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I Need Custom Loop Cooling Advice Please

MarshallD3Framp
Level 7
Here's my planned build, my problem is, I'm new to custom loops that go beyond monoblocks and CPU coolers, So I need some help. In Bold near the bottom is my current plan for parts for my W/C Custom Loop, but I dunno if that'll work 100% so I come here to the land of Gamers to get some assistance. If you have list alterations, please leave your lists and links, thank you. - D3

Intel Core i7-5960X 3.0GHz 8-Core Processor
Noctua NT-H1 3.5g Thermal Paste
Kingston Savage 64GB (8 x 8GB) DDR4-2800 Memory
Samsung 850 Pro Series 1TB 2.5" Solid State Drive
Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive
Western Digital Red Pro 3TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive
Corsair 900D ATX Full Tower Case
Samsung SH-224FB/RSMS DVD/CD Writer
Noctua NF-A14 industrialPPC-3000 PWM 158.5 CFM 140mm Fan
Noctua NF-F12 industrialPPC-3000 PWM 109.9 CFM 120mm Fan
Noctua NF-F12 industrialPPC-3000 PWM 109.9 CFM 120mm Fan
Noctua NF-F12 industrialPPC-3000 PWM 109.9 CFM 120mm Fan
Noctua NF-F12 industrialPPC-3000 PWM 109.9 CFM 120mm Fan
Noctua NF-F12 industrialPPC-3000 PWM 109.9 CFM 120mm Fan
Noctua NF-F12 industrialPPC-3000 PWM 109.9 CFM 120mm Fan
Noctua NF-F12 industrialPPC-3000 PWM 109.9 CFM 120mm Fan
EK Furious Vardar FF5-120 107.0 CFM 120mm Fan
EK Furious Vardar FF5-120 107.0 CFM 120mm Fan
EK Furious Vardar FF5-120 107.0 CFM 120mm Fan
EK Furious Vardar FF5-120 107.0 CFM 120mm Fan
EK Furious Vardar FF5-120 107.0 CFM 120mm Fan
EK Furious Vardar FF5-120 107.0 CFM 120mm Fan
EK Furious Vardar FF5-120 107.0 CFM 120mm Fan

NZXT Sentry Mix 2 Fan Controller
NZXT Sentry Mix 2 Fan Controller
Logitech G910 Orion Spark Wired Gaming Keyboard
Mad Catz R.A.T. 9 Wireless Laser Mouse
Logitech Z623 200W 2.1ch Speakers
EVGA 220-T2-1600-X1 80 PLUS Titanium 1600W
Asus RAMPAGE V EXTREME X99 USB3.1
1x Metal Gear Solid Fox Hound
6x EK-Cable PWM Fan Extension (30cm)
EK-Supremacy EVO Elite Edition - Intel 2011-3
EK-XRES 100 DDC 3.2 PWM Elite (incl. pump)
EK-RES X3 250
TUBE PrimoChill PrimoFlex™ Advanced LRT™ 15,9 / 11,1mm - Crystal Clear RETAIL 3m
EK-ATX Bridging Plug (24 pin)
EK-Cable Splitter 4-Fan PWM Extended

Zelda & Link - The Legend of Zelda Vinyl Decal (8-12")
EVGA Titan X Hydro
EVGA Titan X Hydro
EK-CoolStream PE 360 (Triple)
EK-CoolStream PE 480 (Quad)
EK-Cable Y-Splitter 3-Fan PWM (10cm)
EK-ACF Fitting 10/16mm - Blue (x26)
TUBE PrimoChill PrimoFlex™ Advanced LRT™ 15,9 / 11,1mm - Crystal Clear RETAIL 3m
EK-Ekoolant EVO Blood RED (premix 1L)

Total: £5774.36
4,841 Views
9 REPLIES 9

YogiBear
Level 8
I built my first custom loop last year. What you have looks good. Is this for 2 or 3 GPUs? Is the slim 480 the only rad? I'll pass on what I learned since I have the 5960x, two 980 TI Hydro Coppers and the Rampage V Extreme (R5E).

My PC is cool and quiet, which was the goal. I installed a 480 rad and a 360 rad. Both rads are push/pull, so that's 14 rad fans. I have 5 case fans and they are controlled by a fan controller. Only one of the fans is exhaust and I can turn it off without an issue. The 14 rad fans (all intake) are controlled by the R5E. The R5E has temperature sensors hears. I use one of them to read the water temperature. I found this to be the best way to control the 14 rad fans. The fans don't ramp up and down like they would if I have the fans respond to the CPU temperature.

The CPU fan (and opt) have to follow the CPU, but that isn't a huge issue. If you put 2 fans on every fan header, the R5E can support 16 fans. In my rig, I didn't split CPU and OPT, I did split 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, 3A and 3B.

