Dual R9 290 Loop (first timer)

[RnRollie]

nice,
though in that setup using one x-flow rad would save you the extra tube routing between them rads
http://www.xs-pc.com/radiators-ex-series/ex360-crossflow-radiator

oh, and for PWM fans you dont need a fan controller , just a decent splitter and hook it up to the MB CPU_FAN header.
http://www.swiftech.com/8-WayPWMsplitter.aspx
If you want control, you can always use speedfan. The advantage of PWM is that it is a bit "set & forget", you set your curve/ramp and the computer does the rest; no endless fiddling with knobs & sliders

If you *really* want a fan controller.... for PWM it has to be a good one and those do NOT come cheap, you are in the +100,- range here - mCubed, Alphacool, Aquacomputer... where the Aquaero 6 XT is like the Roll-Royce of controllers.
http://www.aquatuning.us/product_in...ic-LCD--touch-control--IR-remote-control.html
Do NOT try to control quality PWM fans like the eLoops with voltage control thru a cheap fan controller.. something WILL break

http://www.swiftech.com/pwmcontrollers.aspx

 

[JaY_III]

looks like you are heading down the right path.

Only change i would make is, your CPU Block to this:
http://www.performance-pcs.com/cata...t_info&cPath=59_971_498_490&products_id=37570

And change your coolant to distilled water with PT Nuke.
closest they have is this:
http://www.performance-pcs.com/cata...duct_info&cPath=59_381_1063&products_id=30213


Having to rely on some "watercooling" coolant is a Pain in the .... You are going to have to order more every time you do a flush. One bottle of PT nuke will last you years and wont stain your lines.

But that's just my two coppers.

 

[GTXJackBauer]

I forgot where I saw that originally, I think on gizmodo.com or something. It is pretty awesome, but stupid expensive, like, $4k+. Everything on that site is stupid expensive.

This is the lastest and greatest parts list I made. I think I'll have to look for a fan controller and maybe some fan grills as well. Not sure if I should put them in push or pull configuration yet.

With CPU
2 EK-FC R9-290X Link $106.95 $213.90
2 Alphacool NexXxoS ST45 Full Copper 360mm Link $75.99 $151.98
6 Noiseblocker NB-eLoop B12-P 120mm x 25mm PWM Fan - 800-2000 RPM Link $26.95 $161.70
1 XSPC Raystorm CPU Waterblock - Intel Link $49.99 $49.99
1 Swiftech MCP35X-BK™ 12 VDC Pump Link $84.99 $84.99
1 Swiftech MCP35X Reservoir Link $29.95 $29.95
6 EK-CSQ Fitting 10/13mm G1/4 - Black Link $4.95 $29.70
1 Phobya Screw Plug G1/4 Inch Link $1.95 $1.95
6 Phobya 13/10mm (10x1.5mm) Compression Fitting 90° Revolvable G1/4 Link $5.95 $35.70
1 Swiftech G¼ Male-Male Lok-Seal™ Medium Extension Fitting Link $6.49 $6.49
5 PrimoFlex Pro LRT Clear Tubing -3/8in. ID X 1/2in. OD Link $1.60 $8.00
1 Prolimatech PK-1 Nano Aluminum Thermal Compound Link $9.99 $9.99
1 "Silver Bullet" G1/4 Plug Link $5.95 $5.95
1 Swiftech HydrX Coolant Link $1.99 $1.99
5 Black 0.50 (1/2") PET Cable Sleeving Link $0.89 $4.45
2 Phobya 13/10mm (3/8-1/2) (10x1.5mm) Compression Fitting 45° Revolvable G1/4 Link $5.95 $11.90
$808.63

So far, thats what I have and I think I need to get a fan controller since these are PWM.

Below is my revised tube and parts layout as well.

These are not final, but almost. I'm still up for any recommendations or things that can change. Won't be able to a lot more research for the next week or so.

List looks good. Only things I would change is the tubing. Primochill Advanced LRT, color of your choice if you decide to go down that path, is what you want to get and not the old PRO line. They had issues with that tubing. I would also change to distilled water and kill coil with some deadwater for the added security. Other than that your list looks good including pump, blocks and rad selection. Can't wait to see the finished product.

 

[EarthDog]

$160+ in fans...wow.

Can't wait to see the end product!!

 

[Tatsugen]

Final(maybe) parts list!

Finally! Get time to look stuff up and post a reply! At the bottom is the closest to final parts list I have. No links this time, cause I'm lazy and sick. I'll probably make it all nice and pretty in my first post with pictures when I get it and start working on it...

