Custom Water Cooling
Custom Water Cooling
I'm thinking about adding a water cooling setup for my CPU and possibly the GPU later. I used the EK configurator to create a system tailored for someone just starting out, and I'm looking for advice on what to include. I also need a way to remove heat from the system. What should I consider adding?
i like hard line for their aesthetics, but one thing about HL hit me, if there's an issue, ie i want to remove heatsink and re-apply the TIM paste, system has to be drained and hard line tubes dis-connected. Soft line i can push the heat far enough out of the way to clean it and re-apply
i will use hard line for the drain line going to the ball cock.
Only reason i asked about what case, every radiator from different mfgrs have different dimensions, ie no two 280mm rads are the same in external dimensions. My Fractal R6 had a linitation of 147mm in width that was hard to live with in the 280mm rads that were 38mm or less in thickness,. FInally found Alphacool had one.
With a PC desk, you've probably got a lot of freedom on dimensions...
What case are you considering using? The reason I'm asking is due to the 420mm radiator, and where exactly within the case you plan to install it.
Welcome to the realm of overspending, where no one seems to grasp the reason, yet it somehow turns out perfectly fine!
For a drain, I use one of these in my loop (EK-AF Ball Valve).
I’m a lover of rigid tubing—does that mean you prefer softer options?
What kind of fluid are you planning to use? Just confirming you’ve considered the necessary additives.
Do you have a complete mono block available for your motherboard? I’d choose one if it’s there.
Could you share your full specifications just for fun?
I've constructed a personal PC desk.
My current configuration includes a Ryzen 1600x, which is intended for an upgrade when Zen 2 arrives.
I have an GTX 1070 SC, an Asrock X370, and a 16GB Corsair 3200mhz RAM.
The power supply is a Toshiba X300.
I'm planning to use hard line cables but am quite new to this setup; I believe proper installation could still result in a good appearance.
I'm thinking about using clear distilled water for the connections.
I prefer the hard line for its aesthetic appeal, but one aspect about HL caught my attention: if there’s a problem, such as needing to remove the heatsink and reapply TIM paste, the system must be drained and the hard line tubes must be disconnected. With a soft line, I can push the heat away enough to clean it and reapply.
For the drain line going to the ball cock, I’ll stick with the hard line.
The main reason I inquired about this was to understand that every radiator from different MFG models has unique dimensions—no two 280mm rads are identical in external size. My Fractal R6 had a linitation of 147mm wide, which was challenging with the 38mm or thinner 280mm rads. Eventually, I found Alphacool offered one that matched.
With a PC desk, you likely have flexibility in dimensions when using clear distilled water. You might want to check EKWB’s advice on discouraging algae growth in liquid cooling, as mentioned here: https://ekwb.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articl...protection.
A recent update points to part 3 of the guide, which references parts 1 and 2—worth reviewing for more details.
banker :
I included EK CryoFuel clear in my list and chose to keep the 420 CE radiator. I also added the ball valve to the cart for draining—anything else you need to know? Also, are there any guides or videos you recommend watching?
Try YouTube and look for liquid cooling PC desktops or general water cooling options.
Every time I search, it surprises me with what comes up, but I've watched more than a dozen videos and often find something new—especially when I revisit things after a while.