Water Cooling Loop - RV02

Hardware Hub Cooling
1

Hi All,

Ever since I first started building PCs I have always prefered performance over function and noise. Getting older, howerver, presents a new unique perspective where new and unexpected things annoy you easily.
Since I am beginning to be annoyed by the noise the Desktop produces I am considering replacing all of the cooling and PSU with something better.
I am happy with the performance, but the noise.. the noise is killing me.

PC relevant hardware list:
Intel 3770K [email protected] currently
EVGA 980Ti SuperClocked@1450 Core with power modded bios.

The case is(and going to be until the platstic falls apart!): Silverstone Raven 02

The case comes stock with 3 180mm FANS, which are currently replaced with some 120mm Noctua fans.

Effectively what I have to work with is roughly 195x600mm base and a single 120x120mm slot on the top. Radiator + Fans bottom should not be taller than 65mm. There is plenty of headroom.

So with these measurements in mind, I have formulated a plan:

Needed:
1. Get a big ass radiator(like 540x180mm), with a possible backup of a fat 120x120mm, if there is not enough dissipation capacity.
2. Get quiet 180x180mm FAN that sping real slow.
3. Waterblock for CPU
4. Waterblock for GPU
5. New PSU, as the one I have is noisy at all power levels.
6. Somehow mount/hide the pump+waterblock assembly where the 3.5inch drivers would go, as I have 0 of them occupied.
7. Drill a hole on top of the case and install a fitting for easy filling of the system.
8. Drill a hole on bottom right corner of the case for easy flushing onf the system.
9. Fan/Pump controll open to suggestions. Currently 4 fans are contolled by a Scythe thingie with temp sensors(but no auto controll).
Optional:
10. Replace side panel with a new plexiglass or tempered glass piece, as this one has scratches from previous owner of the case
11. Somehow refurbish or re-pain the top plastic(power buttons etc)
12. Re-paint case(eventually).

So following this easy 12 step program(pun intended) I came up with the following parts list:

  1. EK 540 Radiator
  2. Phobia 180mm 700RPM Fan
  3. Alphacool XP3 CPU Block
  4. Alphacool 980Ti GPU Block
  5. Corsair RM750x

Still wondering about soft vs. hard tubing and its size (inner / outer diameter). Larger means more flow, but also more liquid for the pump to push. Also not sure what the difference is between the different fin layouts.

Some other ideas would be to mount a reservoir flat in the top 3.5 inch slot and have the pump lower, so it can be cooled by fan on the bottom.

As always any suggestions and feedback is appreciated.

2

Raven 02 OuO I always did like that case. Water cooling sounds hard to manage but a fun challenge nonetheless.

Will want pictures :3

3

At this point I am postponing the water-cooling build in order to waif for Ryzen. Furthermore I have discovered that I need the O1 version of the GPU water-block which is pretty hard to obtain. I can start with a single DDC Pump and double it if needed.

Something else interesting is that Alphacool have started selling AiO kits for GPUs and CPUs respectively, which can be connected together. The kits include quick disconnect fittings and multiple radiators. The cost reduction is significant. Regretfully the GPU kit only fits 10xx series nVidia GPUs at the moment, however that might change.

So it is wiser to wait. At this point I have invested in the some Arctic Silver MX-2 paste, a 140mm fractal fan(to replace the one on the PSU) and 3 180mm Phobia fans for the bottom of the case to improve the fresh air in-take.

I also have a bunch of Noctua fans, so I am hoping that replacing all the thermal paste and using fans with a noise level of 21dB or less should improve things for the short term.

4

You seem to have it figured out pretty well I would suggest the thickest radiator you can fit so you have the max surface area but I've gotten away with a 30mm 360 radiator w/ 290x and 8350.

Also once you get quite enough you'll start hearing little vibrations so youll need to secure and isolate anything that can make noise.

As far as tubing goes hardline isn't that difficult but in comparison soft tubing is easy as hell. Its all personal preference. For size i dont think you need to larger than 3/8 id.

5

I am really hoping I can fit a 540x180mm one. They do not seem to make them ticker than 35mm as far as I can find any. The top slot can hold the thickest 120mm I can find, as there will be no CPU block to obstruct anything.

EK CoolStream WE 540
Magicool 540 Slim

The EK one is 500g heavier due to different fin design taken.

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6

I think either one will be more than enough for your setup

7

Mmm yes, after 3 weeks of waiting for parts, finally some have arrived.

Some of the tweaks are complete:
* Added a 540x120 filter to the bottom of the case
* Replaced the puny Noctua fans with the 180 Phobia @700RPM
* Replaced power supply FAN with a Fractal 140mm @700RPM
* cleaned all the things
* covered all non-filtered openings with black electrical tape
* Replaced all thermal paste with AC MX-2

All the fans have an estimated noise level of less than 21dB, so not very audible, while maintaining good airflow.

The only thing that I am wondering is, if I should turn the CPU tower cooler 90 degrees so it exhausts via PSU fan rather than top fan, since GPU is blowing towards CPU.

DSC_0560.jpg1541x1025 974 KB

Now that Ryzen has launched, I will be in stand-by mode until reviews, more motherboards and availability is known.

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