Custom water loop advice

[shadow84]

Any websites, reviews, youtube that teach the real basics of WC? Loads of videos jus show hw to connect w/o talking on the purpose of them and hw it will affect.

 

[silencer13]

Welcome to watercooling community.

Some of my personal opinions which I wish to share with you.
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Cool guide, thanks for sharing!
I'm also just starting my first watercool project, so this is very useful for me too.

What do you think of Monsoon fittings?
I have bought mostly Bitspower fittings, but also eyeing some of the Monsoon Free Center Compression because they look so cool to me. Are they worth getting?

 

[garfield82]

wow... that's sounds pretty bad... cutting the tube....

my fitting on got BP and monsoon.... safe bet?

BP is quality stuff and monsoon got some serious ah beng shyt going on there, too bad cant play with them now since I'd had too much going on like flying 2 JAPAN for holiday in 2 weeks time while retiling my house & going a CASE fight against a online gaming company just before that, getting too poor in such a short window

 

[congrade07]

Nope, I avoiding them also. I bought the pack of six Monsoon Compression Fittings. After fixing the fittings onto the tubing, the tubing is still very loose.

When I say loose, I really mean it was loose. I literally be able to pull the tubing away from the compression fittings. Do note that I did ensure I bought the correct size fittings for my tube.

It seems has issues with the secure ring. It will works with only certain tubing, definitely not with XSPC or Masterkleer tubings.

Maybe they had improved or is I unlucky gotten a bad batch but for sure I am avoiding.

I did try alphacool's compression fittings, seems not bad though. But thats for compression fittings only. For rotaries, stricly recommend Bitspower.

The other reason I will not go for monsoon compression fittings is because the way they secure the ring tends to cause paint chips and tiny dents around the groove where you screw.

Anyway, every WC has a budget. Best is work within your budget.

 

[origamii]

guys i need advice as i wanna try getting WC is the below
basic need for starter? Thks in Advance

XSPC Raystorm AX240 Universal CPU Water Cooling Kit w/ D5 Variant Pump Included and Free Dead-Water! - FrozenCPU.com

 

[silencer13]

Nope, I avoiding them also. I bought the pack of six Monsoon Compression Fittings. After fixing the fittings onto the tubing, the tubing is still very loose.

When I say loose, I really mean it was loose. I literally be able to pull the tubing away from the compression fittings. Do note that I did ensure I bought the correct size fittings for my tube.

It seems has issues with the secure ring. It will works with only certain tubing, definitely not with XSPC or Masterkleer tubings.

Maybe they had improved or is I unlucky gotten a bad batch but for sure I am avoiding.

I did try alphacool's compression fittings, seems not bad though. But thats for compression fittings only. For rotaries, stricly recommend Bitspower.

The other reason I will not go for monsoon compression fittings is because the way they secure the ring tends to cause paint chips and tiny dents around the groove where you screw.

Anyway, every WC has a budget. Best is work within your budget.

Thanks for the advice. Taking the Monsoon out of my cart now.

 

[XeonSaga]

Hello again, alphacool rads are very bang for buck. especially the monsta rads. you can look into it. i have since sold mine because i went into a matx build. im currently using a 2500 and 6990 with a 180mm and 120mm. do you have a budget in mind? are you cooling the rig to the right? if so i recommend better products. it seems that above commentator have commented on the fittings which im not aware of. i myself using monsoon fittings and have been quite happy with it.

My budget is ard 450 currently, I am not colling the rig to the right, my rig currently is a 2700k with gtx650ti. I intend to cool only the cpu at the moment.

 

[XeonSaga]

Welcome to watercooling community.

Some of my personal opinions which I wish to share with you.

Reservoir
If possible go for tube res, bay res is PITA to bleed. I recommend EK X3 Tube res.

Tubing
Tubing wise, got for 3/8ID 5/8OD. Easier to bend without kinking and easily available (you wont wan to setup halfway, found out running out of tubing and have to import in from US).

Fittings
I personally recommend you using compression fittings. Compression fittings are like barb but with a secure lock ring to tighten. No need any clamps to secure.

And the brand I strongly recommend is Bitspower. Never fail me and is one of the best quality fittings you could get.

Fittings that you would want to get are as followed

- Compression Fittings
- Rotaries (Anti Twist, 90 or 45 Degrees)
- Extenders
- Drain Valve
- D Plugs

I will skip the compression fittings explanation.

Rotaries are use in the situation where you wish to attain a certain angle (tight corners). After fixing the fittings to the component, you could still rotate to the direction you need.

