- Joined
- Jun 10, 2013
- Location
- Las Vegas
After reading countless forum posts, articles, etc., I have components lined up for my FIRST liquid cooling build. I appreciate ANY and ALL feedback, as I'm trying to be as explicit as possible with my components and methodology.
COMPUTER COMPONENTS:
First I'll list the computer components I am using for this Haswell build (components with a '*' indicate I have already purchased them):
Case: NZXT Phantom 630*
Mobo: Asus Maximus VI Z87 Hero
Memory: Corsair Vengeance Pro 16GB (2 x 8GB) 1866MHz (9-10-9 27)*
CPU: Intel 4770K 3.5GHz LGA 1150
SSD: Samsung 840 Pro 256GB*
PSU: Corsair AX850*
GPU: Nvidia 770 GTX (most likely ASUS Poseidon, or EVGA Classified HydroCopper if released for the 770)
PROPOSED LIQUID COOLING COMPONENTS:
I'll go into more detail as to why I chose these components later on, but want to list them up front so everyone can get a good feel:
Res: XSPC Nylon Dual Bay Res
Pump: XSPC D5 Vario*** It's actually the Res/Pump combo
Rad: XSPC EX360
Fans: 6 x GT AP-15s (push/pull on the rad)
CPU Block: XSPC Raystorm Intel
GPU Block: Hoping for factory installed block (see above)
Tubing: XSPC FLX Red UV Tubing 1/2" ID, 3/4" OD
Compression Fittings: XSPC G1/4 to 1/2"ID, 3/4"OD (using compression fittings for all of my connections)
Kill Coil: Silver KillCoil
Biocide: PT Nuke (a couple drops WITH the kill coil - it takes a few days for the kill coil to get it's ions rolling)
Quick Disconnects: 2 x Koolance QD4 Male, 2 x Koolance QD4 Female
Splitter: Bitspower Y-Block (optional, more on this later)
TIM: Prolimatech PK-1
LEDs: 2 x Twin 5mm LED Wire (Red), 3 x Twin 5mm LED Wire (UV)
Fluid: Distilled Water
SETUP / MATH:
I plan to liquid cool my CPU and GPU with this build. In addition, I will be mounting a 360mm radiator above my motherboard in the top of my case. I used the following numbers (on the conservative side, using data I found on various websites or forum posts) to calculate my DT for these components:
CPU - 120W Peak
GPU - 380W Peak
Total = 500W of heat I need to dissipate
Using the info for a XSPC RX360V2 from Skinnee (HERE), I calculated a DT of 8.45C with my pump at 1.5 GPM, fans @ 1800 RPM, 500W heat dissipation, and 3 fans in pull.
Extrapolating from Martins review of the XSPC EX360 (HERE), I was able to approximate the performance of the EX360 vs the RX360V2 for the given setup. End result is the EX360 is ~10% less efficient than the RX360V2 for said fan RPM (Martin's data is 3 fans in Push, so the difference in efficiency may actually be higher since Skinnee's data is 3 fans in pull).
Thus, I have a DT of 9.3C for 1.5 GPM, 1800 RPM fan speed, for 500W dissipation. Not the most solid math, but I used it to give me a ballpark. This falls within bounds for the 5-10C DT for a CPU, and 15-20C DT for a GPU. In addition, I plan to be using, at a minimum, 3 x GT AP-15s in Push, but most likely 6 x GT AP-15s in Push/Pull. I think the radiator will handle this brilliantly! I'll be tweaking fan speeds, of course, to optimize the fluid temperature for my setup.
I went with that radiator / res / cpu block selection because Gary at Sidewinder originally suggested it, and all of my research shows that the components perform to exceptional standards. Any suggestions on different components are welcome!
CASE / LOOP ORDER:
The NZXT Phantom 630 is a pretty sweet case. I plan to control the 6 x GT AP-15s with the built in fan controller (up to 10 fans, 30W, 3 settings), and I have a mediocre NZXT fan controller (5 fan input with temp monitoring) I'll use for my case fans.
