WaterCooling Plan (No AIO)

I started since few days my water cooling project based on the existing configuration of the AlphaCool NexXxoS Cool Answer 240 DDC/XT45 kit you can find on link.

I picking up parts of this kit and changed some to others to suit better my needs, but will be close to that setup in scheme.

The main difference is that i will grab a 240 Rad 30mm thick sized instead of the 45mm thick mentioned in that roll-up water cooling kits review, mainly because my PC case will not provide the sufficient space once the 120mm fans (Swiftech Helix PWM) installed and i will be cooling only the CPU.

The 240 radiator will be a 16 to 20 Fins Per Inch (FPI) for medium speed airflow fans.

I can make a fake Push/Pull with that 30mm thick Radiator mounted as my PC case allows me to put two others fans extracting on top of the Rad without mounting them on it. That might help the lost of thickness of it!

Also the tubing will be transparent black.

Either, is strange they do not mention the optional backplate to fit the CPU waterblock...i might have to grab one. I know EK Waterblocks line do provide it, but not sure i'll go this brand.

The only thing i'm not sure about, is the Res Tank. I do not know yet if i'll grab a Bay Res 5,25" one or Tower one.

I've the place to put a mid-sized Res Tank Tower + Pump (which pump will be more powerful than the one seeing in the attachment pic for both Res Tanks) or make a free place for Bay Res 5,25". Let's say will grab something like a 10W pump.

As i've already ordered some of the parts...the full setup might start by the end of July/early August 2014 as i have to wait for some of the parts availability, hope that hot summer will last!!

Not in a hurry, its my first water cooling experience!!

I dunno; Ive personally never been a huge fan of water cooling; as it can take up a lot of space and you do have to have the right size tubing, etc for it and yes it can get a bit costly i would imagine; but thats not to say i wouldnt totally rule it out if i had the extra cash on hand. It is a interesting concept though in the way water cooling for a computer works with all the tubing, fans, etc. I wonder though realistically; which actually cools better in the long run; say like 4-6 case-supplied fans like what i have in my current case; or a cooling setup like that with radiator, etc.

Well, i've studying this setup deeply before buying the first parts. I can only tell by reviews and benchmarks actually, the parts that will be good for my actual desktop configuration. The way i decide to build my own is that what i do expect for a mid-range Water cooling system. I've got good result with my Air cooler but i'm also keen of that kind of method for cooling a CPU.

I've bought more than i need as for tubing and will surely not be caught on length!

Might the Pump being more powerful than the 10w i plan, but i'm still on expectation with that as i do not plan to Watercool the all motherboard, nor the GPU yet!! Got plenty of Fans already in my Rig.

I think it will cool better than an AIO and also better than Air Cooler, but this will depends of how powerful the fans will be and the outflow the Pump could provide. I'm on it!!

True is does involve some costly parts and the overall setup might end-up a bit priced compare to AIO, but it is made for lasting some years. Haswell Lga 1150 compatibility is taking as an account when choosing parts, so i do expect keeping this for a future upgrade.

I went also for a silver Nickel plated/Acetal Water Block for preventing oxidation and Corrosion inhibitor as for coolant.

Still haven't make up my mind for the Res Tank, though!

Im to scared to watercool

HLPTech said:

Im to scared to watercool

You do not need it...seeing your place "Rainy UK"
Remember that it is my first attemp!!

NoN said:

HLPTech said:

Im to scared to watercool

You do not need it...seeing your place "Rainy UK"
Remember that it is my first attemp!!

You have much bigger balls keys then me.

HLPTech said:

NoN said:

HLPTech said:

Im to scared to watercool

You do not need it...seeing your place "Rainy UK"
Remember that it is my first attemp!!

You have much bigger balls keys then me.

Damn caught on my backup card....!

Water cooling can be an easy and simple solution, it is just when your build your own one, things get more complicated as for choosing parts. That's why manies went for All in One (which i nearly decided to take) and made some enthusiastic about those. It is not sorcery! :)

This is going to be short, currently on my phone. I'll come back to this thread later tonight, once I am home. I just wanted to share my experience, I myself just recently put together my first custom water cooling loop. It was by far the best upgrade I could do for my computer. Even more so now that Summer is upon us here in Southern California.

Anyways, I put a larger loop together, then what you are planning, cooling both the CPU and the GPU (GTX 690) using two quad radiators. (480mm length, 64mm thick) Under load the CPU went from average ~80°c - ~90°c to average ~40°c - ~50°c. It has a real hard time cracking past 50°. While the GPU sits ~10° cooler then the CPU on average.

I'll share more on my setup little later. Good luck with your project!

Most of your time will be homework when making a water cooled system.
Checking reviews, watching youtube videos, researching different water cooling systems hardware.
Learning the proper way to fill a system, ect.

The next thing I recommend is making a drawing or two or three of the way you want to install the cooling system.
What will go where and how the tubing will be routed.
It's really not that hard to do. Take your time to install the cooling system. Little mistakes can turn into big mistakes.
I think you already new that. Common sense, good planning and taking your time to install the system and things will work just fine. Of course you will want everything to look neat and tidy.
The system in My System Specs was my first built water cooling system and I'm well pleased. I don't think I would ever go back to air cooling the cpu again on any new build.

Wish you well with your new water cooled system.

Thanks both for sharing experience and encouragement.

Yes, my loop is a simple loop customized for chilling the Cpu only. I made that choice on purpose because i perfectly know how tubings can be an hassle and not very nice looking if not done properly and as for a 1st mounting Exp, i do not want to overkill myself on something i'm not controlling yet.

I'm expecting good Temp results for this custom loop, also i was thinking if i ever want one day to chill the GPU , i have the sufficient place to put a dedicated custom 120mm radiator. That's what i try to figure with a Res Tank that can provide an entry more.

Some restrictions applies to me as I'm not in intend to change my PC Case for a while.