Phantek's Watercooling Build - My initial project - eager for feedback!
Phantek's Watercooling Build - My initial project - eager for feedback!
Ok all, I have been waiting a while: doing my research, planning, waiting for prices to come down (they haven't really), and waiting until i had the money and wife's permission. I am building my dream PC. I have built many PCs in the past but this will be my first time watercooling and heavily overclocking (I've OC'd a tiny bit). Anyway, Here is the pcpartpicker link to my build with all of my intended parts:
https://pcpartpicker.com/user/iRon_Man22...iew=JDxJ7P
Basically, I am looking for all of the opinions, critiques, suggestions on my build. I am including a picture (hand drawn so be kind) of my tube routing design. Ignore the colors, I did those just to help distinguish parts from one another. My questions that I am looking for answers:
1) Do you see any problems with my design?
2) Do you think I will have room to add another 240 rad in push/pull config. behind the dual tube reservoirs? I calculated the with of the reservoirs, rad, and fans compared to the width of the case and I should have enough room. Tell me if I'm wrong.
3) Do you see any improvements that I should make?
4) I want to plan for easy filling and draining of my system, that is why I am including a bay res. Is this the best way to plan for a draining/filling system? How can I plan this better?
Please also keep in mind a few notes about my drawing/design:
1) I am planing to mod my Primo case by cutting out the rectangular section where my two tube reservoirs are going so they show. Here is an
example
of what I mean.
2) I plan on having two D5 pumps on this system, one in the bay res and one on the pump mount the case provides in the back.
3) My flow pattern: Bay Res -> CPU -> 480 Rad -> GPU1 -> GPU2 -> 240 Rad -> Tube Res 1 -> D5 Pump -> 240 Rad 2 -> Tube Res 2 -> Bay Res ---Is this well planned? Any changes?
4) My color theme is going to be Black and Blue.
Let me know if you have any questions, thank you for taking the time to read this through!
You can operate with two pumps in one loop, which is acceptable. However, it's not a dual loop configuration—it's just a single loop. Dual loops involve two distinct water cooling systems where the coolant from one doesn't interact with the other.
The 480 rad estimate for a CPU loop seems excessive. A 6-core CPU shouldn't exceed 250 watts, and a stable 1.3ghz increase is questionable. Your calculations appear reasonable with the numbers you provided, though they still seem a bit high.
i think it would be better to create the case from scratch rather than modding one—it can look more polished and suit a sleek design better. the one i made is made from acrylic and pvc, which looks great and performs well.
I would prefer constructing the case myself rather than modifying an existing one—it can appear more polished and align better with a refined design. The version I created uses acrylic and PVC, which looks appealing and performs well. Thanks for your input! I’ve considered a casemods case or something more premium, but I’m still captivated by the Primo. Each time I think about changing, I revisit the ModZoo/Bill Owens review they provided, and it reignites my interest. Good idea, but do you have any tutorials on designing a case from scratch?
I would rather construct the case myself from the beginning rather than modify an existing one—it can appear more polished and suit a sleeker design. The case I made is made from acrylic and PVC, which looks great and performs well. Thanks for your thoughts! I’ve been considering a casemods or higher-end option, and I’ve really grown attached to the Primo. Each time I think about changing, I revisit the ModZoo/Bill Owens review they provided. It reminded me of its charm again. Good idea, but do you have any tutorials on designing a case from scratch? Also, what makes you think you’re trying to tackle this all in one loop? And honestly, do you know if there are any guides available for that process? I’d be happy to assist if you decide to pursue this route.
there seems to be a question about why you're using just one loop instead of two, and whether there are any guides available. I'm open to helping if you're considering this approach. I'll let you know if I decide to explain further. One loop is being used because I'm unsure about the advantages of two loops, it allows for better placement of tubing and looks more organized. Also, a single loop might be simpler for filling and draining.
1. The reasoning for three reservoirs seems more about aesthetics than functionality. Edit: your flow plan is actually a single loop, meaning three reservoirs for that loop.
2. Uncertain.
3. Adjusting to a dual loop setup—identify which radiator handles the CPU and which for the GPUs. Are both overclocked? If yes, what is their TDP?
4. The bay won<|pad|>'s reservoir design will complicate filling; it’s better to start from the tube reservoirs and let a pump do the work.
rubix_1011 :
1. Why 3 reservoirs for a dual loop system? I'm assuming just for looks? Edit: your flow plan is a single loop. So, 3 reservoirs for a single loop.
2. Doubtful.
3. Make it a dual loop. What radiator is cooling the CPU and which is cooling the GPUs? CPU or GPUs overclocked at all? If so, what TDP?
4. Bay res isn't going to make your loop easy to fill...it will make it harder as they can be difficult to prime correctly. You're better off filling from the tube reservoirs and allowing them to feed a pump.
1. OK
2. OK
3. This is a single loop, not a dual loop
4. OK
Great feedback, thanks! alright, that's what I was looking to hear. I will take out the Bay Res and just put a D5 pump there instead. I will consider making these two separate loops, I guess I just don't understand why, can I not have 2 pumps on 1 loop? Do they have to be separate? . This is what I got when using the eXtreme PSU Calculator:
http://outervision.com/b/RbJtJW
I used your radiators.xlsx from your watercooling sticky and looked up TDPs for my CPU and GPUs and Pumps (calculated about 23 TDP for these). I will post a pic of it below:
Does that look right? What should I adjust? Thanks for your help!