Water Cooling a NZXT Phantom Build

[Sabr_Cruise]

Hello, I have been running my system on a simple air cooler for the last year and have been tossing around the idea of setting up a water cooler for a while. My recent temps are just not what I want and so I am getting serious about it now. I have never set up a water cooled system before and I have no clue where to start. My system has the following hardware:

-Intel i7-3930k @3.2GHz
-ASUS ROG Rampage IV Extreme MoBo
-4x 8GB Corsair Vengance DDR3 1600MHz (32GB)
-EVGA GTX 560Ti @ stock
-OCZ 700SXS 700W PSU
-Samsung 830 Series 128GB SSD Desktop Kit
-2x Seagate Barracuda 750GB
-Seagate Momentus XT 500GB
Case
-NZXT Phantom
Current Cooler
-Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo

Any tips or ideas would be great, Thanks in advance.
Oh, and I will only be cooling my CPU for now but I want the ability to expand to my GPU in the future. Also Under $300 USD is my goal. Thanks again.

 

[Conumdrum]

I'll give you two links. The first is a pep talk and what many successful new builders have used here. Look at the thanks on the post.

http://www.overclockers.com/forums/showpost.php?p=6489396&postcount=3

Second post is a link to the big YELLOW stickies link you saw when you went to this forum the first time.

http://www.overclockers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=628092

Good luck, in a few weeks you'll be ready to build a WC rig. You can post a noob parts list and ask questions. Right now you'd just be wasting your time and our time. WC isn't hard, it's different and you gotta know the basics.

 

[Sabr_Cruise]

Thanks a lot. I will read through this and post more questions when I have them.

 

[GTXJackBauer]

Thanks a lot. I will read through this and post more questions when I have them.

Sounds like a plane Sabr and welcome to OCF!

 

[Sabr_Cruise]

Ok, I think I have a grasp of the basics. Being a beginner I was thinking of starting with a kit. FrozenCPU has a few that I was interested in and I was wondering which would be better.
The first one is:
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/2...cluded_and_Free_Dead-Water.html?tl=g30c83s137
And the second is:
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/1..._Twin_D5_w_Free_Dead-Water.html?tl=g30c83s137
Or finally:
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/1...cluded_and_Free_Dead-Water.html?tl=g30c83s137

There are of course others that they have but these all had D5 variant pumps and large radiators. Any feedback about these would be great, or if I would be better off buying the components separately let me know. As I mentioned I am only planning on getting a CPU block for now but I want enough radiator to expand to a GPU block eventually.

Also anyone know if there is any need to get a block for the NB/SB on this board?

Another random question: is anyone familiar with the power draw of these pumps? Would my 700w PSU be enough?

And finally: Has anyone here put a radiator like this inside a NZXT Phantom? The specs say it is made for one but I have not run across anyone that has actually done it.

Thanks again, sorry for my extreme newbishness

 

[GTXJackBauer]

Read the stickies Sabr and figure out how much heatload you will have and how much you WILL have once you purchase the GPU. What Delta-Temps are you aiming for? Do you want this rig silent on load or noisy?

Most of the things are answered in the Yellow Stickies and the use of google would answer a few questions. Take your time and read more. Don't rush it as you want get the gist of the basics.

 

[Conumdrum]

Meaning a week or more to learn.

 

[Sabr_Cruise]

Ok, based on what I can find the usage of my CPU ranges from 130-500+ watts when oc'd and benching. The GPU I am looking at would be in the 100-350w range. I doubt that I will oc my CPU very heavily at first and will never try to bench anything so I'm not sure what wattage to use when calculating my delta t. I would love a delta t in the 7.5-10c range but with both of these components on a single loop I don't know if that is realistic.

 

[GTXJackBauer]

Ok, based on what I can find the usage of my CPU ranges from 130-500+ watts when oc'd and benching. The GPU I am looking at would be in the 100-350w range. I doubt that I will oc my CPU very heavily at first and will never try to bench anything so I'm not sure what wattage to use when calculating my delta t. I would love a delta t in the 7.5-10c range but with both of these components on a single loop I don't know if that is realistic.

