Questions Regarding Watercooling Maximus V Formula, i7 3770k, and EVGA 680

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1

So, I bought my Maximus V Formula for many reasons; the killer looks, the 3-way SLI support (that I now know isn't good for Ivy Bridge), and the pre-built support for motherboard watercooling. Now, about a month and a half after my original build, I am looking to upgrade to watercooling (and cable sleeving, but that is less intesive or expensove; go MDPC-X!). To water cool, I will need to buy 2 water blocks - 1 for the i7 and one for the 680. I payed a premium for the motherboard, but when you average in the cost of a waterblock for a motherboard (about $100-130), the actual mobo was priced fairly. I really like EK products; they seem to make high quality products, and I personally like their designs, circles and all. So, for waterblocks, I was looking at these: the EK-FC680 GTX FTW Acetal + Nickel waterblock for my GTX 680 and the EK Supremacy Aectal + Nickel CPU waterblock for my i7 3770k. For the radiator, I am looking at the EK CoolStream XT 240mm, which would be paired with 4x Scythe Gentle Typhoon 120mm fans (any better ones, please recommend.) For the pump, I want something beefy, so I am considering the Phobya DC12-400 12V pump. For a reservoir, I want an internal one so that everythinc can be nicely contained. I am looking at the Bitspower Water Tank-Z 150mL tank. To bring everything together, I will be getting some Tygon R-3603 1/4" Laboratory tubing. I do not know exactly how much tubing I will need, but I will be doing everything in a full tower Fractal Design Define XL USB 3.0, so I assume that I will need around 20-30 feet(?). I want to keep with the red and black color scheme of the rest of my build, so the coolant will have to be red. I am considering using deionized water with a lot of red dye in it, but am worried about the thickness of the water; with lots of dye, would the water clog the pump? Here is my entire shopping cart: http://i.imgur.com/r1lKksc.png Are these parts worth it? I am very new to watercooling, and would like to get the most out of my hardware. Thank you for any advice you can give.

Cheers,

 

Brennan Riddell

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You can buy pre colored coolant, but clogging is not really a problem, EK waterblocks are very good, personely I would say they're the best. You should buy some bitspower fittings, (or monsoon).

Other then that your good to go

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25 feet of tubing for a 2 block system is a bit rediculous. Typically with a smaller loop like yours 10 feet would be plenty and you would still have enough to redo a mistake/short tubing in the run. Also duralene is a great tubing with no plasticizer effects. EK is alright for blocks I personally like Koolance CPU blocks and Heatkiller for the GPU. For red dye you should just buy some mayhems red and forget about buying distilled water and dying it.  Bitspower has some nice black compression fittings, I would wholeheartedly recommend compression fittings.

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What is the benefit of compression fittings?

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Easy to install, aesthetically pleasing, no need for clamps, much less likely to leak than barb/clamps, and they are probably one of the safest fittings for watercooling.