@RnRollie
I was thinking about getting the Xflow, but, I don't think it matters too much... I think 5 ft of tubing will be more than enough for this build, and I can use this one to keep an eye out for bubbles in the system or something...
And that Swiftech PWM splitter would be awesome... if I could find one. They are out of stock nearly every website I see... So, if you see below I have something that might work... I have a 3-way splitter into the ModMyToys PWM Splitter... Now, I don't know if that only has the 1 green wire pin to all of the outputs or just 1, so I have the 3 way splitter that I will be turning into a 2 way splitter. The one with the control wire will plug into one fan, while the other plug, without the control wire, will plug into the splitter... I hope that works. And I don't really want to spend $100 on a fancy one... That is just too much for now.

@JaY_III
Thanks for the input. I'll take your recommendation on the CPU block.
And also thanks for pointing out that what I had was a whole coolant solution. I thought, and do this more often than I realize, it was just drops, but I didn't read the description. Got the IandH stuff in, I was going to use that originally, but I can't remember exactly why I put that stuff in there..

@GTXJackBauer
Thanks for the heads up on that tubing. I got the correct correct one in there this time, and making it clear to bleed (that word, right?) the system of air. I'm going to then use that PET cable sleeving to go over the tubes, which I think will look neat. I have the "Silver Bullet" in there, so I can just plug that into a hole instead of placing a silver coil in.

@EarthDog
Yes... Don't remind me... I would ask for people for recommendations on cheaper PWM fans... But, with my hardware, I don't want to skimp out on the things that will be doing the cooling.


Updated Parts are here:

2 EK-FC R9-290X $106.95 $213.90
2 Alphacool NexXxoS ST45 Full Copper 360mm $75.99 $151.98
6 Noiseblocker NB-eLoop B12-P 120mm x 25mm PWM Fan - 800-2000 RPM $26.95 $161.70
1 EK-Supremacy Clean CSQ $66.95 $66.95
1 Swiftech MCP35X-BK™ 12 VDC Pump $84.99 $84.99
1 Swiftech MCP35X Reservoir $29.95 $29.95
6 EK-CSQ Fitting 10/13mm G1/4 - Black $4.95 $29.70
1 Phobya Screw Plug G1/4 Inch $1.95 $1.95
6 Phobya 13/10mm (10x1.5mm) Compression Fitting 90° Revolvable G1/4 $5.95 $35.70
1 Swiftech G¼ Male-Male Lok-Seal™ Medium Extension Fitting $6.49 $6.49
5 PrimoFlex*Advanced LRT*Tubing - 3/8in. ID X 1/2in. OD - Crystal Clear $2.50 $12.50
1 Prolimatech PK-1 Nano Aluminum Thermal Compound $9.99 $9.99
1 "Silver Bullet" G1/4 Plug (Silver Kill Coil) $5.95 $5.95
1 IandH Dead-Water Copper Sulfate Biocidal PC Coolant Additive $4.99 $4.99
5 0.50 (1/2") PET Cable Sleeving $0.89 $4.45
2 Phobya 13/10mm (3/8-1/2) (10x1.5mm) Compression Fitting 45° Revolvable G1/4 $5.95 $11.90
1 ModMyToys 4-Pin PWM Power Distribution PCB - 6-Way Block $5.50 $5.50
1 Evercool 3x 4pin PWM Splitter Cable $3.95 $3.95
$842.54

Everything can get ordered on www.performance-pcs.com , so, you can find the parts for yourself and I'll update my first post later... Probably when I order stuff.

Thanks for everyone's input! I'm really looking forward to put this together and post it.

 

[GTXJackBauer]

I would honestly change back to the Raystorm CPU block. Its a great performer and best bang for the buck. Not a fan of acrylic when it comes to blocks usually because they can be prone to cracking or at least if tighten too much. I am sure it will weaken over time from heat as well. Acetal and metal is just fine.

You look like you're ready to go. Keep us posted and let us know how it goes.

 

[Tatsugen]

Parts ordered

Got the parts on order! I'll be typing up the list and putting that into my first post as well as this one. Just, going to take a bit to type it all up.