Your TDP seems too high for the CPU. CPU will be in the areas of 200w+/- when OC'd. The GPU can get close to 300w. Which GPU are you talking about? Those watts usually come from the high end models.

120.4 of heat dissipation would take care of your needs. Probably in the 10c-15c range. It all depends on your Ambient temp.

 

[Conumdrum]

130 to 500 watts means many reviews etc are looking at the total wattage (heat) of the system draw from the PSU. You need to focus on just the CPU heat (wattage). Let's say 200 watts on the high side to be good. And 150 watts on the GPU.

Your 560ti will not benefit at ALL from watercooling. It's an old card, to cool a 560ti will be $80 at minimum.

Costs to cool your CPU/GPU
CPU block, low end block $60
GPU Block $80, if you can find one still for sale.
Rad $70 120x3 size
Pump, never go cheap $80
Res, cheap but works $30
Hose, fittings, correct fans $100

Don't WC that old GPU. It's only a 560ti.

 

[Sabr_Cruise]

I was not planning on WC'ing the 560ti. I want the ability to WC when I upgrade, probably to a 780. I just want to set up a system with enough radiator right off the bat if possible.

 

[Conumdrum]

CPU yo list and planned GPU like a 780? Then 120x4 of radiator area will be fine. We'll say under gaming loads 400 watts. 400 watts on 120x4 means a nice Dt and with decent fans at 1000 RPM you'll be cool and quiet.

So use Martin's and a 120x3 rad and add 25% more rad, or drop the resultant Dt by 25%.

 

[gkline]

I'm cooling a 3930K OC'd to 4.3 Ghz and a GTX680 OC'd with the following radiators 1 XSPC RX360 and 1 Swiftech MCR120-QPK. I'm using a Swiftech 655-b pump in a XSPC Acrylic Reservoir with a Swiftech Apogee HD cpu block and a EK-FC680GTX+ copper/acetal full gpu block. I'm using 1/2"ID 3/4" OD tubing with distilled water. Presently I'm using 4 Corsair SP120 HP fans controlled by a fan controller. I have on order 4 Scythe AP15 gentle typhoon 1800rpm fans.

I purchased a new 3930k and a small MSI X79MA-GD45 MB. It's not a bad OCer considering it's cost. I kept the vcore on auto and have a solid 4.3 Ghz clock. It runs prime 95 "forever" at this speed. My temps on a 10 run of IntelBurnTest (IBT) is with min fan rates 57C-53C-56C-55C-58C-58C.

I ran prime95 for 12 hrs and no core was over 62C

I'm using a CM HAF 932 Advanced case. I use only distilled water and the silver coil.

 

[gkline]

When I switched out the single GTX 680 for 2 GTX 670 FTWs, I replaced the Swiftech 120 mm rad with the XSPC EX360. Basically 2-360 rads for the 3930k at 4.4Ghz and 2 GTX670FTWs.

 

[Sabr_Cruise]

I have finally gotten around to building this water cool setup. I have decided only to cool the CPU (i7-3930k) and the NB/SB on my MoBo (Asus Rampage IV Extreme). I am looking primarily at the XSPC Copper Raystorm block with dual D5 pumps and an XSPC AX360 radiator as seen in this kit.

-http://www.frozencpu.com/products/17221/ex-wat-224/XSPC_Copper_Raystorm_AX360_Extreme_Intel_CPU_Water_Cooling_Kit_w_Twin_D5_w_Free_Dead-Water.html?tl=g30c321s1310

I have a couple of questions before I make the final plunge.
1. Anyone have any experience putting this (or a similar sized) radiator INSIDE an NZXT Phantom?
2. With my CPU (i7-3930k), 32GB DDR3 RAM, 2 SSDs, 3 HDDs, 2 ODDs, and my new EVGA GTX780 will my 700 watt PSU be enough to power this pump combo or should I look into a new PSU as well (maybe along the lines of the EVGA Supernova 1000 P2)?
3. Any experience with NB/SB blocks for the RIVE? These three caught my eye:
-http://www.frozencpu.com/products/15075/ex-blc-1066/XSPC_X79_Rampage_IV_Motherboard_Water_Block_Set.html?tl=g30c89#blank
-http://www.frozencpu.com/products/16910/ex-blc-1029/EK_ASUS_Rampage_IV_Extreme_Full_Board_Cooling_Block_Kit_-_Acetal_Nickel_CSQ_EK-FB_KIT_RE4_-_AcetalNickel_CSQ.html?tl=g30c89
-http://www.frozencpu.com/products/14722/ex-blc-1027/EK_ASUS_Rampage_IV_Extreme_Full_Board_Cooling_Block_Kit_-_Acetal_CSQ_EK-FB_KIT_RE4_-_Acetal_CSQ.html?tl=g30c89#blank
But I really don't know much about brands or quality when it comes to this.

