Just starting with watercooling! PETG Watercooling help, I've read the sticky.
Just starting with watercooling! PETG Watercooling help, I've read the sticky.
I'm looking for a custom loop setup for my PC. I really like the appearance of water-cooled systems and want to give it a try. My budget is limited, so I won’t spend more than $300 on this. I just need the essentials to fit into the loop. I’m not after premium components; I’m after something dependable and good value. I’m using the following parts:
- GIGABYTE G1 Gaming GA-Z170N-Gaming 5 (rev. 1.0) LGA 1151 Intel Z170 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.1 USB 3.0 Mini ITX Intel Motherboard
- MSI GeForce GTX 1060 DirectX 12 GTX 1060 3GT OC 3GB 192-Bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 HDCP Ready ATX Video Card
- EVGA 600 B1 100-B1-0600-KR 80+ BRONZE 600W
- Intel Core i5-6500 6MB Skylake Quad-Core 3.2 GHz LGA 1151 65W BX80662I56500 Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 530
- Team Delta 8GB (2 x 4GB) 288-Pin DDR4 SDRAM DDR4 2400 (PC4 19200) Desktop Memory Model TDTRD48G2400HC15ADC01
- WD Blue 1TB Desktop Hard Disk Drive - 7200 RPM SATA 6Gb/s 64MB Cache 3.5 Inch - WD10EZEX
I’m trying to understand the fittings and connections better, especially for the hard tubing part. I’ve had trouble with measurements before, and I’m not very confident with them. If anyone can clarify how it works for this type of tubing, that would be super helpful! I prefer not to use soft tubing because of plasticizers causing cloudiness, and my build might end up red with white or red fluid.
I’m planning to stick with the case at:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6811854023
I’d appreciate suggestions on reliable options that fit within this budget. Thanks!
Thank you for your message. I bought my system about a week ago from newegg and still think I can return the processor. I now understand I didn’t receive an unlocked i5 model. I’m hoping for a refund and to buy the unlocked version again. The main reason for the custom watercooling is appearance and experience. Would it be more cost-effective to opt for soft tubing instead? It seems much simpler. Is plasticizer commonly found in soft tubing, or is it usually associated with lower quality options? Also, could I build a basic WC loop within my budget of around $300?
Hello there. I'm glad to join the forums and assist if possible. I'm using the same motherboard, HDD, and CPU in my HTPC, which gives me excellent performance. Still wondering why you're not getting an unlocked CPU for the Z170 series? I had a favorable offer and wanted to keep costs down, so the build wasn't designed with overclocking in mind.
About PETG, I'm currently using it in my main system and am very satisfied with the results. With your setup, the fittings tend to add up in cost quickly. You'll notice the G 1/4 size mentioned when checking around. This is the threaded dimension for attaching components together. Basically, the fittings used for connecting blocks, rads, reservoirs, pumps, and other parts all use this size. The other end of the fitting can differ based on tube size and type. I'm using Primochill PETG 1/2" tubing with their Rigid Revolver connectors. They also offer larger diameter tubes. To confirm, is your total watercooling budget around $300? Even with these details, outside of aesthetics, a custom water cooler is unnecessary for an i5 6500. My system is air-cooled with the stock cooler and never exceeds 55°C.
Hello there. Welcome to the forums. I’m here to assist if possible. I’m using the same motherboard, HDD, and CPU in my HTPC, which gives me great performance. Still wondering why you’re not getting an unlocked CPU for the Z170 series? I had a good offer on mine and wanted to stay within budget, so the build wasn’t designed with overclocking in mind.
Regarding PETG, I’m using it in my main system and am very satisfied with the results. With your setup, the fittings add up quickly in terms of cost. You’ll notice the G 1/4 size when selecting them. This is the threaded dimension for attaching components together. Basically, these fittings are used to connect blocks, rads, reservoirs, pumps, and other parts. The other end may vary based on tube size and type. I’m using Primochill PETG 1/2" tubing with their Rigid Revolver fittings, though they also offer larger diameter options.
Are you sure your total watercooling budget is $300? Even with these considerations, a custom water cooler seems excessive for an i5 6500. I’m currently air-cooled with a stock cooler and never exceeds 55°C.
Thanks for your feedback. I recently bought my system about a week ago on Newegg. I still think I can return my processor, but now I realize I didn’t receive an unlocked version of the i5. I’m hoping to get a refund and buy the unlocked one again. My main reason for custom watercooling is aesthetics and personal preference. Would it be more cost-effective to opt for softer tubing? It seems much simpler. Do you think plasticizers are common in soft tubing, or is that only with lower quality options? Also, can you build a basic water loop within my budget of $300?
Hello once more. I notice you're sending back the CPU. That's a smart move if you intend to make full use of the extra heat from the custom loop to the output stage. Concerning tubing, each option has its advantages and disadvantages, which I've experienced firsthand. For soft tubing, I consistently choose Primochill LRT advanced because it doesn't have plasticizer issues. There are various soft tubing types, but some are more challenging to handle than others. Primochill LRT tends to resist bending, so you often need to apply significant force to position it correctly. I faced several difficulties getting compression fittings to work on soft tubing, and achieving the desired appearance was also problematic. Other brands claim to offer greater flexibility with soft tubing. Regarding fittings, costs can rise depending on the type of tubing used. With rigid tubing, the final result looks much cleaner, though achieving precise bends can be time-consuming and may require a lot of tubing based on your bending skill. Using straight cuts of PETG removes the need for bending but increases the number of fittings needed due to the many turns, which adds to the expense.
Budget management relies heavily on careful planning and selecting the right components. It's wise to define the exact layout you want when designing your loop. Otherwise, you risk having either too many or too few fittings. I didn't plan carefully during my initial attempt, resulting in a surplus of unnecessary fittings.
Thank you for your message. I bought my system about a week ago from newegg and still think I can return the processor. I now understand I didn’t receive an unlocked i5 model. I’m hoping to get a refund and buy the unlocked version again. The main reason for the custom watercooling is for appearance and performance. Would it be more cost-effective to opt for soft tubing? It seems much simpler. Is plasticizer commonly found in soft tubing, or is it usually associated with lower quality options? Also, could you advise if it’s possible to construct a basic water loop within my budget of around $300?