Qty. Item Link Cost Subtotal
2 EK-FC R9-290X Link $106.95 $213.90
2 EK-FC R9-290X Backplate Link $28.95 $57.90
2 Alphacool NexXxoS XT45 Full Copper 360mm Link $75.99 $151.98
6 Noiseblocker NB-eLoop B12-P 120mm x 25mm PWM Fan - 800-2000 RPM Link $26.95 $161.70
1 XSPC Raystorm CPU Waterblock - Intel Link $49.99 $49.99
1 Swiftech MCP35X-BK™ 12 VDC Pump Link $84.99 $84.99
1 Swiftech MCP35X Reservoir Link $29.95 $29.95
7 EK-CSQ Fitting 10/13mm G1/4 - Black Link $4.95 $34.65
1 Phobya Screw Plug G1/4 Inch Link $1.95 $1.95
5 Phobya 13/10mm (10x1.5mm) Compression Fitting 90° Revolvable G1/4 Link $5.95 $35.70
1 Swiftech G¼ Male-Male Lok-Seal™ Medium Extension Fitting Link $6.49 $6.49
5 PrimoFlex Advanced LRT Tubing - 3/8in. ID x 1/2in. OD - Crystal Clear Link $2.50 $12.50
1 Phobya HeGrease Extreme Thermal Paste - 1.0g Link $3.50 $3.50
1 "Silver Bullet" G1/4 Plug Link $5.95 $5.95
1 IandH Dead-Water Copper Sulfate Biocidal PC Coolant Additive Link $1.99 $1.99
5 Black 0.50 (1/2") PET Cable Sleeving Link $0.89 $4.45
2 Phobya 13/10mm (3/8-1/2) (10x1.5mm) Compression Fitting 45° Revolvable G1/4 Link $5.95 $11.90
1 ModMyToys 4-Pin PWM Power Distribution PCB - 6-Way Block Link $5.50 $5.50
1 Evercool 3x 4pin PWM Splitter Cable Link $3.95 $3.95
1 Alphacool Y-45° Connector - G1/4 Revolvable - 2x Inner - 1x Outer Thread - Deep Black Link $5.99 $5.99
1 Alphacool HF L-connector G1/4 outer thread to G1/4 inner thread - Deep Black Link $3.95 $3.95
2 Alphacool Bulkhead Connector G1/4 - Deep Black Link $4.95 $9.90

Total Cost including shipping: $934.53

Stuff to buy locally: Distilled water, flat iron bars (to make into brackets)

I was wondering where that extra bit came from, but I did add the backplates to the GPU blocks... I'm going this far, why not include this, I could always use cooler VRAM.
And there is the list! I ordered the GPU blocks, a radiator and the thermal compound from frozencpu, as performance-pcs only had 1 radiator in stock.

 

[Captain_Hindsig]

Can't wait to see some pics

 

[Tatsugen]

So, I edited my first post with this information as well. I'll be putting pictures into the post, but I'm pretty sure 6 mb a photo is a bit much. So, that is when I get time to resize them and whatnot.

Also, here is the link to my onedrive folder that has all of the pictures of my system and its progress so far. Again, I'll post them in these posts (redundancy?) when I get them resized.

https://onedrive.live.com/redir?res...3&authkey=!AG83U-hqBWjHC0o&ithint=folder,.JPG

Oh, 2 things I had a lot of fun with when putting the tubing on. #1, don't forget the compression screw. That is quite important. And that leads into #2. It is very hard to take off the tubing from the fittings once they have been put on. Anyone know of a good way to take them off?

Thanks to everyone that gave their input for parts and how to do stuff. I'll be doing the harder part tomorrow.

(Heck yes! I got 1 star thing under my name now )

 

[GTXJackBauer]

Awesome. Great job on the modding. Can't wait to see more.

 

[Tatsugen]

Leak test today! (Added 4 pictures to the one drive link, they should be in order, so, the last 4)

Was a little shakey at first, took a ton of water.
My VGA block was leaking a little at first, but I did take it off to install a 90 degree elbow. I took off the top part and one of the O rings was not set properly. Once I got that changed, works like a champ.
Next and continuing, one of my Phobya 90 degree elbows is leaking. Its 1 drop every 15-20 minutes or so. I'm contacting performance-pcs to see if I can get that replaced. I'll probably get a couple more fittings to make things fit and look better.

While I had the pump running, I plugged all of the fans to straight power. I am really amazed on how quiet it is compared to what it was before. I can't wait to get it up and running.

I still need to resize and post pictures.... Maybe tomorrow...

 

[Captain_Hindsig]

Sounds great! congrats

I really like the design with the external rads

 

[Tatsugen]

Thanks for the help and congratulations.

Finally got around to posted a couple pictures on the site. They should be in the first post. I didn't want to flood the thread with all of them, so I only chose a few of the more important ones I think.

 

[Tatsugen]

Dang... Double posting... Whatever.

Posted some benchmarking temps. Much better and quieter than before. Even before I changed my fan settings. But, even better after.

Thanks to all that input their advice!