Thanks in advance.

 

[GTXJackBauer]

I have finally gotten around to building this water cool setup. I have decided only to cool the CPU (i7-3930k) and the NB/SB on my MoBo (Asus Rampage IV Extreme). I am looking primarily at the XSPC Copper Raystorm block with dual D5 pumps and an XSPC AX360 radiator as seen in this kit.

-http://www.frozencpu.com/products/17221/ex-wat-224/XSPC_Copper_Raystorm_AX360_Extreme_Intel_CPU_Water_Cooling_Kit_w_Twin_D5_w_Free_Dead-Water.html?tl=g30c321s1310

I have a couple of questions before I make the final plunge.
1. Anyone have any experience putting this (or a similar sized) radiator INSIDE an NZXT Phantom?
2. With my CPU (i7-3930k), 32GB DDR3 RAM, 2 SSDs, 3 HDDs, 2 ODDs, and my new EVGA GTX780 will my 700 watt PSU be enough to power this pump combo or should I look into a new PSU as well (maybe along the lines of the EVGA Supernova 1000 P2)?
3. Any experience with NB/SB blocks for the RIVE? These three caught my eye:
-http://www.frozencpu.com/products/15075/ex-blc-1066/XSPC_X79_Rampage_IV_Motherboard_Water_Block_Set.html?tl=g30c89#blank
-http://www.frozencpu.com/products/16910/ex-blc-1029/EK_ASUS_Rampage_IV_Extreme_Full_Board_Cooling_Block_Kit_-_Acetal_Nickel_CSQ_EK-FB_KIT_RE4_-_AcetalNickel_CSQ.html?tl=g30c89
-http://www.frozencpu.com/products/14722/ex-blc-1027/EK_ASUS_Rampage_IV_Extreme_Full_Board_Cooling_Block_Kit_-_Acetal_CSQ_EK-FB_KIT_RE4_-_Acetal_CSQ.html?tl=g30c89#blank
But I really don't know much about brands or quality when it comes to this.

Thanks in advance.

No point in watercooling your MB unless you will be doing some extreme ocing or you're just doing it for looks. It will add more restriction to the loop as well.

Your 700w PSU should be more than enough for your whole setup. You'll need more if you will go SLI in the future with that GPU.

 

[Sabr_Cruise]

The main reason I want to WC the MoBo is because the stock fan has stopped working. I figure I might as well go for it.

 

[BruceUSA]

guys/girls...


You guys keep suggesting go for the lowest delta etc.. But all of you seem did not see his original post.. To get the lowest possible delta, meaning more $$$$$$ required. His budget is only $300 which won't go very far... In addition, the NZXT phantom case.. It is a 410? , full tower? you are going to have some serious fitting all the components inside the case those case, especially a 360mm radiator. Unless it is a Switch 810 NZXT tower, that won't have any problem with fittment issues.

My suggestion is saving up to 400-600$ and then do the custom watercooling. Well, that if you won't need to buy a new case, that would cost even more.

 

[Sabr_Cruise]

I have the original full tower NZXT Phantom as seen here:
http://m.newegg.com/Product/index?itemnumber=N82E16811146073
After my initial post I have realized that the $300 budget was not gonna get me what I want so I am looking closer to $500 now. I would love to fit the radiator inside of my case if possible. If that is not realistic with my current case are there any suggestions for a new case?

 

[GTXJackBauer]

If that is not realistic with my current case are there any suggestions for a new case?

Corsair Air 540 is my favorite for its price range.

You could possibly mod the case or hang the radiator off of the back with something like this but for another $100 would get you a whole new case design that can fit more rads in it.