The 630 has a 200mm intake fan on the front, a 200mm intake fan on the side panel, a 200mm exhaust fan on the top (which I'm removing in place of the GT AP-15s), and a 140mm exhaust fan on the back (I'll be turning this into an intake in an attempt to keep positive pressure in the case).
The following image is a basic layout of my fan direction and loop order:
This is my first hash at the loop order... suggestions welcome! It's not a very clean drawing (sorry!) but you can hopefully decipher what I'm getting at. There are lots of discussions as to what order the components should be in (water reaching equilibrium, being cooled prior to components, etc.) so I'd appreciate some feedback to try and optimize this setup (a fairly common one, I know!).
I went with the EX360 because I only have 50mm clearance between the top of the case and the mobo. The EX360 + GT AP-15 fan puts me at ~55mm, which is acceptable and shouldn't get in the way of my memory.
QDs / Y-Splitter:
I thought it would be fun to play around with some QDs and potentially a Y-splitter for easier drainage. My current idea is to put the QD (or Y splitter with a QD attached) on the part of the line going from the GPU to the Rad.
With this proposed setup in my figure above, I could disconnect this part of the tubing, and be able to drain from both the male and female side of the QDs since I have an extra pair (which will each be independently attached to tubing). Placing it at this part of the loop allows me to move the tubing (after disconnecting) below the GPU and let gravity (with some potential assistance from the pump) help me drain the loop. I haven't decided if it's worth it to include a Y-splitter with this specific setup if I plan to buy 2 sets of QDs (I know, $$$$).
I understand the potential hazards with QDs (the QD4s have SOME liquid release, similar to the VLN4s Skinnee tested), and would take the appropriate precautions.
I just think it would be fun to screw around with! QD placement would potentially change if I alter the loop order, of course
Wrap-Up:
I think I have a decent build in the works! I would appreciate any constructive comments about the components, loop, options, etc. I don't feel I'm over-complicating anything - it should come together nicely.
I'm not planning to overclock my CPU anything more than ~4.6GHz, and the GPU will probably be limited by temperature with Nvidia's software. No need for liquid nitrogen this time!
COMPUTER COMPONENTS:
First I'll list the computer components I am using for this Haswell build (components with a '*' indicate I have already purchased them):
Case: NZXT Phantom 630*
Mobo: Asus Maximus VI Z87 Hero
Memory: Corsair Vengeance Pro 16GB (2 x 8GB) 1866MHz (9-10-9 27)*
CPU: Intel 4770K 3.5GHz LGA 1150
SSD: Samsung 840 Pro 256GB*
PSU: Corsair AX850*
GPU: Nvidia 770 GTX (most likely ASUS Poseidon, or EVGA Classified HydroCopper if released for the 770)
PROPOSED LIQUID COOLING COMPONENTS:
I'll go into more detail as to why I chose these components later on, but want to list them up front so everyone can get a good feel:
Res: XSPC Nylon Dual Bay Res
Pump: XSPC D5 Vario*** It's actually the Res/Pump combo
Rad: XSPC EX360
Fans: 6 x GT AP-15s (push/pull on the rad)
CPU Block: XSPC Raystorm Intel
GPU Block: Hoping for factory installed block (see above)
Tubing: XSPC FLX Red UV Tubing 1/2" ID, 3/4" OD
Compression Fittings: XSPC G1/4 to 1/2"ID, 3/4"OD (using compression fittings for all of my connections)
Kill Coil: Silver KillCoil
Biocide: PT Nuke (a couple drops WITH the kill coil - it takes a few days for the kill coil to get it's ions rolling)
Quick Disconnects: 2 x Koolance QD4 Male, 2 x Koolance QD4 Female
Splitter: Bitspower Y-Block (optional, more on this later)
TIM: Prolimatech PK-1
LEDs: 2 x Twin 5mm LED Wire (Red), 3 x Twin 5mm LED Wire (UV)
Fluid: Distilled Water
SETUP / MATH:
I plan to liquid cool my CPU and GPU with this build. In addition, I will be mounting a 360mm radiator above my motherboard in the top of my case. I used the following numbers (on the conservative side, using data I found on various websites or forum posts) to calculate my DT for these components:
CPU - 120W Peak
GPU - 380W Peak
Total = 500W of heat I need to dissipate
Using the info for a XSPC RX360V2 from Skinnee (HERE), I calculated a DT of 8.45C with my pump at 1.5 GPM, fans @ 1800 RPM, 500W heat dissipation, and 3 fans in pull.