I also found that controlling the pump wasn't needed. If I adjust pump (slow it down) and the flow drops below 1.8lpm, my loop temps rise. If I adjust the pump (speed it up) and the flow is higher than 2.8lpm, the temperature actually goes up. There is no difference in temps if the flow is between 1.8lpm and 2.8lpm.

You're build will act different. It's fun to test however and I thought I'd pass along what I discovered.

YogiBear wrote:
I built my first custom loop last year. What you have looks good. Is this for 2 or 3 GPUs? Is the slim 480 the only rad? I'll pass on what I learned since I have the 5960x, two 980 TI Hydro Coppers and the Rampage V Extreme (R5E).

My PC is cool and quiet, which was the goal. I installed a 480 rad and a 360 rad. Both rads are push/pull, so that's 14 rad fans. I have 5 case fans and they are controlled by a fan controller. Only one of the fans is exhaust and I can turn it off without an issue. The 14 rad fans (all intake) are controlled by the R5E. The R5E has temperature sensors hears. I use one of them to read the water temperature. I found this to be the best way to control the 14 rad fans. The fans don't ramp up and down like they would if I have the fans respond to the CPU temperature.

The CPU fan (and opt) have to follow the CPU, but that isn't a huge issue. If you put 2 fans on every fan header, the R5E can support 16 fans. In my rig, I didn't split CPU and OPT, I did split 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, 3A and 3B.

I also found that controlling the pump wasn't needed. If I adjust pump (slow it down) and the flow drops below 1.8lpm, my loop temps rise. If I adjust the pump (speed it up) and the flow is higher than 2.8lpm, the temperature actually goes up. There is no difference in temps if the flow is between 1.8lpm and 2.8lpm.

You're build will act different. It's fun to test however and I thought I'd pass along what I discovered.


Hmm, Thanks, and Do you reckon I should use one or two Rads, Because the 900D can support Two (Where I want them) a 480 and a 360, But I'm stuck on whether I should have one or two, since, as I said, I'm pretty new to Custom Loops, and it's for two Titan X Hydro Copper's and a 5960X

MarshallD3Frampton wrote:
Hmm, Thanks, and Do you reckon I should use one or two Rads, Because the 900D can support Two (Where I want them) a 480 and a 360, But I'm stuck on whether I should have one or two, since, as I said, I'm pretty new to Custom Loops, and it's for two Titan X Hydro Copper's and a 5960X


I can't say that one 480 rad isn't enough. I'll say that rads are a lot more important than flow rate. My GPUs never get hotter than 40c and the CPU 60c. I didn't test with only one rad. I did test push, pull and push/pull. Push/pull made a HUGE difference in rad performance.

If it was me and I had room, I'd use two rads.

YogiBear wrote:
I can't say that one 480 rad isn't enough. I'll say that rads are a lot more important than flow rate. My GPUs never get hotter than 40c and the CPU 60c. I didn't test with only one rad. I did test push, pull and push/pull. Push/pull made a HUGE difference in rad performance.

If it was me and I had room, I'd use two rads.


What is this Push/Pull Malarchy? I've heard of it, but I have yet to know what it is

Nate152
Moderator
The Hardwarelabs Black Ice Nemesis GTX is one of the best water cooling radiators.

One 360 radiator can dissipate up to 1800w and can handle cooling four gpu's.

http://www.hardwarelabs.com/nemesis/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=5&Itemid=109#perfor...

Nate152 wrote:
The Hardwarelabs Black Ice Nemesis GTX is one of the best water cooling radiators.

One 360 radiator can dissipate up to 1800w and can handle cooling four gpu's.

http://www.hardwarelabs.com/nemesis/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=5&Itemid=109#perfor...


In My experience, EKWB Rad's are equal to or better than HL Black Ice Nemesis Rad's. I used to like HL's Rad's, but EKWB gets my always vote now

Nate152
Moderator
yeah the EK XTX radiators are good too, here they trade blows with one another.

http://www.xtremerigs.net/2015/03/05/ek-xtx-360-radiator-review/5/

A push/pull configuration is when you have a fan on each side of the radiator, one pushing air and one pulling air.

Vlada011
Level 10
I would bought everything from EKWB site.
They launch before some time new D5 X-RES Revo with Glass reservoir PWM.
There are two version 100 and 140. Coolstream PE radiators, Supremacy EVO,...

Image

I will probably never build custom loop because I spend all money for hardware and than I usually use fabric cooling.

EKWB now make everything best or very close, and than it's better order from one place everything.
Even their Vardar F3 fans for radiators are now probably best option.

Arne_Saknussemm
Level 40
The old 240 per component rule is pretty spot on...so for two GPUs and a 5960X I'd say a 480 and 360 would be great. If you OC the 5960X it will produce a whole lot of heat.

Depends on your ambient temp what you can get away with...if your PC is in the basement in norway then maybe less rad real-estate if you know what I mean.

Flow is important...but yeah over a certain flow rate things will be pretty much the same..

I went from EK radiators to alphacool...much prefer the alphacool rads.