Water cooling system

Hardware Hub Cooling
1

Building a water cooling system (my first) so I need some assistance to ensure that my system will be adequate to cool an i5 that I'm hoping to overclock to 4.5ghz and a EVGA 780 (eventually.) This will all be housed in an HAF X or possibly an HAF XB,

Setup:

Pump: http://www.frozencpu.com/products/2128/ex-pmp-27/Swiftech_MCP655-B_12v_Water_Pump_w_38_Conversion_Kit_317_GPH.html

Waterblock: http://www.frozencpu.com/products/16546/ex-blc-1168/XSPC_RayStorm_High_Performance_Acetal_CPU_Liquid_Cooling_Block_-_Black_Edition_Intel_Sockets_LGA_115x_1366_2011.html

Radiator: http://www.frozencpu.com/products/14327/ex-rad-315/XSPC_EX240_Dual_120mm_Low_Profile_Split_Fin_Radiator.html?tl=g30c95s160#blank

Reservoir: http://www.frozencpu.com/products/13183/ex-res-282/Alphacool_Cape_Corp_Coolplex_Pro_10_LT_-_100mm.html?tl=g30c97

 

 I'm completely ignorant on the products for watercooling so all input is appreciated. I am unsure of what type of tubing or connections to purchase.

2

I would go for the Swiftech MCP655. I know it costs a lot more, but it'll be worth it in the long run. Linus refuses to use anything else, so you know its good.

3

Thank you greatly for your suggestion. At 50 dollars extra, I'm willing to pay the premium for something that could potentially be far superior in terms of quality since I plan on utilizing this water cooling system for many years.

4

Second it. Go with a laing D5 or swiftech MCP655. Personally, I own an xspc kit with the d5 and it works well. I heard some horror stories with the 750 pump, so I didn't want to get it

5

I was looking at the kit here: http://www.frozencpu.com/products/20835/ex-wat-263/XSPC_Raystorm_750_AX240_Universal_CPU_Water_Cooling_Kit_New_Rev_4_Pump_Included_w_Free_Dead-Water.html?tl=c683s2174b49

 

However like you I'm somewhat skeptical of a resevoir and pump in one. The good thing about those is that while the Coolermaster XB is spacious it would still be odd finding room for the cylindrical reservoir and pump so having a consolidated product would be wonderful. That being said, the two 5.25 openings available on the XB are at the bottom of the chassis and I'm not sure if that would cause any issues.

 

It would also require purchase of some compression fittings. I don't trust the barb fittings solo.

6

I would get this instead of the kit you linked:

http://www.frozencpu.com/products/20837/ex-wat-261/XSPC_Raystorm_AX240_Extreme_Universal_CPU_Water_Cooling_Kit_w_D5_Variant_Pump_Included_and_Free_Dead-Water.html?tl=g59c683s2174

I don't think it will be much of an issue other than it will look a little weird. You can also get the kit with a tube reservoir here:

http://www.frozencpu.com/products/21641/ex-wat-275/XSPC_Raystorm_AX240_Extreme_Universal_CPU_Water_Cooling_Kit_w_D5_Photon_and_Free_Dead-Water.html?tl=g59c683s2174

In terms of compression fittings, I believe any brand will do, although bitspower fittings are considered the best aesthetically. Make sure you get two or three angled fittings just in case you need them (you probably will). Also make sure you have a plan to drain the tube. I used a y splitter and a stop plug. 

Good luck

7

Thabk you for your input. Lastly how quiet would that kit be? I'm looking for nearly silent operation. I choose not to use the noctua heatsink because I hate having a large unsightly blob of metal sitting in the middle of my motherboard. 

8

Its damn near silent. Without headphones all I can hear are my fans (9 medium speed yate loons). This is with 3 290s maxed out mining or gaming. With headphones I can't hear anything. When you press your ear up against the front of the case, there is a slight humming from the pump. I will say, however that if you are planning to put a gpu in the loop in the future, I would recommend a 360mm radiator. While a 240 is feasible for a cpu and a gpu, you wont get nearly as much overclocking headroom. Will be fine for cpu only though

9

Well my ideal setup since I'm really wanting to go with the HAF XB is a 240MM radiator on the front, then after I install the system and save up some cash for another 120MM radiator to throw on the back of the chassis.

10

I have an MCP655-B on my own home PC. It's the same as the MCP655 only it doesn't have the speed control knob. Instead it just has a tachometer that gives the pump speed and it runs at about setting 4 of the MCP655. I've had this pump for almost 2 years now and it's completely silent. It also produces plenty of flow for all three of my radiators and three water blocks. I highly recommend it unless you really need speed control.

11

i have an alphacool version of the D5 with an EK pumptop+reservoir combo. it makes making things look good easier imo, but it does cost a bit more again.

rule of thumb is one 120 mm rad per cooled component, when using proper fans.

if you maintain your loop properly, tubing shouldn't matter, but if you want to reuse tubing with multiple loops, i would recommend "primochill primoflex advanced LRT". the diameter is just for looks when you choose 3/8" or larger as internal diameter. Since it's your first loop, i would recommend getting 10 feet so you have some spare if you cut a piece wrong.

as for fittings, i would recommend monsoon free centre fittings because they are very easy to tighten compared to similarly priced fittings, though bitspower fittings are the golden standard.

You might also want to add a kill coil or or anti corrosive / anti algae fluids.