Extrapolating from Martins review of the XSPC EX360 (HERE), I was able to approximate the performance of the EX360 vs the RX360V2 for the given setup. End result is the EX360 is ~10% less efficient than the RX360V2 for said fan RPM (Martin's data is 3 fans in Push, so the difference in efficiency may actually be higher since Skinnee's data is 3 fans in pull).
Thus, I have a DT of 9.3C for 1.5 GPM, 1800 RPM fan speed, for 500W dissipation. Not the most solid math, but I used it to give me a ballpark. This falls within bounds for the 5-10C DT for a CPU, and 15-20C DT for a GPU. In addition, I plan to be using, at a minimum, 3 x GT AP-15s in Push, but most likely 6 x GT AP-15s in Push/Pull. I think the radiator will handle this brilliantly! I'll be tweaking fan speeds, of course, to optimize the fluid temperature for my setup.
I went with that radiator / res / cpu block selection because Gary at Sidewinder originally suggested it, and all of my research shows that the components perform to exceptional standards. Any suggestions on different components are welcome!
CASE / LOOP ORDER:
The NZXT Phantom 630 is a pretty sweet case. I plan to control the 6 x GT AP-15s with the built in fan controller (up to 10 fans, 30W, 3 settings), and I have a mediocre NZXT fan controller (5 fan input with temp monitoring) I'll use for my case fans.
The 630 has a 200mm intake fan on the front, a 200mm intake fan on the side panel, a 200mm exhaust fan on the top (which I'm removing in place of the GT AP-15s), and a 140mm exhaust fan on the back (I'll be turning this into an intake in an attempt to keep positive pressure in the case).
The following image is a basic layout of my fan direction and loop order:
This is my first hash at the loop order... suggestions welcome! It's not a very clean drawing (sorry!) but you can hopefully decipher what I'm getting at. There are lots of discussions as to what order the components should be in (water reaching equilibrium, being cooled prior to components, etc.) so I'd appreciate some feedback to try and optimize this setup (a fairly common one, I know!).
I went with the EX360 because I only have 50mm clearance between the top of the case and the mobo. The EX360 + GT AP-15 fan puts me at ~55mm, which is acceptable and shouldn't get in the way of my memory.
QDs / Y-Splitter:
I thought it would be fun to play around with some QDs and potentially a Y-splitter for easier drainage. My current idea is to put the QD (or Y splitter with a QD attached) on the part of the line going from the GPU to the Rad.
With this proposed setup in my figure above, I could disconnect this part of the tubing, and be able to drain from both the male and female side of the QDs since I have an extra pair (which will each be independently attached to tubing). Placing it at this part of the loop allows me to move the tubing (after disconnecting) below the GPU and let gravity (with some potential assistance from the pump) help me drain the loop. I haven't decided if it's worth it to include a Y-splitter with this specific setup if I plan to buy 2 sets of QDs (I know, $$$$).
I understand the potential hazards with QDs (the QD4s have SOME liquid release, similar to the VLN4s Skinnee tested), and would take the appropriate precautions.
I just think it would be fun to screw around with! QD placement would potentially change if I alter the loop order, of course
Wrap-Up:
I think I have a decent build in the works! I would appreciate any constructive comments about the components, loop, options, etc. I don't feel I'm over-complicating anything - it should come together nicely.
I'm not planning to overclock my CPU anything more than ~4.6GHz, and the GPU will probably be limited by temperature with Nvidia's software. No need for liquid nitrogen this time!
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