo), such that the danger that the pump pulls air instead of water is minimized.
• Directly upstream from the pump (and res) is a radiator, not a waterblock. That way, the pump receives water with lower temperature, which should be good for longevity of the pump. (A minor point though, since in a loop with sufficient flow rate, temperatures of the water should not differ much between the various locations. Besides, the D5 pump and derivatives are AFAIK pumps for cooling systems to begin with, not repurposed aquarium pumps.)
• Outlets of the CPU waterblock and of the radiator, respectively, are oriented to the top. This way it is easier to avoid trapped air in them.

Critical minds may notice that you don't have a drain port in the loop. (I don't have drain ports in any of my watercooled PCs either.) My opinion: a) In PCs which aren't built for show, it's easy enough to use any of the fittings, or the reservoir, to drain the loop. b) If you don't mix garbage into the water, you very very rarely need to drain the loop. Some say once per year, I say once in years.

 

[lane42]

Nice...….
Iam guessing it would be pretty easy to add a watercooled gpu or two
down the road.