Need help with custom cooling
Need help with custom cooling
I need guidance on where to begin with a custom loop setup. My current build uses a Corsair Air 240 case and has an EVGA Sc GTX 950 mini and an Asrock 970m Pro3. I want to overclock my FX 6300, which means cooling the VRMs is important since they can get hot on the board. My theme is black and white, and I have a budget of about $400 to $500. Also, I'm curious about the performance and overclocking benefits of liquid cooling this card.
Hey Friend,
Great to hear about your custom liquid plans. There are some amazing resources at Frozencpu.com for finding the right components... their support team will really help you through everything.
That being said, I suggest using that 400-500 budget for new graphics or a CPU. A water-blocked GTX 950 can't match an air-cooled or stock GTX 970.
It would be wise to upgrade your system first, and think about a liquid loop later. If you're looking to boost your CPU temperatures on a tighter budget, a solid AIO cooler is your best bet—Corsair has some solid picks. GL!
Yes, it is possible to liquid cool the card using the remaining funds and then add the CPU to the loop once you secure the upgrade money.
FrozenCPU had to shut down for several years because of some internal problems, and it has recently reopened but hasn’t received any new orders. Many users bought from them before the closure and were charged without receiving payment or having their items shipped, including some forum members.
Regarding your question about the 970, it’s feasible but I’m unsure how adaptable your budget is. The 970 works well with stock air coolers, so you don’t have to install water cooling unless you really need it. You asked about VRMs on your motherboard—what temperatures are currently being recorded? They’re built to handle higher heat because they manage current flow, but certain water blocks may limit performance if they don’t fit your space or size requirements. These blocks can restrict airflow compared to others in the same loop, possibly affecting cooling efficiency.
The overall build will largely depend on your budget. Full water blocks usually cost between $100 and $130 each, CPU blocks around $50 to $65, a typical pump about $75 to $85, and reservoirs ranging from $25 to over $100. Fittings can range from inexpensive barbs ($2–4 each) to more expensive ones ($10–15 each). Tubing is about $2.50 per foot, sometimes closer to $3. A standard 240 radiator costs around $45, while a 360 radiator starts near $60. Fans are generally $8 to $10 each, depending on the model.
This project can be a lot of fun and rewarding, but expenses tend to add up quickly.
My budget is relatively flexible. I don't have temps for the vrms right now but I've read about some issues with them getting a little too hot when overclocking a lot. I've read that it should be fine if I have a fan blowing air onto them so I shouldn't need anything special for that. Do you know of a good place to buy the things I need for cheap?