Water cooling build - Complete

Ben:

Ben:

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Ben
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Hey everyone!
It's my birthday today and received some water cooling parts :naughty:

So I've been busy learning and fitting everything together.

Had great fun doing it and didn't find it too hard at all really.

Tested it inside the case without the MB or anything but the pump running.
No leaks or problems and within an hour or so it was pretty much air free :)

After wondering how much of a difference it would make to my temps I can gladly say I am extremely impressed!!

Some of you may remember I was hitting 100 degrees C with a stock air cooler :bonk:

Well I ran a quick test tonight and was reaching 50 degrees C at 100% load. A HUGE improvement :)

Now for some photos. By no means great pictures photography wise as I took them quickly whilst un-boxing and fitting together.

1 - Had trouble finding the suitable screws to mount the fans onto the rad (hence the odd ones) However, I've just found a packet of screws which came with the rad! :bonk:


2 - All 3 fans fitted and wired up.


3 - Water block mounted to motherboard.


4 - All finished!


5 - CPU water block mounted and compression fitting tighten.


6 - Plenty of space between the slim rad and motherboard.
 
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7 - All finished and running well. The res even came with an LED to light it up :) I'll add some to the waterblock and another to the res later this week hopefully.


8 - (taken on iPhone) All tidied up and the side back on. Thinking of sleeving the graphics card power cables to finish it off.


9 - I nicked this idea from another build I saw. Used the fan that I took off the back to help cool the graphics card and increase air flow through the case.



Overall I'm very happy with the components I've used.
The fans are VERY quiet and seem to move a good amount of air.
Everything fitted perfectly and best of all I've got some good lower temps and a nice looking machine (IMO).

Next up is some UV lights to make the tubing glow, 3 more blue LEDs for the res and water block. Maybe some sleeving and possibly a fan controller.

[Just want to say thanks to everyone who helped me choose parts and gave great advice and inspiration, would have struggled without you!]
 
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Ben, good to see everything finished.
Thought you may have had cold feet & not gone with water cooling.
Very nice build, looking good ;)

Also, happy birthday for yesterday :D
 
Keith W said:
Happy birthday! :D
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Thanks!

piggin said:
Ben, good to see everything finished.
Thought you may have had cold feet & not gone with water cooling.
Very nice build, looking good ;)

Also, happy birthday for yesterday :D
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Thanks Paul! Glad you like it. Thanks very much for your help! (y)
Trying to think of other things I can do now :thinking: haha.
Don't think I'll cool the GPU as it's currently at OK temperatures.
 
Good stuff (although I like my PCs to be faceless boxes that just sit there ;))

Edit: happy b'day :)
 
arad85 said:
Good stuff (although I like my PCs to be faceless boxes that just sit there ;))

Edit: happy b'day :)
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Haha I like to keep glancing over to look inside :LOL:
Thanks!
 
A very neat build.

Happy Birthday.
 
Ben: said:
Thanks Paul! Glad you like it. Thanks very much for your help! (y)
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I am more than happy to help.
I am also very happy that you like it & you enjoyed doing the build.


Ben: said:
Trying to think of other things I can do now :thinking: haha.
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Now that's the problem :wacky:

Once you start & you get the bug, there is no stopping you :bonk:
I just ordered a new setup this morning :bang:

I would look at lighting (maybe some strip led's)

http://www.chilledpc.co.uk/shop/index.php?cPath=60_152_161

or a set of cathodes

http://www.chilledpc.co.uk/shop/index.php?cPath=60_96

You could also look at cable management.

Personally, I would sit back & enjoy the fruits of your labor
 
piggin said:
I am more than happy to help.
I am also very happy that you like it & you enjoyed doing the build.

Now that's the problem :wacky:

Once you start & you get the bug, there is no stopping you :bonk:
I just ordered a new setup this morning :bang:

I would look at lighting (maybe some strip led's)

http://www.chilledpc.co.uk/shop/index.php?cPath=60_152_161

or a set of cathodes

http://www.chilledpc.co.uk/shop/index.php?cPath=60_96

You could also look at cable management.

Personally, I would sit back & enjoy the fruits of your labor
Click to expand...

A whole new set up?! :0
Hopefully pop to Maplins tonight and get a set of cold cathodes. Do you think a fan controller is particularly useful?
By cable management do you just mean placement of them, how it looks in the case, I'm after some blue or white sleeving to wrap the PCI-E cables in for the graphics card :)
 
Ben: said:
A whole new set up?! :0
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Just ordered a new CPU, motherboard & RAM

Ben: said:
Hopefully pop to Maplins tonight and get a set of cold cathodes.
Click to expand...

