First step to liquid cooling
First step to liquid cooling
Hi everyone,
It's been a while since I upgraded my CPU+Mobo, and now I'm considering adding a water cooling system for my CPU and ears.
I've decided on the XSPC RayStorm 750 EX240.
Link: http://www.xs-pc.com/watercooling-kits/r...ooling-kit
Additionally, since my current case isn't suitable for a 240mm radiator, I'm thinking about switching to a NZXT Phantom 530.
Link: http://www.nzxt.com/product/detail/134-phantom-530.html
Unfortunately, there aren't many easy cooling options for my GPU (as it's a non-reference design). So I'll focus on CPU cooling first, and once I upgrade my GPU, I'll expand the loop with a 120 or 240mm radiator and a dedicated GPU water block.
As I'm new to this, I'd really appreciate your thoughts and advice.
Also, I haven't found any comparison between the RayStorm 240 and the RayStorm 280 models—any suggestions?
Thanks!
Ninja note: Distilled water versus pre-mixed coolant – any clear advantage?
Specs:
Mobo Asrock Z77 Extreme 4
CPU Intel i5 3570k OC @ 4.2 ghz
CPU cooler Thermaltake Contac 39
RAM Corsair Vengeance 2 x 4GB DDR3-1600 CL9 (OC to 1866)
GPU MSI R9 270 Gaming (GPU OC to 1110 Mhz)
PSU BE QUIET! 530 Watt 80Plus Bronze
CASE Silverstone PS06 (Positive Airflow 3x120mm 1x180mm)
Edit: only one after-market CPU cooler available
Welcome to the world of overclocking. Hopefully your transition from air to water will be easy provided you get the steps right. Regarding your inquiry: There's a trend for people shifting over to dyes and coolants, if you are hell bent on going that route, you can look into Mayhems pastel/dyes. Mind you dyes are dyes because they stain items and in this case it'll be your tubing. Certain ranges of Mayhems are meant for events or shows and are not intended for long periods of use. The 240 rad is basically a 2x120 rad whereas the 280 rad is a 2x140...
Welcome to the realm of overclocking. I hope your move from air to water goes smoothly if you follow the right steps.
Concerning your question, you can explore Mayhems pastel/dyes if you're interested in that direction. Keep in mind that dyes are meant for staining and won't be suitable for extended use on tubing. Certain models are designed for events or shows, not for prolonged periods.
The 240 rad is essentially double the 120 rad, while the 280 rad is double the 140 rad. A larger fan with more surface area and a bigger diameter provides better airflow and quieter operation. I recommend opting for a bigger radiator only if you have room for it and consider where to install it—whether inside or outside your case. The orientation and placement can also affect performance.
Most online reviews focus on the 360 (3x120) models.
Have you checked out the watercooling sticky here on Tom's? It's a one-stop solution for any watercooler wanting to try it out.
I wasn't aware that two aftermarket heatsinks could fit an Asrock Z77 Extreme 4 motherboard.
The optimal path for watercooling is usually to cool your GPU first, then the CPU afterward, as GPUs benefit most from this approach. However, many people choose the reverse method. Regardless, eventually watercooling will push you toward GPU cooling sooner than you expect.
Please be patient with responses. Most contributors wait until they have time, as they aren't working for Tom's.
I have carefully reviewed many articles and reviews recently. I aim to gather as much input as possible before making a purchase decision.
2. In terms of fan size, it seems 120mm models are typically better suited for RADs since they are more commonly used.
3. Concerning the GPU, the 7870 water block is compatible only with R9 270 designs, which means it won’t fit my setup.
🙁
The best choice would be a universal GPU water block that doesn’t cover the GPU VRMs. This would require either adding heatsinks and using air cooling, or pairing a Watercool HEATKILLER® GPU-X³ Core LT with a custom microSW-X 60 DIY and modifying the copper plate to fit my card (which might feel a bit outdated for my first project).
4. I placed the case order last night so I can inspect it closely.
I believe it could accommodate a 360mm RAD internally, but it may be too tight in the 5.25 bay area, particularly with the two slot rez.
Side view:
http://cdn.eteknix.com/wp-content/upload...C_0597.jpg
5. Jay’s videos on fluid colour were clear and informative.
6. I saw a mention that the 750 pump/reel is susceptible to failure—should I worry about that?
7. I considered adding a quick disconnect fitting on one of the tubes for easier loop drainage. Am I being too forward-thinking?
I think that’s about it so far.
I’m really excited about upgrading my PC, so please forgive my eagerness.
Okay that was spontaneous.
Are you certain you received your response? Typically, newcomers to watercooling have more questions...
Thank you for the Best Answer vote!
I didn’t see your reply since I was composing my essay – what can I say? It’s a slow day at work.
People often choose 120mm rads because there are many options available, and several good models fit the 120mm size well. You might also consider 140mm fans, but they won’t provide high static pressure or a strong db rating in one package. Additionally, cfm doesn’t directly correlate with static pressure. Another factor could be that some users prefer not to modify their cases when going for watercooling and assume 120x rads are already compatible out of the box.
Universal blocks are useful because you can replace your GPU without needing a completely new block, which is convenient while shopping. The only drawback is that overclocking is limited by airflow, as the VRM and power delivery areas are also crucial during overclocking.
Modding is something that anyone in watercooling will do, whether they’re new or experienced. I’ve done it myself and can confirm it offers benefits.
On a budget, the 750L v4 on the raystorm kit works fine for entry-level watercooling. But if you’re worried about reliability and want peace of mind, the D5 kitted raystorm is worth considering. It’s pricier, but it allows future upgrades like more radiators or blocks, which is handy for crossifre or SLi setups with full cover waterblocks.
In short, the 750L v2 pump was dependable enough to support two rads (360+240) per CPU block and two full cover GPU blocks. The v4 improves slightly, receiving positive reviews, though the pump can fail unexpectedly and may not last long. In summary, it’s reliable until it stops working, which users say happens “it chugs along.”
If you’re seeking advice on this, here are some options:
- D5 RX240 v3 kit
- D5 RX360 v3 kit
P.S.: I should mention that with variable speed D5 units, you can adjust the pump speed. Running fewer components and a shorter loop lets you set it to 1 or 2; adding more parts increases the speed. The 750L runs at constant speed, which may lead to its eventual failure over time.
I could obtain the D5 using the rez/pump combo for roughly 80€ more, without harming my budget.
http://shop.xs-pc.com/xsp/XSPC-RayStorm-...31714.html
Do you think the RX rads are significantly superior to the EX?
The custom GPU mod would appear like this:
http://shop.watercool.de/WebRoot/Sage/Sh...SWX_11.jpg
I’m uncertain if it’s worth 100€ – there are essentially no reviews for this.
Regarding fans, I’d consider Noctua 120mm models since they’re made in Austria, where I reside, and they have excellent ratings.
If you examine the graphs in the radiator section of the watercooling guide, you'll grasp why both RX and EX perform well in thickness cooling and noise levels, as the RX designs are optimized for both low and high fan speeds. EX models are tuned for RS rads. The FPI of a radiator and fan speed are closely related; a higher FPI means faster fan rotation and a noisier overall setup. Thicker low-FPI radiators need slower fans but can handle the same heat as thinner ones at higher speeds. In short, the EX version matches the thickness of an RS but offers the cooling benefits of an RX.
You might prefer Highflow.nl for your needs, or do you have another site that better suits your area?
I placed my order through http://www.mylemon.at/ and found a solid selection of water cooling equipment. http://www.aquatuning.at/ is another viable choice.