Extenders are fittings to extend the height/ length.

Drain Valve, makes you life to drain the loop easily. There are other ways to do it such as using Quick Disconnect Fittings or just a simple, barb/ coupler/ stop fitting.

D Plugs are like plug. Screw both ends to two different components and to secure just plug them in. Good for tight areas where screwing of fittings are impossible.

I am no spokesman for Bitspower, but after using EK, XSPC, Phobya, Koolance and Bitspower fittings. Bitspower ones hardly tarnish and the rotaries are tight and does not leak on me.

Downside is the price. The price of the fittings is expensive compared to others.

Pros are reliable, good quality, comes in many different colors.

Radiator
AX360 has good reviews, but do consider XSPC RX360/ EK XTX360 or Alphacool Monsta 360 or Alphacool UT60.

for XSPC RX, EK XTX, Alphacool rad's thickness ranges from 60mm to 86mm. These are good rads with good reviews

Anti Bacteria Agents
Personally I dont put in Silver Koil, as my coolant (mayhem pastel and distilled water) has anti bac agent in them. Partly I avoid Silver Koil and PT Nuke is because of the chemicals or reaction between the coolant and blocks might caused some issues. So avoiding them. If you are scare, just use distilled water with one drop of PT nuke.

Pump
As for you D5 pump, do you intend to get a pump top? I recommend you getting a pump top for your D5. It will improves your pump efficiency and also increase the numbers of ports options. I personally is using Bitspower D5 V2 pump top and it works great, you can also get D5 modkit from Bitspower as well.

Blocks
Lastly, I strongly recommend you getting all copper blocks. Copper has no issues with nickel flaking so it will benefit in the long term.

Reference
You can drop by the blue forum which a lot of the projects logs there are working on watercooling setup. You can get more insights and ideas from their work logs. Sorry but sadly here has few project logs for you to reference.

wow, thanks for all this information. Current my budget is quite low ard 450 so i cannot afford to have compression fitting as well as a full copper block in my build. Will this pump (XSPC Laing D5 PWM pump without Front Cover - Pumps) be compatible with a pump top?

 

[Donten]

Thanks for the advice. Taking the Monsoon out of my cart now.

monsoon fittings are not bad. so far i have not seen any leaks from mine and dont see much complaints of leaks on the web. my 3/8 5/8 clamps on primochill lrt advance very tightly. though bitspower quality are on another level that i will not dispute, but at a higher price point.

 

[congrade07]

guys i need advice as i wanna try getting WC is the below
basic need for starter? Thks in Advance

XSPC Raystorm AX240 Universal CPU Water Cooling Kit w/ D5 Variant Pump Included and Free Dead-Water! - FrozenCPU.com

Hi,

I strongly recommend you getting the stuff separately so that you could custom choose your items and not bound by getting from the same manufacturer.

Pump wise be it XSPC, Koolance, Swiftech, Alphacool and Aquacomputer. The D5 are all the same despite different branding.

There are a total of 4 main components for WC.

- Radiator
- Reservoir
- Pump
- Blocks

After choosing the above four items, you will choose the following

- Fittings (Compression/ Barb/ Rotaries/ Extenders)
- Tubing
- Coolant (Distilled Water/ Concentrated Coolant)
- Fans

Coolant wise, as starter I recommend you getting Distilled Water.

 

[congrade07]

wow, thanks for all this information. Current my budget is quite low ard 450 so i cannot afford to have compression fitting as well as a full copper block in my build. Will this pump (XSPC Laing D5 PWM pump without Front Cover - Pumps) be compatible with a pump top?

D5 Pumps are great. Reliable and low noise. Pump top is quite essential as the screw threads if I am not wrong is not G1/4 which you will have trouble screwing fittings onto the pump itself.

If low budget, I suggest you go for alphacool compression fittings. Ministry of PC at SLS has them.

If you get barbs they are not cheap also and you have to get clamps as well. Honestly speaking it is not so nice....

 

[XeonSaga]

Hi,

I strongly recommend you getting the stuff separately so that you could custom choose your items and not bound by getting from the same manufacturer.

Pump wise be it XSPC, Koolance, Swiftech, Alphacool and Aquacomputer. The D5 are all the same despite different branding.

There are a total of 4 main components for WC.

- Radiator
- Reservoir
- Pump
- Blocks

After choosing the above four items, you will choose the following

- Fittings (Compression/ Barb/ Rotaries/ Extenders)
- Tubing
- Coolant (Distilled Water/ Concentrated Coolant)
- Fans

Coolant wise, as starter I recommend you getting Distilled Water.