:LOL: did not know maplins sold cold cathodes but just checked & they do.

Ben: said:
Do you think a fan controller is particularly useful?
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Yes, I run all my fans on controllers. This means I can turn them up when I am playing games & slow them down when required.

I have two Zalman ZM-MFC1

http://www.chilledpc.co.uk/shop/product_info.php?cPath=93&products_id=275

They have worked without any issues for a long time but like anything else. there is lots of choice.

http://www.chilledpc.co.uk/shop/index.php?cPath=93

The Scythe Kaze Master PRO 5.25 is very nice but sales for £40.

Ben: said:
By cable management do you just mean placement of them, how it looks in the case, I'm after some blue or white sleeving to wrap the PCI-E cables in for the graphics card :)
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Lots of people do not bother with cable management.
They put a nice rig together a just shove the cables in.
This can be overcome by purchasing a few cable ties & sticky pads.

http://www.chilledpc.co.uk/shop/index.php?cPath=60_112

You then run the cables out of the way, so they are not seen through the window (behind motherboard, PSU etc)
I dont think you have this problem personally.

As for sleeving do you mean this

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/UV-Blue-S...ting_DesktopComponents_RL&hash=item2c62dd4f1f

I have dealt with cheesefeat (richard) before & he is a good man.

OR do you mean getting something like these

http://www.specialtech.co.uk/spshop/customer/Pre-Modded-Cables-cid-33.html

This can look very affective but can work out very expensive :crying:
 
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piggin said:
Just ordered a new CPU, motherboard & RAM

:O for a completely new machine or changing a current one? Got a build log? :p

:LOL: did not know maplins sold cold cathodes but just checked & they do.

;)

Yes, I run all my fans on controllers. This means I can turn them up when I am playing games & slow them down when required.

I like the idea of having this capability!

I have two Zalman ZM-MFC1

http://www.chilledpc.co.uk/shop/product_info.php?cPath=93&products_id=275

They have worked without any issues for a long time but like anything else. there is lots of choice.

http://www.chilledpc.co.uk/shop/index.php?cPath=93

The Scythe Kaze Master PRO 5.25 is very nice but sales for £40.

I'm very tempted by that ^ looks great and brilliant to have the temps displayed!

Lots of people do not bother with cable management.
They put a nice rig together a just shove the cables in.
This can be overcome by purchasing a few cable ties & sticky pads.

http://www.chilledpc.co.uk/shop/index.php?cPath=60_112

You then run the cables out of the way, so they are not seen through the window (behind motherboard, PSU etc)
I dont think you have this problem personally.

Yes I've done my best to keep them out of sight and tidy.

As for sleeving do you mean this

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/UV-Blue-S...ting_DesktopComponents_RL&hash=item2c62dd4f1f

I have dealt with cheesefeat (richard) before & he is a good man.

OR do you mean getting something like these

http://www.specialtech.co.uk/spshop/customer/Pre-Modded-Cables-cid-33.html

This can look very affective but can work out very expensive :crying:

Hmm didn't mean either of those really, it's like a braided/woven material, I'll try and find an example.
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piggin said:
The current one is getting a make over :LOL:
I am going to keep the Sli graphics cards (until Kepler) but changing to SB-E.
I am not doing a new build log, just adding it onto 'The Left Handed Build'

Are you looking @ braid ?
http://www.chilledpc.co.uk/shop/index.php?cPath=60_94_172
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Oh wow lol. What do you use your machine for mainly?
Just been playing BF3 and the CPU didn't go over 45°C!

Yes that's exactly it!
I just want a small amount to cover the graphics card power and the USB, HD Audio and Firewire cables :)

Thanks for the link!
 
Ben: said:
Oh wow lol. What do you use your machine for mainly?
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Answering questions about water cooling on forums ;)


Ben: said:
Just been playing BF3 and the CPU didn't go over 45°C!
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Good temperatures (y)

Ben: said:
Yes that's exactly it!
I just want a small amount to cover the graphics card power and the USB, HD Audio and Firewire cables :)
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So, you now want to get into the art of braiding :bang:
Not the easiest thing to do, as you have to remove one end of the plugs to thread the braid on. :bonk:
 
piggin said:
Answering questions about water cooling on forums ;)

Good temperatures (y)

So, you now want to get into the art of braiding :bang:
Not the easiest thing to do, as you have to remove one end of the plugs to thread the braid on. :bonk:
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Haha oh so all that power is put to good use :p
Ahh, I wondered if it could be stretched over the plug…
Also, I don't have a modular psu!
Removing the plug shouldn't be too hard is it? Just need to remember where each wire goes!
 
Ben: said:
Haha oh so all that power is put to good use :p
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Mrs thinks I am trying to run a evil empire from the spare bedroom, when all I am doing is killing things. ;)


Ben: said:
Ahh, I wondered if it could be stretched over the plug…
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Yes, the cables do have a little stretch that can be used to get them over some plugs but not all.

Ben: said:
Also, I don't have a modular psu!
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That's not really a problem

Ben: said:
Removing the plug shouldn't be too hard is it? Just need to remember where each wire goes!
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If you look @ the video it should give you some idea what is involved.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FeCs98TSsYQ

As for cables, if you get only one wrong, you can kill the PSU & graphics card. :puke:
 
piggin said:
Mrs thinks I am trying to run a evil empire from the spare bedroom, when all I am doing is killing things. ;)
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:LOL:

piggin said:
If you look @ the video it should give you some idea what is involved.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FeCs98TSsYQ

As for cables, if you get only one wrong, you can kill the PSU & graphics card. :puke:
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Great video! Thanks. There's a little more involved than I first thought with the heat shrink etc. But certainly do able :)

Any idea where might supply some sleeving and heat shrink other than online?
Doesn't look like there is. Maybe I'll order some from ChilledPC - http://www.chilledpc.co.uk/shop/product_info.php?cPath=60_94_172&products_id=1388
They don't have any white or black heat shrink though :\
I'm just so impatient!:bonk:
 
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Received the sleeving from ChilledPC today and got some heat shrink tubing from Maplin as ChilledPC were out of stock.

Had a little go on the USB, HD audio and Firewire cables as I didn't need to remove the plugs to get the sleeving over.

I tried getting the plugs off the PCI-E cables but can't. Looks like I'll need the proper tool, although I've read that they don't work something either :\

Here's a quick update image :)

 
Looking very good.
I removed the my PCI-E cable ends with a thump tack (the sort you find in cork boards)
I will have a look to see if I have any pictures
 
piggin said:
Looking very good.
I removed the my PCI-E cable ends with a thump tack (the sort you find in cork boards)
I will have a look to see if I have any pictures
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Thanks, I'm pleased with the color scheme.
I can't seem to find anything small enough to get down both sides at once

piggin said:
Also just found this

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kXMwCQ9fIVM

There are a few others on youtube
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I've watched that one earlier but shall watch again and try to copy his flatten paperclip.

Beav said:
Nice watercooled build! Wanted to do this to my build but skint on money / its ok for now :D
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Thanks :)
It's been great fun!
 
piggin said:
You can use staples, as they are thinner.
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Ended up using paper clips hammered down to make them narrower. Managed to do the first cable. What a hassle though! Haha.
Started the second one and will finish tomorrow evening.

All this for a change of colour :0
 
Awesome machine Ben :clap:

I've always fancied water cooling.
Don't need it, but looks amazing :D
 
Ben: said:
Ended up using paper clips hammered down to make them narrower. Managed to do the first cable. What a hassle though! Haha.
Started the second one and will finish tomorrow evening.

All this for a change of colour :0
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lol, told you it was not easy & you should have purchased extensions
 
andy_fozzy said:
Awesome machine Ben :clap:

I've always fancied water cooling.
Don't need it, but looks amazing :D
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Thanks a lot! Nice to know people like it :D
 
piggin said:
lol, told you it was not easy & you should have purchased extensions
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What are these extensions you mention? Lol
 
Nice work! Love it.

Made one myself a couple of years ago, still going strong.Two loops, one loop doing CPU and card, the other doing RAM, VRM'S North bridge and South bridge.




snv30033ej0gp3la8.jpg





scaled.php





snv30017pc4gd1jb7.jpg
 
stuartpengs said:
Nice work! Love it.

Made one myself a couple of years ago, still going strong.Two loops, one loop doing CPU and card, the other doing RAM, VRM'S North bridge and South bridge.




snv30033ej0gp3la8.jpg





scaled.php





snv30017pc4gd1jb7.jpg
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Thanks :D

Wow that's a nice looking build!!


Thanks Paul, all sorted now. Glad I've done it myself and learnt from it etc.
Saved some money too by the looks of it.

Pics on the way!
 
  • PCI-E, USB 3.0, HD Audio, Firewire cables sleeved.
  • All PSU cables routed neatly and unused ones tucked away out of sight.
  • Case cleaned.
  • All plugged in and working well :love:







Just a UV light to add which I'll hopefully get tomorrow.
 
Just been trying to overclock...
Watched some videos and ended up with the base clock at 100 and CPU Ratio at 47

Been running prime 35 for 30minutes. Here are the results....



All seems stable and safe.

Is this all that needs to be done or am I missing something?
Thanks
 
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