Any fans to recommend for the ax360, noise isn't an issue for me , just as long as it is not some high speed deltas.

 

[congrade07]

monsoon fittings are not bad. so far i have not seen any leaks from mine and dont see much complaints of leaks on the web. my 3/8 5/8 clamps on primochill lrt advance very tightly. though bitspower quality are on another level that i will not dispute, but at a higher price point.

Primochill LRT tubings are good choice and has no issue due to the thickness of the tubing are thicker by at least 1mm. I using them and had them securing to my BP and koolance fittings.

Reason for LRT no issues with monsoon happens to be because the OD is slightly thicker than other brands.

So there is a risk for one to take if taking Monsoon. But for me is a nono for me. Glad your LRT and Monsoon combos well.

 

[origamii]

Hi,

I strongly recommend you getting the stuff separately so that you could custom choose your items and not bound by getting from the same manufacturer.

Pump wise be it XSPC, Koolance, Swiftech, Alphacool and Aquacomputer. The D5 are all the same despite different branding.

There are a total of 4 main components for WC.

- Radiator
- Reservoir
- Pump
- Blocks

After choosing the above four items, you will choose the following

- Fittings (Compression/ Barb/ Rotaries/ Extenders)
- Tubing
- Coolant (Distilled Water/ Concentrated Coolant)
- Fans

Coolant wise, as starter I recommend you getting Distilled Water.

can u help me choose the parts for basic water cooling and
how much do i need to fork out and the above is for cooling of how many components like example ( gpu cpu or?)

 

[congrade07]

Any fans to recommend for the ax360, noise isn't an issue for me , just as long as it is not some high speed deltas.

I would recommend Gentle Typhoons, but its a $20 a pop. So if budget is an issue, just go for yate loons.

Anyway Nickel Plated blocks are more ex than copper ones.

 

[Donten]

Any fans to recommend for the ax360, noise isn't an issue for me , just as long as it is not some high speed deltas.

Hi, sticking to 360mm? Fans I would recommend GT-AP15 STRONGLY.

 

[Op_Valkyrie]

Hello again, alphacool rads are very bang for buck. especially the monsta rads. you can look into it. i have since sold mine because i went into a matx build. im currently using a 2500 and 6990 with a 180mm and 120mm. do you have a budget in mind? are you cooling the rig to the right? if so i recommend better products. it seems that above commentator have commented on the fittings which im not aware of. i myself using monsoon fittings and have been quite happy with it.

bro think u need to highlight - monsta rad == big casing else will not fit well.... rule number #1....haha

AQC AMS also poisonous... but its quad pass through... so draining will need abit of vacuum cleaner help...hehe

 

[Op_Valkyrie]

BP is quality stuff and monsoon got some serious ah beng shyt going on there, too bad cant play with them now since I'd had too much going on like flying 2 JAPAN for holiday in 2 weeks time while retiling my house & going a CASE fight against a online gaming company just before that, getting too poor in such a short window

garfield kor kor... ur life seems very interesting right now... with all sorts of things happening in a short frame of time...haha

 

[Op_Valkyrie]

Nope, I avoiding them also. I bought the pack of six Monsoon Compression Fittings. After fixing the fittings onto the tubing, the tubing is still very loose.

When I say loose, I really mean it was loose. I literally be able to pull the tubing away from the compression fittings. Do note that I did ensure I bought the correct size fittings for my tube.

It seems has issues with the secure ring. It will works with only certain tubing, definitely not with XSPC or Masterkleer tubings.

Maybe they had improved or is I unlucky gotten a bad batch but for sure I am avoiding.

I did try alphacool's compression fittings, seems not bad though. But thats for compression fittings only. For rotaries, stricly recommend Bitspower.

The other reason I will not go for monsoon compression fittings is because the way they secure the ring tends to cause paint chips and tiny dents around the groove where you screw.

Anyway, every WC has a budget. Best is work within your budget.

what budget.... lol.... my initial 5K budget just for WC already boom...away earlier on.... u r not much better than me... haha

 

[congrade07]

what budget.... lol.... my initial 5K budget just for WC already boom...away earlier on.... u r not much better than me... haha

mine from $600 initial budget for upgrading to now is like close to 3k liao.... This is just for this round of built, my current rig WC items already how much liao...

Time to listen to Katy Perry's FIREWORKS~~~